Marie F. Crow

I just love Marie’s books and this one my girls just wanted me to read over and over, the storyline as always is simple but fun as she takes her pet zombie for a day out at the zoo, with some wonderful illustrations, and a wonderful feeling that we don’t have to be perfect

Summing your children will love this well written great little story and wonderful illustrations

This book is one of the most unique books I have read in quite a while. The author truly has a knack for story telling which is rare in this genre. I am a huge fan of mermaids but not in the fairytale way and I am glad that someone has been ale to express other aspects of this besides the beauty. I love the way the story flows from one part to the other and I also loved that there are a lot of twists and turns that blew me away.

I enjoyed watching the characters Corander and Verona grow and become more confident in themselves. The beauty of the story really relied on how these two progressed and the author did not disappoint.The book was very action packed and the authors pulls us into this unbelievable world by using very realistic and vivid descriptions in the book. Ultimately this just added to the appeal of the book and made me want to read without stopping. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story. It will take you to worlds you could never have imagined and immerse you into a world of lies, hate betrayal and love. This is a must read.

You know that feeling you get when you finish a book in a series and realize now you have to kill time with other books while you wait for the next one to be released? That is what The Little Lies made me feel. I was on Amazon not even a hot second after I finished it before remembering the next book isn't out yet, and then I pouted because I do NOT want to wait to dive back into this world.

Harper is a necromancer-witch who has been left out of the supernatural loop, so to speak. She lives with her grandmother and does her own little thing, living in blissful ignorance of all the supernatural drama around her. When she goes to help a family in need of her skillset, she finds herself in the middle of some magical powerplays and begins to realize just how little she understands her magic and the politics of all the supernatural beings around her. With the help of her snarky GiGi and a demon named Jedrek, she doesn't so much "learn the ropes" as "blow through like a hurricane".

I enjoyed the earlier books in the Anita Blake series, and some of the elements I liked in that series snared my interest here too. The "ew" factor of having a heroine that can raise the dead isn't white-washed, but neither is it overly done. I found the story balanced the snark, the horror, and the sweet incredibly well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

It's wonderful how this book starts off with a little child who has a zombie for a pet! This is a fun story about a little girl and her pet zombie who embark on a trip to the zoo. It teaches kids valuable life lessons combined in a wonderful story. It shows that it's okay to be different and not to be afraid of embracing those same differences in others. It teaches young minds that it's okay to be yourself.

The quality of the illustrations is truly exceptional. I loved everything about this book and so did my grandkids. Marie F. Crow delivers every time for me. It's very obvious that this author loves doing what she does!

It's imaginative and very well presented. Absolutely deserves 5 Stars!

I hadn't read Little Lies yet, so I started there. It's not 100% necessary in order to read the Broken Hearted but I will say it definitely helped!!

This series (Great Hexpectations) already has me entranced! It's absolutely riveting. This book picks up some months after the 1st book and I was a little surprised to find that she was in a relationship with Roman after her feelings for Jedrek in the last book and her dislike for Roman.

Jedrek is back and this time he needs her help with the vampires who want the magic back that Harper stole.

You find out a lot of new things in this book... more about her mother and grandmother... even Gigi Jo (which I cried at what happens!).

I'm not sure I understand her relationship with Jedrek but I like them together and wish they'd try to make it work! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series for sure!

I recieved an ARC for my honest review.

I have been a follower of Marie's since the Risen and quite honestly, I am always blown away with anything she creates. This book is no exception. Although this is a completely different genre, it just goes to show that good writing skills and imagination is all you need.

The story is about mermaids and right from the start you are transported into an kingdom under the sea, where we follow the life of Verona and her family, interweaved with magic, palaces, wealth and mystery. Everything is so royal and grand and the story telling does a great job of putting you right in there.

It also has a great moral, that is we are all looking to discover who we really are and what is our purpose in this lifetime.

This is an excellent new series and I had a great time reading it.

Excellent!!!

