Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

14 reviews

cleo_wylde's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

I don't usually go for zombie/horror books, especially the historical kind, but this was so good and super gripping!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence

alicelalicon's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, Hate crime, Blood, Cannibalism, Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexism, Slavery, and Torture

kalmed22's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This story is what happens when you mix historical fiction and science fiction and it is awesome!  Loved the great characters--we have a sassy heroine alongside an interesting cast of characters, plenty of action, mixed with a dynamic plot.  Narrator, Bahni Turpin, is phenomenal.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Slavery, and Violence

ohkmurr's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

I will start by saying the premise is genius on its own: the Civil War and zombies in a brilliant retelling of Thelma & Louise. I was surprised how well Ireland was able to use a zombie apocalypse to depict the history and experience of Black Americans, from general prejudice to institutional racism to mass incarceration (especially in the way the Thirteenth Amendment is presented). Though set in Civil War-era America, the themes in this book are current and relevant. As I read, I found myself thinking, "Wow, yeah, that's exactly what's happening right now," particularly in terms of the politics. 

I love Jane's snarky first-person narration; she's a fun character to read. She's flawed and funny and smart and brave, and I had such a blast getting to know her (and her backstory, which we get in bits and pieces throughout). 

I'm also utterly obsessed with the asexual and bisexual representation. It adds a richness to the story I didn't realize I wanted or needed (for one character in particular, especially, but I won't say who). Seeing this world through the eyes of characters who aren't white or straight allows readers to look at these situations from a different lens, which is so important in literature. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery