Joshua Gaylord

Seriously. This review has spoilers. I will give away the ending. And that would be a real shame for anyone who hasn't read it yet but would like to.

I'll be the first to say I'm a lightweight when it comes to horror books. Since I read one maybe once a year (and that's only in recent years), it's not really my place to say where an author or book stands in the genre, but dang, I must say that this book was great. It stressed me out, but I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. It show more reminded me of The Road meets The Grapes of Wrath meets I Am Legend, but it wholly held its own as well. I liked that the book is a right balance of contemplation and action and that the two are not mutually exclusive. Man, those discussions especially between Temple and Moses Todd. It's great when a zombie apocalypse novel can really make a genuine stretch into discussions of humanity that ask you to regard these notions in the context of your life and not just of this particular world. Of course, I couldn't help thinking of The Walking Dead comics, which I thoroughly enjoy, but dare I say got me thinking in terms of my reality.

There were a couple spots that upset me, at least initially--the mutant "inheritors" for one. For an inexplicable reason I'm super picky about sci-fi/fantasy to a point where I can accept flesh-eating cadavers, but not 10-foot-tall skeletal semi-zombies. Bell didn't give me chance, though, to dwell on that point because the story kept on moving and shit got REAL. And I am still SO MAD that Temple freakin' died at the end! What the what?! I love that girl from the bottom of my heart. And by Minnie? I can't tell yet whether that ending will work itself out for me after it's had some time to settle...whether it's ludicrous in a good way or a bad way. It appears that perhaps this is the start of a series. However, as much as Moses Todd was a great foil to Temple, I feel cheated that Temple won't be in a potential sequel. I mean, don't get me wrong, Alden Bell is a great writer and I'm going to absolutely read his next novel (apparently, yes, following Moses and Abraham), but I just wish Temple could be there for it.

I'm so glad that this book won an award--it should win more awards--though seeing as it's an Alex Award, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be giving it to a teen considering the type of violence and sex contained here. At least a younger teen. Or the repercussions of their parents finding out that it was my doing putting it in their hands. It certainly is moving though, and I'm pretty sure I would have loved it when I was 17 as much as I do now. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It's a doozy and well worth it. show less

Temple is the byproduct of a world gone wrong. At the age of 15, she still maintains a youthful innocence and natural curiosity for the world, yet growing up in a world infested with zombies has also hardened her, turning in her into a ruthless survivor of a dangerous post-apocalyptic wasteland.

She is probably one the best characters I've come across in awhile. At times simple minded, yet fiercely sensible, she barely acknowledges the tragic state of the world she was born into but still has show more more insight and wisdom to offer than those who were born before the outbreak. I simply adored her!

All the characters have quite a bit of depth though. There aren't many people who fall into the categories of 'good' or 'evil.' Even the protagonist, whose quest is almost comically over-the-top evil, is worthy of sympathy and at times difficult to dislike.

The writing is wonderful too. I would strongly advise not to write this one off simply because it's a zombie novel, if those aren't your thing. Some people are actually categorizing it as Southern Gothic, and I'd say that's a fair description. Regardless, I really enjoyed this one. It is worthy of praise, for sure. show less

Someone wrote that this book is like Flannery O'Connor with zombies, and while I haven't really read anything by her, the language style did remind me of Kaye Gobbons' "Ellen Foster." Temple is a shrewd, tough-as-nails fifteen year old trying to survive the "slugs/meatskins" (slang for zombies), traveling north from Florida while managing to survive. Just as often she has to protect herself from the living, but she seems to be drawn to trouble (even if she manages to hold her own), in a way show more that makes you think she sees it deep down and some sort of penance. As hardened as Temple is, I found myself rooting for her, as best as one can for a girl that shuns reliance on anyone and suspects kindness from anyone. Redaers who take to her will follow her in the book, rooting for her to find a satisfying life somehow. At 225 pages, it's a quick if gritty read. It appears some people have a love/hate thing going on with this book--I loved it. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this hopeless/hopeful story of a young girl making her way through a post-zombie-apocalyptic U.S. in search of herself.

It's hard to put my finger on exactly why, or even to describe this book. It doesn't have a driving plot so much as a series of interesting occurrences and a driving character. It's the character - Temple, sometimes called Sarah Mary - who kept me interested. She doesn't remember a world before the zombies, and she doesn't understand locking yourself show more away from the beauty and wonder that's still in the world out of fear.

She also doesn't understand herself, and isn't sure she wants to. She carries a lot in her past, and she's not sure what that makes her. Watching the world through her eyes - figuring out who she is as opposed to who she sees herself as - is interesting. Bell is adept with the world and with the character, and he captures a particular sort of yearning in this tale that sticks with me.

The isn't horror or action or even bleak post-apocalyptic. It's something a little different, a little hard to put your finger on. But it's very enjoyable. show less