Generation Dead Bk. 3:
Passing Strange
by Daniel Waters

    PASSING STRANGE by Daniel Waters
    Category:  Paranormal
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  6/1/10
    Publisher:  Hyperion
    Reviewed by:  Karin Librarian
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Let me start out by saying you’ll want to read the first two books in this series - GENERATION DEAD and
    KISS OF LIFE - before picking up PASSING STRANGE.  If you don’t, you’ll be lost on the ins and outs of
    the plots and characters.

    The author, Daniel Waters, takes a different approach to the series with PASSING STRANGE.  The first two
    books focus on Phoebe and her struggles as she braves high school in a world where some teens are coming
    back from the dead.  Her heart is pulled in two different directions – she is fascinated with Tommy, a new
    differently-biotic boy who enrolls at school, but at the same time, has growing feelings for Adam, her long-time
    friend and next-door neighbor. PASSING STRANGE tells the story of an important but side character named
    Karen DeSonne.

    Karen is one of the most advanced/high-functioning zombies anyone has ever seen. She moves with grace,
    speaks without hitches, and is the envy of even the traditionally-biotic girls at school.  Since the events that took
    place in KISS OF LIFE that led to the laws preventing the differently-biotic from being in public without a legal
    guardian and attending school, Karen has been the only zombie out in the open. In fact, Karen isn’t just out in
    the open as a zombie, but she is “passing” as a traditionally-biotic teenager.  With the help of dyed hair and blue
    contacts, Karen got a job at the local mall and begins to use her ability to blend in to help the differently-biotic
    cause.

    When Karen has the chance to infiltrate the enemy to gain information that could shine light on a conspiracy to
    make the zombies look guilty of crimes they didn’t commit, she doesn’t hesitate. She puts herself in many
    dangerous situations with one of the most active anti-zombie radicals to date. Knowing she can help allows her
    to keep meeting Pete – even when he wants to kiss her.

    The reader learns a lot about Karen in this novel. Karen has always appeared happy-go-lucky in the previous
    books, so it was interesting to find out she isn’t very happy after all.  She has a lot to be sad about, and you’ll
    sympathize with her as she explains everything going on in her life and eventually reveals a huge secret.

    I’ve loved every one of the GENERATION DEAD books, and PASSING STRANGE is no different. It only
    took me a day to finish and I was extremely happy with the hopeful ending.  I can’t wait for the next installment
    to this wonderfully unique series.  Thanks, Mr. Waters! Keep up the good work.

    P.S. You can follow the fight for zombie rights by reading Tommy’s blog.