Novella Review: The New Hunger

The New Hunger
Published by Zola Books
Release Date: January 28, 2013
Genre: paranormal/dystopian
128 pages
Buy it at Zola Books
Source: kindly provided by publisher




A friend of mine *coughAndreacough* read and loved Warm Bodies, and unabashedly pushed the book on me. I suppose she thinks she is brilliant, because I read the book and loved it as well.

Fast forward several months- Reading Lark was offered an opportunity to read and review this prequel novella, and I wrestled Andrea for it. As you can see, I won. :)

I particularly like that this story is not about the end of the world; it's about what happens next. Life as we know it has all but ended. Most humans are either dead or zombies. The geography of the planet is completely different. Humans are no longer at the top of the food chain. And yet, within all the chaos and disaster, there is hope. People are still essentially good. And since zombies are just infected people, there is a possibility that their condition can be treated, and that R just might get his happily ever after.

Marion's writing has a luxuriously rich texture that is completely unassuming. It's approachable and witty, but never simplistic nor pompous. I love that the story is so completely enjoyable on so many levels, yet masquerades as something light and fun.


The film version of Warm Bodies is on its way- it's due out February 1. If you plan to see it, reading the prequel would be a great way to whet your appetite. I know I can't wait to see the film, and getting to read The New Hunger refreshed my memory of my reading of Warm Bodies. Even if you haven't read the original book, this novella would be a fantastic way to gear up for the movie.

Summary from GoodReads:

New York is a bayou. New Orleans is a reef. The entire country has been devastated by natural disasters and governmental collapse, and on top of everything else there is the annoying problem of zombies trying to devour you at every turn. But sixteen-year-old Nora and her younger brother Addis are about to discover the most frightening thing yet: being abandoned in this horrific world by their own parents.


Left with only a bag of clothes and a first-aid kit, Nora and Addis begin a harrowing journey to connect with anyone who isn't looking to rob them or eat them. A wounded man wrecks a meal of green beans and French fries at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. An attempt to get a good night’s sleep in a fortified motel is ruined by an undead face staring at them through the window. And they just can’t seem to shake someone – something – that’s been following them everywhere they go…. 

Meanwhile, a girl named Julie is traveling toward the city in an SUV with her parents. She is only twelve, but has already seen friends die and her school burn. She has watched her father become nearly as cold and remorseless as the Dead. All she wants is someplace to call home, even if it never really will be.

And somewhere nearby, a tall man awakens in the woods, unsure of exactly where he is, or even who he is. As he struggles to remember details of his life, a single consonant comes to him: R. He is…a name that begins with R….

Isaac Marion once again demonstrates his remarkable gifts as a storyteller as he brings the world of WARM BODIES back to life. Grounding his characters in real emotion, Marion makes you root for them to save the world even as they simply try to stay alive.



Comments

  1. Haha! Love it that you actually wrestled Andrea for this!! lol! I so can't wait to read both the main book and novella...all before I see the movie!! Very cool!

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