Through the Zombie Glass

September 1, 2013
In this follow-up to Alice in Zombieland (2012), Ali Bell and her friends, fellow hunters of invisible spirit zombies, confront internal threats and endless relationship drama. Just when Ali's getting into a comfortable rhythm with her new zombie-fighting life, everything falls apart. Romantically, things are great with her boyfriend, Cole, right up until two out-of-state zombie slayers arrive. One is Cole's gorgeous ex, and the other, a handsome "he-slut," shares visions with Ali when he meets her eyes--just like the visions that kick-started Ali and Cole's romance. Before Ali can figure things out, Cole has already dumped her, leading to pages of misery for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Ali is bitten during a zombie hunt and has a strange reaction, even after being given the antidote. In the mirror, she sees a sinister zombie version of herself that wants to take over, forcing Ali to struggle against her zombie counterpart's hungers. Additional storylines feature relationship struggles for Ali's best friends and a spy among the slayers feeding information back to the evil corporation that wishes to use zombies. The slow-paced story is plagued by tension-stealing tropes--the paranormal-romance-sequel formula in which the hero abruptly dumps the heroine and the zombie-movie cliche in which a victim conceals an infection. However, Ali's female friendships are endearing. The unbalanced plot stretches too far, over too long. (Horror/paranormal romance. 14-17)

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December 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-In this installment, Alice Bell continues to juggle her secret zombie-slayer existence with her everyday life, but, when attacked by zombies, she suffers injuries that threaten to change her very nature and she no longer trusts herself around those she loves. Things intensify and distrust runs rampant when a spy is discovered and zombie mutations alter their makeup. On top of this, Ali and Cole's relationship is at a standstill, and she must fight to save herself, her friends, and the world. Showalter spins an intricate plot full of suspense and intrigue. Ali's sense of self is tested as she is consumed by her own personal battle between dark and light. This action-packed story is driven by the well-developed and sometimes frustrating characters while the fast-paced plot keeps its audience constantly on edge. This captivating book will satisfy readers as they eagerly await the next installment.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

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