Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Passing Strange (Generation Dead, Bk 3) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Let me start out by saying you'll want to read the first two books in this series - GENERATION DEAD and KISS OF LIFE - before picking up PASSING STRANGE. If you don't, you'll be lost on the ins and outs of the plots and characters.
The author, Daniel Waters, takes a different approach to the series with PASSING STRANGE. The first two books focus on Phoebe and her struggles as she braves high school in a world where some teens are coming back from the dead. Her heart is pulled in two different directions - she is fascinated with Tommy, a new differently-biotic boy who enrolls at school, but at the same time, has growing feelings for Adam, her long-time friend and next-door neighbor. PASSING STRANGE tells the story of an important but side character named Karen DeSonne.
Karen is one of the most advanced/high-functioning zombies anyone has ever seen. She moves with grace, speaks without hitches, and is the envy of even the traditionally-biotic girls at school. Since the events that took place in KISS OF LIFE that led to the laws preventing the differently-biotic from being in public without a legal guardian and attending school, Karen has been the only zombie out in the open. In fact, Karen isn't just out in the open as a zombie, but she is "passing" as a traditionally-biotic teenager. With the help of dyed hair and blue contacts, Karen got a job at the local mall and begins to use her ability to blend in to help the differently-biotic cause.
When Karen has the chance to infiltrate the enemy to gain information that could shine light on a conspiracy to make the zombies look guilty of crimes they didn't commit, she doesn't hesitate. She puts herself in many dangerous situations with one of the most active anti-zombie radicals to date. Knowing she can help allows her to keep meeting Pete - even when he wants to kiss her.
The reader learns a lot about Karen in this novel. Karen has always appeared happy-go-lucky in the previous books, so it was interesting to find out she isn't very happy after all. She has a lot to be sad about, and you'll sympathize with her as she explains everything going on in her life and eventually reveals a huge secret.
I've loved every one of the GENERATION DEAD books, and PASSING STRANGE is no different. It only took me a day to finish and I was extremely happy with the hopeful ending. I can't wait for the next installment to this wonderfully unique series. Thanks, Mr. Waters! Keep up the good work.
P.S. You can follow the fight for zombie rights by reading Tommy's blog.
Let me start out by saying you'll want to read the first two books in this series - GENERATION DEAD and KISS OF LIFE - before picking up PASSING STRANGE. If you don't, you'll be lost on the ins and outs of the plots and characters.
The author, Daniel Waters, takes a different approach to the series with PASSING STRANGE. The first two books focus on Phoebe and her struggles as she braves high school in a world where some teens are coming back from the dead. Her heart is pulled in two different directions - she is fascinated with Tommy, a new differently-biotic boy who enrolls at school, but at the same time, has growing feelings for Adam, her long-time friend and next-door neighbor. PASSING STRANGE tells the story of an important but side character named Karen DeSonne.
Karen is one of the most advanced/high-functioning zombies anyone has ever seen. She moves with grace, speaks without hitches, and is the envy of even the traditionally-biotic girls at school. Since the events that took place in KISS OF LIFE that led to the laws preventing the differently-biotic from being in public without a legal guardian and attending school, Karen has been the only zombie out in the open. In fact, Karen isn't just out in the open as a zombie, but she is "passing" as a traditionally-biotic teenager. With the help of dyed hair and blue contacts, Karen got a job at the local mall and begins to use her ability to blend in to help the differently-biotic cause.
When Karen has the chance to infiltrate the enemy to gain information that could shine light on a conspiracy to make the zombies look guilty of crimes they didn't commit, she doesn't hesitate. She puts herself in many dangerous situations with one of the most active anti-zombie radicals to date. Knowing she can help allows her to keep meeting Pete - even when he wants to kiss her.
The reader learns a lot about Karen in this novel. Karen has always appeared happy-go-lucky in the previous books, so it was interesting to find out she isn't very happy after all. She has a lot to be sad about, and you'll sympathize with her as she explains everything going on in her life and eventually reveals a huge secret.
I've loved every one of the GENERATION DEAD books, and PASSING STRANGE is no different. It only took me a day to finish and I was extremely happy with the hopeful ending. I can't wait for the next installment to this wonderfully unique series. Thanks, Mr. Waters! Keep up the good work.
P.S. You can follow the fight for zombie rights by reading Tommy's blog.
Ashley B. (daredevilgirl013) reviewed Passing Strange (Generation Dead, Bk 3) on + 746 more book reviews
I used to love the Generation Dead series, until this book came out. I will no longer be buying the Generation Dead series if the series continues as this book was HORRIBLY done! First off the author switches who the main character is. We are no longer used to Phoebe, instead out of the blue we get Karen. This book is all about Karen and proving that Pete was behind the fake murder tape. This book was very repetitive, so much so that you could literally skip a chapter or two and still know what was going on as it seemed that you had never missed a page due to the characters constantly going on about how they want to be loved or how they must destroy all the zombies. Very dull, very boring, and I do not like Karen taking over the lead role as all she does is whine. If you like Generation Dead then ten to one you won't like what Waters has done to the series. In my opinion he killed it and I hope it doesn't reanimate itself.
