Review Detail

What I Loved:

A compelling heroine, a cast of interesting characters, and a new take on zombie lore make this series an adventure worth reading. Non-stop plot twists and turns and plenty of action keep the pages turning, but the real heart of this book is in the friendships and family relationships and in the lessons the heroine learns about teamwork, understanding and accepting those who are different from her, and about asking for help when she needs it.

My kids are big fans of zombie adventures, and I was pleased that this book is clean and has very little gore (for a zombie book), making it a fun and appropriate book for my younger middle school reader to enjoy on his own. The attention to detail in both the setting of Manhattan and in the historical research is wonderful, adding richness and depth to the narrative. Readers get a crash course in Manhattan history while breathlessly turning pages to see how the adventure ends.

What Left Me Wanting More:

The only quibble I have with the book is that most of the characters are never described physically. Unlike the amazing attention to detail with the setting, the characters felt like blank spaces in my mind as I read. I would've loved a few descriptions.

Final Verdict:

Non-stop action, fascinating history, and a new take on zombie lore make for a fabulously entertaining adventure perfect for middle school readers.