Book Review: Zombies for Everyone by Kimberly Wylie
When I first stumbled upon Zombies for Everyone by Kimberly Wylie, I felt a spark of nostalgia mixed with excitement. As someone who grew up glued to the couch binge-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the idea of a high school student — Jenna Sutton — embodying the spirit of a slayer piqued my interest. Sure, it’s a little familiar, but who could resist a cozy mystery where the heroine faces down zombies? However, as I dove deeper into the narrative, my initial excitement transformed into a rather mixed bag of feelings.
Zombies for Everyone introduces us to Jenna, a character who, despite her blonde locks, is the antithesis of your typical cheerleader. She’s awkward, relatable, and quite unlike the iconic vampire slayer we all know. Jenna’s world shifts when a bizarre attack on an English teacher reveals the undead are on the loose — a gripping premise that initially had my heart racing with anticipation. Unfortunately, the fascination didn’t quite hold up throughout the 185 pages.
One of my main struggles with the book was the pacing. The narrative felt rushed, almost like a high-speed chase through plot points without ample time to breathe or develop characters fully. This hurried approach made it difficult to grasp the backstory and motives of both Jenna and the antagonists, ultimately distancing me from the characters’ journeys. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Wylie had so many ideas packed into this cozy mystery, but the execution fell short, relying heavily on familiar tropes without carving out a space of its own.
Moreover, the romantic subplot felt like it was thrown in at the last minute, leaving me wondering how it connected back to Jenna’s primary conflict. While romance can certainly enhance the stakes, here it felt more like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the story. I found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of these relationships to give them the emotional weight they deserved.
That said, Wylie’s playful writing style shines in certain moments, sprinkled with humor and snappy dialogue. Lines that capture Jenna’s witty inner monologue did provide some much-needed levity, especially when plunging into darker themes like violence and gore. However, the moments of humor were not enough to counterbalance the lack of depth in other areas.
Overall, while Zombies for Everyone offered a creative spin on a classic genre and had a few memorable highs, like its intriguing premise and the potential for thrilling suspense, the overall execution left me wanting more. It’s a cozy read that could appeal to younger audiences — particularly those who may be stepping into the realm of paranormal mysteries for the first time. For YA and new adult readers looking for a light-hearted romp filled with gore and teenage antics, this book may tick the right boxes.
In the end, while this book didn’t strike a personal chord for me, I truly believe it may resonate with others, especially those who appreciate a quick-paced story filled with supernatural shenanigans. If nothing else, Jenna Sutton offers an unexpected yet relatable heroine in a world of chaos — maybe she’s the refreshing slayer we didn’t know we needed after all.
Discover more about Zombies for Everyone (Jenna Sutton Supernatural Cozy My… on GoodReads >>