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Kate Grable #1
Bad Taste in Boys
Someone's been a very bad zombie...
Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies.
No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human.
Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies.
No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human.
201 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2011
About the author
Carrie Harris
49 books341 followersCarrie Harris is a geek-of-all-trades and proud of it. Brains are her specialty; she used to work at a lab where they were delivered daily via FedEx. After that, it seemed only natural to write a zombie book. Now she lives in Utah with her ninja-doctor husband and three zombie-obsessed children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 517 reviews
October 27, 2011
I wrote it. If I didn't like it, there would be something wrong with me!
Okay, so there IS something wrong with me. A few things, even. Like I'm obsessed with Richard Simmons and I tend to do zombie impressions at inappropriate moments, but the not-liking-my-own-book thing is just going too far.
Okay, so there IS something wrong with me. A few things, even. Like I'm obsessed with Richard Simmons and I tend to do zombie impressions at inappropriate moments, but the not-liking-my-own-book thing is just going too far.
August 1, 2011
I’m at a loss on how to rate this book. It’s really in a league of its own. I was tempted to give five stars, but I just couldn’t do that out of respect for Feed, The Reapers Are the Angels, Raw Blue and other books that blew me away and changed me forever. But in all (un)seriousness: this book is five star material and it’s absolutely hilarious!
You know those comedies that don’t make the least bit of sense? The ones you watch fully aware that they are stupid, and yet you can’t help laughing your ass off? That’s sort of how this is. The story has more holes than Swiss cheese, so if you’re looking for a serious YA zombie novel, you definitely won’t find it here. In fact, this book should come with a warning on the front cover: Abandon logic all ye who enter here! But the characters were adorable and they made me laugh out loud on almost every page. That alone made it worth reading.
Kate Grable is a science geek and the student trainer. She tends to minor injuries and hands out Gatorade to the players. Her job would be a lot easier if she wasn’t taking care of the worst football team in existence. She also has to watch her crush, Aaron, get beaten every single time he plays.
They hit Aaron really hard; I heard the whoosh! his lungs made when all the air was forced out. I wanted to beat the heck out of the JV guys for that, except I wouldn’t know what to do in a fist fight without a manual.
Kate soon discovers that the desperate Coach has been giving illegal shots to some of his players and that those same players are turning into zombies. She has to use all her knowledge and available weapons to prevent her brother, Aaron and her friends from becoming zombies as well.
The next time you need a few hours of pure fun, read this book! I promise you won’t be sorry.
You know those comedies that don’t make the least bit of sense? The ones you watch fully aware that they are stupid, and yet you can’t help laughing your ass off? That’s sort of how this is. The story has more holes than Swiss cheese, so if you’re looking for a serious YA zombie novel, you definitely won’t find it here. In fact, this book should come with a warning on the front cover: Abandon logic all ye who enter here! But the characters were adorable and they made me laugh out loud on almost every page. That alone made it worth reading.
Kate Grable is a science geek and the student trainer. She tends to minor injuries and hands out Gatorade to the players. Her job would be a lot easier if she wasn’t taking care of the worst football team in existence. She also has to watch her crush, Aaron, get beaten every single time he plays.
They hit Aaron really hard; I heard the whoosh! his lungs made when all the air was forced out. I wanted to beat the heck out of the JV guys for that, except I wouldn’t know what to do in a fist fight without a manual.
Kate soon discovers that the desperate Coach has been giving illegal shots to some of his players and that those same players are turning into zombies. She has to use all her knowledge and available weapons to prevent her brother, Aaron and her friends from becoming zombies as well.
The next time you need a few hours of pure fun, read this book! I promise you won’t be sorry.
November 19, 2011
It is really disconcerting when I hate a book everyone loved. I don't look forward to writing these kinds of reviews (most of the time.) It especially pains me because Harris lives in Michigan, and I know she's been inside the book store I used to work at. To be honest though, the writing was juvenile and amateurish, and the plot was even more ridiculous than I thought a zombie story had any right to be.
At 200 pages, this short novel seems like it was written with middle-school children in mind than seniors in high school. Some of the subject matter would be iffy for a younger teen, but it's actually not especially graphic. The main character talks about "hooking up" with a boy, some body parts get torn or bitten off, and just about everyone pukes at least once. There is lots and lots of puking. None of this was especially surprising though, it is a zombie book, after all.
I thought this was supposed to be funny, but I didn't even smirk once while reading this. I love zombie movies and I enjoy dark humor, but this book couldn't have fallen flatter for me. The plot is steeped in so much pseudo-science that even though I'm practically a layman, the way the main character figures out a cure for the zombie virus really made me cringe. The "science" is appalling.
How about some young adult fiction clichés? Here's a handful for you:
1. Nerd girl with bad hair and no boobs lusts after the popular boy
2. Bratty younger brother is bratty
3. All parents are non-existent for the majority of the book
4. Nerd girl constantly remarks on how much prettier her friends are, how much of an awkward dork she is, and constantly berates herself for being smart
5.
6.
Points go to all of the Polish last names, "pop" instead of "soda," and the beautiful cover. Everything else was a waste of time and I don't recommend this book at all.
At 200 pages, this short novel seems like it was written with middle-school children in mind than seniors in high school. Some of the subject matter would be iffy for a younger teen, but it's actually not especially graphic. The main character talks about "hooking up" with a boy, some body parts get torn or bitten off, and just about everyone pukes at least once. There is lots and lots of puking. None of this was especially surprising though, it is a zombie book, after all.
I thought this was supposed to be funny, but I didn't even smirk once while reading this. I love zombie movies and I enjoy dark humor, but this book couldn't have fallen flatter for me. The plot is steeped in so much pseudo-science that even though I'm practically a layman, the way the main character figures out a cure for the zombie virus really made me cringe. The "science" is appalling.
How about some young adult fiction clichés? Here's a handful for you:
1. Nerd girl with bad hair and no boobs lusts after the popular boy
2. Bratty younger brother is bratty
3. All parents are non-existent for the majority of the book
4. Nerd girl constantly remarks on how much prettier her friends are, how much of an awkward dork she is, and constantly berates herself for being smart
5.
6.
Points go to all of the Polish last names, "pop" instead of "soda," and the beautiful cover. Everything else was a waste of time and I don't recommend this book at all.
June 30, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I love zombie books
What I thought
Kate starts to realize something is wrong with some of the football players at her school and is determined to find out what. This was amusing read with relatable characters and a great premise and ofcourse zombies. It was a fast paced and entertaining and altogether fun. I recommend it to anybody who likes zombies.
Why this book?
I love zombie books
What I thought
Kate starts to realize something is wrong with some of the football players at her school and is determined to find out what. This was amusing read with relatable characters and a great premise and ofcourse zombies. It was a fast paced and entertaining and altogether fun. I recommend it to anybody who likes zombies.
