What do you think?
Rate this book
The Zombie Girl Saga #1
Eve Brenner: Zombie Girl
Eve used to be an ordinary girl, from an ordinary town, with ordinary dreams, but her dreams rapidly turn into nightmares when one grave mistake leaves her a little less than human and a lot less average.
Eve’s not quite the same girl she used to be. She desperately clings to her humanity as new desires, new abilities, and new urges take over with each passing day.
Eve Zombie Girl is a tale that takes you on an emotional and terrifying journey as Eve struggles to cope with her new life and find a cure for her strange illness before time runs out. She desperately clings to her humanity as she tries to control the monster she knows is lurking inside her.
Turns out living was the easy part.
Eve’s not quite the same girl she used to be. She desperately clings to her humanity as new desires, new abilities, and new urges take over with each passing day.
Eve Zombie Girl is a tale that takes you on an emotional and terrifying journey as Eve struggles to cope with her new life and find a cure for her strange illness before time runs out. She desperately clings to her humanity as she tries to control the monster she knows is lurking inside her.
Turns out living was the easy part.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2015
7 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
A. Giacomi
9 books78 followersA.Giacomi is the author of the wildly entertaining Zombie Girl Saga, a four part series from CHBB Publishing. Eve Brenner: Zombie Girl is A. Giacomi's debut novel. You can catch the latest updates about her writing on her blog: www.poeticzombie.com
A. Giacomi is a wife, and mother to two small human children. She is a Canadian born writer, educator, and artist. She proudly waves her York University Alumni flag and continues to thirst for knowledge and devour books. She is a zombie enthusiast, lover of all things Tim Burton, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Marvel, Star Wars and just generally just loves film, essentially she's a fangirl.
A. Giacomi is a wife, and mother to two small human children. She is a Canadian born writer, educator, and artist. She proudly waves her York University Alumni flag and continues to thirst for knowledge and devour books. She is a zombie enthusiast, lover of all things Tim Burton, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Marvel, Star Wars and just generally just loves film, essentially she's a fangirl.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 17, 2020
This was a fast read for me.
Eve is an idiot. Why would you cross over yellow tape and go into an unmarked cave that only someone your size could fit through by yourself? Girl, you are lucky getting bit was the only thing that happened to you.
Eve, Cam and Alex are the closest friends. They were all at a dig site when Eve decided to be an idiot and try to find something so life-altering, that they would name a prize after her.
Well, she got the life altering part down. She got bit. By a zombie.
There are about a zillion types of zombie lure out there. This one reminds me a little more of iZombie. She is still kind of human and can pass for human and such, but she still needs to feed on flesh and all that disgusting stuff. You don't get enough of this kind of paranormal, so I really loved that.
The author took a lot of liberties with her folk tale and I appreciated that. She had a fresh pair of eyes on an over-done type of story and it was refreshing.
The writing was a little out of bounds for me. It read young but felt young adult. I'm not sure why it is labeled New Adult, because there isn't any New Adult content in it. There was some gore, as it is expected with any zombie book, but it wasn't to the point that I was finding myself gagging from the details. There is a lot of room to grow with that. I would say that the relationships were kind of assumed, not shown, to the reader. You knew they were best friends and they talked as if they were best friends, but I didn't feel anything below a surfaced relationship between them.
I appreciated the reach out by the author and hope she continues to learn from her work and to grow with her passion. She was a great story teller and I hope to hear more of her stories in the future.
Eve is an idiot. Why would you cross over yellow tape and go into an unmarked cave that only someone your size could fit through by yourself? Girl, you are lucky getting bit was the only thing that happened to you.
Eve, Cam and Alex are the closest friends. They were all at a dig site when Eve decided to be an idiot and try to find something so life-altering, that they would name a prize after her.
Well, she got the life altering part down. She got bit. By a zombie.
There are about a zillion types of zombie lure out there. This one reminds me a little more of iZombie. She is still kind of human and can pass for human and such, but she still needs to feed on flesh and all that disgusting stuff. You don't get enough of this kind of paranormal, so I really loved that.
The author took a lot of liberties with her folk tale and I appreciated that. She had a fresh pair of eyes on an over-done type of story and it was refreshing.
The writing was a little out of bounds for me. It read young but felt young adult. I'm not sure why it is labeled New Adult, because there isn't any New Adult content in it. There was some gore, as it is expected with any zombie book, but it wasn't to the point that I was finding myself gagging from the details. There is a lot of room to grow with that. I would say that the relationships were kind of assumed, not shown, to the reader. You knew they were best friends and they talked as if they were best friends, but I didn't feel anything below a surfaced relationship between them.
I appreciated the reach out by the author and hope she continues to learn from her work and to grow with her passion. She was a great story teller and I hope to hear more of her stories in the future.
Read
January 27, 2015I was delighted to receive an advanced reader's copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Equal parts sexy and gory, hilarious and heartwrenching, EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is an astonishing debut. I can think of little to compare it to outside of Stuart Gordon's film version of Lovecraft's RE-ANIMATOR.
It's rare to read a debut novel written with such confidence, not to mention such momentum. EVE BRENNER covers a lot of ground: geographically from small-town Canada to the Egyptian ruins and back again, and emotionally from a tight-knit trio starting college together to total zombie pandemonium.
The story begins as our eponymous heroine is learning about ancient Egyptian anthropology and stumbles upon a taboo gravesite, where she is infected after a strange scuffle. For our characters, Eve's new condition is a mystery, though I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the audience will have guessed from the third word of the title what Eve has become.
And from a beginning so well-trodden as to be almost a cliché, EVE BRENNER takes a hard left turn deep into undiscovered territory. Combining elements of the zombie, mummy, werewolf, and vampire mythoses, Eve is nevertheless a unique monster. She and her best friends from childhood, Cameron and Alex, must come to grips with Eve's burgeoning bloodlust as they are also learning the ropes of college and adulthood.
The classic coming-of-age tale and questioning of childhood relationships that comes with that territory is thrown on its ear when your childhood friend turns into a bloodthirsty monster. Cameron's long unrequited crush on Eve suddenly becomes a dangerous, potentially lethal liability. Eve's hiking trip to Lover's Lane one night (easily the highlight of the book for me) turns from an abortive ménage a trois into an orgy of violence. This book is packed with love bites that lead into braineating, soft caresses that end with rending flesh, and romantic rivalries that turn into one-armed chainsaw duels. Giacomi has truly accomplished a feat with this novel and, as I said, I can't think of anything else quite like it.
I'm eager to gobble down the next three books in this promising new series. EVE BRENNER is a great book and Eve Brenner is a great character. I'm terrified to admit I've fallen in love with both, especially knowing what happens to everyone who falls in love with the zombie girl...
Equal parts sexy and gory, hilarious and heartwrenching, EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is an astonishing debut. I can think of little to compare it to outside of Stuart Gordon's film version of Lovecraft's RE-ANIMATOR.
It's rare to read a debut novel written with such confidence, not to mention such momentum. EVE BRENNER covers a lot of ground: geographically from small-town Canada to the Egyptian ruins and back again, and emotionally from a tight-knit trio starting college together to total zombie pandemonium.
The story begins as our eponymous heroine is learning about ancient Egyptian anthropology and stumbles upon a taboo gravesite, where she is infected after a strange scuffle. For our characters, Eve's new condition is a mystery, though I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the audience will have guessed from the third word of the title what Eve has become.
