Passing Strange

I freaking love this book!! I absolutely loved getting inside Karen’s head and all her adventures. I love how relatable this book is to real world issues. Phenomenal.

Gold Star Award Winner! Let me start out by saying you'll want to read the first two books in this series - GENERATION DEAD and KISS OF LIFE - before picking up PASSING STRANGE. If you don't, you'll be lost on the ins and outs of the plots and characters. The author, Daniel Waters, takes a different approach to the series with PASSING STRANGE. The first two books focus on Phoebe and her struggles as she braves high school in a world where some teens are coming back from the dead. Her heart is pulled in two different directions - she is fascinated with Tommy, a new differently-biotic boy who enrolls at school, but at the same time, has growing feelings for Adam, her long-time friend and next-door neighbor. PASSING STRANGE tells the story of an important but side character named Karen DeSonne. Karen is one of the most advanced/high-functioning zombies anyone has ever seen. She moves with grace, speaks without hitches, and is the envy of even the traditionally-biotic girls at school. Since the events that took place in KISS OF LIFE that led to the laws preventing the differently-biotic from being in public without a legal guardian and attending school, Karen has been the only zombie out in the open. In fact, Karen isn't just out in the open as a zombie, but she is "passing" as a traditionally-biotic teenager. With the help of dyed hair and blue contacts, Karen got a job at the local mall and begins to use her ability to blend in to help the differently-biotic cause. When Karen has the chance to infiltrate the enemy to gain information that could shine light on a conspiracy to make the zombies look guilty of crimes they didn't commit, she doesn't hesitate. She puts herself in many dangerous situations with one of the most active anti-zombie radicals to date. Knowing she can help allows her to keep meeting Pete - even when he wants to kiss her. The reader learns a lot about Karen in this novel. Karen has always appeared happy-go-lucky in the previous books, so it was interesting to find out she isn't very happy after all. She has a lot to be sad about, and you'll sympathize with her as she explains everything going on in her life and eventually reveals a huge secret. I've loved every one of the GENERATION DEAD books, and PASSING STRANGE is no different. It only took me a day to finish and I was extremely happy with the hopeful ending. I can't wait for the next installment to this wonderfully unique series. Thanks, Mr. Waters! Keep up the good work. P.S. You can follow the fight for zombie rights by reading Tommy's blog. Reviewed by: Karin Librarian

I really liked this book, but I am a fan. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

As with the previous Generation Dead books, Daniel Waters did a great job of keeping the reader enthralled. I ate this up in two days, and immediately wanted more. This one really features Karen and Pete (yes, the bad guy from books one and two). Adam and Phoebe barely make an appearance, and Tommy's only spoken of from a distance. So, as you can imagine, you'll want more, and suddenly. I hope Mr. Waters is hard at work on part four. Highly recommended if you like different takes on the undead, and anything in the YA/speculative genre.

Perhaps my review title is something of a blanketed statement, but honestly, this book (Passing Strange) and the two previous Generation Dead books are well done. As an English teacher, I'm in a constant battle of really wanting students to read, but not wanting them to read just any YA lit (rationale: the prose, structure, and content of many new YA books can be very weak). Kudos and thanks abound to Daniel Waters for making his literature captivating and relevant, all the while posing questions about real social issues. These books parallel much of what has, for a long time, been occurring in the United States, and they get the reader to make connections to real life (i.e. the refusal of rights and privileges based on "lifestyle"; or, in this case, deadstyle [okay, sorry, shameless pun. Waters could have done it better, I know]). For this reason, Waters' books work differently than many other YA books; they can be used on a critical analysis and evaluative level and they, essentially, never bore the reader. Finally, I enjoy that Waters' books are on the lengthy side. This gives me as well as other readers time to soak-in the characters and the events. After a time, Waters' characters become richly composed and they feel like people you know or would want to know. Passing Strange is truly the best example of this because, in the series, a character like Karen DeSonne has gone from cryptic and mysterious to full-blown open and dynamic, and she exposes herself as a person who struggles with life (and death), just like we all do. Waters uses various narrative styles and POVs in his work, which, for a teacher teaching, is incredibly useful. Students get to see real narrative tactics in use. I love these books!

Daniel Waters has done something amazing with his series. Every time a new book comes out I preach the same thing. This series is so much more than zombies, it's about human rights, all rights. The way he wove seemingly simple zombie rights into a plot line that hid so much more was amazing. The third installment was no different. I was worried when I realized it wasn't going to be through Phoebe's eyes. Sometimes the changing voice will either sound too much like the original or won't convey the feelings correctly. I'm so happy Waters changed the voice though. Karen's comes across completely different then Phoebe's. Her entire outlook and demeanor is original and outstanding, giving an entirely new perspective to zombies. Karen has always been different, even in the zombie world. She is the only suicide who ever came back 'to life'. In addition she moves quicker, smoother, she can even pass for alive and has a job at the mall. After the St. Jude 'massacre' of zombies she learns stranger things yet... she can heal her wounds. Unlike other zombies who retain any injuries they receive after life, a bullet tearing up her face is healed within a matter of days. What makes her so different? When you learn the truth, especially the last page you will be wondering in delight at what Waters has in store for his 'differently abled' persons. Pete is a large part of this book, at times you will feel so much hatred for him, while at other times you can see why he is twisted and almost want to save him. Karen begins dating him (he thinks she's alive of course) to gather evidence, because she knows... she knows he was the one wearing the Tak mask during the alleged murders. Things never go as planned. The undead kids are hiding at the bottom of the lake, the entire city is on the lookout for any zombies that don't have parental escorts, and of course no one undead is allowed back at school. Karen begins feeling more alive, yet we learn that alive and dead she is depressed. Waters explains depression amazingly and the reader will get a feel for what it's like to be in that 'blue haze'. We also learn more of the organization backing the foundation and just how long their fingers truly are. This book was my favorite in the series and again I wonder what Waters has in store for his zombie kids.... I really really want Takayuki to find... well something, be it peace, happiness or love.