Review by Alex- Passing Strange

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal (if pale) teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing—this time, as alive. Karen DeSonne just happens to be an extremely human-like zombie. Meanwhile, Karen’s dead friends have been fingered in a high-profile murder, causing a new round of antizombie regulations that have forced them into hiding. Karen soon learns that the “murder” that destroyed their non-life was a hoax, staged by Pete Martinsburg and his bioist zealots. Obtaining enough evidence to expose the fraud and prove her friends’ innocence means doing the unthinkable: becoming Pete’s girlfriend. Karen’s only hope is that the enemy never realizes who she really is—because the consequences would be worse than death.

First Impresssions: Having read the previous two in the Generation Dead series, I knew pretty much what to expect. They tend to be a little slow, but interesting with the dynamics that the addition of teenage zombies. Worthwhile reads for sure.

Passing Strange is mislabeled, if you ask me. It says it's "High school zombies for Twilight fans" but I find Passing Strange more introspective than Twilight, with less fluff and intense romance, and more zombie rights and how the sudden appearance of teenage zombies can stir up the world.

While Generation Dead and Kiss of Life focused on Phoebe, Adam, and Tommy, Passing Strange has Karen and Pete at centre stage. The love triangle characters are still there - though Tommy just in reference - but they are a part of it. Karen's an interesting character, as we get to look into a zombie mind. She's got a past- she did commit suicide after all and came back as a zombie because of it. Her remorse and need to redeem herself is a huge part of the novel and it influences much of her actions. Pete, who seemed like a cold, crazy killer in the first books, is characterized more in Passing Strange, where he almost seems normal at times. He's got twisted views for sure, and takes many turns in character so the reader never really knows who he is, well, human. Just a twisted one. And a good actor.

While the plot slows down at times, Karen's secret mission carries the story along, along with the mystery of her backstory (though it's slightly obvious) and Pete's strange motives. There's also the rest of the zombies who have gone into hiding who make appearances. I'm starting to really like Tak, who gets more story time and gets his past and self shared.

Generation Dead and Kiss of Life set up the story and reflected on the mistreatment of zombies (and therefore any racism in present real life), but Passing Strange took a slightly different approach. With Karen as the only one who narrates in first person (there are also third person narrations centering on Pete and Tak), Karen's thoughts bring a different type of voice. It's more reflective on individuals being zombies, instead of how zombies affect the whole population. It's how being a zombie affects you kind of thing. There's also a bit more of a spy/stealthiness feel to Passing Strange.

Final Impressions: Overall, I really enjoyed reading Passing Strange, even if it did take a considerable amount of time to read due to a sometimes uneventful story. All the characters are realized and strongly done and the book is often witty. Though my favourite part of the novel is by far the impact zombies can have on society and what coming back as a zombie would feel like.

4.5 shelves.

Review by Alex- Kiss of Life

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters
**Spoilers for Generation Dead**
The phenomenon that's been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay. Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time. While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville have banded together in a group they're calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation. Phoebe Kendall may be alive, but she feels just as lost and alone as her dead friends.Just when she reconciled herself to having feelings for a zombie — her Homecoming date Tommy Williams — her friend Adam is murdered taking a bullet that was meant for her . Things get even more confusing when Adam comes back from the grave.Now she has romantic interest in two dead boys; one who saved her life, and one she can't seem to live without.

First Impressions: Read Generation Dead when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to Kiss of Life, but in no hurry. Read for Zombie Week (and so this review is crazy late).

Kiss of Life picks up after Generation Dead. And there's lots of stuff going on. Adam got killed saving Phoebe and became a zombie. Tommy and Phoebe's relationship disintegrates. Phoebe is spending most of her time with Adam, who, despite all of Phoebe's and his family's attention, doesn't seem to be able to do much. At the beginning, it takes all his effort to move a hand, to form a single word.

And then there's the whole zombie society. It's zombies vs. humans out there, with a flimsy wall in between. There's no outright war, but zombies have no protection in any laws, being not alive. Tak, and some of the other zombies, are trying to fight back in little ways. They take pleasure in flaunting their zombie-ness and don't try to fit in with the humans. They strive to stick out. They plan to make a difference. But they're awfully creepy...

I really like the whole circumstances, I guess you can say, of the novel. The social issues that arise, all the problems, when teens start coming back from the dead. This is what makes the Generation Dead series stand out. There's starting to be quite a few other YA zombie books out there, but none quite like these. While others tend to be light and humourous, or dark and creepy, I find GD and Kiss of Life walk that fine line between. The best of both worlds. It's really really interesting, how even though I'm doubtful that zombies will ever appear, how relate-able the issues presented in the novels are to every day life. Social prejudice, guilt, being different and standing out, making a statement, trying to make a difference, dealing with high school, coping with bullies, etc. etc. etc. Nevermind all the love problems and triangles.

A down side I find, is the writing. The novel is written in multiple perspectives. Phoebe and Pete (the bully who killed Adam) in third person, Adam in disjointed first person, being the primary narrators. The problem is that the reading is so slow. The zombies speak like "And... you... are nothing like... me." I don't know about you, but when I see "...", I automatically slow down. Of course the speech is necessary for the whole zombie-ness, but I still think it detracts from the reading. Kiss of Life is a thick book, at 410 pages, and it feels even longer, which isn't always a good thing, with all the pauses.

I do however, think that the writing in Adam's point of view is really good. At first it starts off really disjointed, with phrases being short and generally not full sentences. But as the novel progresses, and Adam slowly regains some of his control, the narration gets a little more put together.

Final Impressions: Overall, didn't disappoint. A little slow, especially with the zombie pauses in speech and thinking, but mostly able to hold my interest.

Note This! Tommy blogs in the book, and in real life. There's actually a blog called mysocalledundeath. Check it out here! Whee. I love books that incorporate reading, books, or blogging!

Add To Shelf: Maybe. I'd wait for paperback though. Or take out from your library and see how you like it.