06 September 2012

Zom-B by Darren Shan


Zom-B by Darren Shan
Zom-B #1
Release Date: September 27, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Publisher
Rating: Essential


Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power and more. This is challenging material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new ones. As Darren says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live. Each book in the series is short, fast-paced and bloody. A high body-count is guaranteed!". - Goodreads

Full disclosure: I'm a HUGE Darren Shan fan (and a poet, apparently). I've been a fan ever since the final book in The Saga of Darren Shan book was published and I read them all in one go. That's twelve books, people. So my review may be SLIGHTLY biased, because I love all his books.

Also, I'm not going to write an 'in-depth' review, because it'll be hard not to spoil the mind blowing twist that happens towards the end. And Darren included a note and asked people not to mention that the main character is actually in a coma and he's dreaming the whole thing. Wait... what?

Haha, just kidding, but my previous statement still stands. I'm not going into too much detail with this review.

I think before reading this book, you should be aware that there's a lot of racism and parental abuse. B's father is extremely racist, and he's raised B to be just like him. B is slightly conflicted, but for the most part he's racist as well. It's all very uncomfortable, and I think some people will be put off by it, and understandably so. Nevertheless, it is a character flaw and it's important, so don't worry about it being there just for the sake of it.

It's VERY hard to like B. However, I do hope that as the series progresses we'll see B grow as a person.

There are two twists in this novel, the one towards the end being the most shocking. The twist/outcome of the novel at the very end wasn't expected either, and it really makes you wonder what's going to happen next because there are eleven more books to go and... yeah. But the first twist - the extremely shocking one - makes you rethink everything you've just read. I sat there blinking at the page for at least ten minutes, trying to figure out what had just been said.

Overall, this is a fantastic book. It's action packed and awesome, although there aren't as many zombies as I would have hoped. But the ending was AMAZING.

Zom-B series:
1. Zom-B
2. Zom-B Underground

And have you seen the awesome cover for the second book?


4 comments:

  1. Oh hahahahahha the second book’s cover is hilarious. Looks like a skit or something.

    I really need to know what this twist is now. First I need to get the book. Secondly read it. Thirdly read it because you seemed to have enjoyed it immensely. ;)

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  2. First of all, the cover is fantastic. Second of all, I have yet to finish the Cirque du Freak series, but I adore those books to death (ha), and can't wait to actually finish it. Third, this book sounds great! I think tackling hard issues in YA fiction should be done more often. Just because it's offensive to some doesn't mean it isn't important to think about.

    C.J.
    Sarcasm&Lemons

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  3. The cover of this and the sequel are both brilliant. I've had to hide my copy of this book because I think it might scare my two small children! I'm really looking forward to this though and HUGELY curious about the twist!

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  4. I loved the Saga of Darren Shan books too and cannot wait to get hold of this, sounds amazing!! :)

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