That's What I'm Talking About

Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot (4.5 Stars)
Originally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by NetGalley

London was ground zero for the zombie plague, and it is now home to the few survivors, a wolf shifter pack, and the various tourists and hunters that come for a shot at the world’s deadliest game. In Survive to Dawn, a team of scientists want to gain entrance into the quarantined zone to capture and study a zombie, hoping to test an inoculation. Danny, pack medic and advisor to its alpha, is immediately attracted to one of the scientists, Deanna. Seth, the alpha of the ruling wolf pack, will not allow cages into the town and refuses to grant the team pack protection. However, sensing Danny’s immediate attachment to Deanna, he allows Danny to watch over and protect only her.

Survive to Dawn is the enjoyable third tale from PJ Schnyder’s London Undead series. I found it to be very entertaining and a fun love story. Danny and Deanna share an immediate attraction, and it is enhanced by the fact that both are very rational and logical. Both freely admits attraction--there are no games--and watching each evaluate his/her emotions and reactions to the attraction is a lot of fun. I appreciate that both characters are open and honest, never laying blame and always taking responsibility for their actions. Both are independent and strong, but respectful and recognize when compromise is best. I just loved how the story focused on external conflict, such as the fight with zombies and other paranormals, rather than creating it within the couple.

Danny recognizes that Deanne is more than she appears on the surface, and that is when Deanne entrusts Danny with the “whole truth” of who she is and why she’s in London. Just in case you don’t know what that “truth” is, I won’t share any spoilers; however, this leads to an exciting journey through London, and it involves some nasty vampires. And wow! is there a wonderful twist that pops up when I least expected it. Not only is the story itself a good one, but Ms. Schnyder is able to wrap up some open-ended pieces of the overall mythology. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Another thing for which I want to applaud the author is how she addresses the fact that Danny is a shifter, with a long life span, and Deanne is a human. What I appreciate, and simultaneously pulls at my heart strings, is that it's not perfect... He will outlive her. I admire that the author didn't feel the need to ensure that Deanna, too, would live long. I admire that it's okay. Bravo!

Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. The story was exciting and well-written. I enjoyed the twists and fullness of the tale, especially for a shorter book. I also really liked the couple. They felt an immediate attraction, both willing to accept things and move forward. I like that there wasn't a rush to I love you, and especially appreciate he acknowledgement that she's going to die well before him. Sweet story and fun world. I hope to see more, but I think this was the final story.