Duality (The Hitchhiker Strain #2) by Kellie Sheridan - Ashley's Review

*I received an eARC of this book from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Duality (The Hitchhiker Strain #2)
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Publication Date: February 21st, 2014

My End Dayz (#0.5) Review
My Mortality (#1) Review
My Mortality (#1) Pre-Reading

Synopsis: The end of everything came quickly, but the road back is endless and full of heartbreak. 

After months of only death and loss, Veritas may be the answer everyone has been searching for—a cure. Savannah wants nothing more than to begin rebuilding, but with both the Initiative and the United Militia vying for power, there are no easy answers. Ending the threat for good could mean becoming something far worse than the monsters she is fighting against. 

The infected will not go quietly. For Chelsea, the choice to step back into the world of the living is anything but simple. No miracle can erase the memories of the things she saw or the people she killed. While the girl she was struggles against the beast she became, Chelsea must make a choice—succumb or fight.

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Review: I really enjoyed Mortality. It takes the whole zombie trope and makes it something new and unique. The characters were (mostly) likeable, and I really wanted to know how things were going to play out for Savannah and her friends. Even though we no longer have Zarah's story to follow, we still get to see things from the zombie perspective, which is always a welcome change of pace.

Although I did like Savannah in the first book, I think I liked her even more in this book. She's less obnoxious, and she's trying to make the best decisions for herself, her friends, and her world. She just wants to do right and save as many people as she can, and I think she's doing a fairly decent job of it. There was a little bit of romantic drama going on that just annoyed me more than anything, but it's not the main focus of the book and it gets easier to ignore as the book goes on. I also thought having Savannah in both books are the anchor of the series was a really smart idea, especially since our zombie narrator gets switched up. 

In this book, we get to see things from Chelsea's perspective. She's a new kind of zombie - smart and fast, still hungry for human brains and human meat in general, but still aware of what "The Beast" is doing. Human Chelsea takes a kind of backseat to her own life, and can only watch as her body and the virus kill more and more survivors. She keeps count of how many people "The Beast" kills, but she's nearly powerless to stop it. There are some times when Chelsea is able to gain control, but these moments are short lived and few and far between. Like with Zarah's sections in the first book, I think Chelsea's were my favorite chapters in this book. 

It's rare to find a book that tells the story from the perspective of the monster, and I think Kellie Sheridan does a great job of showing us the world from opposing sides. Veritas has its pros and cons, and I think its easier to see things like that when we're not restricted to just one character on one side of the war. Duality ends well and I was actually kind of happy that the ending was so open. Sometimes it's nice to be able to imagine what happens next and not be told exactly who goes where and does what. 

I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun, easy, zombie read. This one does kind of feel like a second book though, and there were times when I thought the pacing was a little slow, but it does a nice job of wrapping up the series. I didn't think it was as great as the first book, but  I still really enjoyed it! 3.5/5


--Ashley

BLOG TOUR: The Last Siege of Haven (Undertakers #4) by Ty Drago - Author Top Ten + GIVEAWAY!

We're super excited to be hosting Ty Drago today as part of the blog tour for the fourth book in his Undertakers series, The Last Siege of Haven! Ty stopped by to give us a list of his Top Ten Zombies, and we've also got a giveaway for you. Be sure to enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post, and visit the rest of the fabulous tour stops by clicking the banner above!

About the Book

Title: Last Siege of Haven (Undertakers #4)

Publication date: May 2015

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Author: Ty Drago

Synopsis: While away on an undercover mission, Undertaker Will Ritter has made an unthinkable alliance...with a Corpse! But though Robert Dillin (aka 'The Zombie Prince') is indeed one of those alien invaders who animate and possess the bodies of the dead -- unlike the rest of his kind, Dillin isn't evil. In fact, he wants to help. And Will needs that help, because the Queen of the Dead has learned the location of Haven, the Undertakers' secret HQ, and is planning a massive and deadly assault.

With the last day of the Corpse War finally upon them, Will and his friends find themselves in a desperate race to close the Rift between worlds and forever kill the Corpses. But can they do before Haven is overrun?

For that matter, can they do it at all?

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | TBD

About the Author

Ty Drago does his writing just across the river from Philadelphia, where the Undertakers novels take place. In addition to The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses,The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead, and The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater, he is the author of The Franklin Affair and Phobos, as well as short stories and articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including Writer’s Digest. He currently lives in southern New Jersey with his wife and best friend, the real Helene Drago née Boettcher. 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Ty's Top Ten Zombies

I’ve been a zombie fan all my life.  Seriously, I can’t remember a time when the concept of hungry, animated cadavers didn’t fascinate me.  I’ve often argued that Frankenstein’s Monster was the first zombie, though not everyone agrees with me.

The original concept of the zombie, of course, didn’t involve eating brains or – really –anything else.  The word is believed to be originally West African, coming to this continent in the 18th century along with the slave trade.  Later, as part of Haitian Voodoo lore, a zombie is the mindless, undead servant of an evil magician.  But even in this context, they don’t eat people.

The cinematic modern “zombie” was introduced by George Romero is in 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead.”  Interestingly, the word “zombie” isn’t used in the movie; the characters describe the creatures hunting them as “ghouls.”  It was only later, in an interview, that Romaro dubbed them “zombies.” And it stuck.

So, when I was asked to provide a top ten list of zombies in popular media, I decided to interpret that using the modern definition.  So here, in a list that mixes movies, books, and television, are my favorite zombies in countdown format!

10)  “R” – The unlikely hero of Isaac Marion’s wonderful novel “Warm Bodies” (later a feature film), R is a zombie who falls in love with a living girl, an act that gradually restores his humanity.  I love it because it’s a wonderfully original take on the zombie mythos.

9) “World War Z” – I’m referring to the book by Max Brooks (Mel Brooks’ son, by the way), not the movie with Brad Pitt.  The book is a masterful chronicle of a worldwide zombie war, told through interviews with many different people.  It’s really amazing.

8) “Zombieland” – Now here is a solid zombie film!  Unlike most recent efforts, this movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, and yet still manages to be genuinely scary.  Bill Murray steals it about halfway through, playing … wait for it … Bill Murray!

7) “Rot and Ruin” - Jonathan Maberry’s four-book YA zombie masterpiece is perhaps the finest and most frightening portrayal of post-Zombie America ever written.  I can’t recommend it highly enough.

6) “The Night Stalker: The Zombie” - Admittedly, the classic 70’s show starring Darren McGavin wasn’t great.  But this early episode was fantastic.  It presents a more traditional zombie as servant to an evil Haitian necromancer.  The scene at the end, as Kolchak tries to destroy the “sleeping” zombie by filling its mouth with salt and sewing its lips shut, is genuinely scary.

5) “28 Days Later”- Okay, technically this isn’t a zombie movie.  After all, the mindless killers in this particular movie aren’t dead. They’re just crazy.  But given the tone and edge that the film generates, I can overlook that quibble.  This is a very effective story about a world being overrun by “infected.”

4) “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”-Oh, Jane Austin must have rolled over in her grave when Seth Grahame-Smith’s masterful parody was published.  It actually follows the plot of the original novel fairly faithfully, except for the Regency period “unmentionables” running around.  

3) “Return of the Living Dead” – In 1985, Dan O’Bannon directed this first great spoof of “Night of the Living Dead.”  It’s the first film to give zombies the capability of speech and, as far as I’m aware, the first to describe them as brain (rather than just people) eaters.  The classic zombie line, “Braaaaaiiinnsss!” originated in this one.  A true classic.

2) “The Walking Dead”-This insanely successful television show, based on an insanely successful series of graphic novels, works because it keeps its focus narrow: a group of people struggling to survive the zombie apocalypse.  The word “zombie” is never used.  Instead, the “walkers” are only one threat in a world where, really, living men and women are the real danger.

1) “Night of the Living Dead”-Top of the list.  End of the countdown.  George Romero’s immortal horror story started it all!

The Giveaway!

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What are some of your favorite zombies in popular media? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks to Ty for taking the time to give us his Top Ten Zombies, and thanks to your for stopping by and supporting Ty! 

--Ashley & Paul

BLOG TOUR: Dead Jed 2: Dawn of the Jed by Scott Craven - Top Ten + GIVEAWAY!

Good morning! Today we're happy to have Jed, from Scott Craven's Dead Jed series, stopping by to talk to us about his favorite zombie movies! We also have a giveaway for you, so be sure to enter via the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

And don't forget to visit the other fantastic stops on this tour, which you can find by clicking on the banner above.

About the Book

Title: Dead Jed 2: Dawn of the Jed

Author: Scott Craven

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC

Synopsis: The first part of seventh grade was rough on Jed, but things are looking up now that Christmas is almost here. As with past Christmases, Jed asks for the one thing he’s always wanted–a dog–and again, his parents tell him they’re not ready. But fate has a different plan when Jed sees a dog get run over by a car. Then, it happens. Jed suddenly has a pet, Tread, a zombie dog bearing his namesake–a tire tread down his back. Jed may have gained a dog, but he loses his best friend Luke, who fears the way Jed created his undead pet.