And from a beginning so well-trodden as to be almost a cliché, EVE BRENNER takes a hard left turn deep into undiscovered territory. Combining elements of the zombie, mummy, werewolf, and vampire mythoses, Eve is nevertheless a unique monster. She and her best friends from childhood, Cameron and Alex, must come to grips with Eve's burgeoning bloodlust as they are also learning the ropes of college and adulthood.
The classic coming-of-age tale and questioning of childhood relationships that comes with that territory is thrown on its ear when your childhood friend turns into a bloodthirsty monster. Cameron's long unrequited crush on Eve suddenly becomes a dangerous, potentially lethal liability. Eve's hiking trip to Lover's Lane one night (easily the highlight of the book for me) turns from an abortive ménage a trois into an orgy of violence. This book is packed with love bites that lead into braineating, soft caresses that end with rending flesh, and romantic rivalries that turn into one-armed chainsaw duels. Giacomi has truly accomplished a feat with this novel and, as I said, I can't think of anything else quite like it.
I'm eager to gobble down the next three books in this promising new series. EVE BRENNER is a great book and Eve Brenner is a great character. I'm terrified to admit I've fallen in love with both, especially knowing what happens to everyone who falls in love with the zombie girl...
August 14, 2017
Eve Brenner Zombie is the first young adult book, in its series. The story revolves around Eve and her two friends, Cam and Alex. All three of them travel to Egypt for some adventure. Eve mysteriously gets touched by something in a sealed tomb. She begins to see things psychically change about her and as much as she can hide it at first, the symptoms start to take over. Her mission then becomes to find out how she can humanize herself again and she isn’t alone. Her friends are with her all the way.
I enjoyed the dynamic between the three friends. The character development was accomplished very well. The teens were relatable and had flaws in their decision making. Their personalities were individualized which added to the realistic nature of things. I particularly appreciated the fact that the lead character wanted to maintain her human side. Her love interest did not dominate the story, which is what normally happens in YA books, and that added to the quality of the story.
The literature standard, for a debut novel, was outstanding. I barely noticed any structural of editing issues. The author has succeeded in maintaining sufficient backstory and descriptive content to support the plot. I believe this would and the material within the content is very suitable for the age and genre of its audience.
I recommend this book to zombie lovers and young adult fans.
I enjoyed the dynamic between the three friends. The character development was accomplished very well. The teens were relatable and had flaws in their decision making. Their personalities were individualized which added to the realistic nature of things. I particularly appreciated the fact that the lead character wanted to maintain her human side. Her love interest did not dominate the story, which is what normally happens in YA books, and that added to the quality of the story.
The literature standard, for a debut novel, was outstanding. I barely noticed any structural of editing issues. The author has succeeded in maintaining sufficient backstory and descriptive content to support the plot. I believe this would and the material within the content is very suitable for the age and genre of its audience.
I recommend this book to zombie lovers and young adult fans.
May 12, 2015
Eve Brenner. College student turned zombie-ish, turned vigilante zombie killer, turned definite zombie? The beginning of Zombie Girl sets the tone for a total lack of common sense from the main character. I mean, she's in a cave on an anthropology dig, and doesn't think to carry a flashlight when she wanders off alone in the dark? Okay, so I could almost forgive that, but then why cross the yellow caution tape? If anything that should have been a major duh moment for her. So, I guess she pretty much deserves the bad luck since she brought it on herself. Though, I guess if we're placing blame, she shouldn't bear the burden all alone...maybe it should be shared with Dr August for knowingly bringing the group to a dig site with a frighteningly dark secret. A secret that he, himself, had a hand in burying.
I struggled to come up with a star rating for this one, I couldn't decide if it was a three or four star book--so I settled on 3.5 stars. The changes in tensing isn't as seamless as I would generally prefer. As a personal preference, I tend not to favor narration in the present tense. I find it a bit abrasive and hard to follow along with a story. There's a mix of narrative vs. exposition, where the structure changes depending on who's PoV is currently being shared. For example, when Dr August shares his experience, it's written using exposition and is a means to relay important information to the reader.
That being said, I enjoyed the bones of the story. It was an intriguing splash of uniqueness and I appreciate the creative liberties the author took. A mix of self-aware and mindless undead will appeal to a wider audience and whether or not it was intentional on the author's part, it is a smart conceptual choice.
Marketing is quite possibly the bane of an author's existence, or at least the bane of mine. And I think the publisher isn't pushing this book under the right category. It's being categorized as New Adult, but it is really Young Adult. There's no graphic gore or sexy time, and the language is fairly tame with a light dusting of curse words. In doing research, I've found YA can range from the 12-25 age range, but delving deeper shows 12-16 as teen. So I feel a good sampling would be 16-25. While do feel the content is appropriate for readers that prefer less horror with their horror, the niche for this book would be perfect in the YA genre. Food for thought, and I fed the author my thoughts personally lol.
Rereading my review, I realize it may sound like a negative one, but it's not. I don't regret the time spent reading Zombie Girl, and I connected with some of the secondary characters even though I'm not totally sold on the book's namesake because I struggled with many of her choices. I suspect had the book been marketed as YA my expectations would have been different and it likely would have affected how I reviewed the book. As a reviewer, I need to put myself in the right mindset for a book. I need to know going int something what key points and milestones to look for, and as an adult book, it didn't hit them.
That being said, I hope my review doesn't dampen the author's spirits but instead generates some reflection on her part in moving forward. I've had the pleasure of meeting her on social media and she is a lovely girl. If she chooses to write more in the Zombie Girl universe, I see a few avenues that could enhance the series. Either rebrand as YA or go through it again to make the content somewhat more mature. What I wouldn't want to see happen is keeping the book categorized a NA and just upping the ante in subsequent books. I say this because the risk of alienating readers that would have likely continued on in the series is a key point to consider. I look forward to seeing how the story progresses.
I struggled to come up with a star rating for this one, I couldn't decide if it was a three or four star book--so I settled on 3.5 stars. The changes in tensing isn't as seamless as I would generally prefer. As a personal preference, I tend not to favor narration in the present tense. I find it a bit abrasive and hard to follow along with a story. There's a mix of narrative vs. exposition, where the structure changes depending on who's PoV is currently being shared. For example, when Dr August shares his experience, it's written using exposition and is a means to relay important information to the reader.
That being said, I enjoyed the bones of the story. It was an intriguing splash of uniqueness and I appreciate the creative liberties the author took. A mix of self-aware and mindless undead will appeal to a wider audience and whether or not it was intentional on the author's part, it is a smart conceptual choice.
Marketing is quite possibly the bane of an author's existence, or at least the bane of mine. And I think the publisher isn't pushing this book under the right category. It's being categorized as New Adult, but it is really Young Adult. There's no graphic gore or sexy time, and the language is fairly tame with a light dusting of curse words. In doing research, I've found YA can range from the 12-25 age range, but delving deeper shows 12-16 as teen. So I feel a good sampling would be 16-25. While do feel the content is appropriate for readers that prefer less horror with their horror, the niche for this book would be perfect in the YA genre. Food for thought, and I fed the author my thoughts personally lol.
Rereading my review, I realize it may sound like a negative one, but it's not. I don't regret the time spent reading Zombie Girl, and I connected with some of the secondary characters even though I'm not totally sold on the book's namesake because I struggled with many of her choices. I suspect had the book been marketed as YA my expectations would have been different and it likely would have affected how I reviewed the book. As a reviewer, I need to put myself in the right mindset for a book. I need to know going int something what key points and milestones to look for, and as an adult book, it didn't hit them.
