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squidwhiffle's review against another edition
2.0
For a first novel, it's pretty well written (despite the fact that I couldn't finish it), and the idea that Zombification spreading like an STD is interesting, but if you want more then mind-numbingly stupid players and erotica, then maybe this isn't for you. And honestly, I wouldn't be against trying another Beamer book if the focus on sex were turned down a notch, or few. If I could take this book and say "lets take out a few of those sex scenes" I'd love to finish it.
The main character, Kate, seemed appealing enough at first, but the thoughts of a heroine I could relate to (in any sort of way) were squashed when
The amount of sex in this book is astounding, and not in a "Ooo I like a bit of smut" kind of way. In a "Why is your first instinct to pull down your pants and yank it in a falling zepplin filled with zombies, while you're right next to lesbian zombies who are eating (in more than one way) eachother?" kind of way.
Yes, I get it. The Loving Dead. It IS a clever title, but believe me, none of that is actually the making of love... It was more like something that should be called "Wild Zombie Sex Feast Part 8".
Every single situation turns into a sexual encounter. And no, they aren't sexy. They just end up being ridiculous x-rated reactions to whatever the present predicament is.
I've nothing against sex in my books, but this one, seriously had TOO much for the theme of zombies to the point where it made entirely NO sense and the entire cast is considered a bunch of idiots that probably deserve to die.
The main character, Kate, seemed appealing enough at first, but the thoughts of a heroine I could relate to (in any sort of way) were squashed when
Spoiler
she revealed herself to be more of a whore than anything. Having her first lesbian encounter, then jerking off her roommate-friend-guy-who-likes-her-but-she-doesn't-feel-the-same-way-really, and then going out with a married man who can supplement her income, and jerking him off mid-flight on a zombie zepplin... Ugh. I don't really like this girl.The amount of sex in this book is astounding, and not in a "Ooo I like a bit of smut" kind of way. In a "Why is your first instinct to pull down your pants and yank it in a falling zepplin filled with zombies, while you're right next to lesbian zombies who are eating (in more than one way) eachother?" kind of way.
Yes, I get it. The Loving Dead. It IS a clever title, but believe me, none of that is actually the making of love... It was more like something that should be called "Wild Zombie Sex Feast Part 8".
Every single situation turns into a sexual encounter. And no, they aren't sexy. They just end up being ridiculous x-rated reactions to whatever the present predicament is.
I've nothing against sex in my books, but this one, seriously had TOO much for the theme of zombies to the point where it made entirely NO sense and the entire cast is considered a bunch of idiots that probably deserve to die.
linneahedvig's review against another edition
2.0
What if the zombie virus was a sexually transmitted disease? It's an interesting premise, but this book doesn't really carry it out very well. Basically, you get the zombie virus through bodily fluids, which is pretty normal. Zombies want to get their bodily fluids on you--also fairly standard. The conclusion that I came to after reading this is that the zombie virus is already basically a sexually transmitted disease in that if you have sex with a zombie you will probably become a zombie. Don't do it, kids.
cullenb1293's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
pottedkarma's review against another edition
5.0
Dude. The book deserves the hype. It's fun and flows wonderfully and has the perfect amount of tension that a zombie book needs. And it's actually an INTERESTING zombie book, with a different (hilarious/serious) take on the whole idea. If you're going to read a zombie book, read this one.
nisaak's review against another edition
4.0
I waited SO long for this book to come out and was not disappointed. I'm just glad I read it while I was traveling and not while I was at home in the Bay Area because it might have been a little more creepy. Ok, it would have been a lot creepier. The book is highly entertaining, if you like zombie books.
psteve's review against another edition
2.0
A romp of a zombie novel. In this case zombeism is spread through saliva and other bodily (of which many are exchanged in this novel). It's set in Oakland and Berkeley, with key characters and a key scene set at Trader joe's on Lakeshore in Oakland, where my son works. The local color is mostly fun, as is the fact that this is an aware crowd, that more or less knows they're in a zombie story, and is of course aware of all the other zombie movies. That and the softcore sex scenes made it a fun romp, but it got a bit tiresome two-thirds of the way in, and I was turning pages fast to put it behind me.
mylibrarybooks's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is interesting, the ending was sort of a cop out, but it was an entertaining read
rickklaw's review
4.0
With her horrifically comic first novel The Loving Dead, Amelia Beamer taps into the cultural zeitgeist of the early 21st century. Much like the great zombie film progenitor, Night of the Living Dead, Beamer uses the undead to represent the fractured real world around her, albeit from a hyper-sexual millennialist bent.
Twenty-something housemates and Trader Joe coworkers Kate and Michael confront the terror of watching their friends turn into horny zombies, literally. Marauding sex-crazed undead shamble throughout the Oakland hills spreading the sexually transmitted disease that produces the horror.
While indeed, as the back cover copy promises, a bizarre cross-pollination of [a:Chuck Palahniuk|2546|Chuck Palahniuk|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1264506988p2/2546.jpg] and [a:Christopher Moore|16218|Christopher Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200095788p2/16218.jpg], Beamer's work lacks the innate coolness of the former's prose and the snappy comedic timing of the latter. Its true literary strength lies in her unflinchingly realistic portrayal of the Millennials' Facebook-managed, no barriers world -- an entire life, every secret, presented in living color for all to share. Despite their differences, the youth of The Loving Dead, similar to previous privacy-oriented generations, struggle with the feelings and misunderstandings spawned by their peers and their world as they struggle for their own identities.
Peppered with several ironic moments, uncomfortable family encounters, zeppelins, and an over-abundance of sex, The Loving Dead barrels along at an entertaining clip to an ultimately disappointing conclusion that feels more tacked-on rather than planned. Still, Beamer's insightful observations about her contemporaries combine with a fascinating application of the current zombie phenomenon elevates this debut novel above the plethora of increasingly mediocre undead sub-genre offerings. Ultimately, The Loving Dead presages the talents of an intriguing new author.
This review originally appeared at SF Site, September 1, 2010.
Sure enough Kate's friend was roped to the bed. Naked. She wore white contacts, and her skin was a fine gray. Her gaze moved among the men, and she licked her lips.
Michael was stunned. He knew Kate had a sense of humor, but this was beyond expectations. She'd turned her friend into a perfect sexy zombie. He turned to her. "You had me all worked up! You two must have been doing the makeup all this time. And I never knew you were such an actor."
"I'm not," Kate said. She wasn't grinning like she should have been. "I don't know what happened."
"My compliments," Cameron said. "She looks awesome."
"Wow, Kate," Sam said. "You know, what would be even been better is if you'd put some blood on her. Or some black goo, or something. I guess you don't want to mess up your sheets, though."
"Kate, you can cop to the joke," Michael said. "It was masterful. Smile already."
Kate blushed. "It's not a joke."
Twenty-something housemates and Trader Joe coworkers Kate and Michael confront the terror of watching their friends turn into horny zombies, literally. Marauding sex-crazed undead shamble throughout the Oakland hills spreading the sexually transmitted disease that produces the horror.
The zombie raised her arms, not forward like he expected, but to the sides. Her arms writhed like snakes. The ripple moved out form her shoulders to her elbows, her wrists, and her fingers. The skin around her wrists was torn, with scabby bracelets of black blood where the rope had been. Her hips swung around, to one side and then the other. She took a step forward, and Michael stepped backwards. The zombie wore a stage smile, big and brilliant. There was no music, but she kept time, stepping forwards. Knees bent, she rocked her pelvis back and forth. The motion was sharp and practiced. Beautiful, in its own way.
While indeed, as the back cover copy promises, a bizarre cross-pollination of [a:Chuck Palahniuk|2546|Chuck Palahniuk|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1264506988p2/2546.jpg] and [a:Christopher Moore|16218|Christopher Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200095788p2/16218.jpg], Beamer's work lacks the innate coolness of the former's prose and the snappy comedic timing of the latter. Its true literary strength lies in her unflinchingly realistic portrayal of the Millennials' Facebook-managed, no barriers world -- an entire life, every secret, presented in living color for all to share. Despite their differences, the youth of The Loving Dead, similar to previous privacy-oriented generations, struggle with the feelings and misunderstandings spawned by their peers and their world as they struggle for their own identities.
Kate interrupted his thoughts. "Hey, does anyone else think that scene in Living Dead, where the white girl slaps the black guy, and he clean knocks her out and then lays her on the couch and undoes the buttons on her jacket—does anyone else think that scene is hot?"
"Racist," Audrey said.
"Liberal," Henry said, in the same tone.
Michael was stunned. It was the sexiest thing anyone had said in a long while. Deliberately provocative. And a total non-sequitur. It took his mind off of their zombie problem for a blessed moment.
Peppered with several ironic moments, uncomfortable family encounters, zeppelins, and an over-abundance of sex, The Loving Dead barrels along at an entertaining clip to an ultimately disappointing conclusion that feels more tacked-on rather than planned. Still, Beamer's insightful observations about her contemporaries combine with a fascinating application of the current zombie phenomenon elevates this debut novel above the plethora of increasingly mediocre undead sub-genre offerings. Ultimately, The Loving Dead presages the talents of an intriguing new author.
This review originally appeared at SF Site, September 1, 2010.
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