Marie Crow has in a fairly short period of time become one of my favourite horror authors and indeed, my favourite zombie horror author. She has taken her literary talent and come out with a series of children's zombie themed books, the first in the series was Abigail and her pet Zombie go to school, this is the second,and it does not fail to entertain.

I read book one to my kids and they absolutely loved it when I did the zombie noises. Book two, they are now at an age where they don't just listening to their dad sound like a zombie, or a monkey or a lion, but now they love looking at the pictures.

Much like Marie Crow's adult zombie series "The Risen", the stories at a surface level entertain immensely, but as one looks deeper one can see underlying lessons. In her Abigail series they are lessons that I teach my kids. messages of inclusion, celebration of the differences of others and importantly to be yourself no matter what.

I know I can speak for my my kids as well as myself when I say that I am eagerly looking forward to her next books and reading more of Abigail and her pet zombies adventures.

Wow! I’m at a loss for words over this because book! It kept me on my toes the whole way through! Definitely as must read! I can’t wait for the next book! I need to find out what trouble Harper gets herself into this next round!

This has been one hell of a ride. I have enjoyed being there thru it all with Helena and her group! I am saddened buy the ending it really broke my heart! I wish it ended differently but it was still an ending with full closure. This series is amazing and was worth it I wish it had more with all of these same characters.

‘Abigail and Her Pet Zombie: Spring’ is a wonderful new children’s story from Marie Crow, and just in time for spring! Abigail and her pet zombie are excited to see that spring has arrived and they head outdoors. Abigail finds that she has to conquer her fear of riding a bike, and her pet zombie and friends are just the help she needs.

The illustrations are funny and cute, and like its predecessors, this story offers a wonderful life lesson for kids about facing your fears. This is an adorable children’s series to pick up for your youngsters or gift for a special child in your life.

Novels can take forever to finish, which is why short stories sometimes find a place in my reading library more often than not. Marie F. Crow pulls out all the stops, trims the fat, and creates a fast paced zombie short story that will not only find finds in the horror genre, but in other genres as well. This is a fast moving story that is firmly rooted in the universe that “The Risen” comes from.

Beth and Genny are relatable characters and when the run up against the zombie world, you start to stress on your own. I’m a visual reader, so the narrative played out in my mind like a movie, or an episode of “The Walking Dead” a standalone story that delivers in a very simple manner. It’s a shorter story than the other works, but it manages to pull at your heart strings fast and sets a good tone amidst the interactions of the characters.

In the end, you’ll find that this is a good introduction to The Risen series, but more importantly, the horror of a zombie uprising as a mother and daughter. Another wining narrative, great overall.

Fans of Marie F. Crow will not be disappointed with this new series. My teenage daughter introduced me to this author several months ago. Young Adult wouldn't exactly be my choice of reading genre, but I found this author was very skilled at storytelling. The quality of her work suggests that this is a hardworking and meticulous author. She has a very strong fan base from her previous novels and I think it's a brave attempt from her to explore new and imaginative avenues.

From my perspective, I think many authors stick with a particular genre and produce similar work for their fans and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just making the point that not every author can venture out and achieve a new perspective in their imaginative and creative work, but I feel that this new novel really works and the author should be commended for it.

This story had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There's an abundance of expressive scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.

This captivating and praiseworthy work had me engaged from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a fascinating mystical journey.

Having read thousands of zombie genre books, this would be in the top ten. I loved the guts of the female lead, the surprises, the gore, and this beautiful woven tale. I did not want it to end!!! I can not wait to read more!

I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of Verona’s story. Knowing what she’s been through already and finding out what more is coming is quite the roller coaster.
I had a hard time putting the book down! This book is even better than the first and I can’t wait to get the 3rd!

‘Crown of Betrayal’ is a beautifully imagined, mesmerizing fantasy story about the Siren, Verona. She is princess to the throne in an underwater world where mermaids and magic exist. But with power comes those who want it for themselves, and danger and deceit explodes around her when the queen goes missing.

