This is Not a Test

I picked this up mostly out of curiosity - the concept of NOT wanting to survive a zombie apocalypse is pretty intriguing, after all - but I'll admit I wasn't expecting much; YA doesn't usually do much for me.I wasn't won over in the first few pages - a pet hate of mine is how most zombie apocalypses start as a normal day and rapidly go wrong - but by page 20 or so, I was hooked. The pace is nothing short of breakneck, and the scene quickly becomes incredibly tense, dramatic, and totally engrossing. Even sexy, as described in the blurb. It's all extremely tangible.The characters are strongly established from the start and they all become more and more interesting as time passes. They're all believable, real.Sloane, the protagonist, is a fantastic mess. She thinks and does several very questionable things, which the author is delightfully unapologetic about. It's super refreshing to witness. Sloane is also driven, I think, by in large by selfishness, in spite of her repeatedly saying she's not. However, there's something about her that's still very... Not likeable, as such, but you will definitely find yourself rooting strongly for her. You'll root for all of them, at some point or another.The writing style is brisk and sharp, gruesome in detail and witty as hell in the dialogue. I rarely laugh out loud at books, but I did at this, more than once. I cried, too. It's heartbreaking on more than one occasion. There's plenty of emotional highs and lows in this.The description of the protagonists' abuse by her father and her subsequent neurosis is extremely well handled. She's anxious, jumpy, and constantly on edge before there's even any danger - except, for her, there always was. Important issues like abuse and mental illness are so often portrayed badly, so I was relieved to see it being done right.I'll definitely be reading more by this author.

Good book

Read in one sitting absolutely amazing look at zombie apocalypse scenario while still focusing on the actual people! Loved it!

I LOVE zombie books - I LOVE Courtney SummersSo when I heard that an author I love had written a book in my favourite genre I couldn't wait to get my hands on it!It was not what I expected at all - it has Courtney Summers' stamp on it, her writing style is clear to see : the characters are very well developed, they all have unique and distict personalities and their actions fit in with these, the dialogue is very believable and she really makes you care about them - even the less disirable ones.I personally usually like more gruesome zombie action but I like that she has stuck to her style - there was enough and when it was done it was done brilliantly. This book definitely focuses more on the psychological aspect of a zombie apocalypse. The fear that they will breach the school - hearing them banging to get in - and everyone dealing with the things they saw, the people they lost, and for Sloane : she is still alive when just before the zombies came she had decided to end her life after years of violence at the hands of her father. How do you fight to survive when you want to die? How do follow through with your plan to end your life when you are surrounded by people who desperateky want to live? This was the most fascinating part of the book, witnessing Sloane try to decide what she wants to do whilst being influenced by others.There was plenty of conflict too within this book - between the survivors hiding in the school and with outsiders they encounter. Its scary what people are capable of when put in a situation like this and I love the conflict created by the author. She chose some very interesting ways of putting issues between the characters.Overall this was really a very good zombie story. It had all the crucial elements and a little something different thrown in to the mix. The author didn't shy away from the fact that characters we loved would have to die, there's no fluffy happy ending. Atruly excellent addition to my zombie bookshelf.

No. Not really. And that's why, having bought this back in January 2013 it has taken me nearly six months to complete it.I didn't buy this on Kindle. I bought the paperback version. I still can't make out who it is on the front cover.But these details aren't that important. What is important, however, is a good story, with good characters, and for the first hundred pages or so, I was waiting for something definitive to happen.I didn't like the f-word on practically every page. It made the characters more unlikable, but I stuck with it because the premise of the children stuck in the school was good. Not original - but who cares, so long as it is told well.This, is where Miss Summers raises the story above an average yarn. The in-fighting reminded me of Lord of the Flies - a good book which was spoiled by having it rammed down our throats at school.I have never read that story again, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't give this book a second read, because I doubted I could complete it the first time around.Nothing seemed to be happening, but - (see spoilers below) when it really got going, it was unputdownable. I have read the remaining 220 pages this afternoon.This is Not a Test is not so much about zombies - though their inclusion is well written and satisfyingly executed. What it is about is surviving - day by day, down to second by second.In some cases that reflects the struggles of many people today, who battle every single moment in order to survive.Replace zombies with bills at the door, and you will know what I mean.Sloane is without doubt the best written character in the book. I couldn't feel much for the others until much later. Miss Summers doesn't give you it all in the first chapter...instead she lets us peel away the layers - much like the zombies rotting skin, to reveal their true feelings, true angst, and the 'what the hell do I do now?' that they feel at every turn of the page.I'm not a prude. I don't mind profanity - and yes, I would use it myself in this situation! Just a little less would be good.So. It gets four stars for an amazingly gripping 220 pages. The first 100 failed to take off for me, but I still love this book.It's got zombies in it, but what it mainly has is an emotional impact rarely experienced in YA novels. That hit me harder than any of the zombies going on the attack.A solid, super read.Well done Courtney Summers :)***SPOILER ALERT***Thank Heavens for Mr Baxter then! When he arrives, around page 120 or so, things really kick off.The back story of Lily and Sloane is so emotional - it's brilliantly well done, and you would have to be made of stone - or just 'cold' like the zombies themselves, not to feel something for the girls and their awful father (putting it mildly).