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DREAD NATION

Justina Ireland

New York Times bestseller * Six starred reviews

At once provocative, terrifying, and darkly subversive, Dread Nation is Justina Ireland's stunning vision of an America both foreign and familiar - a country on the brink, at the explosive crossroads where race, humanity, and survival meet.

The story follows Jane McKeene, who was trained in both weaponry and etiquette to act as a combination maid and bodyguard. When families begin to disappear, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against powerful enemies.

Together with DEATHLESS DIVIDE the duology of these thrilling historical horror novels are set in a world where the dead have risen and there is a stark divide between classes-- those who hold all the power, and those who are forced to serve and protect them.
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Published 2018-04-01 by Balzer & Bray

Comments

This absorbing page-turner works on multiple levels: as unflinching alternate history set in post-Reconstruction-era Maryland and Kansas; as a refreshingly subversive action story starring a badass heroine; as zombie fiction suspenseful; and as a compelling exhortation to scrutinize the racist underpinnings of contemporary American sociopolitical systems. -- - Horn Book (starred review)

With a shrewd, scythe-wielding protagonist of color, DREAD NATION is an exciting must-read (starred review). Read more...

Jane is a capable, strong heroine maneuvering through a world that is brilliant and gut-wrenching. DREAD NATION will take readers on a breathless ride from beginning to end (starred review).

Abundant action, thoughtful worldbuilding, and a brave, smart, and skillfully drawn cast entertain as Ireland illustrates the ignorance and immorality of racial discrimination and examines the relationship between equality and freedom (starred review). Read more...

Ireland skillfully works in the different forms of enslavement, mental and physical, into a complex and engaging story. A perfect blend of horrors real and imagined, perfect for fans of The Walking Dead. -- starred review

UK : Titan; US: Balzer & Bray

Will catch readers off-guard with its blend of genres: it starts out as an historical thriller but then tosses in hard hits of mystery, dystopian reimagining, romance, and humor. Jane's voice reads familiar to more contemporary considerations of Black girlhood, with elements such as beauty standards, colorism, and friendships. - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)