I certainly enjoyed it, but was a bit disappointed in the cliffhanger. I'm also hoping that Sal grows a bit more of a backbone. Maybe it's cultural differences, or maybe its the tapeworm, but I would have punched waaay more folks. ( )

The cover for this is even more stunning in person!

As always Mira Grant writes a cracking good story. Her thoroughness in all aspects of her writing -- from the science of what might make parasites chew their way to the brain, to reasons said parasite might then develop their own gender identity -- is incredible, especially considering that she juggles this knowledge as well as a wide variety of other information, given her other book series.

She remains the only author to ever make me feel sorry for a tapeworm. Not only feel sorry for, but actively go 'OW TANSY' out loud on public transport. ( )

Overall a good book, it was getting a little old save Sal theme, I think there could have been more development in the faction of the other Chimera. I also don't understand the title in relation to the content. Once Sal got back to the house where monster play. The story picked up again and felt more like something I was able to get in to. Very enjoyable in the end. ( )

This subject (sentient tapeworms!) is just creepy as all-get-out and there is a very distinct style similarity between this and the Newsflesh series, but these are so well written that it's (slightly) easier to get past the total ick. The focus on the ethical and interpersonal ramifications of sentient tapeworms (!) is what makes them even more creepalicious. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. So much so that I may re-read these closer to the publication date, even though it's only 5 months away. ( )

Honestly, I got sleepy. It's not a bad thing, really, because I was lulled into text that made me feel as if I were in a fairy tale. We have the big reveal of the first book being developed into a level up montage where Sal can sometime in the next book become the queen bee of the worms, and all is good. I like seeing not only character progression in making lots of grown up decisions, but also in spine tingling power ups.

For a kid who can't enjoy a good video game, she sure exhibits all the classic markers of being in a zombie apocalypse game. Thank goodness for Fish. He's the breakaway favorite for this book now that Tansy has devolved into a mcguffin.

Perhaps the third novel will also kill this darling, only to bring in one more super colorful character.

It was a pretty good novel in retrospect, but not entirely so during the read. I wanted more results and more push, but seeing Sal take control was definitely a great sign.

Final score? It is probably slower than I would have preferred, but character development made up for most of my complaints. ( )