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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
toffishay's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.75
Sequels are always difficult, but this one largely sticks the landing. I love the main characters and the plot really keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
angelbabe_cj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
I think this might have been even better than the first book in the duology. I really enjoyed it. And the ending was very satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Trafficking
The majority of these warnings are covered by the fact the book deals with zombies and primarily black people in the 19th Century. For the most part current racial slurs are used in an historical context, although there are also a fair number of specifically racist uses of these words.ehmannky's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fantastic sequel full of all of the witty and endearing characters, zombie horror, and fast-paced action that Dread Nation held, with a lot more western tropes and vengeance sprinkled in. I was impressed that Ireland was so ready to pull the rug out from under the reader with who dies in the story (some of whom I was truly surprised over) and with the double-crosses and betrayals. And yet, despite these twists, I think that nothing felt forced or put in just for the shock value. Every tragedy that befalls our heroes felt like a natural outgrowth of the terrible situations and people that Jane and Katherine find themselves up against. Speaking of Katherine, I loved that we got her perspective, because she's such a rare kind of character and I love her.
I thought that the whole book is an interesting look at the ways that grief can consume us when we're not looked out for and cared for by a community. About the ways in which grief is compounded for those at the bottom of a social hierarchy, while those at the top often get off completely free. I also thought that Ireland made a really great point of highlighting how racial hierarchies are not only upheld by a handful of white people at the top of the social standing, but by people of many races buying into the idea of white supremacy. This comes through in both the theoretically "good" town of Nicodemus and in the "promised land" of California.
Just a wonderfully complex, zombie-filled good time.
I thought that the whole book is an interesting look at the ways that grief can consume us when we're not looked out for and cared for by a community. About the ways in which grief is compounded for those at the bottom of a social hierarchy, while those at the top often get off completely free. I also thought that Ireland made a really great point of highlighting how racial hierarchies are not only upheld by a handful of white people at the top of the social standing, but by people of many races buying into the idea of white supremacy. This comes through in both the theoretically "good" town of Nicodemus and in the "promised land" of California.
Just a wonderfully complex, zombie-filled good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Animal death and Xenophobia
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