Review: Undead Much? by Stacey Jay

Title: Undead Much?
Author: Stacey Jay
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub. Date: 1/21/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Zombies, Supernatural, Love, Family, Action
Pages: 320
Plot (from Jay's website):
"Even Zombie Settlers with Super Hot Boyfriends get the Blues...

A few months ago I was a normal girl with a normal life. But that was before my power to Settle the Undead returned and someone tried to kill me with zombies.
Now I work magic and practice kicking butt while trying to find time for pom squad and my boyfriend, Ethan, and trying NOT to think about how freaky my life has become. It can be tough. Still…things could be worse…
Oh yeah, right:

•  Feral new super-strong zombies. Check.
•  Undead psychic hottie predicting a zombie apocolypse. Check.
•  Earth-shattering secrets that could land me in Settler prison for life. Check.
•  Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening the end of the half time as we know it. Check.

I’m going to need therapy (and a cookie) if I live through the week. Unfortunately I’m learning that’s not something Zombie Queens can take for granted."

I'm not sure that there are any zombie books out there that are quite like Stacey Jay's. I never really thought that zombies could be both fun and horrifying at the same time, but Jay somehow pulls it off! I also never thought I'd join the zombie craze, but I did - and it is definitely because of YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME and UNDEAD MUCH?!

UNDEAD MUCH is the sequel to the above mentioned novel, and you really do need to read the first installment to fully appreciated the second book, in my opinion. I think that, for the most part, readers will still be able to figure out what is going on, but they won't really connect with the characters as well or fully understand their motivations, thoughts, etc. I wouldn't have been nearly as torn about the "undead psychic hottie" and Megan if I hadn't read the first book, which developed Megan and Ethan's relationship.

As with YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME, this novel is full of zombies, action, and a hint of mystery. Jay balances Megan's normal everyday teenage life with that of supernatural zombie settler like it's a piece of cake, which makes her novels more appealing to those reluctant zombie novel readers, like me.

The romance in these books is really well written. I like that Jay leaves some tension between the characters. In the first novel it was almost unbearable - I wanted Ethan and Megan to be together so badly; they were just so fun to read. I was afraid, however, that the second novel wouldn't be quite as fun, but I was wrong. Jay mixed it up and she doesn't rush the characters into anything, which I really appreciate. Plus, it is kind of hard to have a relationship when you are fighting off undead that are out to kill you. Or so I imagine.

Ratings (out of 10):

Plot: 9

Characters: 10

Writing: 10

Romance: 10 (!)

Originality: 10

Total: 49/50 (A)

UNDEAD MUCH? was an amazing second novel to Megan's story and left me wanting MORE! Jay wrapped up the story, but left so many loose ends and I need to know what happens next. She succeeded in wrapping up the story while simultaneously leaving the reader with questions about just about every aspect of Megan's life. I highly recommend both of Jay's novels, but be warned: once you start, you won't want to stop. Then you can come sit with me and wait the unbearably long months to read what happens next! :)