I found Verona to be a very strong heroine, and one who adapts quickly when her friends and family have to rely on her. There was much to uncover that had been hidden from her all her life, and she rises well to the challenge.

With just the right amount of intrigue, action, and a complex storyline, Marie F Crow’s characters will quickly pull you into their world, and you will not want to leave. This is a wonderful book for fantasy and mermaid enthusiasts to pick up!

Going to have the creeps for a while after reading this one...for sure! I read the whole book in about 2 hours because I was pretty much glued to it. I think this was one of the most effed up books I've ever read...but in a good, oddly captivating way. There was so much detail and thought put into this, I'm wondering if it was written by an actual zombie. Definitely worth the 2 bucks. I'm glad I read it quickly because it almost gave me a panic attack and I think I forgot to breath a couple of times. The ending was decent but strange and gave it an unsuspecting twist. 2 thumbs up for a pretty good zombie thriller.

I absolutely enjoyed reading The Risen: Courage. And, I believe fans of the Sci-Fi fantasy genre will love reading yet another one of these authors' captivating tales. If you're unfamiliar with this author, you don't know what you're missing out on! This is the second novel and fourth book in The Risen series so it would be advisable to read the previous novels in order for the reader to follow the story development.

This story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There's an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.

This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a thrilling journey.

It's one of those rare Sci-Fi series that come along that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I'm giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery! A highly recommended read. I'll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Marie F. Crow in the future.

This is a very cute book, my four year old daughter loves it. Actually she loves it so much I had to read it 5 times in a row as soon as I showed it to her.

Of course she may the exception, but my little girl loves anything to do with zombies. I am a fan of Marie F Crow so when I saw that she had a children's series I knew I just had to try them out.

The illustrations are simply adorable. It does have a zombie, so obviously it's a walking dead person, but other than that it's not grotesque or scary. The story is fun, and keeps kids attention perfectly. My eight year old son even came to check it out and got a kick out of it too.

What I love most is there is actually a hidden lesson in there that the kids don't even realize. The kids see that even though Abigail's pet zombie is different and scary, he is actually nice and they end up being friends and playing together every day.

There are two more books in this series, and I'm defiantly picking them up for the kids. I recommend this for any younger children. Even if they aren't into the zombie thing it still has great value for them. My only complaint is, the kids never want [me]to stop reading it...but any book that engages them that much is ultimately a good thing.

Can we take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous the cover is?

I love me a good witchy book and this hit the spot. Harper’s humor and wit is relatable which made her that more endearing to me. The story had good pacing and some really great characters. I was pulled into Harper’s world and quickly grew attached to her and others. If you’ve read any books by Miss Crow, you are setting yourself up for heartbreak by doing this. I did it anyway. The story has some twists and kept me on the edge of my seat. I truly had a book hangover after finishing this one.

The book is very well written and I love the authors storytelling style. Her writing style makes the story and characters come alive and you feel a part of their world.

If you enjoy witches, suspense, with a dark vibe, this book is for you. I truly enjoyed and highly recommend it! I give it 5 stars.

This really was a great series. Not only do you get a glimpse at the cause, get some considerable zombie battling, and have human characters but there is a story line, characters in whom you get invested, and a story line that is interesting, and weakness in characters that you generally don't see. I spent hours reading into the night (much to my chagrin when I went to work the next morning) and reading while I was eating just to see what happened next! I would really recommend this as a series - even if you aren't zombie obsessed like some of us.

This is the perfect zombie book for younger children who still aren't quite old enough yet for "The Walking Dead" or any of the Romero zombie films or literature (including Crow's own "Risen" series.) This is a cute, funny story that, oddly, reminded me a little of "Frosty the Snowman" except with a zombie. It teaches the age-old lesson of "never judge a book by its cover" in a new and fresh way. My kids, ages 6 and 8, really enjoyed the book, and we read it 3 times in the same day. There's nothing really gruesome or inappropriate here (unless you count the pet zombie losing a limb every now and then, which my kids thought was hilarious.) The illustrations are also quite good as well. This book is perfect for Halloween and would make a great bedtime story.

I seriously loved this book!! This is the first book bybMarie F. Crow I have read and she does a fantastic job showing Harper's personality as she battles with a deep past, kindness and love in her heart and soul. She is a witch who can see, talk to and raise the dead (kind of reminded me of Anita Blake by Laurell K Hamilton meets Lex from The Boundary Magic Series by Melissa F Olson). When Harper takes on a case involving a little girl who won't stay dead, she has no idea what she is walking into or the world and mysteries that lie ahead of her. All of "The Little Lies" that she has been told throughout her life come back to hinder her from who and what she truly is. Marie F Crow does a fantastic job with her descriptions of the truth behind what our eyes may hide versus what's really out there. This book has a bit of spice and some pretty gruesome details, but makes for an amazingly vivid story. I can't wait to read the rest of the series as well as other works from Marie F Crow.

Great read! I enjoyed seeing the story unfold from Margarets POV even if she did turn into a zombie. It was interesting to learn how it first started. I liked learning How the kids and everyone ended up in the gym in the beginning of the 1st book, where Helena and her brother Conroy, & her other lil sister First found them all in the school. I hated knowing that they were going to die. Well all except Helena but I'm glad I got to see how it played out. I feel bad for Margaret and the kids who had to got the shot/vaccine. It was so scary when the side effects started happening.
In a way the kids still were there while they were zombies even tho they couldn't do anything about it. Their consciences were still alive inside. But they couldn't remember who they was only that they needed eat ppl so they could live and not be in pain.

This book is different than others because it not only tells the author’s story, but it is a workbook that contains meditation/visualization exercises. It is great for both beginners that want to start their spiritual journey and established mediums that are looking to embrace and build on their gifts. The Witch I Am is an empowering read for those struggling with self doubt about their own experiences.

This series can be summed up in one word - WOW. This is definitely, hands down, the best zombie series. I have probably read them all and none can hold a candle to this one.

The Risen: Courage, has it all. Suspense, horror, drama and so much more. The descriptive and vivid writing make it seem like you are right there with Helena and her friends. You seriously can not help but feel so stressed out for all of the characters as they face danger after danger.

The whole series has been pretty dark, but Courage was definitely the darkest. Sometimes I had to put the book down just to recover for a little bit.

I loved the twist that this book introduced. Being natural minded I already mistrust modern medicine and this book did not help!
Highly recommend to any zombie/horror lover.

I enjoy a good mystery with my fantasy. This had both of those elements done well and had me wanting to finish this book in one sitting. The character was witty, sarcastic, and cussed at places I would have too. I enjoyed discovering this character and am eager to see what secrets she hasn't told us yet and the adventures we will be taken on. One thing I appreciated was that it wasn't trying to tackle too many fantasy elements at once. Yes, there were mentions of several elements we come to expect like witches, vampires, werewolves, etc. But you aren't overwhelmed with all of them at once. The introduction to the mythology and lore was thought out and look forward to seeing this world expand.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I loved book 1 and book 2 is just as good! This series is action packed and will keep your interest from start to finish! I'm ready for more!

Marie Crow once again delivers an adorable children's story with her second book that continues to follow the adventures of Abigail and her pet zombie. 'Abigail and Her Pet Zombie: Zoo Day' was even more fun than the first book and with lots of surprises for them to see and experience.

The humorous illustrations fit perfectly into this imaginative storyline that comes with a lesson to teach kids when you find yourself not fitting in with those around you. This is a lasting story to have in your child's collection.

Such an amazing children's book with a great lesson! I have yet to read anything that Marie F Crow has written that is not amazing. Her children's books and books for adults are excellent reads!!!

