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Dead City #1
Dead City
A tween takes on undead New Yorkers in this paranormal action-adventure that “breathes new life into the zombie genre” (Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games).
Most kids have enough to deal with between school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friends, but Molly Bigelow isn’t your typical tween. By day, Molly attends MIST—the Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology—but it’s what she’s learning outside of school that sets her apart from her classmates. Molly is a zombie hunter, just like her mother.
This, however, is news to Molly. Now she must come to terms with not only the idea that zombies exist, but also that they’re everywhere, and it’s her job to help police them and keep the peace. Sure, she’d like to be a regular kid, but “regular” just isn’t possible when it turns out the most revered (or feared, depending on your perspective) zombie hunter in the history of New York City is your mother. It seems Molly’s got some legendary footsteps to follow…
Most kids have enough to deal with between school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friends, but Molly Bigelow isn’t your typical tween. By day, Molly attends MIST—the Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology—but it’s what she’s learning outside of school that sets her apart from her classmates. Molly is a zombie hunter, just like her mother.
This, however, is news to Molly. Now she must come to terms with not only the idea that zombies exist, but also that they’re everywhere, and it’s her job to help police them and keep the peace. Sure, she’d like to be a regular kid, but “regular” just isn’t possible when it turns out the most revered (or feared, depending on your perspective) zombie hunter in the history of New York City is your mother. It seems Molly’s got some legendary footsteps to follow…
6 pages, Audiobook
First published October 2, 2012
214 people are currently reading
3411 people want to read
About the author
James Ponti
57 books1,438 followersJames Ponti is the New York Times Bestselling author of three Middle Grade book series: the DEAD CITY trilogy about a secret society that polices the undead who live beneath New York City; the Edgar Award-winning FRAMED! series about a pair of Sherlockian tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, D.C.; and the all-new CITY SPIES about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 spy team.
James grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida and lives in Orlando. He's a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, the USC Trojans, and the Italian National Soccer Team. He loves travel, writing, and spending time with his amazing family.
James grew up in Atlantic Beach, Florida and lives in Orlando. He's a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, the USC Trojans, and the Italian National Soccer Team. He loves travel, writing, and spending time with his amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 523 reviews
January 18, 2013
Awesome. A gritty, urban, paranormal title that will be great for 5th grade and up. No romance (hooray!), strong smart girl main character, and best of all, it doesn't feel like an older YA title that got dumbed down for a younger audience. Happy dance! I can't wait to take this out to the schools when we do our pre-summer reading booktalks. Good dialog, great plot, and a "leave you on the edge of your seat" ending. I wanted a little more information on the actual how-people-become-zombies, but not so much that I knocked any stars off the rating. A well crafted winner! Let's have another happy dance!
February 23, 2015
When Molly Bigelow drops a severed human finger into a zip lock bag thinking it is really cool, I couldn't help but think of my friend from childhood who had a spleen collection in her bedroom from all the animals she dissected in biology classes from high school and college. Nothing grossed her out. Nothing grosses Molly out either. She's not afraid of much. She helped her mom who was a forensic pathologist for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner before dying of cancer two summers ago. Now Molly works with Dr. Hildago, a colleague and friend, who took over the Medical Examiner job. When Dr. Hildago and his intern Natalie reveal that there are zombies in the city, Molly gets to join a secret zombie terminator club at her school and be trained as a zombie-hunter.
Some zombies are harmless and others are criminal. It is the nasty ones that Molly hunts along with other gifted students from her school. A member of the fencing team at school, she can chop off body parts better than most, all the while giving an ongoing matter-of-fact humorous commentary. No one knows about her duel life. For the most part she is fearless. Zombies don't faze her. Jumping into water conduits and shooting over falls is all in a days work. She'll even speak out for zombie rights. Her only fear seems to be heights. Which she'll have to face. I'm not sure if she overcomes that fear as the ending leaves the reader bridge-hanging in this fast-paced, action packed novel. The narrator's sarcastic, self-deprecating voice is what really hooked me into the story. Molly is a strong female character that is a hoot with her deadpan delivery of inner monologues.
