**REVIEW** The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an “Inward Trek.” As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of “infects” shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate “Zombie Rules” almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back.
Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read—whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten—and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.

Release Date:  September 25, 2012

Published By:  Candlewick

Review Copy: Hardcover 384

(Copy was provided by the publisher)

Trailer

Review

  Okay so I did something I NEVER do before I write a review.  I went on 

Goodreads to see how this book was rated.  Not because I wanted to base my review on that because I don't star here on the blog, only once I reach there anyway.  I did this because I was positive that everyone else would be raving about it like I am.  They weren't.  They were average and all I could thing was WHY!  This book was so much fun and despite some horrible circumstances I was even laughing several times.  Maybe it's because I'm easier to please or the fact that I went into this looking to be amused instead of horrified...  I 

don't know the reason, all I know is that if there is a second book I AM IN!

  Th story starts with Nick/Nero.   Nero was kind of just your average guy.  Not popular or really anything special and he cares for his sister that has been diagnosed with Aspergers.   Though they really aren't sure what it is.  The medication they need  for her has to be paid for and Dude/Dad just isn't doing anything so Nick works.  Works at the chicken processing plant his Dad got let go from.  When he gets offered a better position with better pay he is all in.  Well until things go wrong he messes up big time and finds himself headed to Juvenal Camp.  Things kind of got worse from there and being a zombie novel you can probably understand why.

  Nick/Nero is really quite memorable.  Though he is nothing special his narration and thoughts on everything are  fun.  He's constantly thinking about girls...  Well a girl: Petal.  I mean he's a teenage boy what do you expect?!  He's lucky to get through the day without getting excited and he does point that little fact out.  The thing I liked most about him though was even when everything seemed doomed he thought of others.  Well his family and Petal.  Basically through all the gore, b.s and death he stayed focused.  Maybe a little freaked but still calmer than I ever would be I think.

  The supporting cast was interesting to say the least.  Some of you out there may have issues with their names.  Like War Pig, Mr. Bator (took me a couple times but I got it and laughed) but when it comes down to it once again these are teen boys.  Teen boys headed to a Juvenile camp where you get a new name, what do you expect?!  Fluffy names just won't cut it.  Though the guys could be border line vulgar at times I for the most part let it slide because of the circumstances.  Once the girls entered the scene things were a little less intense that way.  

   There is a unique type of humour throughout this book.  I think it's something you will either enjoy in a twisted way or hate because well it's just too much.  Being of the twisted type of humour myself  I was in the first group.  Like this does include the word tits every here and there but once again TEENAGE GUYS!   The fact that there was a super hot girl Swann in their presence didn't help.  Especially when she goes all back to nature on them.  For completely different reasons I may also have a really hard time looking at chicken the same way ever again.  

  This book was like a wonderful cross of Zombieland (which I LOVE) and some more serious zombie stories.  The way it came about is like a scary possibility.  You can only mess with what nature gave us so much before it all fights back right.  Mr. Beaudoin basically took everything enjoyable from zombies (the creep factor and the fun) and rolled it into one enjoyable read.  Pick this up if you enjoy  things a bit more twisted.

Quotes

Nick was ready for anything, feeling ridiculously suave in his antibacterial slippers and hairnet, sporting the same Guns N' Roses T-shirt for God knows how many shifts, Axl smelling even worse than he probably did in person.

She was also completely naked."Is not even possible," Yeltsin said.Blood washes over Swann artfully, like body paint."It is just me, or is she still mad hot?"

Finally an ancient raccoon hobbled from the scrub, the very last one.  It stopped, looked at the boys, and sighed as if about to offer a pearl of wisdom.They waited for it, even as Infect hands reached up, just feet away.The raccoon opened its mouth, pulled back its lips.And then lay on its side and died.Pretty good advice, actually.

"Save that frat routine for someone who gives a shit.  If you want to stay in our lodge, you need to learn the rules."