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emmehooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
3.0
The first half of this book was not it for me but I read the second half in one sitting. I would read a 3rd in the series. I disliked that Jane and Katherine’s perspectives switched between every chapter and would’ve preferred longer chunks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and Colonisation
Minor: Cursing
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Slavery, and Xenophobia
ehmannky'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
4.5
A fantastic sequel full of all of the witty and endearing characters, zombie horror, and fast-paced action that Dread Nation held, with a lot more western tropes and vengeance sprinkled in. I was impressed that Ireland was so ready to pull the rug out from under the reader with who dies in the story (some of whom I was truly surprised over) and with the double-crosses and betrayals. And yet, despite these twists, I think that nothing felt forced or put in just for the shock value. Every tragedy that befalls our heroes felt like a natural outgrowth of the terrible situations and people that Jane and Katherine find themselves up against. Speaking of Katherine, I loved that we got her perspective, because she's such a rare kind of character and I love her.
I thought that the whole book is an interesting look at the ways that grief can consume us when we're not looked out for and cared for by a community. About the ways in which grief is compounded for those at the bottom of a social hierarchy, while those at the top often get off completely free. I also thought that Ireland made a really great point of highlighting how racial hierarchies are not only upheld by a handful of white people at the top of the social standing, but by people of many races buying into the idea of white supremacy. This comes through in both the theoretically "good" town of Nicodemus and in the "promised land" of California.
Just a wonderfully complex, zombie-filled good time.
I thought that the whole book is an interesting look at the ways that grief can consume us when we're not looked out for and cared for by a community. About the ways in which grief is compounded for those at the bottom of a social hierarchy, while those at the top often get off completely free. I also thought that Ireland made a really great point of highlighting how racial hierarchies are not only upheld by a handful of white people at the top of the social standing, but by people of many races buying into the idea of white supremacy. This comes through in both the theoretically "good" town of Nicodemus and in the "promised land" of California.
Just a wonderfully complex, zombie-filled good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Animal death and Xenophobia