Deadline (Newsflesh, #2)

by Mira Grant

[clementine]

Okay, wow. As you can gather from my status updates, this book was just insane and exciting the whole way through. The few complaints I had with the first in the series, Feed, were completely erased with Deadline. It was exciting and fast-paced the entire time, and packed with twists and turns. It wasn't just a super satisfying thriller, though - it's a lot deeper than that, with touching moments and exploration of medical ethics, government corruption, and human nature in general.

Grant did an excellent job of letting the dead characters still be very much a part of the novel, their presence felt in varying degrees, while allowing a whole new set of characters to shine. We were introduced to Becks, Mahir, Maggie, and Alaric in Feed, but as they weren't important, they were not fully developed. This time, though, they all become full-blown human beings, while still leaving room for some of our old favourites to shine.

While Feed was really a political thriller set against the backdrop of the zombie-infested United States, Deadline focused much more on the zombie aspect. A large part of the plot involves uncovering the truth behind the Kellis-Amberlee virus, which is much less straightforward than it appeared in Feed. However, it was still completely thrilling, with multiple twists that made me literally gasp and cover my gaping mouth. I think the thing I loved the most about the twists, however, was that they were laid out in such a way that you comprehended them - and gasped - about two sentences before they were actually revealed on the page. Also, as soon as the clones were mentioned, I kind of knew Georgia would be coming back as one (although that's not technically confirmed until Blackout, but Deadline included the first chapter of Blackout in the back and of course I bought Blackout as soon as I finished Deadline and am now 1/3 of the way through because DAMN, HOLY SHIT, Y'ALL). The thing is, though, that although I could see it coming, I wasn't DISAPPOINTED. I didn't feel like it was spelled out explicitly, or that Grant had sloppily covered her intentions. It was just, like, a stab in the heart and yet another actual gasp. I also, somehow, didn't feel like it was a copout. Damn, what brilliant writing. (Although, I'm really glad I had that first chapter of Blackout included, and that I could immediately download it and start reading it, because that is one cruel cliffhanger.)

Just, man, I don't know. I can never say enough about books that I love. Deadline was so intelligent and exciting and beautiful, and I'm kind of in love with Shaun, and Georgia, too, if we're being honest, and OH MY GOD, Y'ALL. THIS IS SUCH A GOOD SERIES. I'm blown away. And now I'm kind of mad I spent money on the epub versions, because I really want to buy the trilogy in physical form, but I also don't exactly want to spend the money twice. Dilemmas, dilemmas. But, y'know, if that's my biggest complaint about Deadline, it is damn well deserving of the five stars I'm giving it.