Undead

( 12 )

Overview


Now in paperback! When the rest of the class goes all brain-dead on new girl Bobby, it's a school-trip splatter-fest and completely not cool!

On the way home from the ski trip, when the bus comes to a stop at a roadside restaurant, everyone gets off and heads in for lunch. Everyone, that is, except Bobby, the new girl, who stays behind with rebel-without-a-clue Smitty.

Then hours pass. Snow piles up. Sun goes...

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Undead

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Overview


Now in paperback! When the rest of the class goes all brain-dead on new girl Bobby, it's a school-trip splatter-fest and completely not cool!

On the way home from the ski trip, when the bus comes to a stop at a roadside restaurant, everyone gets off and heads in for lunch. Everyone, that is, except Bobby, the new girl, who stays behind with rebel-without-a-clue Smitty.

Then hours pass. Snow piles up. Sun goes down. Bobby and Smitty start to flirt. And to stress a bit, too. Till finally they see the other kids stumbling back.

But they've changed. And not in a good way. Straight up, they're zombies. So the wheels on the bus better go round and round freakin' fast, because that's the only thing keeping Bobby and Smitty from becoming their classmates' next meal. It's kill or be killed in these hunger games, heads are gonna roll, and homework is most definitely gonna be late.

Combining the chill of THE SHINING, the thrill ride of SPEED, the humor of SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and the angst of THE BREAKFAST CLUB, Kirsty McKay's UNDEAD is a bloody mad mash-up, a school-trip splatter-fest, a funny, gory, frighteningly good debut!

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
An unlikely group of English teenagers work together to survive a zombie outbreak during a school ski trip to Scotland. With most of their class turned into flesh-eating monsters, Roberta, Alice, Smitty, and Pete find temporary refuge on their bus. Low on gas, surrounded by enemies, and unable to contact the outside world, they band together, taking shelter in a nearby castle. As can often be the case in zombie stories, humans threaten to become the real villains: the other inhabitants of the castle have their own malevolent agenda and may know more about the zombie outbreak than they let on. Blending comedy and violence, debut author McKay relies a bit too heavily on coincidence and convenient plot twists (out of all the castles in Scotland, the group walks into the one tied to the zombie outbreak). The characters—whose personalities are developed as they bludgeon their way through the novel—are the real draw in a story that otherwise covers well-shambled ground, entertaining but blending in with its gory bedfellows. Ages 14–up. Agent: Veronique Baxter, David Higham Associates. (Sept.)
From the Publisher

Praise for UNDEAD

"Fast, furious, freaky, funny, and seriously sick." -- CHARLIE HIGSON, author of the ENEMY series

"A hilarious and lively mix of cunning, bravery, and tomfoolery...Bobby's narration is spiked with wit and perceptive snarkiness...First-rate fun." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"McKay plays her tale for maximum snark...humor and action keep the pages turning...Blood spurts; entrails drag; body parts shed; hearts (living ones) throb -- it's all good, gory fun." -- KIRKUS

"The typical school-centered zombie story is given a fabulous reboot in McKay's debut novel...The perfect balance of humor and horror...will have readers alternately biting their nails and snorting with laughter...A fun, pulse-pounding addition to the zombie genre." -- VOYA

"Fun to devour." -- BOOKLIST

"Loved the black humor. Think SHAUN OF THE DEAD in the Scottish wilderness." -- THE BOOKSELLER UK

VOYA - Rebecca Denham
On the way home from a school-sponsored ski trip in the wilds of Scotland, a small group of high school students is faced with the ultimate test when their classmates and teachers mysteriously drop dead, only to reanimate into flesh-craving zombies. Roberta, Alice, Smitty, and Pete must put aside their differences and think fast if they want to survive. The typical school-centered zombie story is given a fabulous reboot in McKay's debut novel. The rural, mountainous setting provides its own set of challenges for the characters, as does the fact that the students were traveling via bus so are unable to barricade themselves in a nice, solidly built cabin or vault. McKay has done a fine job of using the actual resources available to her characters while keeping the reader on edge with fast-paced plotting and witty dialogue. She has also created the perfect balance of humor and horror so that Undead will have readers alternately biting their nails and snorting with laughter. This novel is told from the perspective of a female narrator, but Roberta is refreshingly pragmatic and capable, unlike many current heroines, so the point of view should not be a problem for male readers. Some American teens may find certain phrases strange, but the difference in culture should not change readers' enjoyment of the novel. Overall, this is a fun, pulse-pounding addition to the zombie genre, sure to be a hit with teens looking for an entertaining read. Reviewer: Rebecca Denham
School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up—While on a field trip, four teens get snowed in at the Cheery Chomper café in rural Scotland. Their classmates and teachers have been turned into zombies, and the guy in the carrot costume might be responsible. Or not. Bobby, Smitty, Alice, and Pete are the only ones not infected with the zombie virus. In their efforts to get help, they end up uncovering a pharmaceutical conspiracy. With a hilarious and lively mix of cunning, bravery, and tomfoolery, the teens face explosions, projectile doughnuts, dead ends, an underground tunnel, an iced-over lake, countless drooling zombies, and that guy in the carrot costume. Bobby's narration is spiked with wit and perceptive snarkiness, revealing the personal issues she faces. Having already bound a gaping wound with the cashmere scarf her mother lent her, she responds similarly to help Pete with a wound: "I'm quick to retrieve a clean handkerchief that my mother thoughtfully placed in my jacket pocket for just such an occasion. (One of her token gestures to make up for never actually being there, I guess.)" There is a lot of blood, but the actual violence is cartoony and short-lived. Romance is limited to having a crush. Witty Briticisms and one-liners abound. With the exception of Bobby, the teens are stereotypes (tough guy, mean-girl cheerleader, geek). However, readers will get so caught up in the cliff-hanger chapter endings, endless action, and elements of surprise in this debut novel that character development will not be missed. First-rate fun.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC
Kirkus Reviews
There's no better place to begin the zombie apocalypse: a Scottish roadside convenience stop called the Cheery Chomper. Narrator Bobby doesn't actually see it happen; just returned to Britain after several years in the United States, she has holed up in the school bus for some peace and quiet while the rest of her classmates on the school ski trip pile out. But she notices it pretty darn quick in the pools of blood on the snow, the panic of her two classmates who have escaped and the shambling form of their former teacher. Loner Bobby, wiseass Smitty and popular-girl Alice are soon joined by annoying-nerd Pete and a couple of local kids, an older girl and her little brother. Together they bicker, defend their bus, bicker, try to figure out what happened, bicker and take shelter in a seemingly abandoned old stately home. Although Bobby has (mostly unplumbed) emotional depths, McKay plays her tale for maximum snark: As Bobby reflects, "you'd think that, when faced with an Undead army, random human survivors would find a really good reason to get along, but that certainly hasn't happened in our own little test group." Although humor and action keep the pages turning, readers may still find the plot dragging toward the end--which (gasp!) may not really be the end…. Blood spurts; entrails drag; body parts shed; hearts (living ones) throb--it's all good, gory, formulaic fun. (Horror. 14-18)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781906427870
  • Publisher: Chicken House
  • Publication date: 9/28/2011

Meet the Author


KIRSTY McKAY, born in the UK, now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has written and acted in several children's plays for regional theater. UNFED is the sequel to her debut novel, UNDEAD. Visit her website at www.kirstymckay.com and follow her on Twitter @kirkybean.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 12 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(7)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(4)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews
  • Anonymous

    Posted October 13, 2012

    OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    BEST. ZOMBIE. BOOK. EVER!!!!! Even if you are afraid of zombies and that type of thing, don't worry about this book! It is a comedy, so even if there is a gory part, you won't be scared. This was my first zombie book, and I am completely impressed by it. The diolouge, plot, and everything about it makes it one of the best books I've EVER read! The end just leaves you hanging, oh God! I was like whiningm screaming, and just having fun with the ending. I am ten years old and I thought that this was a very great teen book. (I read like teen and young adult stories, so you may think differently about it.) I would recommend this book to anybody ages ten and up. FUN FUN READING, GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 15, 2013

    Awsome

    I read this book and fell in love because it had the comedy, action and romance. It is the best book I had ever read.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 21, 2012

    It is good

    Thank you for reading this first of all and then we are saying this a good book becaause it has alot vof action that yiu can read and so you can be happ wheb they survive so thank you forreading or listning sorry so thank you so much so that i can be better on my reading and writng in my avanced reading group in grapevine school

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 10, 2013

    Can I get a side of brains with this book?

    One of the best zombie novels ever-Even better on the Nook! Truely a best seller.

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  • Posted February 20, 2013

    I Love this book. Cant wait until the sequel.

    I Love this book. Cant wait until the sequel.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 14, 2013

    I'm a sucker for anything zombie - it's an obsession almost to t

    I'm a sucker for anything zombie - it's an obsession almost to the point that it's shameful. So picture a happy me hugging this book when I found it as a surprise in my mailbox. CUE EXCITEMENT.

    And thankfully, Undead did deliver plenty of excitement. And plenty of zombies. Which is all I really need in a zombie book, so keep in mind that if zombies just aren't your thing.

    REASONS TO READ:

    1. Non-stop action:

    Undead starts with a bang, ends with a bang, and every chapter is guaranteed to include a little emotional angst, some blood, and a scene that will leave your heart pounding. I felt like I was constantly waiting for a monster to jump out at me - which is saying a lot because I don't get that feeling too often while reading books.

    2. Conspiracy theories that will make your head spin:

    Admittedly, zombie stories aren't known for being the most creative - they're usually standard fare. But Undead doesn't launch into theories about why there are zombies right away (something to do with kids running for their lives). But once they do? I appreciated that there were a few surprises. Some things were predictable, but not everything.

    3. Characters who evolve:

    I wasn't too sure what to think of Smitty and Bobby at first. They didn't grab me initially, but they quickly wormed their way into my little heart. Bobby especially took a while to get to know, because she has herself so well-guarded and hidden away. But I was surprised about halfway through the book how much I was rooting for these two to get out of there alive. And? I loved that they could poke fun at each other and their situation. Undead is great partially because of the jokes and how it doesn't take itself too seriously - which is key for a zombie horror book. 

    I still felt like I was hoping for more from Undead to really WOW me though. Secondary characters that were more dimensional, a stronger & more unique story behind exactly what's taking place and why... both would have turned this into a book that I loved rather than just one I liked. 

    But this is still an excellent pick for fans of zombies like me. 

    Review copy received from Scholastic Canada for my honest review; no other compensation was received. 

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 24, 2012

    So amazing

    Loved it!!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 18, 2012

    So good

    Reading this book gave me the chills. Every time i went to bed i was so scared. I would definatley recommend this book to zombie lovers.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 3, 2012

    Great for MG...

    I really like the cover of this novel, and I was truly looking forward to reading this story, especially because I enjoy zombie books and I’m always looking for new books to push on my high school students. But, while I liked the novel for the most part, I felt like it was a little too fast paced, too convenient, and too middle grade for me, personally. The novel starts off with Bobby sulking in the back of her school bus, refusing to get off and use the bathroom. She watches students pile into the restaurant and wishes for friends, to be home, etc. Soon after, she finds herself stuck on the bus with a particularly arrogant student who makes too many jokes, and soon after that, all hell breaks loose.

    I felt like the novel went from 0 to 60 in a matter of pages, and while some readers may like jumping right into the midst of a story, I felt left behind. The characters were suddenly running around trying to figure things out, stay away from the zombies, all while trying to get to safety and I just felt like I missed something. I think it’s because I didn’t have any time to make connections with the characters before they found themselves in peril. I never did feel anything for the characters as I read—no sadness over deaths, no fear for their safety. Instead, I found the plot a bit too convenient. Here the survivors are, surrounded by zombies, driving a school bus through blizzard like conditions, and suddenly they find themselves at a castle that holds all the secrets. Too perfect for me, but honestly, I think this would be a great read for middle schoolers. I teach high school, and I don’t see most of my students being enthralled by this novel, but I think it’s perfect for the younger crowd. The writing, especially, lends itself to youngsters. Just take a look at the synopsis. The entire novel is written in the same type of format as the synopsis, and while I knew that was probably the case going in, I didn’t think it would actually affect my reading of the novel. It did. Things that would have come across as funny to younger readers just made me roll my eyes, and the characters began to test my nerves after a while. Of course, having no connection with them could be another reason behind that, but I just found that this novel never really drew me in past enjoying the mayhem. I liked it, but I wasn’t in love with it, like I sometimes am with MG novels, but that doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it! If you like really fast paced novels and the way the synopsis is written (or if you’re kids do), then I highly suggest checking this one out.

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  • Posted August 31, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    This is one of the few reviews that I actually changed my rating

    This is one of the few reviews that I actually changed my rating while writing my review. I thought I liked it more than I did when I finished it, but when I sat down to put my thoughts on paper (or screen) I realized all of the things that I didn't like about it. I still enjoyed the book enough though. I was really excited for this book due to the synopsis. I thought it sounded pretty awesome, except the synopsis is not a great judge of the book. It's not an exciting all out thrill ride with crazy zombies lurking around every corner like it would suggest. So unless there were some major changes between the ARC and the final copy, I wouldn't go by that at all. I am a sucker when it comes to zombie books. I also love humor and this sounded like a great combination of the two, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.

    I liked Bobby and her snarky, don't give a crap attitude at first, but it got old quick. She has just moved back to the UK with her mother (Thanks to her moms work) and is the new girl who doesn't fit in. Total cliche, I know. This book is full of the typical cliches, I think it's supposed to be part of the humor. She stays on the bus to be alone away from all the other kids and gets stuck on there with Smitty, the bad boy and the bus driver. He attitude doesn't really improve much for most of the book. She tries to put on the tough girl act to prove she's not a helpless weak girl. She does some selfless things and really does try to do what she can to help their growing group survive, but in general she wasn't that likable. I just didn't feel her character.

    So onto the actual storyline. School trip, zombies, stumbling upon other survivors...you get the point. Now these people who are nothing alike have to work together to survive and try not to kill each other. They manage to travel to a gas station, then a parking lot, back to the cafe, so and and so on until they get to a castle. I get that we are trying to be on an adventure here, but it was just sort of okay to me. Th ere were a few funny lines here and there, and some interesting things that happened. And lets not forget the plot twist...was that supposed to be surprising? Are we supposed to feel shock? I felt like I wanted to be finished with this book already.

    So maybe I am just getting more picky with my reading, but this just didn't entertain me as much as I would have liked. I wasn't expecting a blow me away, awesome book, just fun entertainment. I know this review seems pretty negative, but I did like the book, I just thought that at times it got a bit lame and there was a lot of unnecessary things going on. Maybe if I had been able to connect with the characters, or at least like them I would have liked it more. I just didn't get that. The characters started to annoy me and the plot was not keeping me engaged. What saved this book for me was the small amounts of entertainment I got out of it. 3 out of 5 stars.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 14, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 22, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 12 Customer Reviews

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