Item: The New Hunger
Rating: 4.5
Author: Kassiah

The New Hunger by Isaac Marion
Also by this author: Warm Bodies
Series: Warm Bodies #0.5
Also in this series: Warm Bodies
Published by Zola Books on January 28, 2013
Genres: Horror
Pages: 140
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New York is a bayou. New Orleans is a reef. The entire country has been devastated by natural disasters and governmental collapse, and on top of everything else there is the annoying problem of zombies trying to devour you at every turn. But sixteen-year-old Nora and her younger brother Addis are about to discover the most frightening thing yet: being abandoned in this horrific world by their own parents.

Left with only a bag of clothes and a first-aid kit, Nora and Addis begin a harrowing journey to connect with anyone who isn't looking to rob them or eat them. A wounded man wrecks a meal of green beans and French fries at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. An attempt to get a good night’s sleep in a fortified motel is ruined by an undead face staring at them through the window. And they just can’t seem to shake someone – something – that’s been following them everywhere they go….

Meanwhile, a girl named Julie is traveling toward the city in an SUV with her parents. She is only twelve, but has already seen friends die and her school burn. She has watched her father become nearly as cold and remorseless as the Dead. All she wants is someplace to call home, even if it never really will be.

And somewhere nearby, a tall man awakens in the woods, unsure of exactly where he is, or even who he is. As he struggles to remember details of his life, a single consonant comes to him: R. He is…a name that begins with R….

Isaac Marion once again demonstrates his remarkable gifts as a storyteller as he brings the world of Warm Bodies back to life. Grounding his characters in real emotion, Marion makes you root for them to save the world even as they simply try to stay alive.

The 411:

The prequel to Warm Bodies, The New Hunger gives us so much more of Julie, Nora, and of course, R. We find out how M and R meet, and see the decline of the country and more of how things fell apart. It was rich and layered with details and information, without being overwhelming.

What We Loved:

Everything. Seriously. We need to re-read a few times just to absorb all of the details, and then go back and read Warm Bodies.

Um...Not So Much:

Again, this book didn’t shy away from gore or heartache. These are unflinching tales of people in survival mode.

The Boys:

Since this was a shared-POV book, and shorter, there weren’t too many swoon moments, but it was nice to see R’s beginning, and the friendship between M and R form.

The Girls:

Oh, Nora. This book cemented our love for Julie and Nora, but especially Nora.

Bottom Line:

If you loved Warm Bodies, you will love this. If you haven’t read WB yet, pick this up and treat yourself to this first, then dive straight into Warm Bodies.