Barely Alive by Bonnie R. Paulson - Review

Barely Alive (book #1)

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so. Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity. Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs. Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate. Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.

Buy on Amazon | B&N

My Review: After reading and loving Bonnie R. Paulson’s Into the End, I was excited to get to review Barely Alive. From the moment I started reading I didn’t want to stop. I finished the whole book in a day. The plot is exciting and full of so many twists and turns. Of course one scientist thinks he can play nature and it all turns into chaotic mess. But I loved the extra twists that Paulson threw in. 12 weeks to live, not losing their minds, and the possibility of immunity and a cure. It was a constant race against time and the enemy.

The characters in Barely Alive had a lot of depth. There were small glances into their pasts. Paul was the main character. He had incredible strength, and I don’t just mean zombie strength. He had character strength. He pushed hard to resist the urges that all his fellow zombies fall to. He is a natural leader, but very humble about it. He is also not afraid to make the hard decisions, even if others might not agree with him.

Heather is awesome. At one point she was so brave and it caught me (and Paul) completely off guard.  She handled situations well, such as learning that Paul is a zombie, and stayed strong. I absolutely love that she can look past Paul being a zombie. I wish that we could see things from her point of view, because I would love to know what is going through her mind sometimes.

Barely Alive is a book that any zombie lover will enjoy. I cannot wait to read the next two books and find out what happens to all the great characters and the world during the zombie epidemic. I think that, once again, Bonnie R. Paulson has written an amazing book. Well worth checking out!

Rating:

 

Falling Apart (book #2)

Days slip through Paul’s graying fingers. Humanity faces the end. His brother has the virus and is dying, too. Paul’s hopes ride on Heather’s genetic code. Her immunity leaves her unchanged and untouchable. What would she see in the zombie he was becoming anyway? Dominic’s army of infected grows, capturing the south and leaving little alive in its wake. While Paul and his friends work on the vaccine, protecting the north becomes protecting the world. Heather is taken hostage and Paul races toward Dominic to save his heart. With his time “alive” shortened, Paul must do more than protect the uninfected. He has to get his brother and Heather back to Sandpoint before the zombies find them. Paul needs to survive the upcoming war before he finds himself defecting to the other side and leaving Heather to Dominic’s mercy. He has three days to get the cure or he might as well find a fire to call home. *This has mature themes and language. Not for young or pre-teens.*

Buy on Amazon | B&N

Mostly Dead (book #3)

Time is running out and Paul’s original wish for death looms. As his skin grays and hunger becomes uncontrollable, the world burns. Heather and Paul have fallen for each other, but with life and death barricading them apart, and the potential cure disappearing into time, they have no hope. Paul’s hunger is all-consuming. He has to walk into the flames, join Dominic, or eat everyone he loves. Can he save anyone, if not himself?

Buy on Amazon | B&N

 

Viral Intent (Prequel short)

Dominic has no remorse, no guilt, and his righteous justification swells as his research goes unchecked. There’s someone Dominic wants to save, and he may have the cure. But now he needs test subjects. He creates a virus that brings about the zombie apocalypse. There’s no excuse for how he treats Paul and humanity itself, but understanding the man might shed light on the evolution of the virus that brings Paul and Heather together. Discover the how and why behind Dominic’s evil actions. Are you brave enough to see how a Zombie Master is born?

Buy on Amazon | B&N

Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane. Follow on: Facebook / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter / Literary Addicts / Amazon   Follow the Book Tour The author is giving away a Zombie Survival Kit! ARV $50

Zombie Apocalypse survival kit in a sardine can

A zombie hunting permit bumper sticker (for the state you live in)

The Zombie Survival Guide Manual

Emergency Mylar Blanket.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received and e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.