R is a zombie in an America ravaged by war, collapse, and the walking Dead. Blood and brains are the highlights of his seemingly timeless “life”, but although he cannot remember who he was, he has a more meaningful existence than other zombies. He is one of the few who can speak, albeit haltingly, but within his mind he is an eloquent philosopher.

Then one event allows R’s inner eloquence shine through - as he consumes a teenage boy’s brain, he gains access to the boy’s memories. The experience jolts him and he ends up rescuing Perry’s (the boy’s) girlfriend, Julie, and vows to keep her safe. Perry’s brain - and Julie - change R and his fellow Dead and prove that if you want something bad enough, you can get it.

Wow. What an excellent zombie novel. It was so unexpected. I mean, I had read the synopsis and I was interested in reading it, but I did not think it would be this good. This original.

For one, it starts off like most zombie novels with the post-apocalyptic landscape, the Living holed up in a reinforced community, and the rest overrun by the Dead. The difference was that the narrator, who should have been the typical zombie, instead had thoughts of his own. He was not just the brain-dead monster zombies were supposed to be.

I also found it interesting how similar the Dead and the Living were to each other. Both sides were just doing what they had to do to survive, but there was a Dead scene and a Living scene that were inverses of each other. Adult zombies were teaching adolescent zombies how to kill people, indicating that tearing out the throat was optimal. Later, Living adults were teaching Living adolescents how to effectively kill zombies with a bullet to the head. The scenes were so similar and poignant.

Warm Bodies also had a sweet love story that seemed unlikely, but really worked for the novel and helped along the change. R, Julie, and even Perry were catalysts for this huge change.

Warm Bodies is a zombie novel that is beautiful in its philosophies and appreciation of life. Despite a dying world overrun with Dead, despite the inevitability of any death, life goes on and people must live it to its fullest. The messages I took from this book were to appreciate the little things and know that life is within reach if you want it badly enough.

Recommended for anyone who is a fan of zombie novels. Some death and gore, some language, but a beautiful zombie novel with a great message.