Soulless by Christopher Golden

“Times Square, New York City: The first ever mass séance is broadcasting live on the Sunrise morning show. If it works, the spirits of the departed on the other side will have a brief window — just a few minutes — to send a final message to their grieving loved ones.


Clasping hands in an impenetrable grip, three mediums call to their spirit guides as the audience looks on in breathless anticipation. The mediums slump over, slackjawed — catatonic. And in cemeteries surrounding Manhattan, fragments of old corpses dig themselves out of the ground....


The spirits have returned. The dead are walking. They will seek out those who loved them in life, those they left behind...but they are savage and they are hungry. They are no longer your mother or father, your brother or sister, your best friend or lover.


The horror spreads quickly, droves of the ravenous dead seeking out the living — shredding flesh from bone, feeding. But a disparate group of unlikely heroes — two headstrong college rivals, a troubled gang member, a teenage pop star and her bodyguard — is making its way to the centre of the nightmare, fighting to protect their loved ones, fighting for their lives, and fighting to end the madness.”

I was wary when I started to read this book. I had high expectations and didn’t want to be disappointed, but this book delivered exactly what it promised in the summary. I loved it!

It wasn’t the perfect book, nor was it insanely brilliant, but it had just want I wanted in a zombie novel: chaos, destruction, walking dead, bullets to the brain and people scared off their wits trying to survive . . . Doing whatever it took to survive.

The book’s pace was perfect, fast, and while reading I could imagine the scenes vividly, as if I was watching an epic-action movie. Throughout the book I kept wondering how well this book could transcend into the big screen, some readers may find that a fault, but I don’t.

The characters were also very real and reacted to the situation - people scratching to get out of their deep graves to open you up and eat you -, with realism. They were incredulous, sceptic, but at the same they couldn’t deny what they saw, and, when they finally realised that, YES, it was happening, they panicked. They cried, they gave up, they fought, they killed, they were selfish, and they wanted to survive. Some did . . . Others weren’t so lucky.

There is quite some blood shedding in this book, the author isn’t afraid to kill, maim, or dismember the characters – which would make sense since it’s a horror thriller with mean, soulless, zombies.

I quite enjoyed the group of "heroes" the author put together. They all had issues, and they were all different, but they came together to help each other survive a little longer. Some annoyed the hell out of me, not because they were one-dimensional, but because they did what I, the reader, thought was stupid.

At times, I felt like I was watching a movie, screaming mentally for the poor blonde cheerleader (oh, the stereotype!), not to go forward. Not that there was any blonde cheerleader in this book. BUT, the point is, while at times I was annoyed at some of the character’s actions, I couldn’t help but think that I may have done the same thing. (I am so not ready for a zombie apocalypse).

Of course other characters were quite smart and sensible. Everyone at some point did something intelligent or helpful, so any frustrating moments provoked by them were kindly forgiven by my part.

Nonetheless, the central character – who I assume is the girl on the cover –, Phoenix, was who annoyed me the most. However, in the end of the book, when I contemplated her actions, I knew I would’ve been just as hysterically unreasonable as she was. I did make my peace with her at the end and stopped wishing her dad magically turned into a zombie and ate her head.

Overall the book was a delicious read. If you’re in the mood for a nice, fulfilling read, for a couple of hours, with the story of what would happen if the undead ruled the world (for a day, at least), filled with gore, panic and evil children (Oh, yes, there were evil children!) this is a great read. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

. . .

(And, now, a small ramble).

. . .

One of the issues I had with this book, as I have with (some) apocalyptic American fiction, was “What the hell is the rest of the world doing?!”.

In the book we are told that the problem was only taking place in a part of America (it hasn’t even spread throughout the entire country), and major networking services (e.g. CNN) were covering the happenings. . . So, why didn't anybody DO something?!

I mean if the entire world was in chaos I could let it slip. Though, seriously, someone could’ve still done something. But it was only a part of America. What was the other part (not to mention, I don’t know, Europe, Asia, etc.) doing? Watching Manhattan being devoured by sluggish creatures while munching on popcorn in front of the TV?

