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powerpuffgoat's review against another edition
3.25
Going into it, I admit I was biased because I didn't like the only other book by Tremblay I've read. However, I opted for an audiobook this time in hopes that more passive absorption of the text would help. To an extent, it did.
Good things first. The premise isn't new (zombie-like pandemic that affects humans and other animals). The book was published in 2020, so I assume it was written before COVID unraveled, and it's incredible how much the author nailed the vibe. The not quite knowing what you're supposed to do. The haphazard handling of the pandemic by the authorities. The overrun hospitals and overworked medical staff. The right-wing anti-wax crowds that are as cowardly as they are stupid. Uncanny.
Unfortunately, I was faced with the same issue as I encountered in The Cabin. The pacing switches between high-action, present tense chapters and painful ruminations of the main characters. Natalie's character was difficult to sympathise with, both her dialogue and her recordings to her future baby were kind of annoying. Yes-yes, I know she is in a terrible situation, but I feel like the author expects us to excuse anything Natalie does based on the fact she is pregnant.
And now we come to my biggest issue with the novel. I feel like many stories use children or pregnancy as a "hack" to up the stakes and get the viewer or reader to root for these vulnerable characters. It felt cheap, even cheaper because of the fate of two young men who helped Natalie and Ramola and the bus full of other mothers and babies our characters shamelessly exposed to sick Natalie.
I hated the way Natalie latches onto the idea of Ramola raising the child, even though she was clearly not keen on it. I hate that Ramola ends up raising the baby anyway because... Women, right? Give 'em a baby, even if they say they don't want one, they will end up a great mother figure!
Good things first. The premise isn't new (zombie-like pandemic that affects humans and other animals). The book was published in 2020, so I assume it was written before COVID unraveled, and it's incredible how much the author nailed the vibe. The not quite knowing what you're supposed to do. The haphazard handling of the pandemic by the authorities. The overrun hospitals and overworked medical staff. The right-wing anti-wax crowds that are as cowardly as they are stupid. Uncanny.
Unfortunately, I was faced with the same issue as I encountered in The Cabin. The pacing switches between high-action, present tense chapters and painful ruminations of the main characters. Natalie's character was difficult to sympathise with, both her dialogue and her recordings to her future baby were kind of annoying. Yes-yes, I know she is in a terrible situation, but I feel like the author expects us to excuse anything Natalie does based on the fact she is pregnant.
And now we come to my biggest issue with the novel. I feel like many stories use children or pregnancy as a "hack" to up the stakes and get the viewer or reader to root for these vulnerable characters. It felt cheap, even cheaper because of the fate of two young men who helped Natalie and Ramola and the bus full of other mothers and babies our characters shamelessly exposed to sick Natalie.
rkdesko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
zaisgraph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Why do zombie books always say don't call em zombies... it's like super cliche at this point... i mean does someone own the copyright to the term? Anyone know???
On to Survivor Song... despite the very promising start this book turned out to be pretty mid... it had a couple of major things going against it... first (as someone who survived the covid pandemic) the doctor here is generally annoying and did not generate any sympathy from me specially when she exposed so many people to danger in order to assist her friend... Second is the MCs "friendship" doesn't feel authentically fleshed out/believable... honestly did not buy anything the flashbacks tried to sell
A minor gripe is with a subplot with the teens though (felt fillery) though it ended in a very visceral/impactful way. Actually, the same can be said with the main storyline. The end was awesome, quite fresh in my eyes and made sense within the smaller scope of the narrative.
This is my third Tremblay book honestly haven't read anything spectacular by him.
On to Survivor Song... despite the very promising start this book turned out to be pretty mid... it had a couple of major things going against it... first (as someone who survived the covid pandemic) the doctor here is generally annoying and did not generate any sympathy from me specially when she exposed so many people to danger in order to assist her friend... Second is the MCs "friendship" doesn't feel authentically fleshed out/believable... honestly did not buy anything the flashbacks tried to sell
A minor gripe is with a subplot with the teens though (felt fillery) though it ended in a very visceral/impactful way. Actually, the same can be said with the main storyline. The end was awesome, quite fresh in my eyes and made sense within the smaller scope of the narrative.
This is my third Tremblay book honestly haven't read anything spectacular by him.
kehleeboo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
dovie_love's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Paul Tremblay writes a really moving story about a zombie-type apocalypse. I didn’t think I was so much enjoying the story or invested until I got to the end and was weeping through the last chapters. Also! Two characters from another of Paul’s books make an appearance, which was a fun Easter egg for faithful readers.
theatretenor's review against another edition
5.0
Easily one of the best books of 2020. Just blown away. Read this book!
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
Considering that zombie and pandemic books aren’t usually my thing (especially in the current climate), this was surprisingly entertaining and not too triggering! It’s concentrated over a short time span and is basically a super tense and cinematic road trip for survival with a heavily pregnant infected woman.
And if you’ve read Disappearance at Devil’s Rock, there is an AMAZING lengthy cameo/crossover with the boys from that
And if you’ve read Disappearance at Devil’s Rock, there is an AMAZING lengthy cameo/crossover with the boys from that
oktrouble1401213's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25