Generation Dead

Reader reviewed by Kayla (Midnight Twilight)

What would happen if the dead rose again...and then started going to your school. In this society dead American teenagers are coming back to life. People don't know what to do, they aren't considered citizens. Some people are beginning to accept, others are setting the "living impaired" on fire, or otherwise brutally killing them.
Phoebe is one of the few that are beginning to accept the presence of the zombies, also known as "living impaired", or "differently biotic" students. The other kids in school aren't so nice to them though, especially Pete's Pain Crew. Will the Zombies get the recognition they deserve.


This book had a kind of slow start, but after i got a few chapters in i was hooked. It was awesome to see the struggle of kids dieing and coming back to life. I loved how the point of view switched between three people, that all had very different views of things. Also one of the points of view was Pete's. It was kind of a struggle hating Pete for the horrible things he was doing, but seeing the reason why he was doing them, and pitying him for that reason. I would love to read more about this if there is a second book coming out after this one. I'm guessing there won't be though because of the ending. Oh well, this book was great.

Reader reviewed by Tasha

A strange phenomenon is happening across the entire country. Some teenagers are coming back from the dead. While some may think this is great, a second chance at life, others arent all that happy about it. Most of these differently biotic move extremely slowly and talk just as slow. They are all trying to fit back in with the world they once knew, but with a society filled with people who dont want to accept them, it can be painstakingly hard.

Phoebe, a Goth girl, has never really fit in. She has a grand total of two friends but thats all she needs. When Phoebe finds herself drawn to Tommy Williams, a differently biotic boy, no one can believe it, especially her friends. Her best friend Margie thinks shes crazy, but Margies feelings for differently biotic people are way deeper than the stereotypical feelings most people have, they are much more complicated. And then theres Adam - Phoebes childhood best friend and next-door neighbor, who doesnt want Phoebe getting hurt and he may just have more than friends feelings for her.

When the opportunity for a work study with the Hunter Group presents itself to the students at Oakvale High that involves the differently biotic kids Phoebe is one of the first to raise her hand. She is able to convince both Margie and Adam to join her along with Tommy and a few other differently biotic kids to join the work study group. Here they will try and shed some light on the mystery of the differently biotic kids that still marvels scientists and also build unlikely friendships. These work study members better watch their back though as there is one kid who has such a passionate hate for differently biotic kids that he wont stop at anything to get rid of them. With no laws protecting the differently biotic this can only end it tragedy, but will the other students at Oakvale High let it happen?

I have to say that at first I was a little hesitant about reading this book. I havent ever read a book that has to do with zombies or vampires or anything like that. This was a GREAT introduction into these kinds of books. It was a gripping, poignant, and extremely well written story. While the main premise is zombies and how they arent treated fairly in society, there are a lot of underlying messages especially about prejudice. I loved how the author was able to talk about such a controversial subject in such a creative way. The characters in this book were absolutely breathtaking, alive and dead alike. The author did such an excellent job making them into three-dimensional people that I felt were sitting beside me and telling me one heck of a bedtime story. This was just an all out great book that has become a new favorite of mine. The ending certainly lined up for a sequel, and hopefully the author will continue this fantastic story.

Reader reviewed by ambeen

Generation Dead was my first zombie novel and it probably won't be my last. I was very pleased with this introduction into the world of zombies.

I was instantly intrigued by the beginning chapters. While the book slows down and seems to take its time after the first few chapters, it picks up again in the middle and carries through to the end.

The way Waters humanizes the zombies and makes them more than just the shuffling, mumbling shells of former living, breathing people we see in the movies is what drives the story. I think that feeling a connection to the zombies is what kept me intrigued throughout. To be able to create a connection between the character and the reader when the two have seemingly nothing in common is rare and amazing.

With Generation Dead, Daniel Waters is able to create the characters you love to hate, the awkward and confusing romance that is high school, and the serious topic of hate and violence along with the fight against it in this wonderful novel.

There are several loose ends that surely promise a sequel which I look forward to. I definitely recommend reading this novel.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Get ready for the next sensation: waking up after youve died.

It started with one strange case, and now its happening to more and more American teens. But having a second chance doesnt make living, or whatever their existence is called, any easier for these living impaired or differently biotic teens. They face much discrimination, fear, and hatred, and they dont have any legal rights either. That means anyone who hates them enough can destroy them and the differently biotic wont be able to come back after their second death.

Most people are terrified of the differently biotic, but Phoebe is actually attracted to their leader, Tommy Williams. This makes Phoebes best friend Margi uncomfortable because of what happened to their other friend Colette. Phoebes other good friend Adam is just realizing his deeper feelings for Phoebe, and he doesnt quite know how to deal with the fact that Phoebe likes Tommy. Add in Pete, a football player who hates the differently biotic with a passion, and you have the incredible novel Generation Dead.

Daniel Waters proves himself to be an exceptionally talented writer with this debut. This story is fast-paced and incredibly unique, and I was impressed with how Waters took on the philosophical topic of death (or undeath, in this case). I liked how each characters past influenced the decisions they made and the mysteriousness that surrounded others. I can honestly say Generation Dead was one of the best-written and most unique stories I have ever read.

Generation Dead was an incredibly amazing novel, and it has the potential to be made into a series, which I hope happens. I most definitely recommend this novel to anyone and everyone, especially fans of the Twilight series and other vampire novels. I suggest everyone run to the nearest bookstore on May 6 before Generation Dead gets sold out.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com