A review by youshouldreadthisif
Elegy for the Undead by Matthew Vesely

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I so enjoyed this genre-defying novella. I’m not generally into zombie stories, but this premise right here is exactly how I can be lured into reading one. It’s zombie fiction that isn’t actually about the zombies. 

 

It’s a love story, or rather a story about love. The fragile beginnings of learning how to love another person and messing it up because you’re scared and unsure. Discovering all the wonderful ways you fit together. The grief of knowing that the end of your story is coming and the bittersweet melancholy of a love well lived together, even if it was shorter than you wanted. Of watching, helpless, the deterioration of someone you love and making painful decisions. Of giving your person permission to be happy without you, with another person, even if they don’t want to. Of remembering, like the beautiful parts are happening all over again. 

 

I cried while writing this, if that tells you anything.