I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer

Title: I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It
Author: Adam Selzer
Pages: 192
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2010

Algonquin “Ali” Rhodes, the high school newspaper’s music critic, meets an intriguing singer, Doug, while reviewing a gig. He’s a weird-looking guy—goth, but he seems sincere about it, like maybe he was into it back before it was cool. She introduces herself after the set, asking if he lives in Cornersville, and he replies, in his slow, quiet murmur, “Well, I don’t really live there, exactly. . . .”

When Ali and Doug start dating, Ali is falling so hard she doesn’t notice a few odd signs: he never changes clothes, his head is a funny shape, and he says practically nothing out loud. Finally Marie, the school paper’s fashion editor, points out the obvious: Doug isn’t just a really sincere goth. He’s a zombie. Horrified that her feelings could have allowed her to overlook such a flaw, Ali breaks up with Doug, but learns that zombies are awfully hard to get rid of—at the same time she learns that vampires, a group as tightly-knit as the mafia, don’t think much of music critics who make fun of vampires in reviews. . . .

Ali Rhodes, aka Ali the Ice Queen of the Vicious Circle, is a heart-breaker. Where do you think she got her title? She has a reputation to keep up. But all that becomes insignificant once she hears the first note sung by Doug. They have so much in common...in terms of music. But in terms of, say, humanity? Not so much. Ali's human and Doug's a zombie. Ali didn't know that at first and when she finds out, she's shocked. But breaking up with Doug is the least of her problems. There's also Will, her semi-stalker vampire who wants to make her a vamp as well. What will she decide? The alluring life of a vampire? Or her 'true' love's not-so-pleasant zombie life?

I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It is a funny, witty, and charming read. Ali is a smart, blunt, and witty protagonist that hates stereotypical, dependent girls like *cough* Bella with a passion. Through her hilarious narrative, Ali explores themes of love, loss, commitment, and friendship with a light and straightforward prose. Selzer integrates real-life issues into the world of paranormal parody so smoothly and at the same time, makes readers laugh out loud.

The relationship between Ali and Doug is actually very dissimilar to that of the usual YA couples. Here, it's as real as it can get; with no exaggerations and clichés of personality. In I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It, Selzer actually emphasizes the flaws of the characters which not only makes them more empathetic, but also more interesting to read about.

Written with an addictive, funny prose, I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It is a fun, crazy, parody. And in irony to that, it has deep messages that interconnect with our lives today. It's a whole blend of comedy, cleverness, and paranormal! I read I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It and I liked it (hehe...get it?)! B =)

The Bottom Line: Paranormal + Hilarious Comedy = Me snorting with laughter!

---Report Card---
Originality: 8/10
Ending: 3/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Theme: 9/10
Imagery: 8/10
Setting: 4/5
Voice: 4/5
Style: 4/5
Tone: 4/5
Cover: 9/10
Total Score: 79/100 (B)