Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation 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.
The combination of zombies and history worked perfectly for me here. The Civil War ends when the dead rise at Gettysburg, but the United States doesn’t suddenly become fair or equal. Instead, racism just shifts into new forms. Black kids are now forced into combat schools, trained to fight and die protecting white communities. The setting is full of clever historical detail and sharp social commentary, making this both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Jane McKeene is the kind of heroine I love following. She is stubborn, practical, and never afraid to speak her mind, even when it costs her. Her narration is witty, raw, and often laugh-out-loud funny, but beneath it there is always the weight of survival and injustice. I admired how she is determined to stay self-sufficient, to never be owned by anyone, even in a world that constantly tries to put her in her place.
The cast around her adds so much. Katherine, elegant and ambitious, is proud of who she is and refuses to be reduced to just her beauty. I liked how she constantly challenges Jane while still becoming someone Jane can rely on. I love how she can be “girly” and like pretty dresses and yet also knows how to hold her own in a fight. You don’t have to choose between “female and male” characteristics, but you can be who you are, and she just does those typical stereotypes.
Jackson is the kind of charming troublemaker who never quite stays out of danger, especially when people he loves are involved. The dynamic between the three of them keeps the story lively and full of tension.
The worldbuilding is brilliant and layered with little details. It felt well researched and gave the zombie plague a grounded, eerie logic. And behind the action and suspense, the book never forgets to highlight how inequality defines everything. The different world after the apocalypse still relies on exploiting the oppressed, just in new uniforms.
The pacing worked well for me. The opening quickly sets the tone, introducing Jane’s world, her training at Miss Preston’s School of Combat, and her matter-of-fact attitude. From there, the story grows into a mix of action, mystery, and social commentary. It is the kind of book that can be read as fast-paced entertainment, but if you look closer, there is a lot to think about in how it reflects real history and prejudice.
What stayed with me most is Jane’s voice. She feels so vivid and alive, and her story is equal parts thrilling and heartbreaking. This is not just a fun historical fantasy with zombies, it’s also a sharp reminder of how oppression adapts, no matter the circumstances.
A fierce and clever reimagining of history, full of action, heart, and a heroine you won’t forget. I’m already reaching for the sequel.
