Review: Not Bad but Needs Improving
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 21, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.I'm not sure where to start with this review. I am a big fan of dystopian and zombie stories and have read many. This isn't a bad read. I really like Lena's character. She acts and reacts realistically, in my opinion. She isn't a hero, she simply does what has to be done. I could see the potential for this book to be much better as I read it, though. Let me explain why:I realize this is a short story. I read it in 30 minutes. With that being said, I felt the author rushed it. I didn't get a chance to invest in the plot or the characters. We go from a deadbeat ex-butcher to a zombie outbreak in one chapter. Where were the descriptions? What were the characters feeling and experiencing? Where were the sights, sounds, and smells? Where was the internal struggle over their circumstances? Everything played out too easily.Peter Troy, the obvious "hero" of the story is a jerk. He is pompous and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to slap him. A hero should be someone who has faults but is also good and wants to do what is right. He should realize his faults and try to overcome them. We should WANT for him to succeed. Frankly, I would not have cared if he died. Lena makes a much better character to cheer for.I do plan to read the next installment of this series to see if the problems I found with it improve.