Book Review: Alice in Zombieland

Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles, #1)
Alice in Zombieland
By: Gena Showalter
Published by Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Genre: YA paranormal
404 pages
Buy it on Amazon, IndieBound
 or Barnes and Noble
Source: public library




I did a Cover Crazy on this one a while back- here- so this book has been on my mind for a while. I was in the public library a few weeks ago with the kids, grabbing some vacay reads, and this one was sitting there on the feature shelf, practically winking at me. Needless to say, I saved other patrons from its incessant flirting.


What a delicious flirt this book is. First, all the nods to Alice in Wonderland are really fun. Though the plot itself is completely different, the Alice-reference device is a wonderful way to keep the book light and witty, whereas it could otherwise become quite dark and scary. I think this combination of fluffy silliness with horror is why I have seen several reviews say that the book reminded them of the flavor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Next on the delicious flirtiness list is the hottie book boyfriend. The chemistry between Ali and Cole is effervescent and tart, like a fresh carbonated limeade. It's the kind of relationship that feels fated without laboring over the characters' free will. They are drawn to each other with an undeniable attraction, yet both are intrigued with each other rather than feeling trapped. They are a beautiful couple who are perfectly matched to keep each others' egos in check as well. Reading their dialog as they banter is hilarious, while reading the kissy scenes is equally interesting in a completely different way.


This book represents YA paranormal well, with some nightmarish bad guys. The zombies are all the scarier as Showalter writes them, though they are a little different from traditional zombies. The action scenes are intensely physical, with descriptions of the battles that are detailed enough to maintain continuity without becoming labored with play-by-play chapters that some books make their readers suffer. The good guys certainly have to work their tails off to stay ahead of the game, but the reader is spared the unnecessary details. 


Of course this is just book 1, so we'll have to wait to see if our heroes are successful in saving the world. I have no doubt, but you can bet I'll be reading the rest of the series just as soon as I can get my hands on them.


Summary from GoodReads:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.


Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.




Comments

  1. Wow! I really want to read this one.
    Ladybug
    http://english-written-portairt.blogspot.pt/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm a bit over the 'zombie craze' lately, but I love anything Alice and it sounds a bit like a fresh take on it ^^ Also, I love Buffy and anything Buffy-esque sounds awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I won this book last month and still haven't read it, really need to bump it up my pile! Fab. Review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha, I want this book to flirt with me! LOL. This book just sounds REALLY cool to me-- I love the idea of Alice as a zombie hunter. And from what you've stated in your review, it looks like Gena delivers! Great review, Paula! :D

    Loves,
    Megan@The Book Babe

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your review, and although I already pine for a copy of this book, your review made me pine a little more. :-) Yep, I think it's time to fork up some coin and buy a copy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I keep wanting to pick this up from the library, but haven't been able to get my hands on it yet - it's always out. LOL

    I loved this from your review: "The chemistry between Ali and Cole is effervescent and tart, like a fresh carbonated limeade." And the fact that you said the book is flirty. LOVE IT!

    Can't wait to read this now. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So glad to see so many comments! Thanks for the feedback. :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

We love your comments!