Book Review: Wranglestone by Darren Charlton

In a Zombie Apocalypse, you may as well live next to a Super Volcano.

Winter was the only season every Lake-Lander feared…

In a post-apocalyptic America, a community survives in a national park, surrounded by water that keeps the Dead at bay. But when winter comes, there’s nothing to stop them from crossing the ice.
Then homebody Peter puts the camp in danger by naively allowing a stranger to come ashore and he’s forced to leave the community of Wranglestone. Now he must help rancher Cooper, the boy he’s always watched from afar, herd the Dead from their shores before the lake freezes over.
But as love blossoms, a dark discovery reveals the sanctuary’s secret past. One that forces the pair to question everything they’ve ever known.

This another post-apocalyptic Zombie book but this time it's Queer, therefore better than all the other zombie books. This book did take me a while to read, not the book's fault. I found myself enjoying the book but also having no will to physically read, which is how things go sometimes. I only say that as an excuse to as why I'm realising this review a day away from the publication date and if I get the beginning blurry.

I love zombies and love stories with Queer stories. Okay, I don't love zombies, but I'm was excited to see a Queer genre YA book. I do like zombie stories if done well. It's nice that the characters being queer isn't made a big deal of, and never comes into the plot. It's just character trait and just happens to be a Queer romance. This is M/M I have seen most reviewers calling this book "Gay" but no labels are used within the text and M/M doesn't make the characters gay. LGBTQ+ people, or Queer as an easy, assessable umbrella term when describing people's whose labels you don't know. It's not discussed at all in the book, but its apocalypse you would hope that people would just get on their lives in the best way possible.

Though, don't worry it does sticks to the zombie format of humanity being capable of terrible things.

The romance is really good, even some hot moments which makes me feel odd now that I'm so much older than the characters. I wished we spent more time with character development which I guess is kinda odd for a genre book. I just want character development in the backdrop of zombies waiting to eat everyone.

Peter is a Soft boy who is good at sewing (important skill once clothes shop stop being a thing) and not so much Survivalist skill, despite having spent most of his life during the zombie apocalypse, not remembering a time before.

The setting is a natural park, where people were evacuated to during the start of the outbreak. More specifically, the community lives on a lake in still houses, to keep the zombies away from them. So definitely cool.

This book is set up for a series, with a lot of plot elements that happen m. There are things I would like explored.

I can't comment on how gory this book is because I don't notice gore unless someone is being distractedly over the top with it. This is a zombie apocalypse so there is some gore.

Overall, I give this 4/5 stars for Car Holes. This a debut and I know I didn't read it in the best way for full enjoyment. I will stick with the series, a book two has been confirmed by the author and will buy my own copy of this book once I recover from investment in concert tickets.

Read: 21/12/2019 to 2/2/2020
Reviewed: 4/2/2020
Published Date: 6th February 2020
Publisher: Stripes Publishing
Source: Netgalley
I received this book as an e-arc from the Publisher, my reviews are always honest and my own opinion.
Content Warning for Book: Sexual Assualt referenced; Violence; Violent Death; enslavement; murder;

Book Review: Kim Reaper Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings by Sarah Graley

Who wouldn't date a Cute Grim Reader?

Part-Time Grim Reaper. Full-Time Cutie!

Like most university students, Kim works a part-time job to make ends meet. Unlike most university students, Kim's job is pretty cool: she's a grim reaper, tasked with guiding souls into the afterlife.

Like most university students, Becka has a super intense crush. Unlike most university students, Becka's crush is on a beautiful gothic angel that frequents the underworld. Of course, she doesn't know that.

Unaware of the ghoulish drama she's about to step into, Becka finally gathers up the courage to ask Kim on a date! But when she falls into a ghostly portal and interrupts Kim at her job, she sets off a chain of events that will pit the two of them against angry cat-dads, vengeful zombies, and perhaps even the underworld itself. But if they work together, they just might make it... and maybe even get a smooch in the bargain.

This is a series that I saw at MCM, but I had spent already too much money. I love Grim Reaper based stories, so I took a photo of the graphic novels to look them up once I had money to spend on comics, but I found the first in Kindle Unlimited that I had a free trial of, so of course I picked this book.

