Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 2

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues
Series: White Trash Zombie 2
Genre: Zombies, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 312
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Alright, rested from series, so back to series. So far all things go by the TBR plan for October. I picked up second book in Diana Rowland series White Trash Zombie, the “Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues“, and… Well. I still think that it would not have been such a phenomena if we had a vampire instead of a zombie, for that is the only distinction between these books and many others out there, other than this one solid fact.

About: Where do I even start. Angel is bettering herself, and fixing her life up. Her boyfriend, in the meantime, is doing his best to entangle her into his family, and friend circle. This is how Angel gets to know his best friend and former classmate, if I remember right, who is doing her very best, and her very hardest to find a way to make brain substitute for zombies to feed on. And this is where the fun and weird, and less fun but still weird things begin. On her way to morgue with a body Angel gets stopped by a masked man who takes the body at gunpoint, and escapes with it. Later on it also turns out the damn body belonged to a formerly dead zombie. A man died twice, somehow regenerated his whole damn body, died again and got kidnapped! Angel got two questions about this though. One: if the guy was really that zombie, that same one, and really regrew his whole body, how the hell did he age while still being a zombie, which he definitely was judging by the lack of brain smell? And two: who and why the hell is doing this shit?!

Mine: Angel is the biggest reason I’m still keen on giving these books no less than four stars. She’s simple, she has a mouth on her, she knows when there’s no reason to take offence even if she could, but she has an opinion, a character, a backbone, and good understanding of what good people are. I really do like her now. This book gets props for detective line too. With every piece of the puzzle revealed and put to place – the game changed for the players. Enemies became friends, and friends became enemies. Yet, at the same time, not all Angel’s theories turned out to be true, so author very successfully kept pushing me off the road.

So, all in all, these are not bad books. I’ve simply read plenty like these. But that doesn’t seem like a reason to take points away, so for the time being I’m willing to give it a 4 out of 5 again. If you want an interesting but simple read, these might really work for you. It got the strong female lead, understanding of what’s a healthy and what’s a toxic relationship, and some fine adventures too.

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FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven

Author: Mike Bockoven
Title: FantasticLand
Series: –
Genre: Horror, Contemporary
Pages: 272
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

I kinda like getting away from series by finding myself a stand-alone, searching only by genre. This time I found “FantasticLand” by Mike Bockoven. The blurb said it was like modern time Lord of the Flies, and I did like that book, so…

About: Nobody was prepared for hurricane Sadie. Even if they thought they were prepared. Even if they really were prepared. There’s just something that snaps once the power is gone, the connection is gone, the ever watching eye of the world is gone, and nobody’s there to hold you accountable. FantasticLand was prepared. Most of the people got evacuated too, using up every damn vehicle anyone could possibly find. Only a few handfuls of unlucky ones got stranded behind, with volunteer staff. It was estimated they’d spend mostly a week there. But it didn’t take a week for things to go bad. Nor did it take a week for them to get saved. Due to preparedness of the Amusement Park, it wasn’t anywhere near priority. As choppers passed overhead, heading to what was deemed more important, it took a violent man to make two less strong to huddle together, for strength is in numbers. As help was applied elsewhere, a group standing by the water supplies decided they won’t share it unless they could gain from it. And so, while no one looked, tribes formed, and began a slaughter, for the game just changed: this is your chance to bash a head in, this is your chance to survive.

Mine: The story is written as collection of re-tellings by survivors. Some tell stories of those who didn’t make it out. Others justify their own actions. And then there are those who think they did great. Or did nothing wrong, even. But as you read you understand you’d like to meet that girl who thought she’s chopping a person’s head off because they would’ve killed her just as little as you’d like to meet the obvious fresh-made sociopath. Not to mention maniacs who bloomed and embraced it, finding souls just as damaged as they are to walk out of there with. It’s a terrifyingly realistic book.

Be sure you can read of serial killers, maniacs, cannibals, and alike before you take this book, because when I say it feels real, I mean it. I give it a 5 out of 5, because it has transcended Lord of the Flies.

Bookish: Lost The Count

Get it??

 

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Author: Stephen King
Title: ‘Salem’s Lot
Series: –
Genre: Horror, Fiction
Pages: 483
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

I’m not a fan of King’s. Yet. But October always gives me these peculiar wants and needs, and one has to admit, the old movies based on King’s novels are pretty darn amazing. So, I figured, among this many books, there ought to be something I’d like. So I took the one I knew to have vampires in it – ‘Salem’s Lot.

About: Ben, an author driven by his inspiration and want for a bestseller with his name on it, returns to his hometown that he once left trying to escape the horrors he witnessed here. See, back in the day, really long ago, when the eerie house on ‘Salem’s Lot still had an owner, the husband went crazy, killed his family, and hung himself. Leaving the now haunted house an attraction for teenagers to test their bravery in. But Ben cannot shake the feeling that what he saw there – was real. The house stood empty ever since, and the town only now shows signs of full recovery, since people tend to run from bad memories, and they did just that back then. But just as someone buys the house again, just as the house gets a master again, nightmares return. People start disappearing, dying in the oddest fashion, from the strangest things. At first people look at the new guy in town, even if he was born here. But soon their evil overpowers them, fed by something older, darker. Soon it is clear that there’s something supernatural out here. And if you think of running, do so in daylight. For all it takes is one meeting of eyes, and you’ll abandon your plans, and your hope too.

Mine: Alrighty, so this is one fine classic horror book with vampires. Definitely the October read, and no wonder there’s so many mentions of Stoker’s Dracula around this book. The only real hefty problem I had was the extreme slowness of the plot. Like a slowly boiling pot it bubbled beneath, for everything was happening as people were talking, yet all we see is the top of the pot, reflections, faces, and occasional bubbles of sound. But I had this problem with every single book by King that I have ever read. So, I think if you like King to begin with, this might not even be a problem to you.

Yep, a good classy read. Will give it a full 5 out of 5, because I don’t feel like taking away points for slow plot. It was worth it.

Charlaine Harris “Midnight Crossroad” | Midnight, Texas 1

Author: Charlaine Harris
Title: Midnight Crossroad
Series: Midnight, Texas 1
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery
Pages: 305
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Some time ago Charlaine Harris has held a contest on her Twitter to win her trilogy “Midnight, Texas“. I attended. And, being the lucky bastard that I am, I won. And then kept them until October, until now!

About: Midnight is a small town, regular, ordinary, as many other in Texas. Passer-by’s don’t linger, and locals know it’s likely their permanent home. For Midnight is a town where no one asks you anything about your reasons or past without a very great need. And everyone in Midnight has secrets. Manfred Bernardo, a psychic with a semblance of true gift, moved here in search for privacy, and has found plenty of it, even if locals do seemed strange at first. But then, he also got here just in time for some gruesome adventures… On a picnic day one of the local women walks upon a well deteriorated corpse. And since only one person is missing from their little town, conclusions come naturally: someone has killed the runaway woman, who might not have been a runaway after all. And that someone is a local. That someone might very well sit among them in this picnic.

Mine: While I do believe this book is likely set in the same world as Sookie Stackhouse, due to mention of synthetic blood, the stories are absolutely unrelated, and I’m not even sure people here already know about vampires. Because this town has one, but people react to him weird. Now, the detective line is definitely of Charlaine Harris top-notch quality that has spoiled me so much. You never know when she’ll trick you, twist you, turn you on a wrong path, and then hand you the truth that you’ve not expected one damn bit. So yes, this is a good detective. Also, there is a talking cat. Not a shifter, a real, actual, grumpy, sassy kitty cat who is so awesome, and whom I love very much, and whom I hope to see in all the rest of the books.

This wasn’t a perfect start for the trilogy, but definitely a good one. I am very eager to continue with the story, and hope to see the cat again. 4 out of 5 so far.

Bookish | Dracula and some Purple Potatoes

I have 8 copies of Bram Stoker‘s “Dracula“. You’ve seen one, here’s two more. Also, purple Taffel chips, flavored only sea salt are very nice. But I kinda prefer the red ones, they have this sweeter tinge to them, being with balsamic vinegar. And Kanes cola is the best, so I had a nice day with some Pagans and Witches and epic snacks.

Diana Rowland “My Life as a White Trash Zombie” | White Trash Zombie 1

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: My Life as a White Trash Zombie
Series: White Trash Zombie 1
Genre: Horror, Zombie
Pages: 320
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I heard so many good things about “White Trash Zombie” series by Diana Rowland, that, seeing how it’s October and it takes certain kinds of books to deal with the spooky cravings, I picked up the first book: “My Life as a White Trash Zombie“. Better late than never, I thought. And yet for the life of me I can’t figure out what’s the hype all about.

About: Angel Crawford wakes up in a hospital after a terrible car crash. Except that, there’s not a scratch on her, and the angry nurse nearby tells her she’s here because she overdosed on drugs. But just because Angel looks fine and healthy on the outside, doesn’t mean she’s alright on the inside. In fact, that don’t even mean she’s alive on the inside. Anonymous who has left her clothing, has also gotten her a job in the morgue. And here Angel notices there’s something fundamentally different about her, when her belly growls with protests of hunger at the smell of human brains in a freshly open skull. But then, even if she wasn’t salivating at the smell and sight every time, she would’ve noticed something’s strange happening here anyway. Like, how on Earth so many bodies get in with their heads missing, or their heads mutilated, with brains no longer suitable for her likes? It’s almost like someone’s sabotaging her kind, the Zombie kind, on purpose…

Mine: Angel is a very dull character. And the detective line was very mediocre too. It was good, it just wasn’t that good. The only thing very special about this book is that we have high-functioning zombies, instead of vampires. And there’s a whole myth about them, aka whole explanation of how it works, why it works, how the feeding happens, and why it needs to happen. So that part’s interesting. But, well, that’s that.

It’s a first book, so while it was mighty slow, I won’t hold it against it. I’ll give it a 4 out of 5 for now, and see how next book fares in compare, before making a judgement. After all, I got through Chicagoland Vampires, and White Trash Zombie is definitely better.

Bookish | October releases that must be noted

While I don’t normally do release notes, I feel like there’s so many that I would like to read due to author, or will read due to author, or will read, because it’s a sequel to something I’ve read, and I have a hard time quitting series, I figured I’ll just go ahead and fill you in on what to expect too. Which, I know, is pretty darn pointless since you can go and find it on your own via goodreads!

Anyway. Here’s the octoberish spooky books that I know to work genre-wise:

Shades of Wicked CR: Avon

1. Elevation by Stephen King – I’m doing my best to slowly befriend King as an author. It’s going well so far, so I might even read this one.
2. An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris – first in the new series “Gunnie Rose“. I don’t know if I’ll read it, I need to get over another set of books with Quinn in them first. But in the future…
3. Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost – first in new series “Night Rebel“. Don’t know whether I’ll read this one too, but I really do love her Dracula series, so I might just. Hey, maybe she even has her characters mention the Father in Darkness.
4. Blood Communion by Anne Rice – another book in “Vampire Chronicles“, now better known as “Tales of Prince Lestat“. I don’t want to, but I will read it.

And then here’s for the things I am actually looking forwards to due to reasons:

1. Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor – second book in Strange the Dreamer duology.
2. The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee – second book in Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, this one about Monty’s sister.
3. Band Sinister by K.J. Charles – I will read anything she writes.
4. Shades of Magic #1: The Steel Prince by V.E. Schwab – apparently a prequel comic to Shades of Magic, I’d not miss this, nono.
5. Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco – not a hundred percent sure yet if I’ll read this one in Stalking Jack the Ripper series, we’ll see. I’ve nothing against the series, but I’d rather have seen Hyde’s story, am not much into real life magicians.

Joely Sue Burkhart “Queen Takes Queen” | Their Vampire Queen 3

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart
Title: Queen Takes Queen
Series: Their Vampire Queen 3
Genre: Paranormal, Polyamorous
Pages: 286
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Little by little we’re easing into the court of intrigues of “Their Vampire Queen” books. No pun intended. I’ve read through this one in a single sitting, even if it wasn’t the best one so far, it was still pretty damn fine.

About: Even though Shara has protected her nest with her blood, and tamed herself a vampire King who shifts into a Leviathan on her will, the enemies still seek ways in, they still seek to hurt her, harm her, kill those Bloods who serve her. Luckily, the new ones have brought with themselves their gods too, and so there’s now whole new means of self-preservation at hand. But, in the long run, even all the gods they could possibly pray to for help and protection will not save them if Tribune or Sitting Queens decide to take her out. Shara has only one choice: make a Sib (Sibling) alliance with another Queen. And while there are those who already offered her their hearts, hands, bloods, and nests, how can Shara possibly know whom to trust? Especially after such intricate attacks as fighter ants burrowing from beneath her nest soil.

Mine: A great battle with warrior ants I never thought I’d witness. Most powerful vampires, leviathan, dragons, bears, descendants of gods… Fighting ants. That was a sight to behold. But that’s what makes these books so damn special to me. For one, the vampires feel like aliens, like they’re from another planet, the damn Asgard, Valhalla, wherever the hell. They’re inhuman, and they’re amazing. I’m not sure how to take the fact that their gods can hear their prayers and choose to respond though. If we assume this is Urban Fantasy, then it’s just strange, and a little something extra to distinguish vampires from humans. But if not, then it feels almost like such High-Fantasy borderline Sci-Fi books as, say, Chronicles of Erlick, with warriors set by gods, gods who pull them out of the reality periodically to instruct them further, to empower them. Either way, this is good.

The story was a bit too slow for my liking, and there were a few other nuances I didn’t appreciate much (stuff others might enjoy, so I won’t tarnish the book with my personal preferences). But other than that, I really do feel like we’re finally on a highway to Tribune. 4 out of 5 for this one, with hopes I won’t have to wait too long for the next book.

Bookish | October has begun

Don’t know about you guys, but as October strikes, I feel a grave need to bust out my gothic horrors to thumb through.

Share your IG with me. And buy me a coffee on this cold cold day! ☕🐼

KoFi | IG