Zombies! discussion

Alright guys, I have to ask.

What's your opinion on The Forest of Hands and Teeth series?

Now, I've only read the first book, but my opinion is rather mixed. I found the concept - the zombie apocalypse 200 years behind, and the whole fenced compound idea - very intriuging. I won't post spoilers, but I thought the whole religious frevor thing was also likely spot on for the kind of derranged government that would establish itself in such a scenario.

Here's my gripe. The zombies, the hands and teeth in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, by halfway through the novel fade utterly into the background. Instead of being ravenous, pressing in on every door, window and crack, they can almost be forgotten, acting more as a constraining plot device rather than a true force to be reckoned with.

As well, I know it was written for a YA audience, but man - the angst was a little off the charts for my liking, reading a little more like *shudder* Twilight and less like Dawn of the Dead.

All in all, entertaining - but the sequel sounds a little cliche, with the theme park and all.

Any opinions? Should I bother grabbing a copy of The Dead Tossed Waves? Or is Carrie Ryan cheapening zombies the way Meyer killed the vampire?

Cheers,

Ian D.G. Sandusky
Grey Dogs: Zombie Survival

I started reading this book with my daughter thinking it would be a toned-down zombie book that she could get into. My daughter is 12 years old, and we mostly read classical lit along with some modern YA novels. She loves books with faeries, adventure, and mystery and has been interested in all the zombie/ apocalyptic books I read.

She liked this book until the mushy love stuff started. Then she completely lost interest. She said "Mom, this is really boring."

She and I were really excited about starting this book, and both of us were really let down.

Definitely for the Twilight crowd. Bleh.

I haven't read the book yet - I picked it up in a bookstore and skimmed through it a bit and definitely got a Twilight vibe off it. And man, I went through teenage angst and have NO desire to relive it, even vicariously... The drama, the DRAMA! Except for Buffy, of course. But that's well written angst.

Anyway, I will probably try and read FoHaT just because I make it a point to read anything and everything zombie related. But if I see ONE hint of zombie sparkle, that book will be tossed!

Ha! "Zombie Sparkle"... funny. We didn't finish the book but I wouldn't be surprised if that happened later in the story.

I really hate to trash the book because the initial story and concept was really good. It just got too lovey-dovey for my taste and even my 12yo daughter's taste.

Abby wrote: "Ha! "Zombie Sparkle"... funny. We didn't finish the book but I wouldn't be surprised if that happened later in the story.

I really hate to trash the book because the initial story and concept ..."

Oh god I hear you. As a 22 yr old, not overly sensitive male, the constant explorations of blossoming feelings got a bit nauseating after a while.

It really turned into a different book once I got into it - moving from the more ominous village to.. well, like I said, I don't believe in spoilers - but damn, it had so much potential.

Okay, I just finished it and have to say I liked it much more than I expected, since I'm not a fan of angst. but the atmosphere was creepy, the second half where they're at the ... er... no spoilers so I can't say ... and all the... er... stuff happens was suspenseful. Given that this is 200 years after the initial plague, I could understand why the zombies would almost be relegated to the background since these people have grown up with them in their lives, but thought the author brought 'em forward when necessary. Interesting book. Not my favorite zombie book, but I did NOT throw it across the room after a chapter, which is what I did with TWILIGHT.

TWILIGHT is not zombies . . . It's sparkly vampires.

Sarah'sDad wrote: "TWILIGHT is not zombies . . . It's sparkly vampires."

Yeah, I know, but earlier in the thread comparisons were made re: teenage-angst and Twilight.

I did not particularly enjoy this book, but I did like certain aspects of it, such as the world building, which is not something you often find in zombie fiction.

What I found interesting about the author is that she was really not a fan of zombies or horror in general, and only got into it just before writing this book. I guess this is really the only genre you can do this in. If it were fantasy she'd still be up to her nose in research.