What do you think?
Rate this book
Amanda Feral #2
Road Trip of the Living Dead
With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy sidekick Gil, celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is ready to take a big bite out of Seattle's supernatural nightlife. But what's a zombie chick to do when her "Mommie Dearest" gets sick? If you're Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch--or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it.
Packing their stiletto pumps and plasma into a sketchy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winebago, Amanda, Wendy, and Gil hit the highway. Of course, they'll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop, and an unsightly horde of Kmart shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls, this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning. . .
Praise for Mark Henry and His Amanda Feral Zombie Novels
"Fun, fun stuff. I'll never think of zombies in quite the same way again." Patricia Biggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author on Battle of the Network Zombies
"Sexy, funny, and twisted. You've never read anything like this!" --Richelle Mead on Happy Hour of the Damned
Packing their stiletto pumps and plasma into a sketchy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winebago, Amanda, Wendy, and Gil hit the highway. Of course, they'll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop, and an unsightly horde of Kmart shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls, this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning. . .
Praise for Mark Henry and His Amanda Feral Zombie Novels
"Fun, fun stuff. I'll never think of zombies in quite the same way again." Patricia Biggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author on Battle of the Network Zombies
"Sexy, funny, and twisted. You've never read anything like this!" --Richelle Mead on Happy Hour of the Damned
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 27, 2009
2 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Mark Henry
79 books371 followersMARK HENRY traded a career as a counselor to scar minds with his fiction. In stories clogged with sentient zombies, impotent sex demons, transsexual werewolves and ghostly goth girls, he irreverently processes traumatic issues brought on by premature exposure to horror movies, an unwholesome fetish for polyester and/or witnessing adult cocktail parties in the swingin' 70s. A developmental history further muddied by surviving earthquakes, typhoons, and two volcanic eruptions. He somehow continues to live and breathe in the oft maligned, yet not nearly as soggy as you’d think, Pacific Northwest, with his wife and four furry monsters that think they’re children and have a complete disregard for carpet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 20, 2009
There are some books I just don’t like that others really do. Some make me laugh and yearn in ways I can’t explain. Then there are such books where I have a horrible reading experience where I want to throw the book out the window and wish I had never picked it up to begin with. I have read really great reviews about the author and his first book. And when I was given his second book in his series about a zombie heroine to read, I thought why not give it a go? How I wished I was never given the book now. I am still gagging thinking about what I have read.
The last time I actually gagged when reading a book was Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho. I had such a visceral response to American Psycho that to this day goose bumps will appear on my arms whenever I think about it *pokes at goose bump as I write this post*. The latest where I found myself gagging was Mark Henry’s Road Trip of the Living Dead or what I call the, “Paris Hilton zombie potty humor gag me till I puke book”. I am trying to figure out whose Mark Henry’s audience is. If film maker Judd Apatow wrote books, they would probably be like Mark Henry’s. Perhaps Mark is a fan of Judd’s very immature, only teen boys can understand comedies?
Road Trip of the Living Dead is a foul read. He injects descriptions of bodily fluids and very unfunny until they fall beyond flat situations. Want a few examples of this gag me till I puke humor?
"... Boxcar Willie pissing a stream of ectoplasm onto the grave. It glugged from the guy like Mrs. Butterworth's, glowing an enthusiastic obscene purple."
“He responded by ripping the wettest fart I’d ever heard, a massive gelatinous ass moan, that woke a gag reflex in me that I thought I lost with my death.”
“I was faced with a throbbing fleshy poultry mallet. This cock was not content to be simply misshapen in its engorgement- no- its oversized mushroom cap oozed a thick yellow discharge.”
“Wendy’s face was smeared with blood, chunks of hair skin and drippy globs of fat.”
Need I go on?
Road Trip of the Living Dead is from the first person POV of Amanda Feral who has been changed into a zombie. Her mother is dying and even though Amanda hates her mother with a passion, she will make the road trip to go see her. From what I can gather Amanda wants to be there when her kicks the bucket so she can dance on her grave. We are shown why Amanda hates mommy dearest, because get this- her mother once gave a young Amanda chocolate Ex-Lax on a car ride because Amanda wanted a lip gloss. Daddy dear had to stop at some road side store and Mommy Feral wasn't happy. Mommy Feral shows her love by making her little girl suffer.
Along for the ride is Amanda’s best bud Wendy who is also a zombie and has an eating disorder. Wendy cannot stop eating chocolate, which is a no-no for a flesh eating zombie. For some reason the girls can drink alcohol, which is given a pass, but not chocolate. Gil, a gay vampire with great fashion sense, travels along with these two dead ladies because he has to hide out from a newly risen vampire he kind screwed over. (Newly risen vampire was pissed upon by a ghost in a cemetery and blames Gil for it) There is also Mr. Kim, a ghost who is now attached to Amanda. On this road trip from Seattle, Washington across the U.S. to some very interesting back water areas, Amanda and her motley crew get into trouble.
I really can’t find anything appealing about making a zombie into a loveable main character. Perhaps as a sidekick, but as the main protagonist in a story, no. My problem lies with watching too many zombie horror movies with those mindless zombies that want someone’s brains to munch on. BRAIIINSSS!!!
Mark was trying to make Amanda come across as this loveable main character, but instead she reminded me of a Paris Hilton type. A selfish, vain cartoonish character that brings nothing into the world. Amanda’s sole purpose in Road Trip of the Living Dead is to stumble along with no purpose while she makes inane remarks. The way she and Wendy acted grated on my nerves, especially when they are on the look out for their next meal. These two eat humans just like any other zombies. They would troll in their high heels shoes for their next victims but made sure, at least in their minds, their dinner were bad sorts who deserve it. See that drunken homeless guy over there? He is perfect as fresh meat. What about that grungy teenie bopper girl and her boyfriend who treat her grandmother like shit at the store? They are perfect victims because they are so mean to grandma and have nothing to give to society.
.
At one point I wished I had an axe because I wanted to behead Amanda and Wendy because they wouldn't shut up and again were too annoying for words.The only character I has a small smidgen of interest for was Gil. He is the true comic sidekick that Mark actually got right.
Road Trip of the Living Dead feels like a bad paranormal Sex and the City gone bad. Amanda Feral is no Carrie Bradshaw, that’s for sure. By page 150 I put this book down with one last roll of the eyes. Imagine if I had a lighter next to me? This apparent attempt at quirky zombie humor fails in so many ways.
The last time I actually gagged when reading a book was Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho. I had such a visceral response to American Psycho that to this day goose bumps will appear on my arms whenever I think about it *pokes at goose bump as I write this post*. The latest where I found myself gagging was Mark Henry’s Road Trip of the Living Dead or what I call the, “Paris Hilton zombie potty humor gag me till I puke book”. I am trying to figure out whose Mark Henry’s audience is. If film maker Judd Apatow wrote books, they would probably be like Mark Henry’s. Perhaps Mark is a fan of Judd’s very immature, only teen boys can understand comedies?
