Review: Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry

THE THING NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT DYING IS JUST HOW MUCH FUN IT CAN BE.

Alive, ad exec Amanda Feral worked hard to wring enjoyment out of her days. Now that she's a zombie, it's a different story. Turns out, Seattle is home to glamorous undead of every description, and Amanda- stylish and impeccably groomed even in the afterlife- is swinging cocktails and living large (so to speak) among its elite. But there are downsides. Not being able to stomach anything except alcohol and human flesh, for instance. And the fact that someone is targeting Seattle's otherworldly inhabitants for their own sinister reasons.

Preying on the undead is seriously uncool. The only option is for Amanda and her zombie BFF Wendy and gorgeous gay vampire pal Gil to unearth the culprit among the legions of Seattle's bloodsuckers, shapeshifters, reapers, succubi, and demons- before they meet a fate a lot worse than death...
(Blurb from the back of the mass market paperback)

Happy Hour of the Damned is the first book in the Amanda Feral series by Mark Henry. Amanda is a newly created zombie, a fashionista, and possibly the snarkiest character I've come across. The book starts out while Amanda is out with her friends for drinks, and boy do they drink a lot, but they have few choices. Being a zombie gives Amanda the choice of drinking alcohol and eating people. If she has anything else, the results are not pretty, and yes you get to find out what they are. Lucky you.

Anyway, when one of their friends is later than usual for drinks, Amanda finally receives a text asking for help. When they go to her house there's no trace of her. The search is on. Unfortunately for the lost friend, she's got the most self-centered group of people looking for her. Amanda doesn't even like taking the time out in the story to tell the background of the other characters because that takes the focus off of her, and the other ones are about the same really.

This is one twisted tale that gets Amanda in deeper and deeper trouble. She might have to rethink her plans because she doesn't want to mess up her unhealable zombie flesh. That just would not do!

It took me a while to get my thoughts in order about what to say about this book. It's unique that's for sure, and I loved it! As someone who uses LOL probably too much, I don't actually laugh out loud a whole lot. I usually chuckle quietly to myself. While I read this book, I LOL, then LOL, then LOL, I think you get the point. However, I kind of hate Amanda... but I like reading about her and her friends. She's bitchy and self-centered and that's even before she became a zombie, so now you add in eating people. With that said, she's perverted, foul-mouthed, and absolutely hilarious! Also, the girl can dress!

As for her friends, Wendy is also a zombie, and a lot like Amanda, which is why they get along so wonderfully. Gil is the gorgeous gay vampire of the group who fits right in as well. Ricardo is the hunk of a zombie bartender who also helps out the gang from time to time. Other creatures are thrown in here and there, and then there's the search for their friend Liesl.

The world is fabulous, and by fabulous I mean dark, gritty, stylish, and funny. Mark Henry takes us to the dirty underside of the city while trying to figure out who dunnit. If you get grossed out easily, are offended by bad language, or are looking for some romance, this is not the book for you. But if you like a book that can make fun of everyday pop culture from Starbucks to music, while being filled with snark and paranormal creatures galore, then here ya go! I loved it and hope to soon read the next two books in the series!

Amanda Feral series:
1. Happy Hour of the Damned
2. Road Trip of the Living Dead
3. Battle of the Network Zombies (just released February 23rd)