DigeeBooks

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.

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever.

In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education 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.

Please note that this book has deckle edges (the edges of the paper are purposely rough).

In Justina Ireland's captivating novel "Dread Nation", we are transported to an alternate history where the dead have risen and the Civil War has taken an unexpected turn. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the story follows Jane McKeene, a young African-American woman, as she navigates a world filled with both the living and the undead.

Jane is an Attendant, a student at Miss Preston's School for Young Ladies, where she is trained in the art of fighting and killing the undead. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is forced to flee the school with her fellow classmates, hunted by both Confederates and Union soldiers.

As Jane and her companions embark on a perilous journey to find refuge, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a renegade band of Native Americans, a mysterious group known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, and a powerful Vodou priestess. Along the way, Jane discovers hidden truths about her own family and the history of the undead uprising.

"Dread Nation" is a thrilling blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and horror. Ireland's vivid storytelling and rich character development bring this dark and dangerous world to life. The novel explores themes of racism, class inequality, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.

With its fast-paced plot, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, "Dread Nation" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, dystopian literature, and zombie stories. Ireland's unique voice and skillful storytelling make this novel a compelling and unforgettable read.