Terror 'Tober (Randi): Very, Very Peculiar... Review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

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Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine #1)

Author: Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk
Publication Date: June 7th, 2011
Page Count: 352
Genre: paranormal fantasy
Audience: young adult
Source: bought
Rating: 3 I would friend this book on Facebook so I could look at its weird pictures

Goodreads Summary: 
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. Fiction is based on real black and white photographs. The death of grandfather Abe sends sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and explores abandoned bedrooms and hallways. The children may still live.

My thoughts:  Okay. So I read this book last fall (2011) and gave it four stars. I re-read it for a class last week, and I've lowered my rating to three. Why? Because I feel like rereading it allowed me to judge it a little more rather than simply enjoy the story. Overall, I think I liked it...But some flaws were pointed out to me by peers that I can't ignore this time around. I actually picked up this book initially because the majority of the book takes place on an island off the coast of Wales. I studied abroad in Wales four years ago, so it's an understatement to say that I have a soft-spot for anything relating to Wales! The setting description is great and quite fitting (especially the inclusion of sheep since Wales has more sheep than people). The plot is intriguing and I may end up continuing the series (when the later books are released) so that I can find out what happens to some of my favorite characters.

Characters...I love the peculiar children. I don't really care for Jacob. He's not a very likable character; he seems like a spoiled brat who isn't very nice to his one friend and who is despised by his coworkers because he's kind of a jerk. I kind of ignored the flaws in his character the first time around, but honestly, I wish the protagonist was more relatable and more likable in general. His family bugs me as well - Jacob seems like the only person who has any real reaction to his grandfather's death (that's not a spoiler, I promise). That tells me that these people are not people to whom I can relate. At all. Anyway, the photographs throughout the story really create a spooky and eerie atmosphere and, while I'd hesitate to label this book as "horror," it is unique in that it contains elements of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. I like that genre bending; it doesn't fit a neat category. Overall, I'd recommend this if you can deal with a character that you may not find all that likable, if you want to read about the beautiful country of Wales, or if you're really interested in a unique twist on paranormal fantasy. 

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober Twice Baked Thursday: Review of Long Lankin

Goodreads Summary

Beware of Long Lankin, that lives in the moss. . . .When Cora and her younger sister, Mimi, are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Byers Guerdon, they receive a less than warm welcome. Auntie Ida is eccentric and rigid, and the girls are desperate to go back to London. But what they don't know is that their aunt's life was devastated the last time two young sisters were at Guerdon Hall, and she is determined to protect her nieces from an evil that has lain hidden for years. Along with Roger and Peter, two village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries -- before it's too late for little Mimi. Riveting and intensely atmospheric, this stunning debut will hold readers in its spell long after the last page is turned.                                                                      

Title: Long Lankin

Author: Lindsey Barraclough

Pages: 448

Genre: horror

Audience: young adult

Source: bought! (Randi)

Rating: 4 I'd make this book cheese on toast, but only if we could lock all the windows and bolt all the doors (Randi)
4 I'd stick this book in my closet because it's too creepy to be on the shelf. (Becky)

Our Thoughts

 This book was deliciously creepy. And I could not put it down. I shrugged off an important paper because I couldn't stop reading. It's one of those books where time passes, you look at the clock, and realize you've been reading for hours. You also realize that the windows to your house are all open and you're going to die. I want my mommy! I was so excited to get my hands on this book, and while it was different from what I pictured based on the premise, I was not disappointed! This is the kind of tale that will make a grown woman jump at shadows. With a baseball bat! (I obviously need to get one of those. This is what happens when you're unathletic...you get murdered by creepers because you can't defend yourself. I'm doomed.) I know this because that grown woman is me. Okay, so maybe I'm naturally jumpy when it comes to creepy things but still! This book has plenty of creep factor. It's climbin in your windows, snatchin your people up... 

Auntie Ida seems like a total fun-killer at first.  I loved her, haha.  I always love a grumpy older woman.  If this was a movie she'd be played by Maggie Smith. (The Dowager! YAY!) But you come to realize why she is the way she is; there is SO much sadness in this book.  I agree, and I think that genuine sadness really took the book from a three star fluff read to a four star story with emotional depth. True that. I really enjoyed the historical aspects. There are three points of view: Cora, Roger, and Auntie Ida. I'm not quite sure how much I gained from getting Roger's point of view...I wonder how different the book would've been without it.  I think it would have been better, with a cleaner plot line. Touche, ma'am. Touche.

