Book Review: Zom-B: Goddess by Darren Shan

Will B finally get herself killed?


Where can you turn when you've run out of Options?

What card can you play when the deck's stacked against you?

Is there any hope in a world of the lost?

B Smith has reached the end...

So after 4 years, 7 months, 28 days (or 1701 days). I am finally here with a review of the final book of the Zom-B series (I have review every book but one because I forgot I hadn't reviewed till months later. I went to Florida. I miss Florida). It's hard to review this book without refering to the rest of the series, so like always I presume you have read the last 11 books or don't care about spoilers (hell, maybe you even want them).

Reading this book, the thought popped into my head, would have done the child bride thing if B had been male? Would we have gotten an child groom then? It probably would have been treated the same, a fourteen year old flirting with a hundred old something. This series started by messing with expectation of gender, but feel like B had to be a girl or female. I'm not saying Shan is sexist, if anything it's do with society sexism. Just the child bride thing and B being forced into the oddest mother role ever. Shan never really addresses sexism in the series outside of B's gender being a twist at the start. It's just something to think about when writing/reading. Yeah, it's stated it's not sexual. But still fucking creepy. In terms of horror it the most scariest thing in the whole series. The zombies and the forced gore just seem laughable next to it. Actually,that part was just dumb.

Everything is finally reveal for the most part, I still had random plot thoughts, one of the big problem with this book and the rest of the ending books is there's this rush to remind the reader of these characters we've only spent two or three books with and then have abandoned for six books in between. So they've just became names and B hasn't thought about them since the last time she seen them. Mainly because everyone B actually cared about is dead, so named characters do die but if you're read all the other books you're be desensitised to their deaths because all the more important characters are all gone. Basically, Shan has had B with no reason to live for the past three books. If the book were paced better or maybe read them back to back (if someone done/does that tell me if you feel closer to the characters that are left at the end) it could work. Twelve Books was too many for this story and not good enough job is done to make them interesting as standalones as the series goes on.

This book has a preachy speech at the end about taking better care of the planet and each other on a globe scale. I am millennial, so I'm dead inside due to knowing how fucked over my generation is and how fucked over the future one will be as things are only getting worse. However, kinda undermines the world series where you spell out what is wrong with humanity as whole and blaming the individual is how we end up with ableist banning of straws instead of pressuring corporations to dispose of their waste appropriately. Hell, it might come into law soon.

I did really like the first book, I guess I still do. Shan tried to rise a lot important subjects in this series: racists, corruption and paedophile but it's probably ruined. Having read them all and made it through them all, I would say give up when you feel like it. Walk away then. There was a point where I think the books become more of a chore to read, in the hope of plot, than enjoyable. I know children/middle grade books do have repetitive formats but this series didn't actually have that. So much of it is B fucking around and I don't think we get plot stuff or world development every book.

Overall, I give this book 3/5 stars for fucking up everything. This isn't really a series I can recommend as whole, the last book in the series wasn't satisfying. It was fine. It's been so dragged out  that there's no impacted and that's a problem. I feel like I've wasted money and time with these books so not fun. Because I don't care anymore.

Book Review: Zom-B: Fugitive by Darren Shan

Walking Tour of London, anyone?

WHERE DO YOU TURN WHEN ALL IS LOST?

HOW CAN YOU BUILD A FRESH FUTURE ON THE SANDS OF A TWISTED PATH?

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU KNEW WAS A LIE?

B SMITH IS ON THE RUN...

This is the 11th and penultimate book in the series and I have reviewed most of the previous books. Nothing feels like it happening in this book. It's a very slow walk.

There's a lot referencing previous novels, building up sudden emotion for nothing and while adding to the general plot. It's very so what for me. Obviously, I am older than the target audience. 12 year old me was reading crime thrillers and religion allegories with aliens so I don't she think would have been that impressed either. If we go younger it has no novels, only horror films and other masterpieces of film. Also junk. What's my point? Yes, plot stuff.

The thing about B is that her character is so moldable that she doesn't feel like a real person anymore. Her emotions have been came so plot related and she is so easily brain washed. It's happened three times now. Should she be so trustworthy after her father's lies? and I just don't like cult B. In general she is dislikable but they use to be a nugget. Over 11 books, the only developed we've got is she definitely not a racist anymore.

The Holocaust is brought up and it just seems so out of nowhere. It's a flashback and it feels like she should have already been brought up. Very life lesson.

The actual ending, it just play for emotion that it just makes me go what. More and more this series is 12 books because that was the agreed amount more than the story calls for it. I would be very so what, if I didn't have the next book to read. Not sure I would have brought it. Probably library pick up.

Overall, I give this book 2.5 stars for Old files. I hold Zom-B: Goddess in my hands and think this is going to be satisfying. The last two books felt like they were going somewhere. This book feels like a stall at the finish line. I've read a eleven books so of course I will be back with the final books and a  full series review.

Book Review: Zom-B: Bride by Darren Shan

Marriage is not how to solve politician issues. Anymore.


Does True Love lurk in the Darkest of Places?

Could a psychotic stalker be the man of your dreams?

Can a Killer win your heart?

Here comes the Bride...

This is the 10th in the Zom-B series (which I have review the majority of the series: Zom-B, Undergound, City, Angels, Baby, Mission, Clans, Circus, and Family). This one was odd. Odder and creepier than the other books in the series.

B is 13 years old physically and a fully grown man/clown is telling her he loves her. This isn't a spoiler with what this book is called. It stated several times that it not romantic, but it still creepy. Creeper than the babies.

There's a lot of gore for gore sake. Limbs everywhere and other dumb decorating choices.

We get more answers in this book, but B also ran away from answers. 
The Plot is clearly gearing up for Climax of the series. It's definitely going somewhere.

B's personality is her weird, soft, cult side. Not sure where her head is.

Overall, I give you this book 3.5/5 stars for blood baths. I feel my opinion might change on this book with what happens with the last two in the series so might update this rating or address that in my future reviews.

Book Review: Zom-B Family by Darren Shan

If the zombie apocalypse had came, it would probably be over by now.

Can anyone hurt you as much as a love one?

When does the fight become the much to bear?

How much pain can one person endure?

B Smith is discovering the true meaning of family...

This is the 9th book in the Zom-B series (which I review the majority of Zom-B, Undergound, City, Angels, Baby, Mission, Clans and the in between that is Circus). So now that series has been finished for over a year, I'm finally back to reading it after two years of a bit of not doing so. After this book I've only got three to read and I'm planning to read and review them one after another basically.

The book has a lot of resolutions and is definitely going somewhere which has been my biggest problem with the series in the past. It's builds on B's family issues and all that racist stuff. The KKK was still perhaps on the nose but then again why not be blunt about this things (especially the way things have/are turning out in real, non-zombified world).

I think B has pretty much had enough now, so I'm wondering where that's going to lead the series. 

Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars for Banners. The series is building to something and I want to know what that something is. I will be reading the next books pretty soon and should have them all read and reviewed by end of February.

Book Review: Zom-b: Clans by Darren Shan

At first it's hard to hang off a Cliff but eventually you forgot you're on a Cliff.

How much do you value your best friend's life?

When do you go when run out of options?

How far can you trust an evil promise? 

B Smith must consider her next move...

This is the 8th book in the Zom-B series (which I review the majority of Zom-B, Undergound, City, Angels, Baby, Mission and the in between that is Circus). The last main book ended on a major cliff-hanger so it took me months to pick this book up. Life is a weird thing that happens to you. 

The book continues straight off from last book and I found it easy to fall back into it. The story quickly goes into a weird angle not far in.

The characters were basically their typical selves. But who cares because in this book we finally get the origin stories of certain characters and that is why you should read this book.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for Hypocrites. I like this book because we get answers and B isn't acting as though she devoted cult follower anymore. Question superiors, kids. Though, with the ending of this book, who knows if that will last.

Book Review: Zom-B: Circus by Darren Shan

This book is tiny looking in comparison to the way the other books are put together.

Could you survive a plague of zombies?
What would you sacrifice to stay alive?
Who would you try to save?
For one human, judgement day is coming . . .

 This is book 7.5 in the Zom-B series, though in terms of spoilers it would only spoil the first book (and a slight spoiler for it in this review), you should be probably read the second book as well before this one at least. (My reviews here: Zom-B and Undergound). Though, you should just read the series in order.

This book follows B's old Maths teacher, which is odd for book in Children's/teenager's/YA book series to have a Protagonist in her late 20s. All should follow this example, it won't get weird not at all. 

I liked the parallels between Cat Ward and B's escape from the school. Cat is unlikable character, not just because of her questionable action, just her thought process more than anything. You can find other characters to like.

Going by this cover that you will guess what other character we see in this book. That's right, Count Dracula. I was very surprised. You won't be surprised to know that is a lie. Though, as Dracula is now in public domain, anyone can have him appear in their book. There was some cool, gruesome imagery.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars for talk of soldiers. This was a cool intermission in the series and it was cool to hear the voice of the living during this apocalypse. It re-raised some question to ponder between books.

Book Review: Zom-B: Mission by Darren Shan

If you guys didn't know already, that I'm a idiot. I'm about to prove it.

B Smith and the other Angels are relieved to finally receive their first mission to safely escort a group of human survivors from the zombie-infested streets of London to New Kirkham, a barricaded safe haven in the country. But after battling through crowds of undead monsters, B discovers that the survivors of the town do not necessarily represent the best of humanity. And when evil influences make their way to New Kirkham, unearthing demons from B s past, the humans will be forced to choose between being honorable and being safe.

So this is the 7th book in the Zom-B series, I have review them all (Zom-B, Undergound, City, Angels and Baby) except the last one, Gladiator because I somehow forgot that I had read it. I got it from the library and everything again, sat down to read it and it was really familiar because I had already read it so no review for that one. Especially a shame, considering I had new comments from that about the series. Maybe I reread the series someday and then I review it. On to the actual review of this book, no spoilers for this book but not previous book in the series as usual.

We get to leave to London. YAY! Having another setting besides from the Country Hall area was interesting. I enjoyed seeing other parts of this world that we've not heard about before. Also we see the more of characters, so I never felt my usual plot frustration as I was distracted.

The topic of racism makes it way back into the series. I like how it was subtle and then slapped you in the face. Also we get made to see how much B developed since the first book, I mean I never shouted at her in this book, not even once.

This book ends in a proper cliffhangers, so might want to have Clans on sidelines waiting. I think I'm going to go straight on to the next book, especially since as this book brings up more questions than it answers.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for trees. These reviews are turning into thoughts. I know that what reviews are but should be more critical or structured or something. Basically, never based your reviews off mine. Now that I'm finish this review, I'm off to read the next book in the series and then write a review of that and then read the book after that etc.

Book Review: Zom-B: Baby by Darren Shan

Oh, that baby is adorable. In comparison of other monster babies.

B has spent the last few months bunking with the Angels, a group of teens dedicated to eradicating the evil dead from the face of the earth, beginning with the undead roaming the abandoned wreckage that was once London. But the Angels' mission is a bit more complicated than that, and B takes to the streets of a very changed London to decide: is it a mission really to be believed? But instead of answers, B finds a horror beyond imagining.

This is the 5th book in the Zom-B series and I only promise to be spoiler free for this book. If you haven't read the other four books why not check out my reviews of them: 
Zom-B, Zom-B: Undergound, Zom-B: City and Zom-B: Angels.

This book was disturbing mainly because I think Rage might have flirted with B. B was her typically aggravating self.  It like she has no self-preservation sometimes. Yes, you're dead but that comes with own problem of no healing power at all.

This was mostly character study really. So little happen in terms of plot and you probably guess by the title what that was. It all happens near the end of the book. 

I said this was character development stuff but don't feel as reader we got much. I guess there was relationship building that's probably relevant to the series overall plot. I know these books are short but I want to more within those 250 pages. The pictures are pretty. Though, I do doubt many people say that about illustrations of zombies. 

Overall, I gave this book 3/5 stars for zombies on skates. I like this series but I just wish there was more plot in the books.

Book Review: Zom-b: Angels by Darren Shan

Of all the characters to be still walking why did it have to be you.

After spending the last few months wandering around London--a city filled with the dead--B Smith has given up hope for any sign of normal human existence. But then B finds strange signs all over the city--a "Z" plus red arrows. Following them, B finds The Angels-- a group gathered in the hopes of combating the evil dead and the forces that introduced them. But all is not as it seems and it's up to B to find out: what battle are they truly waging?

This is probably not going to be the best review as I can't for the life of me remember how this ended from the top of my head. Probably some cliff-hanger like the rest of the books in the series. This is the fourth book in the series so if you haven't read any of them why not go check out my reviews of them: Zom-B, Zom-B: Undergound and Zom-B: City.

We get more explanations here and I'm not at all impressed with them. I did go "really" a lot and laughed at once at the absurdity of it all. I know this written for kids younger than me, but they do have brains (the zombies haven't got to them yet). I guess most won't realise what a staple in horror the explanation turns out to be. Probably just think of Call of Duty, but there is literally films out there about this from at least the 60s.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars for Nazi Zombies. I'm just not loving this series at the moment. I've got the next book in the series to read which I'm going straight on to now. It's not at the point where I would stop reading but if it gets any worse. Maybe.

Book Review: Zom-B: City by Darren Shan

Okay, for a sec there I thought we were in the Walking Dead.

How many survived the zombie apocalypse?
Where do the living hide in a city of the dead?
Who controls the streets of London?
B Smith is setting out to explore...

This is the third book in the Z-Bom series, I have done reviews of the first two books: Zom-B and Underground. Go check out those reviews if you haven't read them if you haven't as there will be spoilers for them in this review.

 A few interesting things are introduce/brought back to the series in this book. We have extreme religious nuts and get this very "The Walking Dead"ish speech from artist. He even says "I'm the Walking Dead" (that might be slightly wrong as I've lost the actual quote).

Through most of this I wonder if B had lost her brain. She does some dumb stuff and I think she doesn't really think everything through which has always been B's problem. She damages herself so much, she a zombie she can't heal she really needs to be more carefully that.  She generally puts herself in way too much risk. She is trying to be a better person but she still not doing the best job of it.

 I really don't like the "villains" very much, not in they villains ways. Just why more than anything. We get grimaces of them with no real answer to anything. I would just generally like more information. What is there motivation, why is this happening, how did this happened? Going off the end of this book we are going to get some answer in the next one.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for painted zombies. I enjoy reading theses books but I am currently frustrated with the series at the moment. I shall continue on especially since I have the next one in my hands.

Book Review: Zom-B: Underground by Darren Shan

“If I only had heart” should become the theme tune of this book series now.

Waking up in a military complex, months after zombies attacked school, B has no memory of the last few months. Life in the UK has turned tough since the outbreak, and B is woven into life- and battle- in the new military regime quickly. But as B learns more about the zombies held in the complex and the scientists keeping them captive, unease settles in. Why exactly was B saved? And is there anyone left in the world to trust?

This is the second book in the Zom-b series so if you haven’t read the first one, go check out my review of it. Beware I assuming you have read the first so spoilers for that one in this review but not for the actual book I’m reviewing because I only spoiler books I hate in their reviews. Moving to the point:

I enjoyed this book, not as much as the first one. I don't think anything was going to match that ending though, with reveal that B was girl and even I presumed going off gender norms. Though, I don't get why a white person would shave their head (I mean most white people don't suit it) unless you were going bald. Something I want to say about the last book because I couldn't in that review I was really annoyed when all the girls were dead but of course they weren't because B is girl. 

B continued to be her unlikable self but now is a zombie. Apparently we get to know the supporting characters better in this book but I didn't want. Zom-heads or whatever they call themselves, ain't that likable or interesting. I don't remember their names. The only other girl is stereotype of the type of girl I hate, who sadly do exist. Though, B doesn't help the situation at all. The boys are forgotable mess, the girl is too, but stands out as a female. 

In terms of plot, this book just seems to be step note explaining more about the zombies but not giving any real answer to what the hell is going on. The setting is sort of interesting and I can see why this book is probably nessascy for the series but I want answers to who behind this whole thing.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for white, lumpy stuff. The quality does continue from the last book 

Book Review: Zom-B by Darren Shan

If Zombies ever attacked my school, I would have just fed the House teachers to them and leg it.
.
 When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.

B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks. 

That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.

I really like this book, I plan to read the sequels as soon as I managed to acquired the 2rd one from my local library because they basically have them all and I'm not meant to be buying books at moment.

This book is quite misleading. It tricks you at least two times. It would be a major spoiler to tell how its misleading. But it was a highlight of the book for me, maybe even my favourite part.

This book has some series issues, spouse/child abuse and Racism plays a big part in the book due to B's father being a extreme racism. English Defence League and all that sort of idiocy. Like B's Dad literally thinks everyone who isn't white is below him. B struggles with this and whether kidding on to be racism makes you racism or not. Basically, B does it to have an easy life as Dad tends to beat those who disagree with him. B isn't really a racist but doesn't stand up when should.

Obviously, Zombies also play a major part of in this book. It be a random title/misleading summary if there wasn't any Zombies. There's a scheme behind the zombies, some weird guy that B apparently met as a toddler. Zombie look people stealing babies. B having dreams about Killer babies on planes. Interesting things happening. The zombie attack is built up well, we know the rumours and videos on YouTube. We also meet the background characters enough to actually care about them when the Zombie attack happens and to route for them to live. It big with Horror that you actually have to care for the main character for it be decent, the others for it to be good (unless the main character the only one in danger).

Also I enjoy that B is character that you don't like till you get to know them. It really works for this book and the issues within it. You still don't like or agree with most of B's decision but you see where they come from.  B is interesting and I like that.

In summary, I really enjoy this book and think it good addiction to the Zombie craze we're been having. I give it 4 out of 5 stars for making me realise something that bit of spoiler to say and fleeing masses. Basically, read it horror fans and everyone else. You might like it because it's good, god damn it.