This is a spoiler free review.
Dread Nation
Written by Justina Ireland
Written by Justina Ireland
Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction/Horror
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Pages: 455
Source: Library
Source: Library
Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository
Recommended Age: 13 and up!
Summary:
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.
But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.
Review:
I didn't want to read this book at first, but when my sister told me it was good, I knew I had to try it and I am so glad I did. It was so unique and a great read. I read it in two sittings, I was so obsessed. I mean, what is a better historical fiction concept than black zombie hunters in the Reconstruction?
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.
But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.
Review:
I didn't want to read this book at first, but when my sister told me it was good, I knew I had to try it and I am so glad I did. It was so unique and a great read. I read it in two sittings, I was so obsessed. I mean, what is a better historical fiction concept than black zombie hunters in the Reconstruction?
COVER
I like how simple the cover is but it is still unique. Also it's so rare to see POC representation on book covers even if the book is all about a POC character/characters.
I like how simple the cover is but it is still unique. Also it's so rare to see POC representation on book covers even if the book is all about a POC character/characters.
WORLD-BUILDING
The world-building is done fantastically well. There are so many nods to history (as it is historical fiction). In the states, there are combat schools for black and indigenous people so they can learn to kill the zombies. The Deep South States are called the Lost States of the South due to the lack of patrols and lack of winter. There's a lot of scientific racism that is developing around "coloreds" and "indigenous people".
The whole premise is that there has been a zombie apocalypse and the cities are safe. Most of the colored/blacks are at finishing schools where they learn to kill the zombies (they're called shamblers here) and then they become an Attendant to white families.
The world-building is done fantastically well. There are so many nods to history (as it is historical fiction). In the states, there are combat schools for black and indigenous people so they can learn to kill the zombies. The Deep South States are called the Lost States of the South due to the lack of patrols and lack of winter. There's a lot of scientific racism that is developing around "coloreds" and "indigenous people".
The whole premise is that there has been a zombie apocalypse and the cities are safe. Most of the colored/blacks are at finishing schools where they learn to kill the zombies (they're called shamblers here) and then they become an Attendant to white families.
Then there are the characters.
JANE
Jane is the main character who is a brilliant actress, a great liar and sometimes an unreliable narrator. She is bisexual and mixed raced and is definitely a heroine that we all needed. I loved her attitude and her sass. I liked learning her backstory and traveling through the story alongside her. Jane has such a strong voice and is very assertive and doesn't like her plight. She is a very skilled fighter due to her time at the finishing school, and isn't willing to abide by the rules (as we learn very early on). I enjoyed her character a lot.
KATHERINE
Katherine is the second lead character and not a love interest (bless). She is a very developed character and that is why I consider her to be a lead character. Katherine is black but still light skinned enough in order to pass as white which makes her fellow trainees both resent her and are jealous of her. She is established as ace-aro (though the terminology is never used). Katherine is a strong female character who shows you can be strong and feminine. Her femininity shows as she likes dressing up and looking nice, but is also an excellent fighter. She also doesn't want to sit and look pretty for a husband, and instead wants to make her own life for herself which I loved.
JANE
Jane is the main character who is a brilliant actress, a great liar and sometimes an unreliable narrator. She is bisexual and mixed raced and is definitely a heroine that we all needed. I loved her attitude and her sass. I liked learning her backstory and traveling through the story alongside her. Jane has such a strong voice and is very assertive and doesn't like her plight. She is a very skilled fighter due to her time at the finishing school, and isn't willing to abide by the rules (as we learn very early on). I enjoyed her character a lot.
KATHERINE
Katherine is the second lead character and not a love interest (bless). She is a very developed character and that is why I consider her to be a lead character. Katherine is black but still light skinned enough in order to pass as white which makes her fellow trainees both resent her and are jealous of her. She is established as ace-aro (though the terminology is never used). Katherine is a strong female character who shows you can be strong and feminine. Her femininity shows as she likes dressing up and looking nice, but is also an excellent fighter. She also doesn't want to sit and look pretty for a husband, and instead wants to make her own life for herself which I loved.
FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY
Friendship is a key concept in this novel. Jane and Katherine originally hate each other. Jane internally dislikes lighter-skinned black people and Katherine is mad at how Jane is 'better' at fighting than she is. Jane also dislikes how Katherine acts and loves clothes. However, this soon changes when the two have to team up to figure out what is really going on at their finishing school. I loved their friendship and how much they end up caring for each other by the end.
Friendship is a key concept in this novel. Jane and Katherine originally hate each other. Jane internally dislikes lighter-skinned black people and Katherine is mad at how Jane is 'better' at fighting than she is. Jane also dislikes how Katherine acts and loves clothes. However, this soon changes when the two have to team up to figure out what is really going on at their finishing school. I loved their friendship and how much they end up caring for each other by the end.
PLOT
Dread Nation is about Jane who is the black MC and goes to a finishing school where she is studying to become an Attendant where she will learn weaponry and etiquette in order to protect white families. This is a chance for a better life for black girls like herself. The United States is overrun with the dead after they began to walk the battlefield of Gettysburg. Now, native americans and black children have to attend finishing/combat schools in order to learn to kill the dead. I thought the plot was really well done and I liked how much action was put into it.
Dread Nation is about Jane who is the black MC and goes to a finishing school where she is studying to become an Attendant where she will learn weaponry and etiquette in order to protect white families. This is a chance for a better life for black girls like herself. The United States is overrun with the dead after they began to walk the battlefield of Gettysburg. Now, native americans and black children have to attend finishing/combat schools in order to learn to kill the dead. I thought the plot was really well done and I liked how much action was put into it.
ROMANCE
There is no romance in this book which I loved as it is focused a lot more on friendships and feminism.
WRITING
The writing is simple but enjoyable. I really liked how she got into the character's heads and it almost seemed as if they were real.
There is no romance in this book which I loved as it is focused a lot more on friendships and feminism.
WRITING
The writing is simple but enjoyable. I really liked how she got into the character's heads and it almost seemed as if they were real.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I went into Dread Nation, not knowing much about it except that my sister told me it was good. I ended up really enjoying it. I loved the female characters and the female friendship that was front and center. I also loved the concept. It's a perfect story for fall and Halloween time. I highly recommend it!
Quotes from the Book:
“It’s a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part.”
I went into Dread Nation, not knowing much about it except that my sister told me it was good. I ended up really enjoying it. I loved the female characters and the female friendship that was front and center. I also loved the concept. It's a perfect story for fall and Halloween time. I highly recommend it!
Quotes from the Book:
“It’s a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part.”
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns
