Thursday, October 3, 2013

Red Hill by Jamie McGuire | Book Review


Red Hill is a zombie/post-apocalyptic novel from Jamie McGuire.

Book Description

When the world ends, can love survive?

For Scarlet, raising her two daughters alone makes fighting for tomorrow an everyday battle. Nathan has a wife, but can’t remember what it’s like to be in love; only his young daughter Zoe makes coming home worthwhile. Miranda’s biggest concern is whether her new VW Bug is big enough to carry her sister and their boyfriends on a weekend escape from college finals.

When reports of a widespread, deadly “outbreak” begin to surface, these ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances and suddenly their fates are intertwined. Recognizing they can’t outrun the danger, Scarlet, Nathan, and Miranda desperately seek shelter at the same secluded ranch, Red Hill. Emotions run high while old and new relationships are tested in the face of a terrifying enemy—an enemy who no longer remembers what it’s like to be human.

Set against the backdrop of a brilliantly realized apocalyptic world, love somehow finds a way to survive. But what happens when the one you’d die for becomes the one who could destroy you?

Review

Let me get this out of the way first. I absolutely thought this was going to be a romance novel with a zombie apocalypse backdrop. No, no, no. That's not at all what this was which is a very good thing. This was a straight up, classic zombie novel. There was romance, sure, but not until well past halfway into the book.

There were things I loved about Red Hill. For one, I loved that everyone knew it was the zombie apocalypse. I get so tired of zombie books where no one ever calls them zombies. They make up stupid names for them and eventually figure out only a head shot will kill them. They eventually renamed the zombies in Red Hill, too, but it wasn't out of ignorance. Everyone had perfect clarity regarding what was happening and what needed to be done.

There were things I didn't love about this book, too, though. At the heart of every survival story, there has to be a struggle for basic needs. Obtaining, supplying, and rationing things like food for one. No one other than the zombies should be that well fed.

I also had some serious trouble with the characters and their reactions to the wide spread death toll as well as the sentiment behind the ending.

I do admittedly have some zombie book pet peeves, but the truth is I love the shambling, people eating, low moaning, decaying undead. I really, really do. As a zombie book, I did really enjoy the presence of classic zombies. I'm that easy to please. I just wish I had been more of a fan of the living in Red Hill as well.

5/10: Decent Read

9 comments:

  1. If only the living were as interesting as the zombies LOL. I've seen mixed reviews for this one so thats good to know. I'll put this one down as a "maybe" read, I was curious about it. Thanks!

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    1. The zombies themselves weren't all that interesting. They were your classic, mindless man eaters, but I dig that kind of thing. I wasn't diggin' much on the characters in Red Hill, though. "Maybe" is a good place to put it. It's can definitely serve as a mood read.

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  2. I think deep down I still have a bias towards zombie books. They never seem to work for me.

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    1. Hi Alexis! It's great to see you. Red Hill might actually serve well as a zombie starter book for those who do like zombies but aren't experienced with them. As for not liking zombies at all, this isn't a good book to pick up. :)

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  3. I have to say that I'm afraid to read this one - I'm used to romance novels when it comes to this author and I don't like zombies that much. I saw lot of mixed reviews for Red Hill. Ugh, I'll just have to sit down and read it, right?:)
    Great review, Jennifer.

    Glass @ Way Too Hot Books

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    1. I think the folks that are Jamie McGuire fans are going to be a big part of the crowd that likes this one. I've never read Jamie McGuire so I can't do any comparisons, but there was a lot of non-zombie goings on in this one. I say if you really like Jamie McGuire's other books, Red Hill is worth a try.

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  4. I am kind of interested and kind of not. Lol!. Maybe I will do as you suggested, and check it out if the mood hits me for a zombie book. :)

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  5. I'm not a zombie lover but I do love that stark cover!

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  6. Well I'm glad it wasn't a romance out the door. But eh...just an ok read - I'm looking for amazing reads. I think I'm just burnt on zombies this year.

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