Book Review: Zombies in Love

Title: Zombies in Love

Author: Nora Fleischer

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Review:

This was a surprisingly lighthearted zombie book.  Never thought I would say that (since "zombies" and "lighthearted" aren't exactly words you would expect to see together.)  When Jack wakes up one day, he realizes he should've been dead...but he's not.  Instead, he's been turned into a "zombie" (I use this term somewhat loosely--will explain later)--and a rather particular zombie at that.  Yes, zombies can have manners and they do care about acting normal (ie. keeping clean, not eating in front of humans, holding a job.)

Here's the thing about zombiefication: it doesn't happen just because you get bit by a zombie.  It only happens if you contact the "zombie virus" and die.  So basically, totally normal, alive humans harbor the ability to become zombies once they die, but until then, will continue to be normal.  I thought that was pretty neat, since it was rather different from the usual zombiefication method (you know--the classic get-bit-and-slowly-turn-into-a-zombie way.)

I really liked Jack.  Sure, he was an a-hole in his past life and maybe he was asking to get stabbed that fateful night.  But I loved reading from his point of view simply do to his sense of dry humor.  Like when Lisa, the manager of the pizza shop he works at, accidentally shoots him in the head when she thought he was a burglar.  (Fortunately he was able to heal himself--just one of the benefits of being a zombie)  When Lisa tries to stop him from leaving (I mean, she did just catch him eating a hand in the supply closet), Jack replies, "You already shot me once. Why don't we just call it a night."  

Lisa is another character who is worth mentioning here--she's a no nonsense woman who runs a pizza shop near Winthrop University.  All her life seems like an endless, boring journey since she feels obligated to run the pizza shop (family business, and she's the last in line.)  So when a zombie shows up at her doorsteps, how could she throw away this chance of something interesting actually happening?  Of course...she's getting way more than she bargained for.

Ian is the last character I will mention in this review, as this story is told from many, many characters' point of view.  I don't even know what to think of Ian--on one hand, I feel bad for him because he got such a crappy college advisor/professor.  On the other, he's such a coward I just want to slap him in the fact sometimes!

The plot was quite interesting and definitely not what I expected.  The setting--Winthrop University--actually plays a major role in the plot.  I thought the story moved along at a nice pace and nicely concludes everything in less than 150 pages.

I wished that the book was only told from Jack's point of view...maybe either Ian or Lisa's too.  At one point I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight in my head...Mr. Dudley, Sam, Jack, Sarah, Lisa,  Professor Leschke, and more.  

Over all, this was an enjoyable, quick zombie read.  I wouldn't recommend this for readers who like consistent point of views.  However, if you are able to switch back and forth from different POVs very quickly and want an unusual, lighter zombie read, this may just be it.

To wrap things up, here are some of my favorite quotes from the book (mostly dry humor courtesy of Jack and Lisa)

"'Now you're being paranoid,' [said Lisa.] 'No, just a guy who watches movies.  Besides, can you think of a more depressing way to spend an evening?'  'You spend every night alone in a cemetery digging up a body.'  He grinned at her. 'It's more fun than you'd think. Very meditative.'"

"Jack sat down on the bed. 'I wanted to thank you. For the job. But I have to quit. And leave town.'  'What? Why?' Her eyes narrowed. 'Did you eat somebody?'"

Rating: