Zombies vs. Unicorns

5 out of 5

Zombies vs. Unicorns is 5 stars all the way. The banter between Team Zombie and Team Unicorn is hilarious and creates a worthy story of it's own. Each short story was intriguing and compelled me to read on, and I'm sorry to say, want for more.

It also changed my mind a bit on the subject of unicorns. Being a zombie supporter, I lean much more toward science fiction than I do fantasy and I had only previously had silly, shiny pictures of unicorns in my mind. Thanks to the superb writing and imagination of these authors, I've had my imagination expanded and I'm actually intrigued enough to seek out atypical unicorn tales.

High Justice by Garth Nix

In true Garth Nix style, the writing was enticing and a quick read. His story was listed as Team Unicorn, which surprised me, but it wasn't that simple. I figured in the fight between zombie enthusiasts and unicorn loyalists, Nix would have fallen on the side of the zombie after all of the detail in his series on Necromancers and the inevitable undead that came along with it. Even though a primary character was a unicorn, there were undead present. Garth Nix; sneaky line-straddler.


Love Will Tear Us Apart by Alaya Dawn Johnson

This zombie-human love story stole my heart from the very beginning. I did suffer from my usual want of more information out of a short story, but the entire tale was well kept in these short pages. Her description of the zombie's prions inflicting humans like a hyperactive pheromone reminded me of the vampire-seduction explanations in Twilight.

Some of the themes in this love story that caught my attention were the zombie's explanation on the guilt of killing people, which was centered around music; 'It only bothers me sometimes. Like when they love Joy Division.' Social comments on our race in the sense of existence; 'Humans are lousy stewards of the earth,' and 'There are certain theories of suicide that propose that the more self-loathing one feels, the more violent the method one chooses.'

Needless to say, Johnson has a new and fast fan.


Purity Test by Naomi Novik

All I can say about this story is that it was rife with humor. And I may be pro-zombie, but who doesn't love the mental image of a heard of baby unicorns all calling out for chocolate milk?


Bouganivillea by Carrie Ryan

I loved the classic reformed, post zombie apocalypse format. The idea of defending and island, both from the undead and invasion, and the tierany it requires to maintain such defense always fascinates me. I wanted something more from this story, though.

The line 'Gravity pulls harder on troubles than on anything else,' is a line I can apply to life.


A Thousand Flowers by Margo Lanagan

An interesting, if somewhat superficial, rumination on the idea of mixing human and unicorn DNA. Touted as beastiality, this story only dealt with the pregnancy of something so odd.


The Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson

This story delved into the strange idea of keeping zombie children as some sort of house pet. No detail on whether they were acquired before or after they became infected. It didn't have the pandemic aspect that I enjoy in zombie stories.


The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn by Diana Peterfreund

I am going to look up what else this author has written. Her idea of a unicorn as a dangerous and nearly extinct animal was breath-taking. It was a little hard to take at times, due to the sadness and harsh look at reality, but it sucked me in. The main character struggled with religious expectations and moral dilemma over her new-found ward, the rigors of being an adolescent, and listening to the voice inside of her. Deciding that the voice inside of her was right, if only for her, struck an easy chord with me.

Wonderful, wonderful story. I'm glad it was the longest.


Inoculata by Scott Westerfeld

Class reformed society, trapped behind a fence, waiting out their days kind of zombie tale. I loved taking this ride with these kids; seeing how they managed to function on a daily basis and waiting, page after page, for the change. There's always a change.

Inoculata put the 'cure' idea in the hands of children.


Princess Prettypants by Meg Cabot

This story took the bitchy, teenage girl in all of us and proved her wrong. Isn't that what parents always secretly hope for? For their teenagers to see the error in their ways?

As the title warns, this your traditional, gallant unicorn story with a lot of humor. So suck it up, cupcake.


Cold Hands by Cassandra Clare

I don't usually gravitate toward the voudin idea of possessed and risen dead (being the traditional sense of a zombie and not necessarily the brain and flesh consuming undead), but Cold Hands was a solid story in general. I like the underdog and a story about murder and zombie uprising was easily palatable.


The Third Virgin by Kathleen Duey

If animals have the same percentage of instability and corruption than humans, I think this unicorn might have been a psychopath. Creepy. I'm almost tempted to read it again and see if I can figure out whether he was lying or not.


Prom Night by Libba Bray

Reformed society of teenagers after infection spread to the adults and caused them to attack their children. There is the bleak realization of diminishing resources, but the characters find lightness in their sorry example of a prom. I was worried at every turn, waiting for bad things to happen. It was a good ride. :)


I love how the concept of fear in media and current events has such a relevant impact on each decade and generation. It reminds me that whatever the situation, whatever the threat, it is only the current one that is the worst.