A review by cozykrysti
Twice Shy by Patrick Freivald
3.0
Twice Shy
Book Review
Ani is a typical angst-filled teenager. She dresses all in black, listens to death-metal music, and is in love with the all-star jock she can never have. She also spends hours each night in a bath filled with…formaldehyde? Well, maybe she isn’t exactly typical. In fact, she’s dead, or perhaps undead would be the more politically correct term.
Ani contracted the dreaded ZV (zombie) virus at the age of sixteen and, with the help of her doctor mother, manages to control her fierce cravings for brains and live a somewhat normal life.
Her mother is determined to find a cure for Ani’s condition and is willing to do just about anything in order to make that happen. She has also given Ani some very strict rules in order to keep her condition a secret from those who would otherwise want to shoot and then burn her. Ani must dress like an “emo” as well as hanging out with a group of them at school. She must pretend to be a misfit and ignore all her former friends. And she must never be caught listening to the pop music she so dearly loves. Will Ani be discovered and put to death (final death in her case), or will her mother find a cure in time to return her to her former blonde, cheerleading self?
Patrick creates a fun-filled read in this new take on the classic zombie novel. It is jam packed with fantastically gory details that any fan of the genre would expect. Patrick also expertly captures the emotions of a troubled teen and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Ani proves to be a fascinating character that the reader will root for from the first page.
The book, unfortunately, concludes in a way that is both jarring and incredibly unsatisfying. It wraps up very quickly; the ending consists of less than a page and a half. But, worst of all, the tone of the writing seems to change so completely that it is as though it was written by an entirely different author.
Other than the abysmal ending, this novel provides a unique portrayal of the zombie monster and should be recommended to anyone who can appreciate a little undead drama.
Book Review
Ani is a typical angst-filled teenager. She dresses all in black, listens to death-metal music, and is in love with the all-star jock she can never have. She also spends hours each night in a bath filled with…formaldehyde? Well, maybe she isn’t exactly typical. In fact, she’s dead, or perhaps undead would be the more politically correct term.
Ani contracted the dreaded ZV (zombie) virus at the age of sixteen and, with the help of her doctor mother, manages to control her fierce cravings for brains and live a somewhat normal life.
Her mother is determined to find a cure for Ani’s condition and is willing to do just about anything in order to make that happen. She has also given Ani some very strict rules in order to keep her condition a secret from those who would otherwise want to shoot and then burn her. Ani must dress like an “emo” as well as hanging out with a group of them at school. She must pretend to be a misfit and ignore all her former friends. And she must never be caught listening to the pop music she so dearly loves. Will Ani be discovered and put to death (final death in her case), or will her mother find a cure in time to return her to her former blonde, cheerleading self?
Patrick creates a fun-filled read in this new take on the classic zombie novel. It is jam packed with fantastically gory details that any fan of the genre would expect. Patrick also expertly captures the emotions of a troubled teen and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Ani proves to be a fascinating character that the reader will root for from the first page.
The book, unfortunately, concludes in a way that is both jarring and incredibly unsatisfying. It wraps up very quickly; the ending consists of less than a page and a half. But, worst of all, the tone of the writing seems to change so completely that it is as though it was written by an entirely different author.
Other than the abysmal ending, this novel provides a unique portrayal of the zombie monster and should be recommended to anyone who can appreciate a little undead drama.