Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions (Experimental Biology and Medicine, 28)

At the end of the world, it's hard to trust anyone--even yourself.

Jesse and a ragged band of survivors crawl through the wreckage of New York City. They escaped the Chasers--for now. But the infected zombie freaks are getting bolder, stronger. So when they begin to see signs of human life, they can't believe their luck. Now they're the chasers, looking for someone to tell them the worst vacation ever is over. Of course, luck can be good and bad. And the enemy could be closer than your reflection in the mirror. . .

An Australian teen visiting New York City, Jesse is one of the few people remaining after a mysterious attack that destroyed buildings, killed most inhabitants, and transformed many survivors into bloodsucking zombies known as Chasers. Two weeks later, moment-to-moment survival is at the top of Jesse’s agenda, but he manages to befriend a few other young people and tries to convince them to escape. The sequel to Chasers (2010), this novel leaves many nagging questions still unanswered, perhaps leading up to a grand reveal in the concluding volume of the Alone trilogy. An Australian writer of thrillers for adults, Phelan knows how to keep readers turning the pages. But with the exception of Jesse, who narrates the story, the characters seem to embody traits and perspectives without really coming alive in the novel. Recommended for libraries where the series has a following. Grades 8-10. --Carolyn Phelan