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betterbelieveitsbecca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
Read amazingly by Bahni Turpin, Dread Nation is an alternate history, zombie apocalypse with a strong, young Black lead. It was a fun adventure which (thankfully to me) was very light on gore/tension. Some of the twists and surprises in the end could have been set up more or cut completely, but in general I found this a delightful addition to my summer reading.
exorcismemily's review against another edition
4.0
"It's a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part."
I first heard of Dread Nation a couple years ago when it was nominated for a Stoker Award. I'm not huge on zombies or historical fiction, but I wanted to give it a shot. I ended up really enjoying Dread Nation! The story and characters are memorable, and it was amusing and heartbreaking at the same time. I bought the second book last week, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
CW - racism, misogyny
I first heard of Dread Nation a couple years ago when it was nominated for a Stoker Award. I'm not huge on zombies or historical fiction, but I wanted to give it a shot. I ended up really enjoying Dread Nation! The story and characters are memorable, and it was amusing and heartbreaking at the same time. I bought the second book last week, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
CW - racism, misogyny
inaraexplains's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ar13l's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
booksandbourbon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kmkaleo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book when I first came across it. I’m not usually a fan of novels set in the 1800s or that surround the Civil War. But this book was a great surprise! The characters were likable, there was humor, and the story kept me wanting more. The novel takes place a few years after the Civil War, but the war didn’t end as we all remember it. Instead, a zombie apocalypse broke out during battle, and the divided States had to unite against a greater enemy: the dead. Because the war didn’t unfold in alignment with true history, this post-war world is still suffering from many of the social issues that led to the war. Black people, like our main character, Jane, are forced to fight on the frontlines against the dead and are expected to be willing to sacrifice themselves for those with fairer skin. But Jane isn’t one to blindly follow orders and winds up finding herself in a dangerous predicament in a backwards town. I really loved this story and immediately started the sequel… and I think the sequel is even better!
questionsforstars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
I usually stay FAR away from zombie stories but this was actually a really solid historical AU. It felt real, and well thought out. I actually laughed a lot because Jane's voice is so funny. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of grimdark to go around (*cough* zombies + Civil War era racism *cough*), but it was still intensely readable.
There were a few anachronisms but unlike a lot of historical fantasy, this feels period appropriate. The atmosphere is really great and the writing is quite snappy.
There were a few anachronisms but unlike a lot of historical fantasy, this feels period appropriate. The atmosphere is really great and the writing is quite snappy.