Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Alice in Zombieland Tour Stop

 Xpresso Reads à la zombie today! YEAH!! I'm stoked to have Gena over for the Alice in Zombieland tour. She gives us tips on how to survive the zombocalypse, and you can win your very own copy of this pretty! First, let's have a look at my review!


Alice in Zombieland
Gena Showalter
Publication date: September 25th 2012
by Harlequin Teen

 
She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….
*A copy was provided by Harlequin Teen for review purposes*

OFF WITH HER HEAD!!

Alice in Wonderland with zombies? Not so much. Creative zombie ghosts lore (… you heard me. Zombie. Ghosts) with great humor and charming characters? Definitely!

Despite the title, Alice in Zombieland really has nothing much to do with Alice in Wonderland. There may be some scattered references, but it's really a unique story all on its own. While some may be disappointed, I wasn't terribly familiar with the specifics of the classic tale, so I found myself having a lot of fun with this non-retelling. Really, all I need are zombies. Wouldn't every fairy tale be much more interesting with zombies? I think so! :D

Charming, this book absolutely is! Which is funny to say for a zombie book. Alice leads this story with a tough, head held high attitude; she's feisty with a great sense of humor that I got a kick out of. Then we have her friend Kat who really completes the show. Spunky, wild, and lots of fun, Kat is a fabulous girl who I came to adore. She has a very attractive confidence and qualities that everyone would want in a best friend. Plus, she has secrets of her own that add depth to the story. And of course, we have boys; most prominently - Cole. The leader of the bad boys, Cole is sexy and fierce with a mysterious agenda of his own, and Alice hopes she won't regret putting her trust into him. His irksome attitude towards Ali motivates some pretty humoristic dialogue/banter between them; their opinions tend to clash more than harmonize. Let's just say, the tension between them is just as adorable as it is frustrating. While the romance isn't my favorite aspect of this novel--the constant back and forth between them can get a little exasperating--they do have great chemistry to work with.

Set at the perfect pace, the plot is centers around these zombies that are not your run of the mill zombies, these exist in the spirit world. While I love the traditional zombie, and at first I wasn't sure how I would enjoy this bizarre re-imagining, it's simply too creative to not have me fascinated by it all. I was a little confused with the specifics, however: Who can see them and who they can hurt exactly, is not made very clear. But we still have time to get into these details. Zombies: meet the Hazmats, a villainous company looking to experiment on your rotted ghost person! And their intentions? Duh duh duuuuuh! The Hazmats add a great mysterious edge to the plot which also opens up intriguing possibilities for its sequel. All of this adds up to a refreshingly unique little paranormal romance.

There is humor, there are zombies, there are witty characters, even the chapter titles are hilarious! What else do you need? Oh, and the sequel is called "Through the Zombie Glass". Win? Yes! Yes it does!


4 Hot Espressos

Guest Post by Gena Showalter
How to survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Quick and easy bullet points: study, pray and fight!

Need more?

First, hook up with the right team.  Every warrior needs back up, someone to watch their blind spots. And make sure you’re both stocked with the ingredients for Bloodlines.  If you don’t know what to buy… ouch!  (it’s a top secret recipe, so getting a shopping list is gonna prove difficult.  So, really, this might be the prefect time to start studying.) Also, weapons are just as important. You’ll need daggers, crossbows, halogen lights, zombie toxin antidote, and courage.  <-- yep, what you feel matters, since zombies have a taste for certain emotions.

On the nights you hunt, make sure to kill every zombie you see.  If you don’t, they’ll catch your scent and come after you. (This is definitely the perfect time to start praying.)  Remember that zombies feel no emotions or pain and they see you only as an all night dinner buffet. Fight with all your strength, trust your deepest instincts, and never back down.

If you do all of that, you’ll have this thing in the bag—along with a few zombie heads.

I'm all set, Gena! *sees zombie* ... *screams and runs away hysterically* >.<
Thanks so much for having me on your tour, and most of all - HAPPY RELEASE DAY! *throws confetti*

Gena Showalter sold her first book at the age of 27 and now, four years later, is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirteen books, with eleven more on the way in a thrilling blend of genres: breathtaking paranormal and contemporary romances, cutting edge young adult novels, and stunning urban fantasy. Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, MTV, Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated in French, Italian and Korean. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”.

