I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
White Trash Zombie Apocalypse
by
Diana Rowland
urban fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by DAW Books on July 2, 2013 and has 320 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Wild Side: Urban Fantasy with an Erotic Edge, Mark of the Demon, Blood of the Demon, Secrets of the Demon, Sins of the Demon, Touch of the Demon, My Life as a White Trash Zombie, Dangerous Women, Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues, Fury of the Demon, How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back, White Trash Zombie Gone Wild
Third in the White Trash Zombie urban horror series revolving around Angel Crawford, a zombie and driver of the dead in Tucker Point, Louisiana.
My Take
Crack me up! How appropriate that a zombie movie is being filmed! If only the producer realized how much they could save on make-up expenses, lol. So, remember, if they’re smokin’, they’re not for real.
We now know that a parasite makes a zombie, and it uses brains to keep itself alive. Hmmm, it could be one way to ensure quitting smoking, doing drugs, or drinking alcohol since the parasite hates anything that is bad for the body. Except for sugar and fats! Woohoo!
It’s Angel’s reactions and interactions with Philip that give her some insight into some of Marcus’ behaviors. It helps as they’ve been working on re-establishing their relationship after events in Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues, 2.
Nick is getting irritated with Angel’s doom-and-gloom about taking the test and finally suggests getting tested for a reading disorder. And, okay, this is sort of a minor point when it comes to parenting, but Angel finds out she was tested for dyslexia…and her bitch mother couldn’t be bothered to take up the offers from the school to help Angel. What kind of mother does this? Where was her dad in all this?
I like Dr. Jane. She’s real. And she makes Angel feel good. Major points in my book. Nice discussion between them about dreams.
Oh. My. God. I can’t believe they’re doing this, that they’re performing Nazi-like experiments. Philip is acting weird and Pietro is being nice…I’m suspicious. Wait. Just wait until you hear what happens to Charish. It’s karma.
Niggles… Angel knows she’s a target for the bad guys, so why isn’t she more careful? What does Brian mean “the one who turned us over to Saberton four years ago”? Regular people who got turned into zombies or stolen research? That jerky move from Marcus about calling Pietro came out of the blue. LOL, I did enjoy Angel’s response to that one. That girl can get down and dirty! Of course, Marcus’ response was, sorta, appropriate too, *snicker* And no. Marcus isn’t offering up an opinion, he’s laying down a demand, jerk. Why would Angel think Philip is the source of their problems? Sure, it becomes obvious later, but what is it that makes Angel think it ahead of time?
Phew, there is no lack of action in this one. Between the car chases, kidnappings, assaults, rescues, floods, runaway houses…it’s exhausting and exhilarating. It’s also quite satisfying with some of the resolutions that occur. Now if only it were enough to balance out the fright Rowland has left me with!
The Story
Angel is taken aback when she sees zombies shuffling through town. A fear that eases down when she realizes they’re fake, and someone is filming an apocalyptic movie in town.
A different sort of fear arises when Marcus shows up with tickets to a high-end food tasting event, courtesy of Uncle Pietro. It’s a new outfit and new bitches to deal with, not to mention a whiff of real zombie rot!
The Characters
Angel Crawford is a contributing member of society…and a zombie driving a coroner’s van to pick up the dead. Jimmy Crawford is her drunk of a dad, drinking to deal with an on-the-job injury; he hates Marcus because he’s the cop who keeps arresting him.
Marcus Ivanov is the cop who turned Angel and is her boyfriend these days. Uncle Pietro Ivanov is the very wealthy, very old, very influential zombie who turned Marcus. He’s dating State Senator Dr. Jane Pennington who just got elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s also an investor in the movie; other investors are J.M. Farouche, Francis Renauld, and Nicole and Andrew Saber. Alicia Dane is Pietro’s personal assistant. Brian Archer, Rachel, and Dan are part of Pietro’s security. Ed Quinn was Marcus’ childhood friend who got duped in My Life as a White Trash Zombie, 1. Seems he’s headed to sunnier climes — as James Clement — thanks to Uncle Pietro. Dr. Ariston Nikas heads up Pietro’s R&D; Jacque and Reg are techs. Kyle Griffin is a zombie and a trainer.
Edwards Parish Sheriff’s Office
Derrel Cusimano, a death investigator, is Angel’s partner. They make an interesting pair: the big, black, hulking, former linebacker with the scrawny white chick, lol. Maria and Sean are crime scene techs. The easygoing Detective Ben Roth is partnered up with the mean Detective Mike Abadie, although he is fun to tease. Nick has finally got his promotion to death investigator, and he’s been helping Angel study for her GED. And Angel’s thinking he’s interested in her. Allen Prejean is the chief investigator and hates Angel. He’s a former paramedic now studying to be a physician’s assistant and has done four tours with Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Duplessis is the coroner and has a private cardiology practice. Dr. Leblanc is a sweetheart and the parish forensic pathologist. Jerry is the other driver. Rebecca is the secretary in the coroner’s office.
Philip Reinhardt is the soldier Angel was forced to turn in Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues. Dr. Kristi Charish was the evil bitch scientist. Glenn is one of the lab guards? Tim Bell and Roland Westfield are the two soldiers Philip turned too quickly in the same story.
Nicole Saber is the CEO of Saberton Corporation. Her son, Andrew, works for the company. Heather Lucas, a.k.a., Naomi Comtesse, is a photographer for Saberton. Eggerton and Garrett are some of their zombies. Julia Saber is the reclusive daughter. Brent Stewart is in their R&D division.
Jessica Langburn is high-society, but low-mannered. Brenda Barnes, one of the zombie extras, was Ginger‘s roommate. Lurline is a waitress at Double D’s Diner. John Kang was a leading zombie in My Life as a White Trash Zombie and a friend of Heather’s. Carl Kaster owns a bar.
The Cover and Title
Angel is such a slut, lol, in her pink panties with the black heart centered right…there!…her black leather motorcycle jacket and bloodstained white wifebeater. Her hair’s gone conservative, for Angel, it’s merely white and standing on end with cigarette in hand. Huh, that ciggie must be simply for show since, as we all know, that zombie virus makes you pay hard for having a vice. It’s that plank wall behind Angel that has me worried…the knots in it look just. Like. Eyes.
The title is having fun with the current craze for apocalyptic events and it only makes sense that this one includes our very own bit of “white trash” in this White Trash Zombie Apocalypse.