Someone, some place else, could’ve done something, reached up to the conclusions the young adult protagonist got to, and resolved the problem easily while dropping a bomb in a certain place (Oh, poor Phoenix, is she there? I guess she’s going to blow up. Whoopsie! *giggles*) and solving the problem. Hurray!

Of course such thing would be ludicrous, I mean, obviously the president and the rest of the White House had it under control . . . While running off to Hawaii to catch some sun. Okay, to an uncharted, secret place. Whatever. *rolls-eyes*

But, anyway, I did love the book as it was. AND, well, I guess a simple bomb would have taken away from the drama and human conflict in the book.

Besides, the fact evil, creepy children were out eating brains, being deviously cunning, and causing terror made me forget any faults this book may have. Everyone knows evil children are IT, in horror. I was quite happy to read them causing havoc. ^__~

My Rating: 4/5

Have you read Soulless by Christopher Golden? What did you think? Comments are welcome.

More later,

Karla

P.S. How adorable is our new rating system? Princess Peach, FTW!

In the mood for the undead . . .

Throughout the months, as a reader, I pass different phases where I prefer to read a certain genre. 

Romance, action, mystery, horror, dystopian novels, chick-lit . . . When I'm in the mood for any of them, I'm unstoppable in my search for more reading material.

I kicked off the new year with a mean Contemporary YA obsession. Mainly because I was getting a little tired of the Paranormal plots and there's nothing quite as charming as the excessive amounts of angst that some Contemporary YA novels can support. I'm a sap for angst. It puts my life in perspective and makes me feel better for myself. Yes, yes, I'm a bad person. ^__~

Of course some authors exaggerate . . . but that's a topic for another day.

The point of this post is that now my obsession has turned, and I'm in the mood to read about undead creatures roaming the earth. By this, I mean Zombies. “Braaaaains” Oh, the thrill!

I can say that, up till now, I'd never had the desire to read anything Zombie related. Besides the (humorous, instead of creepy) horror movie, I never gave them much thought.

(When playing TheSims2, I'd always be good and pay Death enough money to avoid getting the sluggish creatures).

 But, this week, while searching for books, I came across Bad Taste in Boys , by Carrie Harris. The cover is amazing and made me look into it . I'm a sucker for pretty covers, though most of my favourite books don't make that list regarding their exterior appearance . . . which should tell me something.

While the summary for “Bad Taste in Boys” didn't quite convince me (though I'll still probably check it out when it comes out) it made my brain start to turn. Zombies could make for great stories AND, well, I wanted to read those stories.

I started to research! . . . And was quite disappointed.

Now, I did not do an extensive research. I just looked for the most popular YA Zombie lit. I'm sure there is more stuff out there, but I wish that there were more YA books on the genre that didn't take a comedic approach. While a comic tone with Zombies might work out and be – in fact – hilarious, I would've liked to have found stories about worlds consumed with mean, bitter, flesh eating creatures (À la 28 weeks later) . 

No such luck. *pouts*  However some books did catch my attention.

It was the case of :

• Generation Dead by Daniel Waters 
  
  
  
    "Something is causing teenagers to return from the dead as zombies, or “living impaired.” Unlike traditional zombies, though, Daniel Waters’ “living impaired” creations are simply teens reanimated with varying levels of functionality and ability to communicate. The “living impaired” are not accepted by society at large. They have few rights and can even be killed without penalty."

The universe created sounds really interesting, and it caught my eye. I was going to put it in my to-read list, until, after further research, I found out the author had the tendency to “tell” rather than show how cool her Goth female lead was. I'll still look into the series, but trough reviews, I don't think the main couple would appeal to me. However I'm not bashing, since I haven't read it yet.

Another book that sparked my interest, was :

• Soulless, by Christopher Golden. 
  
  
  
  “Times Square, New York City: The first ever mass séance is broadcasting live on the Sunrise morning show. If it works, the spirits of the departed on the other side will have a brief window — just a few minutes — to send a final message to their grieving loved ones.
  
  
  Clasping hands in an impenetrable grip, three mediums call to their spirit guides as the audience looks on in breathless anticipation. The mediums slump over, slackjawed — catatonic. And in cemeteries surrounding Manhattan, fragments of old corpses dig themselves out of the ground....
  
