Pages

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

[Review, Giveaway & Playlist] Barely Alive series by Bonnie R. Paulson



Barely Alive blurb

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so.

Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity. 

Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs. 

Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate. 

Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.






 My Review

I have a thing for zombies, so I was excited about the chance to review the Barely Alive series by Bonnie R. Paulson.  We first meet Paul, who has been made a zombie, by the sinister Dominic.  Paul is part of an army that Dominic is trying to create.  He has noticed lately that something isn’t right, but it’s too late to turn back now.  Everything changes when he comes across Heather.  Heather is immune to Paul’s bite.  She could be the only hope for a cure and vaccine as more and more people are bitten by Dominic’s rogue zombies and the zombies that those zombies make and so on and so forth.  In a race against time (zombies have a shelf-life) Paul, his brother, James, his mom, two scientists, and Heather’s grandma try to evade Dominic’s evil clutches while trying to find a way to save mankind.  In the meantime, Dominic has turned James into a zombie to hurt Paul and try to get to Heather.  Paul is given the chance to turn Heather over and redeem his brother.  What will he do?  He is fast falling in love with Heather – and not just because he wants to eat her.  Find out what happens in the Barely Alive series.

I like books from a male point of view.  It’s a rarity for me to find a paranormal book where the voice is male.  It’s refreshing to me when I can see things from a male perspective.  Paul is trying his best.  He got suckered into Dominic’s plans, but was smart enough to realize after the fact that it was wrong.  He was a good enough person to try to do the right thing, even when he was left without any options.  Paul makes mistakes, and yeah he takes his anger out on those he loves sometimes – but who wouldn’t when you’re running from a maniacal master mind who has turned you, your brother, and a large chunk of the population into flesh eating zombies.  Not to mention he wants to hurt the girl you love.  Paul fights his nature.  He refuses to eat people.  Even though he spends a lot of time agonizing over Heather and her hot body (normal for a teenage boy) and has moments of self-doubt, he for the most part keeps going.  Keeps trying to find the solution.  I like that he keeps trying to save everyone.

James is funny, and I really like him a lot – almost more than Paul.  James is fun, loyal to his family and has a good heart.  Heather has a little of spunk and for the most part keeps her head on straight during tough situations.  There are a few situations where she falls apart a little, but who could blame her?

All in all, I think these books are pretty good.  They’re a little graphic so I would recommend for more mature young adults.  The writing is pretty clean, and I love that the characters talk like real people.  The situations are described in vivid detail.  The books were all really quick reads as well.  I had no problem staying interested and read most of them in one sitting.



Falling Apart Playlist
Comfortably Numb                         Pink Floyd
Highway to Hell                              AC/DC
Enter Sandman                               Metallica
Fall for You                                    Secondhand Serenade
Never Think                                   Robert Pattinson
Her Diamonds                                Rob Thomas
100 Years                                      Five For Fighting
Can’t Fight This Feeling                  R.E.O. Speedwagon
It Must Have Been Love                 Roxette
Is This Love                                    White Snake


About the Author:
Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.

Links:
Twitter: @bonnierpaulson
Goodreads: Bonnie R. Paulson


Amazon links:
Barely Alive

Falling Apart








Mostly Dead

Barnes and Noble links
Barely Alive
Falling Apart



 a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

Sabrina said...

Awesome giveaway!

Mer said...

What fun! The Walking Dead has made me question what I'd do, and I've decided I'd go hide with the crazy neighborhood survivalist!

engelsigh said...

Lol, Mer. The red neck on Walking Dead gets hotter and hotter the worse things get.

My boyfriend and I have bug out bags and a quasi plan...but I'm find my friend that's a nurse, and our friend that hunts. I think then we're set.

Angie said...

Oh my gosh, I'm a HUGE fan of zombie books! My only plan is to run like hell if or when the zombies come for us. Yeah, also taking my trusty baseball bat, lol! :D (Angie Edwards)

 
Blog design by Imagination Designs all images from the My Midnight Dreams Danced Among the Stars kit by Tangie