July 28, 2011
FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cute, entertaining, fast paced fun from start to finish! This book was a blast to read!
Oh and the cover is even more gorgeous when you see it up close!
Cute, entertaining, fast paced fun from start to finish! This book was a blast to read!
Oh and the cover is even more gorgeous when you see it up close!
March 23, 2017
Reposting an Old Review
So, what I liked about the book:
its cover is beautiful and related to the story-many beautiful covers have no connection to the story these days.
the story began and ended perfectly and I had no trouble getting into it.
it was the right length and a very fast read for me.
humor was done just right.
the balance between science and the paranormal elements was good.
What I did not like:
the female lead seemed to be head over heels in love with the coolest guy in school-how many more times is this going to be done?
the virus/infection was spreading in the school and none of the adults seemed to notice-didn't buy it.
All that being said, I can't wait to try the next book in the series because the author has a really fun way of writing a story.
So, what I liked about the book:
its cover is beautiful and related to the story-many beautiful covers have no connection to the story these days.
the story began and ended perfectly and I had no trouble getting into it.
it was the right length and a very fast read for me.
humor was done just right.
the balance between science and the paranormal elements was good.
What I did not like:
the female lead seemed to be head over heels in love with the coolest guy in school-how many more times is this going to be done?
the virus/infection was spreading in the school and none of the adults seemed to notice-didn't buy it.
All that being said, I can't wait to try the next book in the series because the author has a really fun way of writing a story.
August 24, 2011
"That puke was the most wonderful thing I'd ever seen. It was green and a little red. Technicolor, really, the color puke is supposed to be. It definitely wasn't black, and it didn't smell like toasty poop. This was a good sign."
I breezed through this book in one day. And let me tell you: I had an awfully good time, although I was very relieved that my commuter train compartment did not emanate the penetrating stink of stale sweat, geasy hair, beer and hamburgers gone bad like it usually does at rush hour in late August. I might have not been able to reign in my activated imagination otherwise and would have stared down the nose-offending passengers with a zombie-alert x-ray-expression disorting my face.
"Bad Taste in Boys" combines a wacky, deliciously hilarious story about "the world's worst football team" getting infected with a vampire virus instead of getting enhanced muscle-power thanks to being injected with the untested "Playwell" fluid and the female, geeky student coach assistent who saves the small town from being digested by them with a cute, wobbly-footed romance reminiscent of earlier Cabot books. A definite plus is the relationship between heroine Kate and her fifteen-year-old brother Jonah, a scifi-nerd who has recently joined the cheerleading team in order to impress a girl:
"Jonah squealed, jumping up and down and shaking his pom-poms. His skirt swished around his scrawny yellow knees. 'Jonah, can I give you a piece of sisterly advice?' 'Yeah' 'If you ever want to lose your virginity, don't do that again. Ever.' He dropped the pom-poms. It wasn't much of an improvement."
The best, however, is all that fun-dipped, unaffected goryness and the way aspiring future doctor Kate relates her experiences with gnawed-on ankles, ripped-off feet and black-putrid goo drizzling on the homecoming pancake grill. It felt like a trip down memory lane back to those times when a friend and I tried to outdo each other with nauseating stories from the make-belief "sanatorium" we both were stuck as the patients "Rrroberto and Alberrtina". (If you are shocked don't ask what other games I used to invent).
Since I had started with a quote, I will close with one as well:
"'Excuse me if I feel skeptical,' I said. 'Coach's foot fell off. How exactly do you propose to cure that? Superglue?'"
I breezed through this book in one day. And let me tell you: I had an awfully good time, although I was very relieved that my commuter train compartment did not emanate the penetrating stink of stale sweat, geasy hair, beer and hamburgers gone bad like it usually does at rush hour in late August. I might have not been able to reign in my activated imagination otherwise and would have stared down the nose-offending passengers with a zombie-alert x-ray-expression disorting my face.
"Bad Taste in Boys" combines a wacky, deliciously hilarious story about "the world's worst football team" getting infected with a vampire virus instead of getting enhanced muscle-power thanks to being injected with the untested "Playwell" fluid and the female, geeky student coach assistent who saves the small town from being digested by them with a cute, wobbly-footed romance reminiscent of earlier Cabot books. A definite plus is the relationship between heroine Kate and her fifteen-year-old brother Jonah, a scifi-nerd who has recently joined the cheerleading team in order to impress a girl:
"Jonah squealed, jumping up and down and shaking his pom-poms. His skirt swished around his scrawny yellow knees. 'Jonah, can I give you a piece of sisterly advice?' 'Yeah' 'If you ever want to lose your virginity, don't do that again. Ever.' He dropped the pom-poms. It wasn't much of an improvement."
The best, however, is all that fun-dipped, unaffected goryness and the way aspiring future doctor Kate relates her experiences with gnawed-on ankles, ripped-off feet and black-putrid goo drizzling on the homecoming pancake grill. It felt like a trip down memory lane back to those times when a friend and I tried to outdo each other with nauseating stories from the make-belief "sanatorium" we both were stuck as the patients "Rrroberto and Alberrtina". (If you are shocked don't ask what other games I used to invent).
Since I had started with a quote, I will close with one as well:
"'Excuse me if I feel skeptical,' I said. 'Coach's foot fell off. How exactly do you propose to cure that? Superglue?'"
November 19, 2017
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
RANT REVIEW: https://t.co/RrZo00KsA5
Kate Grable is the student therapist for her high school's football team. She discovers that the Coach has been injecting his players with an unknown substance that is turning them all into zombies. She decides to take matters into her own hands to stop the spread of the virus before its too late.
I really did not enjoy this book.... It seemed to me like the top contestant for the most cliches/tropes possible in a single book. Obviously we needed to include the nerdy, scientist girl who no one notices but desperately wants the popular boy to notice her... And who can forget the super popular jock who just so happens to be beautiful AND nice who falls for the nerdy girl because of her brains NOT her looks. It was annoying how Kate spent most of the book bashing herself for being nerdy, like girl come on, embrace your brain, be proud that you're smart! The way Kate spent most of her time fawning over Aaron was also incredibly annoying... One second he had no idea who she was then the next they're making out on the floor of the coach's office....? The whole plot line made absolutely no sense, which I'm assuming was the point? But it just seemed like there were too many holes in the story that really bothered me. I was hoping for a cool zombie book but was met with a teenage wannabe scientist who drools over the football star and thats about it. Zombies were mentioned about three times in the book and it was so anticlimactic, I'm very disappointed...
The most redeeming part of this book was how fast I flew through it. It only took me about 2 and a half hours to read. It was funny at times and entertaining for the most part, but generally not my style of writing. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it when I was younger.
RANT REVIEW: https://t.co/RrZo00KsA5
Kate Grable is the student therapist for her high school's football team. She discovers that the Coach has been injecting his players with an unknown substance that is turning them all into zombies. She decides to take matters into her own hands to stop the spread of the virus before its too late.
I really did not enjoy this book.... It seemed to me like the top contestant for the most cliches/tropes possible in a single book. Obviously we needed to include the nerdy, scientist girl who no one notices but desperately wants the popular boy to notice her... And who can forget the super popular jock who just so happens to be beautiful AND nice who falls for the nerdy girl because of her brains NOT her looks. It was annoying how Kate spent most of the book bashing herself for being nerdy, like girl come on, embrace your brain, be proud that you're smart! The way Kate spent most of her time fawning over Aaron was also incredibly annoying... One second he had no idea who she was then the next they're making out on the floor of the coach's office....? The whole plot line made absolutely no sense, which I'm assuming was the point? But it just seemed like there were too many holes in the story that really bothered me. I was hoping for a cool zombie book but was met with a teenage wannabe scientist who drools over the football star and thats about it. Zombies were mentioned about three times in the book and it was so anticlimactic, I'm very disappointed...
The most redeeming part of this book was how fast I flew through it. It only took me about 2 and a half hours to read. It was funny at times and entertaining for the most part, but generally not my style of writing. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it when I was younger.
August 9, 2011
Well, that was just plain stupid fun. It would make a great horror-comedy of the B-movie persuasion, like a lighter, teen-ier version of Cabin Fever or Return of the Living Dead Part II, but much wittier and with better characters and a happier ending (and no nudity). Plus, you can read it in two, three hours. Yes, the entire story is ridiculous and has more holes than the movie Holes, but that's part of the fun. And Kate, the super-zombie-killing-science-nerd, is an appealing, self-depreciating narrator, confident and brave in the face of dismembered limbs and black zombie vomit and doing cell cultures to find a cure, but spazzing out every page over her crush, Aaron. My favorite Kate quotation: "I might not have been great with the romance thing, but no one was going to outscience me. Especially when there was a hot boy at stake." Kate is why this gets four stars.
I don't get the cover, though. It's undeniably eye-catching (I'm not sure I want to be seen with it in public, because close-ups of sugary-coated lips? will get weird looks from people.) but it makes the book look darker than it is. I mean, this is definitely more on the light side of black comedy; it's gory but silly and campy. This is not a book that takes itself seriously, but the cover doesn't show that. Also -- I don't see how the image relates to the plot. Then again, the title doesn't make sense either, really (Aaron is a doll, so it seems she has good taste in boys), so whatever. Now I'm just overthinking it and being too literal. I'm just saying, it doesn't scream horror-comedy. It screams gritty drug-addiction, co-dependent relationship book, to me. But perhaps that's just me.
Lovers of fast-paced, gory, minimally-plotted zombie comedies, take note!
I don't get the cover, though. It's undeniably eye-catching (I'm not sure I want to be seen with it in public, because close-ups of sugary-coated lips? will get weird looks from people.) but it makes the book look darker than it is. I mean, this is definitely more on the light side of black comedy; it's gory but silly and campy. This is not a book that takes itself seriously, but the cover doesn't show that. Also -- I don't see how the image relates to the plot. Then again, the title doesn't make sense either, really (Aaron is a doll, so it seems she has good taste in boys), so whatever. Now I'm just overthinking it and being too literal. I'm just saying, it doesn't scream horror-comedy. It screams gritty drug-addiction, co-dependent relationship book, to me. But perhaps that's just me.
Lovers of fast-paced, gory, minimally-plotted zombie comedies, take note!
November 15, 2015
I can’t remember the last time that a book made me laugh till I cried and made me feel like if I didn't stop reading right this second I just might wet myself. I think I timed this read at the perfect moment. I’m stuck at home on Friday night working from home… fortunately work is slow so all I have to do is sit here and… sit here. So I decide I’m going to start ‘Bad Taste for Boys’. My Friday night did a 180° to the point where I’m actually enjoying ‘working’ from home right now. :D
Keep in mind, this book is meant to be funny… there is no seriousness involved, there is no world building, there are zombies, and NUMEROUS hysterical lines that had me dying to share them with someone.
Kate Grable is the student trainer for her school’s football team. When Kate finds unmarked vials in the Coach’s office she immediately thinks he’s giving illegal steroids to the players in order to try and recover their losing season. Later that night at a party with her classmates, Mike, a football player, collapses and appears to be dead. As Kate examines him prior to the EMT’s arriving she finds a bruise on his arm that looks suspiciously like an injection site. Thinking that he’s dead and fearing the worst she’s scared out of her mind when Mike suddenly jumps up from the ground and proceeds to grab her butt. When she regains her senses and takes a good look at Mike there’s something about him… something’s different and she doesn’t know what. That’s when he kisses her suddenly... and takes a chunk of her lip!
Being gnawed on had pushed me over the edge. Mike had always been a tool, but not the kind of tool who bit people when he had the munchies.
It’s all up to Kate and a few of her friends to find the antidote in time to prevent the entire town from becoming mindless flesh-eating zombies!
This book is highly recommended for anyone in dire need of a good giggle. :D
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
Keep in mind, this book is meant to be funny… there is no seriousness involved, there is no world building, there are zombies, and NUMEROUS hysterical lines that had me dying to share them with someone.
Kate Grable is the student trainer for her school’s football team. When Kate finds unmarked vials in the Coach’s office she immediately thinks he’s giving illegal steroids to the players in order to try and recover their losing season. Later that night at a party with her classmates, Mike, a football player, collapses and appears to be dead. As Kate examines him prior to the EMT’s arriving she finds a bruise on his arm that looks suspiciously like an injection site. Thinking that he’s dead and fearing the worst she’s scared out of her mind when Mike suddenly jumps up from the ground and proceeds to grab her butt. When she regains her senses and takes a good look at Mike there’s something about him… something’s different and she doesn’t know what. That’s when he kisses her suddenly... and takes a chunk of her lip!
Being gnawed on had pushed me over the edge. Mike had always been a tool, but not the kind of tool who bit people when he had the munchies.
It’s all up to Kate and a few of her friends to find the antidote in time to prevent the entire town from becoming mindless flesh-eating zombies!
This book is highly recommended for anyone in dire need of a good giggle. :D
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
May 10, 2012
“Four stars: A zany and entertaining zombie book.
Katie is a high school science geek whose main goal is to get into a premed program. She is the student medical adviser for the school's horrific football team. Honestly, their team is epically bad and they need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, for Katie and the team, the coach decides to pluck help from a seedy source. After another miserable loss, Katie finds a used syringe in the Coach's office. Later, Coach asks her to administer shots to the team, he tells her the unmarked syringes are Vitamin B 12. Katie, however, does not believe him and refuses. At a bonfire party following the game, Mike, the Neanderthal football player, lumbers up to her car as she parks and barfs horrible black puke all over the hood. This is just the beginning of the bad that is to come. Turns out, Coach went ahead and injected the boys himself with the mystery syringes. Now the players are showing strange symptoms, and acting erratic, kind of like zombies. Katie races to stop the virus before it spreads, but will she find a cure before one of those bad boys munches on her?
What I Liked:
*I enjoyed this book because it was a light, witty and entertaining foray into the zombie genre. It is without all the dripping gore and horror that you expect in a typical zombie book. If you are looking for a novel with shambling brain munching monsters, this isn't for you. If you want an off the wall zany read then give this a try.
*I adored the heroine, Katie. Sure, she is a geek and suffers from seizures but she takes it all in stride and becomes an unlikely zombie avenger. I loved that she is smart, snarky and all around funny. She doesn't really suffer from low self esteem, either which is nice to see in a nerdy brainiac character. I especially loved her witty dialogue. Seriously, the girl comes up with some funny lines.
*I loved Katie's geeky little brother, Jonah. He is a total nerd. He and Katie have a fun relationship, I really loved how they look out for each other. He is just adorable.
*The romance in this book is really cute. Katie has been crushing on a certain boy for a long time and then when he suddenly looks her way, well it is just fun. I won't say much more to avoid spoilers, but this is one of those charming little romances that will make you smile.
*I liked that the zombie element was toned down and that this was more of a slapstick read. This is a book that will definitely appeal to younger teens and even tweens as it is not dark or gory. It does have some zombie munching scenes and dropping of limbs but it is not over the top gross. I am certain that the humor would definitely appeal to the younger set as well. I could see this being made into PG movie.
And The Not So Much:
*If you are looking to find a book with a complex plot and intellectual storyline, this is not your read. The plot moves rapidly and at times is somewhat predictable, the resolution is a bit hasty, there are holes in the story, and the entire premise is completely improbable, but the humor makes up for the flaws.
*I actually wanted more of the zombies. Their presence overall is a bit limited and mainly focuses on Mike. I wish they were a bit more fleshed out (bad pun intended).
*The resolution to the zombie problem occurs very quickly and seems too easy. I would like perhaps a bit more development and further explanation on how exactly the cure works.
Bad Taste in Boys, is just a quick, funny and entertaining read. If you are in a bit of a reading funk and you want something a bit off the wall, give this book a read. The zombie factor is not overly gross or horrific so it can be enjoyed by younger readers. Katie is a smart and endearing heroine, one you will like. I am excited that Katie will be returning, for what I am sure will be another hilarious adventure, this fall in Bad Hair Day.
Favorite Quotations:
"She was puffy-faced and blotchy, like she'd been crying for the last sixty hours or so over her son's butt."
"I swung into the driveway and sprinted into our house. I'd run more that night than I had in my life. My gym teacher would have been so proud."
"The last thing I wanted was to sit down next to the lip chomper, but I couldn't come up with a good excuse not to."
"The fan was much more interesting than I was, or maybe he was sleeping with his eyes open. Id'd have said he was dead, but I was not going to make that mistake again. He was just being a tool, and it was ticking me off."
"Instead of AP Latin, I should have taken Talking to Boys Without Stammering."
"I didn't want to tell her it was the scent of fried hand."
"It amazed me how a stream of steaming water and some strawberry-scented shampoo could soothe the soul of the zombie-plagued."
"The missing foot wasn't going to suddenly come to life and stomp my family to death, right? That kind of thing only happened in horror films, in which case I would have been a lot blonder and more buxom."
"I had horrific mental images of zombie lunch ladies. Our lunch ladies were kind of scary to begin with. But zombie lunch ladies? Almost as scary as clowns."
"Dude1" said one of them. They were all taking pictures of the bugs with their cell phones and punching each other on the shoulders. Just another moment when I realized how little I understood guys."
"I jumped back and held my hands up like I knew karate. I didn't, but the zombies didn't know that."
"I stumbled into a clearing. In the springtime, it was probably the kind of place you'd like to hang out with sparkly vampires. But it was slightly less attractive in the rain. The blurry zombies didn't help much either."
Posted @ http://rainydayramblings.typepad.com/ Stop by for a hilarious guest post from author, Carrie Harris.
Katie is a high school science geek whose main goal is to get into a premed program. She is the student medical adviser for the school's horrific football team. Honestly, their team is epically bad and they need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, for Katie and the team, the coach decides to pluck help from a seedy source. After another miserable loss, Katie finds a used syringe in the Coach's office. Later, Coach asks her to administer shots to the team, he tells her the unmarked syringes are Vitamin B 12. Katie, however, does not believe him and refuses. At a bonfire party following the game, Mike, the Neanderthal football player, lumbers up to her car as she parks and barfs horrible black puke all over the hood. This is just the beginning of the bad that is to come. Turns out, Coach went ahead and injected the boys himself with the mystery syringes. Now the players are showing strange symptoms, and acting erratic, kind of like zombies. Katie races to stop the virus before it spreads, but will she find a cure before one of those bad boys munches on her?
What I Liked:
*I enjoyed this book because it was a light, witty and entertaining foray into the zombie genre. It is without all the dripping gore and horror that you expect in a typical zombie book. If you are looking for a novel with shambling brain munching monsters, this isn't for you. If you want an off the wall zany read then give this a try.
*I adored the heroine, Katie. Sure, she is a geek and suffers from seizures but she takes it all in stride and becomes an unlikely zombie avenger. I loved that she is smart, snarky and all around funny. She doesn't really suffer from low self esteem, either which is nice to see in a nerdy brainiac character. I especially loved her witty dialogue. Seriously, the girl comes up with some funny lines.
*I loved Katie's geeky little brother, Jonah. He is a total nerd. He and Katie have a fun relationship, I really loved how they look out for each other. He is just adorable.
*The romance in this book is really cute. Katie has been crushing on a certain boy for a long time and then when he suddenly looks her way, well it is just fun. I won't say much more to avoid spoilers, but this is one of those charming little romances that will make you smile.
*I liked that the zombie element was toned down and that this was more of a slapstick read. This is a book that will definitely appeal to younger teens and even tweens as it is not dark or gory. It does have some zombie munching scenes and dropping of limbs but it is not over the top gross. I am certain that the humor would definitely appeal to the younger set as well. I could see this being made into PG movie.
And The Not So Much:
*If you are looking to find a book with a complex plot and intellectual storyline, this is not your read. The plot moves rapidly and at times is somewhat predictable, the resolution is a bit hasty, there are holes in the story, and the entire premise is completely improbable, but the humor makes up for the flaws.