When Jed returns to school, he finds a mysterious group called the No Zombies Now Network spreading rumors of the dangers the undead pose to normal people. Forced to disprove Hollywood stereotypes, Jed has his work cut out for him as stories of a zombie dog begin to circulate. Jed could be expelled if he can’t expose the NZN Network as a fraud. Jed needs help from his kind of girlfriend Anna, especially after he discovers Luke has joined the shadowy group.

Once again navigating the treacherous waters of middle school, Jed does his best to stay in one piece. Only this time he’ll need even more duct tape and staples than usual.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | IndieBound

About the Author

Proud graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, have one son who will turn 18 in March 2013, now a features writer for The Arizona Republic.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter

Jed's Top Zombie Movies

When is comes to zombies, there is no such thing as a bad movie. I'll admit some are better than others (and all are better than the zombie movie set in a particular club that focuses on adult entertainment), but I find something to like in all of them.

I decided to turn this question over to Jed, whose taste is far more discerning when it comes to films starring the undead. 

JED: Thanks for letting me voice my opinion and breaking the (un)dead silence on the best zombie movies. It's not that I speak of all zombies, except that I do, since Hollywood has given us so few speaking roles.

But I'm not here to rant and rave about on-screen zombie mistreatment, though I could. Instead, I give you my take on best zombie films of all-time (while ignoring the tons of bad ones, since I hate to speak ill of the undead):

“Night of the Living Dead”: The one that started it all. Shame about that sad ending (breathers felt for that one guy getting shot at the end, but I'm talking about the many zombies who fell to marksmen).

“Shaun of the Dead”: Showed that zombies can be regular people too, though fairly stupid. And not too sure about the ending where a zombie was chained up inside a shed. That could have registered protest from the SPZA (Society for the Prevention of Zombie Abuse).

“Zombieland”: Zombies are large and in charge. But why can't they at least learn to drive. Being brain dead is no excuse.

“28 Days”: Not crazy about the “zombies as cannibals” plot, but dang, zombies are super-fast. Nice the see the living dead as an athletic bunch of guys who could make the U.S. Olympic track team.

“Revenge of the Living Dead:” Zombies are a fairly stupid bunch, but it proves being dead doesn't mean losing your sense of humor.

“Dawn of the Dead”: Zombies take over a shopping mall. Sweet. If only they had a better sense of fashion. C'mon, it was all you could carry at Old Navy. You sure you don't want to change out of that decaying burial shroud?

“Day of the Dead:” Zombies take over the country. My dad said this was his favorite – “No politicians.” 

"World War Z": Not only is this one of the few movies to draw an A-List actor (thanks, Brad Pitt), but it featured undead hordes clever enough to build a zombie pyramid and scale a 40-foot wall. Excellent teamwork, guys. You make me proud to be undead.  

The Giveaway! 

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Zombies. vs Unicorns by Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier - Ashley's Review

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Title: Zombies vs. Unicorns
Edited by: Justine Larbalestier & Holly Black
Year Published: 2010

My Pre-Reading (Pre-Listening?)

Synopsis: It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies.

Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn

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Review: Oh my goodness. This book was absolutely fantastic! The stories ranged from hilarious to charming to terrifying, and most of them reinvented zombies and unicorns and made them entirely different creatures. I really enjoyed the stories and seeing how different popular YA authors put their own spin on these classic creatures.

I listened to the audiobook version while on a long car trip, so I guess part of this should be about that. I don't typically listen to audiobooks, simply because they take too much time to get through. I would rather sit down for a few hours and read a book for myself than have to listen to someone else read it to me over the course of 15+ hours. If I had that much time, I could read like three books! The narrators in this book though made it seem as if not that much time had elapsed. I found myself paying attention to the stories, laughing out loud during most of them, and not wanting to get out of the car becuase it meant turning off the book. It was nice to have several narrators because the stories didn't run together. It was also easy to tell what gender the narrator was - male voices for a male POV and female voices for a female POV. All of the narrators did a good job distinguishing voices between characters too.

I also enjoyed the commentary before each story from Justine and Holly. Their banter also made me laugh, and I felt myself sympathizing most often with Justine (go Team Zombie!). I'm not sure that would have translated well in print (is it even in the book? I would assume so). I also enjoyed that before each story was a sound that indicated whether the story would be a Team Zombie story or a Team Unicorn story - supposedly to help members of one team skip stories from the other. It helped keep track of which story was about which creature.

All of the stories were really interesting, and I enjoyed when I got to a story from an author that I had actually read things from (e.g Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan, Meg Cabot, etc.). As far as the zombie  stories go, there are your horror zombie stories (of course), but there are also zombie romances, stories from the zombies' perspectives, good zombies, and so much more. The unicorn stories were also diverse, including a story called The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn. Stories like that made me think Team Unicorn didn't really take this competition seriously... Overall though, the stories are the perfect length, and definitely held my attention. Some are a little lengthy, but I think that might have had to do with switching CDs in the middle of them. 

I would totally recommend this book to any fans of zombies and/or unicorns. If you don't like zombies, skip those stories! Same with the unicorns. I loved the new takes on familiar creatures, especially with how popular zombies have gotten in pop culture recently. It's a fun read that you can keep on your nightstand for as long as it takes to finish, which is one of my favorite things about anthologies. I'll definitely be looking into these authors more, and trying to find out if any of these stories are parts of larger series! Definitely a 4/5.


--Ashley

Zombies. vs Unicorns by Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Zombies vs. Unicorns
Edited by: Justine Larbalestier & Holly Black
Year Published: 2010

Synopsis: It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies.

Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Why?: Well I actually picked this out as an audiobook because I was going to be driving for about as long as the CDs lasted. Also because who doesn't love a good zombie story? Or a good unicorn story? And I've read books from a lot of these authors and loved them, or have their books on my TBR list. Everything about this anthology is just calling my name!

Expectations: Since I love so many of these authors, I have pretty high expectations for this book. Lots of gore (probably) from Team Zombie and lots of rainbows and butterflies from Team Unicorn. Also a few stories that totally redefine zombies and unicorns as we think of them. I'm really excited about this anthology, and I hope it lives up to my expectations!

Judging a book by its cover: I kind of love that there is no title on this book, just pictures to show Zombies vs. Unicorns. I love the colors against the stark black background too. I think this book would definitely stand out on a shelf, especially since it's unlike any other cover out there. I would totally pick it up! 


--Ashley

The Colonized by Chris Ryall and Drew Moss - Paul's REVIEW

***I was provided an ecopy of this comic via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Colonized
Writer: Chris Ryall
Artist: Drew Moss
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: In this all-new graphic novel, a spaceship crashes into a separatist camp and manages to reanimate the dead as well! It's aliens vs. zombies vs. militiamen in a carnage-filled tale!

Review: This comic is a really fun mash-up. This story takes place in a community founded on the idea of no government. And unfortunately, both aliens and zombies are out and about in this small community. Not only are the dead people of the community now walking the streets, but the dead animals have turned to zombies as well and are on the lookout for fresh flesh. 

There are a few references to classic zombie movies that I got and I'm sure there were more than I didn't. 

There's political commentary deeper than I expected as well with some discussions of the role of government as well as environmental impacts of the human race on this planet. 

The artwork is colorful and beautifully gory at times. The zombie animals are the best. 

I give this graphic novel a 3/5. It was interesting, but I didn't find it amazing. I think zombie and alien invasion buffs will enjoy this.  

-PAUL

The Walking Dead: Compendium 1 by Robert Kirkman - Ashley's Review

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Title: The Walking Dead: Compendium 1
Author: Robert Kirkman 
Year Published: 2009

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: In a world ruled by the dead, we are finally forced to finally start living. With The Walking Dead #1-48, this compendium features more than one thousand pages chronicling the start of Robert Kirkman's Eisner Award-winning story of zombie horror, from Rick Grimes waking up alone in a hospital, his band of survivors seeking refuge on an isolated farm and the controversial introduction of Woodbury despot, The Governor.

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Review: I really wish I had read these before starting to watch the television show, but I am so glad that the series became popular because of the show. I love the show, and I think I loved the comics even more. 

The comics are darker, grittier, and gorier than I was expecting. I mean, I knew it was going to be all of those things, but somehow a black and white comic portrays more gore than most things in color. And I really loved how everything is black and white - I really think it adds so much to the story. The artwork is fantastic, and I hardly even noticed when the illustrator changes near the beginning (I only know because I read somewhere that it happened). 

I like so many more of the characters so much better in the comics than in the show. Andrea is one of my favorites - she's strong, skilled, unafraid, and willing to do quite a bit to protect Dale, the twins, and her friends. It's like she's a completely different person. A much more likable person. Rich is also less annoying in the comics. He's a better leader, and he understands his limitations much more. And he doesn't take crap from anyone. Carl is more child-like, and doesn't try to shoulder so much responsibility. He also actually listens (for the most part) and doesn't leave the house when someone tells him to get in the house. 

And then there's the Governor. He's much crazier and scarier than anything that would have been able to be shown on television. And most people know he's crazy, they just don't want to get on his bad side. He's a perfect villain, and even though we don't know too much about his background we gt enough of a glimpse to see what fuels him. Most of the scenes with him were incredibly shocking, and not at all what I expected. Compared to the comic book version, the television Governor is tame. 

The story is excellent, and the world building is pretty great too. It's amazing how much of this world we can learn about just through dialogue. I think that's part of the reason I love comic books/graphic novels, and why this one is so good. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who watches the TV show but hasn't read the comics yet. Or to anyone who wants a fantastic zombie story. Or to anyone who enjoys comics/graphic novels. I wouldn't recommend it to a younger audience (I'd probably say it's at least PG-13). I loved this collection, and I can't wait to start the second compendium to find out what's next for everyone! 5/5. 


--Ashley

End Dayz (The Hitchiker Strain #0.5) by Kellie Sheridan - Ashley's Review

*I received this novella as an eARC from Patchwork Press on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: End Dayz
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Year Published: 2013

My Mortality Review

Synopsis: It's a month after the dead first began to walk. The miracle vaccine that was supposed to save us all has failed.

Now, four teens fight to stay alive as a stronger, smarter breed of zombie begins to appear, threatening to end humanity for good.

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Review: I was really excited when I saw that there was a prequel short story collection for Sheridan's Hitchiker Strain series. The zombies were different and interesting, and I have been wanting to learn more about the world she created. I also absolutely love seeing things from minor characters perspectives, so this collection was absolutely fantastic for me. 

There's a little bit of background that's hinted at in Mortality but never really explained that really makes everything come together so much more cohesively. We get to see things that happen to Alex before he even meets Savannah and her friends, and we see how Pierce ends up in the US in the first place. And then there's  Zach and his adventures in the high school when it was being cleared, and Belle before her father took charge of the remaining survivors. I really enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, since they're all so radically different from Savannah and Zarah, and even each other.

The plot isn't really anything terribly exciting, but the expansion of the world and the characters makes this a must read for anyone who was read and loved Mortality. It's almost enough to tide me over until the next book in the series is released! I would give this collection a 3/5, although I do hope that we get more like this as the story progresses. Anyone who loves zombies and zombie culture should definitely check out this series!


--Ashley

Mortality (The Hitchiker Strain #1) by Kellie Sheridan - Ashley's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Mortality
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Year Published: 2013

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death. 

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore.

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

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Review: It's been a really long time since I've read a good YA zombie book (the last one I can remember was Something Strange and Deadly), and I was really surprised that I enjoyed this one so much. A lot of times, the walking dead are overdone and unoriginal, but Sheridan took a popular theme and made it all her own. Everything about this book is excellent. 

Sheridan creates a world that's rich and different, and yet still very similar to our world. I loved how there were two kinds of zombies - the traditional, slow, stupid, walking dead who only look for their next meal and will probably end up dead (again) trying to get there, and the new, fast, intelligent, still very much alive-but-infected zombies that are more likely to kill you. I was terrified for Savannah and her friends and for Zarah and Liam, and their bravery throughout the whole book was really incredible. All of the characters are well written and very relatable, which really helped.

I really enjoyed reading this book from Savannah and Zarah's perspectives. It gives a complete picture of the world, and I don't think it would have been as good if we had only seen things from one side or the other. It's also really interesting how their stories merge and become one, especially when you can begin to recognize characters  without being told explicitly who they are. I do think my favorite sections were Zarah's even though there were fewer of them, since they end up being something I wasn't entirely expecting. 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for the next great YA zombie series. It would be such a shame for Mortality to be buried beneath all of the other "big name" books that might not be as good, and you should definitely give it a try. I especially think that fans of The Walking Dead would like this series. A 5/5 from me, and I can't wait for the next book to come out! 

--Ashley

Mortality (The Hitchiker Strain #1) by Kellie Sheridan - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Mortality
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death. 

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore.

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

Why?: Zombies, a virus, adventure, romance, and mystery? Count me in! Also, I loved Sheridan's novella Follow the White Rabbit, so I really wanted to see what a full length novel from her would be like.

Expectations: I expect a zombie novel that takes place in an alternate version of our world. Plus a lot of running (one of the most important rules in a zombie apocalypse is cardio, after all), as well as some crazy disease that has caused people to become un-dead.  I'm also looking forward to a strong heroine who needs a little romance in her life.

Judging a book by its cover: I really love the cover. Two girls, one alive and one that looks pretty dead. I would probably pick this one up as soon as I saw it on a shelf 

--Ashley