The relationship is developed pretty quickly. They go from Kim not knowing Becka exists, to risking themselves for each other in one comic. Maybe it would work better if it was established that how lonely Kim was. It's hinted I guess. There's oddly not a lot of character time.

The plot is a bit rushed. This graphic novel is made up of four comics. Maybe I'm just too use to comics quite happy spending 10 issues on one story arc.  I think the problem they doesn't feel like much development for plot or the characters.

I do like the art style of these books. It's very cute. There's a lot of visual gags. I generally like the humour. 

An odd criticism that a lot of people have with this book is the diversity. I mean they say the book focus on diversity more than anything else which I don't think is true. This is a graphic novel, diversity is choosing to draw different people in crowd shorts. Yes, it has two Queer main characters, one being a person of colour, with no labels given to explain anyone's background. Not a lot of storytime is actually given to the diversity, it just there. Having diversity is a good point and this is a graphic novel, but I don't get spending so much time talking about the diversity without actually criticising it. Having good diversity doesn't make a good book, and this diversity is okay. It's probably not worth structuring a whole review about.

Overall, I give this book 3/5 stars for Skull Hearts. this is a fun comic series, with a focus on humour but is lacking in tension. I'm curious as to where this is going and hopefully improved. However, I'll probably be a while before I get around to getting a copy of Volume 2, mainly because I've already spent too money this year on books  and Christmas is coming.

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.

Short Story: Bad Weather

Hello people, today story comes from a prompt: Write a story about a guy who walks into a bar on a dark and stormy night. I have taking place in the BookTubeathon so I wrote this instead of reading, but read when I should have been writing it's all too confusing.

Bad Weather 

The pub was pretty empty for a Friday night and the place was usually empty. Only our usual Todd sat at a booth in the back, nursing his only whiskey of the night. I suspected that Todd didn't liked the drink he brought every night and never drank. It was a shame, because it was always the good stuff he got and I myself liked that whiskey.

I never asked him about it because he freaked me out. I caught him staring at me from across from his usual booth all the time, till I learned not to look in that corner. His hands are always freezing, no matter the weather, I tried avoid touching him by putting his drink on the bar instead of handing him it but he would grab it before I let go of it and he always bushed my palm when he pays.

Today, it was cold and damp so it made since when the stab of cold hit my skin, but it just doesn't seem right. I rubbed my hand on my apron, trying to get renewed sensation to go away.

The bar door opens and two guys I have never seen before enter. It's odd to see anyone completely new after working here for over a year and of course living few streets away. One looks to be older than the other by ten years, both are wearing all black. Neither of their jacket have hoods and they soaked. They look around the bar, before separating in direction without saying a word.

The older ones heads towards Todd's booth and sits. It is literally the most shocking thing I have seen working here as I have never experienced Todd talking to anyone but me and only to order his drink. The only reason I know his name is because Boss made me card him, despite him clearly being middle age.

"A beer, please."

I jump, I had been so focused on the older one engaging with Todd that I never noticed the younger one siting now at the bar.

"Wha...What kind?" I stutter out.

 "Whatever you have on draught."

We have three beers on draught so I give him the one that should have the most in the barrel to avoid changing them on my shift. That can be the boss's job, he hates doing it so always makes me do it.

He hands me a tenner for the pint.

"Keep the change." I say thanks and go to put it the shared tip jar, he grabs my wrist. I tried to jump out of his grip, his hand is as cold as Todd's and his grip is too strong for me to break.

"You keep it," he says as calmly as before, like this is normal. He lets go. There now a clitch in my gut. I leave my arm handing there for a minute before finally putting the money in my pocket. I'll put the money in the jar after he leaves. The company that owned the pub had this big thing about sharing tips. It was a fireable offense to keep tips, not that we got many at night.

 He staring at me and hasn't touch his drink. I ignore him and go to wipe the bar at the opposite end. I decide to the watch the strange show of Todd with another person. I wonder if I should get the Boss from the back to witness this rare moment. He might not believe me otherwise. I'm too far away to hear them speaking anyway.

I move from the bar and catch the the eye of the other one.

"You're rather pretty," he says plainly. Great, I hate when straight guys hit on me and now I have an especially weird one doing it. He'll probably comment on on my lip piecing next and then ask if anything else is pieced whilst looking at my flat chest. They're usually wasted at this point when they start flirting with me.

"So I'm told," I say.

"Would you like me to suck you off?"

"WHAT?"

This was turn odd turn of events, he could still think I'm a girl but most people don't use that term anology about the female funtimes.

 "I  said, would like me to pleasure you?" he says flatly, like it normal to offer someone oral whilst they working. Getting hit on by drunks is sort of part of the job. Not sober weird people offering sex acts.

"No, thanks," I say slowly inching to the backdoor. He might not be drunk, but on something else, or insane either way I don't want to be in the front by myself. He watches me as I step into the back.

I can still see the bar but I can't really be seen by customers. I call the cellar phone to get Boss. He's down there taking invertory whilst things are slow during the storm to save him having to do it another time.

The phone rings out without an answer. I hang up, he doesn't usually answer and just comes up when I ring him down there. I tried to calm down, but the knot in my gut won't go away. I force myself back into the bar where none of them have move.

The younger one is still staring at me. I look at Todd's booth to see that they have started to argue. I hear the sound of them talking but not the actual word.

What is Todd's life outside this bar?

"What type of blood do have?" The young one says.

I turn to him and stared at him blankly.

"You smell like O neg to me, definitely Rhesus negative."

 That was blood type, how could he smell my blood type. I stared at him and that was it, I was abandoning the bar.

I run out to the back and was about to open the cellar door when the lights go out. The storm must have knocked the power out. I take a breath and take my phone of my pocket to use it as a flashed light. I go down the stairs using the light to make sure I don't trip.

"Boss" I shout into the darkness. I don't get a reply. Once I'm the floor I begin to scan the lights spatterly. He has to be down here, I never heard him come up.

" Boss, where are you?"

I can feel myself panicking, something is wrong. I spin around trying to get a glimpse of him. I find myself looking behind the crates of alcopops and then stop myself. I must have missed him somehow. He must be out back smoking.

I run to the stairs. I stop, there's something wet on the steps. It wasn't like that when I came down here. I hold my phone above it. I can't make out what it is on the dark of the stairs. I leave it in favour of finding Boss. I go up the stairs trying to avoid the wet patches.

I turn my phone scene off and find my way to back door easily. I push at the door and exit to the rain. It's dark in the alleyway and am still getting wet despite the metal sheet that Boss put up for his frequent smoke breaks.

I scan around for him, but boss clearly isn't out here. I turn to go back in when I hear sceaming. I stop. I know I should go in and help, but instincts tell me to run. I stand there for a long while, not able to make my body do either.

"Don't worry, baby."

I jump at the sound of the voice. It young guy at the door, I must have been staring at him for a while in the dark.

"He's just getting what he deserves for disobeying."

Disobeying who? I don't ask him.

"Why don't you come back in and I can make you scream in another way."

He's still flirting with me in the creepiest way possible. I go to run but he grabs me and drags me back into the pub. Before I can stay anything, he's shoving his slimy, cold tongue in my month. It's making me sick but I can't push him off. I'm actually starting to feel a bit faint.

***

"And that's why I turned you." Feith says to me for millionth time. I had been ignoring him, and thinking of  my own count of that night. Trying to find Boss and then walking over his blood and then Todd getting his punishment for stealing a blood donor.

Feith thinks he's being romantic when he recounts that night. I remember it for it's fear, not Feith being pretty. He's good looking I guess, but I will never have the same feelings towards him as he has for me.

Because of him I'm stuck running one of Lucas' bars. It's a lot like Boss' but I'm not dumb enough to cross the real boss or his right hand man Feith, which is why I put up with his feuqent visits. Also I kinda feel sorry for him. He was raised in this world before he was turned. This was always the best he saw for himself.

It's sad. He never mature so now he like an external puppy who decided to be befriend the neighbour's cat. I just wish I had never went near that neighbour. Why the hell had Boss hired me? It  is one many things I wished they had torture out of him. It straight up broke the rules of this business, not that Boss had really care that much. He dragged me into this, instead of it just be another job rejection.

Feith is now smiling at me, still happily talking at me while I ignore him. I don't think he'll ever realises that I'm not listening. Lucas is here checking up on things so I know he'll be leaving before closing so I won't need to have a moral debate with myself about letting Feith stay the day with me.

I'm actually quite relief when Lucas tells Feith to scam from the bar so he can interrogate me. Also Feith is meant to be paroling the area in case if any rivals show up. If Lucas gives him hell  for not doing his duty, he's being too soft on him.

"How are you, Pretti," I flich. I hate when Lucas calls me by Feith's compliment/pet names. He smirks at me, so he saw it then.

"Fine, been real busy with the Blood Donors I stole last week," I say sarcastically because I've heard the rumours and know it will stop his smirk and maybe my existence. He doesn't stop smirking.

"You know if anyone but you said that to be I have them chopped," he says without threat. Being cut into tiny bits sounds fun compared to what they did to Todd. "However, I know you know what I'm capable of and Fe..."

"I keep waiting to see it again," I goat him before he mention how heartbroken Feith would be without having me suck here.

"You really should fight your suicidal tendencies. If you weren't so stubborn you would have promoted long ago."

"Business is fine. There's been no trouble," I say, stopping before telling him to get out.

"Exactly, you're my most reliable bartender," bartender is the name Lucas gives his blood sellers. "You should be at a flesh bar instead of here."He looks around this place like it's a stae. Lucas tries this spill once and awhile. Especially, after something likes this has went down. I've always gotten out of being transferred by getting drunk and refusing to serve anyone till Lucas refutes.

Last time I told customers I poised all the blood and that Lucas was my bitch, in front of Lucas. I majorly pissed him off, meaning he gave Feith a week off to deal with me which was hellish. He wouldn't stop touching me the whole time he was there, in front of the customers giving me a dirty look for being alive after the suppose poising.

"I have decided you are to take over my personal bar," he says. That's at least ten levels above me on the chain of this organisation.

"I know how to poison blood."

"If that was true, then we wouldn't be having this conversation." He's right, I would be actually dead.  "I don't know why you so against moving up."

"Maybe I'm just happy where I am." He laughs as though that's the dumbest thing he's ever heard.

"How very human you still are," He laughs at me again. "Perhaps I should make you a drainer so you can be with your kind." Here's the punishment I should I have gotten years ago. I shiver at the thought of having to see those rejected addicts everyday.

"Fine, I'll run your stupid bar," I throw a glass at Feith whose been standing at the door, looking at me for the pass minute. I miss his head. He finally moves after the glass shattering next to his head. I would smash one on Lucas if I thought I would get the satisfaction of seeing his pretty face bleed.

"Tut, Tut, so disrespectable to your maker," I openly laugh at this statement. He stole leadership from his maker.

"When will I be force to leave?"

"Oh, a week or so," he says vaguely. It could be tomorrow knowing him. "Come, Feith, it's time to go."

Feith leans over the bar, looking for a kiss. I ignore him, knowing Lucas will shout at him eventually. I look up at him, Lucas smiles at me, standing at the door so he's playing that game now.

"Stop being a pest and fuck off," I say to Feith. He pulls back, looking hurt, like a kicked puppy. If I'm being forced to deal with Blood Donors, then I'm not putting up with Feith wanting to play boyfriends.

"We're be back soon to help with the move," is Lucas finally words before he leaves with Feith sulking behind him.  I doubt that I will see Lucas again till I get to his headquarters.

I won't miss this bar but I'm more the deniability. I go out and sweep the glass pieces to save to throw another day. 

Today's life lesson is to stay out of Vampire Turf disputes.

Now I have a readathon to win. Okay, probably lose.

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: The girl with all the gifts by M.R. Carey

This shares similarities with The last of Us.

NOT EVERY GIFT IS A BLESSING

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class.

When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite. But they don't laugh.

Melanie is a very special girl.


This is a zombie book, but has a unique spin. Mixing education with the living dead.

There are 5 characters that are the main focus. There are idiots in their own special ways. I suppose it would be a true zombie if someone didn't get themselves almost killed with their own stupidity. I didn't get attached to any of them, whixh is fine with this sort of book but I guess it does take away from the suspense when you don't care who lives and dies.

The science is of course questionable once you think about it, but then does have something that is known to take over other animals. The ending was okay. We left with questions about things that don't matter in the end.

 The book is written in third-person, switching focus between the characters. I like the writing style.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for humping zombies.I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you like zombies book set well into the the Apocalypse.

 I got this off NetGalley for Review. It published by Orbit and is out now in paperback.

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 

We are the Procrastnators

If you've read the walking dead then you're realise what a plavic attempt at parody that title is. I finished reading what I owned of the Graphic novels and I might start watching the TV series now. I also brought the season 2 of the Telltale game. Telltale are awesome video game company, having played serveral of their games I have seen how much they've adapted. For example, the Jurassic Park game has element of choice on the ending alone but now with the Walking Dead games you choose who dies and who lives. Also you actually have to be fast pace some times and not just wander around in a circle before you find the right thing. Though, nothing really happens if you die like sixty times.

The Walking Dead, we're get you emocately invesigated only to do the most terrible things to the characters and dying is only the type of the iceberg. Another possible motto is: The Walking Dead we're make you weep yourself to sleep and then have nightmares.

Besides my procrastinating with the zombies, I've tided my room more.The job is no way done, but slow progress is better than none. Been focusing on the clothes that meant to be going under my bed. Tourses and hoodies basically. The hoodies have been dumped under the bed for a bit but I need to sort them. It kinda nice being able to move around my room more. I can mostly get into my bookcase now; I could get the books from them if had to.

I'm really looking forward to be able to reorganise my bookshelves, specially as some of them have basically had books just dump on them so I could put them out the way. I'm also planning to look through them and get rid of my doubles. Freeing up some space for more books. I've been drinking lot of energy drinks to get the job done. Not that I think that the caffeine is actually giving me that much of a boost. Maybe the placebo effect will get me through. I actually once drank a big can of redbull only to crash a second later.

This week I also met up with the new YA carer person. It was awkward afair. We didn't really discuss much.

The most eventive thing about today is that I lost my ipod. You're probably wondering why I didn't lead with that considering I'm attached to that thing at least two hours a day, most days. The thing is I was told someone had found it before I knew for certain that I had lost it. Someone found on the street, who was the mother of friend of my uncle, the thing is I don't know how got the link to him. I'm thinking its my contracts phone or maybe pictures in it. I did think for a moment something was up with my ipod, like I thought it was in my pocket and I noticed it wasn't as I was walking along the street. So it must have fell out.

The most annoying thing about this is might cause a series annoying conversations with my family as they think I'm really lucky for some reason. I lost my phone on the first day of college, left it on the bus, a teacher found it and called my mum who went and got it the same day. I didn't feel lucky as that day was panky enough without my phone disappearing. I also lost the same ipod at friend's party, got it back though there was suspection of the hotel staff trying to keep it for themselves. This story is for all dress to have pockets with zips or something. I also won a lot raffive prizes one year but I entered a hella lot of them.

So I'm not lucky, my tech just doesn't want to be separated from me. We have a mutal loving relationship or something, Maybe I'm lucky therefore have a chance in the field of my choice which involves luck, hard-work and talent. We're see. That all for this issue, continued in "The case of caffeine high".

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.

Dirty and Zombified

This week involved dirt and zombies (hence the title). I suppose we often picture Zombies climbing from their graves, covered in dirt. However, the two actually had very little to do with each other. Basically, I dressed up as a Zombie for the Funwalk thing. I don't actually know how much money we made from the thing, but not everyone did it. Some cause they didn't have sponsors/just didn't want to. Some seemed to disappeared whist we were doing it. In the end we did three laps of campus place next to the college. I'm not sure how many miles that is. Maybe 2 or 3, so did 5 miles of walking I guess. My legs did hurt later on that day and tired, but I feel like that when I did nothing near exercise. Its the fun of having my body.

So I dressed up as a Zombie (which I heavy hinted at). Not a very good Zombie, I only had like 15 minutes to do my make-up. I missed step of putting a red based down before dark make-up and put my fake blood on as I was walking down to the meeting point thing. I actually bumped into my tutor from last year whist fleshly Zombified, I just mumbled hello in passing. Fun.

Not much to add to that really. I took a lot a photos of myself and random things out of boredom and visual stuff. Some are bit better than others, a few just looked like weird zombie selvies. I shall share a few of my favourites (note I don't say best) few on this post.

The rest of the week (okay, two days) were spent in at Community Centre doing wood craving (basically scraping the wood off bench in attempt to make a pattern) and busy work.
Honesty, some of it seem like we were just doing it for the sake of it. They had us cleaning outside tables that ain't likely to be used again till after Christmas and therefore we definitely need to be cleaned again before use (if you care that much about gems). I ended up seving stones which was boring and annoying as most of the stones went through the home-made sev. The sev also broke and ended up dirty but stylish.

Overalls make everyone look hot.

To be honest, I'm becoming rather dishearten by the whole course. I don't think I have improved at all in my team skills; more than half the promised qualifications seem like made up nonsense specifically for the course and not all usefully. I'm not making friends so no social side even getting earned (no offence to the other people on the course that's probably more my inability to socialise at all); it just routine to have. I guess it has help me improved with being less panicky of buses but I didn't need a course for that nor was it meant to be part of the course.


I also really hate the paperwork side as it confusing and ends with us spouting bullshit. I recently realise that I had ticked the wrong thing as it didn't make clear what we be made to write about/what was out choice and it kinda too late to go back as it effects other stuff I already wrote. Also apparently it unacceptable to put that you learned nothing new about self which is the truth. At the age of Twenty, I'm petty aware of my weakness and issues. Maybe someday another one will slap me in the face but the obvious ones are already known so writing that I socially fail and I'm stubborn are pointless (especially the school system already made those things obvious to me years ago).

Move on to more fun things, yet still annoying. I finally received money, though not from who was I expecting from. It wasn't Carer's Allowance like one might expect. No it was Income Support. It didn't even take a week from when I sign the form to get money and taking 6 weeks before I get payment for carer's allowance. That kinda ridiculous. So I have money and I spent most of it already. In my defence, I spent that money on things that I've been waiting to get such as External Hard Drive, a case for my Kobo, and I also owned my mother quite a bit of money. I also bought quick release for tripod. I'm still expecting to eventually find the other one but it doesn't hurt to have a spare and in my experience you find something as soon as you buy a replacement. That is the irony of life.
 

I also bought the first Christmas gifts of the season. I know I'm often complain about how let have Halloween before we have Christmas themed crap. But in this case the gifts kinda had to be bought now because they're on deal or chance they will be sold out by time Halloween over. Basically, I bought my own Christmas present yesterday as my parents have yet to learn the power of the internet so I know what exactly what I'm getting. Though, even I hadn't done the transaction I would still what it was. I'm getting the Limited Edition Pokemon Nintendo 3DS XL Red and Pokemon X from my parents. I don't care what that says about my maturity. I mean I'm literally getting the same thing as ten year old boy (except he getting Blue one and Pokemon Y, I'm obviously got the cooler version). I wish I had the funds to buy it myself so I would have to wait 2 months and 6 days. 
Basically, I made my parents get cause it might go out stock which it now has. Though, petty sure amazon still have it and the blue isn't popular for some reason. I also might said some things that I know what my little brother getting for Christmas already. It is what he wants though. I made a comment about X is being better than Y and mocked him for getting Y instead of wanting Y. Oh, well... 

I actually brought presents that I plan to be giving someone. My sib went on this Disney Blu Ray kick and as they buy one get one free right now. It ends in November so I obviously got them now. So yeah, I have been focused to do Christmasy stuff before Halloween. Oh, well...
 
Well, that all for this week. Join me next next week where I'll probably covered in paint.