Soft sell when I expected edgy danger

I adore PA fiction, but I had a hard time getting into this book. Technically, it is well written. Personally, I had a heck of a time getting into the story. Much of the plot wasn't plausible to me. Sloane's neighborhood has been decimated by a tsunami, rendering many of the homes unlivable (floors covered with a “pudding like” mud). Many of the neighbors have left so not sure why Sloane insists on staying and coming up with a charade to keep looters away, especially when her neighbors have given her keys so she can scavenge for supplies. Her charade consists of walking across the street to an empty neighbor’s house and yelling, “Thanks for having us over,” in case anyone is watching.

Sloane’s daughters Mae and Wren come across as whiny teens, as if surviving in a world gone to heck is nothing more than an inconvenience their mother has forced on them. However, they did share my disbelief at Sloane’s “plan” to keep marauders at bay.

The story was bogged down in minute details, such as Sloane diving through muddy, murky water in a basement to retrieve (and wash in clean water the neighbors had the forethought to store in a bathtub) weapons and ammunition.

There was no immediate impending risk to draw me into the story and get my adrenaline pumping. Characterization and humanity should be as compelling as danger and risk in a PA story—for me, this book has too much of the former and not enough of the latter.

I see many of this author’s other PA stories have strong review so I’ll check out those books. This one, however, didn’t engage me.

4 stars to the narrator for a professional, well-delivered audiobook.

2 people found this helpful

Wish It Had Been Longer

Always anticipate Shaw’s next release. That being said, I could’ve waited a bit longer for a longer story. The forward, kind of threw me, as it’s a summary of the story to come and not the circumstances that preclude the disaster. Anyway, I liked the book and look forward to Book 2.

2 people found this helpful

THERE IS GOOD IN THE WORLD💕

I am very happy with this book having never read anything by this author and had got it free thru
getfreeaudiobooks.com I found it both invigorating and heartwarming as this female band of mother children and dogs plotted to protect and survive in the aftermath of disaster. While you may imagine it too dark and scary and not your type of book, don't as it was written in such a beautiful way that it was very positive and the soothing voice of the narrator was like a comforting balm. l am going to continue this series and wholeheartedly recommend this to you.

1 person found this helpful

Good story

Narrative was very monotone. With a Post apocalyptic novel with women characters there should have been more contrast between the emotions. All in all I did enjoy the book and it’s premise, I will continue on to the next book in the series.

1 person found this helpful

It was ok

I hate giving bad reviews, but I just can't give this book anything better than saying it was ok. The characters' logic and actions just don't make much sense, the story is stilted, and I felt no connection. It feels like there was potential, but I almost quit the book a few times; I read about 80 books a year and I almost never leave a book unfinished, but I was tempted. I definitely won't continue the series.

this is a continuation of another storyline

couldn't find the first series it must reference to throughout the book so I was a little lost

dystopian

Very good story of a mom Trying to care for her two daughters after apocalyptic events.. Having to teach them that you can't trust anybody anymore. It's hard to change their minds, now that you have to break in to your neighbors house and steal anything you can to survive.. Trying to get her oldest daughter (16) to understand that she may have to try to kill people, so that she will survive. Great narrator, also. A solid 4 stars! I received a free audio copy from the author, but this is a totally voluntary review.

Excellent beginning to suspenseful story

I’m a longtime fan of A.R. Shaw, and this story didn’t disappoint— good people, suspenseful story, reliable dogs. Tracey Rooney was a superior narrator, especially for a female-dominated story. Highly recommended. Post-apoc fans can’t go wrong with this duo.

Deception directed imagination

To survive the next wave of threats, deception becomes paramount and can only be created by imaging what your neighborhood would look like if their world was not rocked by a distructive force. The author writes with descriptive style and well defined characters. I enjoyed the fact the story was created around a strong feminine character.

Mother & Daughters fight to survive

Good story of a family trying to survive not 1, but 2 major disasters. With determination they attempt to conquer family dynamics, insane neighbors, evil militia and a world in scarcity. The ending sets up for another chapter with some hope for the future.