“White Trash Zombie Unchained” by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 6

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: White Trash Zombie Unchained
Series: White Trash Zombie 6
Genre: Zombies, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 354
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Ah, and so here I am, done with the very last book in the White Trash Zombie series. They were alright, had its good moments, and those very good moments, along with mediocre, bad, and way too common ones. So here’s the last of it.

About: Just another crime scene, it seemed. Up until the corpse got right up and attacked her, all while being mangled and half-eaten by the crocodiles. Angel has seen this before, so she quickly took care of the immediate problem. But what about the crocodiles? They, in the meantime, are successfully spreading an epidemic of shambling zombies, brainless, movie-kind of creatures, and Angel seems to be the source of it all. But there’s just no time for self-pity when people are literally killing each other for brains from mere mosquito bites. It got out of hand, and it reached a level where Angel’s tribe has no choice but to join their forces with their worst enemy, evil corp, Saberton. For better or worse remains to be seen…

Mine: What I truly enjoyed here was sense people had. They: hey, you’re in danger, we have safe spot, come over, or we send someone to pick you up. People: gotcha, will be right there, and will ask all the questions I am absolutely having in safety. This fantastic adult logic is so rare I was starting to think it didn’t exist outside KJC books. Other than that, there’s plenty of action for two books in this one, so other than Angel’s and other characters too, pointing fingers to themselves in explanation that they did what they did, because they’re this particular label – it was a good book. Still it’s extremely bothersome when author feels the need for their character to break a window and tell you “I did this because I’m a redneck, this is how we do it“. Can I maybe just gather that from the story, please? No? Okay.

All in all, I can give both the series and the book 4 out of 5. If you’re tired of werewolves and vampires, but still like those stories we have by the shovel now, this is one for you. While they’re not my favorite, I don’t feel like I wasted time, so that’s definitely a something.

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“Misery” by Stephen King

Author: Stephen King
Title: Misery
Series: –
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Pages: 370
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Sometimes someone I like and admire will speak about a book that inspired them. Then I must read that book. This time it was “Misery” by Stephen King, and it made me rethink everything I ever thought about the author. This was a scary, suspenseful read.

About: Paul Sheldon is an author. He just privately celebrated the fact that he finally killed off Misery, and can be done with those awful books. There’s even a new manuscript for a whole different story in his bag, as he makes his way out, out of a dreamy, painful state, with someone’s disgusting, putrid breath trying to resuscitate him.

Paul has been in a car accident where his legs got shattered. But Annie was there to save him, he’s very lucky. Annie is a trained nurse, so he’s in good hands. And on top of that, she is his biggest fan. She’s the biggest fan of Misery. She absolutely knows he didn’t really mean to kill her off. And with his legs broken like that, all he really has is time, so he might as well work, since being an author doesn’t require legs all that much. He might as well write a new novel of Misery. Just for Annie. For his biggest fan. After all, he indeed is very lucky she found him…

Mine: How terrifying is helplessness when you’re surrounded by unpredictable, insane monsters in human skins. And how much worse these monsters can be than any of those one ever saw in gothic novels. You can never trust a character in this story. The moment you’ll think the plan is flawless, the moment you think this will work… Will be the moment you’ll be tricked, and learn just how much worse it can get.

A good book indeed. Do not read this if humans as is worry, scare you. There’s nothing supernatural here, only insanity, unpredictable human behavior, pure cruelty. 5 out of 5 from me, and maybe I’ll even take another King’s book, we’ll see.

White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 5

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: White Trash Zombie Gone Wild
Series: White Trash Zombie 5
Genre: Zombies, Paranormal
Pages: 325
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Not gonna lie, I’m a bit in a reading slum. Even such an easy and simple book as was the fifth book in White Trash Zombie was a tad tough. But at least it was fun, for the main plot line was pretty good.

About: Angel’s life is trying to fall apart just as she got it all together. After becoming a zombie she got a chance to ween off all the drugs she been doing due to them not working on her kind. But now there’s new pharma, just for zombies, and oh boy does it work nice. As long as she’s willing to stoop so low as to steal it from her sick Zombie Baby, the man she turned into zombie and who has been suffering side effects ever since, thus needing the treatment. On top of that, the zombie serial killer has returned, with extra footprints, no less, that lead straight to her ex, who she never thought to be this stupid, or this cold-blooded as to be a killer. And then the zombie movie showing real life footage of real live zombies doing their thing, killing, eating brains, with people Angel recognizes. All that added together threaten her and her kind into having to take drastic measures: Exodus

Mine: There’s something missing to make Angel’s personality pop, and I can’t figure what it is. She’s nice and all, but she could be real nice, you know? To add to that, I kinda hate how her redneckishness is only there via her pointing a finger and literally saying “I did this, because I’m a redneck / white trash“. Her father is becoming a father of the year too, but I’m a hopeful person, so I won’t be mad at that, and believe that it is possible. But my favorite part was Nick the Prick story line. Now that’s one curious sight to behold. Though it all gets spoiled if you think how many story lines were dropped for the sake of this one, and how everyone from the previous book just got their lives and moved on, or decided they hate Angel, and moved on.

It was okay. Above average as books like this go, but a bit far from being good just yet. I can still gladly give it a 4 out of 5, and will also gladly read the final book. It’s a good simple read, really.

Dracul by Dacre Stoker

Author: Dacre Stoker
Title: Dracul
Series: –
Genre: Gothic, Historical
Pages: 512
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I’m a little overwhelmed. “Dracul” by Dacre Stoker definitely made me re-think all the books about vampire Dracula that I’ve ever read. And it got me real interested in Bram Stoker himself, so I hope to find books on the man, not just articles online that I’ve read extensively for hours after finishing this.

About: The book, at least at the start of it, is a loosely biographical on Bram Stoker. He was a very sickly child, bedridden. At age seven he almost died of fever, saved in a wicked dream by their mysterious nanna Ellen Crone. After he woke up, strong, and even able to get up, all healed and cured, everyone denied any help from Ellen, and claimed he was cured by his uncle and his leeches. Only his sister Matilda believed him. To add to the mystery, nanny herself packed up and disappeared without a word or anyone noticing, leaving kids on a wild investigation full of nightmares and more questions than answers, up until they had to abandon the cold trail. Nanna Ellen was gone for good. But only a few decades later Matilda spotted her in the streets of France, not aged a day, and the nightmares began again.

Mine: The whole search for Ellen Crone reminded me of Kostova’s “Historian“, and annoyed me to no end. There’s a lot of clue following, and a lot of nonsense too, like memories where you can look upon something from a different angle. What’s next, you open a locked door and know what’s behind it, all in a hypnotic memory? Dracul was a very childish and childishly stubborn idiot too, clever in his ways, but making no sense in his actions. There’s a lot of the “you’ll learn to love me” action that bothered me to no end too. And then the whole book was redeemed by author’s final word, which again makes me wonder: is the joke that had to be explained to be funny – really funny?

I will give this book a 4 out of 5, merely because it made me think and research things on my own. Anything that can evoke action or emotion in you in a book – is a well made thing. But honestly, make sure you love gothic classics, and that you don’t mind Kostova’s “Historian“, before picking this one up.

How the White Trash Zombie got her Groove Back by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 4

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: How the White Trash Zombie got her Groove Back
Series: White Trash Zombie
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Pages: 328
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I’m having a love-hate relationship with White Trash Zombie series. On one hand, Angel is pretty damn nice character, and the plot at times gets real good. On the other hand, there’s just no click, no hook, I could quit any time and not think twice. And this is fourth book!

About: Saberton corp, the one that tried to make zoldiers, by turning zombies using synthetic brains, just doesn’t know when to quit. But seeing how they figured they lack the brain power (I regret nothing), they kidnapped a scientist from Angel’s zombie tribe. The same one who was trying to help Philip, her zombie baby, the one she had to turn, the one Saberton fed fake brains upon creation. And since his treatment wasn’t concluded upon kidnapping, they’re in a lot of trouble. Gathering up the zombie gang they all make their way to New York, with Philip having ever more intense episodes, and both of their rot not going away. On top of that, their friends got secrets and troubles to solve in New York too, not to mention some scores that need settling with Saberton…  so off to New YooooOOooorrrk! (if you’ve not heard the tune, I’m very disappointed)

Mine: I like Angel, yes. She’s smart in her own way, and is trying her best to improve against all odds. To a point where one too many decisions Marcus makes for both of them, without consulting her, leaves him single. She adjust on the spot, and I like that kind of thinking. And if that’s not enough praise, this petite zombie babe smacked a… a mean lady in the teeth and didn’t even spill her beer! Mind you, mean lady had it coming, and was ready to inflict far more pain and damage than Angel did. I like the new Philip too, he seems interesting, and his episodes are hilarious. I know they probably shouldn’t be, but they are, and it was very funny, and I laughed a lot.

I like it just enough to continue. Plot is fairly fresh, and I do like Angel, but I do hope that ending wasn’t a mad omen. For now, 4 out of 5. Like like like.

Vivian Shaw “Strange Practice” | Dr. Greta Helsing 1

Author: Vivian Shaw
Title: Strange Practice
Series: Dr. Greta Helsing 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Pages: 320
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Been a long time since I had such a pleasure to sit down with a book the way I had with “Strange Practice” by Vivian Shaw. It kept stealing my sleep hours away, because, well, just one page to make sure everyone’s alive still, just one more, oh, here’s to a chapter.

About: Dr. Greta Helsing is in one strange practice. Her hospital is a haven for help and treatments for all kinds of monsters. She makes mummy bones here, she helps ghouls, she prescribes meds for demons, and so on. Her co-workers aren’t humans either. And neither are her friends. Like Lord Ruthven, who is a vampire, and who, one night, calls her in great distress. While Greta was following the news of religious zealots murdering people, one of their victims, still alive due to also being a vampire, came to Ruthven for help. And without Greta’s help, Lord Varney would’ve likely died. But this is only the start of their gathering group and troubles. For deep under London, in dark shelter tunnels there pulses a blue light, whispering…

Mine: While the purpose of the book wasn’t to tell us stories of monsters, it still had a beautiful share of monstrology here, that would lift up the mood on right times. On top of already very well written, suspenseful story, crime detective with supernaturals, epic demons, fallen angels, vampires that’d make Regis, Dettlaff, and even Dracula himself – proud. There were also very scary moments. For, just imagine for a moment, you know this gang of almost supernatural murderers are after you, but you not only have to leave the relative safety of the house and friends who’d kill to protect you, but you have to go down into the dark tunnels to find their lair too, and, well, kill their god. It’s an amazing story, full of amazing, smart, loyal, beautiful characters.

This was so good. I will definitely read another one. Love Greta, love Fass, love Ruthven, and Varney, and that human guy whose name I forgot, sorry, he was great too, really. I really do love a well written friendship, and great written characters. But that’s not all, the story was amazing too, so here’s for the epic win. 5 out of 5, and lemme have the next one!

White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 3

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: White Trash Zombie Apocalypse
Series: White Trash Zombie 3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Zombies
Pages: 320
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I have a bad feeling that I gotten myself into another chore of “let’s just get through this” book series. Third book in Diana Rowland‘s series White Trash Zombie, the “White Trash Zombie Apocalypse” is below mediocre.

About: There’s a zombie movie getting filmed in Angel’s neighborhood, and she joked a time or two with those aware of her condition, that it’d be fun to see if she could mix in among the fake ones after a couple days of starving. But someone beat her to it, and it wasn’t even funny! You see, the project Zoldier (like Soldier but Zombie) is still on, someone still experiments with the undead, with zombies. One of them lost his mind during a performance, and jumped to find himself a new one. Like Angel didn’t have enough on her plate, what with the flooding that threatens to destroy her home where she lives with her father, and the arguments she has with her boyfriend, and her ever re-appearing baby-zombie, the man she turned into one. Not to mention the creepy lady who keeps snapping pictures of her for some reason.

Mine: There’s so many moments of “who are you working for?!” that even Batman would be proud (points if you know what I’m referring to). Everyone’s a double agent too, it only seems they work for who they seem to be working for, what. I still think that Zoldiers was a dumb idea to start with, even if they, say, had basis to think there’s means to make fake brains, and keep off hunger, you still have soldiers who need buckets of food just to do the standard soldier stuff. I mean, there’s a great reason we have pig farms, not zebra, for instance. The parasite that makes zombie a zombie doesn’t give a damn about your goals, it just cares to keep you fixed and steady. The best part of the book was flooding. And that should tell you everything.

Angel really is the only thing that keeps me going with these series. I cannot give this book more than 3 out of 5 right now.

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris | Midnight, Texas 2

Author: Charlaine Harris
Title: Day Shift
Series: Midnight, Texas 2
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 307
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Ah, okay, so I kinda misheard, didn’t hear, and didn’t get it when my friend said that not only is Midnight, Texas by Charlaine Harris set in the same world as Sookie Stackhouse books, but it might very well be called a spin-off too. Since second book, “Day Shift“, has a fair little handful of familiar, and at last to me, well loved characters.

About: Manfred is out on one of his business trips to meet clients face-to-face. This time he has an appointment with one of his regular clients, a woman who just wants to talk to her dead husband. Mostly about her son who seems to be going even crazier than before. But just as Manfred channels her husband’s spirit – she drops dead, and her family quickly blames him for either murder, or at the very least, robbery. Because who’ll believe Manfred when he’ll report the old woman saying she hid the jewelry away from her son, instead of a fairly rich family who don’t claim to be psychics, but do claim jewelry is missing, and Manfred was pretty much the only person she was seeing? And while he’s at it, Midnight town has its own unwanted unpleasant adventures. Some big corporation re-opened the hotel, and is setting up elderly people there. A strange man has left his son to Reverend for a few weeks. That would have been a better adventure, more wanted even, if the boy hadn’t grown by the day. Literally. Even the elderly noticed! And then there’s the full moon…

Mine: Barry the Mind-reader is back! Sookies sorta friend. I remember I liked him, I just don’t remember what for. But, better than that, Quinn the Weretiger makes an entry, my very favorite Sookie’s ex. I really wish she kept him, instead of… well. But other than that, this was a fun book on its own too. There were scary and intense moments, there were those classic “let’s ask the dead lady“, and best of all, we learned some background about Midnight people. They’re far more interesting than I thought. Oh, okay, that’s not the best part. Best part was Mr. Snuggles. I really love that cat, have I told you?

I may be biased when I say I loved this book, because Quinn was honestly my favorite person out there for forever. But really, if I try and take him out of the equation, there’s some real great things: the funny moments, the detective with outfit changing classy spy bits, the extremely scary parts that would make horror books proud… 5 out of 5, no less.

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.

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.