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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This book was so good. It had the plot I was hoping for when I bought it and wasn’t cheesy like I thought it might be
Thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest opinion,
Heart Still Beating takes on a classic zombie apocalypse scenario but adds dimension to the topic by giving the perspective of a (now-former) zombie. It’s a fast paced, high stakes adventure, with a good dose of romance. There’s no shortage of peril or violence, which is to be expected given that it’s a kill or be killed post apocalyptic landscape.
Society has crumbled after a virus swept across the planet, turning humans into carnivorous zombies. Small enclaves of survivors have formed an alliance to help one another and pursue a cure for the virus. Rory Tate is living with her remaining family in one such enclave when she learns that 15 “altered” zombies will be resettled there, including Mara Knight the girl she loved before the fall.
Told from the perspectives of both young women, this story explores the enormity of loss and survivorship, the limits of love, and what it means to be a family.
Heart Still Beating takes on a classic zombie apocalypse scenario but adds dimension to the topic by giving the perspective of a (now-former) zombie. It’s a fast paced, high stakes adventure, with a good dose of romance. There’s no shortage of peril or violence, which is to be expected given that it’s a kill or be killed post apocalyptic landscape.
Society has crumbled after a virus swept across the planet, turning humans into carnivorous zombies. Small enclaves of survivors have formed an alliance to help one another and pursue a cure for the virus. Rory Tate is living with her remaining family in one such enclave when she learns that 15 “altered” zombies will be resettled there, including Mara Knight the girl she loved before the fall.
Told from the perspectives of both young women, this story explores the enormity of loss and survivorship, the limits of love, and what it means to be a family.
If this book was a lyric it'd be: "Your lips, my lips, apocalypse."
Just so good. The writing is amazing and the relationship between Mara and Rory is one of the best ones that I’ve seen in a YA novel!!
Some might not expect to find beauty in a post-apocalyptic novel, but if you’re a devotee of zombie fiction, you know it exists- in the moments where being human has grace and truth. You also know that even worse than the monsters are the other humans.
When the world ended three years earlier, Aurora had just kissed her best friend, Mara. Admitting for the first time she had delicate, romantic feelings for her. And Mara froze, unable to confess her own delicate, romantic feelings. Then in the middle of the night, Aurora’s family drove away.
Three years later, Mara is back in Aurora’s orbit, a minor being taken in by Aurora’s family, and an altered being, a “tick” as they call the zombie-like former humans with a virus in their brains. She’s part of the rehabilitated, given a daily injection that allows her to be almost human again, but not quite alive either. A lot has happened in these three years and “Rory” (as Aurora prefers to be called now) has hardened. She’s not the same sweet young girl who loved Mara Knight.
This love story plays out in present time with frequent references to the past.
It’s YA in that way that the best YA is; not pulling punches, confident that young people can handle hard truths.
It’s brutal and tender, rough and stunning. I highly recommend the audiobook. I’m always a fan of Kristen DiMercurio, but Gail Shalan is new to me. They are absolutely top notch as Mara and Rory.
#ya #youngadult #sapphicromance #lovestories #loveislove #contemporaryfiction #audiobooks #voiceactors #voiceacting #narrators #libby #libraries
When the world ended three years earlier, Aurora had just kissed her best friend, Mara. Admitting for the first time she had delicate, romantic feelings for her. And Mara froze, unable to confess her own delicate, romantic feelings. Then in the middle of the night, Aurora’s family drove away.
Three years later, Mara is back in Aurora’s orbit, a minor being taken in by Aurora’s family, and an altered being, a “tick” as they call the zombie-like former humans with a virus in their brains. She’s part of the rehabilitated, given a daily injection that allows her to be almost human again, but not quite alive either. A lot has happened in these three years and “Rory” (as Aurora prefers to be called now) has hardened. She’s not the same sweet young girl who loved Mara Knight.
This love story plays out in present time with frequent references to the past.
It’s YA in that way that the best YA is; not pulling punches, confident that young people can handle hard truths.
It’s brutal and tender, rough and stunning. I highly recommend the audiobook. I’m always a fan of Kristen DiMercurio, but Gail Shalan is new to me. They are absolutely top notch as Mara and Rory.
#ya #youngadult #sapphicromance #lovestories #loveislove #contemporaryfiction #audiobooks #voiceactors #voiceacting #narrators #libby #libraries
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
abandoned at 50% - uninspired worldbuilding and the protag's hate for each other felt so artificial
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise of this book hooked me immediately, and it did not disappoint. It’s a unique twist on the zombie apocalypse genre, which I enjoy quite a bit. There’s nothing very negative to say about it, really. The pacing was on the slower side, but that didn’t bother me and it fit with the storyline in my opinion.
The worldbuilding is one of this book’s strongest points. It was laid out clearly in the beginning and built upon as I kept reading. Everything was easy to understand, and felt logical for the story. I also enjoyed the characters. I haven’t read a lot of lovers-rivals-lovers, but it’s definitely a dynamic I enjoyed. The characters, both the main and side, were likable and fleshed out enough to gain an understanding of their actions.
The writing style was also wonderful. I loved the descriptions the author provided. It was intense when needed. The dialogue could be corny at times- but they are teenagers. I didn’t cringe at the modern media references like I often do. It didn’t seem like bad writing, just age-accurate for them.
This is definitely a book I would recommend. It’s authentic and a very interesting read. I’d love another story set in this world. Following Vivian’s group maybe? Either way, I fell in love with the characters and the setting.
The worldbuilding is one of this book’s strongest points. It was laid out clearly in the beginning and built upon as I kept reading. Everything was easy to understand, and felt logical for the story. I also enjoyed the characters. I haven’t read a lot of lovers-rivals-lovers, but it’s definitely a dynamic I enjoyed. The characters, both the main and side, were likable and fleshed out enough to gain an understanding of their actions.
The writing style was also wonderful. I loved the descriptions the author provided. It was intense when needed. The dialogue could be corny at times- but they are teenagers. I didn’t cringe at the modern media references like I often do. It didn’t seem like bad writing, just age-accurate for them.
This is definitely a book I would recommend. It’s authentic and a very interesting read. I’d love another story set in this world. Following Vivian’s group maybe? Either way, I fell in love with the characters and the setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Violence
Minor: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A gritty zombie romance that gives a sapphic treatment to all the best parts of The Walking Dead and Warm Bodies. I laughed and cried and cheered. I think you’ll love the beautifully real characters, the seamless flashbacks, and the witty banter.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced