Zombies Don’t Cry: A Living Dead Love Story
“Rusty Fischer does an amazing job of writing a first-person narrative of Maddy Swift’s decent into zombie-hood. Not only does he authentically capture the essence of a teenage girl, but he also provides a fun, fresh take on the usual leg-dragging, full-throated groaning, brain-craving zombie, penning instead a fun and entertaining story that is often laugh-out-loud and always grin-inducing—brains, however, are still required.”
Madison Swift is a typical high-school junior living with her single, coroner father, and spending lots of time with her spotlight craving BFF, Hazel.
In addition to the normal high-school drama, Madison is convinced that her third period Home Ec class is cursed—evidenced by the fact that three girls in the class have all recently died in mysterious accidents. But it’s not all doom and gloom for Maddy: She has a crush on Stamp, the new hunk in school; and, he just might be crushing on her right back.
Maddy is surprised when she just happens to run into Stamp on her way home, and even more surprised when he asks her to a party that night. Regardless of knowing that she has to break her father’s three golden rules and face dire consequences should she be caught, Maddy agrees.
On her way to the party, Maddy is struck by lightning and wakes up, face down, in a mud puddle—but mud is the least of her problems. After returning home and peering at the smoking crater in her head, the lack of a heartbeat, and her newfound ability to live without breathing—not to mention taking an online quiz confirming her suspicions—Maddy determines she is a zombie.
Now Maddy has to figure out how to pull off her new social status without revealing that she’s the walking dead. Luckily, there’s help in the form of two Goths at school, who are already living the dream and who provide Maddy with a book of new rules to live by: The Guide to the Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies, 24th Edition—which makes her father’s rules look like a cake walk—and the backup she needs to help defend herself and Barracuda High against potential zombie attacks.
Mr. Fisher enhances his take on zombie lore with nicely rendered characters—although Hazel got so annoying, she should’ve been offered up as an hors d’oeuvre—and well-placed twists and turns that keep the action moving.
Rusty Fischer does an amazing job of writing a first-person narrative of Maddy Swift’s decent into zombie-hood. Not only does he authentically capture the essence of a teenage girl, but he also provides a fun, fresh take on the usual leg-dragging, full-throated groaning, brain-craving zombie, penning instead a fun and entertaining story that is often laugh-out-loud and always grin-inducing—brains, however, are still required.
Fans of Stacy Jay’s My So-Called Death and other zombie fare are already familiar with the plight of the high-school walking dead, and now Rusty Fischer has just provided another fantastic addition that is sure to make him a fan favorite.