Zombie Romance Book Review: Dearly, Departed

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This was my first foray into the now very popular sub-genre of zombie themed YA fiction. While it included nearly everything that you expect when you dump zombies into a situation - eating human flesh, attacking people, spreading disease, rotting limbs - it was entirely stomachable (I read the first 30 pages of Lord Loss and I could read no more) and the romantic unfolding of the plot was not rushed, like in Twilight, though I do see the similarities. The book can also be included in the steampunk genre, though less so than paranormal romance or zombie fiction. The book is set in the future after the world has gone through major climate shifts and nearly everyone has moved south. Society has been remodeled based on the Victorian era with the clothes and transportation and manners and everything. Imagine a girl wearing dresses with corsets and petticoats but also with a chip, ubiquitous to all, implanted in the same arm where she carries something very similar to an ipad. Fast forward and we find the same girl fighting off zombies (the bad ones) with a shotgun only to be saved/kidnapped by more zombies (the good ones). She comes to find out that the zombie condition is due to the Lazarus virus that her father evidently died from and is currently trying to find a cure for. Add into all of this some combat scenes, witty dialogue and a forbidden and impossible romance and you get Dearly, Departed. I truly enjoyed it, even though every other chapter was written in a different person's/zombie's perspective, and I eagerly await the sequel.



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My Library Life...

So I know that I have been posting nothing but book reviews lately, but I work in a library- in teen services. My life is about staying up to date on the latest YA books. I also have a degree in Africana Studies, so I am really trying to  keep up with what's new with black authors. I originally started this blog thinking that I would be doing alot of fashion and outfit posts, but I have yet to do that. This will be next adventure- not to be so camera shy and take some picks of some really cute outfits I have been wearing to work. Alrighty then, I will be seeing you...

Dating Advice Book Review: A Belle in Brooklyn: Advice for Living Your Single Life and Enjoying Mr. Right Now

A Belle in Brooklyn: Advice for Living Your Single Life and Enjoying Mr. Right Now by Demetria L. Lucas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Ok, I will preface this review with stating the fact that I don't read nonfiction books in my downtime. I definitely do not read relationship books. But, since I love Essence magazine so much, I thought that a relationship book written by a black woman and the Essence relationships writer would be a great choice. I also need to let you know that I am obsessed with the state of Black America and all of the relationship info and media about black people in relationships, especially black women. I thought this would be a knock out book, but I was a little disappointed.

The book is of course from the writer, Demetria Lucas' point of view, I expected that. What I did not expect was for her to go through nearly every relationship that she had and explain that the reason why she quit all of these dudes was because she was happy being single. Well if you like being single so much, why are you writing a relationship book. Granted, I chose to read the book, not only because I was curious, but also because I wanted some single girl relationship advice. Well, I guess I got what I wanted. All I'm saying is that, in my personal opinion, I was disappointed with the 'advice' she gave, but it was interesting reading about all of her dating escapades.



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Review: Die For Me

Die For Me by Amy Plum

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I chose this book because I thought it might be about zombies... Well it's not exactly about zombies. I was hoping that it would be completely awesome, but it was solidly good. If I have nothing else to read I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.

That said, there is no way that I can give a clear synopsis review- I have tried. I work for a public library and we can put book reviews on the library site. I really tried and it's just not happening. Suffice it to say that it is unlikely that you will ever guess the paranormal aspect of the book, but the romance is not nearly as entrancing as Twilight series, or the Fallen series.

I give this a solid like and I might even read the sequel.



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Review: Crave

Crave by Melissa Darnell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



CRAVE introduces Savannah and Tristan. Set in East Texas, best friends Savannah and Tristan were separated in fourth grade, neither really knows why. Now in high school, both still hold secret mutual feelings of attraction. Savannah soon finds out she is half vampire and half witch and her family was kicked out of the Clann because of her very existence. Though forbidden to be with her, Tristan, the reluctant future leader of the Clann, is now even more drawn to Savannah. Can they overcome their families' rules about their relationship and the tense treaty made between the Clann and vampires, or will they be separated again, this time forever.

I give this book three stars because I liked it enough to read the whole book. Normally if I don't like I will just quit reading it. I also like the vampire/witch aspect of it because, though not entirely a new take on vampires, the book did add some twists and turns. Overall this is a solidly ok/good book and I would recommend it to anyone who blows through books quickly.



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YA Dystopian Book Review: Enclave

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I totally loved this book. There was lots of action and always something new right around the corner. Here's a bit of a description...

Life is different underground. The subway tunnels once used for transportation are now home to Enclaves-progeny of the survivors of the devastation Topside. There are 4 groups of people-Elders, Hunters, Builders, Breeders. Nobody's named until age 15– if they survive that long. Deuce just got named and is now a Huntress. She starts protecting the Enclave from Freaks-horrible mutations that eat human flesh-with her partner Fade. Fade wasn’t born into the Enclave and he questions the Elders’ authority. When Deuce’s friend is wrongly accused of a crime and nearly exiled, Deuce takes the blame-surprisingly so does Fade. They’re both exiled and decide to go Topside. Can they make it to a safety or will the dangers Topside stop them? A Must Read!



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Best YA Post-Apocalyptic Book Review: Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Ok, I will say that I absolutely loved this book. The way the book was written in the beginning -sort of stream of consciousness style- was really refreshing and added a great layer to the story. As the story unfolded the writing changed to match the event taking place.

Juliette hasn't spoken to- or touched- anyone in 264 days. She's been locked up by the Reestablishment for a crime she didn't mean to commit. Her parents let her be taken away three years ago after it happened and now she's imprisoned in hellish asylum. She finds out she's getting a roommate - someone she can talk to- but her roommate is a boy. What's he in here for? Will he hurt her? Why does he seem so familiar to Juliette?

Just when she thinks she can trust him, he betrays her. She is taken to Warner, the son of the leader of the Reestablishment. Warner knows why she was put in the asylum - and he wants to use Juliette. He believes he can make her into a weapon. Can she trust Warner, will she be able to escape? And what about Adam, did he really betray her?

Read it and find out for yourself. I can't wait for the sequel!!!



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