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Post-apocalyptic novels are typically not something I seek out, but the pandemic elements of this novel intrigued me. Initially, I was worried that the book might be too gloomy and dismal, which ended up not a concern. Still, the book wasn’t a complete success for me.
After the pandemic killed her parents and decimated the population in Juneau, Alaska, Carly Daniels spends her days and nights holed up in her apartment, only going out to forage for food when necessary. She learned the hard way that the Infected are mentally unstable, making her open to their attacks.
One would think that she would be glad to discover another healthy person. But she doesn’t trust easily and the fact that she is being staked out by an unknown man, aka Biker Guy, is enough to cause her to take extra precautions. After an unsettling encounter when he attempts to talk to her, she decides to leave her apartment at night. Of course she runs into problems.
Justin Thatcher, a former army soldier, was in Alaska for the Dead Horse Rally when the pandemic hit. With contacts all over the world, he knows that society will not return to normalcy anytime soon. After seeing Carly out on one of her food runs he accepts that he can’t leave her alone. With winter coming soon, he recognizes that their only chance of long term survival is to move somewhere warmer like Florida where the elements are not such a concern. However, he must gain Carly’s trust and then convince her to join forces with him.
After running out of water, Carly must face some hard truths, and accept that the government is not going to miraculously rise from the ashes of civilization. She decides to join forces with Justin, and leave her home.
As they began their long journey south, Justin and Carly discover that they are not the only survivors. Some individuals they can trust, but others are truly mercenary and greedy. Proximity and love soon change their relationship to a more intimate one with not surprising results. Are they brave enough to bring a child into this desolate world?
First, let me tell you what I liked about the book. The pacing and writing are good. Plus as I said, the premise is an interesting one. Initially I had some qualms about the longevity of the virus. Shouldn’t the pandemic hit, and then die out? I am definitely not an epidemiologist but the reason for the continued occurrence of illness seemed plausible.
Justin is a worthy hero — kind, resourceful but strong and dangerous enough to protect them both. Carly didn’t appeal to me as much. For a twenty-two-year-old, she seemed very young and naïve. I found her guileless and childlike manner implausible, especially after she watched the news showing the country’s devastation. She naively believes that she will not have to worry about fuel and food because the city’s resources like power and water will be resumed.
One of the biggest disadvantages to survivors falling in love is that as a reader I wonder if they would have done so under normal circumstances. With the variance in life experiences and age between sheltered, innocent Carly who is in her early twenties, and Justin who is in his thirties and a lot wiser, I truly wasn’t convinced that they were soul mates.
The simplicity of this story lacks credibility but I have to admit that I wouldn’t want to read about the truly authentic consequences of most of civilization dying off. Just thinking about what a horrific breeding ground of bacteria all the decomposing bodies would be is enough to give me nightmares.
This sounds strange, but as I was reading this book I was reminded of Jean Auel’s Earth Children series, even though one setting is in the past and the other in the future. While that may be a positive for many of you, it diminished my enjoyment a tad, in that I didn’t feel like the story was original anymore. There are no similarities in the amount of archaeology research – this book doesn’t have any – however, the journey just felt similar. At the beginning of the book, Carly has already rescued a wolf pup, thinking it is a dog, and then later rescues a horse. Plus they travel across country, meeting different people, and then settle in for a time due to the winter season.
Overall, I found this story extremely readable, but not truly memorable.
Grade: C+
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 12/02/13
Publication Date: 2013/02
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.