*I actually wanted more of the zombies. Their presence overall is a bit limited and mainly focuses on Mike. I wish they were a bit more fleshed out (bad pun intended).
*The resolution to the zombie problem occurs very quickly and seems too easy. I would like perhaps a bit more development and further explanation on how exactly the cure works.
Bad Taste in Boys, is just a quick, funny and entertaining read. If you are in a bit of a reading funk and you want something a bit off the wall, give this book a read. The zombie factor is not overly gross or horrific so it can be enjoyed by younger readers. Katie is a smart and endearing heroine, one you will like. I am excited that Katie will be returning, for what I am sure will be another hilarious adventure, this fall in Bad Hair Day.
Favorite Quotations:
"She was puffy-faced and blotchy, like she'd been crying for the last sixty hours or so over her son's butt."
"I swung into the driveway and sprinted into our house. I'd run more that night than I had in my life. My gym teacher would have been so proud."
"The last thing I wanted was to sit down next to the lip chomper, but I couldn't come up with a good excuse not to."
"The fan was much more interesting than I was, or maybe he was sleeping with his eyes open. Id'd have said he was dead, but I was not going to make that mistake again. He was just being a tool, and it was ticking me off."
"Instead of AP Latin, I should have taken Talking to Boys Without Stammering."
"I didn't want to tell her it was the scent of fried hand."
"It amazed me how a stream of steaming water and some strawberry-scented shampoo could soothe the soul of the zombie-plagued."
"The missing foot wasn't going to suddenly come to life and stomp my family to death, right? That kind of thing only happened in horror films, in which case I would have been a lot blonder and more buxom."
"I had horrific mental images of zombie lunch ladies. Our lunch ladies were kind of scary to begin with. But zombie lunch ladies? Almost as scary as clowns."
"Dude1" said one of them. They were all taking pictures of the bugs with their cell phones and punching each other on the shoulders. Just another moment when I realized how little I understood guys."
"I jumped back and held my hands up like I knew karate. I didn't, but the zombies didn't know that."
"I stumbled into a clearing. In the springtime, it was probably the kind of place you'd like to hang out with sparkly vampires. But it was slightly less attractive in the rain. The blurry zombies didn't help much either."
Posted @ http://rainydayramblings.typepad.com/ Stop by for a hilarious guest post from author, Carrie Harris.
July 29, 2011
I was first intrigued by this book because of the cover. I thought it was creepy and eerie with the frost covered lips. I also have been trying to read more books about zombies lately since they seem to be the new rage in the book genre. Unfortunately, this book fell flat as a dead zombie for me.
Within the first chapter of this book, I could already tell that it was not going to be a book I would enjoy. The character is suppose to be in high school, yet her actions and personality of her friends made me feel like I was reading a book focused more on the younger teens. The writing, in my opinion, needing much more work to be considered a young adult genre book. I would classify this one to be more middle grade in writing style. I wasn't a fan of the main character, Kate, who was suppose to be smart but was naive most of the time. Now don't get me wrong! I didn't hate the book, but it is not a favorite of mine.
This is more of a fun and light read that you could easily finish in a day. I took it as a mindless read that you don't have to put much thought into the plot as you read it. You just go with the flow and try to enjoy the story line that the author created.
Within the first chapter of this book, I could already tell that it was not going to be a book I would enjoy. The character is suppose to be in high school, yet her actions and personality of her friends made me feel like I was reading a book focused more on the younger teens. The writing, in my opinion, needing much more work to be considered a young adult genre book. I would classify this one to be more middle grade in writing style. I wasn't a fan of the main character, Kate, who was suppose to be smart but was naive most of the time. Now don't get me wrong! I didn't hate the book, but it is not a favorite of mine.
This is more of a fun and light read that you could easily finish in a day. I took it as a mindless read that you don't have to put much thought into the plot as you read it. You just go with the flow and try to enjoy the story line that the author created.
August 1, 2023
Wtf am I doing
December 6, 2011
Bad Taste in Boys was kinda gross, kinda cute but it was also totally entertaining and ridiculously fun!
January 25, 2018
Such a fun read! Kate is smart, witty, an everything you want in a high school science genius/kick-butt zombie fighter!
June 18, 2010
Ag, this is a really great one. Like I said about A.M. Robinson's Vampire Crush, if more books were like it and Bad Taste in Boys, I wouldn't get so annoyed by paranormal's hold on the YA section.
Because, really. This is smart and funny with a heroine who could never be described as dull or passive or dim or in need of rescuing. I love me some Kate.
(read awhile ago, can't add to count, sadly!)
Because, really. This is smart and funny with a heroine who could never be described as dull or passive or dim or in need of rescuing. I love me some Kate.
(read awhile ago, can't add to count, sadly!)
July 16, 2011
"The noise came from the direction of the cafeteria, and I had horrific mental images of zombie lunch ladies. Our lunch ladies were kind of scary to begin with. But zombie lunch ladies? Almost as scary as clowns" -Kate Grable
You might have noticed by now that The Crazy Bookworm loves Zombie's about as much as they love brraaiinns. When I first heard about this novel, I was instantly excited to read it.
High school, romance AND Zombies? That is my kind of book, and Bad Taste in Boys gave me the fix I was looking for, with a a lot extra. I was almost positive that I was going to love this book just by hearing about it. The gorgeous cover, the unique premise, and the funny book trailer immediately sold me. But the book had so much more that I wasn't expecting. First off, the hilarious humour. I don't think there was one page that didn't make me laugh out loud or shake my head in amazement. Then the great characters. Kate was a perfect lead character. She was super funny, smart, and could kick butt when she needed too. Her little brother Jonah had a great sense of humour as well, and even though he wasn't the strong and brooding type, he did everything he did to protect his sister, which earned major brownie points with me!
This book was the perfect summer read. It was a light novel but a wild ride, sure to give you a very entertaining reading experience! Even if you are not a big fan of Zombie's this is still a great book for you. Bad Taste in Boys will have you devouring the book dying to know what the outcome will be.
You might have noticed by now that The Crazy Bookworm loves Zombie's about as much as they love brraaiinns. When I first heard about this novel, I was instantly excited to read it.
High school, romance AND Zombies? That is my kind of book, and Bad Taste in Boys gave me the fix I was looking for, with a a lot extra. I was almost positive that I was going to love this book just by hearing about it. The gorgeous cover, the unique premise, and the funny book trailer immediately sold me. But the book had so much more that I wasn't expecting. First off, the hilarious humour. I don't think there was one page that didn't make me laugh out loud or shake my head in amazement. Then the great characters. Kate was a perfect lead character. She was super funny, smart, and could kick butt when she needed too. Her little brother Jonah had a great sense of humour as well, and even though he wasn't the strong and brooding type, he did everything he did to protect his sister, which earned major brownie points with me!
This book was the perfect summer read. It was a light novel but a wild ride, sure to give you a very entertaining reading experience! Even if you are not a big fan of Zombie's this is still a great book for you. Bad Taste in Boys will have you devouring the book dying to know what the outcome will be.
July 28, 2011
3.75
Bad taste in Boys is mindless fun. It also marks the third book that I have read in a span of seven days where YA PNR has taken a comic twist. *See Durst's Drink, Slay, Love (vampires and unicorns) and Moore's Texas Gothic ( witches, some ghosts and cowbboys).* This one has Girl-genius single handedly attempting to save her highschool/her town from a zombie outbreak! If this is the new direction, please give me some more!
Again, mindless fun. Nevermind that a said girl with ziplock stash in her bag makes had me thinking scouts who are always prepared. Never mind that after her first personal encounter, she went on her day without a hitch. Never you mind, I say, because this was mindless fun... and hilarious! Then throw in some love fulfilled, and well, I don't think this could have gotten any better.
Things that got me laughing:
*She's is former 100% geek, but given her choice of friends, is now just fifty percent geek.
*She's got an awesome geek of a brother, complete with rubber elven ears and fake sword.
This was hilarious, mindless fun...even if it did get a bit gory with black spew, feet chomping and digit severing... and scalps falling off every so often.
Bad taste in Boys is mindless fun. It also marks the third book that I have read in a span of seven days where YA PNR has taken a comic twist. *See Durst's Drink, Slay, Love (vampires and unicorns) and Moore's Texas Gothic ( witches, some ghosts and cowbboys).* This one has Girl-genius single handedly attempting to save her highschool/her town from a zombie outbreak! If this is the new direction, please give me some more!
Again, mindless fun. Nevermind that a said girl with ziplock stash in her bag makes had me thinking scouts who are always prepared. Never mind that after her first personal encounter, she went on her day without a hitch. Never you mind, I say, because this was mindless fun... and hilarious! Then throw in some love fulfilled, and well, I don't think this could have gotten any better.
Things that got me laughing:
*She's is former 100% geek, but given her choice of friends, is now just fifty percent geek.
*She's got an awesome geek of a brother, complete with rubber elven ears and fake sword.
This was hilarious, mindless fun...even if it did get a bit gory with black spew, feet chomping and digit severing... and scalps falling off every so often.
September 12, 2011
I was considering 3.5 stars but the only reason I'd bump this down a half star would be because I read it on vacation, meaning I was pretty distracted (by people watching, frozen drinks and seriously underestimating my SPF protection level.) This gave me a Buffy the Vampire Slayer "monster of the week" episode feel. If you don't know me, I'll translate: it was awesome. The heroine isn't the (physically) kick butt Buffy type but she seriously ruled. Kate saves the day with SCIENCE and determination and heart. She's so smart, funny and definitely not your typical paranormal YA heroine. She uses her brain! She has friends! She is too busy collecting samples, examining cultures and kicking zombie butt to respond to your homecoming invite text, thankyouverymuch. Bravo.
April 3, 2015
If there is such a thing as cozy horror then this one is for you.Bad Taste in Boys is a funny read with moments of disgustingness. It's a good thing I was enjoying this one 'coz if not, I would have puked on it.
"Excuse me if I feel skeptical," I said. "Coach's foot fell off. How exactly do you propose to cure that? Superglue?"
**If you don't do a technical criticism to this book, you would actually enjoy it.
"Excuse me if I feel skeptical," I said. "Coach's foot fell off. How exactly do you propose to cure that? Superglue?"
**If you don't do a technical criticism to this book, you would actually enjoy it.
April 10, 2011
*Very annoying, Goodreads, that I typed up my review days ago and you choose not to save it*
Bad Taste in Boys was one of those books I was REALLY looking forward to. I had high hopes for it. I mean, look at that cover! Not to say that great books and great covers are always hand in hand, but the cover of this novel has to go down in my top favourite covers of ALL TIME. Seriously. Once I saw that cover, I had to know what the book was about. It just sealed me needing to read it even more. Zombies? Awesome!!
Except the book wasn't due out for months. I was sad. I emailed Carrie to talk to her and gush about how excited I was for the release, and she was so sweet. She said my gushing made her day! Even though she'd made mine just by answering my email.
Anyway, not long after that I landed myself an ARC of the book. I was nervous/excited to see the book in my hand. What if I read it and didn't like it? What if it was a huge let down? I never usually allow myself to get excited about books.
But I started reading and...
I really, really enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected, but that was okay because what it actually was, was very enjoyable and entertaining. A light read to brighten up a dull journey to and from work.
The book follows self confessed nerd, Kate, as she crushes on a hot football player and tries to build up her college application by helping out the football team with medical problems. She accepts that she is not the prettiest of girls, but still manages to find happiness in herself. Those types of girls, I think, are the best kind for young ladies to read about.
I hoped this book would take a more serious approach to a virus turning people into zombies. And, wow, were there some sickening and gorey scenes!! Scenes, I loved, by the way. But the tone of the book was very light and humourous. Kate and her brother run over their zombie coach, and neither of them are remarkably freaked out by it. Or the severed foot they end up taking home.
But, in a weird way, this added to the likeability of Kate and the story itself. I think maybe if it were more serious, the readers would probably be a lot more freaked out at this book. There would be implications that would have to be addressed otherwise. And that would just take the book into a place it doesn't need to be.
There was a hot love interest, and while the romance between Kate and him wasn't sizzling, it was sweet and very realistic of your first high school love. All the supporting characters were well developed too. I especially liked Kate's younger brother. It was refreshing to see such a normal sibling relationship that wasn't the sole plot point of the book.
All in all, I really did enjoy this book. The zombie virus was gross, but so, so cool and the characters were realistically done and very entertaining to read about. I would recommend to zombie lovers who aren't afraid of a little gore, and who like light reads.
Bad Taste in Boys was one of those books I was REALLY looking forward to. I had high hopes for it. I mean, look at that cover! Not to say that great books and great covers are always hand in hand, but the cover of this novel has to go down in my top favourite covers of ALL TIME. Seriously. Once I saw that cover, I had to know what the book was about. It just sealed me needing to read it even more. Zombies? Awesome!!
Except the book wasn't due out for months. I was sad. I emailed Carrie to talk to her and gush about how excited I was for the release, and she was so sweet. She said my gushing made her day! Even though she'd made mine just by answering my email.
Anyway, not long after that I landed myself an ARC of the book. I was nervous/excited to see the book in my hand. What if I read it and didn't like it? What if it was a huge let down? I never usually allow myself to get excited about books.
But I started reading and...
I really, really enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected, but that was okay because what it actually was, was very enjoyable and entertaining. A light read to brighten up a dull journey to and from work.
The book follows self confessed nerd, Kate, as she crushes on a hot football player and tries to build up her college application by helping out the football team with medical problems. She accepts that she is not the prettiest of girls, but still manages to find happiness in herself. Those types of girls, I think, are the best kind for young ladies to read about.
I hoped this book would take a more serious approach to a virus turning people into zombies. And, wow, were there some sickening and gorey scenes!! Scenes, I loved, by the way. But the tone of the book was very light and humourous. Kate and her brother run over their zombie coach, and neither of them are remarkably freaked out by it. Or the severed foot they end up taking home.
But, in a weird way, this added to the likeability of Kate and the story itself. I think maybe if it were more serious, the readers would probably be a lot more freaked out at this book. There would be implications that would have to be addressed otherwise. And that would just take the book into a place it doesn't need to be.
There was a hot love interest, and while the romance between Kate and him wasn't sizzling, it was sweet and very realistic of your first high school love. All the supporting characters were well developed too. I especially liked Kate's younger brother. It was refreshing to see such a normal sibling relationship that wasn't the sole plot point of the book.
All in all, I really did enjoy this book. The zombie virus was gross, but so, so cool and the characters were realistically done and very entertaining to read about. I would recommend to zombie lovers who aren't afraid of a little gore, and who like light reads.
May 14, 2012
Kate Grable is the student trainer for her school football team and while the team sucks she is enjoying every minute of playing the doctor and staring at the team's quaterback, Aaron. But one day the team's coach decided that he needs to boost up the team by injecting them with steroids. Only the steroids are not working the way the should instead of making the palyers stronger and faster they are making them dead, or better yet undead. Now there are zombies walking the corridors of the school and Kate is the only one who can put all the pieces together and figure out the cure before someone she loves turns up undead too.
I really liked this book. From page 1 utnil the very end there is not a boring moment. Kate is a very smart heroine, ready to take action to proctect her friends and family. I really enjoyed being in her geeky head. All the other characters were very likeable, I especially liked her little brother, he is every thing I would expect a little brother to be.
This book is a fast, hilarious read. It lucks a little bit in the sence of something that speaks deep in your soul. There is no trying to figure out yourself or life or your place in life theme, which is usually the case with YA books. But it was very refreshing and I can't wait to get the one to spent more time with Kate and her gang.
I really liked this book. From page 1 utnil the very end there is not a boring moment. Kate is a very smart heroine, ready to take action to proctect her friends and family. I really enjoyed being in her geeky head. All the other characters were very likeable, I especially liked her little brother, he is every thing I would expect a little brother to be.
This book is a fast, hilarious read. It lucks a little bit in the sence of something that speaks deep in your soul. There is no trying to figure out yourself or life or your place in life theme, which is usually the case with YA books. But it was very refreshing and I can't wait to get the one to spent more time with Kate and her gang.
Read
March 25, 2011Carrie Harris' Bad Taste in Boys is only the second zombie book I've read. Zombies kind of gross me out, so I haven't really imersed myself into the zombie world. But when I read the description for this, I knew I had to read it and I would just have to face my zombie fear, haha.
Boy, am I glad I read it.
Despite the dark and rather serious-looking cover, the book is quite hilarious. Ms. Harris has given Kate a great voice, one that had me smiling and laughing like a fool. Kate's thoughts and reactions are believable, and help readers relate to and like her. In regards to the writing, the descriptions are spot-on, not over-the-top, and are quick, yet effective. The dialogue is smooth and the conversations between Kate and Aaron is never cheesy.
All in all, I thoroughly loved Bad Taste in Boys! There are Lady Gaga and Twilight references, which made me smile even more, and I truly hope Ms. Harris revisits these characters again with a new story. She is an author to watch and she has written a fun, quirky, zombie-tastic story that many will eat up. Pun fully intended.
Boy, am I glad I read it.
Despite the dark and rather serious-looking cover, the book is quite hilarious. Ms. Harris has given Kate a great voice, one that had me smiling and laughing like a fool. Kate's thoughts and reactions are believable, and help readers relate to and like her. In regards to the writing, the descriptions are spot-on, not over-the-top, and are quick, yet effective. The dialogue is smooth and the conversations between Kate and Aaron is never cheesy.
All in all, I thoroughly loved Bad Taste in Boys! There are Lady Gaga and Twilight references, which made me smile even more, and I truly hope Ms. Harris revisits these characters again with a new story. She is an author to watch and she has written a fun, quirky, zombie-tastic story that many will eat up. Pun fully intended.
July 31, 2011
I knew that Carrie Harris was signing books at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor the other day. I couldn't make it to the signing, but since I was going there in the days following it, I decided to pick up a copy of her book while I was there. It was signed "Brains! Carrie Harris," and that should tell you a great deal about this book.
I'm not a huge fan of the zombie movement. I don't tend to find them all that fun, and I think they tend to make better zombie movies than books. However, this one was wonderful. Carrie Harris' snarky narration had me laughing at loud and sharing jokes with my husband. He finally told me to stop because he might want to read the book.
The only reason I gave this four stars rather than five is because it seemed to be aimed at a potentially younger YA audience. It was short, and I sped through it in a matter of hours. I would have loved to have something a bit more meaty, that would have taken me a bit longer to chew.
I'm not a huge fan of the zombie movement. I don't tend to find them all that fun, and I think they tend to make better zombie movies than books. However, this one was wonderful. Carrie Harris' snarky narration had me laughing at loud and sharing jokes with my husband. He finally told me to stop because he might want to read the book.
The only reason I gave this four stars rather than five is because it seemed to be aimed at a potentially younger YA audience. It was short, and I sped through it in a matter of hours. I would have loved to have something a bit more meaty, that would have taken me a bit longer to chew.
August 28, 2011
Street Corner TBR Challenge
August pick #5 per Flannery
This was not what I expected. Looking at the cover, I thought this would be more deep, like Wintergirls or something. I sure wasn't expecting a zombie fest! Am I dissapointed? A little, but the story was fun nonetheless.
The Quick Version:
This was the quirky tale of Kate, the science geek; A virus that spread through a steriod like injection that turns the town into "zombies". It was her story of figuring this virus out, of saving the town.
Even though it it sciency (i know that's not a word), it is extremely fiction based. I don't know how accurate a lot of the science in the book is....
3 stars and a I <3 nerds t'shirt!
August pick #5 per Flannery
This was not what I expected. Looking at the cover, I thought this would be more deep, like Wintergirls or something. I sure wasn't expecting a zombie fest! Am I dissapointed? A little, but the story was fun nonetheless.
The Quick Version:
This was the quirky tale of Kate, the science geek; A virus that spread through a steriod like injection that turns the town into "zombies". It was her story of figuring this virus out, of saving the town.
Even though it it sciency (i know that's not a word), it is extremely fiction based. I don't know how accurate a lot of the science in the book is....
3 stars and a I <3 nerds t'shirt!
March 26, 2011
3.5 out of 5 rating
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking that it read like one of those teeny-bopper horror movies. Which sounds bad, but the thing is, I LIKE those teeny bopper movies!
Kate is a butt-kicking character with good morals--I liked that! And I liked the fact that she had such strong goals for her future and didn't question who she was and what she liked. And the secondary characters were good too (Rocky, Kiki, Jonah, Aaron) but I would have liked to know more about them.
I don't really have too much to say other than it was a light, quick read with a horror theme. Definitely a fun story.
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking that it read like one of those teeny-bopper horror movies. Which sounds bad, but the thing is, I LIKE those teeny bopper movies!
Kate is a butt-kicking character with good morals--I liked that! And I liked the fact that she had such strong goals for her future and didn't question who she was and what she liked. And the secondary characters were good too (Rocky, Kiki, Jonah, Aaron) but I would have liked to know more about them.
I don't really have too much to say other than it was a light, quick read with a horror theme. Definitely a fun story.
April 23, 2012
It's a campy zombie-comedy. If you know that going into it, then you will probably enjoy the book.
There are pretty massive plot holes, and none of the characters are very fleshed-out, but the story is still fun in a silly sort of way.
It's also pretty short, which may explain some of the above mentioned problems.
Bottom line: I wouldn't mind reading something by this author again.
There are pretty massive plot holes, and none of the characters are very fleshed-out, but the story is still fun in a silly sort of way.
It's also pretty short, which may explain some of the above mentioned problems.
Bottom line: I wouldn't mind reading something by this author again.
November 11, 2014
This book was really funny. It would have been totally gory and scary if the main character weren't such a hoot. She was purely and adorably NERD and you just HAVE to love her. So fun.
May 19, 2015
I’m sure I’m not the first person to say this, but I never thought I’d like a zombie book, let alone love one. Zombies simply aren’t my thing. When I bought Zombies vs. Unicorns I already knew I was Team Unicorn. I adored unicorn books when I was growing up. Zombies just gross me out. But then I heard about Bad Taste in Boys and read a ton of positive reviews. Plus, Carrie is signed up to be interviewed by my students so I wanted to get the book for them to read. I gave it a shot and loved every minute of it!
Are the zombies in this book gross? Yes, but I was still laughing even though body parts were falling off and guys were puking some seriously stinky stuff. Carrie has written a hilarious cast of characters that kept me laughing even as Kate was carrying around a man’s foot. Her dorky brother, Jonah was one of my favorite characters. He reminded me of my brother because even though he’s younger, he still looks out for Kate. He becomes a bigger part of the story once the zombie mayhem really picks up, and he had me giggling in all of his scenes. The “sword” from the game he plays with his friends cracked me up–plastic pipe and duct tape. Such a protective brother :)
Kate has become another favorite of mine as well. I love how geeky she is! She’s a science whiz, very witty, and awkward around guys, but she really holds her own. She’s worried about her guys (the football players) and wants to make sure they’re not being harmed when she discovers the unmarked vials in Coach’s office. She puts her knowledge to work and tries to keep everyone safe and from becoming a zombie. The fact that she’s pretty rational when she discovers what’s going on is really impressive. I’ve been hearing quite a bit of grumbling about female characters in paranormal YA being too wimpy. This is simply not the case with Kate Grable. She can kick zombie butt, uncover a mystery, and get a guy’s attention all at the same time without being the “damsel in distress.”
When I bought Bad Taste in Boys I was excited to find out that it isn’t a 400+ page door-stopper. I don’t have anything against long books, but it’s refreshing to read one that isn’t. Carrie Harris did a fantastic job pacing this story. Nothing felt rushed or like information was missing. It’s a fun, campy, well-written story. The characters and humor were by far my favorite things about the book.
I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library this fall. I know I’m going to earn some major brownie points when I tell my students that I loved a zombie book and that I think they should read it too.
Are the zombies in this book gross? Yes, but I was still laughing even though body parts were falling off and guys were puking some seriously stinky stuff. Carrie has written a hilarious cast of characters that kept me laughing even as Kate was carrying around a man’s foot. Her dorky brother, Jonah was one of my favorite characters. He reminded me of my brother because even though he’s younger, he still looks out for Kate. He becomes a bigger part of the story once the zombie mayhem really picks up, and he had me giggling in all of his scenes. The “sword” from the game he plays with his friends cracked me up–plastic pipe and duct tape. Such a protective brother :)
Kate has become another favorite of mine as well. I love how geeky she is! She’s a science whiz, very witty, and awkward around guys, but she really holds her own. She’s worried about her guys (the football players) and wants to make sure they’re not being harmed when she discovers the unmarked vials in Coach’s office. She puts her knowledge to work and tries to keep everyone safe and from becoming a zombie. The fact that she’s pretty rational when she discovers what’s going on is really impressive. I’ve been hearing quite a bit of grumbling about female characters in paranormal YA being too wimpy. This is simply not the case with Kate Grable. She can kick zombie butt, uncover a mystery, and get a guy’s attention all at the same time without being the “damsel in distress.”
When I bought Bad Taste in Boys I was excited to find out that it isn’t a 400+ page door-stopper. I don’t have anything against long books, but it’s refreshing to read one that isn’t. Carrie Harris did a fantastic job pacing this story. Nothing felt rushed or like information was missing. It’s a fun, campy, well-written story. The characters and humor were by far my favorite things about the book.
I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library this fall. I know I’m going to earn some major brownie points when I tell my students that I loved a zombie book and that I think they should read it too.
April 7, 2012
This book was filled with action, but it was like watching a bad horror movie. I know Harris was aiming for a fun read, but it was actually really ridiculous. Getting shot in the butt. Attacking his sister with a toy sword. Being in the middle of a crisis and kissing. Going through her underwear drawer. The dog dragging around a leg? And what's next - vampire virus? It was like Harris tried TOO hard to make the book bizarre.
And I know this wasn't meant to be a difficult book, but the whole concept kind of lacked in explanation other than mice testing and the football team and military needing a booster. And the cure was a little TOO convenient - it just had to be something commonly used by the one person who's trying to solve the problem.
Eh, can't really say I really cared for this one.
And I know this wasn't meant to be a difficult book, but the whole concept kind of lacked in explanation other than mice testing and the football team and military needing a booster. And the cure was a little TOO convenient - it just had to be something commonly used by the one person who's trying to solve the problem.
Eh, can't really say I really cared for this one.
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