What will you dream today?

Ah, the lazy, long weekend. I had such lofty intentions for you. And then there came the unexpected read-for-review opportunity. I lost three days to Aranya, which I will review a bit later.

What I'll say now is that those were three days well spent.  Sometimes you just need to fall into a good book. Allow yourself to dream a different life, a different world. Breathe magic and sing poetry.

What will you dream today?

Zompoc 101-Outbreak Theories

There's just something about the zombie apocalypse that gets me thinking. I must admit I haven't read many zombie themed books, and up until a couple of years ago, I had trouble watching movies and TV shows about them as well. They are scary, and in many cases gross, but that's not what creeps me out. No, it's the plausibility of something like a zombie outbreak that does it for me. I can't help thinking about ways such a thing might actually happen.

Three Theories

It probably won't be exactly like in movies or shows, those are fiction after all, but several recent documentary-style shows, as well as fictional shows, have presented some interesting theories, which I think might have some merit.

The Virus

One of these theories revolves around the cause, namely a virus. Not just any virus, but one that fits many of the commonly cited symptoms: violence/aggression, lack of self-awareness, lack of recognition, decay (even if that's just in the brain), and the tendency to bite and claw.

Interestingly, some believe that the Rabies virus fits the bill. Anyone who's seen or read Old Yeller or Cujo probably has a general idea how it works. Basically, it infects the brain and begins to destroy it. As that happens, the antisocial and violent tendencies surface. Victims are losing their minds. They are also unable to drink, which doesn't help matters. Eventually they die of thirst. Sure, there's a vaccine, but the scary thing about Rabies is that it only works if given before the symptoms. So, Rabies is not quite zombie material, because if someone is bitten by someone or something thought to be rabid, they are vaccinated. Apocalypse averted.

But, what if the virus changes? It could be that it is modified in a lab or just naturally evolves. Perhaps it could change route of exposure, no longer limited to contact with infected bodily fluids, but perhaps airborne? That may not even be enough to reach apocalypse status. Perhaps an accelerated time to first symptoms would make it harder to stop. Or even other tendencies, like infected becoming paranoid and hiding from civilization until their thirst and madness take over, followed by rampage and many more infections.

The Chemical Agent

Paired with quicker action by the virus, the results could be devastating, though probably not quite end of the world devastating. After all, the victims wouldn't be walking dead, they'd be ill and dying of thirst. They wouldn't last long, no matter how many are infected.

Another theory explores the idea of chemical agents that alter the psyche of their victims. This could cause the violence and destruction. It could cause chaos and death. The problem with this, however, is transmission. I think this might cause only localized zombie outbreaks. Those exposed go into a frenzy of madness, but their exploits do not infect others or spread the agent's effects.

Also, consider that the agents would have a limited half-time in the body. So, after a while, the worst of the symptoms might fade and you'd just have a bunch of exhausted victims that manage to survive, so long as no one kills them while they are out of their minds. Of course, the effects could be permanent, in which case those who are infected would need to be captured and cared for in a secure environment. Anyway, it's an interesting theory.

The Paranormal

And, let's not forget that the idea of zombies has a beginning not in illness, but in religion/mysticism. The zombie outbreak could be the result of a curse. And with that and the power of suggestion, perhaps some people could be convinced they are zombies and act accordingly, despite there being nothing physically wrong with them. This is would put more of a paranormal spin on it. I imagine it would take some work to create enough zombies to lead to the end of the world, but perhaps a local outbreak could be generated by a single person or group of people working together.

Again, this would likely be localized and in my opinion, easier to contain. That is unless the zombie creation process is shared over the Internet and adopted by satellite groups. Wouldn't that be horrific. It would be like flash mobs, but with zombies. Perhaps a trigger given in several distant locations at once that would turn on the zombie suggestion for those who have been cursed or programmed for it.

I suppose that the undead variety of zombie would also fall under the paranormal category. Instead of the power of suggestion, perhaps the curse or event that spawns this type of apocalypse targets those who are already dead. I'm thinking Ghostbuster style. We might have more than just zombies to worry about if that's the case.

So how do I think it might happen?

My own theory is that it would be a virus, because viruses are contagious and can have devastating effects on a body without necessarily killing their victims.  Would it be the Rabies virus, like some believe? Could be, but I'm leaning towards something brewed in a lab, or perhaps a vaccine gone wrong developed to combat some sort of biological weapon.

Whatever your favorite flavor of the zombie apocalypse, let's all hope it stays in the realm of fiction. But if it doesn't, it never hurts to be ready.

Do you have any zombie survival tips? Share them in the comments.

This is Zompoc 101 #1 of 4. In the next Zompoc 101 post, I'll propose some ways to prepare for the worst. Click here to read on.

******

Fearless

A survivor's account of the zombie apocalypse



After a vaccine meant to protect against a biological weapon backfires and turns those who are inoculated with it into zombies, a young woman, having survived the initial outbreak, now runs with a group of others who stick together for safety, not that it does them much good. When she picks up a notebook in a grocery store her group is looting, she decides to begin a journal for future generations (if there are any). (NaNoWriMo 2012)

Fearless is available on Amazon and other fine booksellers' websites.

Fearless on Amazon.com

UK  CA  AU
 

Epic Fantasy Review: The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is forever taking...but I still love it.

The Fires of Heaven (Wheel of Time #5) continues the story of the build up to the end of the world. The two major story lines in this installment are Rand's pursuit of the rogue Aiel that are following Couladin and Nynaeve's ongoing conflict with Moghedian. Of course, the number of characters featured in these two divergent tales is quite overwhelming, so I won't go into details here.

So here's what I like most about this story. First off, Matt becomes awesome in this book (against his will, but awesome nonetheless). I've always loved Matt's character in these books, and this is the tipping point for him. I also enjoy Nynaeve's trials and her feud with Moghedian. She's always been so overconfident, having become Wisdom of her village at a very young age, but certain events in this story really seem to put her in her place, paving the way for her to perhaps become a better, more likable person. This is a very important book for both Matt and Nynaeve.

Now, down to what I don't like. First off, ugh, I don't like the chase after the rogue Aiel. The images it brings to mind, what they find in the towns the Aiel have passed through, are horrific. That's part of it. Another part of it is the growing arrogance of Rand. Sure, he's found himself in a leadership position he didn't want, and he's a target for the Chosen and the Dark One's other minions, but still, that's no excuse for abandoning your core values. There are glimmers of his former goodness coming through, but his dubious sanity and growing mistrust and tendency to use those closest to him are deplorable. I recognize that it is necessary for his development to descend into darkness, but that doesn't mean I have to like the trip.

Finally, this book took me forever to get through this time around. Some of it is slow going, on top of the book being massive. The first half was such, and I almost considered dropping the book and jumping to the last in the series (I've read this one almost a dozen times, so I could have gotten away with it). The second half of the book was much more interesting and fast-paced, mostly due to the growing intrigue, the battles, and of course Matt's and Nynaeve's shining moments. That makes me feel better about my decision to stick it out.

I'm ready and excited to jump into book 6, but the ultimate goal is to finally make it to the last book in the series, which my husband assures me is one hundred percent worth slogging through all the books leading up to it. So, I will continue.

As for my recommendations, I definitely do recommend this series as a whole, though this isn't one of my favorite installments. I would say if you've gotten this far and have enjoyed the story up to this point, keep going. It will keep you busy for a while, but it's the journey that's the value in a work this massive. Keep in mind that The Wheel of Time is effectively one enormous novel. It's meant to be read in order and in its entirety, and that's what I recommend doing. Fans of epic fantasy, political intrigue, battles, and good vs. evil might like this series. Of course, if you had trouble getting into the first few books, I doubt that you'll fare much better with this one.


View all my reviews

Existential YA Review: Superunknown: Of Fairytales and Grunge by G.C. Huxley

Superunknown: Of Fairytales and Grunge by G.C. Huxley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you're looking for something different, this might be the book for you. Superunknown is about Em, a girl who's just starting out at a new high school. She takes notice of a boy named Eido, who seems like a troublemaker. Even though she tries to keep her distance, she keeps getting caught up in stranger and stranger scenarios, and Eido seems to be oblivious to the absurdity despite being central to them.

This is an interesting book. I liked how 90s music, technology, and life is snuck into the story. For those who grew up in the 90s, it brings back memories. For younger generations, I imagine it gives them a peek into a much different world. Another thing I liked was the unfolding mystery and the unpredictability of the story melding in with the every day. The story feels original.

On the other hand, I felt some of the concepts to be a bit confusing. The ending, well, I'm not sure what really happened. I might need to read up on existentialism and try again to fully understand it. I feel like the message was that you have to enjoy life for what it is, not seek to know more than you're meant to know, and allow the meaning of life to remain a mystery. If you do these things, you'll find happiness. That's what I got out of it.

Overall, this is a good book, a bit different than what I normally read. I liked the characters and was intrigued by the concepts the story introduces, even though I was confused from time to time. People who like YA, but crave something a little more deep than the usual offerings may find this one to their liking.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.

View all my reviews

YA Review: Moonflower by E.D.C. Johnson

Moonflower by E.D.C. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved it, though it made me sad in places. Definitely rocks a love triangle.

Moonflower is not a typical YA shifter/werewolf love story, despite the love triangle and the fact that it features werewolf shifters. One of the things I love most about this story is the originality. Josephine is just a regular girl, but when she and her mom get in an accident, she blacks out only to awaken on another world. It just so happens that the royal family has the ability to change into wolves. The way Josephine and Lucius meet plays on her naivete and on Lucius being surprised that she doesn't realize he's really a human.

From there the story delves into the family and household dynamics. The older brother vs. the younger. The similarities between Josephine's father's illness and the Marquess (the brothers' father). I also enjoyed the way the servants and employees of the house interact. Josephine's lady's maid is so, well, normal. It's her first time in such a role and she wants to get it right, yet still she can't help but be herself. I loved how the two become friends.

The love triangle and the dynamics between the two brothers is pretty well done. Of course, I tended to like Lucius a little better, but I think the author did a great job making it a really hard decision for Josephine. And, as in real life, Josephine realizes that it isn't just a choice between the two young men, but more of a life choice. Does she really want to stay in this new world and abandon her mom? Does she want to be subject to the archaic role given to women in the feudal society she finds herself in? Is she even ready for commitment?

I suppose the only thing that left me a little down was how the story ends, and it does end in a rather final way. While the author might potentially decide to write more in this world, it seemed like this story is meant to stand alone. It's not a fairy tale, but rather a story of first love, of growth, and of making the best choices for yourself, even when they aren't the easy ones. It left me thinking and wondering. So, despite how I felt at the end, and maybe just a little bit because of that, I must say that I enjoyed it.

I would highly recommend this book to folks who enjoy books featuring a little romance, a little fantasy, and the feel of a historical fiction that just happens to feature men that can turn into wolves. I thought the book was well-written and well-edited and smoothly pulled me from chapter to chapter.

I was lucky to have found this book while it was on a free-promo day on Amazon, but I feel it's definitely worth buying even if you don't happen to come across it while it's free. I am pretty sure I'll be reading this again.

View all my reviews