I was taken on a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the line between life and death blurs, and the living must fight to survive against the undead. Freivald masterfully combines elements of horror and thriller, delivering a story that is equal parts chilling and adrenaline-fueled.

The novel follows the protagonist, a young man named Matt, who finds himself thrust into a nightmarish scenario when a deadly virus turns his high school classmates into flesh-eating zombies. As the outbreak spreads, Matt must navigate a treacherous landscape of violence and chaos, relying on his wits and survival instincts to stay one step ahead of the undead hordes.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid and immersive storytelling. Freivald creates a palpable sense of tension and dread, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Matt's harrowing journey through a world overrun by the walking dead. The action scenes are expertly crafted, with adrenaline-pumping thrills that will leave readers breathless.

Moreover, "Special Dead" is more than just a tale of survival against the undead—it's also a story about friendship, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. As Matt forms unlikely alliances and confronts his own fears and weaknesses, he discovers that the true measure of heroism lies not in brute force, but in compassion and sacrifice.

Some readers may find that certain plot points feel predictable or familiar within the zombie genre. Additionally, the novel's focus on action and thrills may come at the expense of deeper character development and emotional resonance.

It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, sure to satisfy fans of horror and zombie fiction. With its breakneck pacing, heart-pounding action, and engaging protagonist, Patrick Freivald has crafted a novel that will keep readers hooked until the very last page. ( )

Although a sequel, this was easy to pick and read almost as a standalone. However, there were plenty of parts that just dragged, which somehow hurt the reader's empathy towards the characters. ( )

Ani Romero was born with ZV or Zombie Virus. She's been dealing with being dead for longer than the two years that she's claiming. Ani along with those that survived Prom are now called Special Dead. Nothing is what Ani thought it would be for herself and her fellow Special Dead classmates. Ani tries understand what is going on around her. The Special Dead attend high school in their own classroom but not everyone is happy to have them there. Ani doesn't like Dr. Banejere or his methods. Ani can't explain why she feels this way yet knows that it's true. Can Ani admit the truth? What is Dr. Banejere up to? Your answers await you in Special Dead.

This sequel picks up two years after Prom. I really enjoyed this book. The characters and story still had alot to say. Both were fascinating, compelling, intriguing, real, and raw. I'll definitely be reading more of this author in the future. ( )

I am writing this review on behalf of the Teens that checked this out in the library. For the most part they thought it was good. A few had read the first and thought that this was a good follow up. They said it was funny and scary. They rated it 3 stars. ( )

Unless you are a fan of YA zombie stories, do not bother with this book. Especially if you did not read the first of the series. I found the story to be confusing, trite, unbelievable, etc. But then I am not a fan of YA or zombie stories. So, combining those two genres did nothing for me.

To me, the writing style was choppy and disjointed. ( )