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Dead Things Are Closer than They Appear
A painfully average teen’s life is upended by a magical apocalypse.
High school is hard enough to survive without an apocalypse to navigate.
Sid Spencer has always been the most normal girl in her abnormal hometown, a tourist trap built over one of the fault lines that seal magic away from the world. Meanwhile, all Sid has to deal with is hair-ruining humidity, painful awkwardness, being one of four Asians in town, and her friends dumping her when they start dating each other—just days after one of the most humiliating romantic rejections faced by anyone, ever, in all of history.
Then someone kills one of the Guardians who protect the seal. The earth rips open and unleashes the magic trapped inside. Monsters crawl from the ground, no one can enter or leave, and the man behind it all is roaming the streets with a gang of violent vigilantes. Suddenly, Sid’s life becomes a lot less ordinary. When she finds out her missing brother is involved, she joins the remaining Guardians, desperate to find him and close the fault line for good.
Fighting through hordes of living corpses and uncontrollable growths of forest, Sid and a ragtag crew of would-be heroes are the only thing standing between their town and the end of the world as they know it. Between magic, murderers, and burgeoning crushes, Sid must survive being a perfectly normal girl caught in a perfectly abnormal apocalypse.
Only—how can someone so ordinary make it in such an extraordinary world?
High school is hard enough to survive without an apocalypse to navigate.
Sid Spencer has always been the most normal girl in her abnormal hometown, a tourist trap built over one of the fault lines that seal magic away from the world. Meanwhile, all Sid has to deal with is hair-ruining humidity, painful awkwardness, being one of four Asians in town, and her friends dumping her when they start dating each other—just days after one of the most humiliating romantic rejections faced by anyone, ever, in all of history.
Then someone kills one of the Guardians who protect the seal. The earth rips open and unleashes the magic trapped inside. Monsters crawl from the ground, no one can enter or leave, and the man behind it all is roaming the streets with a gang of violent vigilantes. Suddenly, Sid’s life becomes a lot less ordinary. When she finds out her missing brother is involved, she joins the remaining Guardians, desperate to find him and close the fault line for good.
Fighting through hordes of living corpses and uncontrollable growths of forest, Sid and a ragtag crew of would-be heroes are the only thing standing between their town and the end of the world as they know it. Between magic, murderers, and burgeoning crushes, Sid must survive being a perfectly normal girl caught in a perfectly abnormal apocalypse.
Only—how can someone so ordinary make it in such an extraordinary world?
416 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2024
85 people are currently reading
9546 people want to read
About the author
Robin Wasley
1book115followersRobin Wasley is a YA fantasy writer with a soft spot for orphans, found families, and funny girls with no special skills who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. She grew up in a family of adoptees, never truly seeing herself reflected in the books she devoured. As an adult, when she saw an Asian American girl on the cover of a YA book for the first time, she cried.
Robin lives in Boston and works in scientific publishing, but she writes so readers can laugh, cry, and scream “Why are you like this?� Her favorite things are genre-mashes, bubble baths, Cheetos, and pie. When not writing, she enjoys baking and binge-watching entire seasons of TV in a single day.
Her one dream in life is to become best friends with BTS.
Robin lives in Boston and works in scientific publishing, but she writes so readers can laugh, cry, and scream “Why are you like this?� Her favorite things are genre-mashes, bubble baths, Cheetos, and pie. When not writing, she enjoys baking and binge-watching entire seasons of TV in a single day.
Her one dream in life is to become best friends with BTS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
February 17, 2024
Ok, let me start by stating the obvious. Sid and Brian are ADORABLE! Oh my gosh, they just melt my heart. Honestly, all of the characters were so well developed and left a lasting impression. Sid stole my heart from the beginning though. I will ALWAYS relate to the most socially awkward character in a book.
The story was so entertaining and well written. Magic, zombies, found family, adoption, racial diversity, small town…this book had it all. And the narration was fabulous as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to and review this audiobook.
The story was so entertaining and well written. Magic, zombies, found family, adoption, racial diversity, small town…this book had it all. And the narration was fabulous as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to and review this audiobook.
Read
February 21, 2024DNF @ 26%
I like the premise but couldn't connect with the writing. Overall, not for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Wasley, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I like the premise but couldn't connect with the writing. Overall, not for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Wasley, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
March 1, 2024
Some non-spoilery things about this book:
The number of times I cried was not zero.
It made me laugh a shockingly high number of times for a book that includes zombies.
I would die for Chad.
There was one scene where I didn’t realize I was holding my breath so long, it triggered a headache.
I really, really loved it.
The number of times I cried was not zero.
It made me laugh a shockingly high number of times for a book that includes zombies.
I would die for Chad.
There was one scene where I didn’t realize I was holding my breath so long, it triggered a headache.
I really, really loved it.
February 13, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book. I’m always intrigued by post apocalyptic books, and this one had a magical realism twist in that things are pretty much as they are now, but there are fault lines that have magic, and there are Guardians of them who have their own powers. When one of the Guardians dies, the fault line cracks open and Magic spreads. Now more people have Magic, but with magic comes greed. Ford is like the governor from the Walking Dead, or really like any of the antagonist, and he will stop at nothing to have all of the Keys to the fault lines and the powers of the guardians. He wants to be the most powerful. Sid is about as average of a teenage girl you can be, but the apocalypse brings her to center stage when her brother goes missing, and she finds herself tied in with a gang of other teens who have powers. And the twist on her power is AWESOME.
In essence, it’s about a group of teens trying to save their town from Magic (being badly used) with Magic, and just finding the humanity in everyone. People change in times of crisis, for the worse or better, and it will really show you who people are.
Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for an early copy of this incredible book!
In essence, it’s about a group of teens trying to save their town from Magic (being badly used) with Magic, and just finding the humanity in everyone. People change in times of crisis, for the worse or better, and it will really show you who people are.
Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for an early copy of this incredible book!
January 18, 2024
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
So you're telling me this is a magical apocalypse, zombies, and transracial adoptee representation? Did I hear that right? I fell in love with this book before I even started. Days after finishing, I am only fully obsessed. Let's just begin with my favorite aspect: the representation. This book made me feel thoroughly seen in the ways that you can feel like a misplaced jigsaw piece. The person who doesn't fit into the picture. All the ways our family loves us, that we know it's not about blood, but the things that still jump out at us.
I also loved how organic and seamless this representation was. It never felt like a one off detail, it was worked into so many different aspects. I have read these 'end of our world' 'magical reckoning' book featuring marginalized characters which don't feel so thorough and genuine. As if in the face of our eventual demise all these issues, these feelings of wrongness, the prejudice, would just magically be soothed. Not only that we could come together, but also forget these feelings encoded into our memories and relationships.
But let me pivot to the setting and characters. The setting feels like another character. It feels like it comes alive and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Maybe it's the zombies, maybe it's this earth shattering change, but in Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear it takes on a life of its own. Additionally, each of the characters we get to know feel so quirky, so real, so detailed. It was my number one note about how almost immediately you get this so thorough sense of who Sid and her family are. Their nuances, memories, and pieces of love.
So you're telling me this is a magical apocalypse, zombies, and transracial adoptee representation? Did I hear that right? I fell in love with this book before I even started. Days after finishing, I am only fully obsessed. Let's just begin with my favorite aspect: the representation. This book made me feel thoroughly seen in the ways that you can feel like a misplaced jigsaw piece. The person who doesn't fit into the picture. All the ways our family loves us, that we know it's not about blood, but the things that still jump out at us.
I also loved how organic and seamless this representation was. It never felt like a one off detail, it was worked into so many different aspects. I have read these 'end of our world' 'magical reckoning' book featuring marginalized characters which don't feel so thorough and genuine. As if in the face of our eventual demise all these issues, these feelings of wrongness, the prejudice, would just magically be soothed. Not only that we could come together, but also forget these feelings encoded into our memories and relationships.
But let me pivot to the setting and characters. The setting feels like another character. It feels like it comes alive and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Maybe it's the zombies, maybe it's this earth shattering change, but in Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear it takes on a life of its own. Additionally, each of the characters we get to know feel so quirky, so real, so detailed. It was my number one note about how almost immediately you get this so thorough sense of who Sid and her family are. Their nuances, memories, and pieces of love.
February 29, 2024
4.5 stars.
I'm not sure how this book managed to be wholly unique but also an amalgamation of literally every YA urban fantasy book ever. The dialog, the characters, the humor, just everything was so fun and I laughed out loud a bunch of times. I loved the snarky MC and I'm so happy with how her story ended. Magic, zombies, a cat named Chad, this book has so much to offer.
I'm not sure how this book managed to be wholly unique but also an amalgamation of literally every YA urban fantasy book ever. The dialog, the characters, the humor, just everything was so fun and I laughed out loud a bunch of times. I loved the snarky MC and I'm so happy with how her story ended. Magic, zombies, a cat named Chad, this book has so much to offer.
February 21, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear
by Robin Wasley
YA Horror Fantasy
NetGalley Audio ARC
Dreamscape Media
Pub Date: Feb. 27, 2024
Ages: 14+
Even though Sid Spencer is one of the four Asians in the tourist trap town she lives in, she is the most normal girl there. Then her best friend starts to date the boy Sid liked, another of her best friends, who had rejected her in a humiliating way.
One night, at home, her brother gets a phone call and even though he's acting calm, she can tell he's panicking. Then he leaves. She waits.
The fault line that is under the town opens, unleashing magic and monsters, and a magic barrier won't let anyone in or out. And the only way a fault line can open is if a Guardian allows it, but they are supposed to keep them closed.
This story pulled me right in because the MC was relatable, there were funnies, and the action happened pretty quickly. Most of the characters were introduced slowly, thus giving the reader time to get to know them, but when things started to happen, other characters were thrown into the story and then I couldn't keep them straight. Brian's family was one of them, the girls(?) were tossed into the action, and even though were important, they blended in with the other minor characters so there was a time I had no idea who was who and what made them important.
The plot was great, though I feel more details about the town; its history, along with a deeper dive into the magic's history, would've made this town feel more real. Instead, I felt that there was nothing special about this town other than the fault line, and that wasn't that big of a deal either. And it didn't feel right to me to call it a fault line. I get why, but...
The cat was cool until the end of the story. Even though it was funny, it was a little bit too far-fetched.
The narrator did a good job with the characters' voices and emotions, though when she whispered her voice to portray Sid's 'gift', it was too soft and mumbled.
Speaking of Sid's gift, what most see as a weakness, is a power. Nice twist! But it could have used more descriptions/explanations. It was too muted and readers, especially teenagers, may not understand what it is and how it works. Explaining it sooner would make a better impact. I had no clue what her gift was all about until almost the end of the book, and I had to stop and think if it was reasonable.
The book cover is awesome, the title is catching, but long, and I'm not sure what it has to do with the story.
As an Iowan, I snorted at the jab.
There is violence but it's not too graphic. And while I was going to give this one more star, it lost it because it started to drag on. Fifty fewer pages would've kept that star.
3 Stars
by Robin Wasley
YA Horror Fantasy
NetGalley Audio ARC
Dreamscape Media
Pub Date: Feb. 27, 2024
Ages: 14+
Even though Sid Spencer is one of the four Asians in the tourist trap town she lives in, she is the most normal girl there. Then her best friend starts to date the boy Sid liked, another of her best friends, who had rejected her in a humiliating way.
One night, at home, her brother gets a phone call and even though he's acting calm, she can tell he's panicking. Then he leaves. She waits.
The fault line that is under the town opens, unleashing magic and monsters, and a magic barrier won't let anyone in or out. And the only way a fault line can open is if a Guardian allows it, but they are supposed to keep them closed.
