Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

Quite interesting novel and a few minor things did bug me for personal reasons, but the story itself was super cool.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

"Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear" by Robin Wasley was on my must-read list this 2024. and it did not disappoint. The novel follows Sid Spencer, a Korean adoptee, who lives in predominantly white hometown as she joins the Guardians - the group who is responsible for protecting the town's fault lines from ripping opening. With them, she works to close the magical fault line, find her missing brother, and fight against the monsters.

I really enjoyed this booked. I enjoyed reading about the Sid and the paranormal adventure she gets to go on with her new found family. The writing was engaging and it was an exciting read that left me turning the pages until late. It was the perfect mix of teen girl going through high school woes while also saving the world from an impending zombie apocalypse.

It has all the makings of the perfect YA paranormal fantasy/magical realism, but it's so much more: it addresses the representation of marginalized Korean-American (Asian-American) characters; touches on coming-of-age themes; and the inclusion of several relationships surrounding family, friendships, and chosen love.

I'm a definite fan of this debut novel and highly recommend it for fans of "The Raven Boys", zombies, found family, and magic.

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley is a captivating blend of magical apocalypse, zombie invasion, and transracial adoptee representation. The story follows Sid Spencer, a Korean adoptee living in the predominantly white town of Wellsie. Her mundane life is shattered when a fault line splits, unleashing ravenous zombies and revealing the magical underpinnings of her world.

The novel’s strength lies in its seamless and authentic representation of marginalized characters. Sid's experience as an adoptee who feels like a misplaced jigsaw piece resonates deeply. This representation is intricately woven into the narrative, offering a genuine exploration of identity and belonging amid chaos.

The setting itself becomes a vibrant character, alive with the tension and danger of the apocalypse. Sid, her family, and a diverse cast of side characters are richly detailed and memorable, each with their own quirks and backstories. The story features intense action scenes, intriguing magic, and complex friendships, all while examining themes of sacrifice, love, and power.

Though the plot can feel unfocused at times, Wasley excels at worldbuilding and character development. Sid’s journey to find her brother Matty in a world gone mad is both heartwarming and harrowing. The slow-burn romance with Brian adds a tender touch, balancing the darker elements of the story.

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear is a genre-bending debut that combines magical realism, zombie horror, and heartfelt drama. It offers a thrilling and emotional ride, perfect for fans of end-of-the-world narratives with well-developed characters and thought-provoking themes.

Absolutely amazing-definitely a favorite. I loved the magical apocalypse, the magic system, the diverse characters and their diverse magic. Also, the cat stole the show. You should read this.

I really enjoyed this book! It mixes the excitement of a post-apocalyptic world with magical surprises. Imagine a world like ours, but with special places called fault lines protected by Guardians. When a Guardian passes away, magic spreads, giving powers to more people. But be careful—some, like Ford, get greedy and want all the magic for themselves!

Sid, just an ordinary teenager, suddenly finds herself in the spotlight when her brother disappears. She teams up with other empowered teens to face the challenges ahead. The story beautifully shows how people reveal their true selves in tough times.

The story itself comes off as a mashup of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Walking Dead, with loads of wild magic. I was hooked by the friendships and Sid's journey to believe in herself. Even when faced with zombies and tough situations, Sid, a transracial adoptee, shows that empathy is a superpower. This book is an exciting adventure that proves kindness and courage can conquer anything! And I definitely laughed out loud a few times, especially with the GIANT Chad...you need to read the book to understand this reference!

Loved this book and can't wait to see more from the author. Thanks to the author and the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I received an ARC of Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had an absolute blast reading Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear. Zombies aren't really my jam, nor is horror and gore, but this book was such a fun read that none of that bothered me.

I loved nearly everything about this book. The characters were fantastic, and their growth was even better. Chad the cat was a tremendous addition to the crew, and I will not hear any arguments otherwise. The creepiness of the zombies and the bad guys was perfectly offset by the dark humor, which often came at the worst times, making it even better. Did I ever think I would laugh out loud while someone was getting gnawed on by a zombie? No. Did I do it during this book? Yes. Did I feel a little bad about it? Absolutely, but it was a great time, and I don't regret it one bit.

