Title: Zom-B (Zom-B #1)

Author: Darren Shan

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company 2012

Genre: Horror, Zombies

Pages: 174

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; New Author; Library; 52 Books -- Week 16

How I Got It: Library loan

When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.

B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks.

That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.

Wasn't the fast paced zombie thriller I thought it was going to be.  Granted, the last 25 pages are fast paced and terrifying, it's just that the first 150 pages are pretty slow.  I was fairly disgusted by B's behavior throughout most of the book.  B's constant swings from racist to nonracist get old really fast.  I was intrigued by the zombie angle with the owl man and the mutant henchman.  I would like to read more about what they are all about.  And the final encounter with Mrs. Reed, the not quite-normal zombie sparks my interest.  Unfortunately, I wasn't enamored with the rest of the book.  I probably won't be picking up the others in this series.

Zom-B (DNFed series)

• #1 Zom-B
• #2 Underground
• #3 City
• #4 Angels
• #5 Baby
• #6 Gladiator
• #7 Mission
• #7.5 Circus
• #8 Clans
• #9 Family
• #10 Bride
• #11 Fugitive
• #12 Goddess