The First Days
Holy Bajeebers!!!! I could literally NOT put that book down!
Yesterday I read about 3 chapters, and then today it was like a freight train. I couldn't stop reading if my life depended on it.
Where the heck do I even start...?
The book starts off with the most heart wrenching scene I've ever read before, or it's up there at least. This is a mild spoiler, I suppose, but I'm not hiding it because it is actually the very first scene you will read. The book starts off with a woman standing in shock on her front porch as her 3 year old son, now a zombie, reaches his hands under the door, scraping the skin off, trying to get to her... to eat her. At the window her undead 12 year old son and husband also clamoring to break the glass and devour her, the latter having killed his sons. I can't even imagine the horror of this moment for Jenni. Absolutely gutting. Right before she's toast a woman pulls up in a truck and saves her life. They go on the run, on a mission to save Jenni's last remaining son who's away at camp, and also to find a safe place where they can try to survive.
This book was edge of your seat from start to finish. One horrifying moment rolls into the next, and you're just steamrolled right along with it.
Jenni and Katie (the rescuer) bond immediately, as you would in that type of situation because life and death will do that to you. Katie is the rational heroine, the calmer one. Jenni is insane, duh after what she saw, but it works in their favor because she's one tough bitch. Then you have Travis (picture Blake Shelton as a hero in the zombie apocalypse) who's your laid back Texan, with a gentle side. And Juan, the Mexican American with a potty mouth (loved him!). Nerit and Ralph, Jason, Jack, and a whole host of characters all fighting to stay alive and build a life.
My only complaint, sometimes their reactions were a little unbelievable. Jenni doesn't feel as grief stricken as you would think that a woman would be after witnessing the death of her children. (SPOILER) Katie conveniently isn't a 'lesbian' because then you wouldn't have a love story between her and Travis. (SPOILER ENDS) I think think the book could have been a lot more original if she hadn't held back with the character emotion.
Overall, what a ride. I'm still feeling my heart pound with adrenaline over here. Thanks Leea (my fellow Golden Girl), for letting me tag along on your read! I'm so glad I decided to be a copycat!
