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Take All of Us
A YA unbury-your-gays horror in which an undead teen must find the boy he loves before he loses his mind and body.
Five years ago, a parasite poisoned the water of Ian’s West Virginia hometown, turning dozens of locals into dark-eyed, oil-dripping shells of their former selves. With chronic migraines and seizures limiting his physical abilities, Ian relies on his best friend and secret crush Eric to mercy-kill any infected people they come across.
Until a new health report about the contamination triggers a mandatory government evacuation, and Ian cracks his head in the rush. Used to hospitals and health scares, Ian always thought he'd die young... but he wasn’t planning on coming back. Much less facing the slow, painful realization that Eric left him behind to die.
Desperate to confront Eric before the parasite takes over, Ian joins two others left behind—his childhood rival Monica and the jaded prepper Angel—on a journey across town. What they don't know is that Eric is also looking for Ian, and he's determined to mercy-kill him.
Five years ago, a parasite poisoned the water of Ian’s West Virginia hometown, turning dozens of locals into dark-eyed, oil-dripping shells of their former selves. With chronic migraines and seizures limiting his physical abilities, Ian relies on his best friend and secret crush Eric to mercy-kill any infected people they come across.
Until a new health report about the contamination triggers a mandatory government evacuation, and Ian cracks his head in the rush. Used to hospitals and health scares, Ian always thought he'd die young... but he wasn’t planning on coming back. Much less facing the slow, painful realization that Eric left him behind to die.
Desperate to confront Eric before the parasite takes over, Ian joins two others left behind—his childhood rival Monica and the jaded prepper Angel—on a journey across town. What they don't know is that Eric is also looking for Ian, and he's determined to mercy-kill him.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
21 people are currently reading
4432 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 20, 2025
‧₊˚ ݁⊹ ݁᭪ take all of us, by natalie leif .ᐟ
˖ 3.5 stars
started 07.08.25
finished 19.09.25 ౨ৎ
❝ian chandler was an angel, too pure to rot.❞
⁺‧𓍢ִ🦷🍂🩻⋆
˖ 3.5 stars
started 07.08.25
finished 19.09.25 ౨ৎ
❝ian chandler was an angel, too pure to rot.❞
⁺‧𓍢ִ🦷🍂🩻⋆
March 12, 2024
I’m ultimately giving this one a 3.5, rounded up, because it did take a little while to get going, but the ending totally redeemed it. I cried. It was beautiful, scary and haunting, all at once.
The romance aspect of it was great, and I rooted for Ian to be able to tell Eric how he really felt about him. The angst! The longing!
One character did get on my nerves a bit, due to the “I know how to do everything ever” and “Let’s commit crimes because no one ever cared about us” vibes, but I loved how three of the characters really loved each other. This story has a wonderful message of recognizing that everyone has failures and makes mistakes, but we can find our people and create a community that means something.
Major shout out to the author for sheer inventiveness regarding the illness taking over the town. I was invested in seeing how it played out.
It’s important to note that this is a good opportunity to learn more about what it might be like to suffer from epilepsy and seizures. Leif gives vivid descriptions of Ian’s experiences with his disability and shows how it has affected his entire life. Any time I can learn more about what life is like from another person’s perspective, I take it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
The romance aspect of it was great, and I rooted for Ian to be able to tell Eric how he really felt about him. The angst! The longing!
One character did get on my nerves a bit, due to the “I know how to do everything ever” and “Let’s commit crimes because no one ever cared about us” vibes, but I loved how three of the characters really loved each other. This story has a wonderful message of recognizing that everyone has failures and makes mistakes, but we can find our people and create a community that means something.
Major shout out to the author for sheer inventiveness regarding the illness taking over the town. I was invested in seeing how it played out.
It’s important to note that this is a good opportunity to learn more about what it might be like to suffer from epilepsy and seizures. Leif gives vivid descriptions of Ian’s experiences with his disability and shows how it has affected his entire life. Any time I can learn more about what life is like from another person’s perspective, I take it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
July 27, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Take All of Us is a clever take on a sort of zombie/apocalyptic story that seeks to subvert the ways that disabled and neurodivergent people are often treated in disasters. The main character is Ian, a closeted gay kid with epilepsy and a huge crush on his best friend. They live in a town where the dead don't fully die right away, maybe because of something in the water. He's gearing up to finally confess his feelings when an evacuation alarm sounds. Ian has a seizure and wakes to find himself partly dead, teaming up with other misfits to survive. And his crush wants to mercy kill him.
It's a bit dark and gruesome at times, and a slower moving story. But I like what it's doing. It pushes back on ideas about who deserves life, at what point it's valuable, and who could survive. I would recommend it! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Take All of Us is a clever take on a sort of zombie/apocalyptic story that seeks to subvert the ways that disabled and neurodivergent people are often treated in disasters. The main character is Ian, a closeted gay kid with epilepsy and a huge crush on his best friend. They live in a town where the dead don't fully die right away, maybe because of something in the water. He's gearing up to finally confess his feelings when an evacuation alarm sounds. Ian has a seizure and wakes to find himself partly dead, teaming up with other misfits to survive. And his crush wants to mercy kill him.
It's a bit dark and gruesome at times, and a slower moving story. But I like what it's doing. It pushes back on ideas about who deserves life, at what point it's valuable, and who could survive. I would recommend it! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 5, 2024
4.5 stars.
Kicking my Halloween reads off right. rtc!
Kicking my Halloween reads off right. rtc!
June 4, 2024
2024 reads: 152/250
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
five years ago, ian’s west virginia hometown’s water supply became poisoned by a parasite, causing those who drink unfiltered water to become empty shells of themselves. when an emergency evacuation causes ian to die…and then come back…he’s separated from his best friend/crush eric, and sets out to find him and tell him his feelings before he goes.
unfortunately, this was lacking quite a bit of depth that would have made this a five-star read for me. i would’ve loved more information about the water supply and undead situation, though enough information was given to understand the gist of what was going on. i also didn’t quite connect with the writing style at some points.
now that the negative parts are out of the way, here’s what i enjoyed! i loved that this was set in my home state of west virginia, and i’ll admit this is something that originally drew me to the book. this was set in a different part of the state, but i still could imagine the setting quite well.
i also loved all the disability representation and discussions on disability that were present throughout the novel. our main character, ian, has epilepsy and chronic migraines. he’s joined by monica, who’s chronically ill and uses a cane, and angel, who i believe is autistic (though this label is not used). there’s discussions about how they were left behind as evacuation plans, unfortunately, aren’t typically inclusive. in general, i loved this trio and seeing their friendship grow throughout the novel.
i’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA horror.
