Hollowmen by Amanda Hocking (CBR-IV #32)

Cannonball Read IV: Book #32/52
Published: 2011
Pages: 194
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/Zombie



***May contain spoilers to previous books in the series**


In the sequel to Hollowland, we fast forward six months from where the previous novel ended. Remy has spent the last six months being prodded and tested by doctors due to her immunity to the zombie virus. She gets a chance to escape when the building is breached by a zombie hoard and heads out in search of her brother, yet again.


I liked this book as well, although I think it had a few more flaws than the previous one. For one, I don't understand why Remy was experimented on so viciously. I know they were trying to find a cure for the virus, but I have a hard time believing that such a well equipped military quarantine didn't have any anesthesia or anything to use on her during surgeries. They did explain that they were saving their stock of painkillers since it was all they had, but I still don't understand why they couldn't have used some on the poor girl. 


Also, the characters weren't as well written. I liked Lazlo and Blue and Harlow in Hollowland. I can tell you a little about their characters. In Hollowmen, I barely remember any of the supporting characters besides one of the evil doctors who escapes with them (and don't get me started on Remy's feeling sorry and apologizing TO HIM eventually). The few military men and women who she traveled with all sort of blurred together. When Remy started forming a relationship with one of them, I was surprised because I thought he was a middle aged guy for some reason. 


I did like the realism that was present again. Remy doesn't magically meet up with everyone she lost. She doesn't find her long lost love. She starts a new relationship because that's what anyone would do in such a hopeless situation. There is no happy ending. 

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking (CBR-IV #31)

Cannonball Read IV: Book #31/52
Published: 2010
Pages: 291
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian/Zombie



Several years ago, a zombie virus swept across America. Some survivors managed to live in isolated military quarantines for a while. Now, the zombies are getting smarter and broke into the quarantine where 19-year-old Remy King has been living. Before they were taken over, her younger brother was evacuated to another quarantine somewhere up north. Remy manages to escape and goes after her brother.


I actually really liked this book. There was a lot of action and good pacing. Some characters were a little cliche at times (tough as nails main female character for one), but still likable. I liked that there was a tiny bit of romance, but it didn't take center stage over the story. I think that made the story a little more realistic compared to a lot of YA dystopian novels. Of course there would be romantic relationships during in a post-apocalyptic world -- especially when you have a small group of young people in such intense situations. However, the relationships in this book weren't overly sappy and actually felt like they were almost due to a lack of options and being in a high stress environment (which is completely feasible in this type of situation). 


One thing that sort of bugged me was the zombies. They weren't really what most people consider "zombies". They weren't reanimated dead. They were just really sick with the virus. They were also much faster and sometimes smarter than typical zombies. It didn't really effect the story, but it just sort of bugged me. 


Overall, I enjoyed reading Hollowland. It had just what I look for in my dystopian fiction: lots of action, interesting characters, and low on the romance.