Book Details:
Author: Adam Selzer
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Book Description:
Algonquin “Ali” Rhodes, the high school newspaper’s music critic, meets an intriguing singer, Doug, while reviewing a gig. He’s a weird-looking guy—goth, but he seems sincere about it, like maybe he was into it back before it was cool. She introduces herself after the set, asking if he lives in Cornersville, and he replies, in his slow, quiet murmur, “Well, I don’t really live there, exactly. . . .”
When Ali and Doug start dating, Ali is falling so hard she doesn’t notice a few odd signs: he never changes clothes, his head is a funny shape, and he says practically nothing out loud. Finally Marie, the school paper’s fashion editor, points out the obvious: Doug isn’t just a really sincere goth. He’s a zombie. Horrified that her feelings could have allowed her to overlook such a flaw, Ali breaks up with Doug, but learns that zombies are awfully hard to get rid of—at the same time she learns that vampires, a group as tightly-knit as the mafia, don’t think much of music critics who make fun of vampires in reviews. . . .
My Review: Actually, I didn't like it!
God! this book was sooo bad, or maybe I am too old for this vampire, zombie paranomal book craze (that is a sad thought, but I liked Twilight fine...). The book is based in a post-Twilight world where vampires and zombies and other paranormal beings have 'come out of the closet' so to speak and roam freely amongst humans. Not surprisingly they are also the object of teen fantasy and obsession. It is almost a satirical take on Twilight, but falls short of actual satire and humor.
The book centers around Ali, one of the most irritating girls I have read about. She assumes a snobbish air and goes on and on about her great taste in music (running to '50s blues and jazz) and how the new-age music is shit (reminds me of my mom and her obsession with the Indian singer Mukesh) and hew girls liking vamps are also dumb.. blah blah blah. To top it off someone made her the official music critic for the high school newspaper. As we read through Ali's snide comments about music, zombies, vamps, girls, etc. we get very annoyed and just as we are about to fling the book away, she gets attracted to a Zombie, Doug, (I actually felt mean enough to say.. how the mighty have fallen). Of course she does not realize that he is a zombie unless asked to a paranormal party by one of the 'dumb girls' (she thinks he is sick and has the goth look by makeup!! DUH!). She, then crazy in her love for her zombie boyfriend even considers converting herself... well, the book ends as predictably as a Bollywood movie, with Doug sacrificing his existence for her.
I rate it a 1/5 for the absolute blah factor. I realise I am not the ideal age group to read this, but the plot was so thin that any self respecting teen or pre-teen will also reject this one. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I read this as part of my 100+ books a year and the 100 e-boks a year challenge.
Rating: 1/5
Author: Adam Selzer
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Book Description:
Algonquin “Ali” Rhodes, the high school newspaper’s music critic, meets an intriguing singer, Doug, while reviewing a gig. He’s a weird-looking guy—goth, but he seems sincere about it, like maybe he was into it back before it was cool. She introduces herself after the set, asking if he lives in Cornersville, and he replies, in his slow, quiet murmur, “Well, I don’t really live there, exactly. . . .”
When Ali and Doug start dating, Ali is falling so hard she doesn’t notice a few odd signs: he never changes clothes, his head is a funny shape, and he says practically nothing out loud. Finally Marie, the school paper’s fashion editor, points out the obvious: Doug isn’t just a really sincere goth. He’s a zombie. Horrified that her feelings could have allowed her to overlook such a flaw, Ali breaks up with Doug, but learns that zombies are awfully hard to get rid of—at the same time she learns that vampires, a group as tightly-knit as the mafia, don’t think much of music critics who make fun of vampires in reviews. . . .
My Review: Actually, I didn't like it!
God! this book was sooo bad, or maybe I am too old for this vampire, zombie paranomal book craze (that is a sad thought, but I liked Twilight fine...). The book is based in a post-Twilight world where vampires and zombies and other paranormal beings have 'come out of the closet' so to speak and roam freely amongst humans. Not surprisingly they are also the object of teen fantasy and obsession. It is almost a satirical take on Twilight, but falls short of actual satire and humor.
The book centers around Ali, one of the most irritating girls I have read about. She assumes a snobbish air and goes on and on about her great taste in music (running to '50s blues and jazz) and how the new-age music is shit (reminds me of my mom and her obsession with the Indian singer Mukesh) and hew girls liking vamps are also dumb.. blah blah blah. To top it off someone made her the official music critic for the high school newspaper. As we read through Ali's snide comments about music, zombies, vamps, girls, etc. we get very annoyed and just as we are about to fling the book away, she gets attracted to a Zombie, Doug, (I actually felt mean enough to say.. how the mighty have fallen). Of course she does not realize that he is a zombie unless asked to a paranormal party by one of the 'dumb girls' (she thinks he is sick and has the goth look by makeup!! DUH!). She, then crazy in her love for her zombie boyfriend even considers converting herself... well, the book ends as predictably as a Bollywood movie, with Doug sacrificing his existence for her.
I rate it a 1/5 for the absolute blah factor. I realise I am not the ideal age group to read this, but the plot was so thin that any self respecting teen or pre-teen will also reject this one. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I read this as part of my 100+ books a year and the 100 e-boks a year challenge.
Rating: 1/5
