Scan barcode
A review by queer_bookwyrm
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: zombies, violence, descriptions of blood and gore, slavery, racism, anxiety, murder, amputation, torture
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland is the second novel in the Dread Nation duology. I loved this one just as much as the first book! We get more of Katherine in this one, so we go between her and Jane's POV.
We pick up with Jane and Katherine from last time as they try to find safety in another town. Everything goes tits up in the worst way, shamblers everywhere. I don't want to say too much more about the plot to avoid spoilers, but we get to see more of the west in this book and get some really great diverse historical context that brings in Californios, Indigenous people, and Chinese people. We also have a Bi MC of color, Aroace MC of color, lots of gay/lesbian rep, and disability rep.
I loved Jane and Katherine's friendship in this! They are wonderful together. Katherine is the sunshine to Jane's stormy countenance. Where Jane is brash, reckless, and impolite, Katherine is measured, refined, keeps Jane in line. Their banter gives me life. I also love that their relationship is never minimized and no one tells them to get a husband (Katherine is aroace). They both have some great dynamic character growth throughout the novel.
Ireland has given us the gift of putting Black people back into history. Like Ireland, I always loved old westerns or anything to with the Old West, but they were all white people. With this duology, we get out own western story. We also see themes on medical experimentation on Black people and the use of faulty science.
There were some great twists I didn't see coming! It also had a satisfying end. If you are usually not a fan of zombie stories, you should consider checking this book out. Yes there are zombies (shamblers), but it doesn't read like a zombie story. I'm usually not a fan, but I loved it. I can't wait to see what else Ireland puts out!
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland is the second novel in the Dread Nation duology. I loved this one just as much as the first book! We get more of Katherine in this one, so we go between her and Jane's POV.
We pick up with Jane and Katherine from last time as they try to find safety in another town. Everything goes tits up in the worst way, shamblers everywhere. I don't want to say too much more about the plot to avoid spoilers, but we get to see more of the west in this book and get some really great diverse historical context that brings in Californios, Indigenous people, and Chinese people. We also have a Bi MC of color, Aroace MC of color, lots of gay/lesbian rep, and disability rep.
I loved Jane and Katherine's friendship in this! They are wonderful together. Katherine is the sunshine to Jane's stormy countenance. Where Jane is brash, reckless, and impolite, Katherine is measured, refined, keeps Jane in line. Their banter gives me life. I also love that their relationship is never minimized and no one tells them to get a husband (Katherine is aroace). They both have some great dynamic character growth throughout the novel.
Ireland has given us the gift of putting Black people back into history. Like Ireland, I always loved old westerns or anything to with the Old West, but they were all white people. With this duology, we get out own western story. We also see themes on medical experimentation on Black people and the use of faulty science.
There were some great twists I didn't see coming! It also had a satisfying end. If you are usually not a fan of zombie stories, you should consider checking this book out. Yes there are zombies (shamblers), but it doesn't read like a zombie story. I'm usually not a fan, but I loved it. I can't wait to see what else Ireland puts out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Slavery