Until the End of the World (Until the End of the World, #1) by Sarah Lyons Fleming

Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too.

This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of.

Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.

My Review:

I immediately fell in love with the writing of this book. It was so easy and laid back that I was able to fall right into the storyline. Well done Sarah Lyons Fleming!

This is your average story about "zombies" but this isn't your average story about "survival". Ok, it is a little bit. These survivors have to learn to survive off the grid, overcome their fears and anxieties in this new world, but it was also so much more. The dynamics between the characters are realistic, some are stubborn and some were born for this kind of fight. Although this may sound weird, I have never thought of "zombies" as people unknowingly destroying the world they once loved and all those in it. Even though they are technically not alive, I view them a little differently now. Hopefully this new revelations won't affect my survival in the event of an apocalypse of this sort.

There was a little romance in this story, but it didn't necessarily drive the story. Yes, love was the reason for hope in this case, but no so much romance. It made the story all the more believable.

I liked Cassie from the beginning. She was flawed, but strong, smart, and compassionate. Her upbringing was pretty much the reason anyone survived.

Nelly was an amazing character. I want him as my best friend. He was strong, and silly, and just amazing.

Penny and James were cute together. I liked how James was somewhat of an odd-ball, but stepped up when needed.

Peter had to grow on me. At first, I was annoyed by him, but he turned out to be a decent guy once all the cards were on the table. I'm glad he worked things out with Cassie, their feud was becoming tiresome.

Ana was the same way. Of course, she quickly grew up and turned into a complete bad-ass. I'm glad she wrapped her head around the situation.

"Bits" and John were a sweet addition to the group. I think they were the glue in the story.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a wide range of emotions while reading this story. There were times I was wistful, times when the slightest sound made me about jump out of my skin, times when I was swallowing down lumps, and times when I was literally laughing out loud.

Favorite Quotes:

“There’s always music playing somewhere. You just have to listen.”

“My mother always said that everyone carries so much inside them that we never know about. That’s why she was so kind to everyone.”

“Humor is the last refuge of the damned.”

Read from October 28 to November 02, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Horror/Zombies, Apocalyptic/Post Apocalyptic, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction
*According to Goodreads
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★★★★★ - I absolutely loved it
★★★★ - Good book and would recommend
★★★ - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
★★ - Not good, but was able to finish it
★ - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl #1) by Barry Lyga

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Is this my hidden Mutant Power, the ability to screw up absolutely any decent situation?"

Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favorite target; his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity); and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboy's new little brother or sister. Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel he's been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, and, most important of all, a way out of the crappy little town he lives in and away from all the people who make it hell for him.

When fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical friend who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy can't resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her advice - to ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way. But Kyra has secrets, too. And they could lead Fanboy to his dreams...or down a path into his own darkness.

My Review:

Anticlimactic!

That pretty much sums up this story. Yes, there were redeeming qualities, like strong characters, and setting up a high school scenario that is realistic, but the story never went anywhere. I felt a deep, dark undertone to the story, but it never came to fruition. In the end, the story started to climax, but nothing came of it. I was sadly disappointed.

At first I felt sympathy for Fanboy and somewhat liked him. However, I think he made life harder on himself than was necessary. Yes, some people are bullies, but he categorized everyone into a group (something we are always telling people not to do) and then decided not to give anyone a chance, except Cal. My sympathy quickly turned to pity, but he redeemed himself in the end. This character grew because of his situations, and that was nice to see.

Goth Girl was a lot harder to figure out. I can somewhat understand Fanboy's confusion and trepidation regarding her. I tried to care for her character, but it got harder and harder throughout the story, she was just such a whirlwind, destroying everything in her path. That being said, I think Barry Lyga captured this perfectly. These are the type of people we need to get help for, and possibly tread lightly around. Whether they are crying out for help or not, we as a society, need to try to be perceptible to their needs.

Now Cal, I totally get him, being a "nerdy jock" myself. I hated, and still somewhat hate, being called a jock, it seems derogatory (of course it's in the infliction of the way it is said when it bothers me). Don't lump me with those individuals who are all brawn and no brain, I'm smart, geeky, and try to be sensitive to others!" In high school, I stood up to bullies on behalf of my friends, even if those bullies were also my friends. I think people like Cal exist, and I'm glad to see this character personified.

As for this particular story, I probably will not continue on in the series. However, if you liked it, I won't judge you, to each their own.

*Just wanted to make a quick mention about the cover - I really liked this cover. I was drawn to it before I had an inkling of the story-line. Sadly, the second book in this series, Goth Girl Rising is severely lacking. In fact, it's a turnoff.

Favorite Quotes:

“The best revenge is living well, my dad told me once.”

“Oh, that was smooth. I'm as subtle as a fart.”

“It just means that if someone hates you, they still have feelings for you. If they really didn't care about you, they'd just forget about you. They wouldn't even waste the time hating you.”

Read from October 16 to 31, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult/Teen, Contemporary
*According to Goodreads
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★★★★★ - I absolutely loved it
★★★★ - Good book and would recommend
★★★ - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
★★ - Not good, but was able to finish it
★ - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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