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Wanted: Dead or Undead (Zombie West #1)

Angela Scott

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Feb 01, 2012 Timothy Ward rated it liked it · review of another edition

I think Angela accomplished exactly what she set out to accomplish for a YA Western Zombie Romance. In all truth, my reading preferences only interest me into the zombie category and a curiosity for how she could combine these genres. That fact that I finished it is an incredible testimony; I normally tire of YA books before the first chapter is over. The prologue starts this book off with more balls than I expected from a YA, and then surprised me with how easily I fell for the two main charact I think Angela accomplished exactly what she set out to accomplish for a YA Western Zombie Romance. In all truth, my reading preferences only interest me into the zombie category and a curiosity for how she could combine these genres. That fact that I finished it is an incredible testimony; I normally tire of YA books before the first chapter is over. The prologue starts this book off with more balls than I expected from a YA, and then surprised me with how easily I fell for the two main characters. By the time you hit the twist, it's all over, you're hooked.

I am not the type of zombie reader that only reads zombie books, but I was quite surprised by the twist she spins on the zombie virus; and yet it seems so obvious, I can't believe I haven't read someone else try this take.

I'm not really a fan of westerns either, though that's more a product of my generation choosing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles over Bonanza. That said, I enjoy post-apocalyptic settings, and found the Wild West spin on that refreshing. There are safe zone towns, but those fall quick because keeping the infected out before they turn is difficult, maybe more so in this level of infrastructure and technology. I liked the wagon train scene and just the idea of pretending I'm on horseback shooting zombies and yelling "Yee-ha!" The teenage samurai was a nice touch as well.

While I can't really fault Angela for anything in this book, my only criticism is that I wasn't ever really scared. I don't fault her on this because the book is YA, and not meant to scare like some darker zombie books. Angela's book requires zombies to evoke the character trials that keep us tethered to the end, but it isn't as much about the zombies being scary as it is about being scared that the two love interests won't be together. The zombies create a situation that threatens to pull them apart, but the real conflict is in their hearts not beating together. This book is about what these two characters need to change about themselves in order to find that happy ending together.

How Angela was able to smoothly thread these two character struggles into a worthwhile and powerful emotional investment is why I finished it, but I can't say that I loved it because I don't like how the zombie stuff wasn't scary.

This isn't my favorite book, but if you fit into the YA Western Zombie Romance audience, this book will likely become yours. ...more

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Jun 26, 2016 Kevin Killiany rated it really liked it

Zombies in the wild west. Doesn't sound like it would work, but Angela Scott pulls it off. This whole series is solidly written. Scott brings in all the tropes you'd expect but doesn't let any of them become cliche, the effect is both familiar and fresh. Highly recommend the entire trilogy. ...more

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Jan 19, 2014 E.D. Martin added it

Nov 16, 2011 Lane Diamond rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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Mar 30, 2013 Robb Grindstaff rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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