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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
i wanted to like this. i kept waiting for the author to do something interesting with the origins of the zombie myth and the setting of her story, but she didn’t. it turns out zombie stories are boring even when they aren’t white supremacist dog whistling. too bad.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually put this book down about a year ago. A co-worker convinced me to pick it back up and finish it. I’m so glad I did, because Ireland’s book recaptured me. I hope there is a part 2, and maybe a movie!
I wanted to like this so badly. It sounded amazing. But it just missed the mark for me. Black queer girls fighting zombies is how this book was described to me and the queer relationship I was expecting was barely there. Though I did love the bi and ace representation I think I went into this expecting more of a queer relationship. Also for a book about zombies we barely see zombies. It sucks because I loved the zombie scenes we do get but there was just a small hand full of those scenes. It made the story a bit boring and I kept forgetting it was supposed to be about zombies. I wanted more action there. Especially to see more of Janes skill with fighting. There was tons I really liked about the main character and some of the side characters. They really were the best part of the story. I think I went into this with completely different expectations and just ended up disappointed in the end.
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, War
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Cannibalism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
No
I love nothing more than a strong, sassy as fuck FMC who has no patience for men in power.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Now this, this is a book to get excited about. That's especially significant for me, since I have very low tolerance for YA these days after being a devoted YA reader for some years. I just got to a point where I was burned one too many times by trite, derivative junk that was pushed out solely to jump on the latest hot trend. I have no idea if zombie YA is on trend right now, but even if it is, I was thrilled to read a book that doesn't feel like so much badly done YA drivel.
This book has things to say, important things. Even though it's set in an alternative US in which zombies rose during the Civil War, putting an abrupt end to that particular conflict without resolving *any* of the issues surrounding it, this book has a TON of relevance to the real, current America, and I know that's no accident. This book is smartly written and it makes many, many hard-hitting points about race relations in the US, about how people of color are mistreated, and about how blind most white people are to their privilege.
Plus, it has one of the most spirited, wonderful female characters I've read in some time. Jane is by no means perfect, which is what makes her a perfect character. She has rough edges, does bad things, and isn't always a nice person, but she is a complicated human being with whom I could sympathize. I really liked that she made no bones about who she was or what she had to do to navigate her circumstances. She was smart and insightful and a joy to read about.
Now, I gave it four stars because there were a couple of trope-y features (Hello, love triangle--or was it a love square?), and some plot points that stretched credulity for me--particularly when it came to the scheme Jane cooked up for Katherine. I couldn't for the life of me see how that would work. However, the writing is so strong and I found Jane such an engaging character that I wasn't as bothered by this as I might have been.
All in all, my reaction to this book was very enthusiastic, and I very much look forward to the next installment.
This book has things to say, important things. Even though it's set in an alternative US in which zombies rose during the Civil War, putting an abrupt end to that particular conflict without resolving *any* of the issues surrounding it, this book has a TON of relevance to the real, current America, and I know that's no accident. This book is smartly written and it makes many, many hard-hitting points about race relations in the US, about how people of color are mistreated, and about how blind most white people are to their privilege.
Plus, it has one of the most spirited, wonderful female characters I've read in some time. Jane is by no means perfect, which is what makes her a perfect character. She has rough edges, does bad things, and isn't always a nice person, but she is a complicated human being with whom I could sympathize. I really liked that she made no bones about who she was or what she had to do to navigate her circumstances. She was smart and insightful and a joy to read about.
Now, I gave it four stars because there were a couple of trope-y features (Hello, love triangle--or was it a love square?), and some plot points that stretched credulity for me--particularly when it came to the scheme Jane cooked up for Katherine. I couldn't for the life of me see how that would work. However, the writing is so strong and I found Jane such an engaging character that I wasn't as bothered by this as I might have been.
All in all, my reaction to this book was very enthusiastic, and I very much look forward to the next installment.
adventurous
challenging
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:
N/A