This story pulled me right in because the MC was relatable, there were funnies, and the action happened pretty quickly. Most of the characters were introduced slowly, thus giving the reader time to get to know them, but when things started to happen, other characters were thrown into the story and then I couldn't keep them straight. Brian's family was one of them, the girls(?) were tossed into the action, and even though were important, they blended in with the other minor characters so there was a time I had no idea who was who and what made them important.
The plot was great, though I feel more details about the town; its history, along with a deeper dive into the magic's history, would've made this town feel more real. Instead, I felt that there was nothing special about this town other than the fault line, and that wasn't that big of a deal either. And it didn't feel right to me to call it a fault line. I get why, but...
The cat was cool until the end of the story. Even though it was funny, it was a little bit too far-fetched.
The narrator did a good job with the characters' voices and emotions, though when she whispered her voice to portray Sid's 'gift', it was too soft and mumbled.
Speaking of Sid's gift, what most see as a weakness, is a power. Nice twist! But it could have used more descriptions/explanations. It was too muted and readers, especially teenagers, may not understand what it is and how it works. Explaining it sooner would make a better impact. I had no clue what her gift was all about until almost the end of the book, and I had to stop and think if it was reasonable.
The book cover is awesome, the title is catching, but long, and I'm not sure what it has to do with the story.
As an Iowan, I snorted at the jab.
There is violence but it's not too graphic. And while I was going to give this one more star, it lost it because it started to drag on. Fifty fewer pages would've kept that star.
3 Stars
March 6, 2024
So. Much. Fun. It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets the Walking Dead but with more wild magic in the air. I loved the relationships and how Sid Spencer had to figure out her worth in the world. And, just because she thinks she's the sidekick, it's not necessarily how others view her. Along with the zombies and the bad people, Sid, a transracial adoptee, had to navigate lost friendships, death as well as not feeling like she belongs in a mostly all white town. But most of all, I loved how empathy was ultimately a strength and not a weakness.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Staff Pick: 3/24
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Staff Pick: 3/24
December 5, 2023
This book is so weird and I absolutely loved it!!
March 7, 2024
Some authors just show up in a retweet from another author being excited about their beautiful book's GORGEOUS cover and you end up digging into the author's info and find the book and immediately preorder it after that without a second thought.
Robin Wasley's enthusiasm was radiant and contagious then, and after experiencing all 400 pages of this book, I can say that there are tremors of it remaining. Aftershocks of zippy bits of magic and elementary school glitter that will never EVER be fully gone.
Not only is the humor and pacing very well done, but I've never read the experience of found family and most of all empathy so well written and woven deep into a story's very core. As a very empathetic person who has always been the chaotic and odd humored side kick for a lot of 'main character' types, left in the side lines and only remembered when actually needed, seeing a character who fully defined that become a force of nature in her own right made me feel like high school me was right here and feeling it all over again, but also understanding and sitting up a bit straighter.
Also, I loved how bad ass the Greek girl was, reminding me of my emerald-eyed kid sister who could bench press twice my weight and is a literal amazonian goddess (can you tell I miss my sister)...and that she helped with the struggles of curly hair, for as a Greek American I still struggle with mine day to day.
If you love found family tropes to the MAX, chaotic humor, awkward teenage shenanigans, and overall magical end of the world apocalypses and teenagers doing their best during those times, AND NO PETS LEFT BEHIND, I highly recommend this book. (also the author is really sweet)
Robin Wasley's enthusiasm was radiant and contagious then, and after experiencing all 400 pages of this book, I can say that there are tremors of it remaining. Aftershocks of zippy bits of magic and elementary school glitter that will never EVER be fully gone.
Not only is the humor and pacing very well done, but I've never read the experience of found family and most of all empathy so well written and woven deep into a story's very core. As a very empathetic person who has always been the chaotic and odd humored side kick for a lot of 'main character' types, left in the side lines and only remembered when actually needed, seeing a character who fully defined that become a force of nature in her own right made me feel like high school me was right here and feeling it all over again, but also understanding and sitting up a bit straighter.
Also, I loved how bad ass the Greek girl was, reminding me of my emerald-eyed kid sister who could bench press twice my weight and is a literal amazonian goddess (can you tell I miss my sister)...and that she helped with the struggles of curly hair, for as a Greek American I still struggle with mine day to day.
If you love found family tropes to the MAX, chaotic humor, awkward teenage shenanigans, and overall magical end of the world apocalypses and teenagers doing their best during those times, AND NO PETS LEFT BEHIND, I highly recommend this book. (also the author is really sweet)
February 11, 2024
This brought me back to old school dystopian ya greatness!!
With incredible characters (a huge focus on our protagonist, Sid - freaking LOVED her), beautiful nontraditional family representation, a fast growing outbreak of magical apocalyptic danger, and so much heart, Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear filled my heart to the brim!
Sid feels painfully average� among her family members AND her ex friends, the friends who stopped talking to her just days after she went out on a limb wearing her heart on her sleeve, only for the limb to break in the most embarrassing moment of her life.
But, Sid lives in a tourist trap town on a fault line where magic simmers just underground, protected by guardians who hold the keys to the seal� and she is in for the greatest adventure of her life when someone kills one of the guardians, releasing the magic and something worse� the undead.
Encountering a group of guardians, Sid joins them to find her brother, who has been secretly mixed up in all of this. And she finds something she never expected� herself!
This was empowering, this was tender, and this was so funny! Multiple times I found myself racked with silent sobs, only to turn around and laugh out loud in the same page. I will read ANYTHING this author writes!!
With incredible characters (a huge focus on our protagonist, Sid - freaking LOVED her), beautiful nontraditional family representation, a fast growing outbreak of magical apocalyptic danger, and so much heart, Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear filled my heart to the brim!
Sid feels painfully average� among her family members AND her ex friends, the friends who stopped talking to her just days after she went out on a limb wearing her heart on her sleeve, only for the limb to break in the most embarrassing moment of her life.
But, Sid lives in a tourist trap town on a fault line where magic simmers just underground, protected by guardians who hold the keys to the seal� and she is in for the greatest adventure of her life when someone kills one of the guardians, releasing the magic and something worse� the undead.
Encountering a group of guardians, Sid joins them to find her brother, who has been secretly mixed up in all of this. And she finds something she never expected� herself!
This was empowering, this was tender, and this was so funny! Multiple times I found myself racked with silent sobs, only to turn around and laugh out loud in the same page. I will read ANYTHING this author writes!!
September 7, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley is easily one of my favorite 2024 releases so far. It's a hidden gem and definitely deserves more attention than it has. I can't recommend it highly enough except to saw I absolutely need to read everything else this author I'll ever write and I definitely wouldn't mind revisiting Wellsie again in the future. If you're a fan of The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater and found families, I have a feeling that this will be right up your alley too.
October 28, 2024
Cybils Nominated Title �
5-Star Review: Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear feels like a thrilling mix of ‘The Walking Dead� with zombies, but what truly makes it stand out is its heart. The story is packed with emotional depth, a strong sense of family and acceptance, and characters you can’t help but root for. The diversity is refreshing, with characters from different backgrounds bringing a richness to the narrative that is often missing in post-apocalyptic fiction.
And the love story? Absolutely precious. The light YA romance sneaks up on you, filled with sweet moments that make you smile in the midst of all the chaos. The author’s impressive language and style enhance the entire experience, blending action and emotion effortlessly.
But the best part? Chad the cat. Seriously, he’s a scene-stealer, and I didn’t realize I needed a heroic feline in my zombie fiction until now.
If you’re looking for a story that has the perfect mix of thrills, heart, and humor, this one is a must-read!
5-Star Review: Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear feels like a thrilling mix of ‘The Walking Dead� with zombies, but what truly makes it stand out is its heart. The story is packed with emotional depth, a strong sense of family and acceptance, and characters you can’t help but root for. The diversity is refreshing, with characters from different backgrounds bringing a richness to the narrative that is often missing in post-apocalyptic fiction.
And the love story? Absolutely precious. The light YA romance sneaks up on you, filled with sweet moments that make you smile in the midst of all the chaos. The author’s impressive language and style enhance the entire experience, blending action and emotion effortlessly.
But the best part? Chad the cat. Seriously, he’s a scene-stealer, and I didn’t realize I needed a heroic feline in my zombie fiction until now.
If you’re looking for a story that has the perfect mix of thrills, heart, and humor, this one is a must-read!
February 24, 2024
I went into this completely blind and I was NOT disappointed for a second!
This was so much fun! It was like a more interesting The Walking Dead but with all the unique magic powers of Red Queen and a small tourist town feel. It's heartfelt and thoughtful and just really entertaining. I loved Sid so much. She's so vulnerable but she feels and loves so fiercely while also being so funny. Her voice in the narrative was part of why I enjoyed this so much. It hooked me right away and I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be reading more from this author in future.
This was so much fun! It was like a more interesting The Walking Dead but with all the unique magic powers of Red Queen and a small tourist town feel. It's heartfelt and thoughtful and just really entertaining. I loved Sid so much. She's so vulnerable but she feels and loves so fiercely while also being so funny. Her voice in the narrative was part of why I enjoyed this so much. It hooked me right away and I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be reading more from this author in future.
March 7, 2024
This was such a great read, loved the world, loved these characters, and it was a fantastic story!
February 13, 2024
4.5 Stars
DEAD THINGS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR is one of those stories where you don't know what to expect and what you find is much more than you were hoping for. It's full of family relationships, by blood but mostly found with an emphasis on adopted, as well as friendships and then more of working relationships (like I have to fight with you but I don't know that I would chose to know you). It's set in a small town with a larger-than-life traumatizing event where basically all hell breaks loose. If you enjoy shows like Stranger Things or with apocalyptic monsters and humans who are equally evil, then this is definitely one to pick up! Plus, there are also some very sweet moments of wisdom, romance, and heart.
I really, really loved these characters! Not to say that I didn't have some frustrations and reservations, because I did, but I felt they were relatable and real. Take Sid for instance. She is not the leading will-cut-down-zombies-without-blinking-an-eye leading lady. She is scared and weak and freaks out. I think most of us when faced with something so unreal would take some time adjusting. I appreciated that she had weaknesses and strengths, which allowed her character to also develop and grow as the story goes. And develop it does. This was the same for almost all of the characters, even fierce and removed Eleni. There's also Brian who holds so much grief inside that it hurts while also building like a bomb, and also carries a fierce protection for his sisters that extends to others. He comes off a bit like the usual bad boy, but as well all the characters in this motley crew, none of them quite fit the usual stereotypes because they're a lot more complex and they change over the course of this story. There is also Angel and Shandy with their relationship that is lightly woven in this story. Sometimes gay relationships are pushed in books with a message that feels forced (as can be with religious or inspirational messages, romance or with anything), but in this story, it felt like a natural part and I appreciated that.
I also want to talk just a bit about the plot itself. It moved at a really good pace. There were several climatic moments that built to the final and most intense one, but there were also some moments of downtime and reconvening. The romantic aspects of this story I also really liked. They didn't feel construed, fell naturally into this story and were sweet. I liked that there was so much creativity and how the author allowed it to unfold with all these different characters. Everything didn't go perfectly and didn't tie up in a perfect bow at the end, which I also appreciated. There was danger, people got hurt and killed, there was heartbreak and evil, but there was also perseverance, sacrifice, friendship, love and joy. All the feels, guys. All the feels.
I also noted a few nuggets of wisdom I highlighted. These aren't all of them in this story, but these are the ones I wanted to share that connected with me right now in my life:
"Sometimes I wonder about empathy," I say then. "Do we always have to feel something ourselves in order to understand someone else?"
She contemplates that. "I think it depends on the person. There's no right way or wrong way. If one assumes all empathy to look the same way, they are therefore expecting everyone to behave the way they do . . . which is not empathetic, is it?: She leans forward, elbows on her knees. "[There are] always going to be people we can't relate to, people we'll never love, people we'll never meet. In those situations, you have the opportunity to see how far your empathy can be stretched."
"Some people suck, though," I mutter.
"Whether someone is worthy of empathy isn't something you need to decide. You do get to decide if it's something you wish to extend to someone. It it'll harm you or not. Caring for yourself and caring for others is a balance."
"People make mistakes, but you know now that you get to choose the person you want to be. It's not a straight path, there are obstacles, and the journey never ends. But you're not alone on the road."
"Every person makes an impact in some way, average or not," I say. "We change one another."
In the end, was it what I wished for? This book surprised me, in a very good way. I loved the motley crew that forms, the lovable characters, all the relationship dynamics as well as the creative, page-turning plot. I'll definitely be looking forward to this author's next release!
Content: Swearing (including s and f-words), crude comments/descriptions, some detailed violence (including people dying by zombies and other humans, as well as some torture), a gay relationship.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through TBR and Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
DEAD THINGS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR is one of those stories where you don't know what to expect and what you find is much more than you were hoping for. It's full of family relationships, by blood but mostly found with an emphasis on adopted, as well as friendships and then more of working relationships (like I have to fight with you but I don't know that I would chose to know you). It's set in a small town with a larger-than-life traumatizing event where basically all hell breaks loose. If you enjoy shows like Stranger Things or with apocalyptic monsters and humans who are equally evil, then this is definitely one to pick up! Plus, there are also some very sweet moments of wisdom, romance, and heart.
I really, really loved these characters! Not to say that I didn't have some frustrations and reservations, because I did, but I felt they were relatable and real. Take Sid for instance. She is not the leading will-cut-down-zombies-without-blinking-an-eye leading lady. She is scared and weak and freaks out. I think most of us when faced with something so unreal would take some time adjusting. I appreciated that she had weaknesses and strengths, which allowed her character to also develop and grow as the story goes. And develop it does. This was the same for almost all of the characters, even fierce and removed Eleni. There's also Brian who holds so much grief inside that it hurts while also building like a bomb, and also carries a fierce protection for his sisters that extends to others. He comes off a bit like the usual bad boy, but as well all the characters in this motley crew, none of them quite fit the usual stereotypes because they're a lot more complex and they change over the course of this story. There is also Angel and Shandy with their relationship that is lightly woven in this story. Sometimes gay relationships are pushed in books with a message that feels forced (as can be with religious or inspirational messages, romance or with anything), but in this story, it felt like a natural part and I appreciated that.
I also want to talk just a bit about the plot itself. It moved at a really good pace. There were several climatic moments that built to the final and most intense one, but there were also some moments of downtime and reconvening. The romantic aspects of this story I also really liked. They didn't feel construed, fell naturally into this story and were sweet. I liked that there was so much creativity and how the author allowed it to unfold with all these different characters. Everything didn't go perfectly and didn't tie up in a perfect bow at the end, which I also appreciated. There was danger, people got hurt and killed, there was heartbreak and evil, but there was also perseverance, sacrifice, friendship, love and joy. All the feels, guys. All the feels.
I also noted a few nuggets of wisdom I highlighted. These aren't all of them in this story, but these are the ones I wanted to share that connected with me right now in my life:
"Sometimes I wonder about empathy," I say then. "Do we always have to feel something ourselves in order to understand someone else?"
She contemplates that. "I think it depends on the person. There's no right way or wrong way. If one assumes all empathy to look the same way, they are therefore expecting everyone to behave the way they do . . . which is not empathetic, is it?: She leans forward, elbows on her knees. "[There are] always going to be people we can't relate to, people we'll never love, people we'll never meet. In those situations, you have the opportunity to see how far your empathy can be stretched."
"Some people suck, though," I mutter.
"Whether someone is worthy of empathy isn't something you need to decide. You do get to decide if it's something you wish to extend to someone. It it'll harm you or not. Caring for yourself and caring for others is a balance."
"People make mistakes, but you know now that you get to choose the person you want to be. It's not a straight path, there are obstacles, and the journey never ends. But you're not alone on the road."
"Every person makes an impact in some way, average or not," I say. "We change one another."
In the end, was it what I wished for? This book surprised me, in a very good way. I loved the motley crew that forms, the lovable characters, all the relationship dynamics as well as the creative, page-turning plot. I'll definitely be looking forward to this author's next release!
Content: Swearing (including s and f-words), crude comments/descriptions, some detailed violence (including people dying by zombies and other humans, as well as some torture), a gay relationship.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through TBR and Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
December 7, 2024
Sid is a young adopted Korean girl trying to survive in a small city where people still ask her where she's from, her ex best friend started dating the guy she likes (hence her being an ex bff) and she doesn't really know where she fits in life, except with her brother Matty. Just yesterday that may have seemed like the worst of her worries, until a guardian died. Guardians protect the world from magic and without them it is running rampant, bringing zombies to life and imbuing those around with special powers. Sid's brother is missing, a man with what seems like an entire commando crew behind him is attacking her city and Sid isn't sure who she can trust in her search to find her brother and try to save the city from losing any more guardians than they already have.
I was lucky enough to received an arc of the audiobook of Dead Things are Closer Than They Appear from Netgalley and Simon Teen. Huge thanks because I have been eyeing this book and was going to purchase it anyway but I got to enjoy it in a different format first. Right off the bat the narrator isn't working for me. She sounds just a little too old for the character she is portraying, but I promise you, that does not last. I think it had more to do with the slow pacing in the beginning (hello we have to know where we are and who the relevant characters are before the killing can start!) and not really a fault of the narrator. Eunice Wong did great!
