Molly and her team are in trouble after the events that took place in Dead City. When her team goes in front of the Omega Panel, it seems that their group will be dissolved, but when Molly mentions the Unlucky 13, the panel decides to let them investigate a plot to overtake the city. After searching for clues, Molly and the team will need the help of some undead old friends in order to prevent a zombie apocalypse of New York City.

Blue Moon is a good entry in the Dead City series, but not quite as good as the first book. In this novel, we are gifted with the memories of Milton Blackwell and these add depth and background to the story, offering reasons and history of the New York zombies. Some character development is added to this story, but there is still so much more to learn about the protagonists of this series. Overall, Blue Moon answers some questions left after the first book, Dead City, and also includes more fast paced action to keep readers engaged. ( )

Sometimes Omega work can be scary, like when you're locked in hand-to-hand combat with a completely unhinged Level 3 zombie who's intent on killing you. And sometimes it can be nerve-racking, like when you're hiding in an abandoned catacomb and holding your breath so that you don't make a noise and get discovered. But what I never would have imagined is that sometimes Omega work can be really. . . .boring.

Nothing boring here...

This is the second book in the Dead City series. It's a great middle grade series with a new twist on zombies. I don't want to give anything away, but if you liked the first one, you will definitely enjoy this one. More zombie mayhem, more Omega mysteries, more excitement.

Recommended to:
4th through 8th graders looking for a twist on the zombie story. ( )

Blue Moon by James Ponti is the follow up to Dead City. At the moment it appears to be the conclusion of the story arc, but there's still enough side stories there should Ponti ever decide to write a third. If he were to, I'd definitely read it.

Someone is killing the zombies by leaving them chained on the subway lines that leave Manhattan. Molly and the Omegas are brought on to figure out who is doing it and why. They are up against a ticking countdown with the approach of the next zombie check in.

As with the first book, there are a number of riddles that Molly and friends must solve before they are given access to the information they need to do their investigation. These riddles are somewhere between the clues of the original 39 Clues series and the riddles of Merganzer D. Whippet in the Floors series.

There's less in the way of zombie mayhem and fighting as it's been established that most zombies aren't violent or brain thirsty. So for those wanting a more typical zombie book, I recommend Undead by Kirsty McKay or Flu by Wayne Simmons. But if you like a well thought out world where zombies exist side by side with humans and aren't an immediate apocalyptic event, then Dead City and Blue Moon are for you. ( )

In full disclosure, I have to say that I am acquainted with James Ponti, as he is a fraternity brother of my brother-in-law. With that said, let me just say that I am so glad that connection exists because I would not have started reading the Dead City Books without having that connection. I don't read middle-grade fiction that much, and middle-grade zombie fiction would not normally be on my radar...but can I just say I would have been missing out on SO MUCH. Seriously, folks, I thought Dead City was great but Blue Moon had me laughing out loud and loving every. single. minute. of my reading experience.

Read the rest of this review on The Lost Entwife on Nov. 29, 2013. ( )