Reviews

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

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ar13l's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

booksandbourbon's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

kmkaleo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book when I first came across it. I’m not usually a fan of novels set in the 1800s or that surround the Civil War. But this book was a great surprise! The characters were likable, there was humor, and the story kept me wanting more. The novel takes place a few years after the Civil War, but the war didn’t end as we all remember it. Instead, a zombie apocalypse broke out during battle, and the divided States had to unite against a greater enemy: the dead. Because the war didn’t unfold in alignment with true history, this post-war world is still suffering from many of the social issues that led to the war. Black people, like our main character, Jane, are forced to fight on the frontlines against the dead and are expected to be willing to sacrifice themselves for those with fairer skin. But Jane isn’t one to blindly follow orders and winds up finding herself in a dangerous predicament in a backwards town. I really loved this story and immediately started the sequel… and I think the sequel is even better!

questionsforstars's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful tense fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

libraryofdreaming's review against another edition

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4.0

I usually stay FAR away from zombie stories but this was actually a really solid historical AU. It felt real, and well thought out. I actually laughed a lot because Jane's voice is so funny. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of grimdark to go around (*cough* zombies + Civil War era racism *cough*), but it was still intensely readable.

There were a few anachronisms but unlike a lot of historical fantasy, this feels period appropriate. The atmosphere is really great and the writing is quite snappy.