Friday 1 November 2013

Zombie-fied titles!

Halloween is here and what better excuse than to read some spooky or paranormal books!
I've been in abit of a zombie-fied mood at the moment, especially with the recent release of Gena Showalter's  second book in the White Rabbit Chronicles! The two books so far (Alice in Zombie land and Through the Looking Glass) are inspired by the Alice in Wonderland stories (although not a direct retelling), except with zombies!!


Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.


Sounds amazing, doesn't it? As many of you already know these books feature a very sexy guy (Cole, I don't think anyone can help but swoon!) as well as some hot action and lots of zombie-slaying!


This then got me thinking about the popularity of taking classic (and very non-zombie) fiction and turning it into zombie stories (or paranormal in general). Some of the most common include Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters. (Here is a 'Monster Mash' list from Goodreads) Are you a fan of these types of remakes?

I was thinking that I suppose they have gained popularity because they take a famous, well-established plot line (and well-loved characters) and turn it on its head adding in supernatural elements that would be unheard of at the time of writing, but it works!

But why stop there? Imagine if it wasn't just classics that were zombie-fied, what if they were to take some of our best loved YA fiction and re-vamped it? What books would you like to see get the zombie treatment? 
Can you imagine if Echo and Noah in Pushing the Limits had to not only battle to be with eachother but with zombies as well, or if the games-master from The Hunger Games added in some zombies for Katniss to face (although they do have weird, savage dog versions of the contestants already). It would certainly add a whole other dimension to a lot of stories. 
Which characters in YA fiction do you think would make the most kick-ass zombie-slayers? I think Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars would certainly give them a run for their money (with or without cancer) especially if it stood in the way of her and Augustus.
What would be your pick?


Through the Zombie Glass is the second in the series and out now in ebook (You can buy it from Amazon here) and is due out in paperbook in Feb '14

2 comments:

  1. I have just finished reading a book called 'Delirium' by Lauren Oliver. 63 years ago the government decided love was a disease that needed to be wiped out in order to protect the world from it self. Emotions, love and hate, were the root cause of all wars, violence and criminal activity. So, how do you stop the world from falling in love? You give the world a lobotomy. What else? This lobotomy is called the 'procedure' and is given to everyone after their 18th birthday (because, any younger than that and it has been known to cause permanent brain damage, mental health issues, vegetation and even death) You will be tested and given a match depending on education and social status. You will marry and be designated a number of children you are allowed. There is to be no hand holding, kissing, cuddling, laughing, singing or dancing. If you re caught doing any of the following you will be arrested and sentenced to spend the rest of your days in the 'crypts' (Not a nice place) The people who have had the 'procedure' are known as the 'cureds' The cities which are populated by the cureds are all fenced in, massive electrified fences which 'protect' the cureds and those going to be cured from the uncured.. the 'invalids' These people decided to fight the procedure. They didn't want to live in a world without freewill, love and emotion. They live in the wilds, a place terrifying and unknown, where barbarians live. They are diseased.
    Now, in the second book 'Pandemonium' the invalids called the cureds zombies, because of their lack of emotion. But what if the cureds were actual zombies and instead of the electrified fence holding back the zombies, as is the usual case, the Zombies were the ones in control? The ones on the inside?

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  2. Wuthering Freights! Zombies take over the Yorkshire Dales.. Will Heathcliffe be able to save Cathy from the fresh eating Yorkshire men? Classic :) The idea made me chuckle...

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