Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Perky Karen Vera considered herself the most “legendary” cheerleader on Peachtree High’s JV cheer squad. Standing at 5’1” with natural blonde hair—despite her half-Cuban ancestry—she proved it by sticking the landing atop of the JV squad’s, awe-inspiring 17 foot pyramid; at least until “loser extraordinaire”, Kevin Jenkins, yelled that Karen wasn’t wearing underwear.

Secure in the knowledge that she was in-fact wearing her Spankies, Karen didn’t falter. Unfortunately, the two girls upon whose shoulders she was balancing had to confirm for themselves, causing a shift that sent Karen backward to the asphalt.

Karen’s parents, who were in the stands at the time of the accident, rushed to her side. Despite the fact that she had no pulse, Karen was awake and complaining about Kevin. Knowing his family had a strange genetic history, her father wasn’t too freaked out as he scooped Karen’s brains back into her skull and took her home. Karen would later learn that due to her lineage, she was “death-challenged”.

A visit from the Principal of DEAD High and munching on a a box of popcorn fried brains, Karen realized being undead was going to change everything.

The first day of school didn't go so well. Karen was expected to room with the Princess of Darkness, Clarice, who had a foul temper and even fouler breath. Although there were some bright spots, a new BFF named Trish and the drool-worthy Gavin McDougal aka Gavin McDoMe. However, the brightness was fleating, as a student was found dead (the permanent kind) with her brain missing.

While Karen did her best to avoid her roommate, tried to figure out why the entire school hated her and day-dreamed about being Gavin's girlfriend, the bodies were piling up. It was a race against time to find out who was responsible for all the brain-stealing; which, began on the exact day Karen arrived and she always seemed to find the bodies. Coincidence? Maybe…

With classes on how to look human, via make up and spells, these aren’t Romero’s leg-dragging zombies. Written in a very fun and bubbly voice, without coming off as saccharine, My So-Called Death is a fun, fast, easy read that keeps you guessing right up to the end.
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Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Flux; 1 edition (March 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0738715438