Dread Nation Buddy Read Update

So Maria and I are cruising right along with our buddy read and I have to say, she seems pretty darn excited about reading a zombie book - who would have guessed.  I am also really enjoying the book and have to admit that I was worried because I know Stormi wasn't a HUGE fan and we usually like the same books.  I'm glad it's working out better for me than I anticipated.  Anyway, Maria and I have been exchanging some thoughts and questions so here's the latest!  WARNING:  This may contain SPOILERS so if you have't read the book and plan to, you might want to skip this post.

Maria:  I get the feeling that Jane's mother has mixed feelings about Jane. I wonder if she really does love her daughter. What do you think? If you agree, what evidence of this do you see in the story? If not, why do you feel that way?

Barb: I am also worried because it seems like Jane is always writing her mother but is not hearing back.  However, the way the book is arranged I don't know exactly how long this has been going on.  I do think her mother loves her because remember for years she hid Jane so she would not have to go to the academy and learn to fight off zombies.  I think that showed she wanted to keep Jane safe and with her.  Also, it would have been so easy to "give" Jane away when she was born and she didn't do so despite knowing she was bi-racial and would have to face hardship and difficulties.

Maria:  The character I hate the most so far is Miss Anderson. I wonder WHY she doesn't like Jane. Is it simply because Jane is not that good in etiquette, which is the subject Miss A. teaches? Or could there be something more?

Barb:  I can't stand that woman either!  I think it's because Miss Anderson knows Jane is  smarter and better skilled than she will ever be so she is super resentful.  However, there may be other reasons we have yet to discover.  

Maria:  Jane mentions that she goes out at night. And she has even saved some people from the "shamblers", too! I don't know how she can do that...... I would be PETRIFIED to go out at night, alone, in the country, with ZOMBIES around! Well, in any city, too, OF COURSE it would be dangerous for a woman to go out alone at night, even without zombies! But in Jane's case, she could come across a whole pack of zombies at night, and get killed. Do you think you'd be able to do what she did? I know I couldn't!

Barb:  I'd like to think so if I had to but not by choice.  I did take a gun safety class and have my permit and Mr. Barb and the instructor said I was an awesome shot so I think I could.  Also, if the zombies tried to mess with my family or my pups, I believe I could do whatever I needed!

Maria:  I have very mixed feelings about Jackson. He seems to have mixed feelings about Jane himself. And, from the hints in the text, it seems they are former lovers. Jane, too, has mixed feelings about him. I wonder whether their relationship will change back to a romantic one, and whether Katherine will be involved, since she seems to like Jackson.

Barb:  I get the same impression.  I don't mind Jackson, but I kind of want Jane to meet someone new.  Also, I like Jackson and Katherine together and hope they become a couple.  She needs someone to bring her back down to Earth.

So there you have it.  Make sure to hop over to Maria's @ A Night's Dream of Books and check out her latest update!