📖 Overview
Feed takes place in 2040, twenty-five years after two medical advances combined to create zombies. The story follows Georgia and Shaun Mason, adoptive siblings who work as bloggers covering news and politics in this transformed America.
The Mason siblings join the presidential campaign of Senator Peter Ryman as embedded journalists, documenting his run for office while navigating the constant threat of zombie attacks. Their work puts them at the intersection of politics, media, and survival in a world where blood testing and decontamination are daily routines.
The novel combines political journalism, zombie horror, and conspiracy thriller elements while exploring the role of new media and truth in society. Through its portrayal of bloggers as legitimate journalists in a dangerous world, Feed examines how information shapes power and survival.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise the fresh take on zombies through a journalistic lens, the detailed worldbuilding, and the technical accuracy of virus-related content. The relationship between siblings Georgia and Shaun resonates with many readers, who note their banter and loyalty.
Common criticisms include the slow pacing in the first third, excessive technical details about blood testing procedures, and repetitive descriptions of security protocols. Some readers found the political campaign storyline less engaging than the zombie elements.
From reviews:
"The virology and epidemiology details make this stand out from standard zombie fare" - Goodreads user
"Too much time spent on mundane security checks and testing procedures" - Amazon reviewer
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.84/5 (55,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (800+ ratings)
LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings)
The book scores higher with readers interested in science and journalism than with traditional horror fans seeking action-focused zombie stories.
📚 Similar books
World War Z by Max Brooks
A collection of oral histories depicts a global zombie outbreak through journalism and governmental response.
The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey A child zombie's relationship with her teacher reveals scientific discoveries about infection and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant Bloggers uncover political conspiracies in a world where digital media replaces traditional news after a zombie outbreak.
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton Scientists race against time to contain an extraterrestrial microorganism that causes rapid death.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel A pandemic reshapes civilization while interconnected survivors preserve art and humanity through traveling performances.
The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey A child zombie's relationship with her teacher reveals scientific discoveries about infection and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant Bloggers uncover political conspiracies in a world where digital media replaces traditional news after a zombie outbreak.
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton Scientists race against time to contain an extraterrestrial microorganism that causes rapid death.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel A pandemic reshapes civilization while interconnected survivors preserve art and humanity through traveling performances.
🤔 Interesting facts
🧟♂️ "Feed" was published under Mira Grant, a pen name for Seanan McGuire, who is also a professional folk singer and has released multiple albums
🦠 The novel's virus-turned-zombies scenario was partially inspired by the author's extensive research into emerging viruses and her fascination with virology
🎯 The book was nominated for the 2011 Hugo Award for Best Novel, marking the first time a zombie novel received this prestigious science fiction nomination
📱 The story's bloggers-as-journalists theme was influenced by McGuire's own experiences as a blogger and her observations of how social media was changing news reporting
🧬 The author consulted with epidemiologists and other medical professionals to create a scientifically plausible zombie virus, incorporating real principles of viral mutation and transmission