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shaun_dh's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I really only read this in the first place bc it was listed as a book for the Queer Lit Readathon and I was under the impression that the MC is bisexual. She talks an awful lot about interest in boys/men and only a mere two sentences about her having kissed a girl, so idk that I would call this queer representation
The author’s note about Indigenous boarding schools was appreciated bc Idk if that is being taught in schools and if the young audience would know about that otherwise
Overall, this was a good read. Jane is a fantastic MC. I love a young woman who takes no shit from men—especially when it’s so subversive for the time. It would make a killer movie. I liked it enough to want to pick up the sequel. Almost every content warning you can think up for how Black people were treated during that time is applicable, so heed that
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death and Confinement
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Abortion, and Alcohol
tpasta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Sexual harassment
onalark's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexism, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: War
whimsicalish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
While I'm not interested in historical fantasy, this book does add more interest with zombie apocalypse and racial/political discussion.
Not so great: my main disappointment might be the little direction in the second half of the book. The first half is interesting in a large city with schools teaching teen girls to fight zombies. We know the main character wants to go back home but she doesn't actively do much to follow that through. She's bossed around.
In the second half, there's a shock reveal but it never goes anywhere past that. I don't remember if it's even mentioned much after. Sadly the plot falls more disjointed with the climax leaving you underwhelmed and puzzled. I'm left with many questions and no answers. I was much more interested in the previous city any time it was mentioned.
Great characters and I love to see them grow. I only wish the plot was more fleshed out.
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
chronicacademia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Death of parent
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- 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
I love love love the main character Jane with all of her attitude. It is not often that I read a book with a character that makes decisions or acts in a way that has me going "Yeeeeeeeah I would have done that too.". She is someone that I liked reading as she plans and strategies her way through the story. It's always great to read these sorts of characters but with Jane's passion and gentle side to those people who deserve it, made her a really compelling character.
I especially liked her relationship with Katherine. I loved seeing it slowly grow and the two slowly trusting one another and getting to know each other. Katherine is also a nice balance to Jane when reading. She is the well behaved and level headed of the two, and normally the rule follower.
As for the storyline itself, I didn't find it overly scary for a horror book. It has the undead and they do pop up through out the story, but it is not at the forefront of the plot. Instead the story is focused on the racism and the society of the late 1800's. The undead are used as a tool to further highlights these main focuses.
I cannot wait for to read the second book. I have lingering questions about characters and what will happen to them in the next book.
I recommend giving this book a read. If you are not a huge horror fan and/or a scaredy cat like me, I think this is a good read to dip your toe into the genre and see if it is for you or not.
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, and War
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
helia_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Colonisation
cleo_wylde's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Colonisation
alicelalicon's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Cannibalism, and Murder