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
five years ago, ian’s west virginia hometown’s water supply became poisoned by a parasite, causing those who drink unfiltered water to become empty shells of themselves. when an emergency evacuation causes ian to die…and then come back…he’s separated from his best friend/crush eric, and sets out to find him and tell him his feelings before he goes.
unfortunately, this was lacking quite a bit of depth that would have made this a five-star read for me. i would’ve loved more information about the water supply and undead situation, though enough information was given to understand the gist of what was going on. i also didn’t quite connect with the writing style at some points.
now that the negative parts are out of the way, here’s what i enjoyed! i loved that this was set in my home state of west virginia, and i’ll admit this is something that originally drew me to the book. this was set in a different part of the state, but i still could imagine the setting quite well.
i also loved all the disability representation and discussions on disability that were present throughout the novel. our main character, ian, has epilepsy and chronic migraines. he’s joined by monica, who’s chronically ill and uses a cane, and angel, who i believe is autistic (though this label is not used). there’s discussions about how they were left behind as evacuation plans, unfortunately, aren’t typically inclusive. in general, i loved this trio and seeing their friendship grow throughout the novel.
i’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA horror.
May 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
This was probably one of the fastest moving books I’ve ever read. It’s a quick read that packed a punch. I really enjoyed this premise, but I always sit back and think “if there was something that could make me a zombie if I drank the water in my town, I would just leave.” Like why are people staying?
We unfortunately don’t get a big look at the friendship between Ian and Eric since everything happens so fast. I was expecting some character building to happen first but nope! Like I said it moves super fast. The side characters were interesting even if we don’t really see much of them either.
I also LOVED the disability rep. Ian gets seizures and feels like a burden to his family and best friend Eric. He feels second to Monica, who is pretty and seems like she has it all together even though she walks with a cane. Them teaming up together was so sweet. Angel telling them they are allowed to be selfish and take up space and act human even though they are disabled got me in my feels.
This is such an interesting twist on the zombie genre and I had a fun time reading it. I actually thought it was going to make me cry a few times. A good debut for sure!
This was probably one of the fastest moving books I’ve ever read. It’s a quick read that packed a punch. I really enjoyed this premise, but I always sit back and think “if there was something that could make me a zombie if I drank the water in my town, I would just leave.” Like why are people staying?
We unfortunately don’t get a big look at the friendship between Ian and Eric since everything happens so fast. I was expecting some character building to happen first but nope! Like I said it moves super fast. The side characters were interesting even if we don’t really see much of them either.
I also LOVED the disability rep. Ian gets seizures and feels like a burden to his family and best friend Eric. He feels second to Monica, who is pretty and seems like she has it all together even though she walks with a cane. Them teaming up together was so sweet. Angel telling them they are allowed to be selfish and take up space and act human even though they are disabled got me in my feels.
This is such an interesting twist on the zombie genre and I had a fun time reading it. I actually thought it was going to make me cry a few times. A good debut for sure!
September 8, 2024
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: brain damage & memory loss, plague, medical neglect, abandonment, cannibalism, eye trauma, seizures, drowning, references to pets dying/pet abandonment, fire/immolation, self inflicted injuries
3.8
I'm a big fan of the growing disability representation in fiction, and I especially love to see it in fantasy and in horror- so I was excited for this! I love that we gt to focus on an event like this through the eyes of the underappreciated, undervalued, underestimated, and eternally adaptable. It was great to see the representation, and better to see it as a theme.
I also thought that it succeeded aesthetically. The whole "oil" thing is really unique and gets at the senses right away, and the description of the Big Bad was incredibly eerie and definitely stuck with me.
I was ready to write off the romance portion on this book- from the way this whole thing starts, I thought it was pretty clear how this was going to go. However, I really loved how Leif brought in Eric's POV, and pushed the story's continuation past the obvious.
What keeps this book from being excellent, for me, is that while it as plenty of big ideas, the themes for the most part aren't really fully developed. There's a lot of announcements but the follow through beyond that is fairly weak for the most part. I also, while enjoying most of the last section, didn't really see how the ending made any sense, which threw me.
Pre-review comments below
APOCALYPTIC HORROR WITH BOYS COMING BACK TO LIFE TO HUNT DOWN THE BEST FRIEND/LOVER WHO LEFT HIM WHILE SAID BOY STALKS HIM DOWN TO MERCY KILL HIM??????
TW: brain damage & memory loss, plague, medical neglect, abandonment, cannibalism, eye trauma, seizures, drowning, references to pets dying/pet abandonment, fire/immolation, self inflicted injuries
3.8
I'm a big fan of the growing disability representation in fiction, and I especially love to see it in fantasy and in horror- so I was excited for this! I love that we gt to focus on an event like this through the eyes of the underappreciated, undervalued, underestimated, and eternally adaptable. It was great to see the representation, and better to see it as a theme.
I also thought that it succeeded aesthetically. The whole "oil" thing is really unique and gets at the senses right away, and the description of the Big Bad was incredibly eerie and definitely stuck with me.
I was ready to write off the romance portion on this book- from the way this whole thing starts, I thought it was pretty clear how this was going to go. However, I really loved how Leif brought in Eric's POV, and pushed the story's continuation past the obvious.
What keeps this book from being excellent, for me, is that while it as plenty of big ideas, the themes for the most part aren't really fully developed. There's a lot of announcements but the follow through beyond that is fairly weak for the most part. I also, while enjoying most of the last section, didn't really see how the ending made any sense, which threw me.
Pre-review comments below
APOCALYPTIC HORROR WITH BOYS COMING BACK TO LIFE TO HUNT DOWN THE BEST FRIEND/LOVER WHO LEFT HIM WHILE SAID BOY STALKS HIM DOWN TO MERCY KILL HIM??????
May 2, 2024
Take All of Us had my heart in a stranglehold. Tears were shed.
The kids are not alright...and that's okay. There's fantastic disability, neurodiversity, and queer rep. I love that these characteristics are very intentional and central to the story. Leif centers each character's identity and loudly denounces inspiration p*rn.
There is no shortage of gross-out body horror and cosmic horror between the heartwarming moments. I found myself pacing just to release some of the tension Leif builds so well. I highly recommend this book for both YA and adult readers, especially fans of queer horror.
Thank you so much to Leif, Holiday House, and NetGalley for the chance to check this ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
The kids are not alright...and that's okay. There's fantastic disability, neurodiversity, and queer rep. I love that these characteristics are very intentional and central to the story. Leif centers each character's identity and loudly denounces inspiration p*rn.
There is no shortage of gross-out body horror and cosmic horror between the heartwarming moments. I found myself pacing just to release some of the tension Leif builds so well. I highly recommend this book for both YA and adult readers, especially fans of queer horror.
Thank you so much to Leif, Holiday House, and NetGalley for the chance to check this ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
March 28, 2024
I really wanted to like this book but for me it was a DNF about 40%. It was hard to get into and I kept trying and just wasn’t engaged. Based on the description I thought I would like it. Horror is not a genre I usually read but seemed like a YA horror with romance might be up my alley.
It jumped into the action really quick and it talked about how Ian cared so much about Eric but I felt like we never got to see that. I think I might have liked it better if we got a better sense of their background and relationship before it just dived right in. YA books written in 1st person are real hit or miss for me and maybe I just need to move on from trying to like them. I also felt like the world building was pretty vague and maybe if I had finished it would be better but at 40% through I was still really confused what being dead meant and what caused it.
Thanks to negalley and the published for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! While this book was not for me there might be others than really enjoy it.
It jumped into the action really quick and it talked about how Ian cared so much about Eric but I felt like we never got to see that. I think I might have liked it better if we got a better sense of their background and relationship before it just dived right in. YA books written in 1st person are real hit or miss for me and maybe I just need to move on from trying to like them. I also felt like the world building was pretty vague and maybe if I had finished it would be better but at 40% through I was still really confused what being dead meant and what caused it.
Thanks to negalley and the published for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! While this book was not for me there might be others than really enjoy it.
March 28, 2024
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!!
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
You learn early on that Ian is going to die die and you spend the rest of the book dreading that moment.
This book was excellent. The only reason I didn’t read it in one sitting is because I did not want it to end. It was The Walking Dead mixed in a little bit with Warm Bodies and was reminiscent of Roanoke and croatin. It was just a great read.
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
You learn early on that Ian is going to die die and you spend the rest of the book dreading that moment.
This book was excellent. The only reason I didn’t read it in one sitting is because I did not want it to end. It was The Walking Dead mixed in a little bit with Warm Bodies and was reminiscent of Roanoke and croatin. It was just a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2024
EEEEE squealingggoh my gosh DISABILITY ACTIVISM is ALIVE and WELL my friends have no fear! Oh my gosh... how do I even speak... my newest bestie Natalie Leif just whipped up the perfect recipe and told the story of my HEART that I didn't even know was there?! This was beautiful oh my gosh why is no one giving this love? Please do because it is so good!! Is it an epic well-developed saga? Nah dude! It's just a quirky story about disabled kids learning to take up space and be gentle to each other and themselves and also there are zombies but in a lowkey way and somehow this sucker is more riveting than my failure to come up with metaphors late at night after finishing a book late at night... I know, not my best. There's a word I love, and that word is looseleft, which is the abandoned and forlorn but somehow joyful feeling of closing the book on the characters you loved so much. And this is how I feel, after breathlessly taking in the fact that someone else knew about these things?! That fact that we as disabled people are not allowed to be selfish or incapable or rebellious because it would be such a disappointment to the world's image of us as being so flexible, patient, inspirational! And this vague sense of competition and almost threat you feel, or are ingrained to feel, as you see another disabled person because you feel like there's never been enough room for the both of you but there is room and there always has been and you don't have to wait for some perfection for that to happen. And I've never resonated and seen myself like this because I've never read a disabled character starring in a romance where it was okay if they were imperfect? And I know that sounds obvious but that particular brand of acceptance and joy even in the midst of this awful world just HIT so deeply for me? Oh this was just everything to me... I loved every choice this author made and my only complaint is that I want MORE IMMEDIATELY please and THANK YOU! I could talk for hours but for now I will just say thank you and also pick this book up if it sounds even remotely appealing because it will wrap you in a little blanket and take you on a wild journey and then gently deposit you back into your body LOL and that was not my best description because, again, it's late at night... but trust me on this one folks. The girls that get it, get it. And I hope you can read this and get it too and that this book can find its audience because it does exist, and we have seen proof of that today because I am in LOVE!
November 6, 2024
Take All of Us by Natalie Leif
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or (9/10)
Characters - 8
I appreciated the MC's character development and most of the characters I enjoyed. There were two that I had to be patient with. One of them I enjoyed more as the story went on because I saw their issues and perspective, but the other one I still didn't fully like at the end because of their attitude and views on different things.
Atmosphere - 8
The atmosphere was chaotic, but in a good way. I was definitely on my toes with this one because it was almost like you didn't catch a break from the chaos. But despite the dark, eerie, and suspenseful mood, as well as the depressing and urgent tone most of the time, I really enjoyed the book.
Writing - 10
The descriptiveness was phenomenal and on point. I could imagine the scenes in my head vividly, so the emphasis on detail was perfect.
Plot - 9
From reading the summary, I thought it'd be a nice plot, but when I actually read the book, I was not expecting the plot to become more complex and loaded, in a good way. I feel like there could have been a little bit more though towards the end, but otherwise, the plot was intense and amazing.
Intrigue - 10
I was hooked from the first few sentences which rarely happens for me, and I kept wanting to read it to see what would happen as the story progressed. There was never a dull moment with this book and I appreciated that.
Logic - 8
For the most part, the plot and characters were logical. There were a few parts where I was like huh...why that or why this? But overall, everything made sense.
Enjoyment - 10
This book kept me in a good mood all day so I definitely enjoyed this book. The triggering elements and darker topics didn't bother me as much as I thought they would, and the progression from bittersweet to a nice ending was great as well. I wish the ending continued on because I really loved the book, but again, it still ended nicely.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or (9/10)
Characters - 8
I appreciated the MC's character development and most of the characters I enjoyed. There were two that I had to be patient with. One of them I enjoyed more as the story went on because I saw their issues and perspective, but the other one I still didn't fully like at the end because of their attitude and views on different things.
Atmosphere - 8
The atmosphere was chaotic, but in a good way. I was definitely on my toes with this one because it was almost like you didn't catch a break from the chaos. But despite the dark, eerie, and suspenseful mood, as well as the depressing and urgent tone most of the time, I really enjoyed the book.
Writing - 10
The descriptiveness was phenomenal and on point. I could imagine the scenes in my head vividly, so the emphasis on detail was perfect.
Plot - 9
From reading the summary, I thought it'd be a nice plot, but when I actually read the book, I was not expecting the plot to become more complex and loaded, in a good way. I feel like there could have been a little bit more though towards the end, but otherwise, the plot was intense and amazing.
Intrigue - 10
I was hooked from the first few sentences which rarely happens for me, and I kept wanting to read it to see what would happen as the story progressed. There was never a dull moment with this book and I appreciated that.
Logic - 8
For the most part, the plot and characters were logical. There were a few parts where I was like huh...why that or why this? But overall, everything made sense.
Enjoyment - 10
This book kept me in a good mood all day so I definitely enjoyed this book. The triggering elements and darker topics didn't bother me as much as I thought they would, and the progression from bittersweet to a nice ending was great as well. I wish the ending continued on because I really loved the book, but again, it still ended nicely.
Want to read
October 16, 2023So excited for this!! I've read snippets as I'm in a group with the author online, and y'all. It's so good.
May 9, 2024
A book that keeps me anxious and guessing until the last page automatically earns five stars. That’s exactly what Natalie Leif’s Take All of Us did to me. I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next or how the story would end. Imagine watching a TV show and always playing the next episode because you just need to know what happens next. That was the case with Take All of Us. But it wasn't because of cheap cliffhangers. Far from it. In this book, every logical conclusion points in a certain direction until the story reminds the reader of an important overlooked detail. That’s when said reader will respond with, “Oh, right. But then this would mean... oh no!”
What personally sold the book to me was Ian. He was the type of protagonist that resonated with me from the start. He reminded me of my teenage self in many ways: the angst, the anxiety, and the need to confess one’s feelings to someone special. It’s just the teenage longing for a victory in an otherwise frustrating week, and man did I want Ian to have that win.
The cast of characters was amazing, each with their own distinct personality. So much so, that I could always tell who was speaking without needing a dialogue tag because each voice was so unique. The Ian-Eric dynamic was incredible and very believable because this is a book where teenagers feel like actual teenagers!
I was also quite impressed by the world-building aspect of the story. Usually, in horror, I take everything at face value and focus more on the impact of the horror elements. But I found myself genuinely interested in the mechanics of Leif’s world and how everything that led to the current situation operates within the rules they established. So the SFF nerd in me was pleasantly surprised.
One last thing I want to mention is the representation. I usually don’t focus on it in my reviews because I believe that the world and its people are diverse, and it shouldn’t be something that stands out in fiction anymore. But I must commend Leif for going the extra mile here. I genuinely felt like I walked away from this book having learned something new about life experiences different from my own, simply by watching the characters interact with the world and each other.
Take All of Us stole my heart from the start. It’s a story that is surprisingly deep, and its themes have stayed with me long after I turned the last page. As gory as it can get, it’s also quite humorous at times. But for me, Take All of Us shines brightest when it gets serious, and the themes start to take center stage. There were a couple of scenes that brought me to tears—a certain scene involving a letter comes to mind. This is an incredible debut by Natalie Leif. It’s a story I am sure to revisit multiple times in the future, and for that, it deserves five glowing stars.
What personally sold the book to me was Ian. He was the type of protagonist that resonated with me from the start. He reminded me of my teenage self in many ways: the angst, the anxiety, and the need to confess one’s feelings to someone special. It’s just the teenage longing for a victory in an otherwise frustrating week, and man did I want Ian to have that win.
The cast of characters was amazing, each with their own distinct personality. So much so, that I could always tell who was speaking without needing a dialogue tag because each voice was so unique. The Ian-Eric dynamic was incredible and very believable because this is a book where teenagers feel like actual teenagers!
I was also quite impressed by the world-building aspect of the story. Usually, in horror, I take everything at face value and focus more on the impact of the horror elements. But I found myself genuinely interested in the mechanics of Leif’s world and how everything that led to the current situation operates within the rules they established. So the SFF nerd in me was pleasantly surprised.
One last thing I want to mention is the representation. I usually don’t focus on it in my reviews because I believe that the world and its people are diverse, and it shouldn’t be something that stands out in fiction anymore. But I must commend Leif for going the extra mile here. I genuinely felt like I walked away from this book having learned something new about life experiences different from my own, simply by watching the characters interact with the world and each other.
Take All of Us stole my heart from the start. It’s a story that is surprisingly deep, and its themes have stayed with me long after I turned the last page. As gory as it can get, it’s also quite humorous at times. But for me, Take All of Us shines brightest when it gets serious, and the themes start to take center stage. There were a couple of scenes that brought me to tears—a certain scene involving a letter comes to mind. This is an incredible debut by Natalie Leif. It’s a story I am sure to revisit multiple times in the future, and for that, it deserves five glowing stars.
July 9, 2024
3.65 stars rounded up.
I rlly liked the disability rep in this. The storyline and characters were well written and it was overall a great book. However, I hated the ship. I’m gonna be so real about it, how tf do you get over your man leaving you after you died and then, with some new random fucking accomplice, aiming to murder you not once BUT TWICE. Bitch. Nah. Absolutely tf not. He did not deserve forgiveness for that especially so fast. The man just had a knife on u???? Bro come on. I was expecting with the betray and all at first that he was going to end up with Monica, but to forgive that bitch? No. I simply do not understand. Even if he was afraid after you died… he knew you were coming back dazed and confused yet he left you there in the middle of a big warning alone in a mall to figure it all out yourself? That’s so fucked.
Also, the end? I didn’t like the use of the God thingy. Like it felt like a cop out for what was happening to the town. Way too simple and easily explainable. While the dead people and magic system seemed so interesting, that kinda ruined it for me.
I still really liked reading this book and it was a very easy book to read, but there are definitely some criticisms to be had.
I rlly liked the disability rep in this. The storyline and characters were well written and it was overall a great book. However, I hated the ship. I’m gonna be so real about it, how tf do you get over your man leaving you after you died and then, with some new random fucking accomplice, aiming to murder you not once BUT TWICE. Bitch. Nah. Absolutely tf not. He did not deserve forgiveness for that especially so fast. The man just had a knife on u???? Bro come on. I was expecting with the betray and all at first that he was going to end up with Monica, but to forgive that bitch? No. I simply do not understand. Even if he was afraid after you died… he knew you were coming back dazed and confused yet he left you there in the middle of a big warning alone in a mall to figure it all out yourself? That’s so fucked.
Also, the end? I didn’t like the use of the God thingy. Like it felt like a cop out for what was happening to the town. Way too simple and easily explainable. While the dead people and magic system seemed so interesting, that kinda ruined it for me.
I still really liked reading this book and it was a very easy book to read, but there are definitely some criticisms to be had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
Five years ago, Ian's west Virginia hometown’s water supply became poisoned by a parasite, causing those who drink unfiltered water to become empty shells of themselves. When an emergency evacuation causes Ian to die…and then come back…he’s separated from his best friend/crush Eric, and sets out to find him and tell him his feelings before he goes.
This book had great disability representation and discussions about disability. Our main character Ian has epilepsy and chronic migraines. Monica is also chronically ill and uses a cane. Angel who is autistic. But I will say I wish the characters would have had a bit more depth to them.
The plot was interesting but I wish we would have had the chance to learn more about the water supply situation and about the undead in general. However the book was a really fast paced and entertaining story.
This book had great disability representation and discussions about disability. Our main character Ian has epilepsy and chronic migraines. Monica is also chronically ill and uses a cane. Angel who is autistic. But I will say I wish the characters would have had a bit more depth to them.
The plot was interesting but I wish we would have had the chance to learn more about the water supply situation and about the undead in general. However the book was a really fast paced and entertaining story.
March 12, 2024
I receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a unique take on a “zombie” novel. To be dead without being “all-the-way dead”. Blackened eyes and a body slowly beginning to rot away while you are still coherent enough to know you don’t want it to; until finally, that piece of you that you still had left in your mind starts to decay as well.
Ian, our main character, is an epileptic who dies in a mall water fountain after a seizure. He wakes up knowing he is dead, but not ready to leave his life yet without telling his best friend that he loves him. Along the way, he teams up with Monica and Angel. Two girls that are imperative to him taking his first steps forward in his “new life”.
There is a ton of character growth within these 250 pages between both Ian and his party of stranglers. A fun and fast read about what it means to allow yourself the freedom to live for yourself and to take up space.
This book was such a unique take on a “zombie” novel. To be dead without being “all-the-way dead”. Blackened eyes and a body slowly beginning to rot away while you are still coherent enough to know you don’t want it to; until finally, that piece of you that you still had left in your mind starts to decay as well.
Ian, our main character, is an epileptic who dies in a mall water fountain after a seizure. He wakes up knowing he is dead, but not ready to leave his life yet without telling his best friend that he loves him. Along the way, he teams up with Monica and Angel. Two girls that are imperative to him taking his first steps forward in his “new life”.
There is a ton of character growth within these 250 pages between both Ian and his party of stranglers. A fun and fast read about what it means to allow yourself the freedom to live for yourself and to take up space.
April 6, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!
In all honesty, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. When I started reading and realized the characters' ages, I was scared that this book would be more young than adult, and that I wouldn't fully get into the story - however, I actually did.
This novel manages to combine the gore-y and dark bits of horror, and the overall ethical questions that come with any story about life and death, with the the feel of a found family YA trope. It was a bit slow at some points but once I got into it, I actually devoured it.
Of course, it's still YA, which means it has a teenage vibe to it (which is not a bad thing, teenagers also need to have good stories). The fact that the three main characters were disabled and had honest conversations on what it means to take up space without guilt was very cool to me - it really is nice to see these topics in YA stories.
In all honesty, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. When I started reading and realized the characters' ages, I was scared that this book would be more young than adult, and that I wouldn't fully get into the story - however, I actually did.
This novel manages to combine the gore-y and dark bits of horror, and the overall ethical questions that come with any story about life and death, with the the feel of a found family YA trope. It was a bit slow at some points but once I got into it, I actually devoured it.
Of course, it's still YA, which means it has a teenage vibe to it (which is not a bad thing, teenagers also need to have good stories). The fact that the three main characters were disabled and had honest conversations on what it means to take up space without guilt was very cool to me - it really is nice to see these topics in YA stories.
June 19, 2024
Take All of Us has a gay and more sentient Warm Bodies-esque for the covid era feel to it, with the bonus of a disability theme that lends itself to a thematic worry about feeling like a burden to those around you. The book centers the aftermath of a small town West Virginia emergency evacuation that for a good portion of the book remains a mystery as to what exactly the emergency is to those left behind. Coincidentally, I grew up in a small town with a nuclear plant, and we came very close to emergency evacuation when I was in my teens, to the point where meet-up points were being discussed should the town pull the trigger on the evac. Because of my experience, Take All of Us gave me a very strange nostalgic feel (despite not being at all related to a nuclear disaster)--though I doubt most readers would get that sensation! The characters are fun and very well defined, and Leif's prose is lovely.
July 3, 2024
This was disappointing. :\
This review is just surface-level thoughts I have almost two weeks after finishing this book.
I felt the writing was lacking connection, depth, and clear purpose.
The relationship felt forced, most all the representation felt forced.... the only redeeming element was Morgantown wasn't one of the cities mentioned in a WV-based book. If I had to read about "the Huntington shirt" one more time I was going to bite my Kindle (threat). There was so much potential for this to be more than a tropey, surface-level exploration of disability, chronic illness, rural poverty & classicism... the zombies weren't even that good, especially not when you add that "twist" ending.
This review is just surface-level thoughts I have almost two weeks after finishing this book.
I felt the writing was lacking connection, depth, and clear purpose.
The relationship felt forced, most all the representation felt forced.... the only redeeming element was Morgantown wasn't one of the cities mentioned in a WV-based book. If I had to read about "the Huntington shirt" one more time I was going to bite my Kindle (threat). There was so much potential for this to be more than a tropey, surface-level exploration of disability, chronic illness, rural poverty & classicism... the zombies weren't even that good, especially not when you add that "twist" ending.
March 21, 2024
TAKE ALL OF US is a wonderfully queer, PoC, and disabled apocalyptic horror.
That being said, I felt the plot was paced strangely, and the dialogue, despite containing heavy swears, felt largely middle grade. I did enjoy how empowering the book was.
The internal monologue was very “tell” rather than “show”, which made it annoying at times. The characters act contradictory at times, and while there is an attempt to characterise them, they remain homogenous.
I loved the disabled representation. I loved the metaphor of zombies being marginalised. I loved the idea of found family whole having a loving family. I just feel like it could be done better.
That being said, I felt the plot was paced strangely, and the dialogue, despite containing heavy swears, felt largely middle grade. I did enjoy how empowering the book was.
The internal monologue was very “tell” rather than “show”, which made it annoying at times. The characters act contradictory at times, and while there is an attempt to characterise them, they remain homogenous.
I loved the disabled representation. I loved the metaphor of zombies being marginalised. I loved the idea of found family whole having a loving family. I just feel like it could be done better.
April 29, 2024
Copy for review from NetGalley
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I didn't really like the book. About 50 pages in the biggest goal the main character had was reached. Another 50 pages another big goal was reached and then the story just lay flat. And I didn't feel like there was any motivation to let the story continue. It felt very unmotivated and I didn't like it. Only the last 50 pages were filled with some type of motivation and goals for the characters, and still reaching that goal was very vague and it didn't really make sense.
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I didn't really like the book. About 50 pages in the biggest goal the main character had was reached. Another 50 pages another big goal was reached and then the story just lay flat. And I didn't feel like there was any motivation to let the story continue. It felt very unmotivated and I didn't like it. Only the last 50 pages were filled with some type of motivation and goals for the characters, and still reaching that goal was very vague and it didn't really make sense.
March 15, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for sending me this ARC!
3.8/5 stars!
Soooo... I do feel like the marketing on this is a little off, but NOT because the book is bad. On the other hand, the book was very good! I just think it shouldn't be classified as horror, and more of an action adventure YA kind of read. I don't really read horror in the first place (I'm a scared little baby lol), and when I requested this book I had NO IDEA that I had requested a horror book. As I read, I couldn't tell that it was going for a horror-esque theme, because while it was pretty graphic, it wasn't SCARY. Most of the scenes that carried a lot of suspense were detailed and gory, but it wasn't like "grip your armrests and sit at the edge of your seats kiddos, this is gonna be one helluva ride!" effect. It was more of a "oh, that was strange. Interesting for sure, but very strange." And most of the gore is balanced out by the romance as well, so it doesn't hit as hard as it could (which was a good thig for me because I can't handle that kind of thing, but bad for people who prefer it!) This was a very intriguing book to read, and while I came into it totally blind, it was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed how the characters stayed true to their ages in the actions that they performed and the dialogue, but some of the plot did fall a bit flat for me (in some scenarios there were a few plot holes and other ares that didn't entirely tie up loose ends) but despite the issues I found, this was an incredibly enjoyable read! Starting off the book was already going strong, with Ian and Eric's introduction and the death of Mr. Owens kicking off the whole 'infection' idea. The premise was very promising as soon as I finished chapter one! Ian's epilepsy is what causes the major problem of the book (aka his death), however I took a little bit of issue with Natalie Leif kind of "picking and choosing" when she wanted the epilepsy to be THERE and mentioned, and when it almost felt like he didn't have it at all. Another issue I had, was that Angel as a character was very unlikeable and while it is eventually established to be a coping mechanism of childhood trauma, we didn't really see her grow as a character which didn't really develop a connection to her. Another issue I had was with PLOTHOLES. Ian forgets things (as the dead are meant to do in this novel) however almost immediately in the next chapter it is almost as if he never forgot anything at all. This was a bit confusing for the reader, because it was a little bit of a "wait, what? But didn't he just... And now he is... The blue sedan? Whatever." kind of feeling you get as you read. Which, by all means, was not a terrible thing at all. It just gave off a little bit of an unpolished aspect.
Anyways, since I've summarized all of that, here are my in depth likes and dislikes!
LIKES:
- Ian and Eric were sooooo cute! I absolutely adored both of them, and I found it very sweet every single time they interacted. (I do kind of wonder about the kiss with Ian being dead and everything, like... Does that spread the parasite to Eric? Idk... Idk if I want to think about that)
- Monica and Ian were totally bsf feeling, enemies to friends is totally something I can get behind. I really love how their disabilities shaped them into the person they are in the book, and even though it was really only a one sided enemy kind of thing I did really feel the connection between them. They had chemistry as friends, and it should be a more established thing with authors creating perfect friends and not creating a romance between them!
- Ian's whole thought process and feelings of guilt were very tough topics. He often thinks he isn't good enough for able bodied people throughout the book, but his character development definitely showed the evolution of his actions and inner monologue. He was a deep character who wasn't written to be too complicated for a teenager, and I applaud the author for portraying him so raw and clear.
-
- The world building, while murky at times, was really interesting! The author enables this amazing world of zombies that aren't really zombies to exist, and I think this was super clever and fun to read about.
DISLIKES:
- I pretty much summarized it all in my overview, but the plot warped a little bit and it was hard to keep up with.
OVERALL, this book was really enjoyable (though I don't recommend reading it at night because it may or may not give you existential crisis) and while its not exactly a multiple reads kind of thing, its great for picking up pretty quickly. I read this book in the span of three days with about an hour and a half designated to it everyday, and it was a great cooldown sort of book to read as I ate dinner or did some work. Love the author's work, as a debut novel you should be very proud! I would totally read some more of Natalie's work in the future, this was extremely impressive!
3.8/5 stars!
Soooo... I do feel like the marketing on this is a little off, but NOT because the book is bad. On the other hand, the book was very good! I just think it shouldn't be classified as horror, and more of an action adventure YA kind of read. I don't really read horror in the first place (I'm a scared little baby lol), and when I requested this book I had NO IDEA that I had requested a horror book. As I read, I couldn't tell that it was going for a horror-esque theme, because while it was pretty graphic, it wasn't SCARY. Most of the scenes that carried a lot of suspense were detailed and gory, but it wasn't like "grip your armrests and sit at the edge of your seats kiddos, this is gonna be one helluva ride!" effect. It was more of a "oh, that was strange. Interesting for sure, but very strange." And most of the gore is balanced out by the romance as well, so it doesn't hit as hard as it could (which was a good thig for me because I can't handle that kind of thing, but bad for people who prefer it!) This was a very intriguing book to read, and while I came into it totally blind, it was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed how the characters stayed true to their ages in the actions that they performed and the dialogue, but some of the plot did fall a bit flat for me (in some scenarios there were a few plot holes and other ares that didn't entirely tie up loose ends) but despite the issues I found, this was an incredibly enjoyable read! Starting off the book was already going strong, with Ian and Eric's introduction and the death of Mr. Owens kicking off the whole 'infection' idea. The premise was very promising as soon as I finished chapter one! Ian's epilepsy is what causes the major problem of the book (aka his death), however I took a little bit of issue with Natalie Leif kind of "picking and choosing" when she wanted the epilepsy to be THERE and mentioned, and when it almost felt like he didn't have it at all. Another issue I had, was that Angel as a character was very unlikeable and while it is eventually established to be a coping mechanism of childhood trauma, we didn't really see her grow as a character which didn't really develop a connection to her. Another issue I had was with PLOTHOLES. Ian forgets things (as the dead are meant to do in this novel) however almost immediately in the next chapter it is almost as if he never forgot anything at all. This was a bit confusing for the reader, because it was a little bit of a "wait, what? But didn't he just... And now he is... The blue sedan? Whatever." kind of feeling you get as you read. Which, by all means, was not a terrible thing at all. It just gave off a little bit of an unpolished aspect.
Anyways, since I've summarized all of that, here are my in depth likes and dislikes!
LIKES:
- Ian and Eric were sooooo cute! I absolutely adored both of them, and I found it very sweet every single time they interacted. (I do kind of wonder about the kiss with Ian being dead and everything, like... Does that spread the parasite to Eric? Idk... Idk if I want to think about that)
- Monica and Ian were totally bsf feeling, enemies to friends is totally something I can get behind. I really love how their disabilities shaped them into the person they are in the book, and even though it was really only a one sided enemy kind of thing I did really feel the connection between them. They had chemistry as friends, and it should be a more established thing with authors creating perfect friends and not creating a romance between them!
- Ian's whole thought process and feelings of guilt were very tough topics. He often thinks he isn't good enough for able bodied people throughout the book, but his character development definitely showed the evolution of his actions and inner monologue. He was a deep character who wasn't written to be too complicated for a teenager, and I applaud the author for portraying him so raw and clear.
-
- The world building, while murky at times, was really interesting! The author enables this amazing world of zombies that aren't really zombies to exist, and I think this was super clever and fun to read about.
DISLIKES:
- I pretty much summarized it all in my overview, but the plot warped a little bit and it was hard to keep up with.
OVERALL, this book was really enjoyable (though I don't recommend reading it at night because it may or may not give you existential crisis) and while its not exactly a multiple reads kind of thing, its great for picking up pretty quickly. I read this book in the span of three days with about an hour and a half designated to it everyday, and it was a great cooldown sort of book to read as I ate dinner or did some work. Love the author's work, as a debut novel you should be very proud! I would totally read some more of Natalie's work in the future, this was extremely impressive!
March 28, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Take All of Us is a story about a ragtag group of disabled teens learning to let themselves take up space, set against the backdrop of an Appalachian small town where the dead refuse to stay dead.
There was a tonal dissonance in the book that I struggled with a bit. In the beginning the book reads very young, with the characters being on the lower end of the YA age range. I also noticed that some parts of the dialogue were much closer to actual spoken language, with contractions like "Pro'ly", "Couldn't've" and "Musta" almost disrupting the reading flow. The core moral of the story was also very on the nose, and could have used a bit more subtlety in the way it was communicated, further adding to the juvenile feel of the book. All of this is perfectly fine for a YA book, but led to me thinking that I've probably outgrown the younger end of the genre.
However, the further the book went on the more it grew into something I really enjoyed reading about. Natalie Leif conveys this atmosphere wonderfully with her prose; gorgeously vivid descriptions and paragraphs that made me pause to re-read or annotate them.
Not only does this theme of eldritch horror slowly twist and grow throughout the book, it was also wrapped up really well. The last 10% of the book shines not only with the way it was written, but also with the amazing end it offeres to a book whose plot could have easily been concluded poorly.
Unfortunately, this part of the novel only comes after the long stretch that is the first 75% of the novel that I struggled to enjoy. I sorely missed a common thread; a more central plot to make it feel less like I had to wade through a book that despite its potential hadn't decided what it wanted to be. Its more youthful traits make it virtually impossible to anticipate the darker, more imposing tone the novel takes on that, while really interesting, ends up fitting like an oversized jumper the book has yet to fully grow into.
To summmarize, Take All of Us is a diamond in the rough that could have used a bit more polishing in the form of thematic coherency, but nevertheless has some wonderful moments in its prose, plot and characters. It has a core message that I haven't seen before in a lot of media, and is going to mean a lot to people. It's a debut that shows a lot of promise, and I'm interested to see what Natalie Leif writes next.
I didn‘t know how to feel about being dead or being heartbroken. But I wanted to try figuring it out. I wanted to try doing everything I‘d never let myself do while alive. And if that meant doing it as a messy, rotting, undead corpse…
Fifteen years too late, a couple hours too late, and a town-wide evacuation too late, I wanted it.
Take All of Us is a story about a ragtag group of disabled teens learning to let themselves take up space, set against the backdrop of an Appalachian small town where the dead refuse to stay dead.
There was a tonal dissonance in the book that I struggled with a bit. In the beginning the book reads very young, with the characters being on the lower end of the YA age range. I also noticed that some parts of the dialogue were much closer to actual spoken language, with contractions like "Pro'ly", "Couldn't've" and "Musta" almost disrupting the reading flow. The core moral of the story was also very on the nose, and could have used a bit more subtlety in the way it was communicated, further adding to the juvenile feel of the book. All of this is perfectly fine for a YA book, but led to me thinking that I've probably outgrown the younger end of the genre.
However, the further the book went on the more it grew into something I really enjoyed reading about. Natalie Leif conveys this atmosphere wonderfully with her prose; gorgeously vivid descriptions and paragraphs that made me pause to re-read or annotate them.
I wanted to scream at them in holy tongues, scream about something, jamming everything I saw into words too impossibly small for it, like a million people speaking together into screaming noise, like the universe crammed into a single dying body, like a seizure lighting up every part of the brain at once, like a cigarette spark in a room full of oil.
Not only does this theme of eldritch horror slowly twist and grow throughout the book, it was also wrapped up really well. The last 10% of the book shines not only with the way it was written, but also with the amazing end it offeres to a book whose plot could have easily been concluded poorly.
Unfortunately, this part of the novel only comes after the long stretch that is the first 75% of the novel that I struggled to enjoy. I sorely missed a common thread; a more central plot to make it feel less like I had to wade through a book that despite its potential hadn't decided what it wanted to be. Its more youthful traits make it virtually impossible to anticipate the darker, more imposing tone the novel takes on that, while really interesting, ends up fitting like an oversized jumper the book has yet to fully grow into.
Damn the blood, damn the afterlife, damn death and all its rotting pieces. I loved him like a dog or a soldier, alert and upright before I‘d even thought about moving. I loved him like instinct.
To summmarize, Take All of Us is a diamond in the rough that could have used a bit more polishing in the form of thematic coherency, but nevertheless has some wonderful moments in its prose, plot and characters. It has a core message that I haven't seen before in a lot of media, and is going to mean a lot to people. It's a debut that shows a lot of promise, and I'm interested to see what Natalie Leif writes next.
May 3, 2024
So apparently I need to get back into the apocalypse genre because I forgot how enjoyable it can be, especially when paired with mild horror...
Take All of Us is a story about an apocalypse and what it means to take up space as a person. While I think the "horror" aspects were more "gore" than anything, I did really enjoy the world and the messages the story shared.
We follow Ian, an epileptic teen who just happens to hit his head and die at the beginning of this apocalypse, transforming him into what is basically a zombie-in-progress. He teams up with the handful of others left behind in the evacuation as they try to save their town - and Ian - from turning completely into the undead. There was a lot of build-up to an ending that might be considered by some to be unsatisfying or abrupt, but because it wraps up most of the loose ends, I was willing to accept it. (However, I do think it could be more in-depth because there are some moral issues that we just gloss over and accept without considering the consequences).
I really liked the found family vibes that developed throughout the story. Ian's personality reminded me a lot of some of my favorite characters, although I can't pinpoint exactly who. Angel was a bit annoying at times, but I didn't mind her or Monica and their developing friendship. Zoey didn't get much development, so I can't say much about her. However, I didn't trust Eric for, like, the whole story, and I see everyone else saying he's amazing, but I still got bad vibes from him that I struggled to ignore as the story progressed.
If you're looking for a YA sci-fi with apocalypse and found family elements with bits of romance, horror, and action, look no further than Take All of US.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
Take All of Us is a story about an apocalypse and what it means to take up space as a person. While I think the "horror" aspects were more "gore" than anything, I did really enjoy the world and the messages the story shared.
We follow Ian, an epileptic teen who just happens to hit his head and die at the beginning of this apocalypse, transforming him into what is basically a zombie-in-progress. He teams up with the handful of others left behind in the evacuation as they try to save their town - and Ian - from turning completely into the undead. There was a lot of build-up to an ending that might be considered by some to be unsatisfying or abrupt, but because it wraps up most of the loose ends, I was willing to accept it. (However, I do think it could be more in-depth because there are some moral issues that we just gloss over and accept without considering the consequences).
I really liked the found family vibes that developed throughout the story. Ian's personality reminded me a lot of some of my favorite characters, although I can't pinpoint exactly who. Angel was a bit annoying at times, but I didn't mind her or Monica and their developing friendship. Zoey didn't get much development, so I can't say much about her. However, I didn't trust Eric for, like, the whole story, and I see everyone else saying he's amazing, but I still got bad vibes from him that I struggled to ignore as the story progressed.
If you're looking for a YA sci-fi with apocalypse and found family elements with bits of romance, horror, and action, look no further than Take All of US.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
April 13, 2024
I was sent an ARC of this by NetGalley and in return, here is my honest review!
Take All of Us is perfect for those seeking a story following a misfit group of kids saving their town from the apocolypse. Themes, which include found friendship, adventure, horror and romance make this YA novel a warm hug. Even with the gore, I found myself amazed at the way Natalie Leif explains the undead almost in a whimsical, fascination for them.
I wish there was a chapter or two at the beginning of the book going through a day in their life before the events of where the book actually began. I think this would have added context that would allow an easier transition into the first chapter with Mr. Owens. Without understanding the undead and the dynamic of Monica/Ian and Eric/Ian, I think the book was harder to follow and too quick to start because of lack of context.
Even though it was fast to begin, I found myself enjoying following the characters through their town and discovering the truths of the evacuation that left them the only ones left.
My favourite part of the book was the message of 'taking up space'. I especially think Natalie Leif did an exceptional job at portraying this within a disabled persons point of view and even extending it through a queer lense as well. It added an extra strength within Ian, to use his past experiences in the healthcare system to overcome his problems.
Take All of Us is perfect for those seeking a story following a misfit group of kids saving their town from the apocolypse. Themes, which include found friendship, adventure, horror and romance make this YA novel a warm hug. Even with the gore, I found myself amazed at the way Natalie Leif explains the undead almost in a whimsical, fascination for them.
I wish there was a chapter or two at the beginning of the book going through a day in their life before the events of where the book actually began. I think this would have added context that would allow an easier transition into the first chapter with Mr. Owens. Without understanding the undead and the dynamic of Monica/Ian and Eric/Ian, I think the book was harder to follow and too quick to start because of lack of context.
Even though it was fast to begin, I found myself enjoying following the characters through their town and discovering the truths of the evacuation that left them the only ones left.
My favourite part of the book was the message of 'taking up space'. I especially think Natalie Leif did an exceptional job at portraying this within a disabled persons point of view and even extending it through a queer lense as well. It added an extra strength within Ian, to use his past experiences in the healthcare system to overcome his problems.
March 12, 2024
Oh god do I love horror books that are queer and centered around boys who are meek and learn not to let unfathomable horrors screw with them and keep them from having a life they never got to have but deserved to. If I had a nickel for every book I've read that had horror elements and a kickass cast of unruly teens I'd only have two nickels but it's weird that it happened twice, right?
I won't lie towards the end it got to my head a little bit and I was left wondering what the ever loving hell was going on, but I honestly think that adds to the mindfck of it all, the weirdness, the unease, the horror. I was driven to the end wondering, is he going to make it? I was driven through to each plot point wondering, is Zoey going to kill him? is he going to be betrayed? does Eric love him?
And I think a truly good book is one that not only captivates you, but smoothly takes you from one plot point to the next, and keeps you reading and reading because you just HAVE to know the answers to your burning questions.
I'm picky on my horror books, but I can trust authors like Leif, like Andrew Joseph White, to provide trippy, truly scary horror books paired with just a hint of love, justice, bittersweet, and the taking back of what was truly theirs all along.
I won't lie towards the end it got to my head a little bit and I was left wondering what the ever loving hell was going on, but I honestly think that adds to the mindfck of it all, the weirdness, the unease, the horror. I was driven to the end wondering, is he going to make it? I was driven through to each plot point wondering, is Zoey going to kill him? is he going to be betrayed? does Eric love him?
And I think a truly good book is one that not only captivates you, but smoothly takes you from one plot point to the next, and keeps you reading and reading because you just HAVE to know the answers to your burning questions.
I'm picky on my horror books, but I can trust authors like Leif, like Andrew Joseph White, to provide trippy, truly scary horror books paired with just a hint of love, justice, bittersweet, and the taking back of what was truly theirs all along.
June 4, 2024
2024 reads:137/124
I would say that this is more like 3.5-3.75 stars
negatives:
-I feel like the world-building wasn't the best and that there wasn't enough detail about the situation. there's enough explanation to be able to understand what's going on but I was still left not knowing how they were dead but "alive" and how Ian came back to life?? idk maybe it's just me and it was too confusing for me
-it was also maybe mismarketed? I wouldn't say this is horror, like it wasn't actually scary. if anything, it's more like a dystopian novel.
positives:
-short and sweet? (still can't tell if that's a good thing)
-great representation
- surprising sad, deep, and emotional.
-amazing characters!!! i loved ian as the main protagonist and then their cute little trio. i also love the found family aspects!!
-the ending. it was very nice and satisfying
^i enjoyed reading it and was wanting to know how it ended, but although the concept was pretty interesting and unique, the writing wasn't my favorite
also procrastination is amazing!! i finished this at 11 pm the night before this comes out :))
I would say that this is more like 3.5-3.75 stars
negatives:
-I feel like the world-building wasn't the best and that there wasn't enough detail about the situation. there's enough explanation to be able to understand what's going on but I was still left not knowing how they were dead but "alive" and how Ian came back to life?? idk maybe it's just me and it was too confusing for me
-it was also maybe mismarketed? I wouldn't say this is horror, like it wasn't actually scary. if anything, it's more like a dystopian novel.
positives:
-short and sweet? (still can't tell if that's a good thing)
-great representation
- surprising sad, deep, and emotional.
-amazing characters!!! i loved ian as the main protagonist and then their cute little trio. i also love the found family aspects!!
-the ending. it was very nice and satisfying
^i enjoyed reading it and was wanting to know how it ended, but although the concept was pretty interesting and unique, the writing wasn't my favorite
also procrastination is amazing!! i finished this at 11 pm the night before this comes out :))
June 5, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is an unusual book. There’s a bit of gore — with people dying, people falling apart, some light cannibalism — and some very angry conversations as the three of them face the reality of being abandoned. Angel is implied to have autism (it’s never stated, but the indicators are there), Monica has chronic pain and walks with a cane, and Ian has epilepsy. Monica and Ian know one another by sight, as they both had frequent trips to the hospital both as children and as adolescents, but they’ve never really talked until now.
There are a lot of thoughts on helplessness, on anger and grief, on injustice and frustration and acceptance. The subject matter, framed in an adventure story of a ragtag group of survivors, might be slightly weighty for some people. Even so, it’s a fun adventure with a new take on the undead, the process of dying ((and no dying), and the bonds of friendship formed in adversity.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is an unusual book. There’s a bit of gore — with people dying, people falling apart, some light cannibalism — and some very angry conversations as the three of them face the reality of being abandoned. Angel is implied to have autism (it’s never stated, but the indicators are there), Monica has chronic pain and walks with a cane, and Ian has epilepsy. Monica and Ian know one another by sight, as they both had frequent trips to the hospital both as children and as adolescents, but they’ve never really talked until now.
There are a lot of thoughts on helplessness, on anger and grief, on injustice and frustration and acceptance. The subject matter, framed in an adventure story of a ragtag group of survivors, might be slightly weighty for some people. Even so, it’s a fun adventure with a new take on the undead, the process of dying ((and no dying), and the bonds of friendship formed in adversity.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
June 25, 2024
ian wants to tell his best friend that he loves him, but tragedy happens before he can. dead, but still around, ian must find him, confess his love and not lose himself all while trying to work out what has happened to the small town of kittakoop.
this story moved fast, with so much happening, but it worked really well. it drew me in from the very beginning and kept me there. it had me on the edge of my seat, nervously waiting to see what was going to happen. the writing was done so beautifully, but at times it was too poetic and made it hard to follow. the characters were likeable and seeing their friendships grow was lovely. it gave us the perfect found family, had arguments with each other but still wanted to do anything to protect each other. i loved it a lot.
overall, it was an interesting story which kept me on the edge of my seat. however, some moments were confusing and hard to follow, but still a very enjoyable read!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
this story moved fast, with so much happening, but it worked really well. it drew me in from the very beginning and kept me there. it had me on the edge of my seat, nervously waiting to see what was going to happen. the writing was done so beautifully, but at times it was too poetic and made it hard to follow. the characters were likeable and seeing their friendships grow was lovely. it gave us the perfect found family, had arguments with each other but still wanted to do anything to protect each other. i loved it a lot.
overall, it was an interesting story which kept me on the edge of my seat. however, some moments were confusing and hard to follow, but still a very enjoyable read!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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