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krystimuggle's review against another edition
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.
shilo1364's review
3.0
Ok...um. what was that?? I was really enjoying this book. I don't normally like zombie anything. But this was going along pretty good, and I was enjoying it... and then. the end hit me like a ton of bricks. seriously. who thinks like that? (from the rest of the book, I didn't get the horror/zombie movie vibe at all. until the end. ugh). So I guess I don't really recommend it unless you like zombie flicks. It isn't your typical zombie story (at least I don't think so)... 'til the end. Until the last chapter, though, it is enjoyable and fun and you really sympathize with the main character.
Ani is a normal teenage girl. Except she isn't. she's a zombie, and her mother is frantically working to discover a cure to the dreaded ZV virus (turns you into a zombie) before her daughter infects someone else or is discovered and killed. So she hangs out with the emos, and wears black when she would rather wear bubble-gum pink. She listens to emo music (which she hates) and secretly composes pop songs in her head. Her mother's serums keep her from craving brains and flesh and trying to kill anyone. When they don't quite work, she cuts herself to control the cravings. And hey, it makes her fit in with her emo crowd even better. And then things start to go wrong...
So... if you *like* zombie / horror flicks... this book might just be perfect for you. If you don't... you may like it. Although you may not like the ending.
I should mention that I received a free e-book copy of this book from LibraryThing as an early reviewers book.
*********update 6/1/13******
After stewing on this for awhile, and then reading the sequel (Special Dead) as an ARC.... I can say that I actually *do* like it (though I wouldn't read it again), and the ending, though incredibly jarring and shocking (to me) was appropriate and right for the story. Especially since it wasn't the *end* end.
Ani is a normal teenage girl. Except she isn't. she's a zombie, and her mother is frantically working to discover a cure to the dreaded ZV virus (turns you into a zombie) before her daughter infects someone else or is discovered and killed. So she hangs out with the emos, and wears black when she would rather wear bubble-gum pink. She listens to emo music (which she hates) and secretly composes pop songs in her head. Her mother's serums keep her from craving brains and flesh and trying to kill anyone. When they don't quite work, she cuts herself to control the cravings. And hey, it makes her fit in with her emo crowd even better. And then things start to go wrong...
So... if you *like* zombie / horror flicks... this book might just be perfect for you. If you don't... you may like it. Although you may not like the ending.
I should mention that I received a free e-book copy of this book from LibraryThing as an early reviewers book.
*********update 6/1/13******
After stewing on this for awhile, and then reading the sequel (Special Dead) as an ARC.... I can say that I actually *do* like it (though I wouldn't read it again), and the ending, though incredibly jarring and shocking (to me) was appropriate and right for the story. Especially since it wasn't the *end* end.
theangrylawngnome's review
3.0
Yet another book I'm not gonna bother with a full review on, just drop a few notes:
* Don't even THINK about starting this book unless you have access to the second book, [b:Special Dead|17673708|Special Dead (Twice Shy, #2)|Patrick Freivald|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364187380s/17673708.jpg|24677368]. The first book ends on one of the more annoying cliff hangers I think I've ever encountered. In fact, without access to the second book I'd consider knocking off a full star rating-wise it seemed that bad to me. I suppose there is technically a chronological break in the narrative, but, meh. I was annoyed.
* There seemed to be a fair degree of padding in both books; as in this could have been done in one volume. The meandering is worse in the second book than the first.
* Having gone full meanie beanie in the previous two points, I do want to note that this is kind of an interesting take on all things zombie, given that it is post apocalypse, the zombies lost, and society has returned to a more or less even keel relatively speaking.
* Despite what this book claims (and I'm treating both books as one book here), you can't play Mario Kart on an XBox. Just thought I'd toss that in there.
* Don't even THINK about starting this book unless you have access to the second book, [b:Special Dead|17673708|Special Dead (Twice Shy, #2)|Patrick Freivald|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364187380s/17673708.jpg|24677368]. The first book ends on one of the more annoying cliff hangers I think I've ever encountered. In fact, without access to the second book I'd consider knocking off a full star rating-wise it seemed that bad to me. I suppose there is technically a chronological break in the narrative, but, meh. I was annoyed.
* There seemed to be a fair degree of padding in both books; as in this could have been done in one volume. The meandering is worse in the second book than the first.
* Having gone full meanie beanie in the previous two points, I do want to note that this is kind of an interesting take on all things zombie, given that it is post apocalypse, the zombies lost, and society has returned to a more or less even keel relatively speaking.
* Despite what this book claims (and I'm treating both books as one book here), you can't play Mario Kart on an XBox. Just thought I'd toss that in there.
krystimeyer's review
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.
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