Review: Bring on the gallows humor!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2014
- I received this novel as an ARC from the author, with no expectations or incentive apart from an honest, fair review. -I was one of five lucky winners who received a copy of BACKS AGAINST THE WALL from Tracey Ward by submitting to a quote contest from the first book in the series, WRITING ON THE WALL. This is not me bragging for being a lucky duck who finally won something but to illustrate that Tracey Ward already has people quoting her from a book she wrote in November 2013 AKA four months ago.For those who are curious, the favorite quote I submitted was:"Don't tell anyone though," Steven reminds me as I take the plate reverently from Amber's outstretched hands. "It's a forbidden pie."That's how I epitomize the personality and appeal Ward has in captivating her audience - she has me quoting random jokes about pie so I can get an early copy of the next thrilling installment in her SURVIVORS series. That alone has sold me this is an author with mainstream potential and I would not be shocked if Ward becomes one of those self-publishing authors-to-watch. Major publishing houses will want her voice and YA needs her sass.Regarding the story for BACKS AGAINST THE WALL, it picks up immediately where the last novel left off and hits the ground running. Figuratively.Literally, our protagonist Joss doesn't have so soft a landing and that sets the tone for this second part as she struggles to keep the promises she made in the first novel while operating severely outside her usual comfort zone as a character. The results are more romance, violence, intrigue, peril as well as an expansion of the premise itself that makes me eager to see what the third novel will bring the readers. And - as always - Ward's wit and banter for even the bleakest of scenarios maintains a gallows humor not always rampant in a post-apoc setting.Truly, a quick/must-read series for zombie fans.