Review: fun and face paced
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 12, 2013
This book has quite an espionage feel to it. And it's quite an adventure ride! Spy gadgets and trips to islands and secret meetings. It took me a little bit in the beginning to catch on to the different scenes and characters and how they play into the story together, but once I caught on, it was pretty fun. I normally don't read the spy type stories but throw some voodoo magic and zombies in there and I'm good to go, plus I live in that tropical climate, minus the tourist island and plus a whole lot more bugs and poisonous things LOL! Zombie romance is so interesting, and the book/upcoming movie "Warm Bodies" comes to mind a little. There's always someone who can make you a little more human!Abby is brought to the Caribbean with her "government" working dad to try to calm down the two brothers who are rivaling for the presidency of this island. She is trying to catch her dad in action so she can figure out exactly what he does. In the process, she gets kidnapped, meets a real life zombie, saved by said zombie, learns what her dad is, finds a crazy voodoo practicing old lady who controls the zombie, and gets caught up in all the action. She's a busy girl, ain't she  I liked Abby, but sometimes she didn't feel real, like some of her choices and actions are mature, and then she turns a little childish.... But thats being young for you- they don't always make the best choices. And I do wish there was just a little bit more backstory, but her past builds up. And maybe a little bit more of her dad as well, but you learn a good bit about him too. I do like that she tried to help Randy so much!Randy is the zombie. His past and present life breaks my heart. He's controlled and used in a way no one should ever be. And when he finally meets Abby, her reaction to him allows him to finally speak to her and open up, even if it causes him pain. And though Abby's dad isn't so keen on Randy hanging around, Abby wants him close. He's scary, as he's an unkillable zombie, but deep down he is still human and he hurts and has feelings and is miserable in his existence. I thought this part of the story was excellent. Normally, zombies are portrayed as brain eating, no feeling, heartless shells, but Randy's controller has a little magic up her sleeve and Randy is a "special" zombie. Hate can make people do horrible things. But Randy the zombie can make anybody like him if they just take the time to get to know himI found this story a quick read, and though the beginning had me a little confused, I'm glad I kept reading because it's a fun one. And it's probably because I normally don't read that type of story. It's unique and has its own fresh feeling to it. I would recommend this one to YA zombie fans, and those who like crime solving espionage, conspiracy type stories. You can never know who to trust. There's a lot to figure in who is on who's side, and if you've got a zombie on your side, you may have a shot at getting it back to good! A 3.5 PAWS from me! As it's part of a series, I believe I'll pick up book two and see where it goes!I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.