"One woman's story as she blogs - and fights back - the zombie apocalypse" Allison Hewitt and her five colleagues at the Brooks and Peabody Bookstore are trapped together when the zombie outbreak hits. Allison reaches out for help through her blog, writing on her laptop and utilizing the military's emergency wireless network (SNET). It may also be her only chance to reach her mother. But as the reality of their situation sinks in, Allison's blog becomes a harrowing account of her edge-of-the-seat adventures (with some witty sarcasm thrown in) as she and her companions fight their way through ravenous zombies and sometimes even more dangerous humans. |
I loved how this zombie, apocalypse-style book began with a bang in a bookshop of all places. The survivors, an eccentric group mix, were trapped for survival in the back storage room. Soon it was inevitable for them to leave the sacred place, however, venturing up into apartments nearby and then out into the world. I won't spoil the trip of the voyage, but while it was sad to leave the bookstore (I'm such a book dork), their journey continues on interesting routes and explorations.
Allison as the main character is likeable in ways - she's a literary student, which is always a superior choice. Throughout the novel sometimes she reflects on the importance and love of books. How cool is that?? Overall she's a loyal kind of gal and really wanting to find her mother again. She's certainly cold enough to survive in this twisted world. I don't know the exact source, but I couldn't find myself falling in love with the protagonist, which made it harder to rate the book higher and get a fuller enjoyment out of it. Other characters, while not always fleshed out through thorough exploration, helped keep the novel afloat.
As far as zombie tales go, this one's mild. Compared to others of it's ilk, there's not as many undead attacks, little gore, and violence is used when needed but not continuously. These aren't really criticisms - I don't need endless violence and blood splatter to create good zombie efforts. But the sedate events blended with the calm protagonist and writing style did not result in a tension filled or action paced book. You want to know what happens, of course, but there's little hurry to get there.
I dig how the author established two types of zombie identities. Her writing style is easy to follow - sophisticated but not drug down, to the point and excellent with inner reflection.
I must say one of the better things about the book was how it was written - as a blog, with comments from a few select readers around the world. This cool twist in technology was a new way to connect, although I wonder if some wondered at times if she was exaggerated her heroic efforts. Other times I wondered how she could realistically write this stuff after the fact considering what situations and locations she ends up in.
The reader comments opened a window into the mind of other characters we never get to actually see, and for some reason this was one of the better things of the book. I only wish there could have been more comments as these are kept sparse.
Overall a good book that holds the interest and leaves you wanting to see what happens to the survivors. Of course as a zombie novel you cringe when certain things happen to people you like. Certainly worth a read if you dig the undead tales.
Book Quotes:
“And if they do, I hope heaven is a road trip. I hope it’s
you and me and Renny and Ted with nothing but time on our hands. I hope it’s, I don’t know, crossing an immeasurable distance with your closest friends.”
Zombie Book Reviews:
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