This post is a part of:
(Click on banner for full tour schedule)

Giveaway 1
Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Kismet Book Touring, there is one one Hardcover copy of Alice in Zombieland up for grabs
 
Open to US & Canadian addresses
Giveaway ends October 9th, 2012
Use the Rafflecopter below to enter
Giveaway 2 - Grand Prize
The blog tour grand prize includes:
- One brand new Kindle Paperwhite with the gorgeous Alice in Zombieland Cover Art signed and personalized to the winner by Gena Showalter!
- One personalized signed copy of Alice in Zombieland!


Look for the White Rabbit Contest
Each Day, the white Rabbit will appear on one blog and stay there for 48hrs. Once you have found the Rabbit, click on it and you will be directed to a Rafflecopter entry form for the Grand Prize Giveaway! To enter, you must answer the daily question found at the Tour Stop!

Where could the Rabbit appear? On all Tour Hosts and, The White Rabbit Chronicles Website, Gena Showalter's Facebook, and HarlequinTEEN Facebook


Xpresso Reads' “Look for the White Rabbit” Question:
If you could only pick ONE item from the Zombie survival kit, what would be your MUST HAVE?


122 comments:

  1. Yay, so glad you loved it! I enjoyed it but since reading it, I've started to reconsider my rating. Despite that, I'm still looking forward to the sequel.

    Despite the title, Alice in Zombieland really has nothing much to do with Alice in Wonderland. - Yes! Talk about misleading! I still liked it, even if I do feel that they tried to pass this off as something it wasn't - An Alice in Zombieland retelling with zombies! Yeah, not so much.. - I let that slide as I was having too much fun to notice.

    As always, awesomesauce review! ♥

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  2. This book looks absolutely gorgeous!! I may have to buy it *just* to have it on my shelf!

    Great review, Giselle! This sounds like a super fun read!

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  3. Thanks for the awesome review Giselle : I'm now officialy dying to read this book because I've only read very positive reviews on it so far !!
    I've never read a zombie book and Alice in Zombieland sounds like a great one to start with :). I wish I could enter these giveaways because they are awesome : but thanks anyway for the oppotunity !! ;)

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  4. This book sounds really awesome!! Definitely one I am going to have to get. Besides the fact that it has zombies, I love the cover. And Dude zombie ghosts?!! Total win! Fab review chicky!

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  5. I'm interested in reading about the differences with these zombies...I do love a good zombie-related book :)

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  6. I can't wait to read this! I've been looking forward to it since I heard about it! :)

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  7. Every story can use some zombies indeed, haha. I love fairytales, so everything that has to do with it - even if it's just a tiny tiny bit - is great to me! :D I love the sound of the characters; feisty, spunky and great sense of humor; I like it.

    Haha, the zombie guide was fun. Being international sucks.

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  8. Added it to my wish list. Thanks for the rec.

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  9. This blog tour has been so much fun!! I have loved every single day of it!! I can't wait to read this book! I think its going to be awesome!!!

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  10. ***entered as Rachelle***

    Zombies! ACK! I so totally need this book!

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  11. Nice review! Gives me hope that I'll enjoy this book as much as you did!

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  12. Awesome! This book truly sounds awesome!! Definitely want to read it one day!

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  13. Can I just say how much I am LOVING this blog tour/ giveaway? Very ingenious!!

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  14. I can't wait for the second book! I enjoyed your review. :D

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  15. This book looks great! I'm an Alice in Wonderland fan - as well as zombies. Can't wait to read it :D

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  16. I am ABSOLUTELY dying to read this!! I am a lifelong Alice Fan - Anything Alice I devour!! And even though it really has nothing to do with the Alice story? (Which GRR! That sucks!) I'm still super exited for this!

    As always - fabulous review!

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  17. I adore anything Alice so I can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  18. I love Gena's books and not a fan of zombie books but I'm sure to make an exception for this one!

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  19. Awesome interview, Can't wait to read it!

