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iqlofty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Suicide
Minor: Cannibalism, Pregnancy, and Classism
moonafall's review against another edition
5.0
So very different from the movie and so much better. This was my second time getting through this book and I picked up on a lot of things I missed the first time. I strongly recommend the audiobook; it's amazing. So well narrated and lots of brand name actors. However, since I listened to the audiobook this time and I also listen to quite a few news podcasts, I felt as if it had... actually happened? A few places that I used to live near in California are mentioned and I felt like the war had actually happened for a moment. Maybe it was just that it was so well done that I was able to slip myself really easily into the POV of all the MCs. A+.
schoofly's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
johnkinnison's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
jurassicreads's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this one on my shelves for ~6 years and ultimately my avoidance of it was this: I was afraid it would be as bad as the movie. Short answer: it was FAR BETTER. I think that if the movie took even an ounce of what this book is about and had filmed THAT, it would have done much better.
This book is told in an interview-anthology format, where the 'narrator' is practically voiceless while characters tell their personal stories that took place during World War Z, an even that happened years prior. There are dozens of accounts, ranging from doctors, soldiers, and normal citizens. They are emotional, scary, and truly disgusting at times.
One of my favorite parts of science fiction movies and books is HOW IT ALL STARTED, the early stages of an outbreak or major event. I find human reaction to an event and how it developed in the early stages to be fascinating. This book encapsulates the ultimate human reaction to a slow-growing event: the spread of a zombie virus.
I loved this! Unique format and very in-depth characterization of MANY different characters in a way that isn't overwhelming.
This book is told in an interview-anthology format, where the 'narrator' is practically voiceless while characters tell their personal stories that took place during World War Z, an even that happened years prior. There are dozens of accounts, ranging from doctors, soldiers, and normal citizens. They are emotional, scary, and truly disgusting at times.
One of my favorite parts of science fiction movies and books is HOW IT ALL STARTED, the early stages of an outbreak or major event. I find human reaction to an event and how it developed in the early stages to be fascinating. This book encapsulates the ultimate human reaction to a slow-growing event: the spread of a zombie virus.
I loved this! Unique format and very in-depth characterization of MANY different characters in a way that isn't overwhelming.
dwaite1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
I didn't like the reporter style and none of the people spoken to had distinct voices and nothing was happening quickly enough.
laurenw22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
grizelybear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I didn't realize this book would be delivered in a multi-interview format, but it was interesting. I almost want to see if there's an audiobook version, as I'm sure that's a good way to make this book more riveting.
Zombies are one of my favorite sub-genres of horror, so reading about how the world may respond and turn out if zombies ever attacked had been really fun for me. I am in awe of the author's imagination when it came to the lore and I honestly don't believe I could think up half of what he envisioned in this book. I also liked that each interviewee was written to have their own "voice" and that they also showed other countries' responses and perspectives, not just America's.
Unfortunately, some chapters were better written than the others, and some were just plain boring to me. It's probably all the politics and military terms that made me lose some of my interest. However, I still think this book was actually overall really good! Now I know why my brothers really liked this.
This isn't the book to read if you're looking for a fast, thrilling ride, but if you want to read about a lore-rich post apocalyptic world brought about by zombies, then you should give this a try.
Zombies are one of my favorite sub-genres of horror, so reading about how the world may respond and turn out if zombies ever attacked had been really fun for me. I am in awe of the author's imagination when it came to the lore and I honestly don't believe I could think up half of what he envisioned in this book. I also liked that each interviewee was written to have their own "voice" and that they also showed other countries' responses and perspectives, not just America's.
Unfortunately, some chapters were better written than the others, and some were just plain boring to me. It's probably all the politics and military terms that made me lose some of my interest. However, I still think this book was actually overall really good! Now I know why my brothers really liked this.
This isn't the book to read if you're looking for a fast, thrilling ride, but if you want to read about a lore-rich post apocalyptic world brought about by zombies, then you should give this a try.