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shrikebait's review
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Z Word was a lot of fun! This is definitely a character-driven story, with no shortage of queer drama. I appreciate that the antics add levity while revealing each character's quirks and hidden insecurities. I also love the serious critiques of rainbow capitalism compounded by zombie horror.
With that focus in mind, I see this as more "queer horror" than "zombie horror." Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of zombies complete with guts and gore. I was just more invested in the characters' messy relationships and ethical dilemmas than in the undead.
Thank you to Quirk Books for the chance to check this book out through a giveaway! I'm leaving this review of my own accord
With that focus in mind, I see this as more "queer horror" than "zombie horror." Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of zombies complete with guts and gore. I was just more invested in the characters' messy relationships and ethical dilemmas than in the undead.
Thank you to Quirk Books for the chance to check this book out through a giveaway! I'm leaving this review of my own accord
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
moonyreadsbystarlight's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A wild action-filled romp with messy queer drama and critique of rainbow capitalism. A good balance of lightness and seriousness for the sort of story that it is. I also think that the mixing in of other POV and the chapters from the past added to it. I really enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Hate crime and Transphobia
Minor: Pregnancy
Face biting - unsure if it qualifies for the cannibalism tag. No one is explicitly pregnant, but there is a bit of a pregnancy scare that spans the book that is mentioned, but it's the day after/getting plan b. Also, someone uses a racial slur but they don't have it on the page, so I tagged racism rather than the slur.