That being said, I hope my review doesn't dampen the author's spirits but instead generates some reflection on her part in moving forward. I've had the pleasure of meeting her on social media and she is a lovely girl. If she chooses to write more in the Zombie Girl universe, I see a few avenues that could enhance the series. Either rebrand as YA or go through it again to make the content somewhat more mature. What I wouldn't want to see happen is keeping the book categorized a NA and just upping the ante in subsequent books. I say this because the risk of alienating readers that would have likely continued on in the series is a key point to consider. I look forward to seeing how the story progresses.
February 12, 2015
Zombies often get shoved under the horror genre. This one, however, felt more like an urban fantasy. There are still some great horror elements, (as there are with most urban fantasies) but it was heavily focused on the main character and her evolution. I really liked the difference here. Plus, I'm an urban fantasy groupie, sooooo...
Eve Brenner is someone I immediately liked with her lame jokes and tough attitude. She'll defend her friends and family to the death - literally. The p.o.v. changes between Eve and her two closest friends, Alex and Cam. At first I thought they were somewhat one-dimensional but as the story progressed I saw the subtle quirks and the vast differences between the three. I started to relate to each of them separately and for completely different reasons.
The pacing was great and kept me on my toes. Considering I read this in less than two days, (work days) should tell you that I was highly engrossed. Eve could have been both the hero and the enemy and she struggles to find a balance between the two.
There was one point where I thought it should be over but a new twist was added and I'm under the spell of the story yet again.
The author made zombies cool. She added lore, action, gore, humanity and a smidge of romance. Eve, Alex and Cam were all very relatable characters in their flaws, likes and quirks. I had a hard time putting the story down and I'd recommend this to zombie-fans, urban fantasy fans and horror fans alike.
Full Review @ thereadershollow.com
Eve Brenner is someone I immediately liked with her lame jokes and tough attitude. She'll defend her friends and family to the death - literally. The p.o.v. changes between Eve and her two closest friends, Alex and Cam. At first I thought they were somewhat one-dimensional but as the story progressed I saw the subtle quirks and the vast differences between the three. I started to relate to each of them separately and for completely different reasons.
The pacing was great and kept me on my toes. Considering I read this in less than two days, (work days) should tell you that I was highly engrossed. Eve could have been both the hero and the enemy and she struggles to find a balance between the two.
There was one point where I thought it should be over but a new twist was added and I'm under the spell of the story yet again.
The author made zombies cool. She added lore, action, gore, humanity and a smidge of romance. Eve, Alex and Cam were all very relatable characters in their flaws, likes and quirks. I had a hard time putting the story down and I'd recommend this to zombie-fans, urban fantasy fans and horror fans alike.
Full Review @ thereadershollow.com
February 10, 2015
I really wanted to love this novel, however, I give it only just three stars based on its interesting story and the strength of the last few chapters against the weaknesses I felt let it down. The story itself starts well, however the return home in the second third was a weak middle, thankfully redeemed by the strong ending.
The book starts with an introduction to Eve, she is glib and sassy - the kind of character and introduction that really isn't my particular cup of tea. That said, I immediately took a liking to the idea of her being called Eve. Although it could seem quite obvious, I liked the idea of her being the first (zombie) woman.
We first meet our three lead characters, Eve and her friends Cameron and Alexandra on an academic archaeological excavation in Egypt. As interesting as this setting and the story was I have to admit I possibly had a bias reaction to the portrayal of the dig - which in no way resembled any kind of dig, archaeologists or archaeology students I have ever encountered in the course of my own archaeological training or work in heritage. Even so, to the lay person I believe this would be an interesting and hooking introduction. The exposition we later learn - the idea of a "Mummy" as a zombie and an ancient Egyptian disease - is pretty interesting and definitely a concept not really touched on in much contemporary zombie fiction.
When the characters return home and to college the story picks up pace - we get to see the inevitable consequences of Eve’s actions and her attack whilst on the excavation. We learn more about the “disease” itself and the involvement of government agents, which is an interesting yarn. The lives and backgrounds of the characters are explored more in this home setting. However, the death of a family member and return home feels a bit too long and lacking in really gripping action.
This weak middle is definitely made up for in the strength of the last few chapters. Our characters return once more to college, as Eve’s condition both worsens and is better explored with the help of a professor at the college. The rise of college zombie hordes and inevitable appearance of the agents is where this story really finds its feet. It's a shame this comes so late, but for me it saves the story and piques my interest in the next installment.
I really loved the story being told, however there were weaknesses that let it down for me which lead me to giving it just three stars. The tone is often all over the place, the flip attitude of the characters not always quite adding up with the gore and violence.
Jumping into the different characters each chapter is quite a good way to expand a first person narrative, a drawback in this case being that the characters all trends to have, if not the same, very similar internal voices. Overall this ends up not being used as effectively as it could have been and it feels that the story would have been stronger if in the third person. Although we learn past events via this method I didn't find it gave me any greater connection to the characters and so still only know them superficially by the end of the novel. First person can be a great way to explore character thoughts and feelings but this wasn't used to the full potential that it could have been - a real missed opportunity in exploring deeper Eve's experience.
That said, the ending was gripping and the “two years later” final chapter building to the sequel takes us in an intriguing new direction that I will definitely be looking forward to reading more about.
The book starts with an introduction to Eve, she is glib and sassy - the kind of character and introduction that really isn't my particular cup of tea. That said, I immediately took a liking to the idea of her being called Eve. Although it could seem quite obvious, I liked the idea of her being the first (zombie) woman.
We first meet our three lead characters, Eve and her friends Cameron and Alexandra on an academic archaeological excavation in Egypt. As interesting as this setting and the story was I have to admit I possibly had a bias reaction to the portrayal of the dig - which in no way resembled any kind of dig, archaeologists or archaeology students I have ever encountered in the course of my own archaeological training or work in heritage. Even so, to the lay person I believe this would be an interesting and hooking introduction. The exposition we later learn - the idea of a "Mummy" as a zombie and an ancient Egyptian disease - is pretty interesting and definitely a concept not really touched on in much contemporary zombie fiction.
When the characters return home and to college the story picks up pace - we get to see the inevitable consequences of Eve’s actions and her attack whilst on the excavation. We learn more about the “disease” itself and the involvement of government agents, which is an interesting yarn. The lives and backgrounds of the characters are explored more in this home setting. However, the death of a family member and return home feels a bit too long and lacking in really gripping action.
This weak middle is definitely made up for in the strength of the last few chapters. Our characters return once more to college, as Eve’s condition both worsens and is better explored with the help of a professor at the college. The rise of college zombie hordes and inevitable appearance of the agents is where this story really finds its feet. It's a shame this comes so late, but for me it saves the story and piques my interest in the next installment.
I really loved the story being told, however there were weaknesses that let it down for me which lead me to giving it just three stars. The tone is often all over the place, the flip attitude of the characters not always quite adding up with the gore and violence.
Jumping into the different characters each chapter is quite a good way to expand a first person narrative, a drawback in this case being that the characters all trends to have, if not the same, very similar internal voices. Overall this ends up not being used as effectively as it could have been and it feels that the story would have been stronger if in the third person. Although we learn past events via this method I didn't find it gave me any greater connection to the characters and so still only know them superficially by the end of the novel. First person can be a great way to explore character thoughts and feelings but this wasn't used to the full potential that it could have been - a real missed opportunity in exploring deeper Eve's experience.
That said, the ending was gripping and the “two years later” final chapter building to the sequel takes us in an intriguing new direction that I will definitely be looking forward to reading more about.
May 20, 2015
What I liked: This book is packed with action that I wasn't expecting when I started it. I wasn't expecting something like this story, I imagined a much more toned down type of story but I'm glad I was surprised by this change with how everything happened. The way Eve's new condition is handled, from how she obtained it to how she was trying to control herself, was fascinating and enthralling. I thought Eve was a great character herself, even though I did have a kind of hard time connecting with her in the beginning. The changing of point of view between Eve, Cam, and Alex was something that, for the most part, I enjoyed reading as it gave a different perspective about the situation from different characters.
What I didn't like: I actually didn't like Cam, he seemed overly-masculine (which, given how boys are told to act to be men today that doesn't surprise me) but at the same time, he seemed too aggressive and it bothered me a bit with how he acted. I don't think he sees it, but he's becoming like the person he doesn't want to be and I get that's realistic, it just made me feel really distanced from him as a character overall and I ended up no liking him.
Overall Review: I felt like this story read more like a YA book than a NA book for the most part. Nothing is graphic in the sense that it would be safer to market it as a NA book rather than YA in my opinion, although I probably would classify it as an Upper YA book. Also, maybe third person would have worked better for this story with how it was told. With that aside, this story was a lot of fun to read and I did enjoy seeing how it played out. The characters, most of them anyway, were enjoyable and I liked them. While Eve does make questionable choices, I had to remember this is a horror story and (always) the characters don't make the best decisions which leads them into what ever situation they end up in. Expected pieces aside as well, Eve was a character who I enjoyed following through the story as she tries to learn to cope with whats happening to her. While I didn't connect with Cam at all, Alex was a character who I think I liked, but I'm not completely sure because she didn't seem to, overall, have a strong impact on the story for me.
Recommend?: This was a good zombie story, and if you want a different kind of spin on zombie stories check this one out!
What I didn't like: I actually didn't like Cam, he seemed overly-masculine (which, given how boys are told to act to be men today that doesn't surprise me) but at the same time, he seemed too aggressive and it bothered me a bit with how he acted. I don't think he sees it, but he's becoming like the person he doesn't want to be and I get that's realistic, it just made me feel really distanced from him as a character overall and I ended up no liking him.
Overall Review: I felt like this story read more like a YA book than a NA book for the most part. Nothing is graphic in the sense that it would be safer to market it as a NA book rather than YA in my opinion, although I probably would classify it as an Upper YA book. Also, maybe third person would have worked better for this story with how it was told. With that aside, this story was a lot of fun to read and I did enjoy seeing how it played out. The characters, most of them anyway, were enjoyable and I liked them. While Eve does make questionable choices, I had to remember this is a horror story and (always) the characters don't make the best decisions which leads them into what ever situation they end up in. Expected pieces aside as well, Eve was a character who I enjoyed following through the story as she tries to learn to cope with whats happening to her. While I didn't connect with Cam at all, Alex was a character who I think I liked, but I'm not completely sure because she didn't seem to, overall, have a strong impact on the story for me.
Recommend?: This was a good zombie story, and if you want a different kind of spin on zombie stories check this one out!
January 29, 2015
The great thing about Eve Brenner is that you get to experience her zombie infection from her perspective. As if college, friends and growing up in general wasn't hard enough, Eve also deals with zombie changes unlike any form of infection yet. Actually, the infection is a lot closer to a superpower than it is to what the traditional decaying zombie has. Watching the character grow and develop with this definitely made for an exciting read.
I found myself happily cringing at the gnarly bits and smiling at the quirky ones. Eve navigates life, friendship and romance as her situation becomes more and more complicated. Beat by beat, things get out of hand until the epic conclusion and serious cliffhanger that left me in serious need of reading the next book.
Zombie Girl is a lot of fun and I definitely recommend it for anyone that's up for a cool coming of age story with awesome zombie action. I have never been envious of any zombie's infection until Eve Brenner. My favorite parts were when she displayed her abilities. It's in these moments that readers are reminded just how serious becoming a zombie can be.
I found myself happily cringing at the gnarly bits and smiling at the quirky ones. Eve navigates life, friendship and romance as her situation becomes more and more complicated. Beat by beat, things get out of hand until the epic conclusion and serious cliffhanger that left me in serious need of reading the next book.
Zombie Girl is a lot of fun and I definitely recommend it for anyone that's up for a cool coming of age story with awesome zombie action. I have never been envious of any zombie's infection until Eve Brenner. My favorite parts were when she displayed her abilities. It's in these moments that readers are reminded just how serious becoming a zombie can be.
March 14, 2015
A. Giacomi has a very creative mind and it shows in her debut novel. The story of Eve and sidekicks Cam and Alex packs a punch for readers! The fighting scenes were superb and the creative storyline really builds the anticipation towards the end of the book. During the beginning, it took a while to get used to first person, present style of writing because the lack of environment building and character personality was apparent. Luckily, the plot and storyline were so good that it keeps the reader glued beyond editing errors and cheesy dialogue. I actually enjoyed the last few chapters more than any others. It was action packed and fast paced which kept me on my toes! I didn't understand the girlfriend/boyfriend angle with Eve and Cam but I knew what the author was trying to get at. It was just missed because the feelings were never fully expressed between the characters. I found a lot of enjoyment in the plot which has a different appeal than most zombie books I've read.
Raging Book Reviews
Raging Book Reviews
November 26, 2016
I LOVED the back story of the zombie virus and that it was more mystical than science. Eve was such a great character and I can't wait to see where she goes next.
July 25, 2017
First of all, great characters! The story is told from multiple POVs, so each character is multi-dimensional and interesting in their own right. The protagonist Eve, is a wonderful character because she is so human. Very beautiful, and extremely loyal to those she loves, but essentially flawed. After becoming infected, she gains all sorts of abilities but as much as she’d love to be a superhero, she is still just a scared and lonely young woman.
I already mentioned that the origin story of this particular zombie virus is a little different from the usual. Eve is out on a dig with her best friends and fellow anthropology students in Egypt when she is infected. Her dream was to live out her Lara Croft fantasies, and it lands her in some serious shit. Not to mention, she now craves human flesh and needs it to survive.
In addition to being well-written, Zombie Girl is action-packed, gory, and surprisingly evocative. The horror genre doesn’t often inspire feelings other than fear and disgust, but in this case, the author has done just that. Her story and characters are rich and layered, providing us with ample opportunity to have all kinds of feels.
I really loved this book and I can’t wait to continue reading the rest. Stay tuned for more from The Zombie Girl Saga!
Rating A-
I already mentioned that the origin story of this particular zombie virus is a little different from the usual. Eve is out on a dig with her best friends and fellow anthropology students in Egypt when she is infected. Her dream was to live out her Lara Croft fantasies, and it lands her in some serious shit. Not to mention, she now craves human flesh and needs it to survive.
In addition to being well-written, Zombie Girl is action-packed, gory, and surprisingly evocative. The horror genre doesn’t often inspire feelings other than fear and disgust, but in this case, the author has done just that. Her story and characters are rich and layered, providing us with ample opportunity to have all kinds of feels.
I really loved this book and I can’t wait to continue reading the rest. Stay tuned for more from The Zombie Girl Saga!
Rating A-
July 2, 2019
It was good. I am not really into zombies but a good YA book.
December 5, 2015
Review originally posted at Once Upon A Dream Books
*Received a copy for an honest review.*
When the author contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing Eve Brenner Zombie Girl, I was curious. I like zombie stories, in fact the Resident Evil movies are some of my favorites. (Don't judge, you wish you were that badass too.) So of course I said yes to reviewing the book.
The novel was told in three (main) alternating point of views: Eve, Cameron, and Alex. Eve and her two friends were on a dig site when Eve decided to explore on her own and something attacked her. As time passed, her new zombie status became more and more apparent.
In a way, Eve was kind of like a daywalker that you see in some vampire novels/movies. Only zombiefied. She was dead, had some new abilities, and needed a diet overhaul, but she still retained her memories and thought capacity. If she kept herself full, it was almost as if nothing was wrong.
The whole thing made the zombie aspect of this novel fun and interesting. I'm not sure how much of the mythology behind the zombie status I buy, once we finally learned it, but I can't complain about the direction it took the story.
Eve was interesting, and bitten Eve was far better than prezombie Eve. She started out, not selfish per say, but focused on herself. She was looking for the adventure/discovery she imagined she would have on the dig in Egypt, so she ignored the safety barriers put in place to keep people out. Exploring the new area was what changed her life when a creature gnawed on her arm. I liked that she was brave and strong, because it made things so much more believable as I watched her become this other, and better person.
I have to admit, I did not like Cameron at all. Cam was the best friend, the one that we couldn't date because it would change the whole friendship. He was handsome and amusing, and all the girlies loved him. Even Eve. The attraction from both sides was obvious from the get go; there was no way this book was ending without a kiss.
I could see why he might like Eve, she was fun and adventurous, yet also loyal and protective. But looking back at Cameron, all I can think of was he was a wuss. Think male damsel in distress and you won't be that far off.
I really, really had a hard time with his background/story arc. Cameron's father was a drunk and abused him on what sounded like a regular bases. Land in the hospital, you're lucky to be alive, kind of beatings. Cameron had tough person potential and he could have easily defended himself, except he froze every time. I can completely understand the mental aspect of abuse and why he kind of shut down. Yet Cameron was so focused on his love for his father that his actions later on towards a certain individual after certain events was way too aggravating. By all means, lets back the man that almost killed you over those who stood beside you and would have done anything for you.
I liked Alex more than I liked Cameron, but not as much as Eve. She was interesting, but I think we could have been ok without her point of view. At times it felt like she was being set up to be Cameron's rebound love interest, and others it was as if she could have been the puppetmaster tossing Eve and Cameron together. I don't think her point of view added anything new until very late in the story, but that could have been worked around.
Zombie Girl was one of those novels that had a slow start. It took a bit for me to get into these character's heads and care about their struggles. Going back to college and how much time we spent there before digging into the who, where, what, when, whys of Eve's attack kept things at that pace. But once things got moving, the story got captivating. I really wanted to know how Eve was going to fix the mess she made, and save the day like the hero she could be.
Words To Live By
"Its amazing how friends of many years don't even need to speak anymore, and they just can sense the other's thoughts." (10%)
"I don't think it's fair that I get to play the hero and the villain in this crazy saga." (58%)
Overall
If you are looking for a different kind of zombie novel, then you might enjoy this one. I would say the book is more humor and budding awkward romance, than it is anything in the horror genre, so don't see the word zombies and think horror. I didn't hate this book or skim or anything, but I cannot say that I care enough about the characters to read book two.
*Received a copy for an honest review.*
When the author contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing Eve Brenner Zombie Girl, I was curious. I like zombie stories, in fact the Resident Evil movies are some of my favorites. (Don't judge, you wish you were that badass too.) So of course I said yes to reviewing the book.
The novel was told in three (main) alternating point of views: Eve, Cameron, and Alex. Eve and her two friends were on a dig site when Eve decided to explore on her own and something attacked her. As time passed, her new zombie status became more and more apparent.
In a way, Eve was kind of like a daywalker that you see in some vampire novels/movies. Only zombiefied. She was dead, had some new abilities, and needed a diet overhaul, but she still retained her memories and thought capacity. If she kept herself full, it was almost as if nothing was wrong.
The whole thing made the zombie aspect of this novel fun and interesting. I'm not sure how much of the mythology behind the zombie status I buy, once we finally learned it, but I can't complain about the direction it took the story.
Eve was interesting, and bitten Eve was far better than prezombie Eve. She started out, not selfish per say, but focused on herself. She was looking for the adventure/discovery she imagined she would have on the dig in Egypt, so she ignored the safety barriers put in place to keep people out. Exploring the new area was what changed her life when a creature gnawed on her arm. I liked that she was brave and strong, because it made things so much more believable as I watched her become this other, and better person.
I have to admit, I did not like Cameron at all. Cam was the best friend, the one that we couldn't date because it would change the whole friendship. He was handsome and amusing, and all the girlies loved him. Even Eve. The attraction from both sides was obvious from the get go; there was no way this book was ending without a kiss.
I could see why he might like Eve, she was fun and adventurous, yet also loyal and protective. But looking back at Cameron, all I can think of was he was a wuss. Think male damsel in distress and you won't be that far off.
I really, really had a hard time with his background/story arc. Cameron's father was a drunk and abused him on what sounded like a regular bases. Land in the hospital, you're lucky to be alive, kind of beatings. Cameron had tough person potential and he could have easily defended himself, except he froze every time. I can completely understand the mental aspect of abuse and why he kind of shut down. Yet Cameron was so focused on his love for his father that his actions later on towards a certain individual after certain events was way too aggravating. By all means, lets back the man that almost killed you over those who stood beside you and would have done anything for you.
I liked Alex more than I liked Cameron, but not as much as Eve. She was interesting, but I think we could have been ok without her point of view. At times it felt like she was being set up to be Cameron's rebound love interest, and others it was as if she could have been the puppetmaster tossing Eve and Cameron together. I don't think her point of view added anything new until very late in the story, but that could have been worked around.
Zombie Girl was one of those novels that had a slow start. It took a bit for me to get into these character's heads and care about their struggles. Going back to college and how much time we spent there before digging into the who, where, what, when, whys of Eve's attack kept things at that pace. But once things got moving, the story got captivating. I really wanted to know how Eve was going to fix the mess she made, and save the day like the hero she could be.
Words To Live By
"Its amazing how friends of many years don't even need to speak anymore, and they just can sense the other's thoughts." (10%)
"I don't think it's fair that I get to play the hero and the villain in this crazy saga." (58%)
Overall
If you are looking for a different kind of zombie novel, then you might enjoy this one. I would say the book is more humor and budding awkward romance, than it is anything in the horror genre, so don't see the word zombies and think horror. I didn't hate this book or skim or anything, but I cannot say that I care enough about the characters to read book two.
May 13, 2015
Eve Brenner is a nineteen-year-old anthropology student who convinces her teacher, Dr. August, to let her and her two best friends tag along on an important dig at a tomb-site in Egypt. Eve is so determined to find something important on this dig that she wanders into an unsafe part of the tomb by herself. She is attacked by something in the tomb and badly wounded. After Eve recovers from the attack, she is not the same. She is able to rapidly heal, food won’t stay down and she has periods of lost memory. Concerned for Eve, Cam and Alex take her to see Dr. August to find out what she may have contracted in the ancient plagued city in Egypt; the answer isn't quite what they expect. Now, Eve and her friends try to deal with her new abilities on top of college and family drama with Cam’s abusive father.
This was not what I was expecting in a zombie book at all, but I really enjoyed the different combination of an ancient Egyptian curse mixed with zombie lore. It made the book unexpected and had the possibility of many different outcomes and not just the same old zombie apocalypse setting. Eve was a great character, at nineteen she is very smart, but does not have her life figured out yet. Her friends Alex and Cam are unconditionally supportive and are like family to her, which makes Eve’s deeds much easier to deal with. The narrative switches between Eve, Alex and Cam which creates a fast-paced read. Cam's character stole the moment many times and the dynamic with her father made a very interesting story. I'm interested to see what else Eve can figure out about herself and her abilities, all of the testing and the different powers or abilities that each zombie had was very intriguing. I also want to see where Eve and Cam's relationship will go. I was really impressed with Eve's decisions at the end, it showed how she had grown and matured, even if she was really dead. Overall, a unique new-adult/ zombie read, I'll definitely be checking out the next book.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
August 3, 2015
Eve Brenner is a new and inviting zombie series. This book opens up to Eve and her friends at an archeological site in Egypt. Eve Brenner, the ever curious stumble across a site that she is supposed to stay away from, but she can't help herself. She just wants to make 'the great discovery'. Well, what a great discovery she did find...but not what she had in mind.
While she is searching this 'off-limits' area she is attacked by some being that mangles up her arm. She is saved by her friends who will throw themselves in the face of danger for her. Eve spends the next few days recovering before they have to head back home and to their next year in college. Eve is bummed, and shocked as she notices strange changes in herself.
Once back, her friends Cameron and Alex help her cope with the changes going on in her body and have to begin to be more careful around her. The blood lust that consumes her will take over with no notice and it does not discriminate.
This of course is the time that Eve begins to develop a relationship with her longtime friend putting his life in danger with every kiss, but the remainder of her humanity as she would have to live with the consequences should she hurt him. Eve fights internally with herself and her love for Cameron while she fights with Cameron's stalker.
There are several amazingly gory and bloody scenes in this book, which I absolutely enjoyed. I love the possession like state that Eve experiences and the different levels of zombies. This book is filled with non-stop action from the very beginning but still manages to throw in some romance, heartbreak and the strain that being a zombie has on one's friendships. This book is well written with confidence and competence and the details leave an amazing picture in your head.
I love the new zombie thinking that this book reveals and I am anxiously beginning the second book!
While she is searching this 'off-limits' area she is attacked by some being that mangles up her arm. She is saved by her friends who will throw themselves in the face of danger for her. Eve spends the next few days recovering before they have to head back home and to their next year in college. Eve is bummed, and shocked as she notices strange changes in herself.
Once back, her friends Cameron and Alex help her cope with the changes going on in her body and have to begin to be more careful around her. The blood lust that consumes her will take over with no notice and it does not discriminate.
This of course is the time that Eve begins to develop a relationship with her longtime friend putting his life in danger with every kiss, but the remainder of her humanity as she would have to live with the consequences should she hurt him. Eve fights internally with herself and her love for Cameron while she fights with Cameron's stalker.
There are several amazingly gory and bloody scenes in this book, which I absolutely enjoyed. I love the possession like state that Eve experiences and the different levels of zombies. This book is filled with non-stop action from the very beginning but still manages to throw in some romance, heartbreak and the strain that being a zombie has on one's friendships. This book is well written with confidence and competence and the details leave an amazing picture in your head.
I love the new zombie thinking that this book reveals and I am anxiously beginning the second book!
July 11, 2016
**Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
What a story! A student on an archeological dig is attacked when she goes poking around an old tomb in Egypt. Obviously it was some kind of zombie (clue's in the title!) but it's the kind that can be explained through science and magic.
Eve learns that everyone reacts different to this particular brand of zombie virus and is fortunate to discover that she has some control over her new impulses. Her two best friends, Cam and Alex are aware of her... condition and try their best to help her control it but it soon becomes clear that they're out of their depth and we discover what happens when a zombie outbreak hits a small town university.
I adored the story, the mythology and the premise but I did find that the book had a wicked case of 'debut novel syndrome', the author hasn't yet found her voice and confidence but I have no fear in following this series forwards - the storyline and characters are very strong, once Giacomi finds her unique style then there'll be no stopping her.
The romance part of this book was a little cheesy, with a lot of longing glances and 'she's my world'... a bit overstated for my liking and could do with moving a little more towards the subtlety of describing the emotions and actions of the characters rather than a flashing billboard of teen emotion.
Eve is a fantastic and strong character, both physically and in personality. She starts kicking ass when the undead start attacking and the violence has the perfect level of gore, though I did giggle that a lot of the supporting characters must be walking around perma-concussed with the number of times they're hit over the head and kidnapped.
This is going to be the YA zombie series to follow if you like mythology, government conspiracy and kickass girls. I can't wait to read what happens next!
What a story! A student on an archeological dig is attacked when she goes poking around an old tomb in Egypt. Obviously it was some kind of zombie (clue's in the title!) but it's the kind that can be explained through science and magic.
Eve learns that everyone reacts different to this particular brand of zombie virus and is fortunate to discover that she has some control over her new impulses. Her two best friends, Cam and Alex are aware of her... condition and try their best to help her control it but it soon becomes clear that they're out of their depth and we discover what happens when a zombie outbreak hits a small town university.
I adored the story, the mythology and the premise but I did find that the book had a wicked case of 'debut novel syndrome', the author hasn't yet found her voice and confidence but I have no fear in following this series forwards - the storyline and characters are very strong, once Giacomi finds her unique style then there'll be no stopping her.
The romance part of this book was a little cheesy, with a lot of longing glances and 'she's my world'... a bit overstated for my liking and could do with moving a little more towards the subtlety of describing the emotions and actions of the characters rather than a flashing billboard of teen emotion.
Eve is a fantastic and strong character, both physically and in personality. She starts kicking ass when the undead start attacking and the violence has the perfect level of gore, though I did giggle that a lot of the supporting characters must be walking around perma-concussed with the number of times they're hit over the head and kidnapped.
This is going to be the YA zombie series to follow if you like mythology, government conspiracy and kickass girls. I can't wait to read what happens next!
October 2, 2016
I’d like to thank Alessia for contacting me to do a review of this book. I was unbelievably excited when I read the synopsis as I love zombies of all kinds. I was delighted to find a new zombie series to get my teeth into!
This zombie book was funny, heartwarming and extremely entertaining with just the right amount of gore.
When Eve starts displaying strange symptoms after a bite from a monstrous creature during an archaeological dig in Egypt, the action quickly mounts. Egypt, tombs and Egyptian artifacts have always interested me and I loved the scenes set there. I hope Eve returns there later on the series!!
Eve is a flawed character, just like the rest of us, and that’s why I liked her do much! She’s straightforward, impatient and her friends mean everything to her. She puts some people’s noses out of joint but cares so much about the people she loves. In Zombie form this is heightened and I’ll let you decide if you like her or not.
I liked seeing the story from all three of the main characters – Eve, Cam and Alex. Eve’s friends Alex and Cam support Eve all the way. I hope my friends treat me the same if I ever become infected! Friendship, family and blossoming romance are surprisingly at the heart of this book. Eve’s little circle of friends reminded me in the best way of the Scooby gang.
My favourite parts of the book were the action scenes. I could see them as vividly as if I was watching an action movie. I don’t know if I can pick a downside but the only thing I can say is it ended on a real cliffhanger, making the reader want to jump straight into the next book. I’m not totally sure it could stand alone outside of the series but that’s just fine with me as I adored book 1 and am dying to read the next books in the series!
