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lacey_a_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I LOVED the first book. I was looking for more on Jane’s background & why there were zombies in this one. I understand why the author made her choices, but it wasn’t the sequel I wanted.
meliarenee's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, just as I did the first one. I listened to the audiobook and there were two narrators: one for Kate and one for Jane. I really like that there were two distinct narrators for each character because they are so different. Jane and Kate are platonic life partners, and it's clear how much they mean too each other. Also, they grow a lot while on their journeys but the foundation of who they are and their relationship was still there.
I can't say much without spoilers, but it's a really good book. Read it. Listen to it. Get it from there TBR list to the read list.
I can't say much without spoilers, but it's a really good book. Read it. Listen to it. Get it from there TBR list to the read list.
katrox's review against another edition
5.0
Just awesome. Great sequel. This book goes against the grain - very different than so many books i’ve read. Constant twists and turns & incredible characters while including the reality of real history tied in with this fictional world. Following Jane and Katherine along on this adventure truly was eye opening in ways I didn’t expect from a work of fiction. Justina Ireland writes in a way that puts you right in the story with her characters - truly and awesome duology.
candece's review against another edition
5.0
Very good, quick and easy read, just like the first one! Loved Jane and Katherine’s journey, it was amazing to tag along.
treeandme's review against another edition
3.0
*I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I absolutely loved Dread Nation and I was so excited to pick this up, unfortunately though, I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to. I found that this book dragged a bit, in a way that Dread Nation never did. There was a lot of travelling right from the start and for most of the novel and it got quite tedious after a short while. I'm not a big fan of books with a lot travelling in them anyway, so this issue might not bother others as it bothered me. But I don't think that I'm exaggerating by saying that most of the novel was just them travelling.
The world building wasn't necessarily bad in comparison to Dread Nation, but it had lost some of the shock value and wonder of experiencing something for the first time. I just didn't feel as taken with the world. We did get to encounter a broader set of people as they travelled though, which was nice. Furthermore, we got to learn more about how people in different parts were fairing against the dead and the harsh conditions, with mention of Spanish and Chinese influence in certain places. It also looked at how even with cities falling to the dead, people still think that there are places of safety and happiness, only to be disappointed each time. The dead aren't the only threat out there, especially to black people and this harsh reality shocks Katherine.
Something that I did appreciate, is that this time, the author split the chapters between Jane and Katherine. I really like Katherine and so I welcomed this change and see why it was necessary in terms of the plot. Again, I still like these two characters, but I just didn't feel as strongly for them as I did before. I can't quite put my finger on why that is, but it was disappointing. One thing that remained as amazing as before though, was the relationship between Jane and Katherine. I've tremendously enjoyed watching their relationship change over time, and it really was tested in this book. That friendship is probably what I will remember most about this series.
This remains one of the most original series that I've ever read, both in the subject matter and in the cast of characters. The characters varied in both colour and also sexuality, there were those who were gay, bisexual, and a character who I believe was asexual. And the story is just so creative and intriguing, I just think that it struggled with where to go after Dread Nation. All in all, this was a massively unique series and I'll always value it for that, even if this book fell a little short of my expectations.
I absolutely loved Dread Nation and I was so excited to pick this up, unfortunately though, I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to. I found that this book dragged a bit, in a way that Dread Nation never did. There was a lot of travelling right from the start and for most of the novel and it got quite tedious after a short while. I'm not a big fan of books with a lot travelling in them anyway, so this issue might not bother others as it bothered me. But I don't think that I'm exaggerating by saying that most of the novel was just them travelling.
The world building wasn't necessarily bad in comparison to Dread Nation, but it had lost some of the shock value and wonder of experiencing something for the first time. I just didn't feel as taken with the world. We did get to encounter a broader set of people as they travelled though, which was nice. Furthermore, we got to learn more about how people in different parts were fairing against the dead and the harsh conditions, with mention of Spanish and Chinese influence in certain places. It also looked at how even with cities falling to the dead, people still think that there are places of safety and happiness, only to be disappointed each time. The dead aren't the only threat out there, especially to black people and this harsh reality shocks Katherine.
Something that I did appreciate, is that this time, the author split the chapters between Jane and Katherine. I really like Katherine and so I welcomed this change and see why it was necessary in terms of the plot. Again, I still like these two characters, but I just didn't feel as strongly for them as I did before. I can't quite put my finger on why that is, but it was disappointing. One thing that remained as amazing as before though, was the relationship between Jane and Katherine. I've tremendously enjoyed watching their relationship change over time, and it really was tested in this book. That friendship is probably what I will remember most about this series.
This remains one of the most original series that I've ever read, both in the subject matter and in the cast of characters. The characters varied in both colour and also sexuality, there were those who were gay, bisexual, and a character who I believe was asexual. And the story is just so creative and intriguing, I just think that it struggled with where to go after Dread Nation. All in all, this was a massively unique series and I'll always value it for that, even if this book fell a little short of my expectations.
jhennety's review against another edition
3.0
"As I sat down to write this sequel, it was difficult to figure out where to go next."
So starts the author's note, confirming what was clear about 100 pages into this sequel.
Strong start (one char death had me a touch teary, negl) that kind of petered off into a dragging wait, then action, then a time skip followed by A LOT more non-action for a long stretch of book.
Overall though, it wasn't bad, and I enjoyed the narration expanding to include Katherine, but the pacing was much slower, and the events kind of "okay, and?" My enjoyment of the characters themselves kept me reading when I wasn't much interested in getting from plot point A to point B, and so on.
(The hashtag representation in terms of non-Black people of color gave me pause a few times.)
Overall, I enjoyed Dread Nation much more.
Still, this book ended satisfactorily, so it's like a 3.5 to me.
So starts the author's note, confirming what was clear about 100 pages into this sequel.
Strong start (one char death had me a touch teary, negl) that kind of petered off into a dragging wait, then action, then a time skip followed by A LOT more non-action for a long stretch of book.
Overall though, it wasn't bad, and I enjoyed the narration expanding to include Katherine, but the pacing was much slower, and the events kind of "okay, and?" My enjoyment of the characters themselves kept me reading when I wasn't much interested in getting from plot point A to point B, and so on.
(The hashtag representation in terms of non-Black people of color gave me pause a few times.)
Overall, I enjoyed Dread Nation much more.
Still, this book ended satisfactorily, so it's like a 3.5 to me.
penly4522's review against another edition
2.0
Too long and too many plot holes. You can't skip a year and a half and then constantly refer to things that happened during that time.
maverhoeff's review
5.0
Did I cry? Yes. Do I think everyone should read this series? Yes. The friendship between Jane and Katherine is absolutely priceless. I loved being able to learn more about Katherine and I highly suggest this series, even if zombies is not really your forte in the fantasy realm.
bookhuntress2011's review against another edition
3.0
Well written, characters okay. Just couldn’t take the zombies