Road Trip of the Living Dead is a foul read. He injects descriptions of bodily fluids and very unfunny until they fall beyond flat situations. Want a few examples of this gag me till I puke humor?
"... Boxcar Willie pissing a stream of ectoplasm onto the grave. It glugged from the guy like Mrs. Butterworth's, glowing an enthusiastic obscene purple."
“He responded by ripping the wettest fart I’d ever heard, a massive gelatinous ass moan, that woke a gag reflex in me that I thought I lost with my death.”
“I was faced with a throbbing fleshy poultry mallet. This cock was not content to be simply misshapen in its engorgement- no- its oversized mushroom cap oozed a thick yellow discharge.”
“Wendy’s face was smeared with blood, chunks of hair skin and drippy globs of fat.”
Need I go on?
Road Trip of the Living Dead is from the first person POV of Amanda Feral who has been changed into a zombie. Her mother is dying and even though Amanda hates her mother with a passion, she will make the road trip to go see her. From what I can gather Amanda wants to be there when her kicks the bucket so she can dance on her grave. We are shown why Amanda hates mommy dearest, because get this- her mother once gave a young Amanda chocolate Ex-Lax on a car ride because Amanda wanted a lip gloss. Daddy dear had to stop at some road side store and Mommy Feral wasn't happy. Mommy Feral shows her love by making her little girl suffer.
Along for the ride is Amanda’s best bud Wendy who is also a zombie and has an eating disorder. Wendy cannot stop eating chocolate, which is a no-no for a flesh eating zombie. For some reason the girls can drink alcohol, which is given a pass, but not chocolate. Gil, a gay vampire with great fashion sense, travels along with these two dead ladies because he has to hide out from a newly risen vampire he kind screwed over. (Newly risen vampire was pissed upon by a ghost in a cemetery and blames Gil for it) There is also Mr. Kim, a ghost who is now attached to Amanda. On this road trip from Seattle, Washington across the U.S. to some very interesting back water areas, Amanda and her motley crew get into trouble.
I really can’t find anything appealing about making a zombie into a loveable main character. Perhaps as a sidekick, but as the main protagonist in a story, no. My problem lies with watching too many zombie horror movies with those mindless zombies that want someone’s brains to munch on. BRAIIINSSS!!!
Mark was trying to make Amanda come across as this loveable main character, but instead she reminded me of a Paris Hilton type. A selfish, vain cartoonish character that brings nothing into the world. Amanda’s sole purpose in Road Trip of the Living Dead is to stumble along with no purpose while she makes inane remarks. The way she and Wendy acted grated on my nerves, especially when they are on the look out for their next meal. These two eat humans just like any other zombies. They would troll in their high heels shoes for their next victims but made sure, at least in their minds, their dinner were bad sorts who deserve it. See that drunken homeless guy over there? He is perfect as fresh meat. What about that grungy teenie bopper girl and her boyfriend who treat her grandmother like shit at the store? They are perfect victims because they are so mean to grandma and have nothing to give to society.
.
At one point I wished I had an axe because I wanted to behead Amanda and Wendy because they wouldn't shut up and again were too annoying for words.The only character I has a small smidgen of interest for was Gil. He is the true comic sidekick that Mark actually got right.
Road Trip of the Living Dead feels like a bad paranormal Sex and the City gone bad. Amanda Feral is no Carrie Bradshaw, that’s for sure. By page 150 I put this book down with one last roll of the eyes. Imagine if I had a lighter next to me? This apparent attempt at quirky zombie humor fails in so many ways.
May 3, 2011
We are six months after the end of Happy Hour of the Damned, and everyone has pretty much moved on since the zombie outbreaks. Gil has started his own Resurrection business, making money turning people undead. While waiting for a client of Gills, recently deceased wealthy-rich man, to rise from the grave Amanda mentions to Wendy and Gil she received a call from her mothers hospice care nurse saying her mother is in ending stages of stomach cancer. With the rising of the new vampire things start to go seriously wrong. A ghost who hates vampires does something to the newly birthing vampire as he is breaking from the earth. Markham is now pissed (ha ha...) and wants a refund and threatens to kill Gil. But Gil hopes a few days away will calm him to the point of talking and not killing. Leaving town for a road trip to Amanda's mom's, the crew goes ~ some wanting and willing, and one dreading it.
Oh this road trip is a tragic comedy of events. But we are with a group of meat eating undead here and there are crazy happenings with the crew as they are chased through the country to Amanda's dieing moms. Fun. As the trip starts off as a way to get away from troubles awaiting in town, the start to think they might be being followed. But then when they think they've lost their stalkers other events take place and we meet new characters that being a new twist to the story and new destination stops in the road trip. All stops end in a wild happening. And the humor like in Happy Hour.
We learn more of Amanda's upbringing through her memories of her mom while meeting new characters that fit, and don't fit, into the group. There are new men and women. And each finds their own place here, if they have one. Amanda is the great sassy character I remembered her to be. Wendy seemed to be not as active for me in this book. But we do meet some new characters which I enjoyed, Honey and Scott. I love the connections the feel with a few of the characters. Nice! But, there's a murder mystery too! Not knowing who is doing the murders and working on the suspects. So, who is killing these people? Which ones will end up lunch meat? You'll have to read to find out.
Oh this road trip is a tragic comedy of events. But we are with a group of meat eating undead here and there are crazy happenings with the crew as they are chased through the country to Amanda's dieing moms. Fun. As the trip starts off as a way to get away from troubles awaiting in town, the start to think they might be being followed. But then when they think they've lost their stalkers other events take place and we meet new characters that being a new twist to the story and new destination stops in the road trip. All stops end in a wild happening. And the humor like in Happy Hour.
We learn more of Amanda's upbringing through her memories of her mom while meeting new characters that fit, and don't fit, into the group. There are new men and women. And each finds their own place here, if they have one. Amanda is the great sassy character I remembered her to be. Wendy seemed to be not as active for me in this book. But we do meet some new characters which I enjoyed, Honey and Scott. I love the connections the feel with a few of the characters. Nice! But, there's a murder mystery too! Not knowing who is doing the murders and working on the suspects. So, who is killing these people? Which ones will end up lunch meat? You'll have to read to find out.
March 19, 2022
It is many things.
Is this book gory? It is. Is it crass and exceedingly fond of loving descriptions of bodily fluids? Why, yes, it is that. Is it very silly? Very much so. It is also mildly amusing, and it is possible I will read the next book.
Is this book gory? It is. Is it crass and exceedingly fond of loving descriptions of bodily fluids? Why, yes, it is that. Is it very silly? Very much so. It is also mildly amusing, and it is possible I will read the next book.
June 4, 2022
This book is not for me. There's no logic. There doesn't seem to be any point at all to the story. The characters are extremely unlikeable. The whole story is just uninteresting silliness to me. As usual, I would recommend that you read this for yourself and make your own opinions.
February 6, 2025
Nothing really captured me in this book. The descriptions fell short, the dialog was all over the place and the footnotes were so annoying and unnecessary.
I struggled to the end and the story was nothing more that a quick not fully flushed out story.
I struggled to the end and the story was nothing more that a quick not fully flushed out story.
June 28, 2019
Well, it was better than the first in the series, but I still have problems with a female main character that misogynistic. I get that it's supposed to be ironic, but dude, really?
October 27, 2021
Just keeps getting better and better... love this series. Loads of LOLs
February 18, 2010
In Mark Henry’s second Amanda Feral book, we find the gang needing to get out of town. First, Gil, Amanda’s vampire pal has decided to start his own business, Luxury Resurrections. What better way to make some money than to turn people into vampires? He offers a premium service, unfortunately his first client, Richard Markham gets urinated on by a ghost as he rises from his grave, which wasn’t really included in the million dollar price tag. Markham is pissed and as Gil, Amanda and Wendy flee the scene, he promises revenge.
Concurrently, Amanda’s mom is on hospice dying from cancer. This actually makes Amanda very happy. She hates her mom – like, really, really hates her. She had an awful childhood because of her and could care less her mom is ready to kick the bucket. Gil thinks maybe Amanda needs closure, and with an enraged Markam on their tails, they decide to go on a road trip! A road trip is not necessarily the flashy, high profile life that Amanda prefers, but as she says, “country folk have cute country flavors.”
During the road trip, we meet several new people. First, we are introduced to Fishhooks, a man that is suppose to be Amanda’s dinner, but was smart enough to swallow several fish hooks, that of course no zombie will go near now. He mumbles, is usually high, and is really well hung.
Mr. Kim's, or Kimmy is back, (kimmy is the ghost from the first book), and we are introduced to his sister who desperately wants to find a way to see him again. We meet a family that is just too perfect to be real – and have twins that may like to make-out with each other. There are also werewolves and zombie attacks, and the cute cop from the first book is back and Amanda can not resist.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is better than the first book in my opinion. The pace is fast throughout and Mark Henry again delivers a book that will have you laughing nonstop. I can’t express how funny his books are. It’s the combination of humor and shock value that make these books so entertaining. For as funny and snarky as the first book is, I really think it is a challenge to write a second book on that level, and he makes it happen.
We get a lot of glimpses into Amanda’s life in this one as she contemplates why she hates her mother so much and how she turned into the person (or zombie) she is today. We even see a bit (just a little) of humanity in her as she copes with a Wendy who is down in the dumps and Kimmy’s sister who wishes to see her dead brother in his ghost form. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda is still a bitch – but she cares for Gil and Wendy and they make a great trio. Wendy is battling an addiction to Twix bars, which she tries to hide from the gang, but with chocolate smears on her face and the runs coming out the other end, it is a problem that all her friends know about. I actually wish we had more with Gil this time, he seemed to be left behind.
We do get more with Scott, the police officer from the first book that comes to Amanda’s aide. He is a fun character and gives a something to Amanda that makes her undead heart a little more smutty, if that is possible. I could sit here and type out a dozen or more quotes that had me laughing out loud, but it is better if you read it for yourself. You need to get into Amanda’s snarky, sharp-witted mind and go along for the ride.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is fun, fast-paced and different than any other urban fantasy series out there. I am really impressed with this series and can’t say enough how entertaining it is.
Rating: 4.5/5
Concurrently, Amanda’s mom is on hospice dying from cancer. This actually makes Amanda very happy. She hates her mom – like, really, really hates her. She had an awful childhood because of her and could care less her mom is ready to kick the bucket. Gil thinks maybe Amanda needs closure, and with an enraged Markam on their tails, they decide to go on a road trip! A road trip is not necessarily the flashy, high profile life that Amanda prefers, but as she says, “country folk have cute country flavors.”
During the road trip, we meet several new people. First, we are introduced to Fishhooks, a man that is suppose to be Amanda’s dinner, but was smart enough to swallow several fish hooks, that of course no zombie will go near now. He mumbles, is usually high, and is really well hung.
Mr. Kim's, or Kimmy is back, (kimmy is the ghost from the first book), and we are introduced to his sister who desperately wants to find a way to see him again. We meet a family that is just too perfect to be real – and have twins that may like to make-out with each other. There are also werewolves and zombie attacks, and the cute cop from the first book is back and Amanda can not resist.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is better than the first book in my opinion. The pace is fast throughout and Mark Henry again delivers a book that will have you laughing nonstop. I can’t express how funny his books are. It’s the combination of humor and shock value that make these books so entertaining. For as funny and snarky as the first book is, I really think it is a challenge to write a second book on that level, and he makes it happen.
We get a lot of glimpses into Amanda’s life in this one as she contemplates why she hates her mother so much and how she turned into the person (or zombie) she is today. We even see a bit (just a little) of humanity in her as she copes with a Wendy who is down in the dumps and Kimmy’s sister who wishes to see her dead brother in his ghost form. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda is still a bitch – but she cares for Gil and Wendy and they make a great trio. Wendy is battling an addiction to Twix bars, which she tries to hide from the gang, but with chocolate smears on her face and the runs coming out the other end, it is a problem that all her friends know about. I actually wish we had more with Gil this time, he seemed to be left behind.
We do get more with Scott, the police officer from the first book that comes to Amanda’s aide. He is a fun character and gives a something to Amanda that makes her undead heart a little more smutty, if that is possible. I could sit here and type out a dozen or more quotes that had me laughing out loud, but it is better if you read it for yourself. You need to get into Amanda’s snarky, sharp-witted mind and go along for the ride.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is fun, fast-paced and different than any other urban fantasy series out there. I am really impressed with this series and can’t say enough how entertaining it is.
Rating: 4.5/5
September 11, 2011
Road Trip of the Living Dead
Somewhere in Mark Henry’s basement, a poor wannabe celebutante sits chained to a desk with a stripped down computer as the only source of illumination. That is simply the only way to explain how superbly he slips into a female skin as Amanda Feral with such convincing style. Mr. Henry should expect Clarisse Starling to knock on his door any day now, but until that time, the poor wife in his basement must continue to put the lotion on its skin, or it gets the hose again.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is the second book in the still underappreciated Amanda Feral series. Once again, Amanda and her friends are solving another Scooby Doo-for-grown-ups mystery. I truly waited for the villain to say, “And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids.”
It is seldom that you can read an account of a lycanthrope engaging in necrophilia and actually laugh. If you have not yet crossed that item off of your bucket list, then I urge you to go out and purchase Road Trip of the Living Dead. (save yourself a trip and grab all three titles currently comprising the Amanda Feral series–see previous review of Happy Hour of the Damned, and stay tuned for the forthcoming review of Battle of the Network Zombies) from start to finish, Mark Henry keeps the reader entertained. Be warned: if you read this book in public, you will garner looks from passers-by. Why? Because you will laugh out loud, sometimes at very inappropriate things that would offend those with more delicate sensibilities. You will want to share some of these particular moments with friends, who, having not read the book, will back away from you with a look of concern. I’m fairly certain that simply by purchasing any of these books, you name will be entered in some law enforcement watch-list.
Road Trip of the Living Dead introduces a few new supporting cast members that are as riveting as the original core trio of Amanda, Wendy, and Gill. Included in this group is a Korean ghost/hood ornament/former zombie and his teenaged, gun-toting little sister. Their adventures are no ordinary mystery any more than those faced by Buffy and her minions…simply viewed from the other (and by other I mean” the beasties”) side.
Mark Henry has earned his spot on the shelf beside Harris, Hamilton, and Harrison. Maybe it’s something in surnames starting with ‘H’. Whatever the case, peek in on Amanda and her friends…if she’ll allow you too. Road Trip of the Living Dead is a journey you will absolutely enjoy.
Somewhere in Mark Henry’s basement, a poor wannabe celebutante sits chained to a desk with a stripped down computer as the only source of illumination. That is simply the only way to explain how superbly he slips into a female skin as Amanda Feral with such convincing style. Mr. Henry should expect Clarisse Starling to knock on his door any day now, but until that time, the poor wife in his basement must continue to put the lotion on its skin, or it gets the hose again.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is the second book in the still underappreciated Amanda Feral series. Once again, Amanda and her friends are solving another Scooby Doo-for-grown-ups mystery. I truly waited for the villain to say, “And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids.”
It is seldom that you can read an account of a lycanthrope engaging in necrophilia and actually laugh. If you have not yet crossed that item off of your bucket list, then I urge you to go out and purchase Road Trip of the Living Dead. (save yourself a trip and grab all three titles currently comprising the Amanda Feral series–see previous review of Happy Hour of the Damned, and stay tuned for the forthcoming review of Battle of the Network Zombies) from start to finish, Mark Henry keeps the reader entertained. Be warned: if you read this book in public, you will garner looks from passers-by. Why? Because you will laugh out loud, sometimes at very inappropriate things that would offend those with more delicate sensibilities. You will want to share some of these particular moments with friends, who, having not read the book, will back away from you with a look of concern. I’m fairly certain that simply by purchasing any of these books, you name will be entered in some law enforcement watch-list.
Road Trip of the Living Dead introduces a few new supporting cast members that are as riveting as the original core trio of Amanda, Wendy, and Gill. Included in this group is a Korean ghost/hood ornament/former zombie and his teenaged, gun-toting little sister. Their adventures are no ordinary mystery any more than those faced by Buffy and her minions…simply viewed from the other (and by other I mean” the beasties”) side.
Mark Henry has earned his spot on the shelf beside Harris, Hamilton, and Harrison. Maybe it’s something in surnames starting with ‘H’. Whatever the case, peek in on Amanda and her friends…if she’ll allow you too. Road Trip of the Living Dead is a journey you will absolutely enjoy.
January 25, 2010
4.5 stars but i am rounding up! :)
I opened up Road Trip of the Living Dead and prepared myself to be entirely grossed out by Mark Henry’s sick and twisted sense of humor again. He did not disappoint and I quickly found myself gasping and giggling at Amanda Feral and her “pottymouth.” I mean how can one not love her?
"I’m a total shoe slut. Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin: this is an open invitation. Feel free to run a train on me. The cost? Stilettos, duh."
In Road Trip of the Living Dead Amanda, Wendy, and Gil find themselves up to their supernatural asses in trouble and are forced out on the run (all because of some really gross ghost urine!). The gang uses the need to leave town as an opportunity to visit Amanda’s deathly ill mother. However, nothing is ever simple for these three and their road trip quickly turns into an adventure filled with action, danger, gold grills, and fleshlights (google if you must, but I warn you… do it when you are completely alone! its errrr interesting).
While I found book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, to be heavy on the character plotting, book 2 was a nice blend of character and interesting storyline. If anything I think Gil and Wendy took a smaller role about halfway through and I missed them a tiny bit! The mystery and suspense was better and more to the forefront than the previous book. I was engrossed in the oddly developing story and simply did not want to put this one down! Mark Henry brings in some new characters that are sure to make you laugh, including a sexy new werewolf named Scott. We even got a smexy scene that will make you snicker!
I have only one itsy bitsy complaint (or I would have given this 5 stars) ~ I wanted more with Amanda’s mother. We get such a tiny glimpse of her at the end and I was slightly confused as to what happened to/with her. There was quite a bit of setup as to Amanda and her mother and that plot line seemed to take a bit of a backseat in the end. However Amanda did make a few comments that lead me to believe this was intentional and more is coming.
With Road Trip of the Living Dead Mark Henry had me once again laughing hysterically, out loud, causing the hubby to look at me like I had lost a few marbles. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Save Amanda Feral bandwagon, don’t worry, there is still time! Book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, is being re-released as Mass Market Paperback on January 26th
I opened up Road Trip of the Living Dead and prepared myself to be entirely grossed out by Mark Henry’s sick and twisted sense of humor again. He did not disappoint and I quickly found myself gasping and giggling at Amanda Feral and her “pottymouth.” I mean how can one not love her?
"I’m a total shoe slut. Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin: this is an open invitation. Feel free to run a train on me. The cost? Stilettos, duh."
In Road Trip of the Living Dead Amanda, Wendy, and Gil find themselves up to their supernatural asses in trouble and are forced out on the run (all because of some really gross ghost urine!). The gang uses the need to leave town as an opportunity to visit Amanda’s deathly ill mother. However, nothing is ever simple for these three and their road trip quickly turns into an adventure filled with action, danger, gold grills, and fleshlights (google if you must, but I warn you… do it when you are completely alone! its errrr interesting).
While I found book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, to be heavy on the character plotting, book 2 was a nice blend of character and interesting storyline. If anything I think Gil and Wendy took a smaller role about halfway through and I missed them a tiny bit! The mystery and suspense was better and more to the forefront than the previous book. I was engrossed in the oddly developing story and simply did not want to put this one down! Mark Henry brings in some new characters that are sure to make you laugh, including a sexy new werewolf named Scott. We even got a smexy scene that will make you snicker!
I have only one itsy bitsy complaint (or I would have given this 5 stars) ~ I wanted more with Amanda’s mother. We get such a tiny glimpse of her at the end and I was slightly confused as to what happened to/with her. There was quite a bit of setup as to Amanda and her mother and that plot line seemed to take a bit of a backseat in the end. However Amanda did make a few comments that lead me to believe this was intentional and more is coming.
With Road Trip of the Living Dead Mark Henry had me once again laughing hysterically, out loud, causing the hubby to look at me like I had lost a few marbles. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Save Amanda Feral bandwagon, don’t worry, there is still time! Book 1, Happy Hour of the Damned, is being re-released as Mass Market Paperback on January 26th
May 16, 2011
We are six months after the end of Happy Hour of the Damned, and everyone has pretty much moved on since the zombie outbreaks. Gil has started his own Resurrection business, making money turning people undead. While waiting for a client of Gills, recently deceased wealthy-rich man, to rise from the grave Amanda mentions to Wendy and Gil she received a call from her mothers hospice care nurse saying her mother is in ending stages of stomach cancer. With the rising of the new vampire things start to go seriously wrong. A ghost who hates vampires does something to the newly birthing vampire as he is breaking from the earth. Markham is now pissed (ha ha...) and wants a refund and threatens to kill Gil. But Gil hopes a few days away will calm him to the point of talking and not killing. Leaving town for a road trip to Amanda's mom's, the crew goes ~ some wanting and willing, and one dreading it.
Oh this road trip is a tragic comedy of events. But we are with a group of meat eating undead here and there are crazy happenings with the crew as they are chased through the country to Amanda's dieing moms. Fun. As the trip starts off as a way to get away from troubles awaiting in town, the start to think they might be being followed. But then when they think they've lost their stalkers other events take place and we meet new characters that being a new twist to the story and new destination stops in the road trip. All stops end in a wild happening. And the humor like in Happy Hour.
We learn more of Amanda's upbringing through her memories of her mom while meeting new characters that fit, and don't fit, into the group. There are new men and women. And each finds their own place here, if they have one. Amanda is the great sassy character I remembered her to be. Wendy seemed to be not as active for me in this book. But we do meet some new characters which I enjoyed, Honey and Scott. I love the connections the feel with a few of the characters. Nice! But, there's a murder mystery too! Not knowing who is doing the murders and working on the suspects. So, who is killing these people? Which ones will end up lunch meat? You'll have to read to find out.
Oh this road trip is a tragic comedy of events. But we are with a group of meat eating undead here and there are crazy happenings with the crew as they are chased through the country to Amanda's dieing moms. Fun. As the trip starts off as a way to get away from troubles awaiting in town, the start to think they might be being followed. But then when they think they've lost their stalkers other events take place and we meet new characters that being a new twist to the story and new destination stops in the road trip. All stops end in a wild happening. And the humor like in Happy Hour.
We learn more of Amanda's upbringing through her memories of her mom while meeting new characters that fit, and don't fit, into the group. There are new men and women. And each finds their own place here, if they have one. Amanda is the great sassy character I remembered her to be. Wendy seemed to be not as active for me in this book. But we do meet some new characters which I enjoyed, Honey and Scott. I love the connections the feel with a few of the characters. Nice! But, there's a murder mystery too! Not knowing who is doing the murders and working on the suspects. So, who is killing these people? Which ones will end up lunch meat? You'll have to read to find out.
January 27, 2010
Ethel Ellen Frazier is about to cark it, so daughter Amanda Feral is road-tripping for closure's sake. There are some murders along the way, but this plotline isn't clear enough, which is strange, because murders should have major focus. But reading Amanda Feral for the plot is like watching Toddlers & Tiaras for the role models: we all know that's not why you're here. You want characters more effed-up than you, and fashionista zombies certainly are. Namely ones who use tampons as butt plugs. It's not a secret if you mention it in your memoir, bitch ;-)
Had this been any other author's novel, Amanda would be relegated to BFF/sidekick status, her comic relief not allowed to lead full-time. Mark Henry wisely casts her front and centre, creating a character as psychological as she is superficial. And though she's an undeniable bitch, Amanda also manages to make a new friend, bringing her female circle to three. There isn't a love interest, but there is a lust one. Problem is, he's into dirty talk, and not dirty in a good way - it's just embarrassing, laughable. The crafty author doesn't bother romanticising the situation, instead keeping characters truly flawed (as opposed to other novels' so-called "flawed" characters, whom Amanda would totally shit on like it's bucket night). Things are kept real and rip-roaring, relationships as unhinged as Amanda's jaws.
Considering she's like the bastard lovechild of Fuzzy Door Productions and South Park Digital Studios, our high-heeled heroine's escapades would be better suited to half-hour animated TV comedy episodes. In the meantime, Battle of the Network Zombies is due out in late February 2010 - buy it, y'all!
Had this been any other author's novel, Amanda would be relegated to BFF/sidekick status, her comic relief not allowed to lead full-time. Mark Henry wisely casts her front and centre, creating a character as psychological as she is superficial. And though she's an undeniable bitch, Amanda also manages to make a new friend, bringing her female circle to three. There isn't a love interest, but there is a lust one. Problem is, he's into dirty talk, and not dirty in a good way - it's just embarrassing, laughable. The crafty author doesn't bother romanticising the situation, instead keeping characters truly flawed (as opposed to other novels' so-called "flawed" characters, whom Amanda would totally shit on like it's bucket night). Things are kept real and rip-roaring, relationships as unhinged as Amanda's jaws.
Considering she's like the bastard lovechild of Fuzzy Door Productions and South Park Digital Studios, our high-heeled heroine's escapades would be better suited to half-hour animated TV comedy episodes. In the meantime, Battle of the Network Zombies is due out in late February 2010 - buy it, y'all!
February 23, 2010
Road Trip starts off not too long after the events in Happy Hour and right off the bad things get started. Gil, the vampire gay best friend (who doesn't have one) has opened a new business where he turns people into vamps with class, for a price. We find Amanda, Gil and Wendy in a graveyard waiting for Gil's client to "wake up" and give him the 5 starts treatment. Things go wrong and the guy, a billionaire that hold grudges, goes after Gil.
In the mean time, Amanda finds out her dying mother is closer to death. Gil need no escape the city, Amanda need closure (under coercion), so they all get on the road to the Hospice Amanda's mom lives. They get in so many crazy and hilarious situations. Running into skinheads, killers, hobos with weird dietary plans and a family that seems to be stuck in the 50's and too perfect to be true.
If you enjoyed Happy Hour, you need to get Road Trip. The footnotes still annoyed me a bit, but they were funny a lot of the times.
One of the things I love about this series, is that Mark writes it like it is Amanda writing her own memoir and it works so well.
