The Reader Bee: My Thoughts: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Audiobook)

Friday, April 6, 2018

My Thoughts: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30223025-dread-nation

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. (Goodreads)

Dread Nation has been on my radar for quite a while now, and I was extremely curious and excited to finally get my hands on the book. I had an e-Arc of the book, but then a physical copy arrived on my doorstep, so I took that as a sign that I needed to get started on the book right away. I'm SO glad I did. This book, you guys... this book deserves ALL the stars! I'm so glad I read it!

Let's get this started by talking about the storyline for Dread Nation. Wow, there's so much to say about the storyline for this book. To say it was interesting would be an understatement. I, admittedly, am not the biggest fan of zombie stories, (even though Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a particular favorite of mine), but that didn't stop me from reading this book for even a moment. 'Two days after Jane's birth, the dead began to walk again?' If that doesn't draw you in to the story, I don't know what will. I was hooked. The book also deals with a lot of issues that are rampant in the world today; including racism and oppression, and these parts of the book both broke my heart and made me completely rage. So while this book is an entertaining read, it also has a message. A big one, which I hope you take something away from should you read the book. (And you should totally read the book.)

Now let's talk about the characters. If you haven't noticed, bad-ass heroines are my favorites, especially when they are the super snarky ones. When we first meet Jane in the beginning of the book, she's in finishing school that trains not only in etiquette, but in weaponry as well, because you have to know how to fight the zombies. So, yeah, Jane can totally take care of herself, which she proves over and over again throughout the story. I love that heroines like Jane are popping up more and more in books lately, and that the youth of today are reading these books with these amazing young ladies, and they see that they can be a Jane as well. It's awesome!

Before I wrap this up, I also want to mention that I opted to listen to the audiobook while I read the physical copy, and it made the experience even more memorable. I've done this for a few books now, and I love having someone read the story to me while I read along with the book. (Seriously, try it sometime!) The audiobook is narrated by the awesome Bahni Turpin, who did such an amazing job of narrating the story to me. This is the second audiobook that I've listened to that Bahni has narrated, the first being Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi , which was also amazing. I'm really looking forward to listening to more audiobooks by her soon, including The Hate U Give, The Sun is Also a Star, and They Both Die at the End! If you have the opportunity to listen to something narrated by her, you should totally do so!

Overall; If you can't tell by my super gushy review, I really, really loved Dread Nation! I will most definitely be spending the next year pining away for the next book in the series, which is currently untitled, but set to release sometime in 2019. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more information on that book, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Add Dread Nation to your TBR, and read it as soon as you can! I promise you won't regret it.

Friday, April 6, 2018

My Thoughts: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Audiobook)

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