Early Review: Undead by Kirsty McKay

Undead (Undead #1)
by Kirsty McKay

Expected publication: September 1st 2012 by Scholastic Inc.

Out of sight, out of their minds: It's a school-trip splatter fest and completely not cool when the other kids in her class go all braindead on new girl Bobby.

The day of the ski trip, when the bus comes to a stop at a roadside restaurant, everyone gets off and heads in for lunch. Everyone, that is, except Bobby, the new girl, who stays behind with rebel-without-a-clue Smitty.

Then hours pass. Snow piles up. Sun goes down. Bobby and Smitty start to flirt. Start to stress. Till finally they see the other kids stumbling back.

But they've changed. And not in a good way. Straight up, they're zombies. So the wheels on the bus better go round and round freakin' fast, because that's the only thing keeping Bobby and Smitty from becoming their classmates' next meal. It's kill or be killed in these hunger games, heads are gonna roll, and homework is most definitely gonna be late.

Combining the chill of THE SHINING, the thrill ride of SPEED, the humor of SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and the angst of THE BREAKFAST CLUB, Kirsty McKay's UNDEAD is a bloody mad mash-up, a school-trip splatter-fest, a funny, gory, frighteningly good debut!

Genre: Young Adult, Zombies

Publication Date: September 1st 2012

Publisher: Scholastic

Format: eARC, 272 pages 

Series: yes

Source: Netgalley

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My Review

First line: I would rather die than face them all again.

Last line: "We need to get off this bus - now!"

Favorite quote: "Zombie parkour. Don't think that's been done before. Better film this, Alice, it could go viral."

Bobby is on the School Trip from Hell. She was born in the UK, but thanks to her mother's job they had to move to the US. Now, she's back the UK again. On a skiing trip to Scotland before the start of the new school year. The thing is, everyone is making fun of her 'hybrid' accent. She, herself, needs to police her lingo, always trying to sound as properly british as possible. She's also avoiding every single one of her new school mates, because they are all so annoying to new kids, especially ex-american ones, and he really just wants to kick those losers' butts. I mean, their bums. 

That's why she was the only inside the bus when everyone got off to venture the snow storm and eat something at the café by the road. Well, her, the driver and Rob Smitty, rebel without a pause. And hottie. Their teacher forbade him from leaving the bus after he got caught bying booze and cigs with a fake ID. So they were the only ones who didn't get to taste the nice free samples of Carrot Juice, being given away by a man in a carrot costume. And so they didn't see what happened to those who did, inside the café. Until a bloody hand hit one of the bus' windows and the driver went outside to check it out... and the proverbial sh*t started to hit the fan.

Now it's Bobby, the 'freak hybrid', Smitty, the smartass bad boy, Alice, the annoying b*tch--I mean, popular brainless girl and Pete, the cowardly, brainy weirdo. It's just them. Against a whole lot of Zs.

As they try to stay alive and survive constant zombie attacks (and quite a few dangerous humans, too), they also need to learn to deal with each other while trying to find shelter and a way to contact someone. But things aren't really looking good... and little do they know, they just might get worse. And personal.

I LOVED this book!!! There was never ONE boring moment! I mean it, the whole thing was, well... words fail me right now, so I'll just have to go with AWEEEEEESOME! ;P

Those zombies really went all-out! Kirsty McKay got them doing some pretty interesting stuff. Brand new, too. Same goes for the surviving group of teenage humans. Those guys actually managed to survive while NOT working as group or even really caring about each other much (it was pretty realistic, if you start thinking about it. People are selfish. Especially in difficult situations), with a small romantic exception, of course (which worked great, if you ask me!). So...

Oh, and, man!! That miraculous bus driving through a snow storm on an empty tank? WOW! And the hidden dungeon/booze/dumbwaiter inside that Scotland castle? Mah Lawd!

Hey, did I mention the cellphone actually working when they were almost -literally- fried? Yowtch.

Also, the zombies walking UNDER the iced-over loch? SU-weeeet! O.O

I laughed so hard with this book. Almost during the whole thing. It also made me slightly nauseated at times, which makes sense in a zombie book. ;P Oh, and my heart went all a-flutter during a couple of cute scenes, too, which is always a good thing. And I so, SO wanted Alice and Pete to die... but, oh, well. There's always the next book, huh? :D And let me tell you how glad that makes me! I'm dying and un-dying (no pun intended) to read what happens next! Like, I need it right now! OR I'LL GET YOUR BRAINS, Miss McKay!!

LOL.

(that's the last one, I promise)

Hey, you! Yeah, you. Go and pre-order this baby right away!! Thou shall not regret this, my friend.

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

A Match Made in High School

by Kristin Walker 

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. Then she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: February 2010

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: paperback, 278 pages 

Series: no

Source: bought

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My Review

Fiona Sheehan is sure she is the unluckiest girl on Earth.

It's the first day of school and things couldn't be going worse. That is, until she gets to school and finds out that this year, in order to graduate, all seniors have to be part of a new mandatory course. Trying the Knot. This course is supposed to train the teenagers on how to act in a marriage and learn how to deal with many kinds of problems, and so, trying to aviod divorce. Names would be randomly selected, and the so-called couples would have to earn real cash in order to have a mock budget and mock possessions. Half of the total amount of real money would be divided between the couple that had the best evaluation and the other half would be donated to whatever charity the couple chose.

Fiona though it was all BS, but secretly she goped this would be her chance to get closer to her all-time crush, Gabe Webber. But, of course, she wasn't so lucky. He ended up being paired with her childhood arch enemy, Amanda Lowell. A pretty, blond, brainless cheerleader. And Fiona, the poor thing, got stuck with Amanda's "no-necked Neanderthal" of a boyfriend, Todd Harding.

Her new 'husband', Todd, is a real a-hole, fighting with her all the time, being downright mean and rude... but as they get used to each other, Fiona starts to enjoy their bickerings more and more. Even if he forced her to join the Cheerleading squad as one of their stupid mandatory activities for their mock marriage.

Fiona later finds out that her best (and only) friend, Marcie, was dating Gabe behind her back. She's furious and heart-broken, and ends up messing up her part in the cheering presentation and rudely turns down sweet Johnny Mercer's (Marcie's mock husband) declaration of affection.

In 'A Match Made in High-School' we watch as Fiona makes mistake after mistake, until she finally listens to her friends and see how selfish and self-centered she is. And changes for the best, finding happiness where she had never looked before.

This is a very cute, funny, quick and light story. An excellent read for younger audiences. Really, don't expect anything very deep and complex. Just quick fun.

Early Review: Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Welcome Caller, This is Chloe
Shelley Coriell

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Amulet Books

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: May 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Format: eARC, 320 pages 

Series: no

Acquisition: Netgalley

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My Review

I have to admit that after reading the first few pages I wasn't sure I'd like this book. Chloe was all "Oh, me and my BFs are so close!", "My BF's rock!" and then "Oh, my God, how will I possibly survive without my BFs?". I seriously wanted to slap that girl. But then it was like another writer finished the rest of the book, becuase the story got so much better.

Chloe works at the Dos Hermanas Mexican Cantina, has a grandmother with Parkinson and absolutely loves old vintage shoes. Her parents are both doctors, and her older five brothers also intend to be. But Chloe has no idea what she wants for the future. 

What she does know is that all of a sudden her BF Brie started to act weird and call her selfish, saying that she always talks too much and never listens to others, that it's always all about her. Chloe doesn't understand why Brie is being so mean, and, apparently following in her steps, so is her other BF, Mercedes. As a matter of fact, the whole school is acting weird, pointing fingers and whispering behind her back. There's no place for her to sit in the cafeteria. Nobody stops to gossip with her. Nobody invites her to parties or for a soda anymore. Her life is all messed-up. And she can't even figure out why.

What she does know is that A. Lungren, her new JISP (Junior Independent Study Project) counselor wants her to change the theme of her project from Villanous Vixens: The Not-So-Squeaky-Clean Women of Daytime Soap Operas to helping out at the school radio station. A radio that is literally fighting for air, because the scholl admin is denying to renew KDRS 88.8 The Edge funding for the next year, and without money for the equipments, maintenance, music, supplies and etc... they're done for. Chloe doesn't really care very deeply about it all, she really just wants to get her JISP done with, especially when all of the radio crew make it very clear they don't want her there. Well... most of them, because the maintenance guy, with his broad shoulders, dark messy hair and beautiful silver eyes has a way of making her feel more comfortable. And welcome.

When a show spot for the night period turns up, Mr. Tool-Belt, ahem, Duncan, announces that Chloe's voice and personality would be perfect for it. After quite a bit of (heated) discussion, Chloe officially becomes a radio star. Things start to get better for the station, but as Chloe tries to get closer to Duncan, she finds out that her life is not nearly as complicated when compared to his. 

After a bit of a bad start, I ended up enjoying this book profusely. Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe is a very well-written book, approaching many difficult subjects, such as bullying, the impact of Parkinson disease and illegal drugs on families and even teenage pregnancy. They were all treated in a very light, open way, but that was also able to showcase the seriousness of these matters. It was very interesting to read more about them.

This a very, very good book for young audiences, but I'm sure even adults would have fun with it. :)

If you like creative, fast-paced Young Adults with clever, funny heroines, many complex characters and realistic issues, this is your book.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*