nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic book in the beginning that really slowed down toward the middle and ended with a better than mediocre thud. I loved the way the book opened and it grabbed me right at the beginning of the book. There was a lot of mystery as to what exactly was happening- why guns? why a locked room? Who were the other children? I do not want to give away the book, but once they left the school and moved into a different setting the book became a better than average chase type book. The group was sadly cliched- our main character, a hardened soldier, a new recruit, the caring teacher, and the driven scientist being chased for the last two thirds of the book.
I will give one minor spoiler, simply because there was no pay off with the characters. There are humans covered in tar, who besides the initial outbreak, don't do anything. Why introduce them in the first place, when you have other antagonists to work with? They, as bad guys, disappear except by mention.
By the end, I figured out what was going to happen since it was bound to happen that way. There was no real surprise, especially since a major plot introduction happens in the last act of the story. It was a good summer read, so I gave it 4 stars, but it should be 3.5, but the beginning was too good not to recommend. Trust me, avoid reading spoilers since the first third is written as a build up.
I will give one minor spoiler, simply because there was no pay off with the characters. There are humans covered in tar, who besides the initial outbreak, don't do anything. Why introduce them in the first place, when you have other antagonists to work with? They, as bad guys, disappear except by mention.
By the end, I figured out what was going to happen since it was bound to happen that way. There was no real surprise, especially since a major plot introduction happens in the last act of the story. It was a good summer read, so I gave it 4 stars, but it should be 3.5, but the beginning was too good not to recommend. Trust me, avoid reading spoilers since the first third is written as a build up.
kaitp617's review against another edition
4.0
I knew going into this that this book is a completely different take on the zombie apocalypse trope. But I didn't realize how emotionally attached I would get to two characters specifically (Melanie and Miss Justineau) and how much the soldiers would grow on me. Dr. Caldwell, though, can rot in hell.
This book makes you think about what you would do in their situation. How your moral compass would turn, and whose side you would be on, if any. The question the book really asks is: What does it mean to be human?
I loved the ending very much, and I loved Melanie, and her insight. 4/5 stars
This book makes you think about what you would do in their situation. How your moral compass would turn, and whose side you would be on, if any. The question the book really asks is: What does it mean to be human?
I loved the ending very much, and I loved Melanie, and her insight. 4/5 stars
kellymacbrown's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this new perspective on a zombie story. I watched the movie after reading. Book is definitely better.
sweetchoas's review against another edition
4.0
was a nice book, felt really immersive
a lot of morally grey situations that made me ponder a lot about what i would do so j'étais à leur place
basically a good general fiction/sf(ig) book, haven't read one of these in a while & it was a nice experience. you know these books that just make you feel like you're watching a movie ? yeah
liked the way the narration was written too, & how the tone seemed to change selon les personnages
a lot of morally grey situations that made me ponder a lot about what i would do so j'étais à leur place
basically a good general fiction/sf(ig) book, haven't read one of these in a while & it was a nice experience. you know these books that just make you feel like you're watching a movie ? yeah
liked the way the narration was written too, & how the tone seemed to change selon les personnages
whothehellisimmy's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap this book is amazing. I was gripped the entire way through. I knew that if I didn't put it down I'd have stayed up all night to read it.
One interesting thing I noticed is that this book is entirely in present tense - which is weird to start off with but I love it because it really makes you feel like you're there in the action.
All I'm gonna say is: Miss Justineau <33
I'm gonna recommend this book to everyone I meet no matter what honestly - definitely one of my favourites!
One interesting thing I noticed is that this book is entirely in present tense - which is weird to start off with but I love it because it really makes you feel like you're there in the action.
All I'm gonna say is: Miss Justineau <33
I'm gonna recommend this book to everyone I meet no matter what honestly - definitely one of my favourites!
lxndrw's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
dawneelisabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My mind is spinning from this book. It reminds me a lot of the Walking Dead/The Last of Us sort of apocalypse. Having different POVs from each person who had a very outlook and job after The Breakdown was my favorite part. It was extremely human too and really played on those emotions. The authors perspective on what their version of an "outbreak" is something that is really different than everything else out there within this genre (IMO who doesn't read this genre that much) The ending was shocking but confusing because it left me, the reader, questioning what my morals might be like in that scenario.
leannaaker's review against another edition
4.0
Killer zombie fan fiction that focuses on the nuances of infection in the subjects. Character development is great, and I would recommend this for people who are enamored with zombie fiction. It is different, but really well written and engaging.
moonbobjohnson's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0