It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
What would you do if zombies took everything you loved?
Would you seek vengeance?
Would you give up?
Wait, no, that’s not right. We ask these three W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
★★★★★ || Goodreads
Guys, I LOVED THIS BOOK. What took me so long to read it, I have absolutely no idea. I have no excuses. All I know is that I’m absolutely in love with these characters and this world. I’m not usually a big zombies reader, but this was done well enough, where the focus is on the characters and the struggle and less zombies and gore. I fell in love with Jane, our snarky and badass protagonist, almost immediately. The book is written in a very voicey way that made it really easy and fun to read. Plus, all the side characters are easy to love. There are parts that are just hard to read because of racism and treatment of certain characters, but it’s realistic for the time and the world. I just can’t recommend this one enough!
The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow by Emily Ilett
★★★★☆ || Goodreads
I had sort of mixed feelings about this one. Ultimately, I thought it was a beautiful commentary of sisterly love and mental health. Gail loves her sister, her rock, so much, but she doesn’t understand her sister’s behavior anymore. She doesn’t understand why she sits in her room and won’t do anything. When both of their shadows flee, Gail is determined to get back at least her sister’s shadow. The adventure through the island was charming, as were the people Gail meets along the way. I thought the idea was very unique. The concepts and takeaways were just gorgeous, and I loved it. Unfortunately, everything felt sort of … shallow? I didn’t really get a feel for the characters, or the history of the family, or even why Kay was struggling the way she was. I mean, okay, mental health doesn’t need a reason, and I get that, but at that age, there usually is some sort of instigating reason. I assumed it was her father leaving, but that event is never really discussed, and the father is just … never brought up at all except to say that he left.
Reviews Posted This Week
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
Status: 60%
The sequel to Dread Nation is a journey of revenge and salvation across a divided America.
After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene hoped her life would get simpler: Get out of town, stay alive, and head west to California to find her mother.
But nothing is easy when you’re a girl trained in putting down the restless dead, and a devastating loss on the road to a protected village called Nicodermus has Jane questioning everything she thought she knew about surviving in 1880’s America.
What’s more, this safe haven is not what it appears – as Jane discovers when she sees familiar faces from Summerland amid this new society. Caught between mysteries and lies, the undead, and her own inner demons, Jane soon finds herself on a dark path of blood and violence that threatens to consume her.
But she won’t be in it alone.
Katherine Deveraux never expected to be allied with Jane McKeene. But after the hell she has endured, she knows friends are hard to come by – and that Jane needs her, too, whether Jane wants to admit it or not.
Watching Jane’s back, however, is more than she bargained for, and when they both reach a breaking point, it’s up to Katherine to keep hope alive – even as she begins to fear that there is no happily-ever-after for girls like her.
*takes deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I knew 15% of the way in that this book was going to destroy me, because wow, this thing has pulled no freaking punches. I feel like I’ve aged 10 years since I started this. In a good way.
As much as I enjoyed Dread Nation, this book has just been nonstop action and chaos and flailing (mostly on my part … maybe entirely on my part) and just … I HAVE ALL THE FEELS. I’m not supposed to have this many feels.
I intended to have this done by now, but this week has just been a month. But I WILL finish this today and get a review up tomorrow, darn it.
This didn’t change as much as I’d like? Mostly because I just didn’t get through all the books I wanted to.
Both Twist and Dark Shores are still on my list. I’m officially up to NINE library holds, because apparently, their predictions are off. This is not approximately four weeks’ wait time, guys. I mean, not that I’m complaining about not having to wait longer, but still. xD The timing could’ve been a little better is all.
For the 2020 Discworld Reading Challenge, there’s a group read of Equal Rites, and it’s pretty short, so I don’t think it’ll take me long to get through. Plus … Pratchett. I love his work so much that it’s always hard to put it down.
I’m also starting The Unspoken Name TODAY (woot woot!) as a buddy read with Keri @ Are You My Book? I’ve been really eager to start this one, and I’m looking forward to the buddy read!
Chat With Me
What are you reading this week? Anything you’d recommend? Link to your WWW posts below so I can visit you!
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I’m not usually drawn to zombie stories but Ireland’s books do sound quite good. Happy reading❣️
They are fabulous. I’m glad I picked them up, despite my misgivings about zombies. xD
I think I have Dread Nation hanging out on my Kindle. I really should read it now that I see your excitement!
Yes. For sure. You go do that. Forget adulting. Go read Dread Nation. xD
Looks like you’ve been doing great on the reading front! Hope your upcoming reads are just as awesome!
Thank you!
Zombies have a way of freaking me out but I really enjoyed Abe Lincoln Zombie hunter. Is this similar? Or is it more terrifying? I need my sleep!
Have a great week! Here is my WWW: http://silverbuttonbooks.com/2020/02/05/www-wednesday-february-5-2020
Ummm … I don’t think I’ve read that. xD Dread Nation isn’t scary at all. No sleep was lost. It’s meant to be more actiony and somewhat commentary on race relations than, like, horror zombie book.
Now I’m curious about Dread Nation. Enjoy your week and your books, and here’s MY WWW POST
Definitely recommend it! I loved it!
Nice, Equal Rites! I love that book. Looking back, you can tell he’s hasn’t fully fleshed out his idea the Witches just yet, but I love Granny’s approach to magic, headology, and all that she tries to teach Eskarina. Have a great week!
http://musewithmeblog.com/2020/02/05/www-wednesday-february-5-2020/
Yeah, I’ve definitely heard that (and the book’s shorter than I expected, having started with later books, too). But I can already definitely recognize his humor, and that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to comparing his earlier writing with his later writing.
Not to puff myself up here or anything but if you love Dark Shores I’m three for three. Hahahahaha!
That’s a pretty good streak right there. Take and run! Quit while you’re ahead! (But never quit, because yaaaay good books).
Fair points all around
You definitely make me want to read Dread Nation now! Have a wonderful week and happy reading. xx
I so highly recommend it! I absolutely LOVED it and its sequel.
Ah this really makes me want to read Dread Nation already!!!
Do iiiit. I support this decision. <3
😀
I keep hearing about the Unspoken Name, it sounds so interesting! I hope you enjoy it. I can’t wait to see what you think of it!
Yeah, it comes out soon, so a lot of people are talking about it. I’m just … late to the party a bit. xD
Ooooo, I do like a good zombie story – I’ll have to check out Dread Nation! Thanks!
I so recommend it! I absolutely LOVED it and Deathless Divide. They were fantastic.
I’ve got the new Ireland on hold so when it comes available, I’ll know what you are talking about. I want to know what happens!
I hope you get it soon! I’ve finished Deathless Divide and oh my gosh, it was stunning. Almost, dare I say, better than the first one? Is that possible?
I think I may have to check out Dread Nation! and that cover for it is gorgeous!
Yes! So much. The cover is what grabbed my attention first, because Jane looks so fierce. <3 (Spoiler alert: she's exactly this fierce.)
I guess I really need to bump up Dread Nation on my TBR don’t I? I’ve had the book sitting on my shelf since early last year or even the end of 2018 (I don’t know, my memory!) but I still haven’t picked it up yet and I’m not entirely sure why. I mean, other than the fact that I’m a total chicken and the thought of reading about zombies alone at night does give me minor creeps, I’ve heard really amazing things about this book! So glad you loved it and so glad to hear you’re loving the sequel just as much (if not more judging by all the feels you’re feeling lol)?! Happy reading Sammie 🙂
Ummm … yes. Like, right now. xD You know how much you loved Mia from Nevernight? Jane is just as snarky, except she has scythes instead of a knife (which, uh, is freaking awesome also?).
It wasn’t a scary book, even with the zombies. The focus is much more on the characters and the whole idea that death can come for anyone at any time, but it wasn’t, like, jump scares or anything that’s flat-out terrifying or something like that.
The Unspoken Name is every where right now. I really need to order it.