This is Not a Test (This is Not a Test, #1) in Apocalypse Whenever

Nov 09, 2014 Silver Thistle rated it really liked it

Shelves: post-apocalyptic

I'm not really sure what to make of this one. It was a good read and it was well written but maybe I was expecting more zombies? Or explanations? Or a resolution? I'm torn.

I really liked the story and couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to them all... but I didn't get closure. I'm not saying all endings have to always be neatly tied up but if they had been I'd have been happier and would have given 5* instead of 4*.

A handful of kids end up in a school, sheltering from the zombie I'm not really sure what to make of this one. It was a good read and it was well written but maybe I was expecting more zombies? Or explanations? Or a resolution? I'm torn.

I really liked the story and couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to them all... but I didn't get closure. I'm not saying all endings have to always be neatly tied up but if they had been I'd have been happier and would have given 5* instead of 4*.

A handful of kids end up in a school, sheltering from the zombie hoards outside which roam their town relentlessly. Why are there zombies? I have no idea and I suspect the kids don't either but since they never ask each other those simple question's, "Why?", "Where?", "How?" I'm left wondering if maybe they do know, in which case - why don't I?

Sloane is the narrator and we get an insight into her life before the zombies came although I felt that I never really knew the whole story of what went on there either. It's frustrating. There's only one viewpoint really and I only found out what Sloane wanted me to know. Since Sloane herself was mostly fixated on her sister and her need to end it all I didn't get to know half of what I needed (wanted) to know. Enquiring minds need to know.

So, accepting that I didn't find out all that I wanted (needed), how was the story? It was good actually. Dark and sinister and creepy and scary and all the stuff you come to expect from a zombie book...just without many zombies. One or two popped up every now and then and they were the jacked up crazy kind but because I didn't see much of them they were more of a psychological fear than a physical fear. It was scary wondering where they where going to come from...if they were going to come...when they were going to come. Sometimes that's scarier than the actual event of them coming. It's the not knowing.

Anyway, it's a good story which is well told. Sloane's voice is right for the telling of it but I just wish she'd been a little more forthcoming with the stuff I needed to know...

I'd even be happier if I knew there was a follow on book which might fill in some of the details for me (there's not, is there?). I know there's a 1.5 novella but I really need the proper sequel. I'll be reading the novella too for sure though.

*Sigh* It's a hard one. Good story, well written I just wanted...I'm not sure what I wanted. More? Better? Fuller? ...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Netanella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, zombies

I've never read Courtney Summers before, but I'm so glad that I have. Yes, this is a zombie book, but let's face it, folks, there's zombies in it. But it's also blends a little bit of "The Stranger" with a whole lot of the "Lord of the Flies" and a sprinkling of "The Breakfast Club". This book is that good - it's deeply driven by a group of flawed characters - characters who are suicidal, homicidal - your basic teenagers trapped in the local high school. And the zombies are fast - "Dawn of the D ...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Sarah rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-novels

Take one part angsty teen problem novel, one part end of the world tale, and sprinkle liberally with zombies and you have this novel. I do like apocalyptic novels, but not problem novels, so we'll see how I like this--already I feel a little out of sympathy with the main character.

I can see how this book will be very popular at the library where I work, it combines many elements that are enjoyed by a great number of readers. While I was never able to make an emotional connection to any of the c ...more

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