
Author: Diana Rowland
Series: White Trash Zombie #1
Published by: Audible Studios
Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Allison McLemore
Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
Source: Purchased


Angel Crawford is a loser.
Living with her alcoholic deadbeat dad in the swamps of southern Louisiana, she's a high school dropout with a pill habit and a criminal record who's been fired from more crap jobs than she can count. Now on probation for a felony, it seems that Angel will never pull herself out of the downward spiral her life has taken.
That is, until the day she wakes up in the ER after overdosing on painkillers. Angel remembers being in an horrible car crash, but she doesn't have a mark on her. To add to the weirdness, she receives an anonymous letter telling her there's a job waiting for her at the parish morgue—and that it's an offer she doesn't dare refuse.
Before she knows it she's dealing with a huge crush on a certain hunky deputy and a brand new addiction: an overpowering craving for brains. Plus, her morgue is filling up with the victims of a serial killer who decapitates his prey—just when she's hungriest!
Angel's going to have to grow up fast if she wants to keep this job and stay in one piece. Because if she doesn't, she's dead meat.
Literally.
“Unless you’re fucking me, don’t touch me.”
Why did I wait so long to read this? I’ve been totally missing out. There’s a major plus side that came out of waiting though. That’s right, I now have several to read at my leisure. High five, bitches!
Okay, so technically I didn’t read it. Nope. I listened to My Life as a White Trash Zombie on audio, and it was fantastic! I’m just now really getting into audiobooks on a more regularly, and I’m pretty damn picky when it comes to narrators. So, I was beyond delighted to discover Allison McLemore kicks narration ass! She does great accents, is clear and natural, and truly becomes the characters. I had very happy ears.
I love zombies! Always have and always will. This, however, is not your typical zombie book. It’s more in the urban fantasy genre than horror. I know, weird, right? Believe me, it’s actually really freaking cool.
Listen, Angel isn’t exactly on a very good path in life. She’s 21, living in a trailer with her alcoholic dad, dropped out of school at 16, drinks, pops pills, and all that other fun stuff. Pretty much just wasting her life away. Then shit hits the fan one night and she awakes as a zombie. Only she isn’t quite privy to that information at first. In fact, she doesn’t even remember the prior night. Thus, a mystery is born.
Angel is quite a character! Don’t judge her on all that crap above, because this chick is caring, smarter than she thought, and funny as hell. She shows tremendous growth. I absolutely love the irony of her situation and that she doesn’t waste her second chance at life. Undead life? You know what I mean. And the secondary characters are great, too! It was really nice to see the impact they made on her life and helped her evolve without even knowing it. I’m looking forward to more of all of them.
I was so engrossed in the story. There were several times I had to tell people to stop talking to me because I didn’t want to pause it. The mystery was great and handled very well. I’ll be honest, I tend to be a bit critical when it comes to law enforcement and crime scenes in books. It drives me nuts when it’s obvious the author didn’t do very much research on how it all works, if any at all. Even small details make my eye twitch. As I read My Life as a White Trash Zombie, I found myself increasingly impressed. I figured the author must have background in this area because it’s so well done. So I wasn’t all that surprised to discover that yes, Diana Rowland does have real life experience. And I will tell you, it shows. It brought the whole book up several notches, in my opinion.
Seriously, even if you aren’t exactly into the zombie scene, give this a try. It’s definitely a kick ass twist on the whole undead thing, and extremely entertaining. Plus, look at the covers of this series. I’m so in love with them!
Listen to the 1st chapter:
Twitter: fictionalcandy
I bought this book a couple years ago, cause hello – zombie. And the cover is just beyond beautiful. I think I even have book 2. And I’ve not gotten around to reading. Maybe you just inspired me. Cause you know, that’s what you do. You wonderful inspiration, you. Seriously, great review. I loved it.
Liz recently posted…Flawed by Kate Avelynn (Review)
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-snort- I’m here to inspire. You’re going to love this.
Yay! Isn’t this great?! I first read this one b/c the audios were not out yet, but as soon as it came out I revisit on audio, and have listened to all the books after the first.
McLemore was made for this series!! I loved it when I read it, but I loved it even more when I listened!
Great job!
Lupdilup recently posted…The Raven Audiobook by Sylvain Reynard (review)
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Yeah, this will be a strictly audio series for me. Like the Iron Druid series, I can’t imagine NOT listening to them.
Ooooooh what is this cover, it is sooooo coool … I really like it, I don’t like zombi books that much but guess i will add this to my TBR 😀
Alreem recently posted…Review: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
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This is so not like the typical zombie book. You should give it a try.
Twitter: d
She did work for the police, that’s why 🙂 As soon as I’ve read her next Kara Gillian, I’ll have to try her zombies !
Red Iza recently posted…#Fitreaders and Health #7
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Yeah, I was about halfway through and had to check her bio to see if my suspicions were right. She does a great job.
Twitter: lilradrad
You just reminded me I have to listen to this too! It’s been sitting on my audible app for about a year now! I’m glad the narration is great, I know what you mean about bad narrators :-/ I love zombies too which is why I bought this in the first place and Angel sounds like an awesome anti-heroine with a lot of spunk! I need to bump this up on my listening list. Thanks for the reminder Christy!
Twitter: i.
You definitely need to listen to this one!
Twitter: onecurvyblogger
Omg, I have been putting off reading this!!! Now I *have* too, because I damn well love zombies! The title just didn’t appeal until now . . . 🙂
Sarah recently posted…Cinder by Marissa Meyer
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Do NOT put it off anymore! 😀
Twitter: PurpleMasochist
What a crazy awesome cover, even the title! I love Walking Dead but I must admit that I never read books with zombies. I’ll check this out!
Purple recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Mark of Cain by Kate Sherwood
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I’m seriously in love with these covers. This certainly isn’t regular zombie books. It’s UF with kick ass heroine.
Twitter: RonCNieto
I saw this book doing the rounds when it was published, and while the zombie thing really caught my attention (zombies as lead characters? Hell yeah!), the title and the “trash” background did put me off a little.
Now, I love audiobooks, and I trust you judgement! So if you say it’s worth it, and that Angel shows incredible character development, and the mysteries are well done… Well. I’ll just have to try it, because character development, beyond the place where the character starts or where it ends, is what makes or breaks a book.
And besides, you’re right–the voice acting seems awesome!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Twitter: i.
Yeah, I’ve wanted to read it since it came out but never got to it. I’m super happy I went with the audio though, Allison does an amazing job.
Don’t let any of that throw you off. Angel is a fantastic character and the whole zombie thing has a great twist.
I <3 you Christy!
Your reviews are always so much fun to read.
I love that you loved this, although I am certainly not surprised that you did.
I am upset that you keep adding to my TBR pile however. I don't have time for them all dang it!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
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I think the fun factor depends on if I’ve had caffeine or not. lol
Oh well, I’ll happily have you upset if it gets you to read it. 😀 It really is a fantastic UF.
Twitter: u
I have this one for a while I confess but I haven’t read it yet, I’m quite curious to see how it is. thanks for your review!
Melliane recently posted…The Wicked City by Megan Morgan
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Oh, Melliane … don’t put it off any longer!
I read this book when it first came out and I adored it. Damn funny. I bet the audio was even better. I didn’t love the second one as much 🙁 and I still need to read the third and fourth. I need to maybe try them on audio.
Heidi recently posted…Friday Forecast March 1st-7th
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I’m really glad I waited. The audio is excellent! I can’t imagine reading them now.
I just bought it on audio..gads. Now go by the Others Written in Red..or else
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
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Mwahahaha … you’ll enjoy this. I already have Written in Red and plan to make it my bitch in March. Or maybe it’ll make me ITS bitch. lol
I agree! I read the first book but so happy you say that this one plays well on audio. Hm… might have to do the rest of the series on audio. I can’t wait to continue this series.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Smexy Reads: The Master by Kresley Cole
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I love this series. I’m not a big fan of zombies, but I really liked Rowland’s demon series, so I tried it. I just love it. I started reading, then once the audios came out and I tried them, I never went back to reading. This narrator nails Angel’s voice. Great review.
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Dead Heat Audiobook by Patricia Briggs (review)
Twitter: iblessthee13th
I’m not a big fan of audiobooks because I’m always easily distracted and I don’t usually enjoy the narrator. But I just listened to the first chapter you posted, and now I WANT TO GET IT!
And I totally love me a fiesty heroine! Awesome review! 🙂
Blessie (Mischievous Reads) recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven (SWOONUARY)
Best quote EVER: “Unless you’re fucking me, don’t touch me.”
Rowland is amazing. I read her demon series, forget what it’s called. And her crime writing is amazing because of her experience.
I keep putting this series off, even though you know I love zombie books. I have heard only so/so things, but I guess I will have to read it now.
Jennifer Bielman recently posted…Excerpt & Giveaway: Hold by Claire Kent (Book Blitz)
Aaaaah, I’ve been away from the blogging world for far too long! I love the new look! So, this book sounds fabulous and is going straight on the wish list. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
Michele recently posted…Review: Spare Change (Wyattsville #1) by Bette Lee Crosby
I have had a copy of this book for so long now (I love that cover!) but I’m not a fan of zombies at all so I have always put off reading it – after reading your review I might just have to bump it up on my tbr pile 😉
A fabulous review.
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oak) by Miranda Kenneally
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Honestly, don’t even think of it as a ‘zombie book’. Once you read it, you’ll know what I mean.
Christy recently posted…Take Control Of Your TBR Challenge 2015
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I have read a few reviews on this book, and they all have been positive. Nice to see that the author spun her experiences into the story line! Great review girl!
Naomi recently posted…Teaser Tour/Giveaway ~ Living Heartwood series by Trisha Wolfe
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I have been going back and forth on this book since I heard about it back in early February. I’m also new to the audiobook format – at least listening to them all the time – so I’ve been reluctant to pick this up on audio. Great review!
Twitter: i.
I’m pretty picky with audiobooks, but I HIGHLY recommend going that route for this series. Without a doubt.