 I wanted to shake Cora from time to time and say "LISTEN TO YOUR AUNT. SHE'S TRYING TO KEEP MIMI SAFE, DURNIT!!" Haha.  I'd be all up in that churchyard too.  I really did enjoy all of the characters. I don't feel like I got much of a sense of Cora's age (did it mention her age? I thought maybe nine or ten?), but Mimi is four and seems to fit her age very well.  I was thinking Cora was 10-12 but I can't remember if it said exactly. Some of the secondary characters are creepy in their own right (creepy cat lady is totally in this book).  Omg, I though she was going to eat Roger haha.  Not that I think cat people are weird...oh wait, yes I do.  All this book would have needed to be aimed at adults is an expansion of the secondary characters and more directness about the morbid aspects. You're just hatin' 'cuz you're a dog person! Hahaha. I totally think it has some awesome adult crossover appeal though. Or is it crossunder? Anyway, this book appeals to adults, too!

Overall, I thought this was a very unique take on a young adult horror story. I would definitely not introduce this in my middle school classroom,(hells to the no) but I bet high schoolers would love it (I would have read it and regretted it at night). Right! It makes you wish there had been more YA horror in our days. Thanks for the nightmares, Stephen King... It is gruesome at times, so if you don't like the crunching of bones or images of needles in skin, perhaps consider that when you think about reading this book. Total Gothic elements with the creepy house & I LOVED it! Sorry for saying "creepy" so much...but if you read it, you would understand why! It's the perfect word to describe this book! Even though I read it quickly, I ultimately gave it four stars instead of five because I did feel in some places it could have been a bit shorter.  With a heartless and rigorous editor (yes I'm imagining myself in this position) to streamline the language and plot-line it would be five stars.  However, still an excellent read and definitely a great choice for October!

ps-we have never agreed on a rating or every comment before.  It's a little...creepy. Oh, snap! ;)

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Terror 'Tober (Randi): Review of Amber House

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Title: Amber House (The Amber House Trilogy #1)

Author: Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed & Larkin Reed
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: October 1st, 2012
Page Count: 349
Genre: paranormal fantasy
Audience: young adult
Source: bought
Rating: 3.5 I would friend this book on Facebook & invite myself to all its parties

Goodreads Summary: 
"I was sixteen the first time my grandmother died..."

Sarah Parsons has never seen Amber House, the grand Maryland estate that's been in her family for three centuries. She's never walked its hedge maze nor found its secret chambers; she's never glimpsed the shades that haunt it, nor hunted for lost diamonds in its walls.

But all of that is about to change. After her grandmother passes away, Sarah and her friend Jackson decide to search for the diamonds--and the house comes alive. She discovers that she can see visions of the house's past, like the eighteenth-century sea captain who hid the jewels, or the glamorous great-grandmother driven mad by grief. She grows closer to both Jackson and a young man named Richard Hathaway, whose family histories are each deeply entwined with her own. But when the visions start to threaten the person she holds most dear, Sarah must do everything she can to get to the bottom of the house's secrets, and stop the course of history before it is cemented forever.

My thoughts:  I was soooo excited to read this book. Which is probably part of the reason I was a little disappointed by it. I loved the premise and really enjoyed the family history historical plot. However, I was a bit put off by most of the characters. Throughout most of the story, our protagonist Sarah acts like a spoiled brat. It's sweet how she cares for her brother...but aside from that, she comes off as incredibly selfish. Part of that is because of her mother. Although you get some explanation on why her mother is not the nicest person, she still never redeemed herself in my eyes. There are some moments that are, I assume, meant to show a little of that mother-daughter bond, but it always came off as cheap to me. These people are so materialistic that it's not even funny. 

I also found it hard to believe that (especially with her mother's past), the mother would be so terrible at interacting with her autistic son. Also, I realize that every individual with autism is different, I found Sammy kind of hard to believe in the beginning. Making a deal with his sister to play at throwing a tantrum? That didn't feel very realistic. (And also made Sarah look like a royal you-know-what for using her brother's autism to get her way.) The only character I really liked was Jackson, and Sarah is rude to him on multiple occasions.

Enough about the characters. The storyline is incredibly detailed and complex. Moore has created a truly unique story, and I really appreciate the book on that note. I just wish her characters were more likable! I loved the epilogue. I want to read the rest of the trilogy to find out what happens, especially after that crazy ending! It's not really a cliffhanger, but it does make you want to know what happens to this family and to Amber House. If you like paranormal fantasy, this is a very different take on the idea of paranormal abilities. Also, the entire story revolves around a centuries-old mansion and the family history of the women of Amber House. This adds some wonderful Gothic elements that are definitely intriguing. However, if you're a fan of traditional Gothic romancey-type books, don't expect the same caliber of characters; just enjoy the story.

