This was a fantastic prequel to the Dragonwatch books.

My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:

4.5 out of 5.0 stars

The very worst thing about this book is that the incestuous tones from the first book are sort of creepily confirmed in this book. Like, really creepily confirmed. :-/ Also, the Shaun and Becks sex scene was overdone, in my opinion. Absolutely ridiculous, too detailed on the wrong things, and way too heavy on the incest thoughts at the end of the scene. O_O

The very best thing about this book is George chilling in Shaun’s head. I love that he’s hearing George, carrying on conversations, and taking advice from her. I also love that he completely accepts that he’s going insane but that he’s willing to deal with that bit of insanity to preserve the little bit of sanity that he has left.

I hate that I have to wait almost an entire year for the last book… *cry* I’ll be rereading “Feed” and “Deadline” before the third book comes out.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I've had this book series on my mind. It's been a while since I've reread the books and there have been new short stories (and this collection) added since then.

I loved this collection. Every single story is a win for me. And it all hits a little different now that we're dealing with a pandemic in real time. There's a reason I'll continue to come back to this series over the years - it's amazing.

My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:

4.5 out of 5.0 stars

The very worst thing about this book is the ending. I won’t give it away, but I was disappointed with what happened. Not the way that it happened, but the event itself. I’m sure it will be necessary in the future books, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it! There was one other minor thing I didn’t like… George (a girl) and Shaun are adoptive brother and sister that are close enough in age that it’s easier to say they’re just twins. However, there are times that their relationship seems a little incestuous. O_o I know, I know, nothing ever really happens, it’s just the way they interact isn’t how any siblings I know interact with each other. It didn’t bug me enough to not like the story though! :-p

The very best thing about this book is everything else! I love the title (it’s how I found the book, although I was looking for “Feed” by M. T. Anderson, not Mira Grant) and how simple it is. I really enjoyed the concept. I don’t read a lot of zombie books so I don’t know if it’s unoriginal, but I liked it regardless. And I absolutely adored the fact that bloggers practically replaced “real” news. I read a review that was complaining about a few things like “teenagers being listened to like adults” or experts or some nonsense. The main characters are not teenagers, guys. They’re not ancient, but they’re in their twenties and based on the background in the book they’ve gone through tons of training to be considered experts (or at least competent) in their fields and out in the field. Someone also complained about the repetition of a certain issue – due to a medical problem and tough security in most places, one of the characters is constantly asked to inconvenience herself to submit to virus tests. I didn’t find these scenes annoying the way the other person did, but they’re somewhat predictable. Either way, I love the book and gave it a 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. I’m looking forward to the rest of the trilogy and “Deadline” is sitting on my nook right now just waiting for me! :-D