Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

by Christine Verstraete, Denise Camacho (Producer)

This book is a Young Adult (YA) science fiction Zombie book

Life can suck when you're sixteen. It can suck even worse when you're not- quite- dead.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca Herrera Hayes faces every teenager's biggest nightmares: bad skin, bad hair, and worse . . . turning into one of the living dead.

Becca's life changes forever when her cousin Spence comes back to their small Wisconsin town carrying a deadly secret—he's becoming a zombie, a fate he shares with her through an accidental scratch.

The Z infection, however, has mutated, affecting younger persons like her, or those treated early enough, differently. Now she must cope with weird physical changes and habits no girl wants to be noticed for. Then she meets Gabe, a good-looking part-Z like her, and fears falling for him. After all, how can he, who shows hardly any Z symptoms, be interested in someone like her?

But time is running out... Becca needs his help as she and her cousin Carm search for their missing mothers and fight off hungry Zs.

Most of all, she needs to find something, anything, to stop this deadly transformation before it is forever too late..

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Young Adult, Dystopia

206 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

So excited to have a new story, "Some Kind of Friend," inspired by the song of the same name, in the new anthology, A KILLING AT THE COPA: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF BARRY MANILOW!

This follows up on another music-based story, "Wildfire," (love thissong!) in the anthology, (I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS: CRIME FICTION INSPIRED BY ONE-HIT WONDERS.

It is so fun writing (and reading!) stories inspired by favorite songs and music!
*****

* Also under name C.A. Verstraete
NEW! Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter - 2nd edition - Releases May 10
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: The Axe Will Fall - C.A. Verstraete
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

New story, "Thirteen Horses" in Descent Into Darkness anthology - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

blog:
http://girlzombiauthors.blogspot.com
http://candidcanine.blogspot.com

Web: http://www.cverstraete.com

** My books are also listed under C.A. Verstraete** -

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl Z may sound like your average Zombie novel but it is anything but typical. Sure it has Zombies, bloodshed, and people fighting for their lives but what makes this novel so unique is it being told from the Zombies perspective.

What I liked about Girl Z was the originality of the story. Sure I've read Zombie books from an infected persons perspective but usually the character is trapped inside themselves having to deal with their Zombiefied state while never being able to express to others that they are still human inside. Girl Z on the other hand literally makes the main character a Zombie rotting body and all. Becca has to deal with her cravings, her body slowly decomposing around her and the stigma from her peers of being one of the living dead. It was quite refreshing to read.

Another thing I liked was that although the story was Young Adult and humor filled the suspense and horror that any proper Zombie novel should have wasn't lost entirely. Yes, the story could've been gorier (for my tastes) or had a bit more Zombie battles along the way but then I'm not sure the book would of felt the same. Girl Z is a very us (meaning Becca, Carm & Tia) vs. them (every other character whether they be alive or dead) type of story and while it works (mostly) part of me still yearned to learn more from the them side of things. To expand further what I mean is that this is really Becca's story the Zombie Apocalypse going on around her is sort of an afterthought.

Now although I really enjoyed Girl Z the book wasn't without its faults. One thing that really bugged me was the copious amounts of Chicken Becca consumes. Why chicken? Raw steak is fantastic and bloody. Wouldn't that suit a Zombies diet better? Only thing I can think of is Tia worked at a Chicken processing plant (I don't believe her job is ever mentioned) and so it was easy to come by. Still, I know if I was a Zombie I'd want something bloody not cold ass slimy chicken day after day.

I would've also liked to see more urgency in the reactions from the characters. The Zombie threat is supposedly major yet we never really see any undead people besides Becca for a significant portion of the book. The only real indication in the beginning that a Zombie apocalypse is going on is the convenient news updates and even then nobody in Becca's household seems to take them seriously. As a big Zombie reader and even just from a survival standpoint, it's really quite frustrating to see how nonchalant everyone is about things. I'm like where's the stockpiling of food and supplies? Why is nobody boarding up windows and securing the perimeter?! They do however leave some bug out bags by the door so I guess that was something at least.

My biggest issues with the story however stemmed from Becca herself. While she isn't a badly written character the fact anyone would think she could lead a normal life as a Zombie is beyond me. In all honesty, Becca shouldn't have been allowed out of the hospital in the first place since were told as fact that they really have no clue how the virus works. Yet after regulating her "diet" here's Becca going home and then going about her life like nothing has happened. Becca spends so much time trying to regain what she lost ie a normal existence from buying special Zombie makeup, to obsessing over clothing to cover her rotting body that it did kind of make me feel less sympathy towards her undead situation. It certainly didn't help that both Tia and Carm acted like she was the same girl that she was pre-zombification. Tia being the Adult shouldn't have ever let her entertain the idea of leaving her room let alone the house while so very little was known about her condition. It's like nobody cared that she could possibly infect untold amounts of others as long as Becca was happy.

Final Thoughts
While I might not have loved every part of Girl Z it was still a book worth reading and purchasing. As far as the Zombie aspect goes this one definitely stands out. It's rare to read books from the Zombies perspective and even rarer for it to be a teenage girl with most of her original personality intact. So I guess this begs the question, Would I recommend Girl Z? Yes, although I do think this books is more geared to female readers as boys might find Becca a bit of a nuisance. With that being said, I'll be rating Girl Z by Christine Verstraete ★★★.

Reviewed originally @Blood,Sweat and Books

*Copy purchased. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way for providing them.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie
Author: C. A. Verstraete
Publisher: Intrigue Publishing (Aug. 1, 013)
ISBN-13: 978-0979478895
Price: $11.24

“A virus. A freaking virus.”

Welcome to the day to day life of sixteen year old Rebecca Hererra Hayes. Infected by a scratch from her cousin Spence, Becca is slowly turning into a zombie. However, the virus has mutated. When it infects a young, healthy person like Becca, it doesn't kill them. Instead, it just makes them smell funny, turn greyish-blue, and deal with things like an eyeball that rolls back on its own. All of the things a sixteen year old girl wants to be noticed for, right?

Wrong. Instead, Becca and her cousin Carm are frantically trying to locate their mothers and trying to find a cure for Becca’s condition. However, there are about a million starving zombies between here and there, and any one of them would love to take a nice little bite. Also, the two young girls have a hard time not being noticed over the course of that journey. The problem there is, not everyone is convinced that the half-zombies are any better than the rest of the mindless horde of brain-eaters. It’s not Becca’s fault. She just wants to find her mom and get better. Can’t a girl catch a break?

We were lucky enough to meet the author of Girl Z through social media, and she was wonderful to send us a copy. When the book arrived, I was very impressed by the quality of the binding and very intrigued by the cover art.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, being nearly thirty and decidedly not-a-girl. What I found was that the title is a very good exercise in foreshadowing what you’re going to find inside. This book reads very much as the life of a teenage zombie. Becca and Carm speak to each other in a refreshing combination of Spanish and English which feels very much like the natural dialogue of a couple of teenage girls. Also, Verstraete has done a fantastic job of creating believable and endearing characters that act and react just how they should.

If you’re looking for a rocket ride, a story about a larger-than-life heroine, or action novel with thrill-a-minute pace, you’re not reading the title close enough. Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie is a realistic fiction about the life of a sixteen year old girl who just happens to be about half-dead. However, that’s not to say that there is no plot to the novel, because the book is also a griping story of two frightened, young girls’ quest to find their lost mothers before it’s too late. Along the way, they encounter a cast of quirky and interesting characters and a whole mess of trouble.

Girl Z is an original entry in a saturated market. Every time I try to explain why, I always come back to the characters. Becca is a tough, independent teenage girl, but that’s just what she is. I believe her story, and I feel like she’s struggling her way through this mess just how I imagine I would if I were in her shoes. I really enjoyed the bilingual dialogue and the fact that neither Becca nor Carm were written as half-witted eye candy, nor were they male characters in female camouflage. Young Adult Winner in the 2013 Halloween Book Festival contest, and nominated for 2014 Lovely Award for the Best Paranormal – Sci Fi Horror, follow this link to read a synopsis and to preview the first chapter. Then, pick up your copy of Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, Powells, or go and request a copy from your local book store.

Read more reviews at www.zombiesandtoys.com

[Eila · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.A. Verstraete's novel, Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie, is the first zombie book I've read that fits into the "Young Adult" category. Prior to this, I often wondered how an author would handle the zombie fiction genre when written for a younger audience. Although I have nothing to compare it to, I appreciate the approach taken by Verstraete.

In Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie, C.A. Verstraete tells a scary tale without being overly gory or using language that is inappropriate for the audience. The issues the main character, Becca, faces are realistic for someone who is sixteen-- realistic except for the whole zombie thing, that is. Her biggest concerns include school, being accepted by her peers, clothes, friendship, and boys. These become somewhat minimized, however, when she finds herself infected with a virus that turns people into zombies.

For the most part, the values represented by the main characters are admirable. Becca and her cousin, Carm, are not only family, they are best friends whose relationship gets tested beyond the ordinary. Through it all, they remain fiercely loyal to each other. Family is also very important to these girls. They treat their aunt and moms respectfully, which is a refreshing change compared to much of what is portrayed on television and in other stories. The consequences of hooking up with the wrong friends and teenage pregnancy are addressed briefly and with sensitivity. As I read Girl Z, I asked myself if I would be okay with my teenager reading it. My conclusion: if I had a high school age child, this book would be appropriate for him/her.

There are humorous parts of the book when the main character tries not to take herself or her situation too seriously. The characters are endearing and fun. For a zombie story, it is quite positive and light-hearted. The book did not end the way I expected it to, making the story even more enjoyable.

The last quarter of the book is where the action picks up. Prior to that, a lot of the story is spent discussing clothes, starting school, and makeup. I wouldn't have minded some of that since those are important parts of most girls' lives. There was just a bit too much of it for me, especially considering the world was supposed to be going downhill quickly.

The story seemed to have a few inconsistencies in the first three quarters of the book, as well. For example, the television news footage showed hordes of zombies wandering the streets and being eliminated by the military, yet the main characters were able to take cabs, start school, and pretty much be out in public without seeing any of the undead in person. In addition, the girls' moms were unable to get home due to the zombie population. I found myself wondering why they didn't just call a cab. I'm not exactly a zombie purist, but these inconsistencies bothered me, which is why I give the book four stars instead of five.

I recommend this fun book to readers who are in their early to late teenage years.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world hit by the zombie virus, Christine Verstraete shows us an example of true friendship, teamwork and determination. For me, this is a new vision of a tried and tested genre with realistic consequences including mobs and discrimination.

I'll be honest, of all the zombie books I've read, this one is a refreshingly girly book. Don't get me wrong I'm not that girly but it's nice to see an author prove that girls can enjoy horror. Quite often I get surprised comments about how much I enjoy horror books and films. Apparently it's not an attractive trait in a woman to enjoy watching/reading about zombies, serial killers etc.. I say it's a matter of opinion!

Throughout the book we follow Rebecca Hayes, a sixteen year old girl with nothing more than boys and clothes on her mind, until everything changes. Christine wastes no time getting the story going whilst still developing her characters and their surroundings. The nice thing about the way this author writes is that every reader will have their own settings in their imagination. Due to much of the story being set in school, hospital and driving, you can tailor the story to what you've seen. This makes it much easier to let yourself flow along with it. I do find that some authors tend to over-describe and that's just not something that would attract me to a book.

The illness Rebecca suffers with and the discrimination she experiences at the hands of it reminds me of Iain Rob Wright's “The Peeling”. His book is aimed more at the flesh eating disease “Necrotizing Faciitis” but the consequences of other people's fear is very similar. Unfortunately it is all part of the human condition; that which we fear, must be destroyed.

As well as the horrifying reality that the majority of the population just want to eat you and the rest are fearful of you, some trying to kill you, there is also hope. The friendship described in this book is heart warming and at times, heartbreaking. The understandable strains on the people closest to Rebecca are well executed and lovingly nurtured.

I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Christine Verstraete. It was much better than I was expecting and would suggest people try it out before making up their minds.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful and Surprising Read!

I will admit that I am not a fan of Zombies as they creep me out even on Halloween, but this book was a wonderful surprise as it is not about the gory of Zombies, rather it is the life struggle of a teenage girl dealing with being infected. This book was a delight to read and I found myself hating to put it down to resume my normal life. The story is very well written keeping you entertained what will happen next. The story brings humanity to those infected with the Z-disease, and shows the transition of a teenage girl as she deals not only with being infected, but her new way of life on top of all the typical teenager challenges, and the world in which she lives. The author has portrayed the teenager as strong young woman who is determined to overcome the setbacks with her infection, and be a survivor.

While this book may appeal to the young adults as the main subject is a girl teenager, it is an easy read for adult without all the gory of the traditional Zombie graphics. Sure, the author has incorporated the more traditional Zombies in the story to make it realistic, but not to the point to distract the reader from the focus of the story: survival after being infected while navigating the challenges of a being a teenage girl.

My congratulations to the author, Christine Verstraete, for a well-written, entertaining, compassionate story! Looking forward to the opportunity to read a sequel!

[Denise Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new strain of the zombie virus has broken out that turns people the into a partial zombie. Some show outward symptoms such as gray skin and sores on their skin and some show no signs of this disease at all. Learning to cope with her new disease is hard for Rebecca because she is a teenager and has to learn a new way of eating and looking like...well a walking dead person. Rebecca along with her cousin and best friend Carmella we find that not everyone excepts a person with the disease and how hateful people can be to yes...even a teenager. I really enjoyed this story by Ms. Verstraete because it is so different from so many other zombie stories which look at a more serious form of the disease...dead people walking around trying to eat the living and the living trying to kill the walking dead. No...in this story we see a teenager living with a disease that is not fully understood and also trying to be just a teenager...wondering what to wear and if the cute boy will like her. If you are a fan of the zombie genre then you will like this fun...fast read. Even though this is a story about a teenager I found it wasn't just geared to a younger reading audience and will appeal to adults too. I am so looking forward to reading other books by C.A. Verstraete who I find to be an amazing story teller.

[Christine Verstraete]

** The book is now out of print and will be reprinted at a later date.**

Synopsis: Life can suck when you're sixteen. It can suck even worse when you're not- quite- dead.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca Herrera Hayes faces every teenager's biggest nightmares: bad skin, bad hair, and worse . . . turning into one of the living dead.

Becca's life changes forever when her cousin Spence comes back to their small Wisconsin town carrying a deadly secret—he's becoming a zombie, a fate he shares with her through an accidental scratch.

The Z infection, however, has mutated, affecting younger persons like her, or those treated early enough, differently. Now she must cope with weird physical changes and habits no girl wants to be noticed for. Then she meets Gabe, a good-looking part-Z like her, and fears falling for him. After all, how can he, who shows hardly any Z symptoms, be interested in someone like her?

But time is running out... Becca needs his help as she and her cousin Carm search for their missing mothers and fight off hungry Zs.

Most of all, she needs to find something, anything, to stop this deadly transformation before it is forever too late...

[Joline Novy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO much better than I expected. I knew from the description that I would probably like it but, because of the fact that it's a Young Adult book and most of the characters are teenagers, I figured there would be some parts with typical teenager drama. Much to my surprise, there wasn't!! The main characters are quickly thrown into a zpoc type situation and are forced to grow up very fast. They spend the majority of the book fighting through many different situations in the search for their Mothers.

The best part of Girl Z is the originality. Christine Verstraete managed to stray from the normal "been there, done that" type of zombie book. The other fantastic thing is, even though it's labeled as YA, this book is great for the older crowd as well!

I'm not going to give anything away here because it's so much better getting into this story with as little knowledge as possible so you can enjoy the book as much as I did.

If you're looking for an action-packed, fast-paced, unique book about zombies.....download Girl Z now! You'll love it!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine is an accomplished author her books bring you to the edge of your seat and throws you into the story as if you’re a character reading about yourself. Girl Z is a fantastic book for all ages.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young adult teenage girl zombie story. Well done.

[Samie Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing! The voice is very believable as a tormented teenage girl and their is a lot of humor in among all the horror making this book suitable for anyone...zombie fan or not!

[A.L. Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think your teenage years were tough? Try being a part zombie. Rebecca Hayes has more than the usual teenage problems but she doesn't have time to deal with the fear and prejudice against part Z's. First she has to find her mom and aunt.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that I am not a fan of Zombies as they creep me out even on Halloween, but this book was a wonderful surprise as it is not about the gory of Zombies, rather it is the life struggle of a teenage girl dealing with being infected. This book was a delight to read and I found myself hating to put it down to resume my normal life. The story is very well written keeping you entertained what will happen next. The story brings humanity to those infected with the Z-disease, and shows the transition of a teenage girl as she deals not only with being infected, but her new way of life on top of all the typical teenager challenges, and the world in which she lives. The author has portrayed the teenager as strong young woman who is determined to overcome the setbacks with her infection, and be a survivor.

While this book may appeal to the young adults as the main subject is a girl teenager, it is an easy read for adult without all the gory of the traditional Zombie graphics. Sure, the author has incorporated the more traditional Zombies in the story to make it realistic, but not to the point to distract the reader from the focus of the story: survival after being infected while navigating the challenges of a being a teenage girl.

My congratulations to the author, Christine Verstraete, for a well-written, entertaining, compassionate story! Looking forward to the opportunity to read a sequel!