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober: Twice Baked Thursday Review: The Monstrumologist

Goodreads Summary                                                                        These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for nearly ninety years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me . . . and the one who cursed me. So starts the diary of Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a doctor with a most unusual specialty: monster hunting. In the short time he has lived with the doctor, Will has grown accustomed to his late night callers and dangerous business. But when one visitor comes with the body of a young girl and the monster that was feeding on her, Will's world is about to change forever. The doctor has discovered a baby Anthropophagi--a headless monster that feeds through the mouthfuls of teeth in its chest--and it signals a growing number of Anthropophagi. Now, Will and the doctor must face the horror threatenning to overtake and consume our world before it is too late.

Title: The Monstrumologist (The Monstrumologist #1)

Author: Rick Yancey

Pages: 434

Genre: Horror

Audience: Adult/Teen

Source: library (Becky); library (Randi)

Rating: 5 (Becky) I'd keep this book in a secret oubliette; 

3 I'd friend this book on Facebook just in case I ever need any assistance taking down some Anthropophagi (Randi) I'd help you!

“Yes, my dear child, monsters are real. I happen to have one hanging in my basement.” 

This book was stunning and if you like horror at all, you should read it. I should note that while I like stories with Gothic elements, I don't read a ton of horror; when I do, I tend toward Stephen King-type stuff. There were heavy Gothic elements and thematic ties to Frankenstein. Though I did love Frankenstein... The first 150 pages are mostly setup for the atmosphere and characters. Honestly, it took me forever to read this. I just wasn't invested in any of the characters. Unlike most gothic horror, though, this one was awash with blood and violence.  No joke. This is not for the weak-stomached. Seriously. I don't gag easy, but there was more than one place in this book where I almost puked a little. It's that gross and graphic. Me too!  Isn't it Awesome? The richly imagine Anthropophagi, originally from Shakespeare, were heart-stoppingly horrifying.  See, I wasn't so scared of the monsters themselves. Well, truly the book didn't scare me at all. There may be something wrong with you... The gore on the other hand was a bit much for me.  It grossed me out too, but it made sense for the story. Touche. If you like graphic horror, definitely consider reading this. The book has its merits, but all in all, it just wasn't for me. (Funny...Becky told me when I started reading it that she didn't know if I was going to like it because it didn't seem like my kind of book. And I had the nerve to be slightly offended! That'll teach me to try to prove her wrong!) ;)

“We are the hunters---and we are also the bait.” 

The characters were marvelous. Meh... You shut your Patch-loving mouth! HAHAHAHA. I love you. :) The dubious motives behind the monstrumologist's actions were fascinating, and his relationship with Will Henry was both one of dual dependence and a sort of father-son bond. But did they even like each other?  I love the complexity. I don't think they even know that. Which I found kind of annoying. Though the constant "You are indispensable to me, Will Henry" was kind of cute. Kearns is no less interesting, although much more obviously evil.  He is often called a monster, yet you can't help but wonder about his backstory and rationale. Kearns is a total creep. Especially at the end.... *DUNDUNDUN* The noted absence of women in this story is a little annoying but I was glad the author didn't try to cram a romance where it didn't belong.  All the women in this book die. For reals.  There was one who lived :).  To be fair, most people die in this book. Are you talking about the old coot up at Motley House? LOL. NO!  That makes two.

“There are times when fear is not our enemy. There are times when fear is our truest, sometimes only, friend.” 

I'm a sucker for darkly poetic language, and on that score this book delivers.  Phrases like "trapped in the amber of my memory" appeal to my romantic side. Honestly, the writing quality of this book is why I gave it a 3 rating. LIES. I mean that I would have given it lower had it not been for the writing, silly! I was kind of ambivalent throughout the entire thing. Had it not been for a Twice-Baked Thursday post, I doubt I would have made it past the first 100 pages.  Some people might call it purple prose, but I call it atmosphere, and it is my favorite part of any story.  This book delivers it in spades.  I would love to get this on audiobook. Yeah, you definitely can't knock the writing of this book. It completely fits with the setting - 1888 New England (presumably).

In a final note,  I'm not really sure why this is classed as a teen book. The main character is a child (12), and the book is very graphic and horrifying. Many people die in gruesome detail and there is torture and murder all over the place.  Same! I could see this appealing to some kids, but I think most would pick it up unaware of the graphic violence and gore and be completely disappointed. Or be covered in puke because they couldn't choke it down.

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Terror 'Tober (Randi): Review of The Hunger Games

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Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: October 31st, 2008
Page Count: 374
Genre: dystopia
Audience: young adult
Source: bought
Rating: 4 I would take this book for some bread, probably to Pita Pit (see what I did there? HAHAHA)

Goodreads Summary: 
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My thoughts: It's amazing how rereading a book makes you notice completely different things! Anyway, while this book is clearly not in the "horror" genre, some of the books that scare me the most are those that take place in a dystopian society such as Panem. After all, we see and hear every day about parts of the world with deplorable living conditions caused by action or inaction from corrupt governments. While I don't expect hunger games to crop up nearby anywhere nearby any time soon, certain elements in the story ring far too true for comfort. There's my justification for reviewing The Hunger Games for Terror 'Tober! 

Now I'm going to talk a little bit about the treatment of the citizens of Panem, since that's one of the most disturbing parts. Not only do those in the Capitol clearly think less of the people from the districts, but the tributes sent into the Hunger Games are not even human to them; they throw twenty-four kids in an arena to fight one another to the death, and still do not see those teens as real people – they are entertainment and nothing more. The “entertainment” aspect of the Games is obvious, and though I was disgusted by the actions and reactions of the people of the Capitol on my first read, this time I felt I noticed more of the “little” things, which disturbed me even more. I won't elaborate here in case there's anyone out there who hasn't yet read THG ;).

I would definitely recommend this book (despite the fact that I hated the final book in the trilogy) because, while it's not the most literary book out there, it does transcend the young adult genre to have crossover appeal for adults. Though I'm undecided on whether I would teach this book (kudos to the teachers out there already using it in the classroom!), if I did, I would center it around the question of "what makes us human?" I think the fact that this book lends itself to such a question says much about its worth! 

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober: Twice Baked Thursday Review: A Monster Calls

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Title: A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness

Pages: 215
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: March 5th, 2011

Genre: Contemporary Realism 

Audience: Young Adult
Book Came From: library & library
Rating: 5 stars: I'd try to simultaneously try to hug and run away from this book.  It wouldn't end well.(Becky)
5 I'd let this book move in with me (Randi)

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.It wants the truth

Our Thoughts

Becky in black
Randi in purple

This was a beautifully written book, and not the kind you can read with dry eyes. Oh my goodness did I cry. I kept waiting for husband to look up from his gaming and say "what's wrong?" Much like he did when I reread The Fault in Our Stars. This would make a good partner book for John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars". Okay, dude. That's just weird. I didn't even read your review yet. I've formed the habit of not reading the description of books before checking them out.  Book covers often give away too much and I feel cheated. So here I was thinking this was horror, and in a way it still is, but I was not expecting a story so richly and darkly imagined, nor so incredibly poignant. Bahaha. I knew what it was about. :) I should have known since you picked it, lol. MUAHAHA. And you LIKED it. :P

I think a lot of kids dealing with grief could relate to this, and it could also probably be read by a mature middle grader. Totally agree. I feel like even as an adult, I gleaned something very important from it. It's one of those ageless books. And I can't help but wonder why it hasn't gotten more attention in the blogosphere (maybe I just wasn't paying as much attention around its release?). The story has a familiar, formulaic structure, but that doesn't really help to pull the punches much. Formula, schmormula! Our main character was a very typical teen boy stereotype, but for me that made his  emotions more accessible, even though he could not access them himself. I related to his anger, but I didn't really see the stereotypical teen boy. I loved how the monster used the stories to help the boy understand himself and his life.  I also liked how he tricked both the boy and the reader. Yes! I felt like the monster really allowed me to feel what the boy was feeling because my perceptions of the monster were constantly changing as I read. (Totally loved the three tales, though!)

The illustrations really add a lot, although initially I didn't think I'd like them. I'm still so-so on them. When I see pictures in chapter books I immediately think of a more childish story-line, but that is not at all the case here. Judgy McJudgerPants! I'm not really sure how these were done, but they look like pen and ink or ink prints, and their atmosphere mirrors the tragic and frightening feeling of the story. Agreed. I think they fit, but I wasn't a huge fan. I personally could have done without them. Your mom could have done without them. ROFL. Totally recommend this for a powerful, emotional read!!!

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober (Randi): Review of I Hunt Killers

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Title: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1)

Author: Barry Lyga
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: April 3rd, 2012
Page Count: 361
Genre: mystery/suspense/thriller
Audience: young adult
Source: library
Rating: 4 I would take this book to dinner, followed by a nice relaxing counseling session

Goodreads Summary: 
What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

My thoughts: I've wanted to read this book since I first heard about it. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is one of my favorite shows and I've always been curious about crime scene shows and about the psychology behind serial killers. This book was way creepier than I anticipated! You really get into Jazz's head (love his name, by the way) and he has some serious moments where you wonder if he's going to snap and kill someone next. Jazz is a very screwed up teenage boy and his voice comes through very authentically (despite the unique is-this-poor-teenage-boy-a-lunatic-in-disguise thing). The background story is all here so it's clear to the reader how Jazz got to this point. I found myself simultaneously pitying him for a horrifying childhood and being terrified that maybe he is no better than his father. 

The most horrorifying aspects of Jazz's story are not the gruesome crime scenes (though the fact that I was not more disturbed by these just goes to show you how desensitized our culture is to violence), and believe me, they are gruesome, so if you can't handle crime scene stuff on t.v., probably give this one a skip...Where was I? Horrorifying...yes, the most horrorifying (I'm aware I made up that word, by the way. One of my many talents) aspect of the book is Jazz's fragile psyche and the fact that he's not even sure whether he's a killer or not. I can't imagine having gone through his childhood and having to war with yourself, and to remind yourself that killing is wrong. That Jazz soldiers on through all of his doubts and misgivings and fear...he is a very strong and determined character. 

This book is much more than a slasher thriller. So much more! Yes, those aspects are there, but Jazz's character is the shining star of I Hunt Killers. I cannot wait for the next book in the Jasper Dent series!

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober: Twice-Baked Thursday Review: The First Days

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Title: The First Days (As The World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy #1)

Author: Rhiannon Frater
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: August 14th, 2008
Page Count: 335
Genre: post-apocalyptic (zombies)/horror
Audience: adult
Source: bought (Randi)
Rating: 3 I would friend this book on Facebook just in case of the zombocalypse (Randi)
                 2.5 I'd give this book a hug as a guise for putting it out of its misery (Becky)

Goodreads Summary: 
Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy is an internet sensation. The first two books, The First Days and Fighting to Survive, have won the Dead Letter Award for Best Novel from Mail Order Zombie. The First Days was named one of the Best Zombie Books of the Decade by theHarrisburg Book Examiner. AmericanHorrorBlog calls Rhiannon Frater "a writer to watch."

The morning that the world ends, Katie is getting ready for court and housewife Jenni is taking care of her family. Less than two hours later, they are fleeing for their lives from a zombie horde. 

Thrown together by circumstance, Jenni and Katie become a powerful zombie-killing partnership, mowing down zombies as they rescue Jenni's stepson, Jason, from an infected campground.

They find sanctuary in a tiny, roughly fortified Texas town.  There Jenni and Katie find they are both attracted to Travis, leader of the survivors; and the refugees must slaughter people they know, who have returned in zombie form.  

Fast-paced and exciting, filled with characters who grab your heart, The First Days: As the World Dies is the beginning of a frightening trilogy. 

Randi in black
Becky in blue


Our thoughts: Well, I have mixed feelings on this book. But I did like it. I did not. The zombified action was excellent and very well-written.  I thought the writing was pretty terrible.  There is way too much description of everyone and their dog's emotions that could and should have been shown instead of told.  There was also a noted lack of suspense in most of the book and virtually no atmosphere.  

I feel like the author failed on the all-important (for me) zombie-book aspect of telling us why there are zombies.  I get that the people didn't know, but this wasn't first-person narrative - we could have gotten some explanation.  That's one of the coolest parts of a zombie book for me and it was totally lacking in this book. I don't actually think a zombie book does need to explain that, although it might have saved this one from being so boring (I fell asleep reading it).  I can think of many zombie books and movies that never do, and it makes sense.  Most if not all of the people who would be able to figure that out die before the action really starts. There were all kinds of references to zombie flicks and the zombie survival handbook, (I did like that haha) but not even any speculation about how the zombies might have come into being. Lamesauce. 

Also, the characters were pretty wishy washy. I second that remark. Honestly, the characters I cared about most were Jason and Jack (the dog).  I cared for no one.  Let the zombies take them.  I suspect the dog would survive better on its own. Jenni's personality transplant from battered wife to zombie-killing-machine (obsessed with finding a man) did not work for me. Considering what she went through, that shift could have been made believable. Buuut, it wasn't in this instance.  She was flat like a truck-squashed zombie and her dialogue and actions were completely unbelievable.  She was also intensely grating.  Am I right?  Katie didn't really strike me as having a distinct personality either.  I think both of these women would have died quickly. This is why I love you, Becky. :)

I love that one of the main characters (Katie) is bisexual!  I like that the story just accepts that aspect of her nature instead of revolving the story around it.  I think it would have been more interesting if she was just gay, since the bi part comes up conveniently far in after a suitable male protagonist arrives. And yet I felt like (until the last 30 pages or so) that detail was thrown in simply to provide sexual tension. Yup. Lydia, Katie's zombie wife, could have easily been replaced with a man and the only difference would have been that she wouldn't have needed to persuade Jason to keep her "secret" about being bisexual and not a lesbian. And, presumably, the derogatory comments about lesbians would have been absent.  Lydia was barely even a person.  All we know about her is that they never fought, jogged every night and were blissfully happy.  What a Mary Sue. I'm not convinced she actually existed. LOL. Stop making me laugh!

Zombies! They can run, they can jump, they can climb. WHAT THE HECK?! Crazy zombies! And this totally added to the horror. I did like it when they started climbing.  You don't see much of that.  I was like Go ZOMBIE GO! Went out to smoke around 1 A.M. while reading this, and all the leaves blowing around and scurrying squirrels creeped.me.out. Baby. (I figured you were going to say "that's what you get for smoking!") :P. I loved the action sequences which I thought were by far the best parts of the story (ignoring Jenni's personality shift). There was also a bit of "OMG, we can't kill them, what about our humanity?" conflict, which provided some nice contrast.  Though there could have been a little more. Whatevs! Not Whatevs, Randi!  NO! lol.  That aspect was barely touched on and was written so obviously that I just wanted to brain the characters talking.  There was no subtlety or finesse to the exploration of humanity and it has been done so often that you really need that at this point.

I would recommend this to zombie lovers, but expect crazy zombies with so-so characters. Probably won't continue this series, but I'll be lending it back to my bestie, since she's one of the zombie-obsessed. You keep those books away from me, lol.  I like my zombie books like my wine...subtle, well rounded, with a complex, lingering taste.  This was none of those things.  I think Frater could actually have written this story well, but her style needs development and probably some writing classes.  Even my college-level ones would have ripped this book mercilessly apart.  It was a good idea rather poorly executed.  I'd recommend for fans of "The Reapers are the Angels" by Alden Bell...although that book was much better. Did you see all the typos? Drove me BONKERS. Editors, people. They're there for a reason.

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.

Terror 'Tober (Randi): Review of Living Dead Girl

Check out Terror 'Tober Event Page here!

Title: Living Dead Girl

Author: Elizabeth Scott
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2008
Page Count: 170
Genre: contemporary fiction/issues book (abuse)/horror
Audience: young adult
Source: library
Rating: 3.5 I would friend this book on Facebook and offer to help get it some counseling

Goodreads Summary: 
Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared. Once upon a time, my name was not Alice. Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over. Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her. This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

My thoughts: This book is not the kind of horror that Becky means when she says horror. However, this book is HORRORifying. It’s about abduction and abuse, from psychological to physical to sexual. It is all kinds of effed up. And for that reason, it’s difficult to say much about it. I’ll try my best to give you an idea of whether or not it’s something you would want to read. It’s certainly not the kind of book you enjoy reading, but I think the mindset of an individual who has suffered unimaginable trauma is, while certainly not pleasant in any way, an important one to see; it opens your eyes to what is happening out in the wider world, and yet…could be right around the corner. It’s a perspective changer, and if you can handle the horror that is this book, I recommend it to you for that reason.

This book has a unique format, is well-written, and is absolutely horrifying. “Alice” is one of those characters you can’t help but pity and want to save, even when terrible thoughts cross her mind. You understand how she can contemplate the unthinkable. Ray, Alice’s captor is completely irredeemable, as one would expect, and as the story goes on, he becomes less and less human.

I still haven’t fully come to terms with the ending. It’s heart-wrenching and almost surreal after the time you’ve spent with Alice. But despite the surrealist quality, it also seems realistic in context – one of those “well, how else could it possibly end?” kind of things. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.