I received this novel as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love apocalyptic novels. I even have a separate category for them here on this website, instead of classifying them under science fiction. However, the more I read in this genre, the more I find that all of the books end up being pretty much the same. This means that I’m always looking for the newest book in this genre to see if it will be the same old or if it will be the one to excite me. Let’s just say that this one …. IT DEFINITELY EXCITED ME!
After a horrendous fever with no cure, the earth’s population is decimated. The most targeted population was that of women and children – almost none survived. In this new world, she wakes up, and finds that her whole life has changed. As she travels through America, she struggles to find her place. There is no more civilization. Men roam in packs, hunting for weapons and food – and any women remaining. In order to survive, she must pretend to be a man and avoid as many people as possible. But as the world continues to struggle in its newfound circumstances, she will discover that she has a role to play in it… whether she wants to or not.
From the very first page of this novel, I was hooked. The premise, the prose, the characters … everything was so gritty and raw and perfect. Reading about the struggles of the main protagonist (who remains nameless throughout this story) gave me an adrenaline rush while also horrifying me at the same time. The events that transpire are both gruesome and completely realistic … which makes it scarier than any horror movie. The emotions and scenarios that are people are thrust into really make you think about how well you know a person. This novel is more than just a dystopian fiction; it is a novel that explores the realm of sexuality, independence, women’s rights, and the value of life. I cannot state enough how much of a fantastic novel this is, so please do yourself a favour and check it out! I promise it will not disappoint. I’ve just discovered that this novel is actually part of a series and the next installment will be released some time in 2017 so stay tuned for my blog review on the sequel!
Happy reading ~