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samusc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mira Grant always reminds me of why I love reading. This book made me cry! We will be continuing this series. Full RTC
allthings's review against another edition
5.0
(I wrote this review right after finishing the book, but never posted it. Thought it was about time that I did, since I'm just starting on the final installment of the trilogy.)
First off, I loved this book.
MAJOR SPOILORS AHEAD
Everyone knows that zombies are a great background against which to examine various social issues of the moment. I was slightly sceptical of the theme of blogging – was the author going to take a painfully simplistic approach or, even worse, use the fact that the characters are bloggers to excuse shoddy writing? I was, however, in for a wonderful surprise. Yes, blogging is a key part of the plot, but it’s not arbitrary, and it makes sense.
The technical descriptions of the virus, the technology that developed after the Rising, and the mechanisms of blogging are all well thought out and explained, which is one of the book's great strengths. If I’m going to believe in this world, it’s these kinds of details that do it. There are plenty of zombie stories that are just mindless action – this is not one of them. The details of the Rising, and humanities response to it, are thoughtful, well described and, most importantly, believable.
I also really liked the narrator, George. Yes she’s dry, grumpy, and a little cynical, and maybe it says a lot about me that I really identified with her. I like that she gets her job done. She’s sensible and pragmatic, but she’s also not an emotionless robot. I didn’t actually realise how attached I had got to the character, until the bombshell near the end. I also liked the supporting characters, mainly Buffy. And the relationship between Shaun and George has hints of something deeper than just sibling-like love, which I'm hoping isn't just me reading too much into things.
Knowing that this novel was the first in a trilogy, I felt safe in the knowledge that I would be following George and Shaun in their adventure at least into the second volume. How wrong I was. It’s a risky move for an author to kill off her lead character and switch narrative voices before the first novel in a trilogy is even over. I am wary of what the next book will be like with Shaun narrating, but I did enjoy his part following George’s death. I will readily admit, I cried like a baby during her death scene, right up until the final page, and even for a while after. I don’t know how it packed such an emotional punch – maybe because I was caught up in the realism, and had really got emotionally attached to the characters – but it did.
I am greatly anticipating the second novel, although I am slightly wary. What will having Shaun as a narrator be like? Will the series be the same without George? Will I ever be able to learn more about her and Shaun’s relationship? Whatever the answers, you can be sure that I will be reading it.
First off, I loved this book.
MAJOR SPOILORS AHEAD
Everyone knows that zombies are a great background against which to examine various social issues of the moment. I was slightly sceptical of the theme of blogging – was the author going to take a painfully simplistic approach or, even worse, use the fact that the characters are bloggers to excuse shoddy writing? I was, however, in for a wonderful surprise. Yes, blogging is a key part of the plot, but it’s not arbitrary, and it makes sense.
The technical descriptions of the virus, the technology that developed after the Rising, and the mechanisms of blogging are all well thought out and explained, which is one of the book's great strengths. If I’m going to believe in this world, it’s these kinds of details that do it. There are plenty of zombie stories that are just mindless action – this is not one of them. The details of the Rising, and humanities response to it, are thoughtful, well described and, most importantly, believable.
I also really liked the narrator, George. Yes she’s dry, grumpy, and a little cynical, and maybe it says a lot about me that I really identified with her. I like that she gets her job done. She’s sensible and pragmatic, but she’s also not an emotionless robot. I didn’t actually realise how attached I had got to the character, until the bombshell near the end. I also liked the supporting characters, mainly Buffy. And the relationship between Shaun and George has hints of something deeper than just sibling-like love, which I'm hoping isn't just me reading too much into things.
Knowing that this novel was the first in a trilogy, I felt safe in the knowledge that I would be following George and Shaun in their adventure at least into the second volume. How wrong I was. It’s a risky move for an author to kill off her lead character and switch narrative voices before the first novel in a trilogy is even over. I am wary of what the next book will be like with Shaun narrating, but I did enjoy his part following George’s death. I will readily admit, I cried like a baby during her death scene, right up until the final page, and even for a while after. I don’t know how it packed such an emotional punch – maybe because I was caught up in the realism, and had really got emotionally attached to the characters – but it did.
I am greatly anticipating the second novel, although I am slightly wary. What will having Shaun as a narrator be like? Will the series be the same without George? Will I ever be able to learn more about her and Shaun’s relationship? Whatever the answers, you can be sure that I will be reading it.
odin45mp's review against another edition
3.0
Feed was good. I don't read many zombie stories, and this was well-done. It didn't focus only on the zombies, but also tried to portray what life would be like in a zombie apocalypse, where rising from your grave (unless cremated or brain-bashed) was a fact of life. The world-building was quite well done, and worth reading a few chapters to see how humanity deals with the new paradigm. After some reflection, I'm even okay with the emphasis on blogging and journalism - in a world where most people are hiding from the world, pursuing their own interests, you will get an increasingly myopic view that inflates your own self-importance. Furthermore, the main characters are in their late teens, and I recall being fairly self-centered and my interests overly important at that age, so it fits.
The characters had a few good points about them, but felt a little Mary Sue-ish (George) or existed only to further the plot at key moments (Steve). I think my favorite bits were the excerpts from their blog posts that bookended each chapter, delivering some story and some ruminations on the human condition.
The characters had a few good points about them, but felt a little Mary Sue-ish (George) or existed only to further the plot at key moments (Steve). I think my favorite bits were the excerpts from their blog posts that bookended each chapter, delivering some story and some ruminations on the human condition.
kittycat2302's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing amazing amazing! This was really an incredible read, and it's just so detailed and magnificent. Grant is both a brilliant and brave writer, making choices I would never in a million years have seen coming. I found the ending perfectly beautiful- it was satisfying in its own way although I was also left wanting MUCH more, which is good for the first book of a trilogy! I actually feel much like I did at the end of the film The Truman Show. Even though we were not shown things I was VERY interested in seeing and there was a bit of an info dump at the end, it felt *right* for me.
I can't wait to keep going on this incredible series!
I can't wait to keep going on this incredible series!
bnkoehn's review against another edition
4.0
What would happen if a zombie apocalypse happened? Life would simply adapt, Shawn and George and their team are journalists that have been assigned to a presidential candidate. Though it might seem mundane, life will always go on. You simply have to adapt. It is a fun book that takes the everyday life after an apocalypse.
tomasthanes's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to really like a book about zombies, but this book had so much other content (Newsies, Irwins, and Fictionals, the constant threat of contagion from the K-A virus, presidential campaigns, etc.). A LOT to enjoy.
saccharinewoe's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
before going into this, it should be known that there's going to be lots of exposition and that zombies aren't the main focus but rather, the concept that lies in tandem as the foundation for a narrative that examines the nature of politics, media and corruption. with that being said, my brain lapped up every word enthusiastically because i'm a sucker for all of those things. i don't know if it's just me but i deeply enjoy mira grant's writing style and find it very easy to get through without feeling bored like the set-up of the narrative and characterisation is always done so well. the only gripe i have is that some things did start feeling a little repetitive (do we need to hear about the details of the medical tests that many times) and some of the dialogue felt a bit superhero movie-ish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence