chrudos's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.25
stephiemxoxo's review
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.0
patchworkbunny's review
4.0
The follow up to Apocalypse Cow sees Britain attempting to hold back the rest of the world from destroying them in order to prevent the virus spreading. For the time being, it’s contained by the sea, patrolled by military vessels set on shooting anyone who attempts to escape.
These are not traditional zombies. They are not undead and mostly they act like normal people just much more prone to outbursts of anger and having lots of sex. Now that nearly the entire population is infected, the virus doesn’t need to spread, and the rage only tends to kick in near the uninfected. Yet without internet, the rest of the world is being fed stories of the zombie filled land via the media frenzy. Popular opinion would have the country nuked, if only the French wouldn’t object.
World War Moo is full of political satire; from nuclear deterrent to immigration, media coverage to African mercenaries and religious fanatics. There are a few times when the humour is just a bit silly, but overall it’s spot on with its observations of human nature and how governments act. It’s a shame Michael’s UK publisher didn’t pick the sequel up as there’s plenty of things that are oh so British.
The cover is a tad misleading if you are expecting a whole load of zombie cows again. There’s a few here and there but this is mostly about the people left behind. However plenty of the characters from the previous book are back along with a few new ones.
Review copy provided by author.
These are not traditional zombies. They are not undead and mostly they act like normal people just much more prone to outbursts of anger and having lots of sex. Now that nearly the entire population is infected, the virus doesn’t need to spread, and the rage only tends to kick in near the uninfected. Yet without internet, the rest of the world is being fed stories of the zombie filled land via the media frenzy. Popular opinion would have the country nuked, if only the French wouldn’t object.
World War Moo is full of political satire; from nuclear deterrent to immigration, media coverage to African mercenaries and religious fanatics. There are a few times when the humour is just a bit silly, but overall it’s spot on with its observations of human nature and how governments act. It’s a shame Michael’s UK publisher didn’t pick the sequel up as there’s plenty of things that are oh so British.
The cover is a tad misleading if you are expecting a whole load of zombie cows again. There’s a few here and there but this is mostly about the people left behind. However plenty of the characters from the previous book are back along with a few new ones.
Review copy provided by author.
tracystacylacy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
virago's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was...wowzers. It was a very good sequel. I'm not sure how I feel about that ending, but I also do not think it could have ended any other way.
Note To Self: Write a better review after the readathon.
Updated Review (too many days later):
So this was a bit more serious that it's wackier predecessor. We are reunited with the survivors of Apocalypse Cow and are met with some new characters. Now the secret is out that the British Government created a biological weapon, and that they inadvertently let out of the laboratory. The virus, which was engineered for animals, has now mutated and made the jump to humans. There is an entire island of infected people trying to make the best of the life they've been cursed with. Meanwhile the rest of the world believes they have the right to make the decision about whether or not these infected people have the right to live. The fear is that the infection will eventually escape the island and infect the rest of the world. Both positions are understandable and even defensible.
Our heroes are thrust back into the thick of things. Geldolf learns that his mother was right to hide him from his grandfather, who is a greedy old man concerned only with profits and securing his legacy. When the man learns that his daughter is still alive on the island, he tasks his grandson with hiring a team of mercenaries to infiltrate Scotland and rescue her. Geldolf invites himself on the mission, Both to escape his grandfather and to see his mother again--not positive that the rescue mission will work.
There are a lot of shenanigans by both sides, threats and posturing and both secretly plan to destroy the other. The problem is that each side is only seeing things from their own viewpoint. In the end members from both sides seem to see reason, but will the powers that be agree? It's a bit of an open ending, which...meh. Based on how the plot played out, it makes perfect sense. It would have been hard to create a truly good ending choosing either side. However; there is also and opening for another sequel, without the absolute necessity for one. I enjoyed this very much, but am still not certain how I feel about the ending. I'll go with neutral.
Note To Self: Write a better review after the readathon.
Updated Review (too many days later):
So this was a bit more serious that it's wackier predecessor. We are reunited with the survivors of Apocalypse Cow and are met with some new characters. Now the secret is out that the British Government created a biological weapon, and that they inadvertently let out of the laboratory. The virus, which was engineered for animals, has now mutated and made the jump to humans. There is an entire island of infected people trying to make the best of the life they've been cursed with. Meanwhile the rest of the world believes they have the right to make the decision about whether or not these infected people have the right to live. The fear is that the infection will eventually escape the island and infect the rest of the world. Both positions are understandable and even defensible.
Our heroes are thrust back into the thick of things. Geldolf learns that his mother was right to hide him from his grandfather, who is a greedy old man concerned only with profits and securing his legacy. When the man learns that his daughter is still alive on the island, he tasks his grandson with hiring a team of mercenaries to infiltrate Scotland and rescue her. Geldolf invites himself on the mission, Both to escape his grandfather and to see his mother again--not positive that the rescue mission will work.
There are a lot of shenanigans by both sides, threats and posturing and both secretly plan to destroy the other. The problem is that each side is only seeing things from their own viewpoint. In the end members from both sides seem to see reason, but will the powers that be agree? It's a bit of an open ending, which...meh. Based on how the plot played out, it makes perfect sense. It would have been hard to create a truly good ending choosing either side. However; there is also and opening for another sequel, without the absolute necessity for one. I enjoyed this very much, but am still not certain how I feel about the ending. I'll go with neutral.
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