  
  The spirits have returned. The dead are walking. They will seek out those who loved them in life, those they left behind...but they are savage and they are hungry. They are no longer your mother or father, your brother or sister, your best friend or lover.
  
  
  The horror spreads quickly, droves of the ravenous dead seeking out the living — shredding flesh from bone, feeding. But a disparate group of unlikely heroes — two headstrong college rivals, a troubled gang member, a teenage pop star and her bodyguard — is making its way to the centre of the nightmare, fighting to protect their loved ones, fighting for their lives, and fighting to end the madness.”

That's the kind of book I've been looking for! In my opinion, Zombies = DOOM, not potential misunderstood boyfriends. Of course the later could have some weird appeal in literature.

I have good expectations for it and I hope it doesn't disappoint. When I get it (and read it!) I'll post a review.

Have you guys read the books (any of the boos from Generation Dead and/or Soulless)? Did you like them? Any YA Zombie book recommendations? What's your opinion on these creatures? Share your opinion on the comments bellow! ^__~

More later,

Karla

The Seven Realms Series

Hi everyone! It’s me, Rute, writing. Today I present to you The Seven Realms Series, by Cinda Williams Chima!

Actually, I only read the first two by now, but it’s not my fault as the other two (they’re four books) haven’t come out yet.

I’ll try to be objective and fast. So the first one is called The Demon King and the second one The Exiled queen.

Before I start, I would like to mention that I liked these books. They were not OMG AWESOME but they were okay!

The story takes place on a parallel universe, or so do I think, similar to our medieval era (since they dress like it, at least!), besides the fact that there exists magic and other odd and weird stuff. For those who don’t like spoilers, be cautious!

In resume, both of the books talk about two main characters and their lives in one of the seven realms - Fellsmarch. The girl – Raisa, is the princess heir of the place where they both live and the guy – Han, is a common person. He’s actually poor and has to work hard to sustain the surviving of his mother and his little sister (he was a thief to sustain his family but he gave up because of his sister). He is known in the streets as Cuffs ‘cause he has two ‘bracelets’, each in one of his wrists, that are magical and no one can take them off (you only discover their purpose in the end of the first book!)

One of the first things I really enjoyed about the books was that it was written in the perspective of both main characters! Actually they barely meet in the first book, so it’s interesting to see the contrasts between them, since they are so different and come from so different worlds.

I also liked the variety of descriptions. And these books had a lot of different appearances, which I thought was very interesting! And one fact I noticed is that most of them don’t have brown eyes. I must have realized two or three characters in the immense plot that actually had brown eyes! And I sort of deduced that in that world it was common to have light colored eyes (don’t bother, I just live in a country where most of us have brown eyes and hair and so I found it odd in the beginning).

The first book is set on Fellsmarch and talks about the crescent and growing influence of wizards in this Realm, specially the High Wizard’s (it’s kind of a prime minister of magic because he is very important in the queendom)influence over the queen.

About the magic, there are two distinct kinds: the wizardry, with spells and witchcraft, and you use an amulet (it’s like a wand); and the spiritual part, where the magic is more like healing.

The two sides of the magic world are against each other: wizards or jinxflingers (as the other part calls them) and the clans.

The wizards have a lot of influence in the queendom (it is a queendom where the queens rule, not the kings). Though the clans also have control over them, especially because they make the amulets. This happens because of a terrible thing that had occurred a thousand years before: a queen named Hanalea married a wizard that is called the Demon king and he sort of went mad and almost destroyed the world (at least it’s what everybody thinks… so, read the book). Therefore queens can’t marry wizards, and clans control the supply and the production of the amulets.

While Raisa lives at court and has to maintain the party climate and the constant pressure for being the heir, she doesn’t know anything that goes on the outside. Han, on the other hand knows too much since he has to survive on a starving society and do what he can to keep being alive! He has a close relationship with the clans, partly because he has a clan friend (partly! the other motive you find in the end).

Raisa is the daughter of the queen and a royalty clan member. So she’s called half blood. The queen has a really weak personality, but she really likes her daughter although you can’t see it in the beginning.

In my opinion, this Series has realistic characters that are not perfect and they learn from their mistakes. They actually are selfish enough to try to get what they want; but they also think about the responsibilities they have and people involved in their decisions.

Raisa has three love interests (at least in the beginning): Han, the other main character, of course (though they hardly meet); Micah, the son of the High Wizard; and Amon Byrne, son of the Captain of protection of the queen (I don’t remember really well, but it was something related to military stuff). They’re both handsome, and, although I really like and prefer Han, because he’s sort of that bad sexy boy, I actually prefer the relationship she has with Micah.

Micah is, supposedly, a bad character, but he is handsome, has that evil native and royal personality and their relationship is the most natural. They’re not madly in love with each other, they just want to flirt, have fun and enjoy their forbidden passion (since he is a wizard and she is a queen-to be). Her relationship with Amon starts when they were children, because he was/is the only friend she really had/has. But their “romance” is that awkward, too sweet, friendly and lame kind of relationship. So I don’t like it very much. Han; well, they’re sweet together and they definitely have chemistry, but it had an unnatural beginning (it gave the impression it was “love” at first sight or at least they were interest in each other at first sight), and since they both are main characters, there are, obviously, the lame romantic parts. Fortunately they are not too many (I like romance in the books but I don’t like lame stuff and too many lovey dovey scenes).

You notice that Raisa has a passion for forbidden loves, and she actually reflects and worries about that.

The second book is mostly set in Oden’s Ford – that it’s like a campus of three universities – the magical school, the military school and the “artistic” temple school.

Raisa goes with Amon to the military one, because she’s in exile (SPOILER: she escapes from a forced marriage with Micah, which was forbidden, that supposedly would “benefit” the realm). Han goes to … SPOILER ALERT (if you don’t want to read the spoiler, continue to the next paragraph): […Goes the magical one. Yes he’s a wizard, obviously! But not just a simple wizard, he is the descendent of the Demon King!]

The books are kind of obvious and predictable. You realize what it’s going to happen in the future (I realized what Han was in the beginning!). But they’re entertaining and books don’t have to be filled with mysterious and unexpected events all the time!

My goodness my review is gigantic! Well, never mind. I suggest this Series to everyone who likes historical (parallel universe that resembles medieval), romantically (but realistic) and fantasy/supernatural (a tiny bit ‘cause of the magic) stories.

As soon as we know the date release of the next book we put it here!

See you soon (I hope with Daniela writing)!

Golden Flamingos

Going too Far, by Jennifer Echols

Hey! ^__^

This year we've been a bit slow on the reviewing process. We're sorry! We will try to speed things up. Of course, some book suggestions or requests would be most welcome.

But, anyway, today I'm reviewing, as the tittle suggests, Going too Far by Jennifer Echols.

I came across this book and this author in my ravaging search for a good contemporary YA novel to read. I'm glad I found them (the book and the author), because they certainly didn't disappoint me and gave me an interesting and satisfying story.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

The fact that the apparent love interest is a police officer who has to “enforce the rules, serve and protect” (Who doesn't like a man in uniform? ^__~) was certainly the reason that made me pick up the book. Few can resist a 'forbidden love' romance. There's a reason they're a cliché, they're absolutely delicious!

Not that this book really goes there, but it plays with that story line a bit and the interaction between Meg and John trough out the book was well played. 

The banter was entertaining and never “too much”, the relationship evolved slowly and in a realistic manner. . .They didn't say “heck it all” and throw themselves at each other, because they're both insanely hot and trough the summary you'd already guessed  that, at some point, they'd have a relationship. 

Both characters also remain true to themselves until the end, though they do, in a way, grow up and learn. You always want the characters to learn something trough out the experiences they live in a book.

And now I'm rambling. I'll just end this by saying, this is a very cute, funny and entertaining read. It also has a couple of twists I wasn't expecting, which made happy. I hate that in most books you can see a little too much ahead of the protagonist.

It's also rather small so it'll be a quick read. If you ever see it at your book store/library, pick it up.

If you already read this book feel free to post your own opinion in the comments bellow.

More later,

- Karla

Matched, by Ally Condie

Hey hey! I know it’s already kinda late but HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope that our blog will prosper in this 2011! So today I’m the one who’s writing – me, Rute! So if you don’t like the book I chose, well bad for you. Normally I have a good taste (or so I think).

