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Contaminated

Review

Contaminated

Everyone has heard of the term “zombie apocalypse.” But no one expects it to happen --- until it does. Only this time, the stakes are higher. Instead of the undead rising to feed on the living, it's living humans being turned into violent, uncontrollable --- zombie-like --- creatures.

"CONTAMINATED is a great book for anyone who doesn’t want to read about zombies but wants the same thrill. The action is perfectly balanced, with a softer more emotional side to the story."

Velvet Ellis and her younger sister witness it all. These creatures, called Connies, were just regular human beings months before, becoming contaminated by drinking a trendy diet drink called ThinPro. Velvet’s mother and father both drank ThinPro; for months Velvet and Ellis live on their own in an assisted living home set up by the government to keep families away from harm and nearer to the city. Through the months that spiral by without word from their newly-turned Connie parents, new laws are passed and new technology is invented to neutralize the Connies so they will no longer be violent and uncontrollable. Another one of the newest advances are Connie kennels. Connie kennels are where the government keeps neutralized Connies, so their families may come and find them and hopefully, take them home. Velvet searches the Connie kennels everyday in hopes to find her mother. And one day she does.

However, getting her mother back comes at a cost. She must do everything within her power to keep her mother and little sister safe, which means sacrificing work, school and even her home to make a better life for her family. But one question still haunts Velvet and her sister: Will Mom ever be the same?

CONTAMINATED is a great book for anyone who doesn’t want to read about zombies but wants the same thrill. The action is perfectly balanced, with a softer more emotional side to the story. For the most part, the characters were very well-developed. I love that Velvet still acted like a teenager but with the necessary hardening that would come from losing your parents and your life as you knew it to be. Another thing that I loved was that the changes made to society were believable, and the timeline for the events all made sense. Nothing happened too fast, and the story never dragged on; It was perfectly paced. Overall, it was an interesting read that made you cringe and made you think.

Reviewed by Samantha E. on July 18, 2013

Contaminated
by Em Garner