Book Review: Dreamz (Wunder #0.5) by A.R. Von

Synopsis: Wunder may have a normal life now…well, as normal as a freak of nature could have. Half zombie while her job is to hunt bloodthirsty creatures to protect the innocent. It’s the dreams that haunt her and they aren’t nightmares. Wunder dreams of a man, a man made just for her. Is he real, can he be the one she‘s yearned for?

Pete’s world is a lonely one as he wrestles with the reality of being part zombie. His hatred for the creatures that killed his parents drives him to patrol the streets and wipe them all out. His life would be stark, but for the dreams he’s been having; of a woman, so sensuous, so sexy. These alluring visions have become erotic and consuming. He feels as if he made her up to keep from going crazy. Is this life of hunting the walking dead, all there is? Or is she out there, waiting…just for him?

The Nerd Rambles: Plagued (haha see what I did there? Sorry, it won't happen again) by dreams featuring a smokin' hot mystery man, Wunder has to balance her day to day zombie hunting life and deal with her own demons of being half zombie--all the while thinking about her nightly escapades with tall dark and handsome.

This is a prequel of sorts to Wunder, which I've also reviewed and will link further down, and it goes deeper into Wunder's history and her daily life. I liked getting to read more about Wunder's team and more about her day to day life. We're also given more of an introduction to Pete, who is Wunder's love interest. Their chemistry is scorching hot, and well written. I can't get enough of Wunder and the world that Ms. Von has built. I'm really looking forward to book two, or really anything that I can sink my teeth into. (Sorry.)

Review for Wunder

Rating: ★★★★★
Total Length: Not given.
Available Format: Kindle, epub.
Publication Date: June 11, 2013 (Dream Z Dragon Publishing)
Author Link:  A.R. Von on Goodreads

Book Review-- Alive in Necropolis by Doug Dorst

Synopsis: Colma, California, is the only incorporated city in America where the dead outnumber the living. The longtime cemetery for San Francisco, it is the resting place of the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Wyatt Earp, and aviation pioneer Lincoln Beachey. It is also the home of Michael Mercer, a rookie cop trying to go by the book as he struggles to navigate a new realm of grownup relationships,including a shaky romance with an older woman; a growing alliance with his cocky, charismatic partner, Nick Toronto; fading college friendships; and an aching sense of responsibility for a local rich kid who Mercer rescues from a dangerous prank in the cemetery.

But instead of settling comfortably into adult life, Mercer becomes obsessed with the mysterious fate of his predecessor in the police unit, Sergeant Featherstone, who seems to have become confused about whether he was policing the living or the dead. And as Mercer delves deeper into Featherstone's story, it appears that Mercer's own sanity is beginning to slip, either that, or Colma's more famous residents are not resting in peace as they should be.

With all the playful sensitivity of Haruki Murakami and the haunted atmosphere of Paul Auster, but with a voice all his own, Doug Dorst has crafted an irresistible, compelling debut.

The Nerd's Ramble: I had a really hard time getting through this book. The narration was in present tense, something that I don't enjoy-- and the narrative was split between four characters, and their stories that sometimes intersected.

It was interesting at times, but for me I dragged through this. I finished it simply because I can't leave a book unfinished. Overall? I wasn't too impressed with it as a whole. There were a few good scenes, and some good one liners but given the chance again I wouldn't pick it up.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Total Length: 437 pages
Format: Epub, Kindle, Traditional
Publication Date: July 17, 2008  (Riverhead Hardcover)

Book Review-- Wunder by A.R. Von

Synopsis:  Wunder isn’t your average girl, in fact, she isn’t even an average human. In a world once ravaged by Zombies, she was born amidst the chaos.
 
Where can a girl like her find the man of her delicious dreams? She has an idea and it leads her to the hottest new club in town, where she finds what’s been missing in her life.
 
Pete has his own secrets to tell, and when they come together, another story unfolds while the sparks fly.

Shelly's thoughts: Fast paced and witty I found myself really enjoying this. I know what you're thinking "Zombie Erotica? Um..what?" First off, stop that. It's not Romero's zombies banging. Wunder is a special child born in the time of a zombie infestation. Second, pick it up and read it. It's a quick, enjoyable read that packs a tight punch of conflict, sex and fun characters all together. I'm looking forward to reading more of Wunder's adventures.

Rating: ★★★★★
Total Length: 18 pages
Format: Kindle and Epub.
Publication Date: February 14, 2013