Barbara R. (geckflac) -
Helpful Score: 3
Got to say I really liked this book. A different take on zombies, but I thought it was cute, and a fast read. I gave it a 5 star.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I bought a copy of this book because of the awesome cover, oh and I had read a lot of great reviews on it...also I like zombie books.... This was a creative take on the zombie condition, at times pretty funny, and well written. All in all a highly amusing book that I really enjoyed reading. This is the first book in this series, the second (Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues) is scheduled for a July 2012 release. Right now there are three books planned in this series.
Angel Crawford is your typical white trash young woman. She lives in a filthy trailer with her drunk dad, can't hold a job to save her live, and is constantly experimenting with the lastest new drug. Things hit rock botton when Angel wakes up in the ER; apparently she was found passed-out stark naked on the side of the road. She had a billion drugs in her system and is a presumed OD; problem is Angel doesn't remember any of it...the glimpses she does remember don't match what she's been told. Then upon exiting the ER she finds someone has left her a cooler of strange drinks and a job offer at the morgue. As time passes Angel realizes that she is....different...and she really, really craves brains.
This was a fun story and a creative take on zombies. This isn't a zombie apocalypse story, but more a zombie as the minority and in hiding type of story. The zombies in this book look and act just like anyone else...as long as they get a good amount of brains to keep things moving. This is an interesting and creative idea and I enjoyed reading about; the why behind it is never really explained, but if you just go with it, it's a lot of fun.
Angel is a great lead, she is tough and funny but really wants to turn her life around. Looking over her shoulder as she learns how to be a tech at the morgue was interesting, fun, and kind of gross at times. As with most zombie books this one gets pretty graphic; especially since Angel visits a lot of crime scenes to pick up dead bodies. So not a book for the weak of stomach.
All of the above would be interesting on its own but Rowland also ties in a good murder mystery. When a number of the vics Angel picks up are missing their heads, she suspects foul play and gets drawn into trying to solve this mystery. It is a well done mystery with a couple of unexpected twists and turns. The story is mainly urban fantasy, but does have a teeny tiny bit of romance.
The story is nicely wrapped up, leaving a few small things unresolved for the next book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and had a lot of fun reading it. Angel is a great protagonist; she is fun, tough, smart and really wants to turn her life around. Zombies are dealt with in a creative and fun way and all of this is wrapped together with a murder mystery that is very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Even White Trash Zombies get the Blues. A great book for fans of zombies and urban fantasy, especially those who like some black humor in their books.
Angel Crawford is your typical white trash young woman. She lives in a filthy trailer with her drunk dad, can't hold a job to save her live, and is constantly experimenting with the lastest new drug. Things hit rock botton when Angel wakes up in the ER; apparently she was found passed-out stark naked on the side of the road. She had a billion drugs in her system and is a presumed OD; problem is Angel doesn't remember any of it...the glimpses she does remember don't match what she's been told. Then upon exiting the ER she finds someone has left her a cooler of strange drinks and a job offer at the morgue. As time passes Angel realizes that she is....different...and she really, really craves brains.
This was a fun story and a creative take on zombies. This isn't a zombie apocalypse story, but more a zombie as the minority and in hiding type of story. The zombies in this book look and act just like anyone else...as long as they get a good amount of brains to keep things moving. This is an interesting and creative idea and I enjoyed reading about; the why behind it is never really explained, but if you just go with it, it's a lot of fun.
Angel is a great lead, she is tough and funny but really wants to turn her life around. Looking over her shoulder as she learns how to be a tech at the morgue was interesting, fun, and kind of gross at times. As with most zombie books this one gets pretty graphic; especially since Angel visits a lot of crime scenes to pick up dead bodies. So not a book for the weak of stomach.
All of the above would be interesting on its own but Rowland also ties in a good murder mystery. When a number of the vics Angel picks up are missing their heads, she suspects foul play and gets drawn into trying to solve this mystery. It is a well done mystery with a couple of unexpected twists and turns. The story is mainly urban fantasy, but does have a teeny tiny bit of romance.
The story is nicely wrapped up, leaving a few small things unresolved for the next book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and had a lot of fun reading it. Angel is a great protagonist; she is fun, tough, smart and really wants to turn her life around. Zombies are dealt with in a creative and fun way and all of this is wrapped together with a murder mystery that is very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Even White Trash Zombies get the Blues. A great book for fans of zombies and urban fantasy, especially those who like some black humor in their books.
Lizz D. (ladyd2206) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book started really strong for me, kind of trailed off in the middle, and then really picked up at the end again. It left me wanting more, and I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series.
Meet Angel, a real "white-trash" low-life; addicted to drugs and alcohol, no job, a high school drop out, a real winner. But when she wakes up in the hospital after an overdose, she finds someone has given her a second chance at life. A mysterious person wrote her a letter which got her a job at a morgue.
Angel can't waste this chance, because if she does, this mysterious person will tell her Parole Officer about drugs and such, and she'll end up in jail. What Angel comes to learn is that she's been turned into a zombie, and she needs her job for her survival.
I really fell in love with the character of Angel. She was down on her luck, and at first when she got the second chance, she almost didn't want to believe it was really true. But then she starts to backslide into her old ways a little, and that's where the book gets a little slow for me.
It was really tough watching Angel fight with herself about the issues of her past life and her present life. It's also at this time in the book where Angel kind of hits a brick wall, and just stops. She works on deciding how she's going to continue.
The other side of this book is the killer. Angel discovers that there is a serial killer on the loose, and she tries to figure out who it is. Now, I'm going to be totally honest, and say that I knew something was up with the person who turns out to be the killer, but I didn't know what. So it was half a surprise for me.
As for Marcus, the detective that Angel has a bit of a crush on, I kind of figured out his back story shortly after the beginning of the book. I can't say more than that without giving anything away, but if you read this, you'll see what I mean.
This book was a truly refreshing idea in a world of vampires and werewolves, and I really can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
Meet Angel, a real "white-trash" low-life; addicted to drugs and alcohol, no job, a high school drop out, a real winner. But when she wakes up in the hospital after an overdose, she finds someone has given her a second chance at life. A mysterious person wrote her a letter which got her a job at a morgue.
Angel can't waste this chance, because if she does, this mysterious person will tell her Parole Officer about drugs and such, and she'll end up in jail. What Angel comes to learn is that she's been turned into a zombie, and she needs her job for her survival.
I really fell in love with the character of Angel. She was down on her luck, and at first when she got the second chance, she almost didn't want to believe it was really true. But then she starts to backslide into her old ways a little, and that's where the book gets a little slow for me.
It was really tough watching Angel fight with herself about the issues of her past life and her present life. It's also at this time in the book where Angel kind of hits a brick wall, and just stops. She works on deciding how she's going to continue.
The other side of this book is the killer. Angel discovers that there is a serial killer on the loose, and she tries to figure out who it is. Now, I'm going to be totally honest, and say that I knew something was up with the person who turns out to be the killer, but I didn't know what. So it was half a surprise for me.
As for Marcus, the detective that Angel has a bit of a crush on, I kind of figured out his back story shortly after the beginning of the book. I can't say more than that without giving anything away, but if you read this, you'll see what I mean.
This book was a truly refreshing idea in a world of vampires and werewolves, and I really can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
carlamo -
I'm not really sure what I expected when I started this book, but it was good enough to make me interested in reading the next couple of books in the series.
The character didn't really come across quite as hardened as the (wonderful!) cover made me expect... more like a kid who'd grown up in a hard-knocks life who still had a core of decency, despite a tendency to make bad decisions. Once she's handed a chance to clean up her act, she runs with it and makes the best of the hand she's been dealt.
Some of the story was a bit sophomoric and lightweight, but I will say that I didn't solve the 2 major "who-dun-its" before the reveals: who made her a zombie (and why) and who is killing the zombies. So, if you're interested in reading the book, give it try - it may not be your cup of tea, but it's not a bad read and may just surprise you.
The character didn't really come across quite as hardened as the (wonderful!) cover made me expect... more like a kid who'd grown up in a hard-knocks life who still had a core of decency, despite a tendency to make bad decisions. Once she's handed a chance to clean up her act, she runs with it and makes the best of the hand she's been dealt.
Some of the story was a bit sophomoric and lightweight, but I will say that I didn't solve the 2 major "who-dun-its" before the reveals: who made her a zombie (and why) and who is killing the zombies. So, if you're interested in reading the book, give it try - it may not be your cup of tea, but it's not a bad read and may just surprise you.
Cynthia H. (cinderh) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 34 more book reviews
Good concept and execution. Was a little baffled by her casual attitude about how she became a zombie.
I know it's a zombie book, but the worry about her next meal was annoying by the end. For a while it seemed as if that was the whole story. Glad to see character growth toward the end and I look forward to starting the next book and seeing how Angel continues to discover who she really is.
I know it's a zombie book, but the worry about her next meal was annoying by the end. For a while it seemed as if that was the whole story. Glad to see character growth toward the end and I look forward to starting the next book and seeing how Angel continues to discover who she really is.
Doree T. (DoreeLynne) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 207 more book reviews
I'm sorry to go against all the other reviews but I didn't find this cute or well written and just couldn't get into it. I found the heroine beyond annoying and clueless enough to give white trash a bad name. I gave up half way through when there was no forward movement in the story line and I was tired of hearing about eating brains angst with absolutely no explanation as to why she was a zombie or for that matter anything else. There are better books, writers and urban series out there so I won't waste any more time on these. Sorry but I can give it only one star and am cancelling the next two in the series from my wish list.
Fresh, funny, poignant zombie read. I found it hard to put down.
Diana Rowland writes urban fantasy that always makes me think "this would be a great movie!" Imagine the pitch: A woman leading a dead-end life gets a new start after becoming undead. Angel Crawford finds herself turning her life around while trying find out exactly what happened to her, since she's craving braiiiins. She also gets to use her (own) brain to solve the mystery of some shady deaths in her hometown. Humorous and quick-paced.
Bree G. (paisleywings) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 232 more book reviews
I gave this four stars, mainly because it had a different spin on zombies. OK...there was a lot of brain eating to stay alive, but I liked the concept of the story. I liked the first person narrative and as unlikely as it sounds, had plenty of humor.
Judi O. reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
This is a fun read. If you love urban fantasy procedural type books (i.e. Laurel K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong etc.) then you'll like this book. It's not as racy as some books but Diana Rowland keeps the action going. It's a different take on the typical zombie book and I can't wait to read the second one.
Laurie S. (LaurieS) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 504 more book reviews
I have wanted to read this book ever since I first saw the fabulous cover on someones blog. Its really eye catching, isn't it? Talk about a lucky author. And best of all, it fits its main character Angel perfectly. Well, I finally made time to read it and, uh, Im glad I did but I didn't expect it take so much time to read (nearly a month).
The book starts out when Angel wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she ended up there. She's told she overdosed and she figures it could have happened, she really is no angel, and though she vaguely remembers a crash she isn't injured. As she's making haste to get home, she's given a bag with a note and a cooler filled with bottles of some sort of chunky goo. The note explains that she is being offered a job at the morgue and that she must accept it, as well as drink the goo, OR ELSE. She sees this as a bit of good luck since shes a self-professed loser and screw-upper and decides to follow the demands of the anonymous letter. What the hell, her life can't get any worse right?
Angel drinks the bottled shakes and realizes it's pretty good, if a wee bit chunky and meaty tasting. At the morgue, she realizes she's going to be driving around dead bodies and assisting in autopsies. It skeeves her out at first but like the shakes, she realizes she enjoys it, especially when she sniffs her first human brain and her stomach starts growling. What is going on? Even though the title does kind of give away the game, Ill let you guess.
So basically the rest of the book follows Angel as she struggles with her new and improved self (the shakes make her feel good, enhance her senses a little and make her stronger), meets some interesting guys, deals with her drunken dad, gets embroiled in a decapitation mystery and gets past her white trash upbringing and realizes life may just have something to offer other than booze, drugs and horrible boyfriends. She grows up quite a bit during this book, yeah Angel.
Angel voice is sarcastic and self-deprecating, shes funny and shes crabby and sometimes shes a defensive bitch but shes also an optimist who takes all of the changes in her life in stride. I liked her a lot. Despite her rough upbringing she still has a soft heart and her relationships are complicated and believable. She doesn't blame her mistakes on the world and isn't a poor me type. She knows shes a mess and knows that a lot of it is entirely her own fault.
But alas, something is off with the pacing and parts of the book are soooo draggy with very little going on that I literally had to force myself to keep going. Im glad I did because the ending is satisfying and answers many of the questions that came up while reading. But again, it took me nearly 3 weeks to finish this 310 page book so I cant rate it as highly as Id like to. I think if youre looking for a fun (albeit sometimes slow) zombie tale with edgy charm, decently drawn characters, a wee bit of gore and zero sappiness youll find a lot to like here.
The book starts out when Angel wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she ended up there. She's told she overdosed and she figures it could have happened, she really is no angel, and though she vaguely remembers a crash she isn't injured. As she's making haste to get home, she's given a bag with a note and a cooler filled with bottles of some sort of chunky goo. The note explains that she is being offered a job at the morgue and that she must accept it, as well as drink the goo, OR ELSE. She sees this as a bit of good luck since shes a self-professed loser and screw-upper and decides to follow the demands of the anonymous letter. What the hell, her life can't get any worse right?
Angel drinks the bottled shakes and realizes it's pretty good, if a wee bit chunky and meaty tasting. At the morgue, she realizes she's going to be driving around dead bodies and assisting in autopsies. It skeeves her out at first but like the shakes, she realizes she enjoys it, especially when she sniffs her first human brain and her stomach starts growling. What is going on? Even though the title does kind of give away the game, Ill let you guess.
So basically the rest of the book follows Angel as she struggles with her new and improved self (the shakes make her feel good, enhance her senses a little and make her stronger), meets some interesting guys, deals with her drunken dad, gets embroiled in a decapitation mystery and gets past her white trash upbringing and realizes life may just have something to offer other than booze, drugs and horrible boyfriends. She grows up quite a bit during this book, yeah Angel.
Angel voice is sarcastic and self-deprecating, shes funny and shes crabby and sometimes shes a defensive bitch but shes also an optimist who takes all of the changes in her life in stride. I liked her a lot. Despite her rough upbringing she still has a soft heart and her relationships are complicated and believable. She doesn't blame her mistakes on the world and isn't a poor me type. She knows shes a mess and knows that a lot of it is entirely her own fault.
But alas, something is off with the pacing and parts of the book are soooo draggy with very little going on that I literally had to force myself to keep going. Im glad I did because the ending is satisfying and answers many of the questions that came up while reading. But again, it took me nearly 3 weeks to finish this 310 page book so I cant rate it as highly as Id like to. I think if youre looking for a fun (albeit sometimes slow) zombie tale with edgy charm, decently drawn characters, a wee bit of gore and zero sappiness youll find a lot to like here.
Amanda M. (tapcat16) reviewed My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, Bk 1) on + 150 more book reviews
Angel wakes up in the hospital to discover she was found naked and overdosed on drugs on the the side of the road in her small town after a fight with her boyfriend, Randy. Someone mysteriously drops off medicinal energy drinks along with a note that she must work loyally for at least a month at a job newly acquired for her at the city morgue. A high school drop-out living with her alcoholic and periodically abusive father, Angel decides that she should seize this opportunity. It certainly helps that pills and alcohol no longer seem to do anything for her. As her oddly gloppy energy drinks start to run out, though, Angel finds herself having cravings for something found in the morguebrains.
Its been a long time since I read a book that hits all the elements I love in literature like this oneurban fantasy style horror, a setting that rings familiar to me, a completely relatable main character, and a fun love interest. Most of what Rowland does is unique, particularly how she manages to make Angel simultaneously human and monstrous in a way we have not seen since vampires were first reworked. She also manages to address serious, real-world issues beneath the fun ridiculousness of the urban fantasy elements. Alas, I was a bit disappointed to see the common monster/sociopath works in a morgue and that's how they get by trope present in a book full of so many new ideas. Maybe if there's a sequel Angel can have a different job, eh?
Overall, this zombie book gave me thrills, chills, and laughs galore, but it also brought me close to tears. Its genre fiction with a heart, and I highly recommend it to anyone willing to see zombies (or white trash) in a whole new light.
Check out my full review.
Its been a long time since I read a book that hits all the elements I love in literature like this oneurban fantasy style horror, a setting that rings familiar to me, a completely relatable main character, and a fun love interest. Most of what Rowland does is unique, particularly how she manages to make Angel simultaneously human and monstrous in a way we have not seen since vampires were first reworked. She also manages to address serious, real-world issues beneath the fun ridiculousness of the urban fantasy elements. Alas, I was a bit disappointed to see the common monster/sociopath works in a morgue and that's how they get by trope present in a book full of so many new ideas. Maybe if there's a sequel Angel can have a different job, eh?
Overall, this zombie book gave me thrills, chills, and laughs galore, but it also brought me close to tears. Its genre fiction with a heart, and I highly recommend it to anyone willing to see zombies (or white trash) in a whole new light.
Check out my full review.
Great story. Zombies eating brains...but they are AWARE that they are zombies. Awesome.
