The Split by Gigi Nally is a dystopian zombie novel set in Greenville, SC. Kota lives with her diabetic sister and her grandmother on one side of The Split. Everyone has the same resources. Everyone is treated the same—that’s how you survive.

On the other side of The Split are the people she’s always heard about. They break the treaty. They hurt people. They’re the ones you avoid at all costs.

On a supply run they meet Jasper. He’s a Mac—from the other side of The Split—and he wants to take the granola bars they just found. Soon after, every part of the routine Kota has built over the past two years begins to unravel.

The entire book is from Kota’s POV, and I felt for her so many times—anger for one character, heartbreak for another. At times it felt like sheer grit was the only thing pushing her forward. Sometimes that’s all any of us have to keep getting back up…though hopefully not in such life-and-death situations.

Living in the area also made this a fun read. I could picture Costco, Woodruff Road, and Paris Mountain so clearly. Though I do wonder if the Costco parking lot might actually be safer with zombies than some of these drivers on a Saturday morning. 🤣

I really don't know how to properly rate this one. The world building, magic system, character arcs were good. I was so intrigued by everything that I had to finish to see what happened. And yet, I also kept stopping and starting because I felt bored. The world never fully drew me in or held my attention. If it hadn't been a book club pick I'm not sure i would have finished it. Life is too short for books that don't fully keep my attention.

Also, damn it Will.

Brad is so horrible. I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Though I'm kind of pissed she didn't make them actually grovel. We deserved a real grovel after that behaviour.

I strive to be a mom like Beth. No filter, trying to get a reaction from my antics, and my adult child telling me everything. That relationship was top notch.