I am not even sure where to start with this review? This was a very different take on your average zombies. Nothing like I had read before. There was romance, horror and drama all wrapped into one neat little package. The premise was interesting. Some children changed into zombies, some didn't? Some people died and some stayed alive? There really was no rhyme or reason to it and that is what these characters were fighting to find out. 
 Alex was a strong female who would not be told what to do. She had lost her parents in a tragic accident and never really got over it. She decides to take a long hike up the mountain to clear her head and spread her parent's ashes. This will be the last time that she speaks to her family or feels comfortable with the world around her. When the change happens, she knows that something is different but she cannot figure out what it is. Throughout her travels, she stumbles upon several different characters and finds out what it truly means to love and lose. 
 This brings me to Ellie. Alex stumbles upon Ellie and her grandpa early on in the book. And can I say that this child needs to be dealt with? What a brat! Granted, she is only 8 or 9, but if my 8-year-old ever talked like this, she would be locked in her room FOREVER! I understand that she is angry because she lost her parents also, but geez. 
 Hmmm? Tom and Chris...There are two male leads that have a little romance with Alex and I can honestly say that I liked them both. I think that I am leaning toward Chris though. He seemed like he had more of a connection with Alex and I truly believe that he loves her. Tom just seems like it was convenient. 
 The ending is left with a HUGE cliffhanger and I was left with my heart pitter-patting and jaw hanging to my waist. Then I looked around and said "What the heck?" I did not realize that this was going to be a trilogy and when I did find out, I was overjoyed! I cannot wait to see where the road leads for these characters! 
 "Why can't you like me?" he said, his voice breaking. His scent steamed then, hot and heady with a welter of contradictions: apples and fire and electric roil of those cold, black shadows. "Why can't you like me just a little?" 
 She would never know how she might have answered, because he never gave her the chance. 
 Instead, he kissed her."