Reviews with content warning for Death - Dread Nation

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

67 reviews

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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gaymee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad 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

5.0

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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-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

4.0

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ohkmurr's review against another edition

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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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stubbornlybookish's review against another edition

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challenging 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? It's complicated

3.5

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jmonsalve2's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? No

4.5

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birdbrainbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

The concept of this book is everything: speculative historical fiction, set in a post-American Civil War world where zombies threaten humanity. I enjoyed the themes of racism and colorism woven throughout. But overall the execution was a bit lacking for me. Ultimately the plot wasn’t pulling me in the way it should have—there wasn’t anything I was really trying to find out besides “will they survive.” Some of the writing, particularly the dialogue, also felt a bit cliched and repetitive. Tell me one more time that Katherine shouldn’t be wearing a corset while running from zombies! Overall it was a fun ride but I’m 50/50 on whether I would continue with the sequel.

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