Celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is back from the dead, and hungrier than ever for a good time. With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy gay sidekick Gil, this stone cold fox is dressed to kill, on the prowl, and ready to take a big juicy bite out of Seattle’s supernatural nightlife. But what’s a zombie chick to do when her ‘Mommie Dearest’ gets sick? If you’re Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch – or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it. Amanda’s not thrilled about the idea of crossing three states just to be criticized. But Wendy, who’s always looking for fresh meat, is up for the adventure. And Gil, who just launched his ‘luxury’ resurrection business, needs to disappear because a pissed-off client is out for his blood. First, they pack their stiletto pumps and plasma into a skeevy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winnebago. Then, with a little help from a Korean-ghost hood ornament, a masochist named Fishhook, and a slew of ‘moderately accurate’ psychics, they hit the highway – their way. Of course, they’ll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop (who could pass for an underwear model) and an unsightly horde of supermarket shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning.
Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry (Amanda Feral #2)
Urban Fantasy
March 1, 2009
Paperback, 288 Pages
Kensington
Reviewed by Mandi
In Mark Henry’s second Amanda Feral book, we find the gang needing to get out of town. First, Gil, Amanda’s vampire pal has decided to start his own business, Luxury Resurrections. What better way to make some money than to turn people into vampires? He offers a premium service, unfortunately his first client, Richard Markham gets urinated on by a ghost as he rises from his grave, which wasn’t really included in the million dollar price tag. Markham is pissed and as Gil, Amanda and Wendy flee the scene, he promises revenge.
Concurrently, Amanda’s mom is on hospice dying from cancer. This actually makes Amanda very happy. She hates her mom – like, really, really hates her. She had an awful childhood because of her and could care less her mom is ready to kick the bucket. Gil thinks maybe Amanda needs closure, and with an enraged Markam on their tails, they decide to go on a road trip! A road trip is not necessarily the flashy, high profile life that Amanda prefers, but as she says, “country folk have cute country flavors.”
During the road trip, we meet several new people. First, we are introduced to Fishhooks, a man that is suppose to be Amanda’s dinner, but was smart enough to swallow several fish hooks, that of course no zombie will go near now. He mumbles, is usually high, and is really well hung.
Mr. Kim’s, or Kimmy is back, (kimmy is the ghost from the first book), and we are introduced to his sister who desperately wants to find a way to see him again. We meet a family that is just too perfect to be real – and have twins that may like to make-out with each other. There are also werewolves and zombie attacks, and the cute cop from the first book is back and Amanda can not resist.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is better than the first book in my opinion. The pace is fast throughout and Mark Henry again delivers a book that will have you laughing nonstop. I can’t express how funny his books are. It’s the combination of humor and shock value that make these books so entertaining. For as funny and snarky as the first book is, I really think it is a challenge to write a second book on that level, and he makes it happen.
We get a lot of glimpses into Amanda’s life in this one as she contemplates why she hates her mother so much and how she turned into the person (or zombie) she is today. We even see a bit (just a little) of humanity in her as she copes with a Wendy who is down in the dumps and Kimmy’s sister who wishes to see her dead brother in his ghost form. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda is still a bitch – but she cares for Gil and Wendy and they make a great trio. Wendy is battling an addiction to Twix bars, which she tries to hide from the gang, but with chocolate smears on her face and the runs coming out the other end, it is a problem that all her friends know about. I actually wish we had more with Gil this time, he seemed to be left behind.
We do get more with Scott, the police officer from the first book that comes to Amanda’s aide. He is a fun character and gives a something to Amanda that makes her undead heart a little more smutty, if that is possible. I could sit here and type out a dozen or more quotes that had me laughing out loud, but it is better if you read it for yourself. You need to get into Amanda’s snarky, sharp-witted mind and go along for the ride.
Road Trip of the Living Dead is fun, fast-paced and different than any other urban fantasy series out there. I am really impressed with this series and can’t say enough how entertaining it is.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recent Reviews:
Kindle Vixen – 4.5/5
Alexia’s Books and Such – 3/5
Sci Fi Guy – Highly recommends
Mark Henry’s Website.
Book Chick City says
I have just bought the first book in the series "to help save Amanda Feral" LOL, and after reading such good reviews I thought it was about time I read it. Glad to see that the second doesn't disappoint and actually gets better. Looking forward to reading it :)
Cecile says
Isn't it great when the second book to follow is greater than the first. In all respect they are awesome books… but you want them to get better and better! I am glad to see that with this series!
Great review hon!
Hope all is well!
A Buckeye Girl Reads says
This looks like a cute series! I must add it to my wish list-which I fear is getting longer by the minute. Loved the review!
Kindle Vixen says
Great review!
I actually cackled at Scott!
I agreed with you about Gil tho, I missed him a bit in this one!
Blodeuedd says
Alright, alright, I'll put this on my wish-list ;)
Mark says
Thanks for the great review. Glad you dug it!
jacabur1 says
Mandi you did good sharing this review at a time when we are in dire need of something fun to read all the "Save Amanda Feral" groupies salute you! I am waiting on my copy of "Happy Hour Of The Damned" which is in mailing purgatory somewhere. I cannot wait to get the entire series and read these fun books from Mark.
jackie b central texas
Fiction Vixen says
Wow, outstanding review! I've purchased the first book, just doin' my part to save Amanda you know. I really can't wait to read it, knowing I have an even better follow up to look forward to. :)
Melissa (My World...in words and pages) says
Wow! Great review. 4.5 on the scale, that is really great. I have heard great things of Mark and this book. I will have to think on getting it, soon. :)
Danielle87 says
I have 'Happy Hour of the Damned' waiting for me on my Kindle. I will get around to reading it (since I keep reading so many amazing reviews!).