The beginning like in any other fantasy took a minute to get going because we really needed to learn who Sid is as a person before we were able to connect with her and care about her survival. I really enjoyed all the pop culture references throughout the book, especially the ones about K-pop and K-dramas (Goblin is #1 ). Robin Wasley's writing is so palpable there were parts that were so creepy I had literal chills going down my arms.
The action sequences are very well written making it easy to stay in the moment and visualize what is happening. I love a strong female character and Sid is that but she's also more. She is still trying to figure out life while wondering if she will have a life left to live when all is said and done. While the beginning may have been a bit more subdued you can expect an all out adventure once the action begins and characters start dying (yes, people die, so be sure to not get too attached!)
This is probably the most thrilling book I have read since Shatter Me and it makes sense because Dead Things are Closer Than They Appear is basically Shatter Me meets I Am Number 4 but more. My only complaint at this point is that I wish this book was the first in a series and not a stand alone, but Robin and I talked it out and Im just glad it exists and I got the chance to read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for this fantastic read. I totally recommend this to anyone who was trying to figure out what Fourth Wing was missing. You will find it here.
I was lucky enough to received an arc of the audiobook of Dead Things are Closer Than They Appear from Netgalley and Simon Teen. Huge thanks because I have been eyeing this book and was going to purchase it anyway but I got to enjoy it in a different format first. Right off the bat the narrator isn't working for me. She sounds just a little too old for the character she is portraying, but I promise you, that does not last. I think it had more to do with the slow pacing in the beginning (hello we have to know where we are and who the relevant characters are before the killing can start!) and not really a fault of the narrator. Eunice Wong did great!
The beginning like in any other fantasy took a minute to get going because we really needed to learn who Sid is as a person before we were able to connect with her and care about her survival. I really enjoyed all the pop culture references throughout the book, especially the ones about K-pop and K-dramas (Goblin is #1 ). Robin Wasley's writing is so palpable there were parts that were so creepy I had literal chills going down my arms.
The action sequences are very well written making it easy to stay in the moment and visualize what is happening. I love a strong female character and Sid is that but she's also more. She is still trying to figure out life while wondering if she will have a life left to live when all is said and done. While the beginning may have been a bit more subdued you can expect an all out adventure once the action begins and characters start dying (yes, people die, so be sure to not get too attached!)
This is probably the most thrilling book I have read since Shatter Me and it makes sense because Dead Things are Closer Than They Appear is basically Shatter Me meets I Am Number 4 but more. My only complaint at this point is that I wish this book was the first in a series and not a stand alone, but Robin and I talked it out and Im just glad it exists and I got the chance to read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for this fantastic read. I totally recommend this to anyone who was trying to figure out what Fourth Wing was missing. You will find it here.
February 19, 2024
This book stole my heart. STOLE IT!
The beginning of this book was comforting for me because it held a little bit of nostalgia of middle school dystopians (but this is NOT a dystopian).
But I loved the horror, apocalyptic vibe tied in with the themes of found family and personal growth.
The fact that Sid was able to defeat our big bad ONLY because she chose to open herself up to others, and them to her, was so beautiful and sweet to see. And it was so necessary for Sid to understand in order to complete her arc that she could allow herself to open up to others and trust them and that she IS enough.
“‘There isn’t a single person in this group who didn’t save someone, and therefore all of us.’� Daisy is out here spitting bars.
“‘People give you different things and you need all of them.’� Nell also was distributing her wisdom.
All the characters, Sid, Brian, Nell, Hyacinth, Shandy, Angel, Eleni and Daisy had satisfying arcs and you could FEEL the bonds and friendships forming between them.
Sid and Brian, OH MY GOD they were so cute! Had me kicking my feet and giggling.
Anyway, go read this one, it was so good!
The beginning of this book was comforting for me because it held a little bit of nostalgia of middle school dystopians (but this is NOT a dystopian).
But I loved the horror, apocalyptic vibe tied in with the themes of found family and personal growth.
The fact that Sid was able to defeat our big bad ONLY because she chose to open herself up to others, and them to her, was so beautiful and sweet to see. And it was so necessary for Sid to understand in order to complete her arc that she could allow herself to open up to others and trust them and that she IS enough.
“‘There isn’t a single person in this group who didn’t save someone, and therefore all of us.’� Daisy is out here spitting bars.
“‘People give you different things and you need all of them.’� Nell also was distributing her wisdom.
All the characters, Sid, Brian, Nell, Hyacinth, Shandy, Angel, Eleni and Daisy had satisfying arcs and you could FEEL the bonds and friendships forming between them.
Sid and Brian, OH MY GOD they were so cute! Had me kicking my feet and giggling.
Anyway, go read this one, it was so good!
dnf
February 11, 2024dnf @ 10%
i didn't think that in 2024 i would come across this type of old-school YA protagonist:
-she's short & unlike other girls has curly hair that cannot be tamed
-she's quirky and a bit of a clutz
-she's got a snarky sense of humor
-she's unpopular
maybe the novel subverts her characterisation along the way or the story ends up demonstrating a certain level of self-awareness but given that i don't feel invested enough in the author's storytelling i don't see myself giving it a chance. the whole premise is just making me think back to authors like Holly Black, Natalie C. Parker, C.L. Herman, Maggie Stiefvater, & co. in short, it's giving 2010s YA. the writing isn't terrible (aside from the humor which...yikes) and maybe young teens who have just gotten into magical realism and or urban fantasy might find this to be a spellbinding read.
i didn't think that in 2024 i would come across this type of old-school YA protagonist:
-she's short & unlike other girls has curly hair that cannot be tamed
-she's quirky and a bit of a clutz
-she's got a snarky sense of humor
-she's unpopular
maybe the novel subverts her characterisation along the way or the story ends up demonstrating a certain level of self-awareness but given that i don't feel invested enough in the author's storytelling i don't see myself giving it a chance. the whole premise is just making me think back to authors like Holly Black, Natalie C. Parker, C.L. Herman, Maggie Stiefvater, & co. in short, it's giving 2010s YA. the writing isn't terrible (aside from the humor which...yikes) and maybe young teens who have just gotten into magical realism and or urban fantasy might find this to be a spellbinding read.
March 17, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear was an excellent book with immersive writing.
The characters in this book were so well written. They were relatable. They had their strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue between characters felt natural, especially in the ALC. The writing style was perfectly translated into audio. Sid and Brian were so adorable!
The pacing was great, it never felt like it was too slow or too fast. Everything in this story felt natural and unforced. The representation didn’t feel like it was thrown in for the sake of having representation. The romance developed nicely without a rush.
Overall, I loved this. It had an interesting plot with great characters. The narrator was amazing! Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters in this book were so well written. They were relatable. They had their strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue between characters felt natural, especially in the ALC. The writing style was perfectly translated into audio. Sid and Brian were so adorable!
The pacing was great, it never felt like it was too slow or too fast. Everything in this story felt natural and unforced. The representation didn’t feel like it was thrown in for the sake of having representation. The romance developed nicely without a rush.
Overall, I loved this. It had an interesting plot with great characters. The narrator was amazing! Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 13, 2024
I want more. The book was wrapped up so nicely.
Every. Single. Character. Has such unique depth and you start to see what's under their skin. Their powers show the real them sometimes. I fell in love with these characters over and over again. Every little action, made me want them even more. A character could show up for a page and I already knew they had a life.
Screw Brian and Sid I want more Shandy and Angel they ate so hard. I love them both so much.
I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole Sid/Nell/Finn situation but we'll ignore that.
(Chad is literally the best character and nobody can argue that)
Every. Single. Character. Has such unique depth and you start to see what's under their skin. Their powers show the real them sometimes. I fell in love with these characters over and over again. Every little action, made me want them even more. A character could show up for a page and I already knew they had a life.
Screw Brian and Sid I want more Shandy and Angel they ate so hard. I love them both so much.
I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole Sid/Nell/Finn situation but we'll ignore that.
(Chad is literally the best character and nobody can argue that)
Want to read
September 4, 2023I'm SO excited for this book! I'm told it's just an average Korean girl who has to save the world but full of drama, romance, misfits, magic, and something about zombies?! But mostly I'm excited because the author very intentionally wanted to create a world that felt like her very mixed heritage upbringing, and especially wanted to show the many many different lives Asian Americans can have. I just know how important this is to the author and so I know that heart is going to carry through and I'm so excited to see it!!
February 16, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear was an OK book. The writing and storytelling were average, but character development and world building were executed well. The story felt longer than necessary. I really liked the cover, and it along with the blurb did a good job of catching my attention. Unfortunately, this book wasn't anything special and it's not memorable. Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog.
March 22, 2024
Dnf 52%.. I kept having to double check I didn’t pick up the second book of a series or something.. not only is there zero lore explanation.. there’s so many characters introduced so quickly that I just couldn’t care about any of them. Poorly done pacing. Just not good.
February 28, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•••Spoiler free review below••�
Set in a small town located on a fault line, Sid has always known magic was locked below the ground. What she didn’t expect was to be thrown into a magical apocalypse when one of the guardians of the fault line is killed. Tasked with the job of finding her missing brother, she teams up with remaining guardians to close the fault lines, find her brother, and save her town.
I really enjoyed this witty and fun read. Our characters were enjoyable to read about and the ya romance was so sweet! I highly recommend this read for anyone who loves paranormal, zombies, and characters you want to root for.
Read this book if you like:
-small towns with a tourist trap
-quirky main characters
-witty writing
-ya romance
-found family
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear is out NOW and if it is not already on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•••Spoiler free review below••�
Set in a small town located on a fault line, Sid has always known magic was locked below the ground. What she didn’t expect was to be thrown into a magical apocalypse when one of the guardians of the fault line is killed. Tasked with the job of finding her missing brother, she teams up with remaining guardians to close the fault lines, find her brother, and save her town.
I really enjoyed this witty and fun read. Our characters were enjoyable to read about and the ya romance was so sweet! I highly recommend this read for anyone who loves paranormal, zombies, and characters you want to root for.
Read this book if you like:
-small towns with a tourist trap
-quirky main characters
-witty writing
-ya romance
-found family
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear is out NOW and if it is not already on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
February 26, 2024
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley started out strong. I was laughing and having fun but eventually tragedy happened. I believe that the amount of characters overwhelmed the narrator because it started to sound the same to me and personally I got lost. I have listened to and enjoyed other audiobooks with the same narrator, Eunice Wong, so maybe it’s time to get my hearing checked. The cover art is really cool and I probably would have picked it up because of that. I found myself getting emotional at the end of the book. ARC was provided by Dreamscape Media via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
An absolutely wonderful audiobook! Such great talent on both the side of the author and the narrator, brilliant!
Sid Spencer is an ordinary girl, battling through the mundanity of High School, despite living in a small town that lays on top of every evil creature known (and unkknown) to humankind. Life is disrupted in epic fashion when a guardian is killed, causing the fault line to be rent open and a tsunami of evil chaos is let loose to unleash an apocaplypse of epic proportions, unless Sid and her friends can find her missing brother and stop it
I was both skeptical and excited about this as it seemed to me to be very reminiscent of the Tropes in Buffy, but while there are some similarties in the tropes, that is where it ends, because this book is so very much more!
Sid is the sweetest, she is as far from main character mentality as you can get, but deserves it wholly. It's that situation where you don't see your worth, but those close to you do see it. This is a wonderful YA book as it describes so many different aspects of the YA experience, despite the backdrop of post-apocalyptic monster mayhem. While the basic tropes are comparable to Buffy, in the aspect of the YA experience being grounded in fantasy, I would compare it to Potter in that sense alone and I hope this has as much success if not more
This YA is beautifully multifaceted and so very well written and narrated. Eunice Wong is empathetic to the fast paced narrative and really amplifies the fantastic prose. Her pacing and cadance is on point and a joy to listen to
Robin Wasley has created something absolutely fantastic here and I really hope that we will see more as I was utterly invested!
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Robin Wasley and Eunice Wong for this wonderful ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Sid Spencer is an ordinary girl, battling through the mundanity of High School, despite living in a small town that lays on top of every evil creature known (and unkknown) to humankind. Life is disrupted in epic fashion when a guardian is killed, causing the fault line to be rent open and a tsunami of evil chaos is let loose to unleash an apocaplypse of epic proportions, unless Sid and her friends can find her missing brother and stop it
I was both skeptical and excited about this as it seemed to me to be very reminiscent of the Tropes in Buffy, but while there are some similarties in the tropes, that is where it ends, because this book is so very much more!
Sid is the sweetest, she is as far from main character mentality as you can get, but deserves it wholly. It's that situation where you don't see your worth, but those close to you do see it. This is a wonderful YA book as it describes so many different aspects of the YA experience, despite the backdrop of post-apocalyptic monster mayhem. While the basic tropes are comparable to Buffy, in the aspect of the YA experience being grounded in fantasy, I would compare it to Potter in that sense alone and I hope this has as much success if not more
This YA is beautifully multifaceted and so very well written and narrated. Eunice Wong is empathetic to the fast paced narrative and really amplifies the fantastic prose. Her pacing and cadance is on point and a joy to listen to
Robin Wasley has created something absolutely fantastic here and I really hope that we will see more as I was utterly invested!
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Robin Wasley and Eunice Wong for this wonderful ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
February 29, 2024
Can I start by saying "WOW"? The audiobook is a little over 12 hours long, but I finished it in one day. I did not want to stop listening at all. Robin Wasley sped out of the gate with her first book, a great combo fantasy/horror book.
First up, the narration. Eunice Wong was incredible. Her voicing of the story kept me on the edge of my seat. There was depth to her characters as well as range in her intonation of the actual story. When characters were whispering, she did too. If the characters were anxious, you could feel it in her voice. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by Eunice!
The story starts off describing the sleepy little town where tourists visit to see where the magic used to happen. However, the fault lines were sealed off ages ago and the magic is no longer accessible. There is one caveat to that though. There are guardians who hold keys to unlock the fault line. No one knows who they are or how they are chosen. And everyone is just goes about their day staring at the ghostly impressions that rise up regularly.
Unfortunately, things take a quick turn and part of the fault line opens. Chaos ensues as "Shells" start to climb out of the chasm that has opened. It is up to a group of teens to put a stop to the madness.
Robin wove a story rich with imagery and intrigue. My heart was literally pounding at many points during the book. She would switch between the anticipation of the horror into the calmness of simple conversations with such ease. I look forward to hearing more books from this creative author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an open and honest review.
First up, the narration. Eunice Wong was incredible. Her voicing of the story kept me on the edge of my seat. There was depth to her characters as well as range in her intonation of the actual story. When characters were whispering, she did too. If the characters were anxious, you could feel it in her voice. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by Eunice!
The story starts off describing the sleepy little town where tourists visit to see where the magic used to happen. However, the fault lines were sealed off ages ago and the magic is no longer accessible. There is one caveat to that though. There are guardians who hold keys to unlock the fault line. No one knows who they are or how they are chosen. And everyone is just goes about their day staring at the ghostly impressions that rise up regularly.
Unfortunately, things take a quick turn and part of the fault line opens. Chaos ensues as "Shells" start to climb out of the chasm that has opened. It is up to a group of teens to put a stop to the madness.
Robin wove a story rich with imagery and intrigue. My heart was literally pounding at many points during the book. She would switch between the anticipation of the horror into the calmness of simple conversations with such ease. I look forward to hearing more books from this creative author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an open and honest review.
January 11, 2024
This book was wild in the best way. It was so creative and fun, while still managing to be painfully emotional and heartfelt. I don't think I've ever read a book like it before and that's amazing. The horror elements and suspense kept me flipping through the pages and created a true sense of danger for the character, which was STRESSFUL. At one point, I literally had to set the book down and take some deep breaths. But it also has so many quiet, emotional moments and great characters, and this sense of wonder and magic that was so atmospheric.
Also, I have to just say that Sid Spencer is the type of heroine I want to read more of—relatable, emotional, insecure, prickly, awkward, empathetic, and brave. AND CHAD IS THE BEST, I would read a whole standalone book just about Chad and she deserves it. The romance was also sweet and tender and supportive and I loved the gentle chemistry that bloomed between them.
10/10 read and just so unique and well written, such an amazing debut! I can't wait to read future books from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc.
Also, I have to just say that Sid Spencer is the type of heroine I want to read more of—relatable, emotional, insecure, prickly, awkward, empathetic, and brave. AND CHAD IS THE BEST, I would read a whole standalone book just about Chad and she deserves it. The romance was also sweet and tender and supportive and I loved the gentle chemistry that bloomed between them.
10/10 read and just so unique and well written, such an amazing debut! I can't wait to read future books from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc.
January 19, 2024
Can I just say I loved absolutely everything about this book? Not only was the plot a blast but the characters all but walked off the page. They felt so REAL and I absolutely adored the MC. The dialogue was quick and witty and still there was substance beneath it all. Robin Wasley did a beautiful job giving all of these characters amazing arcs, making me feel for every single one of them, and creating this post-apocalyptic world that was so magical and well thought out. The design of it all was excellent. The pacing of this book was quick and SO MUCH happens. But when the slower paced scenes came, they were perfect. I laughed out loud, sucked in my breath, and even got a little teary-eyed throughout. Loved the romance, loved the friendships, loved the families. Found family is everything and I cannot wait to read more of Robin’s books. I absolutely will be purchasing this.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for offering me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for offering me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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