Book Review: 'Happy Hour of the Damned' by Mark Henry

It's book review time!  I'm reviewing an adult urban fantasy book this week.

Last week I read Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry. 

Amanda Feral is an ad exec in Seattle but her world takes a strange turn after a freak encounter with a scary looking, pus oozing guy in an elevator.  When she wakes up she's a zombie and her world is turned upside down as her wacky, sexy, and funny life as a zombie begins.  Quickly gaining good friends in fellow zombie Wendy and gay and fabulous vampire Gil, they live it up partying and drinking.  When succubus Liesl goes missing, Amanda takes it upon herself to help find her even though she doesn't exactly know why.  In searching for Liesl she and the rest of her friends get caught in a plot of a zombie take over, the only problem being the new zombies are "mistake" zombies, not made, functional zombies.  Amanda endures various situations and confronts colorful characters throughout the book on her mission to find out what happened to Liesl and in doing so creates a wildly unique story.  The only question is...will Amanda get out in the end undead?

This is unlike any book I've read.  Richelle Mead's quote on the front sums it up: "Sexy, funny, and twisted.  You've never read anything like this!"

I know from watching Mark Henry on YouTube he says he doesn't censor himself and he didn't lie.  There were several instances when I had to stop and ask myself "Did he really say that?!"  There is definitely some provocative language and is not suited for young people.  Even though I wouldn't have the guts to say some of what he wrote I appreciate it.  It's refreshing to read something that normally would be frowned upon or may be seen as unacceptable.  It makes the story real and helps create Amanda's snarky and bold character.  The questionable language (to some) made the book better, in my opinion.

Speaking of language, I have to say the language used was excellent.  It would probably be really easy to write this story in a plain, boring way just to get it across, but Henry steps it up.  The analogies and descriptions made me want to keep reading.  Overall, the whole thing is written very well.  For example, a line on page 136 says, "When I joined the weathergirl, tears clung to her cheeks like beads of dry Elmer's glue."  How could you not love that description?!  Everything he wrote makes the story seem tangible and realistic because I can see and sense what he means and is talking about.

I have to admit I was a little weary about this book, not because it was urban fantasy (because I love urban fantasy), but because it had a zombie as the main character.  I have probably read about every kind of supernatural creature but never a zombie...and I don't know why I waited to long!

This book is funny, sexy, wacky, and has it's fair share of action and adventure.  Just because it's a zombie book, don't second guess it....READ IT!

I recommend this book for anyone who loves urban fantasy and wants to read a something a little different than all the mainstream urban fantasy out there.