I’d recommend this to teens upwards who like gory, thrilling and adrenaline filled reads with a dash of romance
This zombie book was funny, heartwarming and extremely entertaining with just the right amount of gore.
When Eve starts displaying strange symptoms after a bite from a monstrous creature during an archaeological dig in Egypt, the action quickly mounts. Egypt, tombs and Egyptian artifacts have always interested me and I loved the scenes set there. I hope Eve returns there later on the series!!
Eve is a flawed character, just like the rest of us, and that’s why I liked her do much! She’s straightforward, impatient and her friends mean everything to her. She puts some people’s noses out of joint but cares so much about the people she loves. In Zombie form this is heightened and I’ll let you decide if you like her or not.
I liked seeing the story from all three of the main characters – Eve, Cam and Alex. Eve’s friends Alex and Cam support Eve all the way. I hope my friends treat me the same if I ever become infected! Friendship, family and blossoming romance are surprisingly at the heart of this book. Eve’s little circle of friends reminded me in the best way of the Scooby gang.
My favourite parts of the book were the action scenes. I could see them as vividly as if I was watching an action movie. I don’t know if I can pick a downside but the only thing I can say is it ended on a real cliffhanger, making the reader want to jump straight into the next book. I’m not totally sure it could stand alone outside of the series but that’s just fine with me as I adored book 1 and am dying to read the next books in the series!
I’d recommend this to teens upwards who like gory, thrilling and adrenaline filled reads with a dash of romance
January 30, 2017
http://alittlebitofrnr.com/review-eve...
I received this book to give an honest review.
If you like zombies then I think you will like this book. I have always been a huge zombie fan, the more blood and gore the better.
Though with this one not too much gore but it is there. So we are introduced to Eve who is a college student and is in Egypt with some classmates and professor. When she enters into a forbidden place that is when things start to go down hill. She becomes the undead. Though we slowly get answers to why the professor was in that certain place where things happen.
Eve is good at keeping a secret especially one like this but yet when her friends find out they are there to help her in anyway. Those are true friends. Eve tries to curb the hunger but that might not work, especially when we get to the ending! Can you say CLIFFHANGER!!!
Now while dealing with Eve and trying to keep her secret under wraps she starts a dilemma that will cause a whole lot of deaths. Though it seems that our government friends seem to know about everything. So will Eve be safe? Or will they use her as a weapon?
Her best friend Cameron has his own things going on and will find himself in the crosshairs of a zombie who will stop at nothing to get him. Alex is there too back her friends up and goes in fighting when she can.
I am not sure how much more I can write on the review because I feel like I will give away a lot of things. Just pick this book up and give it a try. There is plenty of action, a bit of crushing going on, along with an awesome friendship.
I received this book to give an honest review.
If you like zombies then I think you will like this book. I have always been a huge zombie fan, the more blood and gore the better.
Though with this one not too much gore but it is there. So we are introduced to Eve who is a college student and is in Egypt with some classmates and professor. When she enters into a forbidden place that is when things start to go down hill. She becomes the undead. Though we slowly get answers to why the professor was in that certain place where things happen.
Eve is good at keeping a secret especially one like this but yet when her friends find out they are there to help her in anyway. Those are true friends. Eve tries to curb the hunger but that might not work, especially when we get to the ending! Can you say CLIFFHANGER!!!
Now while dealing with Eve and trying to keep her secret under wraps she starts a dilemma that will cause a whole lot of deaths. Though it seems that our government friends seem to know about everything. So will Eve be safe? Or will they use her as a weapon?
Her best friend Cameron has his own things going on and will find himself in the crosshairs of a zombie who will stop at nothing to get him. Alex is there too back her friends up and goes in fighting when she can.
I am not sure how much more I can write on the review because I feel like I will give away a lot of things. Just pick this book up and give it a try. There is plenty of action, a bit of crushing going on, along with an awesome friendship.
May 25, 2015
I wanted to like this, I really did. I wanted something really realistic and contemporary about zombies. And that premise was a great one, and certain times in the book it was really cool. But the main problem was the writing.
It may have just been the advance copy, but it looked like it wasn’t edited at all and I had to resist the urge to get out my red pen. There were a few main issues that I can’t help but point out:
-Most of the time when there should have been a period, there was a comma, so as many as 4 sentences could be combined in one.
-Dialogue was funky—sometimes it wasn’t punctuated properly or capitalized.
-The tense changed about a million times. Sometimes there would be as many as three different tenses in one sentence. It was not continuous at all. I gave up trying to figure it out after the first few pages.
And it wasn’t just the editing, it was the character dialogue and actions. Sometimes it was cheesy and other times it was just plain unrealistic.
But the fight scenes were good and the ideas and premise were good. The plot wasn’t too bad, just kinda typical. It lost a bit of excitement at the end but then ended on a nice cliffhanger. I liked the characters too. They were realistic enough, for the most part.
If the writing was better, I would possibly continue the series. But I wanted to put the book down at like page 7 because of it. I just couldn’t do it.
This review was originally posted on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment.
It may have just been the advance copy, but it looked like it wasn’t edited at all and I had to resist the urge to get out my red pen. There were a few main issues that I can’t help but point out:
-Most of the time when there should have been a period, there was a comma, so as many as 4 sentences could be combined in one.
-Dialogue was funky—sometimes it wasn’t punctuated properly or capitalized.
-The tense changed about a million times. Sometimes there would be as many as three different tenses in one sentence. It was not continuous at all. I gave up trying to figure it out after the first few pages.
And it wasn’t just the editing, it was the character dialogue and actions. Sometimes it was cheesy and other times it was just plain unrealistic.
But the fight scenes were good and the ideas and premise were good. The plot wasn’t too bad, just kinda typical. It lost a bit of excitement at the end but then ended on a nice cliffhanger. I liked the characters too. They were realistic enough, for the most part.
If the writing was better, I would possibly continue the series. But I wanted to put the book down at like page 7 because of it. I just couldn’t do it.
This review was originally posted on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment.
May 18, 2015
I am a zombie reads lover. I like all sorts of zombie books, and have found some very interesting ones, in my search for new reads. However, when I was given this book in exchange for my honest review, I didn’t expect to find a new style of zombie read that I would become completely addicted to!!
This book starts of as simple as others, with life being normal and the characters not knowing what is about to happen. We have a decent amount of time to get to know the characters, a bit, which I liked, as I wanted to know Eve before the complete turn.
I loved that this book had a slightly new take on how the zombie change came about. It was great to see it not only be slightly different in how it was transmitted, but also we had a great blend of a few types of ‘monsters/creatures’ blended to create the type of zombie girl Eve becomes.
The perspective we were given, from Eve’s point of view, was exciting. There was a blend of the zombie life, terror and fear, as well as bloodlust, and there was also a lot of normal university life blended into the story, adding love, happiness and moments of snarky little laughs.
The pace of this book was spot on. It really grabbed me as a reader and kept me along for the ride. I found it increasingly hard to put this book down, as I delved deeper into Eve’s new life.
I am very excited to where Eve’s story goes next and really think this is a series I will have to read every book in, and will eagerly await each new instalment.
This book starts of as simple as others, with life being normal and the characters not knowing what is about to happen. We have a decent amount of time to get to know the characters, a bit, which I liked, as I wanted to know Eve before the complete turn.
I loved that this book had a slightly new take on how the zombie change came about. It was great to see it not only be slightly different in how it was transmitted, but also we had a great blend of a few types of ‘monsters/creatures’ blended to create the type of zombie girl Eve becomes.
The perspective we were given, from Eve’s point of view, was exciting. There was a blend of the zombie life, terror and fear, as well as bloodlust, and there was also a lot of normal university life blended into the story, adding love, happiness and moments of snarky little laughs.
The pace of this book was spot on. It really grabbed me as a reader and kept me along for the ride. I found it increasingly hard to put this book down, as I delved deeper into Eve’s new life.
I am very excited to where Eve’s story goes next and really think this is a series I will have to read every book in, and will eagerly await each new instalment.
May 19, 2015
I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to read a zombie book! I had never heard of this author before, so the anticipation of sinking my teeth into some fresh meat had me salivating.
Eve Brenner: Zombie Girl has a unique premise and a very creative underlying story, which is an important aspect of any book in this genre. I was really digging (pun intended) the story after first cracking it open. Eve had me super excited about her tale! I wish that feeling would have held strong throughout, but unfortunately it loses a bit of steam as it progresses. I had a difficult time connecting with/relating to Eve. Her choices irritated me, for the most part. Luckily, there is life beyond the main character in this story. The secondary characters and the action scenes are what saved this one for me. While there are parts of the book that made me roll my eyes and want to punch the wall, there was enough meat on these bones to keep me chewing.
This may not be a 5-star book, and I can’t deny that I was a little disappointed by that realization, but it’s certainly a good debut novel. I didn’t fall in love with it, but I liked it enough that I will probably read the next book in the series. Keep writing, Ms. Giacomi!
Eve Brenner: Zombie Girl has a unique premise and a very creative underlying story, which is an important aspect of any book in this genre. I was really digging (pun intended) the story after first cracking it open. Eve had me super excited about her tale! I wish that feeling would have held strong throughout, but unfortunately it loses a bit of steam as it progresses. I had a difficult time connecting with/relating to Eve. Her choices irritated me, for the most part. Luckily, there is life beyond the main character in this story. The secondary characters and the action scenes are what saved this one for me. While there are parts of the book that made me roll my eyes and want to punch the wall, there was enough meat on these bones to keep me chewing.
This may not be a 5-star book, and I can’t deny that I was a little disappointed by that realization, but it’s certainly a good debut novel. I didn’t fall in love with it, but I liked it enough that I will probably read the next book in the series. Keep writing, Ms. Giacomi!
Read
May 10, 2015Started to really love Eve at the beginning of this. She gets herself into some trouble and the premise is excited and quite scary! I know I would have freaked out if I were in her shoes.
But... then... I don't know what happens. It gets a little lackluster. I didn't fall in love with Eve even after the fun, yet scary, beginning. I do like her jokes but never really felt totally in love with her, sadly. None of the characters really made me cheer for them. I'm not sure what was lacking with Eve as she is a strong, sarcastic gal, and normally I love that! The others, but especially Cam, kind of just annoyed me. And the changing of the point of view probably did not help. Just as I was getting to understand a character, the pov changes...
With all the zombie books that I have read in the last few years though, this one will definitely stand out. It is unique and I loved the setting! Although after the initial attack on Eve it gets slow. But still, I enjoyed it for the most part. And I always love when a horror has some really good horrific parts!
In short: It was good. Not my favorite zombie book of the year but it definitely has some potential. I think I would have preferred if Eve told the entire story.
But... then... I don't know what happens. It gets a little lackluster. I didn't fall in love with Eve even after the fun, yet scary, beginning. I do like her jokes but never really felt totally in love with her, sadly. None of the characters really made me cheer for them. I'm not sure what was lacking with Eve as she is a strong, sarcastic gal, and normally I love that! The others, but especially Cam, kind of just annoyed me. And the changing of the point of view probably did not help. Just as I was getting to understand a character, the pov changes...
With all the zombie books that I have read in the last few years though, this one will definitely stand out. It is unique and I loved the setting! Although after the initial attack on Eve it gets slow. But still, I enjoyed it for the most part. And I always love when a horror has some really good horrific parts!
In short: It was good. Not my favorite zombie book of the year but it definitely has some potential. I think I would have preferred if Eve told the entire story.
Read
April 17, 2015EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is a unique take on this very popular genre. The way the zombie virus was created and spread was an interesting twist, especially since there were different ‘levels’ of zombieness dependent on how the virus was contracted. EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is told through three narrators: Eve, and her best friends Alex and Cam. I enjoyed how EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is a tale of human vs. animalistic (base) instincts. The fight scenes were well-executed, but to me the romance aspects didn’t flow naturally. Eve’s struggle with her altered nature is what really drew me into the book and Eve was definitely my favorite character. While Alex and Cam were a good support system for Eve, for the most part they didn’t seem to add a whole lot to the story. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the zombie story, check out EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL. I think EVE BRENNER: ZOMBIE GIRL is well suited for YA & NA readers alike.
January 28, 2017
Zombie Girl is a new, fresh take on where zombies come from as well as their own internal struggles.
Giacomi has written a very intriguing narrative about three childhood friends that literally stumble into the zombie world on an Egyptian archeological dig. Eve, the center of the trio, is always making wrong decisions and this time it caught up to her once she us bitten by a zombie infected with an ancient curse.
Her friends Alex and Cam are pulled along for the ride as Eve tries to come to grips with her new in-human self.
The story itself is fascinating, with a lot of situations that a young new zombie might face, however some of the situations are just not believable even in the zombie world. Some of the characters are overdramatic, while others are underwritten.
I am very intrigued to see how the series progresses, and I hope to see some character growth as well.
~Dowie
Giacomi has written a very intriguing narrative about three childhood friends that literally stumble into the zombie world on an Egyptian archeological dig. Eve, the center of the trio, is always making wrong decisions and this time it caught up to her once she us bitten by a zombie infected with an ancient curse.
Her friends Alex and Cam are pulled along for the ride as Eve tries to come to grips with her new in-human self.
The story itself is fascinating, with a lot of situations that a young new zombie might face, however some of the situations are just not believable even in the zombie world. Some of the characters are overdramatic, while others are underwritten.
I am very intrigued to see how the series progresses, and I hope to see some character growth as well.
~Dowie
September 6, 2016
This was an amazing book to read and reread. While on a anthropological trip to Egypt, Eve stumbles across a taboo gravesite where she becomes infected with a strange condition after getting into a scuffle. Once back home with her friends, they all struggle to figure out what is going on and how to best deal with it while also coping with college and the struggles brought on with college life. Needless to say that Eve's secret becomes harder and harder to keep until things bound out of the three friends control, leading them to seek outside help before the struggle that faces Eve, becomes a struggle shared by the world. I cannot wait to read more Eve Brenner books!
May 15, 2015
24703416
I received a complimentary download of this book from the author in exchange for a review
I loved Eve’s narrative voice from the very first chapter. This book is a very personal look a Eve’s struggles with her urges as a zombie, along with her reflections on what human situations she won’t be able to return to.
This was quite a different take on the Zombie genre. With so much out there I didn’t know if there would be a lot of new territory for this book to cover but I was very surprised. A great read.
June 5, 2015
contradictory, banal fluff. Disappointing.
July 18, 2016
Love the scare!
January 28, 2017
Loved how she engages you and gets you hooked in with Eve's story. Look forward to seeing what comes next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews