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panic_at_the_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historicak dystopian settings with zombies.
The writing style was easy to read and the plot was interesting enough throughout the book causing this book to become a page turner for me.
The whole story constantly kept me wondering who the biggest monster is: the zombies or human beings? I never knew how to trust as a character. Some seemed nice while they were fully capable of stabbing others in the back.
Apart from that I also like how even shamblers (as they are called in the book) evolve, making things even more tense and scary.
I am looking forward to reading the second book!
The writing style was easy to read and the plot was interesting enough throughout the book causing this book to become a page turner for me.
The whole story constantly kept me wondering who the biggest monster is: the zombies or human beings? I never knew how to trust as a character. Some seemed nice while they were fully capable of stabbing others in the back.
Apart from that I also like how even shamblers (as they are called in the book) evolve, making things even more tense and scary.
I am looking forward to reading the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Gore, and Racism
Minor: Slavery
anniehayez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I love the world of this book. I think it is such and interesting take on a zombie story set in an already tumultuous time in American history. I loved the satire of the zombie story line that in many ways is an exaggerated idea of the reconstruction period when southern democrats were still doing everything they could to maintain white supremacy and uphold slavery. This is shown in the combat schools in this book as well as the “survivalists” ideologies. Really interesting set up and I liked the characters a lot. I wish we saw more of Kate and Jackson in the middle third of the books but there was a lot to cover. I also found the end a tad unsatisfactory. I just wish more was resolved but it does a good job setting up the next book. I think I will continue with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Gore
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? N/A
4.75
Riveting from start to finish. The main character is complex, interesting and wildly wildly intelligent. Def the best portrayal of a smart character I've seen in books. I find that a lot of times authors just want to tell you the character is smart and not show bc a character can only be as smart as an author but Jane was def a shining example of what to do. A couple of characters are casually queer. And you can see in real time affection between characters blossom. Loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery and Xenophobia
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
This is a fast-paced, fun read. Jane is a strong-willed and independent character. Most of the women are, but Jane really displays these qualities. Jane faces so much throughout this story. There is action (fighting zombies), enemies to friends, sexism, racism, abuse of power, and overcoming the impossible. There is rarely a dull moment in the story. There is fighting, plotting, or finding out new information. This is a young adult book, and that is my main reason for 4 stars. I am out growing the genre. It comes off as childish and repetitive in the language at times. However, it’s still a fun read, and I would recommend it to most people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Sexism, Torture, and Violence
pinkalpaca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny and Slavery
angelofmine1974's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.0
My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/EShbj6t1fgQ
Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/EShbj6t1fgQ
Enjoy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
brerreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Blood, Racial slurs, and Racism
iamsammie27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Blood, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence and Murder
roganshannon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Representation: Black bisexual MC, many BIPOC supporting cast
Jane McKeene has grown up knowing only a world where the dead walk the world during the Civil War, America forever changed. For survival in this new world, it all falls on the shoulders of a few. Reeducation laws were passed to require certain indigenous and Black children to attend combat schools to learn how to put down the dead, so white people don’t have to do all the dirty work. But there are also some special opportunities for better life, such as training to become an Attendant, someone who’s well-trained in both combat and etiquette to protect the rich. Jane’s in Attendant training, because even being the Black daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman can let her escape society and its rules. Though it’s not the life she wants, she’s set on returning home to her family. She doesn’t pay attention to the politics of these cities she’s in, until families start going missing and she suddenly gets caught up in a big conspiracy. She’s fighting for her life, and not just against the dead.
Rating: 5/5 Even though I thought the concept was cool, I put off reading this because I got really tired of all the zombie stories that were coming out. It just felt like a lot of slight modifications of the same story again and again. My best friend loaned me this book, and wow, I’m glad I finally read it! This really thinks about how the course of history would be drastically shifted if the dead rose during the ongoing war. Can you imagine? Killing someone only to have them get up again and keep going, mindless this time. All the historical events, such as the reeducation acts, were kept but repurposed which is so fascinating to me! I think Ireland did a great job of describing all the historical details, including the technology available at the time. This book is certainly one to check trigger warnings for, and I want to mention that this book uses historical terms for Black and indigenous people. It also shows up in the synopsis on GoodReads, so just a heads up you will see those terms.
Jane McKeene has grown up knowing only a world where the dead walk the world during the Civil War, America forever changed. For survival in this new world, it all falls on the shoulders of a few. Reeducation laws were passed to require certain indigenous and Black children to attend combat schools to learn how to put down the dead, so white people don’t have to do all the dirty work. But there are also some special opportunities for better life, such as training to become an Attendant, someone who’s well-trained in both combat and etiquette to protect the rich. Jane’s in Attendant training, because even being the Black daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman can let her escape society and its rules. Though it’s not the life she wants, she’s set on returning home to her family. She doesn’t pay attention to the politics of these cities she’s in, until families start going missing and she suddenly gets caught up in a big conspiracy. She’s fighting for her life, and not just against the dead.
Rating: 5/5 Even though I thought the concept was cool, I put off reading this because I got really tired of all the zombie stories that were coming out. It just felt like a lot of slight modifications of the same story again and again. My best friend loaned me this book, and wow, I’m glad I finally read it! This really thinks about how the course of history would be drastically shifted if the dead rose during the ongoing war. Can you imagine? Killing someone only to have them get up again and keep going, mindless this time. All the historical events, such as the reeducation acts, were kept but repurposed which is so fascinating to me! I think Ireland did a great job of describing all the historical details, including the technology available at the time. This book is certainly one to check trigger warnings for, and I want to mention that this book uses historical terms for Black and indigenous people. It also shows up in the synopsis on GoodReads, so just a heads up you will see those terms.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
huirangdolly's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism and Cursing
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence