Be the Light Against the Dark

"My mom once told me a boy would know he’d become a man when he stopped putting himself first. 
She said a girl would come along and I wouldn’t be able to get her out of my mind. 
She said this girl would frustrate me, confuse me, and challenge me, but she would also make me do whatever was necessary to be a better man–the man she needed. 
With you, I want to be better. 
I want to be what you need. 
Tell me what you need."
--Gena Showalter, Through the Zombie Glass

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 480 pages

Publication Date: September 24th, 2013

Source: Bought
Goodreads
Previous Books in Series: Alice in Zombie Land

Goodreads Description

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

My Thoughts

**SIDENOTE--I'm trying a new breakdown of the reviews. In addition to the picture of my thoughts while reading, I wanted to streamline my thoughts a little bit more. What I Love about the story I want to call The Belle, what I didn't love or didn't work I want to call The Beast. And instead of Should You Read This will turn into Should You RSVP to this Ball? Let me know your thoughts, if it sounds stupid, if you like it, I'm open to idea or interpretation or keeping it as What I Love and What Was Just Okay***

I LOVE THIS STORY!! Oh my good glory. Through the Zombie Glass does NOT suffer from Second Book Syndrome and is just as good as Alice in Zombieland. Where do I start? Ok, here I go...

The Belle

The characters! These characters drive the book for me because I think they are so well-written and fleshed out that you care about them. What happens to them, what choices they make, WHO they make those choices with. I find Ali to be so brave and courageous both in front of the zombies and away from them. The lengths she goes to take care of her Nana and the sacrifices she tries to make are admirable. Her strength in the face of life-threatening and seemingly hopeless situations are why I love reading about her. She never gives up and she continues to battle until she can battle no more. 

Cole--I just...I can't. He is an ultimate book boyfriend. Strong, fierce, courageous, noble (even when we don't want him to be), protective. He has qualities we all hope to find in a future mate. He protects and cares for Ali fiercely even when his ways of doing so are AGGRAVATING! I am all for a protective male but when said male gets all uber noble and stays away "for her own good and protection," ugh, I get a little annoyed. It drives the plot beautifully but I can still be frustrated as a reader who wants them to kiss and make up. 

The plot continues to twist as we encounter villains both old and new. Ali is battling her own inner demons and this facet of the storyline was fascinating to me. I will never get over the good vs evil, light vs dark idea. I LOVE reading about this and how people try to do their best to triumph over evil. This book is no exception. I love the light and dark theme. I love the choice  that is discussed at length. I love that the decision to go dark is superficially easier to do but not the best decision. The fight to walk in the light and overcome the darkness we all have inside of us is inspiring. I am a sap for this storyline and Gena has a fantastic style of writing that has you rooting for the good guys and also introspectively looking at your own light choices. At least, I did. 

The Beast

Almost nothing. Although, I think I cringed a little bit with some of the pet names along with Ali. While I love a pet name here or there some of them seem a little forced. Cole calling her baby when they are not on good terms for example. 

Should You RSVP to this Ball? 

YES! The story is fantastic and if no other reason than to meet THE Cole Holland. I mean, serious swoons guys, serious.