The book I chose to present to all of you today is Matched. And for those who don’t know it, Matched is categorized as dystopian. Well, I know that this genre is Karla’s new passion but so you know, I like this genre quite a lot! And I read it first, which doesn't happen all that often (to read one book first, among the Golden Flamingos, I mean). Oh well, better get started. (ALERT: This contains spoilers)

About the book

So, Matched is the first book of a trilogy written by Ally Condie and, as I already mentioned, is categorized as dystopian.

I really love the cover of this book and that was another reason that I was so excited to read it (being a dystopian story the first reason to read it :P).

And I was really pleased with it.

Matched is the story of a teenage girl who lives in a presumed perfect society, where this society controls everything in your life: from your work, who you marry with, when you die, among other. Cassia is the female protagonist and you can see that she actually agrees with the rules established by the Society in the beginning of the book.

In the beginning I thought that she was kind of stupid. How could she agree with everything without even questioning it? But then I thought that, as she was born in that society, she thought that it was all right, I guess. I was shocked when I discovered that they didn’t create anything new, and that they only learned what the society chose from the past, like one hundred songs, one hundred paintings, one hundred poems…. (By the way, Cassia loves poems!)

I really enjoyed knowing about the society rules because they were really different from today’s, like you couldn’t let friends or other people enter your house, everyone had curfew, and everyone had to carry around three pills with three different functions (blue for nutrients, green for calming and a red one no one knows what does). Everyone and everything is strictly controlled.

In my opinion the jobs in the Society were really lame and the supposed good ones were terrible (not a bad choice of the author but terrible because the society is stupid. Lol.)

So, in the beginning, Cassia is all excited to being matched, and that means to be “attached” to your most optimal match. Yes, this Society chooses the person you are going to spend your whole life with! And then she is matched to her best friend, Xander, which is rare (to know the person you are matched with, I mean). To resume the entire story, she receives a micro card with information about Xander (that she doesn’t need because she already knows everything about him) and she sees another guy in the screen. She gets all crazy and concerned bla bla bla, because she knows this other guy too, Ky.

So basically this whole story is about Cassia starting to forbiddingly love another person she isn’t supposed too and starting question everything she thought was right.

The Main character

I really enjoyed the protagonist because you can see her growing during the story and in the end she becomes a strong and willed person. What I mean is that in the beginning of the book she is kind of naïve: she truly believes in the society she lives in, that this civilization has “healed” all the mistakes of the past to create a perfect utopia. But, as the story goes on, she starts to fall in love with a guy she isn’t supposed too and realizes that the society she lives in isn’t that perfect as she thinks. She starts seeing mistakes everywhere and as the time passes by she discovers a new free world where she wishes to be with Ky and do what she wants. She starts wanting to change the society so that she can be with who she wants, read the forbidden poems she so cares about and live without restrictions. She is tired of being controlled and in the end she doesn’t care about the rules! In the last part, she is separated from Ky by the Society and has the purpose to find him no matter what.

I think that the love interests are both interesting and good looking – Ky and Xander, and I think she did the right choice, although she only started noticing Ky when she sees him in the screen (and there’s a part in the book where she freaks out about that) and that Xander is so calm and peaceful…

Xander is the kind of friend that you can count on, but not the kind of person Casia would truly love.

 Cassia already knows Ky since they were kids but they weren’t very close. Then she starts noticing him - because of the micro card, and they start getting close (they both are in the same summer activity). Ky is very intelligent but he doesn’t want to show off since he’s an aberration to the society (READ THE BOOK). But he is sweet to her, and that’s all that matters. :P

Of course this book has its lame parts, but they are lovely and necessary to the story.

This book has a really detailed description of the society, but if I was going to resume it, probably I wouldn’t end the writing.

The next book of this trilogy is Crossed and it will be released on November 1, 2011. So I guess I’ll have to wait fervently till it comes out!

Bye then!

Golden Flamingos

P.S. Oh yeah I forgot. Here it is the book trailer so you can see another thing that made me read it! I guess it looks interesting.