"For all I knew this was
going to be just another in a string of fabulous cock-ups that
seemed to be scripted for us by some unknown writer somewhere,
some overweight forty-year old loafing in cargo shorts
and flip-flops."
This book is hilarious, gross, fun and disturbing... You don't want to miss it! Amanda and her gang are crazier then ever and we even get a few more secondary characters. I just wish they got her mom's place earlier, Amanda's mom will make the worst mom out there look like the virgin Mary LOL.
In the mean time, Amanda finds out her dying mother is closer to death. Gil need no escape the city, Amanda need closure (under coercion), so they all get on the road to the Hospice Amanda's mom lives. They get in so many crazy and hilarious situations. Running into skinheads, killers, hobos with weird dietary plans and a family that seems to be stuck in the 50's and too perfect to be true.
If you enjoyed Happy Hour, you need to get Road Trip. The footnotes still annoyed me a bit, but they were funny a lot of the times.
One of the things I love about this series, is that Mark writes it like it is Amanda writing her own memoir and it works so well.
"For all I knew this was
going to be just another in a string of fabulous cock-ups that
seemed to be scripted for us by some unknown writer somewhere,
some overweight forty-year old loafing in cargo shorts
and flip-flops."
This book is hilarious, gross, fun and disturbing... You don't want to miss it! Amanda and her gang are crazier then ever and we even get a few more secondary characters. I just wish they got her mom's place earlier, Amanda's mom will make the worst mom out there look like the virgin Mary LOL.
November 29, 2011
I really can’t find anything appealing about taking a zombie and making them into a loveable main character. It just doesn't work no matter what you do. Perhaps, if the writer is really good you can have them as a goofy as a sidekick, but as the main focus of a so-so story, no. Not gonna happen. I just kept thinking of those mindless zombies that want someone’s brains to munch on. BRAIIINSSS!!! Ugh. No thank you.
This book was so horrible I literally threw it at the wall swearing over all the time I lost reading it that I will never get back now. Granted, I didn't even finish. I only got 150 pages in before I wanted to toss it never to pick it up again. I have read really great reviews about the author and his first book. And when I was given his second book in his series about a zombie heroine to read, I thought why not give it a go? How I wished I was never given the book now. What an absolute waste of time...and what is with all the stupid footnotes?!? Clearly those comments could have easily been incorporated into the text and dialogue of the story. I may have actually read it to completion had I not gotten so frustrated and annoyed by perpetually loosing my place on EVERY DAMN PAGE because I had to look down to read a pointless footnote.
Seriously, Road Trip of the Living Dead is an attempt at writing a paranormal Sex and the City that has just gone so utterly and horribly wrong on all counts. This apparent attempt at quirky zombie humor fails on every account. Save your time. Save your money. Skip it and move on to something else actually WORTH reading!
This book was so horrible I literally threw it at the wall swearing over all the time I lost reading it that I will never get back now. Granted, I didn't even finish. I only got 150 pages in before I wanted to toss it never to pick it up again. I have read really great reviews about the author and his first book. And when I was given his second book in his series about a zombie heroine to read, I thought why not give it a go? How I wished I was never given the book now. What an absolute waste of time...and what is with all the stupid footnotes?!? Clearly those comments could have easily been incorporated into the text and dialogue of the story. I may have actually read it to completion had I not gotten so frustrated and annoyed by perpetually loosing my place on EVERY DAMN PAGE because I had to look down to read a pointless footnote.
Seriously, Road Trip of the Living Dead is an attempt at writing a paranormal Sex and the City that has just gone so utterly and horribly wrong on all counts. This apparent attempt at quirky zombie humor fails on every account. Save your time. Save your money. Skip it and move on to something else actually WORTH reading!
September 13, 2011
Reviewed by Jen
ARC provided by author for review
Amanda Feral, our zombie heroine, is going on a road trip from Seattle to South Dakota to have closure with her mother who is dying. But she and her friends (including another zombie, a vampire and ghost) end up on the run from an angry vampire and his werewolf goons, picking up a couple humans and encountering a plethora of paranormal beings.
I was excited to have the opportunity to get an advance copy of this book when Mark and I were setting up his promo on the blog. Urban Fantasy is right up the alley of books I enjoy reading. But unfortunately I had trouble getting through the book, only finishing it last night.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't bad... in fact, I found the premise intriguing. Just something about it didn't agree with me. Part of it could be the language and a lot of it was the gore. And I found the footnotes (yes, footnotes in fiction) to be overused and often distracting. But I think the turn off for me was Amanda. I have to like the main characters in the book to enjoy it and more often than not I couldn't like Amanda. I didn't enjoy her sense of humor and snarkiness. And that made for a rough read.
This is the second book of Amanda's memoirs, following Happy Hour of the Damned. I admit that I felt like I was always a step behind because I haven't read the first book in the series... and recommend that if you're going to try these books, going in order is probably the way to go.
ARC provided by author for review
Amanda Feral, our zombie heroine, is going on a road trip from Seattle to South Dakota to have closure with her mother who is dying. But she and her friends (including another zombie, a vampire and ghost) end up on the run from an angry vampire and his werewolf goons, picking up a couple humans and encountering a plethora of paranormal beings.
I was excited to have the opportunity to get an advance copy of this book when Mark and I were setting up his promo on the blog. Urban Fantasy is right up the alley of books I enjoy reading. But unfortunately I had trouble getting through the book, only finishing it last night.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't bad... in fact, I found the premise intriguing. Just something about it didn't agree with me. Part of it could be the language and a lot of it was the gore. And I found the footnotes (yes, footnotes in fiction) to be overused and often distracting. But I think the turn off for me was Amanda. I have to like the main characters in the book to enjoy it and more often than not I couldn't like Amanda. I didn't enjoy her sense of humor and snarkiness. And that made for a rough read.
This is the second book of Amanda's memoirs, following Happy Hour of the Damned. I admit that I felt like I was always a step behind because I haven't read the first book in the series... and recommend that if you're going to try these books, going in order is probably the way to go.
October 7, 2020
Amanda Feral (our leading, lady zombie) is hard to like as a character, which is the most likable thing about her. She has the personality of every reality TV diva ever. She's vain, rude, vulgar, only thinks about herself, and will feel sorry for herself even when you won't. She's entertaining.
For those who love fantasy, raunchy, unapologetic books and reality TV, Road Trip of the Living Dead is for you. It's an easy read full of un-PC humour with a campy, hilarious "what could possibly go wrong" road trip plot edged in a, ever so slightly predictable, mystery. Let's be honest though; your not here for the mystery or "fantastic" writing skills. You're here for the zombie/werewolf sex scene and all the bitchy-ness you can handle.
This book is nasty in the best of ways, and a good read if you lean towards comedy. The writing itself isn't great, the footnotes are jarring, and if you're looking for a likable character you're looking in the wrong place for Amanda is not she. This is not your typical romance, which is probably what saved it in my opinion. The gore and utter grossness may put some people, but I'm not sure I'd have any respect for a zombie story lacking these elements.
I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SMUT NOVEL, despite what the cover art would have you believe. This book is more on par with the John Dies at the End series then anything with Fabio on the cover.
For those who love fantasy, raunchy, unapologetic books and reality TV, Road Trip of the Living Dead is for you. It's an easy read full of un-PC humour with a campy, hilarious "what could possibly go wrong" road trip plot edged in a, ever so slightly predictable, mystery. Let's be honest though; your not here for the mystery or "fantastic" writing skills. You're here for the zombie/werewolf sex scene and all the bitchy-ness you can handle.
This book is nasty in the best of ways, and a good read if you lean towards comedy. The writing itself isn't great, the footnotes are jarring, and if you're looking for a likable character you're looking in the wrong place for Amanda is not she. This is not your typical romance, which is probably what saved it in my opinion. The gore and utter grossness may put some people, but I'm not sure I'd have any respect for a zombie story lacking these elements.
I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SMUT NOVEL, despite what the cover art would have you believe. This book is more on par with the John Dies at the End series then anything with Fabio on the cover.
September 20, 2009
This is the second installment of Amanda's post-life memoirs. Gil's latest client in his new "vamping" business--"Gil's Luxury Vamping: Creating Quality Bloodsuckers Since 2007"--takes offense at an unexpected extra service while crawling from his grave. Gil, Amanda, and Wendy decide it would be prudent to leave town for a while. Fortunately(?) a destination is easily chosen as Amanda's mother is in a hospice in South Dakota. The trio take off for the funniest road trip you've ever read about. With werewolves, ghosts, and neo-nazis to play with along the way, you just know that the glam-girls of zombie-dom are in for nothing but good times. Amanda is truly the reigning queen of the bitch-zombies.
Road Trip is an excellent sequel to Happy Hour. Mark Henry is a fine writer and has managed to make the shallow, fashion-driven, self-centred Amanda into a completely likable character. Be careful where you read this, because you will laugh out loud, snort, giggle, and snicker your way through the book. Amanda Feral is my hero. If I ever wake up dead, I want to be just like her.
Road Trip is an excellent sequel to Happy Hour. Mark Henry is a fine writer and has managed to make the shallow, fashion-driven, self-centred Amanda into a completely likable character. Be careful where you read this, because you will laugh out loud, snort, giggle, and snicker your way through the book. Amanda Feral is my hero. If I ever wake up dead, I want to be just like her.
March 10, 2009
Book 2 of Mark Henry's Amanda Feral series certainly doesn't lose a bit of its snark. This time around she's on a road trip with her zombie pal Wendy and their gay vampire sidekick Gil, heading (unwillingly) to visit her dying mother. Only there's a pissed-off client of Gil's new celebrity vamping service after them, not to mention a former cop turned werewolf and a young woman with a score to settle.
For me as a reader, though, Amanda's particular brand of humor seems most at home in Seattle, so taking her out of that environment didn't work so much for me. Former cop turned werewolf guy really doesn't work for me, and I admit to spending most of the book hoping that Amanda would eat him. On the other hand, the backstory with her mother is interesting, as is the introduction of Hyon Hui and the "moderately accurate" psychics that our roving band keeps encountering on the way.
It's all good though, as with Book 3, we'll be back in Seattle. For this installment, three stars.
For me as a reader, though, Amanda's particular brand of humor seems most at home in Seattle, so taking her out of that environment didn't work so much for me. Former cop turned werewolf guy really doesn't work for me, and I admit to spending most of the book hoping that Amanda would eat him. On the other hand, the backstory with her mother is interesting, as is the introduction of Hyon Hui and the "moderately accurate" psychics that our roving band keeps encountering on the way.
It's all good though, as with Book 3, we'll be back in Seattle. For this installment, three stars.
September 20, 2009
Ok, my rating for the second book dropped here and I really hesitated in giving it 4 stars instead of three. It's not that the book is really any less funny. But, it is kind of a lot more gross. However, the story line is solid (really love the ending) and the writing is still great. I just think that some of the zombie stuff was a teeny bit over the top for me. What can I say, I wanted more undead partying and less descriptions of them eating people and entrails and that sort of thing. Mind you, it is a zombie novel. And beyond that, I really enjoyed the adventure of the story. Going to see the main zombie's estranged mother before she croaks and high adventure ensues en route. Not to mention, fleeing town because their vampire pal screwed over a seriously screwed up dude...
Also, he introduces a new character ("breed"?) that makes the story that much more interesting. Definitely still recommend this book, but I wouldn't recommend reading while, say, having a snack. At least not unless your stomach is strong.
Also, he introduces a new character ("breed"?) that makes the story that much more interesting. Definitely still recommend this book, but I wouldn't recommend reading while, say, having a snack. At least not unless your stomach is strong.
September 20, 2009
Hey, Mark, if you're keeping track of things... I'm reading it now, and loving it already, and I'm only up to the "buying skanky clothes at the thrift shop and modifying them accordingly" part!
OK, review... the only reason I didn't go 5 stars is that it's almost impossible to out-do a first book, because part of the appeal to the first one was its unique premise. Still, no complaints on this one. I almost never give 5 stars.
Take two socialite, fashion-conscious zombies, add a gay vampire and a Korean ghost, send them on a cross-country run to keep the vampire from being annihilated by an angry new vampire and his werewolf buddies... and to take one of the zombies to see her dying, evil mother (to make SURE she dies!!)... add some missionaries, a Stepford-like family in an RV... good times!
OK, review... the only reason I didn't go 5 stars is that it's almost impossible to out-do a first book, because part of the appeal to the first one was its unique premise. Still, no complaints on this one. I almost never give 5 stars.
Take two socialite, fashion-conscious zombies, add a gay vampire and a Korean ghost, send them on a cross-country run to keep the vampire from being annihilated by an angry new vampire and his werewolf buddies... and to take one of the zombies to see her dying, evil mother (to make SURE she dies!!)... add some missionaries, a Stepford-like family in an RV... good times!
January 6, 2011
"Road Trip of the Living Dead" was a satisfactory sophomore book. At times it was rather obvious that Amanda was being written by a man, but it wasn't as bad as my attempts at writing as a man. However, I did have two major issues with the book.
First, it began suffering from too many supporting characters, from the hot werewolf, to the ghost haunting the car, to the ghost's sister, to the drugged-out bum, and then add in the original 3 main characters, it became quite a handful.
Finally, I also didn't really care for the ending involving Amanda's mom. She's now immortal? She's going to be making Amanda's undead life a living Hell just like she made her actual life? Bonding with Gil? I found her an annoying character, one that was better off D-E-A-D! Otherwise, I did enjoy the book and will probably pick-up the third one in the series from the library.
First, it began suffering from too many supporting characters, from the hot werewolf, to the ghost haunting the car, to the ghost's sister, to the drugged-out bum, and then add in the original 3 main characters, it became quite a handful.
Finally, I also didn't really care for the ending involving Amanda's mom. She's now immortal? She's going to be making Amanda's undead life a living Hell just like she made her actual life? Bonding with Gil? I found her an annoying character, one that was better off D-E-A-D! Otherwise, I did enjoy the book and will probably pick-up the third one in the series from the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2011
This is no club opening. Zombie Amanda Feral, gal pal Wendy, and vamp cohort Gil are on the road, making a mad dash away from the newly-vamped gangster who is out to end Gil's unlife. Facing such savage threats as werewolf thugs, vengeance seeking girls with guns, overly-polite cultists, and K-Mart shopping, the gang makes their way to the deathbed of Amanda's mother. Amanda's not interested in closure, but she wouldn't mind making sure her Mommy Dearest is ushered off into the next world permanently. Besides, what better way to let a gangster cool his heels than flee town? But of course, things are never that simple, and we lucky readers get to delve not only into Amanda's past (showing some depth beneath that shallow exterior), but get taken along for the chaos of the road trip of an after-lifetime. Read my full review at http://www.flamesrising.com/road-trip...
March 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this sequel to Happy Hour of the Damned. It was funny and gory, sexy and disgusting, all at the same time. Amanda Feral is a great protagonist; she's fabulous. Her mother is dying and Wendy and Gil accompany her on a road trip from Seattle to Rapid City, South Dakota, so that she can get "closure." Hilarious yet dangerous adventures ensue, and Amanda remains wonderfully snarky through them all. I have even developed a fondness for the footnotes: occasionally a few pages would be footnote-free and I'd find myself missing them. I will definitely read the next book in the series and hope that Mark Henry will write many more.
October 15, 2009
This was a fun, fast read by an author I really enjoy. But....I had a major issue with the author's overuse of footnotes. Mark made such liberal use of footnotes in order to make sarcastic comments that it sort of ruined the story for me. One or two might have been funny, but he used so many that they became majorly annoying. Do we really need a biting comment on practically every page?
Amanda was fun in the first book, Happy Hour of the Damned, but not quite as amusing in this one. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but she seemed too snarky this time around. Things struck me as more forced between her, Wendy, and Gil, and their interaction didn't flow as smoothly.
Still a fun read, but not as much fun as expected. Gave it a 3 out of 5 as I felt it was just okay.
Amanda was fun in the first book, Happy Hour of the Damned, but not quite as amusing in this one. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but she seemed too snarky this time around. Things struck me as more forced between her, Wendy, and Gil, and their interaction didn't flow as smoothly.
Still a fun read, but not as much fun as expected. Gave it a 3 out of 5 as I felt it was just okay.
August 6, 2010
Horror reveals to us the dark mirror of our souls. As someone who grew up in Montana--constantly wondering "no really, Butte, what the fuck is that?"--and since moved to Seattle, I'm someone who can appreciate the eastward descent into utter madness these undead cosmopolitans take. Mark Henry accurately depicts I-90 through eastern Washington as the sulfuric desolation it really is, although he does focus on all the worst rednecky and uncivilized parts of eastern Washington and Montana, ignoring the other 2%.
Also, this book is really funny. Anyone can gross you out with anatomy and viscera, but Henry does it with a punchy humor that keeps the ichor pumping throughout the book. And that's the reason to read it--it's simply a fun, shocking, and entertaining book.
Also, this book is really funny. Anyone can gross you out with anatomy and viscera, but Henry does it with a punchy humor that keeps the ichor pumping throughout the book. And that's the reason to read it--it's simply a fun, shocking, and entertaining book.
January 30, 2011
I absolutely love Amanda Feral. I love the interesting take on the supernatural, I love the snarky side comments, I love that Mark Henry has created what is, in my mind, the anti-Twilight. In this go round, un-dead socialite Feral is on the run being chased by any number of baddies, trying to save a young girl's life, and...um...dealing with mother issues.
It is a rare book which keeps readers on the edge of their seats while making the laugh (literally out loud) at the same time. I have never had this much fun reading footnotes!
The only complaint I have (and it is a little one) is the digital version which I found available was a pdf version which got a little squirrelly on my e-reader.
It is a rare book which keeps readers on the edge of their seats while making the laugh (literally out loud) at the same time. I have never had this much fun reading footnotes!
The only complaint I have (and it is a little one) is the digital version which I found available was a pdf version which got a little squirrelly on my e-reader.
March 16, 2013
What went wrong? I liked book 1, even when she ate people, but here, I was just lost. I just found myself sitting up and saying what? all the time. Maybe it was me, tired, not interested, maybe I should have put it down. But as it was now it was one big what? How did that happen? Excuse me?
It still was semi funny and weird, and then I have nothing more to say. I was confused! What can I write in a review then?
I was going back and forth between a 2 and a 1. But I just wished the book to be over so I could get out of the maze in my head. It's a shame, but I can't say I like the book then can I?
It still was semi funny and weird, and then I have nothing more to say. I was confused! What can I write in a review then?
I was going back and forth between a 2 and a 1. But I just wished the book to be over so I could get out of the maze in my head. It's a shame, but I can't say I like the book then can I?
January 14, 2012
Well it is definitely a road trip from Hell. Amanda's Mother is in a old folks home and is not expected to live much longer. Wendy and Gil give Amanda a hard time about not wanting to go see her but they don't understand how horrible her Mother was growing up. Gil ends up getting in a bit of trouble so they skip town. Their road trip takes a lot of unexpected turns and they meet some new, strange people. I think this book was great, Mark Henry's writing is awesome. It always has me laughing one minute and cringing the next! If you love dark humor his books are for you.
December 28, 2009
Ok, this book just didn't do it for me. Yes, some of it was humourous, but most of it was just disgusting. It was too gory and skeezy for me. And a lot of the jokes were too dirty, either sexual or toilet humor, even for me. I didn't like the characters either. Blah. The only reason it got a 2 rating because if you break it down into the basic plot, it was okay. This is not one book that I would recommend.
March 27, 2010
Amanda Feral's friend, Gil the gay vampire, makes a terrible mistake and pisses off a client. To keep their undead bodies intact, Amanda, Gil, and Wendy take a road trip--to visit Amanda's mother, no less.
I was heartily amused by ROAD TRIP, and do recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first book, HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED. I'll be doing a more in depth review on my blog at some point, once I finish the series.
I was heartily amused by ROAD TRIP, and do recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first book, HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED. I'll be doing a more in depth review on my blog at some point, once I finish the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews