Review of Generation Dead By Daniel Waters AND Author Interview With Daniel Waters

Hello everyone, yes I'm doing a review AND an author interview together. Buy one get one free, or in this case they are both free. Lucky you. I was so happy to have got to ask Daniel Waters questions as I am a huge fan, plus its always good to get into an authors head. I read this book a few months ago so please forgive me if my review is slightly vague. Anyway I will start with the review.

 Generation Dead follows a normal girl called Phoebe, living a normal life. That is until teenagers begin coming back from the dead, hence the title generation dead. No one knows why this is happening but it is, the teenagers are referred to as 'Living Impared' or 'Differantly Biotic'. No one really wants anything to do with the dead teens, that is except Phoebe. Phoebe feels strangely attracted to the head of the 'living impared' Tommy Williams.  Somehow Daniel Waters manages to make Zombie romance seem well romantic, but can the living and the dead ever be together without prejudice getting in the way? Well you will have to find out.
Here's the Synopsis:

 "Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren’t staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them.The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the “differently biotic.” But the students don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn’t breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the “living impaired” from the people who want them to disappear—for good. When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbour, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?"

I really enjoyed this book which was quite unexpected as I don't usually like Zombie themed books, but this one was really good. It explored prejudices that are around now, not towards Zombies of course but towards humans. It shows just how cruel we can be. I was definitely not expecting there to be romance but I was wrong again. It just shows don't judge a book by it's cover or in this case by it's theme. I would rate this book 3.5/5 stars. I would go higher but you know me, I'm a fan of awkward numbers. I would recommend this book to Zombie lovers and those who do not like them so in other words literally everyone.

My favourite quote:
“We make deals with the devil every day, metaphorically.”
 Normally I would end my post here (and I was about to) but there's still the interview. I know your all relived you get to listen to me going on and on for a little longer.  Here's my Question and Answer session with Daniel Waters:

Q1: What inspired you to write your generation dead series?

A news magazine show that on bullying in schools that I watched in a lonely motel room. If you would like to read the full story, it is in the Dear Bully anthology, edited by Carrie Jones and Megan Kelley Hall.

Q2: How old were you when you began writing?

I would say eight or nine. I was serious about it by the time I turned twelve.

Q3: Who is your most inspirational person?

I'm not sure I have a "most" inspirational; so many people inspire me. Lately I'm fascinated by Orson Welles.

Q4: What is your favourite quote?

"We can't ever go back to the old things and try to get the 'old kick' out of something or find things the way we remembered them. We have them as we remember them and they are fine and wonderful and we have to go on and have other things because the old things are nowhere except in our minds now." -Ernest Hemingway

Q5: What is your favourite book?

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace or The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I can have two, can't I?

Q6: Have you got another job alongside/before you started writing?

Yes, I've had many different jobs. Since writing Generation Dead, I am occasionally employed elsewhere and occasionally not.

Q7: Are you in the process of writing a book or planning to start?

I am always in the process of writing, and always in the process of planning to start! More concretely, I've just finished the edits on a new book.

Q8: Apart from your generation dead series what other books of yours should my readers look out for?

My next book is a ghost story/thriller called Break My Heart 1000 Times; it is due to be released in the Fall of this year. The book was optioned by Gold Circle Films so with a little luck we may see it as a movie.

Q9: Who is your favourite character you have created?

I don't know that I have an absolute favourite; I tend to really like whoever I am writing about at a given time.

Q10: Who is your favourite author?

I can't pick one, but some of my perpetual favourites are David Foster Wallace, J.D. Salinger, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, Kim Newman, Graham Joyce, Shirley Jackson, Douglas Coupland, Ira Levin, Douglas Clegg and F. Paul Wilson. I could keep going.

Q11: What is your favourite genre?

I don't really have one. I read quite a bit of science fiction, horror, noir and literary fiction but will stray out of those categories quite often. I love books of essays on pop culture.

Q12: What tips would you give aspiring writers out there?

Know what your reasons for writing are. Understand that not all writing advice is credible or even well-intentioned. Learn how to take a punch and how to refrain from throwing one. Breathe.

How very interesting! And I loved his tip at the end, NOW I'm going to end the post. Don't worry I will be back soon. If your an author and you want me to promote your book but reviewing it or doing an interview with you please do not hesitate to let me know. Really I love doing it. Thank you for reading. One more thing I now have over 50 followers (YAY!) But lets get it to 100. Yes it's a lot to ask but if you like my blog please tell your friends and if you hate my blog, well still tell your friends. :)

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK