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missreadbeforebed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really loved how ludicrous the whole concept was. An apocalyptic historical fiction about a bisexual biracial zombie killer ? Yes. All of the yes. While sometimes this book felt a bit clunky, I overall loved the story and the characters are really what keeps you in it. Even though the setting seems so unrealistic, it does such a great job of discussing the issues of the past (that are still relevant in our present) in such an honest way despite the dystopian background. This book brings up a lot of interesting conversations I think surrounding both rave and sexuality. There were moments of suspense that kept you on the edge of your seat; but the moments in between I felt were the most impactful. I took a star off because I kind of saw the ending coming but overall I really love what this story represents and I am excited to see where the sequel goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Gun violence
bluejayreads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read this as an audiobook, and Bahni Turpin is fast becoming my favorite audiobook narrator. She did such a good job. A hint of a Southern accent (Jane grew up in Kentucky) that got stronger when Jane was emotional, and a very vibrant storytelling all around. I highly recommend the audiobook version of this.
The book itself is also very good. It's an alternate history where the Civil War ended because the dead started coming back to life and the Union and Confederate soldiers had to stop fighting each other to fight zombies. It seemed a little unrealistic to me that they would train Black and Native people to do the zombie killing, since I doubted former slave owners would want to see those slaves given weapons and trained to use them, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief because I thoroughly enjoyed watching Jane kick ass. And Black people being trained in the art of killing somehow didn't really change the extremely racist dynamic. Even though Jane - and most of the other Black characters - could have killed the white people treating them badly without breaking a sweat, she still feels the boot of racist oppression on her neck and limiting her entire life.
Whatever you think the main plot is, you're wrong. The back cover barely even alludes to it. All Jane wants to do is finish up her mandatory zombie-killing education at Miss Preston's and go back home to her mother on their plantation in Kentucky. But things do not go according to plan, and attempting to help a former friend find his sister, who went missing with one of the Baltimore families, lands her in more trouble than she is prepared for. Jane isn't always great at making safe decisions, but she is good at thinking on her feet.
And, of course, there are zombies. A lot of zombies. They're a growing threat throughout the book, giving the whole story a distinct horror edge that meshed very well with the horrors of the racist treatment of non-white folks.
This book is very, very good, especially if you like alternate history and growing existential dread. I think it ended well enough that I don't feel a need to read a sequel, but I may pick up book two anyway, just to see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racism, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror
monilib's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Murder
willowmae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Slavery, Blood, and Religious bigotry
wenwanzhao's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Violence, and Religious bigotry
margotnelson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
While the beginning felt a little slow, this book ended up flying by! Really cool premise, a great look into alternative history, and a reflection on racism, classism, and colonialism (but also zombies). Special shout-out to the second-to-last battle in the book because the escalation of tension was beautiful and so gripping. Really loved this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Murder
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, and Xenophobia
Minor: Genocide
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, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Child death and Torture
lezzieborden'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, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, and Gore