I would have liked to see a bit more world-building, though. I didn't understand how the fault lines factored into the world. If they're just there, cool, but I would have liked a little more information about it. Also, there were a couple of times when time made no sense. For example, Sid was alone in the house for two days, apparently, but it was only about two pages' worth of content, and there was no sensation of time passing, so I had no idea it had been that long. Granted, neither did she, but it was still really confusing when the other characters showed up and said it had been that long.

Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear was weird, I won't lie. It will not be for everyone, but I had a blast reading it, and I am looking forward to more work from this author.

A super fun read that I could not put down!

My Top 5 Reasons to Read:
1. The author creates an absolutely magical setting that draws the reader in.
2. A diverse and inclusive view on families.
3. Absolutely non-stop, gripping suspense and terror!!!
4. A quick-thinking, brave heroine.
5. A truly unique and special tale about the ordinary becoming extraordinary.

I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it! I’m pretty much obsessed with everything about this story.

This is one of those stories that makes me laugh and then cry all while my inner teenager feels seen (I need to find more books with adoption rep for sure).

Wasley’s story telling is wonderful. There is a lot going on but I never felt lost or confused; I was right there with Sid and her quirky newfound friends enjoying the ride.

I haven’t read a book in the same vein as The Raven Boys but I finally found it! This is a character-driven novel that focuses on family and friendships and finding where you with the backdrop of a horror movie. The thing that sets this book apart is that it feels real and raw and the characters are relatable (a lot of r words haha) and complex. I appreciated Sid’s weaknesses and seeing her grow stronger as the book went on. This was everything I needed and everything I didn’t know I needed in a book.

Robin Wasley's voice is hilarious, immediate, and so memorable. This is one of the most unique YA contemporary fantasies I've read in a long time. It's a mixture of a zombie story and a superhero story, in which a girl who sees herself as average realizes that the people in her life make her capable of anything - like killing evil monsters or feeling all the feelings (literally). Also, Sid's got jokes. I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud. This book was an action-packed delight - highly recommend.

Entertaining and immersive - a recommended first purchase for YA and HS collections where paranormal / fantasy is popular.

Without any doubt, this is the best book I’ve read this year. And yes, it’s only February, but I am confident that nothing else I read from now through December will come close to this magical story.

From a searingly honest dedication to the vulnerability on display in the acknowledgments, every word, character and plot point in this stole my damn heart. This is a tale of magic, of identity and belonging, of self-discovery, of grief and loss, and so much more. Don’t get me wrong — this is a super fun read, with zombies and apocalyptic vibes sprinkled throughout, but it is one of those rare titles that manages to incorporate heavy subject matter in a way that is wholly accessible and inspiring. I <i> live </i> for books like these.

One major note: Themes in this book made me feel so seen in many ways. I will never not get emotional when getting lost in a story like this, built around an Asian American character who, like myself, grew up in a super white area and dealt with a lot of overt racism and complicated, internalized insecurities because of it. Just like the author writes about her own experiences with a lack of representation, I also have always struggled with never seeing anyone who looks like myself in the books I read, the shows I watch or even among the people that fill the places I have lived in.

I don’t know Robin Wasley, but “Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear,” makes me think I’d like to. This book is pure magic, and I am so grateful to her for writing it. Much like she is forever a BTS fan, I am now forever a fan of hers. (Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.)

"Dead things are closer than they appear" by Robin Wasley is a true roller coaster ride. I got hooked on the story in the second chapter itself. The curiosity about what will happen next starts in that chapter and lasts until the very end of the book.
 
It's been so long since I read a relatable chapter. I felt so relatable to Sid (the protagonist) in so many situations. I even guessed correctly what her reaction would be in certain scenes. Her love for her brother, Matty, was so heartwarming. Matty didn't actually appear much in the book, yet his character was portrayed well through Sid. I loved how Sid's cat, Chad, traveled throughout the story.
 
Brian, a male protagonist, was such a sweetheart. Sid and Brian were so cute together. I loved the slow-burn love between them. Next to Sid, Brian is my favorite character. Even though this story has a very strong plot, it can clearly be seen that the author has given equal importance to characters. I love it more when all characters are well-developed in a book, not just the main protagonist. This book definitely does justice to all the characters and the plot.
 
Coming to the plot, the story revolves around Sid trying to find her brother Matty in the middle of the apocalypse. There is this mega villain who wants all the power so that he can do whatever he wants (i.e., rule the world). Sid and Matty's friends try to save the world.
 
This might seem like a usual plot; let me say it is a usual plot, but with a unique magical realism theme, a zombie invasion (I mean, who thought that would happen), and the inclusion of the Guardians theme, this story is marvelous. I just love how every single person in the town possesses magic (few exceptions). Also, every single person has unique powers, just like how unique we individuals are. 
 
Overall, if you love tropes like magical realism, slow burn, found family, and zombie apocalypse with amazing characters, then this book is for you.

Read this YA contemporary fantasy if you like:
• Post apocalyptic
• Found family
• Magical super power
• Sweet slow burn romance
• Small town setting

This is an action-packed story where some parts are very intense and nerve-wrecking as the characters fight to survive the terrifying horde of zombies while searching for a way to defeat the evil guy.
I really like the world building of this book, the combination of fantasy and modern setting is very compelling.

The writing style is easy to read and describes the emotions felt by the characters vividly such as love, forgiveness, hope, longing, loss, grief and acceptance.
I absolutely love the characters growth throughout the story as they overcome each challenges heading their way. A dash of slow burn romance blooming among the characters is also delightful to see!

Overall, for a debut novel this is a fascinating story with a satisfying ending.
I really enjoy my time reading this book and I will keep an eye out for another book by this author in the future.

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

DEAD THINGS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR was a fun contemporary YA dystopian fantasy filled with endearing characters, magic, danger, and plenty of supernatural thrills. I adored so much about this book, particularly the characters and the message that family is where you find it. ⁣
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The action starts almost immediately when one of the Guardians is killed and magic spills out, unleashing all kinds of nasties, including zombies. Our group of characters are facing their biggest challenge yet as they fight to save their world and also themselves. I loved how well this group of friends worked together and I loved seeing them challenged time and again. They didn’t always succeed, which made the characters seem more real and relatable. I love how Sid is described as ordinary and normal, she’s so much more than that, and she eventually comes to realize her worth. ⁣
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One of the highlights of this book for me was zombies! I adore a good zombie/end o’ the world tale, and this book definitely delivered a good one. The characters were wonderful, the world was dark and gritty, the plot was interesting and fast-paced , and all those elements together made this a fun and immersive read. Pick this one up if you’re a fan of:⁣
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⁣⁣⁣➽ Zombies⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Apocalyptic stories ⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Found family⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Strong friendships that are tested ⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Sweet romance ⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Supernatural thrills ⁣
⁣⁣⁣➽ Magic

A funny, heartwarming, action-packed story of identity and relationships. The main character's voice is so unique, I immediately connected with her. Watching this group of friends and not-so-friends fight for the ones they love was so entertaining.

So much to love in this character-driven story that melds YA Fantasy + Dystopian with Paranormal Elements + Romance + Found Family trope ❤️ Swipe once to see the synopsis and twice to view a quick playlist to put you in the vibe! Check out my highlights below:

✨Characters Pt 1: Siddy Spencer, our MC, views herself as painfully average and almost invisible in a town that doesn’t mirror her appearance. As a Korean American transracial adoptee, Sid struggles with identity, adding a heavy, complicated layer to her self-esteem.
✨Character Pt 2: The ensemble cast of characters who make up the Guardians. As Sid bonds with the Guardians, she quickly understands that her struggles may not be as unique as she once felt. Together, they understand the true meaning of “teamwork makes the dream work” and create a found family/community where each of their skills makes an impact.
✨Character Pt 3: Chad, the cat! I’m a dog person, but gosh, I loved Chad. She has attitude and confidence and knows when to arrive at the right time! There is a huge highlight at the end 🤐 you gotta read the book!

Other highlights: magic, zombies, troubled friendships, empathy as a superpower, and of course, the romance❤️