Molly had an unusual upbringing. While other girls went to dance lessons, Molly took Martial Arts, bird watching programs, or went to the Morgue every Friday with her mom who taught her to respect death and not be scared of it. Her older sister, Beth, likes to pick on her. The author captures their complex sibling relationship by showing how outspoken and smart Molly's older sister is as she embarrasses and harasses Molly. However, when an outsider criticizes Molly, then Beth sticks up for Molly with a mother-bear-fierceness. It's only okay if Beth calls Molly weird. No one else can. My brothers were like that with me. They could trap me under the covers, call me names, and torture me, but if anyone else tried, they'd lit off on that person with surprising ferocity.
The prologue made me twitchy that a zombie was going to pop-up in different action scenes. It adds tension because I know it will eventually happen, just not when. The author weaves in historical facts about yellow-fever and mining that is well-paced with the action. He also uses those facts to connect them with the zombie powers, as well as limitations, and their emergence in society. This book reminded me of "The Haunting of Derek Stone," by Tony Abbott, but with a narrative voice that is more funny than serious. Zombie jokes are littered throughout the plot such as Molly accidentally ripping off a zombie's arm and facing her team that laughs and says, "I'd give you a hand," Grayson offered, "but it looks like you already have too many." The rest laugh and high five each other as Molly fights the zombie alone. Obviously they are not too worried about her finishing it off. If you like gross-silly action, then you'll get some good laughs. The humor buffers the violence putting some distance between it - just think of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner from Looney Tunes cartoons. The Coyote tries to eat The Road Runner who always outwits him usually resulting in The Coyote falling off a steep cliff and leaving an indent of his body after it hits the bottom and is driven several feet into the earth. He always gets up and tries again. Kind of like a zombie.
Molly is dealing with grief over the death of her mom, as well as being a new kid at a new school. The author explores the importance of belonging to a social group in school. Molly is excited to be a part of a group at school until she disagrees with them. Molly stands up to the group's leader when it is decided to exclude another girl that wants to join them. The result is Molly is kicked out of the group and forced to eat alone at lunch every day. When she becomes a part of the zombie team, it gives her a group of people like herself that are independent and willing to accept and celebrate differences in each other. The first group she was in had a leader that wanted to use the position as one of power and control over others; whereas, the social dynamics with the zombie hunters meant trust and respect for each other. Molly doesn't have a problem being different from others, but she is lonely and does want friends. She is headstrong and doesn't always think through her actions. The result is she endangers her team. Her character arc involves dealing with the loneliness of losing her mom and finding how she fits into her changing world. She learns the importance of teamwork and working together, but not without some hard lessons. A subplot explores the prejudices people have toward others that are different. Like zombies. The author manages to make the reader sympathetic toward zombies by contrasting ones that help humans versus ones that don't. Just because they are dead, doesn't mean they don't have human qualities. A story with a strong heart beat.
Some zombies are harmless and others are criminal. It is the nasty ones that Molly hunts along with other gifted students from her school. A member of the fencing team at school, she can chop off body parts better than most, all the while giving an ongoing matter-of-fact humorous commentary. No one knows about her duel life. For the most part she is fearless. Zombies don't faze her. Jumping into water conduits and shooting over falls is all in a days work. She'll even speak out for zombie rights. Her only fear seems to be heights. Which she'll have to face. I'm not sure if she overcomes that fear as the ending leaves the reader bridge-hanging in this fast-paced, action packed novel. The narrator's sarcastic, self-deprecating voice is what really hooked me into the story. Molly is a strong female character that is a hoot with her deadpan delivery of inner monologues.
Molly had an unusual upbringing. While other girls went to dance lessons, Molly took Martial Arts, bird watching programs, or went to the Morgue every Friday with her mom who taught her to respect death and not be scared of it. Her older sister, Beth, likes to pick on her. The author captures their complex sibling relationship by showing how outspoken and smart Molly's older sister is as she embarrasses and harasses Molly. However, when an outsider criticizes Molly, then Beth sticks up for Molly with a mother-bear-fierceness. It's only okay if Beth calls Molly weird. No one else can. My brothers were like that with me. They could trap me under the covers, call me names, and torture me, but if anyone else tried, they'd lit off on that person with surprising ferocity.
The prologue made me twitchy that a zombie was going to pop-up in different action scenes. It adds tension because I know it will eventually happen, just not when. The author weaves in historical facts about yellow-fever and mining that is well-paced with the action. He also uses those facts to connect them with the zombie powers, as well as limitations, and their emergence in society. This book reminded me of "The Haunting of Derek Stone," by Tony Abbott, but with a narrative voice that is more funny than serious. Zombie jokes are littered throughout the plot such as Molly accidentally ripping off a zombie's arm and facing her team that laughs and says, "I'd give you a hand," Grayson offered, "but it looks like you already have too many." The rest laugh and high five each other as Molly fights the zombie alone. Obviously they are not too worried about her finishing it off. If you like gross-silly action, then you'll get some good laughs. The humor buffers the violence putting some distance between it - just think of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner from Looney Tunes cartoons. The Coyote tries to eat The Road Runner who always outwits him usually resulting in The Coyote falling off a steep cliff and leaving an indent of his body after it hits the bottom and is driven several feet into the earth. He always gets up and tries again. Kind of like a zombie.
Molly is dealing with grief over the death of her mom, as well as being a new kid at a new school. The author explores the importance of belonging to a social group in school. Molly is excited to be a part of a group at school until she disagrees with them. Molly stands up to the group's leader when it is decided to exclude another girl that wants to join them. The result is Molly is kicked out of the group and forced to eat alone at lunch every day. When she becomes a part of the zombie team, it gives her a group of people like herself that are independent and willing to accept and celebrate differences in each other. The first group she was in had a leader that wanted to use the position as one of power and control over others; whereas, the social dynamics with the zombie hunters meant trust and respect for each other. Molly doesn't have a problem being different from others, but she is lonely and does want friends. She is headstrong and doesn't always think through her actions. The result is she endangers her team. Her character arc involves dealing with the loneliness of losing her mom and finding how she fits into her changing world. She learns the importance of teamwork and working together, but not without some hard lessons. A subplot explores the prejudices people have toward others that are different. Like zombies. The author manages to make the reader sympathetic toward zombies by contrasting ones that help humans versus ones that don't. Just because they are dead, doesn't mean they don't have human qualities. A story with a strong heart beat.
February 19, 2025
James Ponti is quickly becoming a favorite author, and while I wait impatiently for my library to get the next City Spies book, I might as well read some of his other works.
I picked this up on clearance at a used bookstore, and I'm so glad I took a chance on it.
It was spooky, creative, action-packed, clever, and (sometimes a little too) gross. I liked the main character and her friends, and that cliffhanger at the end was massive and amazing!
I'll be reading more in this series soon. ;)
I picked this up on clearance at a used bookstore, and I'm so glad I took a chance on it.
It was spooky, creative, action-packed, clever, and (sometimes a little too) gross. I liked the main character and her friends, and that cliffhanger at the end was massive and amazing!
I'll be reading more in this series soon. ;)
September 29, 2016
Suspenseful, awesome, zombies, and zombie hunters. My favorite character is Alex. I really like how the code writing is the periodic table of elements. I also like the crazy zombies. Like the level 2's and 3's. I definitely recommend it.
Read
October 12, 2016I loved this book because it wasn't just about zombies it had a very meaningful story behind it. I definitely recommend reading it!
October 5, 2023
I’m anxiously awaiting the 5th City Spies book, so I decided to give Ponti’s first series a try even though zombie stories are not usually my thing. Well, I’m still not a zombie fan but I am HOOKED! I flew through this audiobook in 2 days and can’t wait to start the next one. Ponti writes middle grade characters that feels so real. They have flaws and liabilities, they don’t always make great choices, but they are also trying to do the right thing. The friendship bonds in this story are really fantastic and I can’t wait to see how the series progresses.
December 29, 2012
My thoughts:
I LOVED this book!
Let's start with the cover which is cool and creepy. Molly is ready to kick some serious zombie butt. Love the omega sign hidden in title-clever! I have no doubt many kids will pick up this book based on the cover alone.
