Javan Bonds

If you love zombies, juvenile humor, naked blue people, and gratuitous violence, this is the series for you! There are poop jokes and anatomy jokes to last you for days! I am 44 years old, and this is my third time listening to this series. Yes, I admit to having the humor of a teenaged boy. There. I said it. Fight me. Or, probably don't, since I would lose. But seriously, if you love to laugh at inappropriate jokes, appreciate the code of rednecks, and don't have a weak stomach, you should grab this bundle! Thank me later.… (lisätietoja)

The ridiculous fun continues! I think this series really indulges my immature side, in a totally good way. It’s hard to not make fun of blue nudist cannibals, as Mo can attest to. The weenie jokes are everywhere in this book and I did snort-giggle a time or two. Book 2 left us with a little cliffhanger as Mo, Hammer, and Smokes got on a small plane to go see if Mo’s college-attending brother survived the apocalypse. This book picks up right where 2 left us.

I am happy to report that the ladies finally have a say in the plot. Hammer gets a lot of stuff done even when she’s injured. Sally plays a big role in how the plot unfolds back home for Zombie Island. Sarah still wants Mo, though Mo is still an idiot for not seeing it. Mo’s brother (Easy) has a fiance, Aka. She’s from Zambia and is an engineer of sorts. For some reason, Aka never gets to talk. Instead, we always hear from other characters about how Aka did this or said that. So, yes, the ladies could use a little more page time, but we are much closer to gender equality, which I’m sure Mo would applaud.

Speaking of Mo, yes, he’s still being used by the story to poke fun at racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Whatever hangup you can think of, Mo probably has it. His commentary on gun rights often has me snort laughing.

Let’s chat about the zombies (a.k.a. peevies). I think they are evolving, and so does the doc. He’s been running experiments and gathering data. Also, people have spotted peevies in family groups, and a few making the two-backed beast! Ugh! Zombie sex! yuck! But, overall, I like this aspect to the story. What could happen next? A war with the peevies? Will they start driving cars and demanding takeout?

Oh, and that doc. He has friends! Specially trained warriors from India. This was awesome. I totally wasn’t expecting it and it’s a cool little plot twist that changes the game, especially for those idiots thinking they can just stroll into Zombie Island and take things over. ha!

As with Book 2, Book 3 leaves us on a cliff hanger. I’m really looking forward to Salzman completing his narration of the next book. 4.75/5 stars.

The Narration: S. W. Salzman has really got that Alabama accent down now. Mo sure does sound like a redneck! Salzman continues his great narration with distinct voices for all the characters and his female voices are feminine. I especially liked his Morgan Freeman voice for the janitor Tychus. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (lisätietoja)

Note: This is Book 4 in the series and it really does work best if you’ve read the first 3.

It was fun and had me snort laughing at inappropriate moments. It wasn’t my favorite of the series so far though. I think that is because the first half of the book spends time kind of recapping what other people are doing and also brings in some new characters that I think will be important later in the series. The second half returns us to Mo’s fumbling hands where I felt comfortable just being myself and laughing at his commentary on life.

These stories are full of juvenile humor, true, but also humor that pokes fun at life’s ‘isms’ (racism, sexism, ageism, teratophobia, homophobia, etc.). That makes me laugh because we all know people with hangups and these books show just how silly those hangups are in the face of cannibalistic nudists. Sometimes the grundge talk (how gooey those zombies really are) goes a little far for me so I don’t recommend eating while listening to this book.

Mo’s little Zombie Island (really Guntersville Island) is coming along well and the residents are in such a good place that they want to bring in more survivors. Mo must assemble a crew to take the pirate ship Viva Ancora out on a hunt. The story does leave us on a cliff hanger with the crew selected and the ship ready to sail. The crew includes Mo’s older brother, Easy, who makes me laugh because he’s such a studly dunce. Smokes and the best prepared guy in the wheelchair (with his monkey Mary) will be going as well. Hammer and Crow will also be joining them. Turns out Crow can cook far more than boring fish, proving Mo’s theory that she makes such a disappointing dish just to irritate him.

The ladies get a little more page time, but pretty much they are mothers, wives, and romantic interests. And the story pokes fun at that over used trope too. Still, I think the ladies have more to contribute. Aka (the engineer) and Easy do get married (and Crow made a scrumptious cake for the wedding). Mo gets some time with his love, even if she’s upset that he plans to go out into danger on this new mission. Mo’s mom puts in several appearances, all being motherly (especially about grammar and swearing).

All around, it was a fun addition to the series even if it wasn’t the best. 4/5 stars.

The Narration: S. W. Salzman was a lot of fun as the narrator for this book. I feel like he enjoys giving this series a voice. His voice for Mo is still my favorite, being a heavy Alabama accent. He also does well with all the female voices. I liked his version of the serial killer from Silence of the Lambs, who kinda gets a cameo in this story. The pacing was perfect and there were no tech issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own.… (lisätietoja)