BOOK REVIEW: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues
Title: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues
Author: Diana Rowland
Series: White Trash Zombie Series (Book Two)
This review has some spoilers for My Life as a White Trash Zombie, the first book in the series. To learn more about My Life as a White Trash Zombie click here.
Angel Crawford has come to terms with the fact that she is a zombie. In fact, she thrives off of her new existence. She loves her job at the morgue, and is enjoying spending time with her new zombie boyfriend, Marcus. Then she is robbed at gunpoint while at work, and a body is stolen. When the local newspaper suggests that Angel irresponsibly lost the body and made up the story, citing her shifty past as proof, Angel is furious. If the coroner loses faith in her this would mean the loss of her new job, and easy access to brains. Angel knows that there's more to this stolen body than people suspect, but can't get anyone to believe her, even Marcus. Is there a way for Angel to find out the truth and clear her name, or will her happy new life fall to pieces?
Even White Trash Zombie Get the Blues the second book in the surprisingly addictive White Trash Zombie Series. There's plenty that makes this title stand out from other paranormal series. For one, the book eschews the normal vampire/werewolf/witch/demon character types, and embraces a unique type of zombie. Secondly, Rowland's own past experience as a morgue assistant, crime scene investigator and detective lends credulity to mystery elements. Thirdly, Angel's story is not just one of supernatural peril, but a very human one as well. Angel, like all of us, is just trying to live a better life. By the time Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues begins, she has already made great strides towards this new life. Still, your past has a way of catching up to you.
Even White Trash Zombies Gets the Blues continues to develop plot threads and relationships from My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I love how Rowland doesn't just automatically assume that now that Angel has a job and a boyfriend that her life is going to be great, as that would be very unrealistic. Her relationship with her alcoholic father is better, but rocky. Her romantic relationship with Marcus is still very new, and far from perfect. Marcus, although a pretty solid guy, has a habit of trying just doing what he assumes is right for Angel without asking her first, which is very in line with his character from book one. This poor communication is a common issue in real life romantic relationships, as is Angel's habit of storming off and not dealing with the problem at hand. It's really nice to see that touch of realism here. Another thing I liked about this book is that we get to learn more about the lives and organizations of other zombies. I also found the murder mystery plot line to be much improved from book one, and not predictable at all.
Final Thoughts: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues is even better than My Life as a White Trash Zombie. The author does a great job of balancing the fun supernatural elements and the more human ones, giving us a fast paced story that feels grounded in reality, despite it's paranormal premise. I am quite sad that I will have to wait until next year before can I see what adventures Angel embarks upon next. Five Stars.
Next I will be reviewing Emma: the Graphic Novel by Jane Austen and Nancy Butler.
Author: Diana Rowland
Series: White Trash Zombie Series (Book Two)
This review has some spoilers for My Life as a White Trash Zombie, the first book in the series. To learn more about My Life as a White Trash Zombie click here.
Angel Crawford has come to terms with the fact that she is a zombie. In fact, she thrives off of her new existence. She loves her job at the morgue, and is enjoying spending time with her new zombie boyfriend, Marcus. Then she is robbed at gunpoint while at work, and a body is stolen. When the local newspaper suggests that Angel irresponsibly lost the body and made up the story, citing her shifty past as proof, Angel is furious. If the coroner loses faith in her this would mean the loss of her new job, and easy access to brains. Angel knows that there's more to this stolen body than people suspect, but can't get anyone to believe her, even Marcus. Is there a way for Angel to find out the truth and clear her name, or will her happy new life fall to pieces?
Even White Trash Zombie Get the Blues the second book in the surprisingly addictive White Trash Zombie Series. There's plenty that makes this title stand out from other paranormal series. For one, the book eschews the normal vampire/werewolf/witch/demon character types, and embraces a unique type of zombie. Secondly, Rowland's own past experience as a morgue assistant, crime scene investigator and detective lends credulity to mystery elements. Thirdly, Angel's story is not just one of supernatural peril, but a very human one as well. Angel, like all of us, is just trying to live a better life. By the time Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues begins, she has already made great strides towards this new life. Still, your past has a way of catching up to you.
Even White Trash Zombies Gets the Blues continues to develop plot threads and relationships from My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I love how Rowland doesn't just automatically assume that now that Angel has a job and a boyfriend that her life is going to be great, as that would be very unrealistic. Her relationship with her alcoholic father is better, but rocky. Her romantic relationship with Marcus is still very new, and far from perfect. Marcus, although a pretty solid guy, has a habit of trying just doing what he assumes is right for Angel without asking her first, which is very in line with his character from book one. This poor communication is a common issue in real life romantic relationships, as is Angel's habit of storming off and not dealing with the problem at hand. It's really nice to see that touch of realism here. Another thing I liked about this book is that we get to learn more about the lives and organizations of other zombies. I also found the murder mystery plot line to be much improved from book one, and not predictable at all.
Final Thoughts: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues is even better than My Life as a White Trash Zombie. The author does a great job of balancing the fun supernatural elements and the more human ones, giving us a fast paced story that feels grounded in reality, despite it's paranormal premise. I am quite sad that I will have to wait until next year before can I see what adventures Angel embarks upon next. Five Stars.
Next I will be reviewing Emma: the Graphic Novel by Jane Austen and Nancy Butler.