Main character Molly is a smart, yet awkward 7th grader who is struggling to fit in and figure out where she belongs. Everything in her life suddenly changes when she finds herself accepted into a secret society of zombie hunters called the Omega Society. An ages old club dedicated to keeping New York safe from the undead.
A genius move by author James Ponti adds a new twist to zombies by making the undead emotional, feeling creatures-some of which are just trying to live peacefully among humans. Of course, some zombies are trouble makers and that's where the Omega Society comes into play. It is now Molly and her team's job to gather clues, solve puzzles, and track down the evil undead.
Not only is Molly trying to wrap her head around her unusual new job, she deals with complicated new friendships, a strained relationship with her older sister, as well as discovering shocking things she never knew about her mother.
I loved that Molly was not a perfect person, she messes up-sometimes in big ways. It was fun to watch her grow and evolve through out the story. The New York history and landmark facts were also a fun reading bonus. I stand firmly in the "Molly" fan club. I can't wait to read more of Molly's zombie fighting adventures.
Dead City is a perfect Middle School read. I can't wait to put it on the library shelf and watch the kids devoure this zombie story.
A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing this book to read and review. I'll be donating this book to the Salmon Middle School.
I LOVED this book!
Let's start with the cover which is cool and creepy. Molly is ready to kick some serious zombie butt. Love the omega sign hidden in title-clever! I have no doubt many kids will pick up this book based on the cover alone.
Main character Molly is a smart, yet awkward 7th grader who is struggling to fit in and figure out where she belongs. Everything in her life suddenly changes when she finds herself accepted into a secret society of zombie hunters called the Omega Society. An ages old club dedicated to keeping New York safe from the undead.
A genius move by author James Ponti adds a new twist to zombies by making the undead emotional, feeling creatures-some of which are just trying to live peacefully among humans. Of course, some zombies are trouble makers and that's where the Omega Society comes into play. It is now Molly and her team's job to gather clues, solve puzzles, and track down the evil undead.
Not only is Molly trying to wrap her head around her unusual new job, she deals with complicated new friendships, a strained relationship with her older sister, as well as discovering shocking things she never knew about her mother.
I loved that Molly was not a perfect person, she messes up-sometimes in big ways. It was fun to watch her grow and evolve through out the story. The New York history and landmark facts were also a fun reading bonus. I stand firmly in the "Molly" fan club. I can't wait to read more of Molly's zombie fighting adventures.
Dead City is a perfect Middle School read. I can't wait to put it on the library shelf and watch the kids devoure this zombie story.
A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing this book to read and review. I'll be donating this book to the Salmon Middle School.
March 4, 2025
I've been reading and enjoying a lot of James Ponti lately. He's a fantastic author. I didn't make the connection until recently that I'd already read one of his books. I didn't know this was his trilogy! I never finished reading these books so I thought it would be an excellent time to revisit.
Molly has a secret.
She fights zombies. Turns out there are zombies everywhere, all over New York City. The schist below the ground turns some people into zombies. Some zombies lose their souls, (level 3s) but others can basically pass as human. (level 1s)
Molly is attending an elite school and gets asked to join the Omegas. The omegas are students past and present who are dedicated to keeping people safe from the zombies. The zombies are ruled by the Unlucky 13. They were the original zombies. All part of the same family, they died in a bomb blast over a hundred years ago. Some of them are pretty ruthless.
This was just as fun the second time around. I had a little less patience for Molly's constant foibles, but they also seemed totally believable for a middle schooler. I've already read book 2 and I'm looking forward to reading book 3. (Review #2 - January 2025)
Review #1 - September 2015
Zombies.
I don't know why, but I love them.
Excellent premise and all the characters are fantastic. Molly is excellent and easy to relate too.
Fun and adventurous without being too scary.
Molly has a secret.
She fights zombies. Turns out there are zombies everywhere, all over New York City. The schist below the ground turns some people into zombies. Some zombies lose their souls, (level 3s) but others can basically pass as human. (level 1s)
Molly is attending an elite school and gets asked to join the Omegas. The omegas are students past and present who are dedicated to keeping people safe from the zombies. The zombies are ruled by the Unlucky 13. They were the original zombies. All part of the same family, they died in a bomb blast over a hundred years ago. Some of them are pretty ruthless.
This was just as fun the second time around. I had a little less patience for Molly's constant foibles, but they also seemed totally believable for a middle schooler. I've already read book 2 and I'm looking forward to reading book 3. (Review #2 - January 2025)
Review #1 - September 2015
Zombies.
I don't know why, but I love them.
Excellent premise and all the characters are fantastic. Molly is excellent and easy to relate too.
Fun and adventurous without being too scary.
August 28, 2019
No, just no. The world didn't make any sense. How do you have a trained group of zombie hunters in high school but once they graduate, no more hunting, just support. Also, they preached rights for the undead, but all the ones, excepting one, that they encountered alone, they killed or at least attempted to kill. Also, everywhere on the cover says zombies and the prologue says zombies, but the first scene where there are missing bodies from a tomb, zombies are not mentioned at all, not even as a joke. The readers are screaming zombies in their heads, but nothing on the page. Finally, it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm usually more angry about this, but I didn't care as much as usual because I didn't want to read anymore anyway.
September 29, 2016
Describe the book in 5 words:
Hilarious, suspenseful, gripping, adventurous, friendship.
Favourite Character: Grayson
What I liked: I really enjoyed how the book was very fast paced. It had me guessing what was going to come next by giving clues throughout the book. I also really like how it started with a prologue and came back to it in the second last chapter.
Would you recommend? YES!!!
Hilarious, suspenseful, gripping, adventurous, friendship.
Favourite Character: Grayson
What I liked: I really enjoyed how the book was very fast paced. It had me guessing what was going to come next by giving clues throughout the book. I also really like how it started with a prologue and came back to it in the second last chapter.
Would you recommend? YES!!!
February 28, 2018
As a zombie fan, I found myself very intrigued by this story. The concept is unique in the "zombie" genre (zombies confined to Manhattan?) and the action really just keeps the tale moving along. I immediately picked up volume 2 (quite the cliffhanger!) to see where Molly and her fellow Omegas are headed.
December 15, 2019
Great for young readers!
February 2, 2024
This was fun! The first few chapters were giving Percy Jackson + zombies, but it kind of lost that fun, quippy quality as the story progressed, and I missed it. I have more questions than answers at the end (what's necessary to make someone a zombie? do they already have to be dead or is the zombie-ness the thing that kills them? how do they know which zombies to kill and which ones to leave alone? how does one even kill a zombie?) but I'm hoping some of these will get answered in the rest of the series, which I'll probably be reading soon. 3.5 stars from me!
April 26, 2021
This is a quick one. Reads like a middle grade adventure/ comedy with a bit of horror... ya know, cuz zombies. Severed limbs, but no blood. It’s classic my recently deceased mother was a member of an elite monster hunting secret society stuff. Worth the read for sure. You know exactly what cliff hanger it’s gonna end with. But not to worry, books two and three are out and ready for you!
#RocTBF2021
#RocTBF2021
August 8, 2022
The zombies were something different. I enjoyed this take on them. The kids made a great team and learned a lot, especially our MC.
July 18, 2022
Love James Ponti. I prefer City Spies, but the man knows how to write a kids book!
October 25, 2016
Zombies are not my favorite thing to read about, frankly, I find the whole concept rather disgusting. However, I found the premise of this series intriguing so I picked it up. And I'm glad I did. While I didn't enjoy the zombies (dripping flesh, yuck!), I did enjoy Molly and her friends. The plot here is rather different in that the most of the zombies aren't stupid, mindless creatures, but vary in terms of grossness and intelligence. There are three levels of 'undead', Level three are the stupid, mindless variety, Level 2 are more human looking and can blend in with humans with a little help, and Level 1s look pretty much like people except they don't breath. Level 1s and 2s seem to retain the intelligence they had as humans. Level 2s however are basically soulless and as such can be extremely dangerous, as Molly discovers for her self when she goes looking for the zombie who chased her and her mother when she was little, leading to her fear of heights. Molly has a fun narrative voice that makes the book funnier than one would expect a zombie book to be. Molly is a bit snarky and when she meets up with her zombie fighting team (belonging to a group called the Omegas) including Natalie, Grayson, and Alex, the interactions between the four are quite entertaining. But Molly is used to doing things on her own and that independence leads her to make some poor choices that put not only herself but her whole team in danger. This is definitely a series that I would recommend to middle grade readers looking for zombie books.
March 8, 2015
REVIEW written for WASHYARG (Washington Young Adult Review Group):
Beginning cut not for spoilers, just because it's a plot summary and you can skip it if you just want to hear what I thought of the book :)
Ponti’s fiery heroine is sassy and sarcastic, and upper-elementary and middle school readers will instantly find themselves sucked into the slightly scary (but not too much) alternate Manhattan created by the author. In many ways this is Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or rather…Molly the Zombie Slayer?) for tweens, and readers will itching to get their hands on the next in the series (entitled Blue Moon), arriving on shelves in October 2013!
Beginning cut not for spoilers, just because it's a plot summary and you can skip it if you just want to hear what I thought of the book :)
Ponti’s fiery heroine is sassy and sarcastic, and upper-elementary and middle school readers will instantly find themselves sucked into the slightly scary (but not too much) alternate Manhattan created by the author. In many ways this is Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or rather…Molly the Zombie Slayer?) for tweens, and readers will itching to get their hands on the next in the series (entitled Blue Moon), arriving on shelves in October 2013!
October 15, 2014
A MUST READ!
I purchased Dead City a few weeks ago at a local school book fair. I was browsing the tables full of books when I came across this one. The thing that caught my eye is the cover so I picked it up, read the back and thought that it sounded pretty interesting so I was going to give it a shot.
I am so glad that I did.
I LOVE everything about this book!! It is gritty, funny, suspenseful and down right spooky at times. You will fall in love with the characters and their sense of humor, loyalty and unwavering courage.
The bad zombies (Lv's 2 & 3<----mostly 3's) are Fah-reak-ee!!!
*grabs my bottle of vanilla extract*
As I was reading Dead City I could literally see everything play out in my head, almost like I was in a movie and I had the best seat in the house with a big tub of delicious and oh so warm and oh so buttery popcorn in my hands. With every new discovery that Molly and her friends would make, had me going "Huh, that is pretty darn nifty." The dangerous situations that they would sometimes find themselves in had my grasping my book just a little bit tighter. I may or may not have held my breath a time or two.
If you are looking for a fantastic read for you child or heck even for yourself, then this is just for you.
Until next time....
Happy Reading :)
I purchased Dead City a few weeks ago at a local school book fair. I was browsing the tables full of books when I came across this one. The thing that caught my eye is the cover so I picked it up, read the back and thought that it sounded pretty interesting so I was going to give it a shot.
I am so glad that I did.
I LOVE everything about this book!! It is gritty, funny, suspenseful and down right spooky at times. You will fall in love with the characters and their sense of humor, loyalty and unwavering courage.
The bad zombies (Lv's 2 & 3<----mostly 3's) are Fah-reak-ee!!!
*grabs my bottle of vanilla extract*
As I was reading Dead City I could literally see everything play out in my head, almost like I was in a movie and I had the best seat in the house with a big tub of delicious and oh so warm and oh so buttery popcorn in my hands. With every new discovery that Molly and her friends would make, had me going "Huh, that is pretty darn nifty." The dangerous situations that they would sometimes find themselves in had my grasping my book just a little bit tighter. I may or may not have held my breath a time or two.
If you are looking for a fantastic read for you child or heck even for yourself, then this is just for you.
Until next time....
Happy Reading :)
June 7, 2024
2024
2020
2019
This book has everything a zombie lover could want! (And by zombie lover, I mean lover of zombie fiction. Which I am. I'll pretty much read anything zombie related). Action, drama, comedy, intellect, the whole shebang.
Molly is a geek. She doesn't know where she fits in in her high school because she doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. Until Natalie, Grayson, and Alex take her in as part of their group. Their group is pretty exclusive and only includes the best of the best ZKs. Zombie killers.
Molly immediately feels at home in their group. She fits right in. She has a natural talent, combined with some previous training that even she didn't know she was getting. Unfortunately, she's got quite a curious nature that might just lead her and her news friends into a pack of trouble.
The great thing about the writing in this book is that you really end up rooting for the characters. Even when you think they are making poor decisions, you really want the best for everyone. The plot is very quick paced and you won't want to put the book down! At least until the book is over and then you can't wait to pick up the next one!
2017
2016
2020
2019
This book has everything a zombie lover could want! (And by zombie lover, I mean lover of zombie fiction. Which I am. I'll pretty much read anything zombie related). Action, drama, comedy, intellect, the whole shebang.
Molly is a geek. She doesn't know where she fits in in her high school because she doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. Until Natalie, Grayson, and Alex take her in as part of their group. Their group is pretty exclusive and only includes the best of the best ZKs. Zombie killers.
Molly immediately feels at home in their group. She fits right in. She has a natural talent, combined with some previous training that even she didn't know she was getting. Unfortunately, she's got quite a curious nature that might just lead her and her news friends into a pack of trouble.
The great thing about the writing in this book is that you really end up rooting for the characters. Even when you think they are making poor decisions, you really want the best for everyone. The plot is very quick paced and you won't want to put the book down! At least until the book is over and then you can't wait to pick up the next one!
2017
2016
November 9, 2016
This book was recommended to me by my 11 year old son. He said it was "a MUST read".
He was right! I truly enjoyed this book. There wasn't a dull moment in this book and the story ran along very well. I liked the protagonist and support characters. It's a very well written book and such a fun read. I now understand why my little guy liked it so much.
I'm looking forward to book 2 and 3 in the series.
He was right! I truly enjoyed this book. There wasn't a dull moment in this book and the story ran along very well. I liked the protagonist and support characters. It's a very well written book and such a fun read. I now understand why my little guy liked it so much.
I'm looking forward to book 2 and 3 in the series.
August 23, 2013
This book was pretty good and really funny at some points. If you think about it too much, it doesn't really work logistically (like why would this agency leave the fate of the world in the hands of teenagers and not in the experienced zombie killers?). But if you don't think about it too much, it's a fun, quick read.
January 7, 2016
It was a great book. It was adventurous and not too fake.
The beginning is a bit slow but once you get a little further in the book it starts to pick up.The plot in the book is very action packed.
I really enjoyed this book because of the action and I like to read books that are part of a series.
The beginning is a bit slow but once you get a little further in the book it starts to pick up.The plot in the book is very action packed.
I really enjoyed this book because of the action and I like to read books that are part of a series.
June 9, 2024
This might be the first teen book I've enjoyed in a while.
Normally teen books now dont exactly appeal to me because i feel like i cant exactly relate and most of them make the same recurring mistakes (romcom teens that is).
This one definitely is different with the zombie theme and that too not in scary way but an annoyed manner, so in short there is lots of comedy and pretty good puns that actually brought out the jokester in me.
Sure there are some loopholes and grey areas but it's pace is pretty good and definitely has me hooked to complete the series.
Normally teen books now dont exactly appeal to me because i feel like i cant exactly relate and most of them make the same recurring mistakes (romcom teens that is).
This one definitely is different with the zombie theme and that too not in scary way but an annoyed manner, so in short there is lots of comedy and pretty good puns that actually brought out the jokester in me.
Sure there are some loopholes and grey areas but it's pace is pretty good and definitely has me hooked to complete the series.
November 14, 2020
If you can overlook the fact that the book never even attempts to explain why this Men in Black-ish organization chooses 13-17 year old kids as the secret agents assigned to patrol and sometimes eliminate members of New York City’s also-secret zombie population, it’s a pretty fun young reader adventure.
July 11, 2021
Dead City is a fun story about a girl who spends her free time at the morgue and finds herself being groomed to protect and police zombies. There are gross parts, as you would expect. There are several mysteries to uncover along the way. There is a strong friend "squad" message among the many tense scenes and action scenes. And, there's a cliffhanger ending. I listened on audiobook.
July 7, 2020
3.5
January 14, 2022
What a fun ghost, ok, zombie ride, this was and that ending!!!!! Where’s book 2!!!
April 30, 2023
Was hard for me to wrap my head around hunting zombies but it was quick read…sort of a Nancy Drew. Ending has me waiting for book 2!
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