Reviews

Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

bluejaybooks's review against another edition

Jane really grew on me in this book. Which is surprising considering she is now even more vicious than she was in the first book ;)

A take on the zombie apocalypse that examines how the introduction of zombies could have affected historical racial inequality. Got to admit it's kind of odd to read about a zombie disease in the age of COVID-19 though. I keep wanting to compare the fictional pandemic to what we're living through right now . . . As a matter of fact, let's do that!

What COVID-19 and the zombie apocalypse (as depicted in the Dread Nation series) have in common:

• -They bring out racial prejudice. Prejudice against people of Asian decent for COVID-19 and prejudice against black people for the zombies.


• -The price of necessities increase as a result of the infection.


• -Both can be spread by contact with bodily fluids.


• -People search for a vaccine. (Okay, so maybe the search in Dread Nation is rather messed up, but still...)

Okay, so they're actually pretty different . . . still strange to read books with any sort of pandemic connection right now

justineprince's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

barkshark's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

4.5

gwenhwyfar82's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.25

electricjuicebox's review against another edition

adventurous slow-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

3.5

I read the precursor to this sequel years ago and finally picked up the follow-up, so my memory of the last book is probably a bit hazy. What still stands out to me is the scope and depth of the world Justina Ireland has built, and all of the neat little details of this alternate history timeline that pepper the landscape. I found the characters very fun and loveable. The plot felt a little meander-y at times, and somewhat repetitive (Jane is COMMITTED to her mission for much of the book and won't let you forget it), but overall this was an interesting and enjoyable read. 

mokey81's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

lbarsk's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 actually because, well... this was GREAT. An engaging sequel to a really gripping first book, with lots of intrigue and a total shift in plot a little over halfway through that I thought was really well pulled-off. Ireland has a skill for making even briefly-appearing side characters feel real, and she’s deft with emotions too. A couple things wrapped up in a way that felt really fast, hence the 4.5 stars, but this was an excellent way to close the story for Jane and Katherine. Wow!

ETA: also wtf how could I forget THE QUEERNESS !! The first book had ~*~queer vibes but they actually become real in this sequel. Kate is, in modern parlance, aro-ace and she wears a binder (we have no choice but to stan) and Jane, in modern parlance, is bi or pan. And other side characters are gay and lesbian. HELL YES!

ETA also: I’d love to read reactions to especially the book’s second half by someone who isn’t white. Racial politics have always been front and center here, but the first book mostly speaks to white oppression of Black Americans, while this book also incorporates tensions between Black folks, Native Americans and Indigenous peoples, and Asian immigrants to the West Coast.

pinkalpaca's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad 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

4.5

dwarnian's review against another edition

4.0

over 4 stars, less than 4.5 stars?

magikspells's review against another edition

5.0

This book was most excellent. There was a different dynamic from the first book, but it worked with how the different characters dealt with the issues from the first book. Also this book has excellent queer dynamics, both romantic and not. I just adored the two main characters and I also appreciate the ending was left a little open. So far I haven’t been disappointed by any of the books by Justina so I’ll be on the lookout for any future stories.