jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I've read several stories with a premise of something causing all the adults to die off, leaving kids alone to fend for themselves (The Girl Who Owned a City, Apocalypsis, Gone, Night of the Purple Moon). In addition to any struggles that alone would create, the adults here don't die, but become zombie-ish monsters.
The story is told in a third-person, shifting perspective, from a variety of the kids originating in the Waitrose community (they meet others along the way, but the reader only gets into the heads of the kids we meet initially). It was a bit annoying as the perspective would shift in the different storylines (as the kids were separated). It would always end the chapter on a cliffhanger, and then shift to the other storyline.
This really was a gory story. As many others have mentioned, a "Lord of the Flies" feel. I can see there are several sequels, but I'm not sure I actually liked this enough to want to continue on ...
Although the setting is in England, there wasn't any of the British spellings (I just usually notice when there is, and wonder if it might confuse kids with the alternate lettering), and not much British slang either. I just found it interesting, as this did seem like one that I'd find it in!
The story is told in a third-person, shifting perspective, from a variety of the kids originating in the Waitrose community (they meet others along the way, but the reader only gets into the heads of the kids we meet initially). It was a bit annoying as the perspective would shift in the different storylines (as the kids were separated). It would always end the chapter on a cliffhanger, and then shift to the other storyline.
This really was a gory story. As many others have mentioned, a "Lord of the Flies" feel. I can see there are several sequels, but I'm not sure I actually liked this enough to want to continue on ...
Although the setting is in England, there wasn't any of the British spellings (I just usually notice when there is, and wonder if it might confuse kids with the alternate lettering), and not much British slang either. I just found it interesting, as this did seem like one that I'd find it in!
xread_write_repeatx's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Mental illness and Animal cruelty
lessariel's review
4.0
After a start that feels like every other apocalypse story this diverged into an inter sting look at how kids who have survived live. A lot of fighting, unexpected deaths and the best and worst of humanity.
One question remains, how did some adults survive?
One question remains, how did some adults survive?
izaklights's review
4.0
Very good except Ben and Bernie should be the main characters because I love them
nicolelynnreads's review
3.0
2.5 stars.
Finally finished this one! It took a while and it was rough getting through it, but it had it's entertaining parts. Did start connecting with some of the characters by the end.
Review to come!
Finally finished this one! It took a while and it was rough getting through it, but it had it's entertaining parts. Did start connecting with some of the characters by the end.
Review to come!
basilgarden's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
read this a few different times, it's still one i really enjoy. i think this is one book that really stuck with me over the years.
kirsty147's review
4.0
A quick, easy read - although the subject matter is definitely not "easy". I'd urge caution to those readers who are very squeamish.
I'm not usually a YA reader, but I saw this reviewed and fancied a change, plus the first chapter had me hooked.
My one minor criticism is the overuse of the word "bare". I'm not the target audience for this book, so it might be me, but surely this is not common? For example "she's a bare good fighter", "things are going to be bare different", "some bare hard times", "this part of London is bare weird" etc. I could maybe understand one character having this affliction, but several characters of various ages say it regularly. As a proof-editor I couldn't help but cringe each time it was used. If I'd had anything to do with the publishing of this novel I'd certainly have been flagging it up.
I'm not usually a YA reader, but I saw this reviewed and fancied a change, plus the first chapter had me hooked.
My one minor criticism is the overuse of the word "bare". I'm not the target audience for this book, so it might be me, but surely this is not common? For example "she's a bare good fighter", "things are going to be bare different", "some bare hard times", "this part of London is bare weird" etc. I could maybe understand one character having this affliction, but several characters of various ages say it regularly. As a proof-editor I couldn't help but cringe each time it was used. If I'd had anything to do with the publishing of this novel I'd certainly have been flagging it up.
lucy_t_firefly's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would; it's a pretty awesome little zombie story. I can't see how it can stretch in to so many sequels at the moment to be honest... but I'm looking forward to reading them though!