Helena and her group have been throuhh hell. I can't believe how the ppl followed Travis and Selma with their godly preachings. Im Christian and I believe in God but the things they were having ppl do for Him shoulda proved that they were evil and not on Gods side. Some ppl are just stupid. Now they created new zombie whereof u are bit you will turn. That's so not good and now its more dangerous than ever. Add the fact that they had to leave the school, their safe haven, and are on the run again makes it worse. I hate that Chapel got killed. It broke my heart. He was always on Helena and Aimes side. Now he is gone too just like J.D. I'm glad that Lawless, Marxx, Rhett are still there with Aimes and Helena and now a few others are added go their group like paula, the nurse, Dolph, and etc.
In their attempt go flee they ran into a new group which is the group we met in the last nook so thats exciting especially when one of the members of the new group is Helenas father. I guess we will see where it goes. Onto The final book for me! Yay!

"The Risen: Margaret" is sort of a companion piece to the author's previous book, "The Risen: Dawning" and it's written from the perspective of a 5 year old kindergarten student who becomes caught up in some very horrific events. Not everyone may like how things turn out in the end, but to me it seems like it couldn't have ended any other way. Be warned.

I really love this author's style of writing. It's very unique to the "Zombie" genre. Yes, the writing is descriptive, and I've read some other reivews of the first book that complained about that. The descriptive writing is exactly what makes it great and stand out in the field among the countless others. If you want a poorly written, badly edited zombie book aimed at teenagers, there are plenty to choose from on Amazon. This book is for adults who appreciate a well written story. A story where you can clearly tell that the author put in a lot of hard work to create something unique. I wish there were more authors out there like Marie Crow.

After what seemed like an interminable amount of time from the last novel, Marie Crow has finally delivered again with a full-length, proper sequel to "The Risen: Dawning." Not that you should skip the other two, shorter tales ("Margaret" and "Remnants"), as these are both quite well done and will only enhance your enjoyment of the latest book. This book is turning out to be my favorite in the series, as everything seems to be stepped up a notch in this one: more action, more gore, more suspense, and greater character development. This is intelligent horror at its best, and Marie Crow is a master of the craft.

With enthralling description and emotion that will have you clinging to the pages, Marie Crow brings a different but equally terrifying new point of view to her 'The Risen' zombie series through the eyes of a young girl.

With what starts out as a simple vaccine given at school turning into something much more horrifying, Margaret finds herself in the center of it all and circumstances she has next to no control over. This book is a great addition to the series and a chillingly realistic one that zombie enthusiasts should not miss!

Totally plausible and completely creepy. In a apocalypse the children would be the most tragic victims and voracious hunters. Anyone who enjoys the zombie genre will appreciate this well written story. I loved it even though it made me cry.

This is a fast paced follow-up continuation to book 1. I had a difficult time putting it down! We pick right back with Harper, Jedrek, Gigi, & all. Harper is almost immediately in a mess as soon as the story starts. Thankfully she’s supported by her family and comes into her own. Just remember, all actions & decisions come with consequences!

Wow. What an ending. What a story. The depth of character and human emotion, wrenches the heart. The way one sees themselves vs the way the ones around us see us is glaringly obvious and brutally honest. We always see the worst, while others frequently see the best. How ghosts of the past can haunt us, encourage us and terrify us is so poignant in this book and the ones before it. I've never been a fan of the horror genre, but this series was epic and I loved every moment of it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really enjoyed Crown of Betrayal and I’ve been waiting for Crown of Remorse to be so published and I can tell you, it was worth the wait. Verona is isolated at the beginning of this book, waiting for a sign on when it’s okay to leave. She’s been through so much in book 1, and she’s still hanging on but it’s just the beginning for book 2. You’re going to be hooked, and you’ll need to keep reading. Verona has been dealt a hand that isn’t fair but she has to shoulder that burden and to fight for her crown, it’s going to cost a lot. No spoilers but this book is even better then book 1. I can’t wait to read the 3rd one!

I loved this book. Very emotional. I can’t express in words how awesome this book is. Margaret is a 5 year old little girl going through everything as the vaccine is given. The ending is definitely not what you would want to see, but is flows along with the first risen book it makes perfect sense. It’s a very hard thing to think about especially with vaccines and the worries people already have. Eeek. Definitely worth the read especially if you like zombies. 5 stars!

Marie Crow has once again taken an extremely over populated genre (the zombie apocalypse story) and turned it from something unreal, and almost banal, to a very human story where life is measured not by birthdays or promotions, but by living to see the next day.

The characters Marie brings forward in "The Risen: Remnants" a stand alone in "The Risen" series, are human, a mother and daughter struggling to survive each day against mounting odds. It is fraught with all the issues you find when two people are in extremely close proximity in such a stressful situation, there is humour at some very real human foibles, there is outright joy especially at some near escapes, there is sadness when some of those escapes are at the expense of other cherished characters.

"The Risen: Remnants" stands as a study of humanity, both at its worst and best, written by someone who has an incredible understanding of the human condition. The people you meet are not archetypes, but everyone will recognize part of themselves in each character. Like "The Risen: Dawning", once I started reading "Remnants" I could not put it down, the story compelled me to read it through. I had become once again trapped in the world of Marie Crows "Risen", and knew the only way I could get out was like her characters Beth and Genny, see it through to the bittersweet end.

Book 1 was intense and entertaining and this one carries on that theme. The characters are well described and developed. In fact it was almost like I was watching them, meeting them even.

Just such an amazing series so far

What a great book! I've been a big fan of Marie F Crow for many years now. Her Risen series is my favorite zombie series of all time. The depth of character this author creates is outstanding, and she continues to show up in this book. Harper Buckland is our main character, she's different, she can talk to ghosts. She's a witch who has been outcast from her town her whole life, and has found a way to use her powers to help people and make some money. This isn't always easy, some ghosts won't go away once she brings them back, and some families don't want to hear the truth... but this book focuses on a little girl, Becky Torte, who refuses to stay deceased, she’s called in by the family to figure out why. I will not spoil anything except to say that THIS book is the beginning of a series you're not going to want to miss out on. It just came out, and you need to get a copy. The characters are real, raw, funny at times, and there are chunks that just rip at your heartstrings. This is just the beginning but I am so excited to see what's next with Harper, and find out more about her powers, this town. Harper's Gigi is such a great character, and I really enjoyed the journey that Harper goes on in this book, growing into her powers, her abilities, her confidence and being who she truly is. The building connection between Harper and Jedrick kept me hooked, and I'm not a big fan of romance, but Crow has a way to weave the human elements into a book, precisely where they belong to enhance a story, without just pointless smut. This book has action, mystery, self-reflection, growth, relationships and so much more.... I don't need to convince you any more, but it's only book 1, and what I know of this author, it's only going to get better, and more intense from here!

Taking on a series that packs in zombies with true grit, and emotional clarity is no easy task. Many authors continue to try and make a buck on the zombie craze, but this second book and follow up of “The Risen” series points readers into a continuation that is full of everything that made the first book great, and then drops it to all new levels of emotion. It grips you, and the questions you may have had from the first book are clearly illustrated in the continuation of Helena Hawthorn’s quest.

Ghosts of the past liven up the pages, and madness reigns amidst survivors that have to figure out a new way to live, because the old is now past. Marie Crow creates a rich visual design that flows through the poetic display of survivalism. It’s as though Nine Inch Nail’s song comes to life, and whatever shred of hope keeps opening up, squashed in a hail of controlled chaos. Crow has a way with words, and without wasting any, describes emotional context, violence, and more within a tone that is well scripted.

Overall, this is a good follow up and continuation. It continues on the same notes of the first, but in a much more defining literary work. The sum of the parts here turn the dial on the violence, emotional distress, and courage of the main character. If you close your eyes after each chapter, you could truly see this play out, much like “The Walking Dead”, in a very relatable way. It’s like ‘The Faculty” with far more compelling zombies. It’s another winner, I think.

A thoroughly captivating story that had me hooked from the beginning. I absolutely loved this book. The mystery, suspense and intrigue were just as fascinating as the previous book which I found delightful. The cast of characters were entertaining and intriguing once again. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

When I found this little gem in the Amazon free section, I was unaware that it was actually the third book in an already established series. However (thankfully), this novel can (and does) act as a completely stand alone novel. You are given enough back-story to understand the "outbreak", and just what the world has become. I didn't find myself becoming lost or confused, and I have to say this is the first time a "zombie Apocalypse" book has MADE ME CRY.

Lets back up for a minute shall we? The Risen: Remnants is one of those books that takes a concept that most will consider "overdone" or "gory", and makes it feel real. That isn't to say that this novel is not without its "gory" moments however, as I definitely wouldn't recommend it for those with a squeamish stomach, or anyone under the age of 15. However, there is more "depth" to the story than just the gore, and that in my opinion makes it worth reading. You gain an understanding for the characters, for their daily fight for survival and the lows they have undertaken in order to establish a sense of normalcy. The characters become real to you, you worry about them, your heart races for them, and you find yourself reacting to their plights more than you expected.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Ms.Crow's take on "zombies". While I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the series, I will say that it was a refreshing take on a popular subject.

"Crown of Betrayal" is the first in Marie F. Crow's 'Siren' series, and I must say this book is a great start. If you're a huge fantasy buff like I am, Crow introduces into her story, a lineage of mystical mermaids. The book drew me in immediately the moment I began reading it. There are other themes infused into the story line such as action, adventure, and romance. I love how Crow has the ability to capture a moment through the use of vivid imagery as part of her writing style. I also fell in love with the characters. I'm definitely hooked to this new series, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.

One of my best friends is obsessed with zombie apocolypses. I know, ridiculous right? I always picked on him for it, so he bought me this book. "It'll prove my point of how awesome they are to think about" was what is written on the inside. Before actually even reading the book, I knew what he was referring to. I laughed, thinking- "ya right" and then I started to read.

The books main character, Helena, is a pretty awesome chick. She's relatable in her own way, yet also different enough for the readers to find her fascinating and entertaining. I love characters that aren't necessarily completely 'like me'; instead they're their own person with a fully developed personality. Many authors leave a lot of character traits up to the imagination, but throughout the storyline this author allows Helena to develope into a character that sets her apart from other fictional people. She's brave, strong, a natural leader, and overall a really fun character to read about.

Helena finds herself amidst a zombie apocolypse one day after coming home from work at biker club. As you can imagine this is a pretty traumatic change of pace. And so the story begins. The book takes you through a very suspenseful and action packed battle of the reawakened versus the actually alive. I can honestly say I really had no interest in anything involving zombies prior to reading this book. But now I've developed a bit of an interest (still not nearly as obsessed as the friend who gave me the book).

The zombie apocolypse happens amidst a biker club backdrop. The main characters and the people you will come to like along the way- are all a part of a biking club. They're not really your typical zombie-fighting characters, so I thought it was a really fun collection of characters to read about.

The book is fast-paced and very suspenseful. Action packed and definitely for people who enjoy the typical 'end of the world' scenerios. It definitely kept me moving from page to page. Everyone has a different interpretation of zombie apocolypses, but I found this author's take on it to be a lot of fun to read. There were the really serious moments that had you gritting your teeth, reading as fast as you can. And then there were the funner moments of success and triumph for mankind. It was the first book about zombies that I had ever read, but I have to admit my friend did a pretty good job of finding a book that introduced me to a zombie apocolypse scenerio in a easy-to-read and entertaining way.

An emotionally captivating story that continues the story began in the previous book. I liked the way the lead character dealt with her situation. It was great to see her grow and I felt the author didn’t miss a beat in the continuation of her story.

I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.