3.5 Stars
You ever want to read a book based on hype and the pretty cover, buy it, and then realizing your stalling because you aren't actually sure you want to read it? That was me with Alice in Zombieland. Michelle and I said we'd read it for our Was It Good For You? Feature way back in July. And I put it on my calendar several times, only to push it back. I didn't finally read it until November.
I had avoided Alice in Zombieland, despite sort of wanting to read it for two main reasons:
- Zombies. I'm still getting on this band wagon. I like The Walking Dead. And I loved Sanctuary by Pauline Creed. But that's my extent of zombie love so far. Because I don't like the gross factor. And at an early point in Alice in Zombieland I did feel a little grossed out, but to be fair, I think that was my expectations bleeding through a bit. And it never got really graphic and disgusting, so I can handle these zombies.
- The ambiguous Alice in Wonderland connection. I knew from reviews that this wasn't really an Alice in Wonderland retelling and yet, there's some clear relationship. Since Alice in Wonderland retellings have been both great and kinda bad for me, I wasn't eager for one so uncertainly defined. While Alice in Zombieland worked, I'm still kinda confused about this connection. Its not just the title. There are little connections to Alice in Wonderland. But they're so small, I'm trying to figure out if they're just a fun nod to Alice in Wonderland or if they actually mean something that I just haven't figured out yet. Like some connection to Alice in Wonderland that will blow my mind in book 2 or 3.
So I avoided it and at first, I wasn't into it really. Alice in Zombieland took a while to get going, despite a pretty intense intro. You know from page one that this major disaster is going to happen, but the lead up is slow and then after it happens you kind of float along and at about the 20% point I actually told Michelle, "I'm still not sure exactly what this book's point is!" I mean I knew there were a couple things going on, but I had no idea what the end game was or should be or what. So I was frustrated.
But there are probably two reasons I stuck with Alice in Zombieland:
- Kat, Alcie's best friend. Yeah I adore this character. She's funny, self-confident, a good friend, and snarky. My kind of girl. And there's something up with her from the start, so I wanted to know what that was. I definitely liked her better than Alice ( goes by Ali for most the book), who was a bit too indecisive for my liking.
- What the hell is going on? Yes, I kept going because I HAD to know what the point was. Despite being frustrated that it was so unclear, enough bread crumbs were there that I needed to see it through. And I'm glad I did. The world is very unique and the take on zombies is like nothing I've ever seen. Very creative and worth a slow start.
The narration was good, but not as great as I'd expected. I don't think I would have enjoyed Alice in Zombieland nearly as much had I read it though, so Natalie Gold did deliver the story well. I just had heard amazing things. And I DID think that the girls voices were fantastic. Personalities were clear and distinct, making characters come to life. The guys were just ok though. Sometimes I'd think Ali was speaking and find out it was actually a guy. Especially when they were supposed to exhibit some emotion, their voices kinda morphed into Ali's. But still a good, enjoyable read - I will continue on audio for sure. And maybe this time, I wont avoid starting it!