Feedback by Mira Grant

October 4th, 2016 Kimberly Review 50 Comments

4th Oct
Feedback by Mira Grant
Feedback
by Mira Grant
Series: Newsflesh #4
Genres: Horror
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

FEEDBACK is a full-length Newsflesh novel which overlaps the events of Feed and covers the Presidential campaign from the perspective of reporters covering the Democrats side of the story. There are two sides to every story... The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we unleashed something horrifying and unstoppable. The infection spread leaving those afflicted with a single uncontrollable impulse: FEED. Now, twenty years after the Rising, a team of scrappy underdog reporters relentlessly pursue the truth while competing against the superstar Masons, surrounded by the infected, and facing more insidious forces working in the shadows.

BOOKLOVE HORRIFIC well written

Please Ms. Grant may I have another? The Newsflesh trilogy and all the short stories set in this world are among my favorite books, so when I learned Feedback would be a new full-length novel set in the Newsflesh world I may have done a little dance in my kitchen. Feedback (Newsflesh #4) takes place during the same period as Feed  the first book in the trilogy. It introduces us to a new group of reporters, and like everything Grant touches, it was gold.

“You deserve better than the kind of death that turns you into a footnote in someone else’s story.”

Feedback introduces us to Aislinn (Ash), Ben, Mat and Audrey. In Feed, the Masons are the news team for Senator Ryman and our new motley crew is reporting for Democratic hopeful Governor Susan Kilburn. Zombie attacks, politics and the crew itself took us on a wild and crazy tale filled with danger, truths, lies and loss.

“It’s not what’s truth that matters. It’s what people remember when the dust dies down”

I really enjoyed the diverse dynamics of this team. First, we have Ben Ross the Newsie. He is straight-laced and the leader. Next, there is Ash North the Irwin who teases zombies and follows her hunches. Mat Newson who is the group Techie and a makeup artist. Rounding up the group is Audrey Wen a Fictional.

Feedback is told through Ash, a saucy, redheaded kick-ass Irwin. Ash is complicated, refreshingly honest and showed all the complexities and human factors of the team, world and events that unfold. She would bait zombies, worry about her bottom showing in her sundress and mentally hash out immortality all at the same time. I loved her; she is the feminine version of Shaun with Georgina Mason’s attitude.

“Some people liked to stay on the phone with their friends and loved ones as they fought, thinking it was better to have the company. I had never wanted that. One day, I was going to die in the field. Maybe I was going to die in this one. If that happened, I wanted to be remembered smiling, not screaming. That was why I always ended my videos with a grin and a wink, no matter how tired I was. Every entry could be the one that went up on the Wall. I didn’t want the last thing I did to be sad. Dying was sad enough without helping it along.”

The tale is riveting and full of all the twists, danger, zombies and conspiracies one could hope for. In addition to the tale we get the crews stories and I loved how diverse and complicated they are. The synopsis refers to them as scrappy underdogs and I loved that. The relationship between them particularly Ben, Ash and Audrey is unique. Mat is not gender specific and is referred to as they. Looking for diversity? This team has it all!  Their pasts hold secrets and each has a completely different personality but as a team, they work. Their friendship and emotional attachments felt genuine.

“You know what we’re capable of. Maybe we’re not as fancy as Senator Ryman’s pet blog team, but what we lack in prestige, we more than make up for with viciousness.”

As the group follows Governor Susan Kilburn, there is rise in zombie attacks. Ash and the team begin to suspect these attacks are not coincidental. The more Ash digs the more complicated and dangerous things become. Grant delivered intense scenes,and revelations that kept me emotionally invested.

Reader beware, while Feedback takes place during the same timeline as Feed it is full of spoilers for those who have not read the trilogy. For fans, hoping to see beloved character, we do hear mention of Masons and other beloved characters but this is not their story.

“A day without bleach is like a summer without sunshine.”

Feedback was a complete story from beginning to end as we followed this team, but Grant left a small window for additional stories. As always, I want more! While I love the zombies, it is the characters Grant creates that pull me. They alone are the reason her books are among my favorites.

Please Ms. Grant may I have another? Feedback by Mira Grant Share on X All the twists, danger, zombies and conspiracies one could hope for- Feedback by Mira Grant Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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50 Responses to “Feedback by Mira Grant”

  1. Karen Blue

    This sounds so good. I love books about Zombies and the fight to survive them. I need to read this series. Thanks for this great review. I will be adding this to my TBR.

  2. verushka

    I’ve been wondering about this one ever since I found she wrote under Seanan McGuire too! She’s so prolific and just absolutely amazing!

  3. Greg

    This sounds so different, not your average zombie tale! I like the sound of the characters- I always think the characters are the best part of a zombie story, after all zombs are kinda one note. 🙂 And my recent experiences with Grant/ McGuire definitely have me thinking I’d like this… nice review Kimba.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That is exactly what I love about this series Greg. The focus is on the bloggers/reporters as they try to uncover what happened etc. Yes we get zombies and chases, but it isn’t the central focus.

  7. Rowena

    Ooh, another wonderful review for a book that I’ve never heard of but want to read now. I’m putting Feed and Feedback on my TBB list. Sounds super good!

  10. Melanie Simmons

    I agree with everything you said. My review for this book will go up later this week. I got the audio, so I got to listen to Ash’s Irish accent throughout the book. I loved it so much. I hope we get the typical three books for this group of bloggers too. 100% agree that the characters make this series. Great review.

  12. Heidi

    I have the original series on my list to read. I have been wanting to read if it for so long… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I saw it on your Tuesday post. I think book two was my favorite, but I absolutely love the trilogy and have read every novella out there. I am seriously hoping we get two more full length books.

  13. Lily Blain

    gah you are killing me, this sounds so creepy and perfect for this time of year and zombies, but oh my god i’ll be honest its freaks me out a bit

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yeah, but this is different than some of those slasher, gory zombie books. Yes there are some freaky scenes but the team is more the focus and figuring out what is happening.

  15. Tracy Terry

    Not an author I’ve ever read despite several friends recommending her.

    With your talk of its ‘twists, danger, zombies and conspiracies’ I think I’ve just been convinced.

  16. La La in the Library

    One of my blogging buddies wants me to read the first book, Feed, so badly that she bought a paperback, had it signed at a Con, and mailed it to me! I guess I had better get to it soon. Thanks for sharing your review. 🙂

  17. Laurel-Rain Snow

    Okay, you got my attention. Ever since Feed came out, I’ve been curious. It doesn’t sound like my usual genre, but I may have to take a risk and grab it (and Feedback). Thanks for sharing.

  18. Bookworm Brandee

    Your love for this book is almost palpable, Kim! 😉 I must admit to being kinda lost with the terminology – Irwins, Newsies, and Fictionals – but the story does sound riveting. And I’m guessing you would highly encourage me to pick up the Newflesh series?? 😀

  19. Mary Kirkland

    That’s the first I’ve heard about this but…Newsflesh…that word alone was enough to make me want to read the review.

  20. Lekeisha

    I have the first book, and this would be the perfect time to dive in. I’m glad this exceeded all your expectations!

  22. Jenny

    WHY HAVEN’T I READ THIS SERIES YET?! Oh, wait. Because zombies. *shudders* I think the characters in this series might be strong enough that I can overlook the zombies though, I love character-driven novels:)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Honestly, yes there are zombies and some help me Jesus moments and even death…but the story is about a bunch of bloggers…you gotta love that!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I really think you would be fine, zombies aside. The stories are about the characters themselves and I think you’ll be surprised.