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  20. YAY!!!! I have such high hopes for this read. It sounds like EXACTLY my kind of read.

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  21. Oooo!! I'm glad you liked it! This has been on my to read list for quite some time!

    Great review indeed!

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  22. Yay. I am glad that everyone is in love with this. I cannot wait to read it.

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  23. I wasn't sure about the zombie aspect but I got someone to describe it better and now I'm really wanting to read it. Especially since the characters sound awesome!

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  24. How to survive a zombie apocolypse!

    "You’ll need
    daggers-*check-have aton *evil laugh*!!,
    crossbows-*illegal in my state boo- will have to break the law for this one
    halogen lights- *as in flashlights? dude, I'm gonna need batteries, too!
    zombie toxin antidote-*need recipe-need recipe *screams* !!!
    courage -Yes, have a ton! Bring those suckers on!!!

    Love it! Can't wait to read this!!
    Great review and guest post!!!!

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  25. This sounds absolutely awesome! I love the idea of re-imagined zombies in the spirit sense. The title had me intrigued, the description even more so!

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  26. That cover is beyond gorgeous! I've been real up in the air about picking this up or not though.. It's received oddly mixed reviews but yours makes me really want to pick it up but what's this about not having much to do with Wonderland? That's a tad bit disappointing, but I suppose if I know that going in I'm less likely to be disappointed. :)

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  27. Looks like a great read!
    I'm gonna answer the question even though I haven't seen the white rabbit... I just think it's a cool question...
    I would take a baseball bat. You may not kill a zombie with it, but you will stun them long enough to run like hell!

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  28. I really liked this one too and can't wait for the next book. Oh and Cole is just perfect!

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  29. Wow! Great review! Fantastical! :D So psyched for this book! Haha. :D

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  30. I am really disappointed it isn't very related to Alice and that the zombies aren't your typical kind, but I do hope to enjoy it anyway. I love Gena's work, so here's hoping! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  31. Love love the zombie survival guide! Although Gena should have mentioned to have a hot zombie slaying guy who works out to be on your team (Cole ;)) Hehe :3 <3 I can't wait to get my copy and read!! <3

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  32. I love your review, and it's one of the first reviews I've read that really makes me want to read this one despite not really wanting to. I'm glad it's not like Alice in Wonderland, as that's one of my favorite stories (and I do love some of the retellings of it.)

    Great review, Giselle! I may have to pick up a copy of this one. ^____^

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  33. I cannot wait to read this book. It sounds amazing, the cover is gorgeous, and I love the idea. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  34. I'm so happy that today is finally the day! Can't wait to read!

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  35. I'm not sure I would be a big fan of this one. I mean why name it Alice In Zombieland and have a girl on the cover who looks like Alice.. who looks like maybe she is in a rabbit hole.. and then fill it with a story that really has nothing to do with the title. Very deceiving! Happy you enjoyed it so much!

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  36. I would choose courage from the Zombie survival kit, that would be the ultimate survival tool. Although a crossbow would be cool. Who cares about the title it's a Gena Showalter book!

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  37. I'm beginning to think I should've picked this book up the other day! It sounds so good! Great review Giselle.

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  38. I forgot my White Rabbit answer! Oh no!

    While I'd like to say that I would choose courage as my one item from the survival kit, I'm just not sure I would have it in me. I mean, if I see a zombie I'm probably going to freak out so I'm going to go with a crossbow. I think it would come in rather handy when the time came. haha

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  39. This sounds amaaazingg!!! Alice in wonderland, but not so much like it? and on top of that, FUNNY/=!! awesome!! Great review babe!!
    - Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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  40. Thanks for the great review and giveaway! I can't wait to read this one! Looks very interesting! Love the cover too!

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  41. I can't wait to read this one! I love zombie books and I haven't read too many charming ones.

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  42. Yay yay yay! So excited to read this book! Happy release day! I've heard it's not based off of Alice in Wonderland despite the title... ah well. Thanks for the post and giveaway!

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  43. thanks for the post, I really can't wait to receive my copy to see how it is!

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  44. Yay! I'm glad you liked it too, Giselle! Even though it barely had anything to do with Alice in Wonderland, I ended up enjoying this a lot. If nothing else, it was fun and light. :) Brilliant review girlie!

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  45. Cannot wait to read this take on Alice in Wonderland. I really liked the Looking Glass Wars.

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  46. Great review! This tour just keeps getting better and better. Love the book and so excited to start reading it.

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  47. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm super excited to read this one.

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  48. This sounds really good! Thanks for hosting to cool giveaway!

    If I could have one item for zombie survival, I would want a crowbar. :) Guns run out of bullets.

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  49. I've heard from many bloggers that it's not what it sounds like. Nevertheless, i still think it sounds amazing. And the next book title is definitely a win! Thanks for sharing! :)

    Sangita @ Whisper of Reads.

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  50. I am on a zombie kick and cannot wait to read this!

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  51. I was going to read the book once I saw zombie in the title, reviews just clinch it for me!
    seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

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  52. I so want this book sounds amazing

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  53. I so want this book sounds amazing

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  54. This tour has been so much fun~ thank you for the chance to win a copy of this lovely book!

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  55. OMG! This book looks so good!
    Alice + Kat sure sounds like fun! And, Cole sounds like quite the interesting guy! Can't wait to get my hands on this book!

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  56. Thanks for the review! This sounds like an awesomely original concept. Can't wait to read it!

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  57. Great review, Giselle! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, zombie ghosts are definitely original! I saw some mixed reviews, though, so I was pretty hesitant if I should buy this once it's out, but thanks for giving me more to think about. :)

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  58. I am glad you enjoyed this. I've read one other review and it wasn't really favorable...different strokes for different folks of course. I'm definitely curious. It sounds quite fun.

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  59. I was hoping this one would be a BIT more like the classic tale, but it's Gena Showalter AND most everyone is loving it. I already bought a copy. :)


    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  60. I've been waiting for this book! Happy Release Day!!!

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  61. I'm going with weapons such as the crossbow and maybe some throwing knives. I'm all about keeping the distance. I might even make myself a Mac Halo like Mac did in KMM Fever series. How cool would that be?

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  62. Congrats on the book! It sounds good.

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  63. Looking forward to reading it, sounds great.

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  64. If I could pick only one, I believe courage would be the one. With it comes strength, and the willpower to survive. Along the way, I can pick up anything I can use to aide me in killing the zombies.

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  65. Ok i really cant wait now!!! I hope i can win one of the books, its the only way i can read it right now!

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  66. I cannot wait to read this paranormal retelling of Alice in wonderland with Alice as a Zombie Hunter. This book sounds fun, unique, and entertaining! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!

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  67. It feels like I've been waiting forever to read this book! I love Zombies and I love Gena's work. I'm glad to be hearing lots of great things about it!!

    Love the review, awesome giveaway!!

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  68. Ooh, fighting zombies does not look fun! Reading about them, yes, fighting... not so much. :P Can't wait for this book!

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  69. I am glad you liked it! I was looking forward to this one and didn't want to be disappointed!

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  70. this looks like an awesome book! definitely need to get my hands on it!
    Katie @ Inkk

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  71. I love Gena and am thrilled this new series is getting such great reviews! I'm really looking forward to reading it!

    Thanks so much!

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  72. This book sounds like it's so much fun! I really thought it was a zombie retelling of Alice in Wonderland, but to hear that it's not actually intrigues me more! I don't read very many zombie books, but I really do like the ones that I have. I think I should check this out!

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  73. I am so very very excited for this book, before the tour I was only mildly excited and now I am in got to have this book mode!

    White Rabbit Question Answer: If I could only have 1 item in my zombie survival kit it would be a gun. Preferably one with a never ending amount of bullets.

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  74. Have to get a copy of this soon. So glad you liked it :)

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  75. Just finished this last night it was amazing and I can't wait to get s shiny finished copy :)

    -Jaime

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  76. OMG GISELLE I HAVEN'T TALKED TO YOU IN FOREVER! *stares down pile of homework* But awesome review as always! It's really interesting that this isn't based off the fairytale, but knowing you, zombies are definitely something that will turn up a book! :D And that spin on zombies also sounds really confusing but at the same time creative, like you said :) Glad you liked this!

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  77. I want to read this so badly! Huge fan of Gena's, and that cover is gorgeous! So glad you liked the book :)

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  78. :D This book looks so awesome!!!

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  79. Ha--I loved the moment of Yoda-speak. I really want to read this book! It's been on my list for ages and I do so adore Gena.

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  80. I've never read any of Gena Showalter's books!! This book looks amazing! :)

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  81. I love zombie-related stories c:
    One item for a Zombie survival kit? Does it have to be real? If not, a time-traveling device, so I can go back in time and grab whatever I need (food, ammunition etc.) before popping back and fighting off the undead.

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  82. If I only had one item to choose from Zombie survival kit, I would definitely choose the zombie toxin antidote.

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  83. Great review! I'm really looking forward to reading this. I love Gena's work!
    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Alice in Zombieland. :)

    Pam

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  84. loved your review. i have to get my hands on this book!!!

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  85. I really enjoyed AoZ too! There were quite a few references to 'Wonderland' but they were really hard to pick up while reading.
    Great review, I can't wait to get a beautiful finished copy for my shelf :)

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  86. This is so awesome! Can't wait to read the book and thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  87. This sounds so good!!! And I LOVE the cover!

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  88. Wow thanks for this giveaway, I can't wait to be able to read this one! I LOVE Gena Showalter!

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  89. I haven't read many zombie books so I'm excited for a chance to win this one!

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  90. Can't wait to read this one. Especially love the cover!

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  91. I don't usually like books about zombies, but this one looks cool.

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  92. Thanks for the chance to win! :D

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  93. I love the bookcover. I can't wait to read the book.

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  94. Im very excited to read this book. Thanks for the great giveaway

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  95. Wonderful post! hahaha Gena's How to survive the Zombie Apocalypse reminds me of her Dating The Undead book! Epic! This book sounds like such a fun and amazing read! Thank you for the chance to win it! :D
    DeAnna Schultz

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  96. This sounds so friggen awesome! xD Although I am disappointed this isn't a gory Alice in Wonderland retelling with zombies. Great post Giselle! ^__^

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  97. I love the cover and this sounds like such an ammazing read. Love Gena Showalter!

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  98. Fabulous giveaway! been anticipating this one for a while!! Bad boys, zombies, and feisty heroines... mmmm can't wait to read it!

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  99. Thank you so much for the giveaway :)

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  100. i'm currently reading alice in zombieland right now and i have to agree - it is charming! (:

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  101. I LOVE this blog tour!! It's so darn cute! I'm definitely reading it... and you're review was awesome Giselle!

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  102. thanks for the giveaway.i am really looking forward to this one.

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  103. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Yes, the title is totally misleading but it looks like fun and if there's a little bit of zombies in the story, I'll be happy. =)

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  104. So glad you liked it, I am dying to read it, I have not come across a negative review yet! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  105. Book looks great! thanks :D

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  106. Can't wait to read this one. I love the cover and it's a different take on the zombie genre than what I've previously read.

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  107. Can't wait to read this one. LOVE twists on classic stories. Plus this has a *gorgeous* cover :-)

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  108. Really wanting to read this one.

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  109. Zombies + Gena Showalter = A Must-Read

    I mean, seriously, I love her YA books :)

    A Sprinkle of Books

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  110. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  111. Thank you so much for the great review and the chance to win!

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  112. I cannot wait to read this one! I held a copy at B&N and totally almost broke down amd bought it despite the tight budget ;]

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  113. Thank you for the giveaway!!!!

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  114. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!! This one looks so good and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy :)

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  115. I so want to know what a charming zombie book is like! This sounds like a lot of fun and more about that than being a serious zombie book. I'm game! :)

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  116. Thanks for the chance at this awesome giveaway and such amazing prizes!!

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  117. I've wanted to read this book for ages!...well, more like 4 months but who's counting?...I think the cover is gorgeous!

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  118. Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway. I can't wait to be able to read Alice In Zombieland.

    - Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment

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