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plennon0420's review
1.0
This novel began with a completely improbable set-up, which tested my willing suspension of disbelief, and dragged forward from there. The writing is very simple (think Goosebumps for grown-ups), the plot is standard zombie-movie fare, and the characters are flat and unlikeable. I read this book because it was highly recommended (on the cover, inside flap, etc.) by horror authors that I admire - what a mistake. I can't help but think that someone slipped P Straub a few bucks to endorse this novel. The women are weak, the men (except for a token Mexican boy of virtue) are strong/crazy, and no one seems to react the way they should in any given situation. Not to mention that most residents of this upscale Maine town act like Jerry Springer-fodder straight from the trailer. If you're looking for zombies or the apocalypse, you'd do better to check out King, McCammon, Straub, and many others.
lunaseassecondaccount's review
4.0
I liked this book, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I guess it has something to do with the fact that all the other books I've read recently have been quite heavy on the brainpan. This one is quite easy.
I didn't even know it was a sequel until I started Googling the author and book, as I tend to do when starting a new book. I was a bit worried at first, that I would be lost and losing it, but it stands alone on its own quite well. Of course, there are parts to it (such as the fire, the other town, the sort of thing) that I didn't follow as much as I probably would have if I'd read the first book, but it still stands well on its own.
Horror can be a tricky genre. I'm not a huge horror book fan, so I can't hypothesise about what people do and don't like, but I can see it being a fine line between crime and fantasy. Horror stands on its own in that way. This book fell into a little bit of the zombie-horror genre. Characters died who I didn't expect to die, and I got a feeling there would be a third book on the horizon.
There were a lot of loose ends that weren't tied up that I think should have been. Also, I didn't connect to any of the characters in a way that left me upset or happy whether they lived or died. Everyone was just sort of 'blah'. But it's still enjoyable- quite enjoyable in fact, and a good, easy, and quite quick read.
I didn't even know it was a sequel until I started Googling the author and book, as I tend to do when starting a new book. I was a bit worried at first, that I would be lost and losing it, but it stands alone on its own quite well. Of course, there are parts to it (such as the fire, the other town, the sort of thing) that I didn't follow as much as I probably would have if I'd read the first book, but it still stands well on its own.
Horror can be a tricky genre. I'm not a huge horror book fan, so I can't hypothesise about what people do and don't like, but I can see it being a fine line between crime and fantasy. Horror stands on its own in that way. This book fell into a little bit of the zombie-horror genre. Characters died who I didn't expect to die, and I got a feeling there would be a third book on the horizon.
There were a lot of loose ends that weren't tied up that I think should have been. Also, I didn't connect to any of the characters in a way that left me upset or happy whether they lived or died. Everyone was just sort of 'blah'. But it's still enjoyable- quite enjoyable in fact, and a good, easy, and quite quick read.
inthelunaseas's review
4.0
I liked this book, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I guess it has something to do with the fact that all the other books I've read recently have been quite heavy on the brainpan. This one is quite easy.
I didn't even know it was a sequel until I started Googling the author and book, as I tend to do when starting a new book. I was a bit worried at first, that I would be lost and losing it, but it stands alone on its own quite well. Of course, there are parts to it (such as the fire, the other town, the sort of thing) that I didn't follow as much as I probably would have if I'd read the first book, but it still stands well on its own.
Horror can be a tricky genre. I'm not a huge horror book fan, so I can't hypothesise about what people do and don't like, but I can see it being a fine line between crime and fantasy. Horror stands on its own in that way. This book fell into a little bit of the zombie-horror genre. Characters died who I didn't expect to die, and I got a feeling there would be a third book on the horizon.
There were a lot of loose ends that weren't tied up that I think should have been. Also, I didn't connect to any of the characters in a way that left me upset or happy whether they lived or died. Everyone was just sort of 'blah'. But it's still enjoyable- quite enjoyable in fact, and a good, easy, and quite quick read.
I didn't even know it was a sequel until I started Googling the author and book, as I tend to do when starting a new book. I was a bit worried at first, that I would be lost and losing it, but it stands alone on its own quite well. Of course, there are parts to it (such as the fire, the other town, the sort of thing) that I didn't follow as much as I probably would have if I'd read the first book, but it still stands well on its own.
Horror can be a tricky genre. I'm not a huge horror book fan, so I can't hypothesise about what people do and don't like, but I can see it being a fine line between crime and fantasy. Horror stands on its own in that way. This book fell into a little bit of the zombie-horror genre. Characters died who I didn't expect to die, and I got a feeling there would be a third book on the horizon.
There were a lot of loose ends that weren't tied up that I think should have been. Also, I didn't connect to any of the characters in a way that left me upset or happy whether they lived or died. Everyone was just sort of 'blah'. But it's still enjoyable- quite enjoyable in fact, and a good, easy, and quite quick read.
rinn's review
2.0
Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this book...
As the POV switched so often, I didn't feel any sort of attachment to any of the characters, so the deaths really didn't mean much to me. I thought it was interesting how the reader never really quite got to see exactly what the infected did, from a POV chapter. Everything was hinted at, through the remains of the people and animals - and although it was obvious what went on, without a full description of it, it felt like the reader was partially in the dark, like the infected when they attacked.
As I mentioned previously, none of the characters really drew me in. There were quite a lot of stereotypes - Maddie especially annoyed me; I just really hate the overuse of teen slang in books. Lois was a complete sap. I still don't understand why the virus centred around her, why she was in control, and why Fenstad's family lasted the longest.
Quite a grim read, although I'm not sure what I was really expecting from the blurb!
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this book...
As the POV switched so often, I didn't feel any sort of attachment to any of the characters, so the deaths really didn't mean much to me. I thought it was interesting how the reader never really quite got to see exactly what the infected did, from a POV chapter. Everything was hinted at, through the remains of the people and animals - and although it was obvious what went on, without a full description of it, it felt like the reader was partially in the dark, like the infected when they attacked.
As I mentioned previously, none of the characters really drew me in. There were quite a lot of stereotypes - Maddie especially annoyed me; I just really hate the overuse of teen slang in books. Lois was a complete sap. I still don't understand why the virus centred around her, why she was in control, and why Fenstad's family lasted the longest.
Quite a grim read, although I'm not sure what I was really expecting from the blurb!
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