Reviews with content warning for Racism - Dread Nation

Let me start off with the good: the main character and her friend are interesting and well written. They have a great relationship and both grow individually. I was surprised how much I really enjoyed the friend by the end of the book. She did not flop into a dull character. Also, bonus for bi and ace representation.

While I'm not interested in historical fantasy, this book does add more interest with zombie apocalypse and racial/political discussion.

Not so great: my main disappointment might be the little direction in the second half of the book. The first half is interesting in a large city with schools teaching teen girls to fight zombies. We know the main character wants to go back home but she doesn't actively do much to follow that through. She's bossed around.

In the second half, there's a shock reveal but it never goes anywhere past that. I don't remember if it's even mentioned much after. Sadly the plot falls more disjointed with the climax leaving you underwhelmed and puzzled. I'm left with many questions and no answers. I was much more interested in the previous city any time it was mentioned.

Great characters and I love to see them grow. I only wish the plot was more fleshed out.

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caitie95's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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pancake_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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sparklefarm's review against another edition

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dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

A friend described this as a romp, and that's accurate! Very fun zombie tale (but also doesn't shirk frank discussions of racism and slavery).

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lisashelves's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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lim's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

5.0

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emmehooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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mollykwhelan's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.5

GREAT historical spec fiction, wonderful writing. I don't usually do zombie stuff but this book is like a great story that happens to have zombies. Lovable and hatable characters, tense moments, little thrills of romance, realistic if tragic details. Really has it all.

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