Author: Kathy Miner 
Release: July 30th 2014
Series: None
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic | Horror > Zombies | Adventure | Fiction
Edition: Kindle
Pages: 303
Publisher: Self-published
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

Naomi sees her first corpse in a Colorado Springs grocery store, but it won’t be her last. With devastating speed, a plague sweeps first the city, then the state, then the world, leaving less than 1% of the population to go on. Naomi, a gentle and sheltered housewife, finds herself fighting for survival in a world populated by desperate people, where might-makes-right, and mercy and compassion are in short supply. Fellow survivors Jack, a youth minister from Woodland Park; Grace, a 17-year-old high school student from Limon; and Naomi’s daughter Piper, a student at the University of Northern Colorado, all find themselves searching for a safe path forward…because it’s not just the world that has changed.

The plague that decimates the human race also pushes mankind into evolutionary change. Those who survive are different, profoundly so, in ways they are just beginning to comprehend. As Naomi struggles to protect and reunite what’s left of her family, she must also learn to understand and accept the changes in herself. In this strange new world, her survival, and the survival of those she loves, depends on it.

Rating

Review

Plot/Story:

“What survives of us” is all about survival in a post-apocalyptic world. A world where 99% of world’s population die due to a plague. The author made this book brutally honest and realistic in regards to a world where caution is as much part of life as breathing is. The remaining 1% rapidly forms group to survive, some want power, some want to help others and rebuild a society worth living. The pace of story is great and the plot is well thought out that keeps the page turning. Chapters are written in Point-Of-View style of 4 characters: Naomi, a housewife, Piper, Naomi’s eldest daughter, Grace, a High-school student and Jack, a youth minister. There is a lot of brutality all through the book like 12 year olds getting raped and beaten to death. Few things are disturbing to some extent, but that’s exactly how a changed world would be like. There are good people like Jack and Layla, who wants to make this changed world a better place to live in. The debates about the ‘existence of God’ are in the book, which are a delight to read. The most interesting thing is that the plague has caused evolutionary changes in the surviving “Lucky” ones. Naomi could feel through animals, Jack gets convincing powers which he uses to manipulate people, Macy, Naomi’s youngest daughter could talk to the dead and sense what’s good and bad.

Characters:

All the lead characters are amazing. Strong ones will be the surviving ones. Mostly all the major characters are female except for Jack (who by the way is not so likable character). The story lacks an interesting lead male character, but the female characters makes up for that. My favorite character is Grace. The strongest of all characters. Grace is great with tactics needed for surviving. In the mid-way through story, Grace is kidnapped by a gang of thugs where she is raped for 20 days by 15 men every night. But again she comes out strong, outsmarts them and escapes captivity.

Kills:

A lot. The plague itself kills 99%. Then there are 10 and 12 year olds getting raped and beaten to death in most brutal way possible. Not only humans, but dogs are also hunted. For food.

Writing:

Author’s writing style is brilliant. For a first time author, the pacing is on spot. The plot is well thought out.

Beginning:

The book started with a death. That just about gave an idea of what’s to be expected.

Ending:

The ending was perfect mixture of closure to a character’s story and excitement for next book.

Blurb:

Blurb lacks a mention of brutality in the book. This strictly has to be an adult book.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: Naomi saw her first corpse in the Safeway on Nevada Avenue.

Highlights: The post-apocalyptic world, characters, heroes, villains, superhuman abilities. Just about everything.

Lowlights: At one point I was skeptical about whether I should continue with this book. It was because of this one thing in chapter three. When the plague starts, the mayor for Colorado addresses her people and says “We cannot help you.” It was like “Go to hell.” A politician would never say this even if they are not capable of doing anything. That’s what George Orwell’s novels taught us. A politician would not want to start a panic. This is a disaster for ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’ fans. Though this was the only lowlight and I am glad that I decided to continue with the book. Everything else about the book was great.

Final Thoughts: A must read for post-apocalyptic world fans.

Review Contributor:

Aditya Moghe:

Hello all! I am from Pune, India. I’m working in I.T. sector. I have an engineering degree in Electronics. I like reading because it keeps my brain active. I believe that there is no better Brain enhancer than books. I am addicted to learning new things. I like reading blogs about science, mostly cosmos and astronomy.

Apart from reading, I watch movies, TV-series, play games and all sort of nerdy stuff.