Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 7))
Is it too many junk-food preservatives? Brain patterns rewired by first-person shooter games? Or simply a sign of the Apocalypse? No one knows why deceased American teenagers are returning as zombies (please, call them "living impaired"), but it's happening. At progressive Oakvale High, Phoebe, who was Goth long before this phenomenon, wonders why she is attracted to differently biotic Tommy. Along with best friend Margi and childhood buddy Adam (who can't express his love for her), Phoebe joins Undead Studies, so she can understand what it's like to be dead in a living world and reconcile the recent death and return of another good friend. Not everyone, however, is so accepting of this dawn of the dead. Someone's kidnapping zombies, and one popular student, obsessed with a dead girlfriend who never returned, wants the dead to stay that way. Stephenie Meyer meets John Green in debut author Waters's wry, original supernatural romance, which blends sensitivity and deadpan humor to reflect a culture clash on both sides of the living spectrum. 2008, Hyperion, 352p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 13 up. Starred Review. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

April Spisak (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, June 2008 (Vol. 61, No. 10).)
As if high school weren’t already enough of a bummer, a growing population of American teens now has to face it as the newly risen dead. It is unclear why they are reanimating, but it is obvious many of the living find it too creepy, annoying, or unnatural to share their lives with the undead. Goth girl Phoebe has never gone with the mainstream opinion, however, and she not only welcomes interaction with the “differently biotic,” she even has a massive crush on their unofficial leader, Tommy. Even love has to take a back seat to more pressing concerns though, as growing tensions between the dead and living build to a climax that impacts both groups and leaves their numbers smaller but unfortunately not much wiser. This clever and witty novel explores discrimination with the added twist of zombie endeavors, making it a welcomely satiric new take on the “can’t we all just get along” premise found in much of YA lit focused on race, class, or sexuality. In addition, there is snarky humor in the juxtaposition of Goth culture and the lifestyles of the actual undead, and an impressive amount of emotional depth in the tortured love lives of Phoebe, her crush Tommy, and the boy who has always loved her, the alive but taken-for-granted Adam. Though a few extraneous subplots are left unresolved, these gaps are easily forgivable given the complex protagonists, subtly effective social commentary, and memorable revisioning of a familiar plot Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2008, Hyperion, 400p.; Reviewed from galleys, $16.99. Grades 9-12.

Ed Goldberg (VOYA, June 2008 (Vol. 31, No. 2))
Differently Biotic" people are American teenagers who inexplicably rise from the dead. Although few in number, their mere existence is causing unrest. When "undead" Tommy tries out for the high school football team, Pete, a teammate, is instructed by the coach to take him out. But Tommy holds his own, fueling Pete's hatred. Adding to the unrest is the fact that Tommy is dating a human, Phoebe. Adam, also human, truly loves Phoebe, but she thinks of Adam as a friend. The three are part of a focus group whose goal is to understand the many issues of the undead. Pete vows to harm group members and starts making good on his promise. When Pete shoots Phoebe at a party, Tommy hesitates to intercede, whereas Adam jumps in front of the bullet and is fatally wounded. It is then that Phoebe realizes she loves Adam, who arises from the dead as Phoebe cradles his body. Less would be more in this long story of intolerance. The premise is interesting, but a tighter novel would pack a bigger wallop. Readers will like the main and supporting characters and even empathize with the conflicted Pete, who subconsciously visualizes his deceased girlfriend as undead. Waters nicely explores the wide ranging reactions of parents and friends to the undead. Loose ends, such as the implication that the focus group's organizers have less-than-altruistic motives and why American teens and only teens become undead, are frustrating. Although the book has many positives, it just seems to miss the mark. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2008, Hyperion/DBG, 400p., $16.99. Ages 12 to 18.