Monday, August 31, 2009

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

Kiss of Life
by Daniel Waters

Published: 2009
Genre: Zombies
Paperback: 410 pages
Rating: 4

Inspiration: September Zombies week 
- check out today's events


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.

Zombification:
The newest Frankenstein Formula theory was that a certain mixture of teenge hormones and fast food preservatives set up the proper conditions of living impairment.

Teens from Oklahoma, Rockaway Beach, The Big Apple, Arkansas, or The Big Easy all bore at least a chance of winding up living impaired, as long as they croaked during the delicate teen years. (Generation Dead, page 7)

Zombie mode:  high-functioning with some low-functioning

My thoughts:
In-a-word(s): love

This books continues the storyline from book one. It gets into what it would take for an activist to create change. Change in thinking and in living with an unusual population. 

The story is also a coming of age story for the teens both living and undead. The awkwardness and struggles of teen experiences play out with their growth experience.

Love plays a major role in the story - as we all know it is a humanizing factor when it comes to worlds with zombies, vampires, werewolves, etc.

I may add to this review later on this week. This is one of those stories that sits with you for a bit before the full effect hits. Lots to think about.

Love after death series:
Kiss of Life
Passing Strange (Release date: May 2010)
Book 4 - untitled - tba
Book 5 - untitled - tba


 
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