Salvation-1: Exodus

by Kate L. Mary

The end is only the beginning…

It’s the final days of Earth, and Tessa has made her peace with dying. Her life has never been a fairy tale, so it makes perfect sense she’d perish with most of the people on the planet. Except luck is finally on her side, as is her Knight in shining armor, Ty, who puts his own life on the line to make sure she gets to Salvation-1 before zero hour.

The ship is supposed to be humanity’s chance to start over, but making it off Earth is only the beginning.

Forty years in hyper sleep, a new planet in a new galaxy, and a whole new set of challenges. When nothing turns out out the way they thought it would, Tessa and the other survivors once again find themselves fighting for their lives. Only this time if they lose, there’s no chance of escape.

Genres: Science Fiction

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2023

About the author

I'm a mom of four, Air Force wife, and author of adult and young adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. I love intense world building and character driven stories that feature strong female leads - as well as a side of romance - and any end of the world scenario. Zombies, aliens, a distant future where people have no clue how the world ended in the first place, you name it, I will create a story there!

Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.

When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!

Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.

Awards:

Outliers
Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction
Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine

When We Were Human
2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction
2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction

Tribe of Daughters
Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction
Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards

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Reviews

[Lisa O'Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salvation 1 Exodus

Holy moley, I could not put it down until I finished reading it. Well done Kate. The whole bloody thing is awesome. I won't say to much about the storyline but wow.

[Molly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such an excellent book and a great start to a new dystopian series. At first I didn’t think I would love this book as much as I did but as I started it I realized this was going to ge amazing. The story was so well written and the world building was amazing, I could really imagine the story without any difficulty. The characters were amazing and they made the story much more interesting. The plot was unique and adventurous, so it kept my attention from the very start. Overall this was a book that truly surprised me and I cannot wait to continue this series!

❗️This book ends on a cliffhanger. ❗️

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

In two weeks the world is going to end in this excellent Sci-Fi adventure that gives a nod to disaster movies from the past as it hurtles its way into a perfectly executed depiction of mankind’s looming demise.

Tessa Marie Carson has resigned herself to the upcoming apocalypse when fate steps in and she is selected in the lottery to leave Earth on a forty-year hyper sleep mission along with others to the planet VA-246, humanities last hope for survival of its species. Life soon becomes chaos on Earth as those not selected turn to violence and for Marie tragedy soon follows.

I enjoyed this first book tremendously for its expertly crafted writing and tension inducing nail biting as events speed their way towards the ultimate voyage and the mystery of planet VA-246.

With a cliffhanger ending causing severe I need to know vibes I can’t wait for book two’s arrival to find out what happens!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!

Great start to a series. Tessa is, as she puts it, a high school drop out. She had to drop out to help her mother who was dying of cancer. There is a meteor headed to earth which will end humanity. So the governments of earth have selected people to be on the space ships that have been designed to support them until they get to the new planet. The US holds a lottery to be on the ship. Tessa wins a ticket and her mother tells her to go. She will be among the five thousand total from the US to continue humanity on the new planet. Sounds easy enough, right? Nope. That is just the beginning. There are fires and crowds and riots in the streets and Tessa has to make it to the ship on time. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

[Mo Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author's books, because she writes solid plot lines and characters the reader can identify and engage with - love 'em or hate 'em, you always want to know what happens to them.

This story is, I believe, a new departure for her, and I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it as much as some of her other series. But I was sucked in from the first page and didn't stop reading for several hours. I had to force myself to do something else before I devoured the book in one long read.

GREAT story that galloped along at a cracking pace - I'm counting the days now until book 2 is released.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. For those familiar with Kate's work - this is NOT about Zombies, this is the beginning of a new Sci-Fi series. It starts off here on Earth - but ends somewhere completely different. In between there's some madness, mayhem, and craziness. Join the ride, I guarantee you will LOVE IT!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

exciting adventure!!

I couldn’t wait to read this new adventure!! Anything that Kate lMary writes is amazing!! Totally different from her zombie books but a total blast! Love the characters so far! A lot of unanswered questions that I can’t wait to find the answers to.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Kate L. Mary has written an awesome science fiction book that fans of the genre will love!

Read full review in the 2023 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salvation-1: Exodus has been one of the best books I have ever read if not the best. I have always had a fascination with books or movies about the world ending and humans taking a ship to live in space. I love Star Trek TV shows and movies. I love all of the Star Trek TV shows. Salvation-1: Exodus reminds me a little about that new TV show The Ark as well.

Once I started reading Salvation-1: Exodus I was hooked. I was drawn into its world the moment I read that first word. I was lost from beginning to end. I was glued to the pages. I couldn’t turn them fast enough to suit me. The world that has been created for Salvation-1: Exodus is the best one I have ever seen. I can’t get enough of this world and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Salvation-1 starts off with a blast as the world is about to end. Tessa has made her peace with the fact that she is going to die along with billions more as the world is destroyed. But at the last minute, Tessa gets word that she has a place on Salvation-1.

But the journey of getting there is going to be difficult in a world that is going mad. Chaos has set in making Tessa’s journey to the ship dangerous. She only has a short amount of time to make it to the ship before her time runs out and she loses her golden ticket.

People are attacking the chosen ones in the street and Tessa could be their next victim. A knight in shining armor steps up to help Tessa out. Ty is doing his best to see that she makes it to Salvation-1 on time. Ty is a very good sole as he does not have a golden ticket. Ty will not be getting on the ship as he has not been chosen.

Salvation-1: Exodus has many twists and turns. There are quite a few twists that made me want to do a happy dance. But some not so much. But they all kept the story rolling page after page.

I have said this before and I am sure I will say it again but it has never been a truer statement for me this time. I would love more than anything to see Salvation-1: Exodus made into a TV show. I look forward to reading more from this world in future books. I hope it won’t be long.

I highly recommend Salvation-1: Exodus to everyone who likes TV shows like Star Trek, The 100, and the new show The Ark. Grab your copy of Salvation-1: Exodus for a new beginning to a new world today!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

All right so bear with me as try to compose and record my thoughts on this story.

First off Kate L. Mary is one of my favorite authors, she does fantastic world building and relatable characters. Her Broken World series lives rent free in my head, so when I received the opportunity to read this as an arc from BookSirens, I jumped on the chance.

Salvation-1 is such a compelling story of survival and the starts to a romance. I was hooked from page one; I honestly had no idea what direction the story was going to go in since I looked at no other reviews and only skimmed the synopsis. I was sitting on the edge of my seat more than a few times holding my breath frantically reading what would happen next. I always love watching the reactions of different characters to large life altering events, because we all know each of us would react differently. I think Kate does an amazing job depicting the chaos and anarchy that would follow events such as the ones in this book.

Tessa- she was a unique character; you know the main character that doesn't want/believe they are the main character sort of person. She had already been through hardships prior to the lottery for a spot-on Salvation-1. I worried for a bit there in the beginning if she would even make it.

Ty- our knight on ancient motorcycle, I was rooting for him from their first meeting. Literally won me over when he offered to take her to her meeting point.

Without spoiling it, the start of part 2 made me a little weepy. IYKYK.

Would I have liked just a bit more romance? Of course, but I know that Kate writes them as a bit more of a slow burn and often romance is not the main focus of the book which I understand completely after all there are a ton of survival situations going on. So, this wasn’t really an issue for me.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I was super worried about this since this had so many directions it could have gone. I am still speechless, but in the best conceivable way. I need the next book because I need to know what will happen on VA-246.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique story

Excellent start to a new series and I can't wait for the next book to come out. A good mix of getting to know the characters and their relationships and action. The storyline is unique and I look forward to learning who the unknown enemy is and how it will be handled.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent! I was a little put off by the cover initially but after reading the blurb thought this sounds good! & I was right, brilliant story, great, well written & thought out characters, great plot, good level of adventure & excitement! Overall a really super read! It does finish in a cliff hanger so be warned. I can't wait to see where this intriguing story goes! I do recommend!

[Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate never disappoints

I am a slow reader but I did not read slow enough so, now, I still have to wait for the second book to come out. 😁 I like the story and the characters in it. I am excited to find out what will happen next.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't just read Salvation-1-Exodus, I jumped right in that book and lived it! It was great and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one! The very first chapter was full of action. Loved the characters. I've read all of Kate's books and this is the first one (I think) that actually uses space travel for salvation. I believe this is going to be a series...or I at least hope so!

[Reagan Lausche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read, I enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this book, I would probably give it a 4.5/5. It has an interesting premise and kept me engaged and wondering what’s going to happen next. I’m excited for the next one to come out next month!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this year reading this author (the cursed world series) and I must say, she doesn’t disappoint, we always have stories with relatable characters, some that we love, others that we hate, yeah I am talking about Lane hahah, and others we trust our lives, ^___^ Ty really is awesome.

Tessa is a girl, that before the start of the story she was almost ready to lose everything because she didn’t think high of herself, she had to drop out of high school because her mother had cancer and she had to work to help them survive… when the world got world that a meteorite would hit earth and life would end, Tessa like everyone would stop breathing while waiting for the announcement of the lucky winners of a spot in savaltion-1 an ark type of ship that would bring the lucky few to a faraway planet in hope of the continuity of mankind, and even this was super dangerous because many people with spots were murdered, even people that lied that had spots, yeah this author is very good in bringing the worse that mankind also have, that's why I love her characters that fight that kind of comportment…

I guess this book could fit into post apocalyptical and space opera, because they actually go into space, and in the end of the first book they arrive in the planet they were intending into going, and things don’t go how they were planned, everything happens fast, and like always I got so much absorbed in the story that I didn’t noticed how long the book was, I felt like I started one day and a few hours later the book had finished and I just want to know what happens next.

I really recommend this series, and this author, I really enjoy the grow her character do in the book, start reading thinking you’re in for a really big trip, will mankind survive? One can only hope so!

Thank you BookSirens for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Shayay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this story. Narrator did a good job and the recording was of good quality; there were a couple of repeated things, but still a good listen. Enjoyed it!

Love premise like this! Earth is expected to perish along with the majority of its citizens, so things are looking really bad for lots and lots of people. There is a plan in place to save some by sending some to a new planet, but the spots are limited. Some bought their way onto the spaceship/shuttle, but for those that do not have the means for that, a lotto of sorts is in play. The story is told from Tessa’s POV, who doesn’t have much hope that she’ll be chosen, but she’s in for quite the adventure. Love the sci-fi type of story! Fun scenarios and adventure! Tessa doesn’t exactly have the survivalist instinct; people are being killed in the streets, but she leaves home with no weapon. Not exactly a smart cookie our Tessa. It was also super weird that the chosen could go to any random doctor for their physical, when results could be doctored and people were being killed for their place on the ship. So, there were a couple of scenarios that didn’t quite work for me in this story. I didn’t really care for most of the characters; they are on the annoying side and there was too much focus on a mean girl type of scenario. Trivial annoying junk that slowed the story down and annoyed me. Overall though, I found the story quite entertaining. Really like how Tessa’s possible romance developed. It’s also cool the route the story started to go in as the story progressed. I’m really looking forward to the next book! This premise just really does it for me!

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a running from a planet ending comet to space story. This story reminds me of the tv series The Ark meets Deep Impact, only instead of focusing on the crew out to destroy the asteroid, its people chasing across the country to secure themselves in the few ships leaving the planet to colonize a new world.

This is how we meet Tessa, she's been assigned a place on the ship and trying to flee the city to get to her transport while the rest of humanity parties, destroys and decides to go out swinging. Ty knows he hasn't got a place, but the girl he saved from his brothers attentions has a golden ticket out of their situation, so he figures if he has to die, he'd rather make it count by helping Tessa get to her transport. 45 years in hyper-sleep and waking up in an unknown future, she's delighted to find out that Ty was able to secure himself a spot as well.

I don't wanna give out too many spoilers but Mallory Fuccella does an amazing job narrating and taking us on this journey.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving it three stars because of the characters.

I liked Tessa, Aurora and Lane. Even if Tessa as a MC gets shoved from one situation to another.

The writing style is all right, nothing annoying, you can read this first installment pretty fast.

What could have been better is the worldbuilding. If Tessa hadn't said it is the year 2350, you wouldn't have known. In the first few chapters it read like today, cars drive, guns were fired and Tessa is a high school drop out. The (then unnecessary) info dump about the happenings the last centuries came to late.

A tad annoying were the unbelivable happenings to Tessa for the sake of plot. Yes, she wins the lottery, that's fine. But the rest, well with a lot of goodwill.

What really bothered me were the references to todays pop culture. No, I don't belive they know about E.T., Alien, Disney and Charlie and the chocolate factory.

I got the book for free and thank Kate L. Mary for the chance to read it.

[A Schaeffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pretty gripped from the start. We get to know Tessa on Earth, facing the challenges of a crumbling society alongside her sick mother and the looming certainty of their shared fate.

Except Tessa's luck changes when she wins the space lottery with the chance to escape the doomed planet and head to a viable planet light years away. With nothing left to lose, Tessa has to traipse across a city of violent and depressed individuals, looters and mad men now unhinged from the rules of law.

As with all of Kate's books, her characters are real and flawed, we get the good and the bad in society, and the space ship is tightly packed with those that made it on time.

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly immersing!

I'm a fast reader but it's not often I find a book that immerses me to the point that I loose track of time. Kate L. Mary is one of my favorite authors and while this book is a step away from her 'norm' of ZOMBIES!!, it's just as good of a storyline and cast of characters. I read Exodus and Survival bacn to back in half a day!! Great books!! Can't wait for the next one!

I would absolutely recommend these books for any adult who loves a good strong underdog and great Sci-Fi. There is some language, intimacy and violence (not of an intimate nature).

[Alicia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast paced, Apocalyptic Ride!

This book had my attention from the very beginning. It was exciting and the pacing moved very well.

I thought that the story was well thought out, just took a star away for some editing errors and because I felt like some of the characters could’ve been fleshed out a little more.

I do recommend this book to fans of dystopian, apocalyptic, and light sci-fi. It was a fun read and I already have the next book. Which I am about to read. Enjoy!

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book.
This was a pretty good story. It's somewhat similar to J.J. Green's space colony series, so if you liked that one, you will probably like this one as well.
If you wind up liking this one, then you can check out the other series for additional fun reading.
Kind of disappointed it ended where it did, but it does make sense that it stopped where it did, it's just I wanted more. Guess I'll need to wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World building in this book was really well written. During the last days on Earth I could really see the cities as they were starting to burn and the looting that was going on, the destruction and violence. The two main characters really had some good chemistry but the secondary characters were worth our time also. This one ends on a cliffhanger but is worth it. I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
I received this ARC from BookSirens and am happy to leave this reveiw.

[Julie Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great beginning to a new series by Kate! Great character and story building in this first book of the series. I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Kate definitely knows how to keep us in our toes be it with aliens or zombies.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This book was totally enjoyable! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys apocalyptic stories. The characters are interesting and the story really gets you immersed in it.

Can't wait to read the next book!

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing start to the series, the book was fast paced and action packed, and had me hooked in the first few chapters, while the plot had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the characters, and the narration really brought then to life.

[Anita Hofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love how it starts from the beginning of the end. The harrowing escape the main character( Tessa ) makes with an unlikely hero is thrilling. This story has lots of action and heartbreaking moments. I highly suggest reading this book. Can’t wait to read the second book.

[marie marchiori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has done it again. Her characters become your friends and you’re right beside them for the adventure. Thank you, Kate!!!

[Paula Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating New World

Kate L Mary has done it again! Fresh new dystopian story in two parts. Rich characters, original story, and distressing mystery at the end of Book One. Salvation-l Exodus is my next priority ! 👾👾👾👾👾