Absolutely FANTASTICALLY AWESOME. I read a few short stories by Maberry before and even risked driving into Philly for a reading/signing a few years bAbsolutely FANTASTICALLY AWESOME. I read a few short stories by Maberry before and even risked driving into Philly for a reading/signing a few years back. So I already knew I'd be getting a good story here. I had no idea it's be this awesome though. It's SO awesome in fa t that I did something ice only done once before, actually contacted the author to let them know I want more. Yeah. It's that good. Seriously. I told Maberry that I even think my daughters father would love it and I know for a fact he hasn't picked up a book in at least 7+ years. Yeah. It's that good. Dez, as fucked up as she is, is one of the best characters ever created. Billy? Perfect solution for and to Dez. JT. Oh my God. I cried. That's all I'll say. I actually cried. I'm not one of the crazies that think this kind of thing could happen but damned if I wasn't reading this and seeing it in my mind. Seeing how it COULD happen. Crazy right? I know. That's how good the writing is. This is a serious don't-miss. I can't stress it enough. I can't wait to read Rot & Ruin and every single other thing he's written. ...more
(3 stars) Biters by Mark Morris - This took me a bit to get into and I ended up liking the ending much more than the beginning. It's a short story but(3 stars) Biters by Mark Morris - This took me a bit to get into and I ended up liking the ending much more than the beginning. It's a short story but the 'why' of what the kids were doing wasn't explained clearly enough. I also thought they talked like elementary school-aged children when in fact I learned they're 13. Seemed off...
(1 star) Why Mothers Let Their Babies Watch Television by Chelsea Cain - This sucked huge donkey d#*\. I don't know what else to say and I'm seriously. That's my complete thought on the story. What. The. Fuck. If I hit another like it the book ends for me there.
(2.5 stars) Carousel by Orson Scott Card - I don't know. Something's there but the whole "God" thing didn't ring for me.
(2 stars) Reality Bites by S.G. Browne - Again, something *might* be here. It's the typical twist on reality shows with zombies. Meh.
(1 star) The Drop by Stephen Susco - I read a page or two and skipped the rest. I don't know what the author thought he was writing - I'm all for intelligent stories - but really? Did we have a dictionary close by? I want zombies, not a frigging English lesson.
**This book isn't shaping up real great. I'll probably give up soon if these don't get better.**
(1 star) Antiparallelogram by Amber Benson - Skipped it.
(3 stars) How We Escaped Our Certain Fate by Dan Choan - This is a good one. Not the best but definitely good. I wish the rest were more like it.
(5 stars) A Mother's Love by John McIlveen - Best so far. I'd read more in a second. I'll definitely look for more by this author.
(3 stars) Down and Out in Dead Town by Simon R. Green - Not sure how I feel here. The writing's good and I the story is more "realistic" than most, which I appreciate. I'd wager Green might have a book I'd enjoy. My sympathy for the homeless is almost non-existent though. (By "homeless" I mean the people who are able-bodied and mentally aware and could work but want to take my money to buy drugs and alcohol. In my experience this is most if them.) I think this may have lowered my emotions during reading.
(4.5 stars) Devil Dust by Caitlin Kittredge - I enjoyed this almost as much as 'A Mother's Love'. The feelings the wife is going through after losing her husband are completely relatable. I think I could get to that point if it happened to me. The scheme she pulls is off the wall crazy but still, somehow, realistic. Possibly because if the meth association. No matter, it's a damn good story regardless.
(2.5 stars) The Dead of Dromore by Ken Bruen - I don't like harping on a story being too fast or some such when I'm reading a. Anthology but let's face it, some are still too damn fast. Even for a story a few pages long. I had questions at the end that I shouldn't have had. I should have understood more while reading. Also, the double spacing freaked me out? What's the basis for this?
**I'm over halfway and have read two stories do far that we're above 3 stars for me. I forget what it was called but I read another of Golden's zombie anthologies and I don't remember the stories being so..... sucky.**
(2.5 stars) All the Comforts of Home by John Skipp & Cody Goodfellow - I have mixed feelings on this one. I liked the characters and the writings fine but the story felt... I don't know if 'thrown together' is the correct phrase. I skimmed a few paragraphs and when I do that - or even want to do that - I know I have a problem with a story or book.
**I'm beginning to feel let down. I thought I could expect more based on previous reading of Golden's work(s). I'm very pleased I borrowed this from the library and didn't spend money on it. If I read anything else I'll definitely be borrowing it in case it turns out like this. For as many stories as I've read I should have found more already That I loved. Or, at the very least, liked a lot. Instead I'm finding myself going through the motions in order to a.) get to Maberry's story and b.) finish this and return it to the library pronto.**
(2 stars) Ghost Dog & Pup: Stay by Thomas E. Sniegoski - This started out fantastic. I thought it might be the best one in the book. Until the extra supernatural stuff was thrown in. It's just not my cup of tea. Zombies are frightening enough so I like my zombie reading to be as realistic as possible. Basically, real life with zombies thrown in. Life forces and plates in the ground... just not my thing.
(3.5 stars) Tic Boom: A Slice of Love by Kurt Sutter - This one is different. I had some questions but they were answered by the end. Even though its a SHORT STORY. I thought for a bit the religious aspect might be taken too far - luckily I was wrong. I actually wish it'd have been longer.
(5 stars) Jack and Jill by Jonathan Maberry - Nothing needs to be said. I knew this would be up to par and if you've read Maberry than you know why. This story is one of the few - very few - things Golden did. The only thing is it - and a select few others - are more deserving than to be placed with such mediocre to pisspoor others.
(4 stars) Tender as Teeth by Stephanie Crawford & Duane Swierczynski - This was good too. I wasn't sure how it would work but just the premise, becoming something other than yourself and doing something so unbelievably horrible the world - including yourself - wants you dead, only to then become yourself again, makes for a great story. I don't want to go into spoiler detail but this is one not to skip.
(5 stars) Couch Potato by Brian Keene - No doubt this could be part of a great book. This has the every-day-type of things, the realisticness that makes a zombie story so frightening for me. The twist the author throws in, the lack-of-attention combo was clever. I'm pretty sure I've at least heard of Keene, if not read something by him before but now I need to make sure I look for his books.
(No rating) The Happy Bird and Other Tales by Rio Youers - I totally skipped this so I'm not comfortable rating it.....
(No rating) Parasite by Daniel H. Wilson - I'm not rating this although I didn't totally skip it. The writing is good, the premise is good but it's not my kind of story. There are people who will enjoy it though.
Overall I'm seriously disappointed. Hopefully The Living Dead will be a ton better. My fingers are crossed. ...more
I found this on my library's website while looking for another book. Honestly, I didn't even see the 'romance' aspect. I seriously doubt I'd have gottI found this on my library's website while looking for another book. Honestly, I didn't even see the 'romance' aspect. I seriously doubt I'd have gotten it. It's kind of hard to imagine zombies in love. Or so I thought. This review will be ongoing because of my memory and the fact that it's an anthology. So....
5 stars - Romance Ain't Dead by Jeremy Wagner - I'm happy that Lori Perkins started out strong because I'm not hesitant to give up on a book I don't enjoy anymore. This is a good, good story. I usually decide just how good by how badly I'd love to read an entire book based on the short story. That and if I'd go out of my way to read any of the authors others works. I'll probably answer that for each story and for this one the answer is yes - and yes. No complaints whatsoever beyond it being too short.
4.5 stars - Revenants Anonymous by Francesca Lia Block - I was leery of this one even though I've heard Block's name before. I liked this almost as much as Wagner's. I already planned to find a book of Block's and yes, I'd definitely read a full length book about Casey and Ed.
4.5 stars - I Heart Brains by Jamie Saare - I was nervous with this one upon starting too, for no reason. I ended up getting really into it and wanting more. I'd read the book and I wouldn't mind more by Saare either.
5 stars - Everyone I Love is Dead by Elizabeth Coldwell - Really, really good! I'd like to give a little about each story and not just my opinions but I don't have the time and it's probably been done. If you read anthologies and pick and choose the stories this is a don't-miss for sure. Yes, I'd love, love, love to read a whole book on these guys! And Coldwell is another author I'll now be looking for more by.
1 star - Through Death to Love by S.M. Cross - I didn't like this. It's only about 5 pages long, if that and I still skimmed some. I'm not sure why exactly but the story - the man and the woman, how they meet, the process of getting to know each other, I just had no interest.
1.5 stars - Eye of the Beholder by Stacey Graham - The humor didn't translate to me. I just couldn't force myself to get into it.
3 stars - First Love Never Dies by Jan Kozlowski - The writing isn't bad IMO but I didn't really feel any interest in Shana & Ryan. And even for a short story the ending was sudden.
2.5 stars - My Partner the Zombie by R.G. Hart - I didn't get into this and I was glad it was as short as it was. :(
3 stars - Undying Love by Regina Riley - I might read more. It won't come to mind as one of my favorite stories but it definitely wasn't one of the worst for me.
4 stars - Captive Hearts by Brian Keene - Whoa. As soon as I see the title my stomach turns. This is one of the more unforgettable stories in the book. It's incredibly short but memorable nonetheless. I think I'd read more... I'd have to be in a very precise mood to be able to handle it though. Mainstream horror fans should love...
3 stars - Apocalypse Foreplay by Gina McQueen - This was so-so for me. I wasn't too sure where the author was going when I read the title and while it did make sense it still didn't interest me as much as a few other stories.
3 stars - Julia Brainchild by Lois H. Gresh - All of the cooking terms got to me a page or two in. There's only so many things you can hear, changed to incorporate the word 'brain', without going crazy. It was taken a step too far IMO. The characters and story I liked, just not as a favorite. I think I'd read more, not sure.
3 stars - Kicking the Habit by Steven Saus - This was too short for me to be positive but I think there was more than meets the eye. I wish it'd have been even just a few pages longer. I'd read more and if I'm correct in my assumption I'd love reading more.
3 stars - Zombified - Isabel Roman - This was another so-so one for me. Just this side of so-so perhaps. I didn't find myself into the main characters like I'd have liked.
2 stars - White Night, Black Horse by Mercy Loomis - This wasn't for me although I'll bet it'll be a favorite of most of the readers. There's nothing wrong with the story, it's just purely personal. It simply didn't interest me.
3.5 stars - Inhuman Resources by Jeanine McAdam - I thought this would be mediocre when I started it but once I saw where the author was going I was able to get much more into it than I'd anticipated. I think I'd definitely read more.
3 stars - The Magician's Apprentice by Stacy Brown - I can't figure out how I feel about this. I kept imagining the Tony & Carla show signs on the strip since I live here now and I could see it. That made it that much more realistic-like for me. But it still couldn't be listed as a fav.
3.5 stars - Some New Blood by Vanessa Vaughn - I think was a little too short to get a real feel for. What I read I liked although I'd like to have gotten more info from what I read. I think I'd try reading more, there's potential for sure.
3.5 stars - Last Times at Ridgemont High by Kilt Kilpatrick - This is a lot like the previous story - not the actual story but how I felt towards it. I'd like to read a longer version to be sure and ill admit that I skimmed a time or two when the sports equipment tally seemed to go in too long but overall I did like it.
4 stars - First Date by Dana Fredsti - I'd definitely read a full length book around this story and/or by Fredsti. I liked the premise and the main character was relatable.
4 stars - Later by Michael Marshall Smith - I kind of knew the last few would be good.... This is yet another I'd be perfectly happy to read a longer, full length version of. I think out of all the stories this scared me most. It's easy to see something like this happening to the man or woman you love, and you being left behind. It makes it easier to relate to the husbands actions. (Not that I'd go digging my man up if he died before me... just saying.) ...more
2.5 - I don't know what to say really. I wouldn't suggest anyone go searching for this book but if you happen to come across it - like I did - it's wo2.5 - I don't know what to say really. I wouldn't suggest anyone go searching for this book but if you happen to come across it - like I did - it's worth a glance. It's very short so that's a plus. I started looking at it in the library yesterday afternoon, it's not 8am the next day and I just finished. And that's having done tons of other things besides and also reading another book. Oh, and listening to yet another book on CD also. So, it's a fast one. The one thing that comes to mind is that this would make a neat little gift for a zombie lover. Someone who has all the movies, all the books, knows everything there is to know, this would be something neat to display on a bookshelf. ...more
I waited over two months to review this book and now I've forgotten most of what I wanted to say. I hate leaving a general review but it just can't beI waited over two months to review this book and now I've forgotten most of what I wanted to say. I hate leaving a general review but it just can't be helped here. I'll start with the cover - I don't like it. The three portrayed don't look - to me - anything like how they look in my mind. They don't fit at all, even if I stretch my imagination. I really like when a cover with characters on it shows the characters as they're shown in the book. It doesn't actually take away from the book for me when they're not but it was definitely on my mind. Honestly, I didn't expect this to be all that great. "Good" was what I was shooting for. I'm not sure why, maybe because I hadn't heard the authors name before and most of my zombie reading has been by established authors. Well, I ended up surprised because it's a damn good book. I really thought it would get boring and it never did. It's different enough to make it worthwhile in that regard while not straying too far and going into the sci-fi-type of zombie thing that I don't like. My only complaint was that the characters could have been explained a little more or better or maybe in a way that stuck with the reader. I had a hard time keeping a few of them apart for awhile. But I was definitely surprised at how it kept me reading. I wouldn't hesitate try another book by Dulaney - especially if it's a zombie book. I'd say it's worth the money and coming from me that means something - I don't buy many books. ...more
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