Through the Zombie Glass

Title: Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2)

Author: Gena Showalter

Genre: YA/Paranormal Romance/Zombies

Release Date: September 24, 2013

My Rating:
♥♥♥♥♡

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home.  After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well.  A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things.  The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life.  She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now.  But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

~ Goodreads

Where do I start?  Through the Zombie Glass had me reeling, sobbing, seething with anger, and dubious with shock.  I'm on the fence with the rating, because I so dearly loved the book, but there were some parts that frustrated me to hell.  So, I just decided on a 4.5 instead of a 5, which I will explain the reason in a moment.

What I Liked:
Z O M B I E S.  Yes, it seems zombies are the new vampires/werewolves.  Of course, Edward will always have a special place in my heart XD  The zombies are hard-core, spirit drinking, flesh consuming, and utterly frightening.  Every time the gang ran into the zombies, my heart started to speed up a notch, what with Showalter's deliciously grotesque descriptions of the monsters.

The overall plot line.  Whenever there's a book with a plot line involving a broken girl, a bad boy, and a seemingly unstoppable obstacle, I'm all over it.  Through the Zombie Glass did the plot justice, and now I'm sadly awaiting the next book to come out in... what, a year?  Or maybe more...

Ali! (And not Cole!)  She's such a strong protagonist!  I loved how she was a bad ass, but also a sweet, caring girl.  She could rock camo pants and a gun and not have to think twice about it.  Although, she did make some choices concerning Cole that I didn't agree with....

The emotional aspect of Through the Zombie Glass.  In my opinion, you can judge a book on how much emotion it makes you feel, and, honey, I was feeling a lot.  Seething anger, sorrow, shock, hate.  All of it.  And mostly because of a certain character.

What I Didn't Like:
C O L E.  I was so not a fan of Cole in this book.  Ugh, I know everyone's been going on about how he redeemed himself in the end, but it just does not cut it!  Those of you who haven't read Through the Zombie Glass are probably wondering what the heck I'm raving about, but when you get to the scene I'm talking about, you will definitely know.  I was so frustrated and angry and I'm still not sure how in the hell Ali forgave him, because I definitely would not.

Ali and Cole's relationship.... has to be one of the most frustrating and overwhelming character romances.  I usually love it when two characters are all over each other and simultaneously trying to break things off, because it shows how much they care for each other, but this was not the case with Ali and Cole.  I wanted... I don't know, structure?  Even ground?  Anything to stop their persistent make out scenes that just seemed to pop out of nowhere.  I guess it would be easier for me if Cole hadn't been such a douche, but he was, so..... so, I guess I'm finishing Through the Zombie Glass with a heavy heart.

Overall, I'm giving Through the Zombie Glass a 4.5/5 because I love Ali's story coupled with Showalter's fabulous writing, but a certain character ruined the book for me.