“This is Not a Test” is a Haunting, Unique Take on a Zombie Apocalypse

“We’re a stampede of the living.”

First of all, if you’re looking for an action-packed zombie apocalypse book where the main characters are fighting the walking dead on every other page, you won’t find it here.

Surprisingly for its genre, This is Not a Test focused much more heavily on the character development than the plot. Don’t worry, there were still quite a few zombie fights and lots of blood, but the action and violence took the backseat.

This book’s strength was the writing and characters. I thought the characters were awesome. They all had an edge to them, and thanks to the apocalypse, they were nearly at the breaking point. They also just felt so stinking realistic, and none of them could be trusted. I loved how quickly they were to turn on each other, proving that deep down, they were just a bunch of paranoid, nervous, and extremely desperate kids.

The main character, Sloane, had a quiet, dangerous air about her that was fascinating. She grew up in an abusive household where her father hit her and her sister. Now Sloane is depressed and has given up all hope in living, but the sudden apocalypse interrupts her troubled, routinely life and forces her to survive.

Sloane had a “what’s the point?” mindset that was uniquely compelling, and through her eyes, we get to see the apocalypse through a hazy viewpoint.

“But you didn’t die,” he says.
“I did,” I say. “I’m just waiting for the rest of me to catch up.” 

The other characters were just as complex as Sloane. There’s Grace, who may only seem like a pretty girl, but she’s terribly upset about her parents’ deaths. Then there’s Trace, Rhys, Harrison, and Cary. Their interactions with each other were just so good that I got shivers from some of their conversations.

This may not be an action-packed book, but there are gritty fight scenes in which crowbars and pieces of glass and other awesome weapons are used to kill zombies. Some of the characters turn into zombies before your very eyes. It’s freaking suspenseful. Heck, I read this entire book in broad daylight and I was still creeped out.

Some people might have a problem with the abrupt ending, but I personally liked it. It was the kind of ending that leaves the reader pondering everything that just happened.

Extremely well-written, and scary, too. I really want to go on a Courtney Summers reading spree now.