Tween Review: Zombie Blondes by Brian James
Submitted by Doll Day on July 17, 2010 – 3:03 am5 Comments
by Brian James
“I can usually pick out the popular kids soon after setting foot into a new school. The girls, anyway. They wear popularity like a uniform for everyone to see. From their hairstyles to their expensive shoes. Everything about them is torn from the glossy pages of the latest teen fashion magazines. Everything about them is perfect. At least on the outside, anyway.”
And so begins Zombie Blondes. It is clear from the opening line that this book has a message and it was sent in a really cool way that wasn’t preachy. Brian James did a great job of mixing a “Twilight-Zone” style zombie story with a lesson for today’s youth that is obsessed with looking like the perfect images in magazines and being like the popular kids in school!
I liked this book. It was a different story than what I’ve been reading lately and that was a needed change. Hannah wasn’t the most likeable character but the situation for her at home with her Dad and their money issues was very realistic even though it was set in an unreal setting. And, the main theme of changing who you are to fit in with the “popular crowd” hits home for many young adults (I know it did for me at least).
I’m not gonna lie…this story doesn’t have a happy ending. In fact I wanted to throw the book across the room (which I’ve been known to do) when I finished the last sentence. But it was a spooky, poetic ending that left the reader wondering. As this book shows us, in the end when you sacrifice who you really are to be a part of the crowd, you are basically killing your true self…and becoming zombie-like.
Peace & Love
~Desilula
Visit Brian James at MacMillion
This book was purchased by Desi.
They’re beautiful. They’re popular. They’re dead. . . .Hannah Sanders is a pro at moving. Her dad (a former cop) has been down on his luck for a while and because he owes so many people they tend to change locations pretty often. But even with her experience moving she still feels like her newest town, Maplecrest, just isn’t right.A lot of houses were for sale, and the town seemed infected by an unearthly quiet. And then, on Hannah’s first day of classes, she ran into a group of cheerleaders—the most popular girls in school. The odd thing was that they were nearly identical in appearance: blonde, beautiful, and deathly pale.But Hannah wants desperately to fit in-regardless of what her friend Lukas is telling her: If she doesn’t watch her back, she’s going to be blonde and popular and dead-just like all the other zombies in this town. . . .
Day is a dreamer who has never met a stranger. She is fearless and will talk to anyone and read anything! She taught music and dance and was a singer/actress for years, performing on stages both nationally and overseas. Now married with children, she spends less time singing on stage and more time writing songs at home. But, family life has not completely slowed this chick down. She still loves an adventure and learning new things. She resides in Texas with her family, Great Dane (Sophie), Labradoodles (George & Cosmo) and Chihuahua (Juan Carlos).
I like the sound of this one!
It was pretty good! It's not the greatest book ever written, but it's interesting and entertaining! It definitely served it's purpose and was a change of pace after reading lots of paranormal romance books or YA that is driven by romance.
It was a good summer book because it was a quick read!
Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the book and saw it for what it was.
Brian James
(author of Zombie Blondes)
Hey Dez! I picked up this book yesterday at HPB and finished it today! It's way different then the other book you gave me was and u were rite I liked it. Is there another book coming out or is this the only one like a Zombie town?
NE way thanks and what is the name of the other zombie book you said was really good?
Intriguing! I normally don't go for zombie novels, but this one sounds like it might be more up my alley…sort of a YA Stepford Wives.