Series: White Rabbit Chronicles #3
I have a plan.
We’ll either destroy them for good, or they’ll destroy us.
Either way, only one of us is walking away.
In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice “Ali” Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She’s ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It’s then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.
As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn’t the girl she thought she was. She’s connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole’s mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.
4 Drink Me Potions
I know, I know. I’m giving this book a 4 stars, which is still oddly higher than book 1, Alice in Zombieland.
It’s not that the ending wasn’t great, but as the ending of the series, I was kind of disappointed, to be honest. There was the suspenseful sequel, Through the Zombie Glass, that made me feel this didn’t live up to the climax that it was supposed to be.
The Queen of Zombie Hearts focuses mainly on Anima, the company hoping to use the zombies, and not so much on the zombies themselves. From the beginning, it seems happily-ever-after wasn’t something for these zombie slayers. I feel so bad for them. Showalter has made me love them all so much, even when some of them seem like the least likely type of people that I would want to care about. More people die in this book. I have to give her kudos for keeping it real, unlike some action stories where all the secondary characters just miraculously live through each and every battle nearly unscathed.
The pacing was okay, albeit a little slow in places near the middle. I actually found myself missing zombie attacks, but ah well. For a girl who doesn’t really enjoy zombies, they sure were fascinating in this series. Come on! They’re zombie spirits! That makes a difference from the average zombie story.
Cole and Ali’s relationship are intact, I am happy to say. Of course, there are still other people who are hating on her for stealing away Cole, and I just want to tell them to suck it up and move on. Grrr stay away from my favourite couple!
The problems the group had to solve weren’t as dramatic or as suspenseful as the previous books, and the visions were somewhat predictable in how they were going to come true.
Okay, this review is starting to sound kind of pessimistic, and I just want to say, IT’s NOT. I think. I’m just sad at the ending. It built up to a dramatic point with Anima…and then it just got resolved. In like 20 pages. *snap!* Just like that. It was over.
When I got to the last page, I was thinking, “Noooo, this can’t be it.” There were sadly, loved ones gone and I had so wanted to see the aftermath of that. I know happy endings aren’t always present in novels, so I would at least like to see what was going to happen to those left behind. I’m just in a funk or withdrawal from having this series end. So yeah, if this is sounding sad, that’s probably why. Pinch me. I still loved it. I just hoped it would have gone longer.
On that note, some things I did enjoy were guessing at Anima’s inside source. Kat was her usual perky self, and I loved her willingness to stick by the slayers’ side even in danger. There wasn’t a lot of Nana in this one, but her lingo is still just as weird by text. I’m not sure “fo sheezies” will ever, or had ever, been popular…
And my favourite part? Gavin, the “he-slut”, seems to be falling for a girl. *tries to contain my glee*. If you read my review for Through the Zombie Glass, you’ll know that I have some strange liking for him. He’s just charming, and he has a gooey centre somewhere underneath that player outlook. Sigh, I wish there would be a separate book with him and his potential girl, whom I shall not name ’cause it’s rather mind blowing.
As the end of a trilogy, it did wrap things up yet left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Yep, I think I’m going into Ali Bell/Cole Holland withdrawal. Probably more for Cole.
Overall Recommendation:
It may not be as action-packed as its two predecessor in the trilogy, but it sure leaves us wondering what is going to happen next. Showalter is not afraid to kill off secondary characters, even those we may have come to love so hard. That in itself should keep you in your seat and reading till the very last page.
As always, there are plenty of zombie fun in the story, although this one centres more on Anima and humans instead. Ew, I know right? Mindless zombies are cooler than cruel humans any day. But if you loved the series as a whole so far, you HAVE to finish it with The Queen of Zombie Hearts. HAVE TO! Enjoy, and hopefully, don’t go into Cole Holland withdrawal like I am. Or maybe..I’m just in Gavin withdrawal…
Down the Rabbit Hole 