Monday, September 23, 2013

Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter


Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Book One of the White Rabbit Chronicles
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: September 25, 2012
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Kindle copy from Amazon

Summary (from Goodreads):

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

What I Liked:

To be honest, I really didn't think I would like this book! Back in September of last year, I read a review that ripped this book apart. I mean, the person explained EVERYTHING that they didn't like about this book. It was a great review, very professional and thorough, but it totally did what reviews are supposed to do: it affected me. And so, when someone gifted me this book on Amazon a few months later, I didn't know what to do.

Luckily, Harlequin Teen sent me an Advanced Reader Copy of Through the Zombie Glass (book two) in August of this year, so that made me feel the need to read both book one and book two. I wouldn't ignore a publisher like that. And because I owned both books, I figured it couldn't hurt.

Well. I LOVED this book! I can't believe I put off reading it for so long! Alice, zombies, visions, Cole... everything about this book appealed to me. I wish I remembered whose review I'd read last year, because I would have loved to compare my thoughts with that person's.

Ali Bell thought her father was crazy, but he wasn't. When her father, mother, and little sister die in a car crash, and get eaten by zombies, Ali knows that he was right. He wasn't crazy, and she isn't going crazy - zombies are real. 

Ali moves in with her grandparents, and starts attending a new school. She is friends with the vivacious Kat (whom I would totally be friends with if she were real), and a few other girls who aren't nearly as awesome as Kat. Kat's drama is HILARIOUS, you all. One minute, she loves her boyfriend, the next minute, they're done. 

Of course, what Kat doesn't know is that her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend?) Frosty is part of a team of zombie slayers. A team led by Cole Holland, the hot boy that Ali almost immediately notices. When the two of them share a look for the first time, they see a vision. The visions keep happening when they connect glances, sometimes the same, sometimes different.

I love Ali and Cole's relationship, in the beginning and the end. In the first half of the book, Ali doesn't know that Cole and the others are slayers. But she still can't stay away from him, and he her. In the second half of the book, she finds out about the slayers, and definitely can't stay away from Cole.

The two of them bicker - a lot - but I think it's cute and hilarious. Ali doesn't put up with his bossiness, and Cole doesn't put up with her softness. Of course, Ali is her own brand of kick-butt female, and is a total match for Cole. The two of them are adorable together! And so steamy - trust me, there are some HOT scenes in this book!

The zombie action is totally awesome! I love how Showalter portrays the zombies, and the fight scenes with the zombies and slayers. Ali is different from the other slayers - she sees more than they do. When the group finally begins to accept and trust her, they realize how much of an asset she is.

The ending is great! I loved how Showalter built the plot slowly (but yet, fast enough), and when we get to the climax, it's not rushed. The ending is left with something that leads to the next book perfectly. And, seeing as I've already the second book, I can say that you should read the ending of this book carefully. It all comes back in book two!

But there. I loved this book.

What I Did Not Like:

Okay, I can see why some people claim there is insta-love in this book. The connection between Ali and Cole is instantaneous, with the first vision (steamy stuff!), and the way they can't avoid each other. But I don't really think it is insta-love at all. Their relationship is brought on quickly, and moves quickly, but Showalter makes it clear (if you read between the lines) that they don't love each other.

Yet. Read book two.

Also, this book is longgggg. I have no problems with long books, but at some points in the book, I felt it. Other parts, I wanted more. For example, the beginning was a bit slow. But, it put the rest of the book into perspective.

Would I Recommend It:

I definitely would! I loved this book a lot. Okay, it didn't get five stars. But I'm so impressed, and very happy that it was better than I expected. YAY for low expectations!

Rating:

4 stars. I'd say I can't wait to read book two - but I already have! You can read book two's review on Friday!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

32 comments:

  1. Good for you to take a chance on a book you weren't certain of. Glad it turned out to be a nice surprise. I have this series on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Thank you! I am so glad that I did. I hope you read this book (and series) sometime, Sophia! <3

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  2. Oh, fine. I might read this book one day. I did try last year, but didn't like the beginning :\ But I'm glad you loved it :D I will try it again someday. Thank you for sharing your honest review sweetie. <3

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    1. HA! Carina, I loved this book! I totally understand what you're saying - but keep reading! You're welcome, Carina ^_^

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  3. So glad to hear you loved this one! I can't wait to read both this one and book two! Hopefully I'll get to them soon!

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    1. Right?! You must, Pili! I hope you do as well ;D

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  4. I think most of the people that were disappointed were expecting this to be a Alice in Wonderland retelling which it wasn't. I knew that before reading it so I didn't feel 'let down' by that. I loved Cole. I need to read book 2.

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    1. That is a very valid point! But I didn't even consider that, when I picked up this book. You definitely do need book two, Nereyda! ^_^

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  5. YAY! I'm glad you like this book! I have Through the Zombie Glass in my reading pile...do I need to read Book One first?

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    1. Woot woot! And yes, I think it's highly necessary to read book one before reading book two :\ Both books are like, 400+ pages, and it's a series, so you need both! And of course, the third book ;)

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  6. Great review! My sis didn't like it, so she put it for trade. I think that she thought it would be more about Alice in Wonderland. And it was pretty long for her, and what you mentioned about insta-love threw her off. But she didn't get far in the book, so I'm curious how the author makes it known that they're not in love. That it's just, insta-attraction then? Lust? Interesting! Glad this one worked for you and you gave it a shot :D

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    1. Interesting. That is exactly what Nereyda said! And the length... it's good and it's bad :\ Insta-attraction seems more fitting. It's very unique to this book, Becca! You'll have to trust me ;) I am so glad as well! <3

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  7. You know what's funny, I also read a review about this one that basically made me feel like I did NOT want to read this. But recently I've been reading more reviews about this one (since the 2nd just came out I guess) and it has made me want to check it out!!

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    1. I think with the second book out in the world, there is a better chance of people who did NOT like the first book... liking it more since they read the second book. The second book is AWESOME :D

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  8. Great review I heard a lot of great things about this book thanks for sharing!

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    1. Read it, Katiria! And you're very welcome :)

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  9. i never let a review deter me completely.. people who have higher expectations can be let down easier than others and people have very different tastes.

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  10. Great review!!! This book sounds like it will be good and i have heard many many good things about it...I cant wait to read it!!!!!

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    1. It is pretty great! I hope you read this book and this series!

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  11. I don't read a lot of non contemporary or historical books but I've read so many 2013 review blog posts about this book being one of their top 10 or Cole being their book boyfriend/husband. Your review really breaks it down for me so I will be picking this book up on my next trip to the library/B&N.

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    1. Hmm, this one is paranormal. And HA! That's a good reason to read this book! I'm glad you enjoyed my review - that it was helpful! I hope you love this one, Chanpreet.

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  12. Wow. I heard about the book but didn't give it a try because I am not a big fan of zombies. But after reading your review, I think I will give it a try!

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    1. I'm not a zombie person either, but this one was EPIC. I hope you read and love this book!

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  13. Gena Showalter is one of my favourites authors and I always wanted to read some YA from her. I received Alice in Zombieland as a birthday present and I can't wait to start reading it. I love to see beautiful reviews as yours, which make me want to read it more, it's like the book screams at me to hurry :)). I'm glad that you liked it and I'll read your review of Through the Zombie Glass before I get my own copy to be sure that is as good as the first book or maybe even better :D.

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    1. That's so cool! This is the first book I've read by her. That's a great birthday present! I'm glad you like my review, and I hope that you do enjoy this book! And I hope you love book two as well ^_^

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  14. Alice and zombies certainly sound unique! :) I like it and hope to pick it up soon!

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    1. I thought so too! I hope you read it, Susan.

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  15. I love book from Gena Showalter,she is amazing writer!
    I'm sure I will like this book :)

    Great review! :)
    Thanks for the recommendation Alyssa :)

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    1. I agree - she is fabulous, and so are her books! I really hope you read this series, Bube - it is pretty awesome!

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  16. I love that you said someone else's review made you not want to read it, but you went ahead and gave it a chance and loved it. I try so hard not to read a whole review until I've read the book. But this is one I'm on the fence with, although I've mostly only seen good reviews. But now I think I'm going to have to read it!

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    1. Me too! I'm glad I gave it a chance because I ended up loving this book and book two! And I cannot wait to read book three. I know what you mean about reading reviews! But sometimes, either way, it works in your favor. I hope you enjoy this book (and series)!

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