Tag: Zombies

ECONOGAL > Zombies

Dating After the End of the World Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Zombie Fiction

Jeneva Rose wrote the Zombie filled Dating After the End of the World at the request of a fan-her father. Since this is my first zombie novel, it has no comparisons. And the author suggests it is a mix of genres.

The fast-paced book is both gruesome and entertaining. Her writing is topnotch even though it will be a while before I pick up another zombie story…if ever. But I do look forward to reading more from Rose.

Plot

Dating After The End Of The World opens up with a young Casey Pearson struggling with the doomsday prepping task of building a perimeter fence with her off-the-wall prepper dad. She hates the work and harbors bitterness for her dad and more so for the kids that torment her at school over the family lifestyle.

Flash forward sixteen years and Casey is bantering with her fiancé Nate Warner as the pair of doctors begin making rounds at a city hospital during an influenza outbreak. But this is not the regular flu and patients are biting everyone in sight. Zombies are here.

The pair escape the hospital only to be separated weeks later. Casey does the only thing she can and heads home.

Romance in Dating After the End of The World

Rose’s novel includes a lover’s triangle with Casey at the center. One of the inhabitants of her dad’s compound is Blake Morrison. He was chief tormentor at her high school. There are plenty of bitter memories and perhaps a few that conflict. So, sparks fly between Casey and Blake as they struggle to keep the compound safe from the Zombies.

Things get very complicated when Nate shows up.

Plenty of Action

Since Dating After the End of The World is an action thriller at heart, the characters face danger on almost every page. Bonds form, and romance is mixed in. The fight scenes are graphic and so are the love scenes. If books had ratings this one would definitely be for over 18.

Recommendation

This is the first Jeneva Rose book I have read, and I could hardly put it down. Despite the gory details of the zombies, the book resonates with those that look at the conflict between good and evil. Forgiveness also plays a small part. And for those crazies out there that fantasize about a reset in the world, Rose has a very realistic ending. Be careful what you wish for!

I bought my copy at Target but maybe you can find a copy at your library.

Hardcore Twenty-Four Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Hardcore Twenty-Four

 

Janet Evanovich strikes again. Her latest Stephanie Plum novel, Hardcore Twenty-Fore hits all the pins. Zombies and paid protesters divert attention from the hardcore topic of synthetic drugs. In Hardcore Twenty-Four the key ingredient to a new drug is human brains.

If you have never read a Stephanie Plum novel, my advice is start with One For The Money. I was given this advice back in 2004 at a headache inducing conference meeting. It was good advice. However, the books certainly stand alone.

Stephanie Plum is torn between two lovers, cop Joe Morelli and the mysterious Ranger. In Hardcore Twenty-Four a third good looker pops backs into play. Diesel, a character most often seen in the Between the Numbers Plum mysteries, is crashing at Stephanie’s apartment. All end up in pursuit of a villainous master mind.

Evanovich creates characters that are zany and fun. But the true strengths in her writing lay elsewhere. The descriptive writing is among the best. The details she gives throughout allows you to visualize the people, the clothing and the setting. A reader sees Grandma Mazur. Women argue over Ranger and Morelli. Longtime readers view the Plum characters as family because we know how they look and think.

The other part of Evanovich’s writing I like is that she comments instead of preaches. I have noticed a trend lately among serial writers. They are using their writing to posit their opinions. While I think they are free to do that, I believe in some cases the positioning detracts from the writing. This is not the case with Hardcore Twenty-Four.

Janet Evanovich’s approach to current issues is done tongue in cheek. For example, in Hardcore Twenty-Four, paid protesters are protesting at a Korean grocery because the store lacks diversity. Evanovich utilizes one of her zaniest characters, Lulu who in a previous life was a hooker, to point out the irony.

The same approach is used with regards to the synthetic drugs. Here in the United States we currently have a problem with the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs. Shortly before Thanksgiving, I read a serial novel with the same topic. I did not review it because the author ruined the story line with the preaching. However, Evanovich’s approach gave the same message without interfering with the story. In fact, her zany approach allows you to enjoy the story and reflect on the current issues of the day.

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite writers. I would love to have lunch with her! She makes me laugh out loud with her writing. Life can be tough and laughter is great medicine. Her latest Stephanie Plum novel, Hardcore Twenty-Four made me smile, chuckle and laugh out loud in more than one place. This would be a good present under the tree.