Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland
Narrator: Allison McLemore
Series: White Trash Zombie #2
Published by Audible
Published on: July 3, 2012
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 8 hrs & 45 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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Angel Crawford is finally starting to get used to life as a brain-eating zombie, but her problems are far from over. Her felony record is coming back to haunt her, more zombie hunters are popping up, and she’s beginning to wonder if her hunky cop-boyfriend is involved with the zombie mafia. Yeah, that’s right—the zombie mafia.
Throw in a secret lab and a lot of conspiracy, and Angel’s going to need all of her brainpower—and maybe a brain smoothie as well—in order to get through it without falling apart.
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I listened to the first two installments in Diana Rowland’s WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE series back-to-back after having absolutely freaking loved book one only to find myself wishing that I hadn’t. As much as I enjoyed EVEN WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES GET THE BLUES, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment after the high I had experienced with the first novel. The zombie 101 elements that were prevalent in the earlier installment were mostly absent and this series’ story arc went from a slow lope to warped speed far too quickly. I still loved listening to Angel’s zombie shenanigans and I’ll definitely be buying the next book although, I am going to wait a bit longer to do that than last time.
The main character and Allison McLemore’s narration are the two main factors that keep me coming back for more. Angel is an incredibly unique and wildly entertaining heroine who I seriously just can’t get enough of. I love her snarky personality and her hilarious zombie vocabulary. It’s impossible not to giggle when she talks about tanking up or when she yells “zombie powers ACTIVATE!” I like how even though Crawford’s a newbie in this world she’s not afraid to throw her weight around, even when she’s up against some pretty heavy hitters. McLemore continues to wow me with her humorous portrayal of Angel and, I know that I’ve said this already but, I could listen to her southern twang all day long.
As much as I enjoyed this book’s plot, I did think that Rowland went a little overboard. Things just got a whole lot more complicated in the WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES universe and I’m not convinced that the author gave readers enough time to catch-up. I understand that she wanted to deliver an action-packed installment but I wish there’d been more of a transition from zombie 101 to full-on mafia war / government conspiracy. Also, most of the new developments in relation to Angel’s walking dead status were instinctual which made them less entertaining to read about because of the lack of the need for trial and error. I’m hoping things will have evened out by the third novel.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the romance between the two main protagonists. There were definitely a couple of cute moments between them and I liked learning how zombie relationships differ from human ones; like for instance, at one point Angel gives Marcus crap for not telling her sooner that she was beginning to smell. And, not like B.O. either but rotten flesh. Yuck. Ivanov had a stick stuck up his butt for a good part of this book but I began to warm-up to him towards the end when he seemed to realize that he had to get off his high horse if he wanted to continue dating Crawford.
EVEN WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES GET THE BLUES is another fun listen from Diana Rowland and Allison McLemore; definitely worth checking out if you like your snark with a side of brains.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Allison does rock the narration doesn’t she? I actually started out reading these and didn’t listen to one till the third one. Needless to say I went back and listened to the first two cause you know—Allison 🙂
I love Angel. I am not sold on her love story but I do like the mysteries 🙂
If there’s any series that’s worth listening to from the beginning, it’s this one!
I love this series, but you knew that 🙂
Great review! I agree, the romance is not the highlight in the series (so far), but what keeps me coming back is Angel, and and the twisted world she lives in.
Angel is a brilliant heroine! So unique and quirky. Too bad I only have one book left to listen to in order to be caught-up on this series.
Interesting review! It’s the first time I have heard of a book with Zombies that can actually think for themselves and are not mindless beings in a book 🙂 I’ll definitely be checking this out sometime, Hopefully on Audio!
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
That’s what attracted me about this series as well; it’s very different, and Rowland’s writing is phenomenal. A definite must!
I’ve read only the first one in the series and I’ve been meaning to get the next one for some time now. Your review reminded me how fun Angel is. 🙂 Maybe I have to create a to-read list of some sort so I don’t forget which audiobooks I want to read. Hm…
Or you can just join the 2014 audiobook challenge. 😉
I’ve got book 1 on my audio wish list thanks to you 🙂 Good to know that the snark continues into book 2…I do love my snark!
And why exactly haven’t you listened to the first book yet??
I just love this series so much. Narration only makes it that much better. I can’t wait until July when book four comes out. 🙂 Great review.
YES! Only one more book to go and I’ll be all caught-up and ready for July.
I’m so curious about this series, I haven’t tried it yet but I really need to. I have book 1. I only read her other books so I should take the time to try something else. thanks for the review! (And yes one day I’ll even try an audiobook!!!!)
If you’re looking to switch things up, this series is a great way to go!
I thought Diana really packed a lot of story into this book, at one point I had to re-read the previous chapter after putting the book down in order to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but I do love this world and will always root for Angel! I need to read book 3 soon.
There might have been a bit too much story IMO, at times it seemed like it was just too much too fast. I’ll definitely be checking out book 3 though!
And I still haven’t gotten to this series yet. Haha! I’ve just started Rowland’s Demon book series, but need to get to this next.
Well, you have me beat there! I’ve read this one but not her Demon one. LOL