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birdbrainbooks's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Gore
mollymahli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
aasplund's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Slavery
lindsbal's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Torture
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ the book is narrated by the main character Jane; she is equal parts kick-butt, sarcastic, and tender
⁕ the story focuses more on the development of Jane’s friendship with her classmate Katherine and their navigation of the world they live in than it does on romantic relationships... a breath of fresh air from your usual YA fiction!
⁕ Ireland beautifully blends fantasy, horror, and historical fiction to make important commentary on the long lasting impacts of racism and white supremacy in the United States
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ the book is narrated by the main character Jane; she is equal parts kick-butt, sarcastic, and tender
⁕ the story focuses more on the development of Jane’s friendship with her classmate Katherine and their navigation of the world they live in than it does on romantic relationships... a breath of fresh air from your usual YA fiction!
⁕ Ireland beautifully blends fantasy, horror, and historical fiction to make important commentary on the long lasting impacts of racism and white supremacy in the United States
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Slavery, Racism, Sexism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Gun violence, and Gore
Moderate: Child death and Torture
clarissag's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Gore, Slavery, and Violence
jnelly14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really loved the premise and the social commentary. I thought the narrative did drag in the middle but I still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
sweetmusic22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that Jane McKeene is a black bisexual woman, and her supporting character Katherine is Ace. I loved the concept of the dead rising and walking the streets of Gettysburg. Justina Ireland did such a good job of making sure that we don't forget the racism and sexism that was going on during this time. The only thing I had to pick on was the indigenous representation in Dread Nation. Red Jack's character was definitely flawed, and I feel like he was portrayed as a stereotype. Other than that, I still think this is a good book to read during October, and if you want to read a horror, that deals with social issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Just be aware of the flawed indigenous rep when picking up this booklezzieborden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Gun violence, Violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Domestic abuse, and Death
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dread Nation is fantastic alternate history; refined, resourceful and kick-ass. The zombies are a backdrop for explorations of racism, colorism, cultural genocide, religious zealotry, and sexism, shot through with a mystery thriller/escape story.
The characters are amazing. Jane is calculatedly blunt and extremely savvy, I hope to get more of Jackson in the sequels. The gradual unveiling of Jane's backstory is satisfying, making me think I know what's happening, repeatedly, then showing just one more thing. Jane makes a lot of snap judgement about people as part of her survival strategy and I appreciate how she isn't always right, but she's close enough often enough to get by and keep going.
This whole book needs cws/tws for racism, sexism, colorism, genocide, murder... It manages to be pretty upbeat overall, but it definitely isn't light reading. YMMV on whether it'll be a relaxing read, but it's very well done.
I like zombie stories, the best ones are more about the people left alive than about the actual undead, and this one lives up to that legacy. It's smart social critique, including extrapolating from the very real existence of schools for carrying out cultural genocide of Native Americans to assume that, given the hypothetical existence of zombies in the late 19th century, America might take the opportunity to try and "reeducate" former slaves and their children in a similar manner.
The characters are amazing. Jane is calculatedly blunt and extremely savvy, I hope to get more of Jackson in the sequels. The gradual unveiling of Jane's backstory is satisfying, making me think I know what's happening, repeatedly, then showing just one more thing. Jane makes a lot of snap judgement about people as part of her survival strategy and I appreciate how she isn't always right, but she's close enough often enough to get by and keep going.
This whole book needs cws/tws for racism, sexism, colorism, genocide, murder... It manages to be pretty upbeat overall, but it definitely isn't light reading. YMMV on whether it'll be a relaxing read, but it's very well done.
I like zombie stories, the best ones are more about the people left alive than about the actual undead, and this one lives up to that legacy. It's smart social critique, including extrapolating from the very real existence of schools for carrying out cultural genocide of Native Americans to assume that, given the hypothetical existence of zombies in the late 19th century, America might take the opportunity to try and "reeducate" former slaves and their children in a similar manner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Gore
CW for racism, sexism, murder, gore, death.
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