cyanr's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
anniedundun's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
4.5
This book was a great final story in the warm bodies series. It took some time for me to read it because it is very dark and felt like it was mimicking the world around me; even though it was written before the darkness occurring while I read it.
I wish more people knew this story.
I wish more people knew this story.
pinteeth's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely spectacular ending to a heart wrenching and life changing story. That last line will stick with me forever, and I know that this series will never leave my life.
giendtly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
yvo_about_books's review
2.0
Finished reading: November 13th 2018
"It's easier to fall than to climb, and yet against all logic, life keeps rising."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Zola Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
Before I start I have to make a confession and say that I probably would never have decided to read The Living if I would have read The Burning World before requesting a copy of this final book. Why? I was considerably underwhelmed by the sequel, and I had serious problems with the writing style. Still, part of me hoped that this final book of the Warm Bodies series would be an improvement and a satisfying conclusion to R and Julie's story. Sadly it wasn't meant to be. The Living follows the same structure as the sequel and even intensifies the confusing writing style and structure as the end is coming near. Once again, I felt that the story in general lacks a proper plot and that both plot and characters were mostly all over the place and running into random trouble instead of following a coherent line. As for the writing style: especially the WE chapters were frustratingly confusing and there were too many jumps and switches between past, present and the different characters to make for a coherent story. I can forgive a zombie story not being scary and the humans being the bad guys for once. This is actually quite a refreshing angle. I can forgive the romance, especially since we are spared a love triangle. But between the writing, lack of proper plot and general feeling of confusement I can't say I had a great time reading The Living, and to be honest I was relieved when I finally reached the final page. I didn't find the ending particularly satisfying either... All in all not exactly a positive experience unfortunately.
WARNING: Possible spoilers! Please don’t read this summary if you haven’t read the first two books of this series yet. I’ll keep the summary super short but it’s impossible to keep it completely spoiler-free…
R used to be a flesh-eating zombie, but now he is breathing again. But what if he was something worse before he turned that first time? He finally remembers his former life, and what he has learned terrifies him. Especially if he things how it will change how Julie sees him... R feels the only way to redemption is to destroy what he once helped create, but how to start such an impossible task? And who will help him achieve that goal?
I was really hoping The Living would be a more positive reading experience for me, but sadly it was a repeat experience of The Burning World. The whole different stages of zombies and returning to life angle is without doubt refreshing, and the story has some interesting aspects. But between the writing style, lack of plot, confusing POV switches and WE chapters I just couldn't enjoy this final installment. I was in fact relieved it was finally over, and that is never a good sign. If you are able to connect to the writing style though, you will probably have a significantly better experience.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
kukuku's review against another edition
2.0
"She wants to see who she is, even if it’s an ugly portrait. Even if it’s despair and surrender and betrayal. She wants another chance, even if it’s brief."
Whew! I finished!
I think this final one was too long and strayed a bit with the metaphors and whatnot but the ending was very, very satisfying which a lot of stories (esp sci-fi/fantasy ones) can't claim. I just love these characters!
Whew! I finished!
I think this final one was too long and strayed a bit with the metaphors and whatnot but the ending was very, very satisfying which a lot of stories (esp sci-fi/fantasy ones) can't claim. I just love these characters!
niiiknak's review against another edition
5.0
I will never be able to express how much I love this series, and this book. I think this was a great finishing t0 the series as a whole and really made me feel less shitty about this year. I feel like the series as a whole is so incredibly underrated and forgotten which is sad because it's different look on life from a very interesting narrator.
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
4.0
Does the world deserve forgiveness? Does it deserve another chance?
I was very conflicted as I read this. The overarching emotion I felt throughout was disappointment. Unlike the rest of the series, this felt like it lacked a real direction. I wasn't sure what the goal was, and what had been the established goal at the end of The Burning World was pretty much entirely forgotten until the climax. Conflicts were often repeated multiple times, or borrowed from previous books, and it left me feeling drained and frankly a little pissed off. A lot of time was spent flipping through perspectives and I felt like I didn't have enough time to feel much of anything for most of them. The scope of this was too big sometimes and the plot was left drowning in it.
We all decide the shape of the world, the sum of all minds together. Change has to be chosen.
But luckily, Marion is an amazing writer, and his way with words and imagery pretty much saved this. R completed his ongoing character arc all for the better and the conclusion was probably the most emotionally heart-wrenching, yet also heart-warming, endings to any series I've ever read. While I flip-flopped between considering DNFing it or framing it on my wall, I think that ultimately, this was a fantastic book that perhaps I will appreciate more on a second read through. And, of course, the themes are so profound and thought provoking. Even the bad guys sometimes manage to pull you in. Overall, I am so glad I read this and even more than that, I'm so glad Isaac finally got to release this book into the world, and I'm more than excited to see what strange paths he follows next.
Every choice has a price. We all owe a debt to this world for the things we take from it, right or wrong, cruel or kind. But these laws are soft, these laws are alive, and sometimes a debt is forgiven.