Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Balck and Justine Larbalestier

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Review:

I've been excited about reading this book ever since I first heard about it, and after seeing what authors would be featured in it, I was even more so. Luckily enough, Zombies Vs. Unicorns turned out to be a fun, fast paced anthology which will have everyone debating the following question throughout: Which is better, the zombie or the unicorn?

Through Zombies vs. Unicorns the reader is thrown into short stories about unicorns and/or zombies and debates about which animal is better. From romantic and funny reads (Princess Pretty Pants and The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn) to scary and thrilling ones (Cold Hands and The Children of the Revolution) to ones taking place not far into the future (Inoculata and Bougainvillea), this anthology contains a wide range selection of well written short stories that are sure to have even the most reluctant readers out there interested.

I have to admit some stories are obviously better than others, but even the ones that were the most lackluster in my eyes proved to be good in their own ways as well. My favorites out of the mix would have to be Meg Cabot's Princess Pretty Pants (You'll never view a unicorn the same way!), Cassandra Clare's disturbing but thoroughly captivating Cold Hands, and the best of the best, Dianna Peterfreund's The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn (I seriously can't wait to read more by her!). Some other honorable mentions include Carrie Ryan's Bougainvillea, which takes place in the same universe as her other stories, and Maureen Johnson's The Children of the Revolution. I also enjoyed how before each story Holly and Justine would talk about the short story and how if it was a zombie story it was better than a unicorn one and the other way around. It provided some funny, laugh out loud moments.

In all, Zombies vs. Unicorns is an interesting and unique read that's sure to have almost anyone loving at least one of the stories contained.

And my stance on that age old question? I'm neutral. I think zombies and unicorns both have their good points and bad points.
 
Grade: B+

Zombies vs. Unicorns will be released September 21, 2010.

Source: Publisher. Thanks, Simon and Schuster!