Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Book Review | Rating – 4/5 | Genre – Sci-fi/Romance fiction

R is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow Dead. He may occasionally eat people, and then he meets a girl.

He doesn’t want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can’t imagine, and their hopeless world won’t change without a fight.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

My first thoughts

I’ve owned this book for a couple years now and I’ve always found myself re-reading it, now its gotten to the point where I can easily remember everything that happens in this intriguing book. Now, I say intriguing because everything about it suggests that it would be cheesy and uninspiring. It is definitely cheesy but it is far from uninspiring, every time I pick this book up I find myself enjoying it.

Basically, it is a very easy read that brings such great entertainment and brings a different perspective to the classic zombie horror, as well as a new interpretation of the classic Romeo and Juliet narrative. I’m saddened to say that it took me a worryingly long time to notice that the book was basically Romeo and Juliet with zombies.

What did I enjoy?

• Memorable plot – Of course, it can be said that the plot will stay with you because it just re-uses William Shakespeare’s classic love story. However, by twisting the story into a zombie horror it really brings the story to life (ignoring the irony). Yes, there are typical clichés of a young adult book, but I still can’t help but love the plot of this book.
• Witty main character – I really do just love a sarcastic main character, and what is more sarcastic that a zombie going through an identity crisis. Being able to read R’s thought process never fails to make me smile and occasionally laugh. Whether he is commenting on his depressing and meaningless life or becoming exasperated at being unable to communicate with Juliet I still find him weirdly relatable.
• Super easy to read – like I’ve said, I’ve constantly picked this book back up to read through again over the years that I’ve owned it. Despite knowing what is going to happen, I still find the book thoroughly entertaining.  Also this time round I’m now aware that there are more books that continue the story, so I’m definitely going to find them and give them a read just to see where else the characters can go.

Would I recommend it?

Well if you’re looking for a good zombie book that won’t scare you at all, then this is the perfect book. It’s a zombie book but without any of the typical zombie horror tropes. Instead it turns the story into a young adult romance book, showcasing William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in a new modern way. Easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable.