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Raven's Record #1
American Survivor
Smoke and ashes cover most of the North American continent. While emergency responders race against the clock to rescue survivors, government officials scramble to obscure details of the event that claimed the lives of millions. Was the calamity a volcanic super eruption? Or an unprecedented weapon unleashed by an enemy with a vendetta against the United States? After losing everything, one of the survivors hurdles red tape and false flags in an attempt to uncover--and broadcast--the real story.
348 pages, ebook
Published February 21, 2023
56 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Hightower
10 books54 followersDebbie Hightower is an award-winning author specializing in post-apocalyptic science fiction, dystopian thrillers, alien invasion narratives, and hard science fiction. Her acclaimed Raven's Record series explores government conspiracy, space colonization, and humanity's resilience in the face of catastrophic alien attacks.
A retired journalist with 15 years of investigative reporting experience, Debbie brings authentic storytelling and meticulous research to her speculative fiction. Her work has earned multiple Reader's Favorite five-star awards and a Christlit Award for Inspirati, connecting with readers who crave intelligent, character-driven sci-fi that tackles complex moral questions.
Debbie's novels blend hard science with emotional depth, featuring strong protagonists navigating impossible choices in post-catastrophe America and beyond. Her Raven's Record series spans from Earth's darkest moments to humanity's leap toward the stars, exploring themes of truth, survival, corruption, and hope against insurmountable odds.
Born in High Point, North Carolina, Debbie combines her journalism background with her passion for science fiction to create stories that feel both authentic and thought-provoking. Her writing reflects on societal issues and the human condition, making her stories both entertaining and intellectually engaging.
SERIES:
📚 Raven's Record Series (5 books): American Survivor, Equinox, Kon-Tiki, The Golden Rule, Forged In Flames
📚 Standalone Works: Love You To the Moon and Back, Babylon 20/20, Raven's Revelation
GENRES: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction | Dystopian Sci-Fi | Alien Invasion | Hard Science Fiction | Political Thrillers | Space Opera | Conspiracy Fiction
A retired journalist with 15 years of investigative reporting experience, Debbie brings authentic storytelling and meticulous research to her speculative fiction. Her work has earned multiple Reader's Favorite five-star awards and a Christlit Award for Inspirati, connecting with readers who crave intelligent, character-driven sci-fi that tackles complex moral questions.
Debbie's novels blend hard science with emotional depth, featuring strong protagonists navigating impossible choices in post-catastrophe America and beyond. Her Raven's Record series spans from Earth's darkest moments to humanity's leap toward the stars, exploring themes of truth, survival, corruption, and hope against insurmountable odds.
Born in High Point, North Carolina, Debbie combines her journalism background with her passion for science fiction to create stories that feel both authentic and thought-provoking. Her writing reflects on societal issues and the human condition, making her stories both entertaining and intellectually engaging.
SERIES:
📚 Raven's Record Series (5 books): American Survivor, Equinox, Kon-Tiki, The Golden Rule, Forged In Flames
📚 Standalone Works: Love You To the Moon and Back, Babylon 20/20, Raven's Revelation
GENRES: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction | Dystopian Sci-Fi | Alien Invasion | Hard Science Fiction | Political Thrillers | Space Opera | Conspiracy Fiction
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 15, 2024
Rather epic
American Survivor felt a bit like different genres meshed together to build a rather epic plot.
Interesting storyline, with Raven rescued from the ashes of a destroyed America. Nursed to health in Canada, Raven has to rebuild her life as the world deals with the shock.
Prophies, aliens, and a fake volcano cover up story, as in investigative photographer, Raven begins her own search for the truth.
It begins feeling very military-like and I wasn't sure it was for me at first. Then Raven seems to care less that the entire population of America has been wiped out and she comes across cold. Later, we learn she is an orphan and a loner, still... the entire population!
The story moves on to the plans to venture into space, and that's where my interest picked up.
Did America deserve what happened? If yes, then the whole world does.
I'm very interested to find out how the characters will interact on their Star Trek journey of no return and look forward to the next book.
American Survivor felt a bit like different genres meshed together to build a rather epic plot.
Interesting storyline, with Raven rescued from the ashes of a destroyed America. Nursed to health in Canada, Raven has to rebuild her life as the world deals with the shock.
Prophies, aliens, and a fake volcano cover up story, as in investigative photographer, Raven begins her own search for the truth.
It begins feeling very military-like and I wasn't sure it was for me at first. Then Raven seems to care less that the entire population of America has been wiped out and she comes across cold. Later, we learn she is an orphan and a loner, still... the entire population!
The story moves on to the plans to venture into space, and that's where my interest picked up.
Did America deserve what happened? If yes, then the whole world does.
I'm very interested to find out how the characters will interact on their Star Trek journey of no return and look forward to the next book.
September 28, 2024
Full speed ahead
A disaster narrative that unfolds like a movie on the pages of a book. While alien attacks may not be a groundbreaking plot, the dynamic events and intriguing twists keep the story engaging. The exploration of conspiracy theories adds an extra layer of complexity, questioning the government's secrets in a digital age. The protagonist's strength and resilience shine through, making her a standout character. Set in the Southern hemisphere makes the narrative more interesting. However, the familiar theme of a catastrophic event leading to the potential end of the world may feel repetitive and overused. Overall, it is a compelling story with memorable characters. Recommended.
A disaster narrative that unfolds like a movie on the pages of a book. While alien attacks may not be a groundbreaking plot, the dynamic events and intriguing twists keep the story engaging. The exploration of conspiracy theories adds an extra layer of complexity, questioning the government's secrets in a digital age. The protagonist's strength and resilience shine through, making her a standout character. Set in the Southern hemisphere makes the narrative more interesting. However, the familiar theme of a catastrophic event leading to the potential end of the world may feel repetitive and overused. Overall, it is a compelling story with memorable characters. Recommended.
September 1, 2024
‘American Survivor’ – the first of the ‘Raven’s Record’ series, tells of Raven Munoz, one of very few survivors of a mysterious attack on mainland USA. It tells of her aftermath, as well as a parallel story of the construction of a faster-than-light spacecraft to be sent to a nearby world, which Raven’s story collides with deep into the book, when she gets taken on as a PR-type person (initially). And through the tales, we gradually learn of aliens and get some hints on who attacked the USA and why.
The first point worth noting is, well, the cover. Yeesh! I see that other reviewers have mentioned it, and it’s worth reiterating: it does the book no favours. It shows a woman - Raven – in front of a Stars-and-Stripes. But the genre… well, on first viewing, that could be anything. Yet covers are important: they tell the reader what to expect. And this one doesn’t scream ‘sci-fi’. In fact, if you survey a range of books, it most resembles the cover of a romance story! The author really should think of updating this.
Second, the writing. Well, it’s not bad really, and gets better after a slightly stodgy start. But there are tense issues, with the author occasionally slipping into present tense when she should use past, leading to tense switching within chapters (a bit of a no-no). There are also some issues with reporting internal thoughts: often in literature, first person internal thoughts are reported in italics – but not tags or elaborations. For example: ‘Hmm, yes, maybe I should, thought Raven’ should have the thought in itals, but not the description. Yet here, in places, we either have everything in italics, or everything not.
But the third and most important issue with the book is its construction. It is really two different books mushed together, and would – to my mind – be better separated into two different novels. The initial premise of the alien attack and Raven being a survivor is an intriguing one, but one not fully explored. I was left with all sorts of questions I thought the book would deal with, and could have dealt with (and should have dealt with), but didn’t, like the stories of the different survivors, and what happened to the US after – who owned what, and why didn’t survivors attempts to reclaim it, and so on. Instead, the effects of the attack seem underplayed: if the US were wiped out, there’d probably be global starvation (given the US’s huge agricultural output), and immense market repercussions throughout the world (lasting years), while the media would be obsessed with who conducted the attack, why, and who might be next. Instead, we hear Canadian news a few weeks afterwards obsessing about local matters, along with a universal shrug: no-one knows who did it, so, meh! This leaves Raven trying to find things out in a curiously uninterested and vacant marketplace. Into this, Raven’s research surfaces some theories on aliens, a US treaty, and so on. Not convincing! The airwaves would be saturated with theories, rumours and information. Meanwhile, the parallel story – while well-researched and interesting in its own right – also has these odd aspects of worldwide indifference: a Musk-like character suddenly decides he wants to build an FTL and gets together a few engineers, who nod and say, ‘yep, should be doable’ and within a short space of time, it’s done. If doing all this is so straightforward, there would be many competitors and an arms race.
In the end, the author has ideas for a couple of stories – but I just wish they were told in different books, and that this one focused more on Raven and other survivors and the past, present and future of events in the USA.
The first point worth noting is, well, the cover. Yeesh! I see that other reviewers have mentioned it, and it’s worth reiterating: it does the book no favours. It shows a woman - Raven – in front of a Stars-and-Stripes. But the genre… well, on first viewing, that could be anything. Yet covers are important: they tell the reader what to expect. And this one doesn’t scream ‘sci-fi’. In fact, if you survey a range of books, it most resembles the cover of a romance story! The author really should think of updating this.
Second, the writing. Well, it’s not bad really, and gets better after a slightly stodgy start. But there are tense issues, with the author occasionally slipping into present tense when she should use past, leading to tense switching within chapters (a bit of a no-no). There are also some issues with reporting internal thoughts: often in literature, first person internal thoughts are reported in italics – but not tags or elaborations. For example: ‘Hmm, yes, maybe I should, thought Raven’ should have the thought in itals, but not the description. Yet here, in places, we either have everything in italics, or everything not.
But the third and most important issue with the book is its construction. It is really two different books mushed together, and would – to my mind – be better separated into two different novels. The initial premise of the alien attack and Raven being a survivor is an intriguing one, but one not fully explored. I was left with all sorts of questions I thought the book would deal with, and could have dealt with (and should have dealt with), but didn’t, like the stories of the different survivors, and what happened to the US after – who owned what, and why didn’t survivors attempts to reclaim it, and so on. Instead, the effects of the attack seem underplayed: if the US were wiped out, there’d probably be global starvation (given the US’s huge agricultural output), and immense market repercussions throughout the world (lasting years), while the media would be obsessed with who conducted the attack, why, and who might be next. Instead, we hear Canadian news a few weeks afterwards obsessing about local matters, along with a universal shrug: no-one knows who did it, so, meh! This leaves Raven trying to find things out in a curiously uninterested and vacant marketplace. Into this, Raven’s research surfaces some theories on aliens, a US treaty, and so on. Not convincing! The airwaves would be saturated with theories, rumours and information. Meanwhile, the parallel story – while well-researched and interesting in its own right – also has these odd aspects of worldwide indifference: a Musk-like character suddenly decides he wants to build an FTL and gets together a few engineers, who nod and say, ‘yep, should be doable’ and within a short space of time, it’s done. If doing all this is so straightforward, there would be many competitors and an arms race.
In the end, the author has ideas for a couple of stories – but I just wish they were told in different books, and that this one focused more on Raven and other survivors and the past, present and future of events in the USA.
June 18, 2025
Debbie Hightower has delivered a chilling and electrifying sci-fi epic in American Survivor. The book wastes no time diving into a world-shattering event—a sudden alien incursion that leaves the United States a smoking crater. What sets this novel apart isn't just the devastation, but the intricate blend of hard science, military strategy, and deeply personal survival. Raven Munoz, our unexpected heroine, emerges from the ashes not just as a witness, but as a symbol of truth, resilience, and fire-forged purpose.
Hightower weaves layers of conspiracy, futuristic science, and spiritual reckoning into a seamless narrative. From Specialist Khan’s frantic NORAD alert to the haunting burn unit scenes in Regina, each chapter pulses with urgency. The blend of factual science (FTL travel, interstellar geopolitics) and heartfelt storytelling makes this feel less like fiction and more like a coded prophecy for the future of humanity. There are echoes of The Day After Tomorrow, Contact, and Battlestar Galactica all rolled into one.
If you love your sci-fi cerebral, terrifyingly relevant, and laced with real emotion, American Survivor is a must-read. Raven Munoz may have survived the initial apocalypse—but her real war is just beginning. Highly recommended for fans of smart, high-stakes science fiction.
Hightower weaves layers of conspiracy, futuristic science, and spiritual reckoning into a seamless narrative. From Specialist Khan’s frantic NORAD alert to the haunting burn unit scenes in Regina, each chapter pulses with urgency. The blend of factual science (FTL travel, interstellar geopolitics) and heartfelt storytelling makes this feel less like fiction and more like a coded prophecy for the future of humanity. There are echoes of The Day After Tomorrow, Contact, and Battlestar Galactica all rolled into one.
If you love your sci-fi cerebral, terrifyingly relevant, and laced with real emotion, American Survivor is a must-read. Raven Munoz may have survived the initial apocalypse—but her real war is just beginning. Highly recommended for fans of smart, high-stakes science fiction.
June 18, 2025
"The Book That Made Me Rethink Modern Sci-Fi"
Debbie Hightower didn’t just write a sci-fi novel—she wrote a political thriller, a survival drama, a scientific deep-dive, and a spiritual journey all in one. American Survivor opens like a cinematic earthquake—one second you’re exploring the Denver Capitol, and the next, the nation is vaporized. Raven Munoz’s fate becomes the heartbeat of the novel, a pulse that somehow persists against all odds.
What truly impressed me was how seamlessly Hightower balances the macro and micro. You’re given high-level geopolitical and military insight (Space Force tactics, satellite warfare, international alliances), and then dropped into the emotional crater of a woman scraping back her sanity and purpose. The moments with Muriel Santiago and the “Beauty for ashes” blessing? Goosebumps.
This book feels important. It speaks to current fears and hopes, from AI warfare to moral responsibility in survival. It’s as if The Road and The Expanse had a brainchild and named it American Survivor. Don’t miss this.
Debbie Hightower didn’t just write a sci-fi novel—she wrote a political thriller, a survival drama, a scientific deep-dive, and a spiritual journey all in one. American Survivor opens like a cinematic earthquake—one second you’re exploring the Denver Capitol, and the next, the nation is vaporized. Raven Munoz’s fate becomes the heartbeat of the novel, a pulse that somehow persists against all odds.
What truly impressed me was how seamlessly Hightower balances the macro and micro. You’re given high-level geopolitical and military insight (Space Force tactics, satellite warfare, international alliances), and then dropped into the emotional crater of a woman scraping back her sanity and purpose. The moments with Muriel Santiago and the “Beauty for ashes” blessing? Goosebumps.
This book feels important. It speaks to current fears and hopes, from AI warfare to moral responsibility in survival. It’s as if The Road and The Expanse had a brainchild and named it American Survivor. Don’t miss this.
June 18, 2025
"An Earth-Shattering Debut in Every Sense"
American Survivor opens with an extinction-level event—but the real quake is in its characters. Raven Munoz is everything you don’t expect from a sci-fi protagonist: fragile, silent, and grieving. But that’s what makes her unforgettable. Debbie Hightower gives her a quiet power that sneaks up on you. Her transformation is less about explosions and more about resurrection.
The book’s use of flashbacks, official transcripts, and encrypted journal entries gives it the feel of a classified intelligence file you shouldn’t be reading—but can’t stop. The tension between global disaster and one woman’s inner trauma is where this book thrives. You get war room strategy and whispering prayer in the same breath—and somehow, it works.
This is speculative fiction with a soul. It doesn't ask you to suspend belief—it earns it.
One of the most original and thought-provoking apocalyptic stories I’ve read in years.
American Survivor opens with an extinction-level event—but the real quake is in its characters. Raven Munoz is everything you don’t expect from a sci-fi protagonist: fragile, silent, and grieving. But that’s what makes her unforgettable. Debbie Hightower gives her a quiet power that sneaks up on you. Her transformation is less about explosions and more about resurrection.
The book’s use of flashbacks, official transcripts, and encrypted journal entries gives it the feel of a classified intelligence file you shouldn’t be reading—but can’t stop. The tension between global disaster and one woman’s inner trauma is where this book thrives. You get war room strategy and whispering prayer in the same breath—and somehow, it works.
This is speculative fiction with a soul. It doesn't ask you to suspend belief—it earns it.
One of the most original and thought-provoking apocalyptic stories I’ve read in years.
June 25, 2025
American Survivor delivers one of the most gripping opening sequences I’ve ever read in a sci-fi novel. Debbie Hightower throws us headfirst into apocalyptic chaos with Raven Munoz—an ordinary photojournalist who survives an extinction-level event—and never lets go. From Capitol Hill to deep space strategy rooms, the pacing never falters.
What truly sets this book apart is its unique dual-layered narrative: hard sci-fi grounded in aerospace realism paired with an emotional journey of trauma, silence, and survival. The post-cataclysm scenes in Canada are raw and devastating. Hightower’s detail—like Raven waking up burned, deaf, and alone—makes the pain feel close.
This isn’t just about aliens or tech. It’s about grief, resilience, and rediscovering identity when your entire world is erased. I finished it in two sittings—and I’m ready for book two. Highly recommended for fans of The Expanse and The 5th Wave.
What truly sets this book apart is its unique dual-layered narrative: hard sci-fi grounded in aerospace realism paired with an emotional journey of trauma, silence, and survival. The post-cataclysm scenes in Canada are raw and devastating. Hightower’s detail—like Raven waking up burned, deaf, and alone—makes the pain feel close.
This isn’t just about aliens or tech. It’s about grief, resilience, and rediscovering identity when your entire world is erased. I finished it in two sittings—and I’m ready for book two. Highly recommended for fans of The Expanse and The 5th Wave.
June 13, 2025
Debbie Hightower’s American Survivor begins in chaos and pain—and never pretends otherwise. From the very first chapter, we’re thrust into her childhood trauma, where abuse wasn’t an exception but a horrifying norm. What hit me the hardest wasn’t just the brutality—it was the way she learned to function within it, to survive when escape wasn’t even an option.
As she moves through toxic relationships, addiction, and cycles of violence, we watch her evolve in real time. Her turning points don’t feel like fairy tale breakthroughs—they feel earned, sometimes bloody, always honest. The moment she starts reclaiming her voice, I found myself cheering out loud. You feel the stakes rising with every chapter.
This isn’t a story of overnight redemption. It’s a long, bone-deep climb toward self-worth. That’s what makes her journey so powerful—it’s real, messy, and unforgettable.
As she moves through toxic relationships, addiction, and cycles of violence, we watch her evolve in real time. Her turning points don’t feel like fairy tale breakthroughs—they feel earned, sometimes bloody, always honest. The moment she starts reclaiming her voice, I found myself cheering out loud. You feel the stakes rising with every chapter.
This isn’t a story of overnight redemption. It’s a long, bone-deep climb toward self-worth. That’s what makes her journey so powerful—it’s real, messy, and unforgettable.
June 25, 2025
Raven Munoz might just be one of my favorite sci-fi heroines in years. She’s not a soldier or a scientist—just a woman who survives the unthinkable. Debbie Hightower's decision to center the story around a civilian gives American Survivor a rare emotional depth in a genre that often leans clinical.
The world-building here is immense. From the orbital logistics of NORAD to clandestine space operations in New Zealand, Hightower balances global scale with deeply personal stakes. The international response to the destruction of America feels terrifyingly plausible.
By the final chapters, I realized this wasn’t just a survival story—it’s the beginning of a galactic reckoning. And Raven, a scorched and silenced witness, may be the only one who can tell the truth. Stellar debut to a series I’ll be following closely.
The world-building here is immense. From the orbital logistics of NORAD to clandestine space operations in New Zealand, Hightower balances global scale with deeply personal stakes. The international response to the destruction of America feels terrifyingly plausible.
By the final chapters, I realized this wasn’t just a survival story—it’s the beginning of a galactic reckoning. And Raven, a scorched and silenced witness, may be the only one who can tell the truth. Stellar debut to a series I’ll be following closely.
June 3, 2025
From the first chapter, American Survivor feels cinematic. The destruction of Denver is visceral, and the chaos that follows is painted with heart-stopping clarity. Hightower doesn’t rely on clichés; instead, she brings fresh perspective through Raven, whose occupation as a photojournalist allows us a unique lens into the disaster.
Parallel to her personal story is the global one: governments collapsing, space agencies coordinating, and an eerie calm post-carnage. The mystery of who—or what—caused the attack keeps you turning pages frantically.
This book excels at both macro and micro storytelling. It’s as much about galactic politics as it is about one woman’s emotional and physical survival. A powerful read.
Parallel to her personal story is the global one: governments collapsing, space agencies coordinating, and an eerie calm post-carnage. The mystery of who—or what—caused the attack keeps you turning pages frantically.
This book excels at both macro and micro storytelling. It’s as much about galactic politics as it is about one woman’s emotional and physical survival. A powerful read.
June 3, 2025
American Survivor masterfully straddles the line between political thriller and speculative fiction. Raven’s photojournalist lens offers a unique and humanizing perspective on a massive global disaster. Her gradual recovery—both physical and psychological—is portrayed with nuance and sensitivity.
The novel’s shifting perspectives—from high-ranking military officials to traumatized field operatives—flesh out the world that’s been reshaped by cataclysm. The global response, especially from Canada and New Zealand, adds an international scope to the story that grounds it in geopolitical realism.
Debbie Hightower has written something emotionally powerful and scientifically ambitious. It’s a rare combo that feels authentic and moving. One of the best hard sci-fi reads of the year.
The novel’s shifting perspectives—from high-ranking military officials to traumatized field operatives—flesh out the world that’s been reshaped by cataclysm. The global response, especially from Canada and New Zealand, adds an international scope to the story that grounds it in geopolitical realism.
Debbie Hightower has written something emotionally powerful and scientifically ambitious. It’s a rare combo that feels authentic and moving. One of the best hard sci-fi reads of the year.
June 12, 2025
Debbie Hightower creates a scorching landscape that’s both brutal and beautiful in American Survivor. The phoenix imagery is no coincidence—this story is all about rebirth, strength, and forging identity through fire. I found myself totally immersed in the stakes, the emotions, and the symbolism.
Raven’s voice is sharp and intelligent, which brings authenticity to her actions and inner struggles. She doesn’t fall into clichés—she’s someone you root for, someone whose pain and hope you can feel. There’s also a rhythm to Hightower’s writing that feels almost poetic at times, especially in the reflective moments.
This isn’t just a survival story—it’s a meditation on trauma, resilience, and personal power. One of the most emotionally rewarding reads I’ve had in a while.
Raven’s voice is sharp and intelligent, which brings authenticity to her actions and inner struggles. She doesn’t fall into clichés—she’s someone you root for, someone whose pain and hope you can feel. There’s also a rhythm to Hightower’s writing that feels almost poetic at times, especially in the reflective moments.
This isn’t just a survival story—it’s a meditation on trauma, resilience, and personal power. One of the most emotionally rewarding reads I’ve had in a while.
June 12, 2025
Every so often, a book surprises you with how much it resonates on a personal level. American Survivor did that for me. Debbie Hightower doesn’t just create a post-apocalyptic world—she builds an emotional landscape that feels both painful and empowering. You can’t help but feel Raven’s every loss and triumph.
The metaphor of the phoenix is used with remarkable precision and emotion. It’s not just about destruction—it’s about what rises after. That concept is embedded into Raven’s journey, as she carves out meaning and direction after unspeakable hardship. Her resilience never feels forced—it feels earned.
If you’re looking for a character who will stick with you long after the last page, look no further. This book is soul-deep, and one I will return to again.
The metaphor of the phoenix is used with remarkable precision and emotion. It’s not just about destruction—it’s about what rises after. That concept is embedded into Raven’s journey, as she carves out meaning and direction after unspeakable hardship. Her resilience never feels forced—it feels earned.
If you’re looking for a character who will stick with you long after the last page, look no further. This book is soul-deep, and one I will return to again.
June 12, 2025
Debbie Hightower’s American Survivor is a powerful blend of survivalist drama and character-driven storytelling. Raven is a heroine shaped by trauma, but not defined by it. The novel explores both external and internal battles as she navigates a harsh world and an uncertain future.
The pacing is tight, and every chapter ends with a reason to keep going. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on memory, legacy, and recording one’s truth—hints of deeper themes that make this more than a survival tale. The writing style is accessible yet evocative.
This is a book that inspires strength in the face of adversity. Highly recommended for YA and new adult readers who crave depth along with their action.
The pacing is tight, and every chapter ends with a reason to keep going. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on memory, legacy, and recording one’s truth—hints of deeper themes that make this more than a survival tale. The writing style is accessible yet evocative.
This is a book that inspires strength in the face of adversity. Highly recommended for YA and new adult readers who crave depth along with their action.
June 12, 2025
Debbie Hightower's American Survivor is a revelation in YA dystopian fiction. While the genre is crowded, this novel shines through with originality and emotional intelligence. Raven is not your typical protagonist—her flaws, fears, and fierce independence make her unforgettable.
The world-building is immersive without overwhelming the reader. The firebird imagery adds a mythical resonance that elevates the story into something epic. Hightower shows us that survival is more than just staying alive—it’s about reclaiming power.
I was moved, energized, and deeply invested. If you're a fan of emotionally resonant speculative fiction with a strong female lead, American Survivor is absolutely worth your time.
The world-building is immersive without overwhelming the reader. The firebird imagery adds a mythical resonance that elevates the story into something epic. Hightower shows us that survival is more than just staying alive—it’s about reclaiming power.
I was moved, energized, and deeply invested. If you're a fan of emotionally resonant speculative fiction with a strong female lead, American Survivor is absolutely worth your time.
June 13, 2025
Debbie’s story unfolds with brutal clarity. One of the most gripping parts for me was the relationship with her mother—a complicated thread of pain, silence, and generational trauma. The scenes where young Debbie is ignored or dismissed cut the deepest, because they lay the foundation for the choices she makes later in life.
When she enters abusive romantic relationships, you understand why—because Hightower has laid out the emotional map of a girl taught not to expect safety. But the way she narrates her growth—the gradual realization that she deserves more—is nothing short of heroic.
By the end, Debbie isn’t just surviving—she’s demanding more from life, and from herself. Her transformation is slow, imperfect, and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring.
When she enters abusive romantic relationships, you understand why—because Hightower has laid out the emotional map of a girl taught not to expect safety. But the way she narrates her growth—the gradual realization that she deserves more—is nothing short of heroic.
By the end, Debbie isn’t just surviving—she’s demanding more from life, and from herself. Her transformation is slow, imperfect, and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring.
June 18, 2025
"The Best Hard Sci-Fi You’re Probably Not Reading Yet"
I can't believe this book isn’t blowing up every major sci-fi list right now. American Survivor opens with the decimation of America in a blink—and yet the real explosion comes in the form of questions: Who did this? Why? And how does one fragile human survive to bear witness? Debbie Hightower’s background knowledge of space programs and geopolitics infuses the story with a realism that made my palms sweat.
If you're tired of cookie-cutter sci-fi with laser guns and no soul, American Survivor will hit you like a ton of neutron bricks. There's trauma, truth, and triumph layered in equal measure—and it’s just the beginning of the Raven’s Record series. Read this now before your friends do.
I can't believe this book isn’t blowing up every major sci-fi list right now. American Survivor opens with the decimation of America in a blink—and yet the real explosion comes in the form of questions: Who did this? Why? And how does one fragile human survive to bear witness? Debbie Hightower’s background knowledge of space programs and geopolitics infuses the story with a realism that made my palms sweat.
If you're tired of cookie-cutter sci-fi with laser guns and no soul, American Survivor will hit you like a ton of neutron bricks. There's trauma, truth, and triumph layered in equal measure—and it’s just the beginning of the Raven’s Record series. Read this now before your friends do.
June 25, 2025
If you like your sci-fi infused with military realism and emotional grit, American Survivor hits hard. Hightower’s vision of an alien strike that wipes out the entire continental U.S. is chilling, and the precision with which it's described is horrifyingly immersive.
But what kept me turning pages wasn’t just the cataclysm—it was the aftermath. Watching Raven try to piece together her new reality in a Canadian hospital, unable to hear or speak, was more powerful than any spaceship battle. Her trauma isn’t glossed over—it’s explored with compassion and complexity.
This book makes you ask: what does survival really mean? And what does it cost? I didn’t expect to cry reading a sci-fi novel, but here we are. An unforgettable journey.
But what kept me turning pages wasn’t just the cataclysm—it was the aftermath. Watching Raven try to piece together her new reality in a Canadian hospital, unable to hear or speak, was more powerful than any spaceship battle. Her trauma isn’t glossed over—it’s explored with compassion and complexity.
This book makes you ask: what does survival really mean? And what does it cost? I didn’t expect to cry reading a sci-fi novel, but here we are. An unforgettable journey.
June 25, 2025
Debbie Hightower opens American Survivor with a bang—literally—and doesn’t slow down for a moment. The sudden annihilation of the U.S. sets a terrifying backdrop for a globe-spanning political and scientific scramble, told through both military command centers and the quiet struggle of one lone survivor.
Raven’s perspective grounds the book in heart. The tension of her awakening, her realization of deafness, and her will to rebuild her identity all feel intensely real. Meanwhile, the subplot involving engineers developing faster-than-light travel adds rich, cerebral intrigue.
This is a genre-defying work: part political thriller, part survival epic, part sci-fi mystery. It doesn’t just entertain—it haunts you. A must-read for fans of complex, character-driven science fiction.
Raven’s perspective grounds the book in heart. The tension of her awakening, her realization of deafness, and her will to rebuild her identity all feel intensely real. Meanwhile, the subplot involving engineers developing faster-than-light travel adds rich, cerebral intrigue.
This is a genre-defying work: part political thriller, part survival epic, part sci-fi mystery. It doesn’t just entertain—it haunts you. A must-read for fans of complex, character-driven science fiction.
June 25, 2025
I devoured this book in a weekend. Raven Munoz is such a richly drawn protagonist—tough, wounded, resilient. The opening scenes reminded me of The Day After Tomorrow, but with better character work and more haunting consequences.
The military and scientific aspects were also deeply satisfying. From NORAD to Rocket Lab, the novel blends real-world tech and futuristic speculation in a way that felt... disturbingly possible. I especially appreciated how Hightower connected Earth-based survival with the future of space travel.
This is the kind of sci-fi that will appeal to both readers who love character drama and those who geek out over space strategy. I’m hooked. Bring on the next installment. Highly recommend!
The military and scientific aspects were also deeply satisfying. From NORAD to Rocket Lab, the novel blends real-world tech and futuristic speculation in a way that felt... disturbingly possible. I especially appreciated how Hightower connected Earth-based survival with the future of space travel.
This is the kind of sci-fi that will appeal to both readers who love character drama and those who geek out over space strategy. I’m hooked. Bring on the next installment. Highly recommend!
June 3, 2025
Raven’s survival in American Survivor isn’t just about living through an alien attack. It’s about what it means to be human in a world that no longer resembles the one you knew. Her deafness, her trauma, and her slow acceptance of reality are all handled with incredible care.
Hightower doesn’t waste a single chapter. Each part of the book serves a purpose—worldbuilding, character development, or plot propulsion. Even the flashbacks have weight and tension.
I was mesmerized by how well the author blended sci-fi with psychological drama. You’ll cry, gasp, and cheer in equal measure. (Recommendation: Read this if you loved The Leftovers or Station Eleven.)
Hightower doesn’t waste a single chapter. Each part of the book serves a purpose—worldbuilding, character development, or plot propulsion. Even the flashbacks have weight and tension.
I was mesmerized by how well the author blended sci-fi with psychological drama. You’ll cry, gasp, and cheer in equal measure. (Recommendation: Read this if you loved The Leftovers or Station Eleven.)
June 3, 2025
I couldn’t stop thinking about American Survivor for days after finishing it. It’s not just the catastrophe that lingers—it’s the haunting silence that follows. Raven’s struggle to make sense of the new world, while still clinging to old memories, is deeply relatable.
The sci-fi elements are pitch-perfect. The warp drive development story feels like it was ripped from a DARPA file, and the political and military reactions are disturbingly realistic. This isn’t fantasy—this feels like a warning.
Debbie Hightower has crafted a story that feels at once epic and intimate. A perfect storm of emotion and intellect.
The sci-fi elements are pitch-perfect. The warp drive development story feels like it was ripped from a DARPA file, and the political and military reactions are disturbingly realistic. This isn’t fantasy—this feels like a warning.
Debbie Hightower has crafted a story that feels at once epic and intimate. A perfect storm of emotion and intellect.
June 13, 2025
Reading American Survivor felt like sitting across from Debbie Hightower as she told you everything—unfiltered, unafraid. Her story is painful and deeply personal, but she tells it with such precision that it becomes empowering instead of heavy.
She doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. The abuse, the violence, the moments she almost didn’t make it—they’re all here. And that’s what makes her triumph so overwhelming. You can feel every step of her fight.
This book should be required reading for anyone working in trauma recovery, women’s advocacy, or mental health. It's more than a memoir—it’s a lifeline.
She doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. The abuse, the violence, the moments she almost didn’t make it—they’re all here. And that’s what makes her triumph so overwhelming. You can feel every step of her fight.
This book should be required reading for anyone working in trauma recovery, women’s advocacy, or mental health. It's more than a memoir—it’s a lifeline.
June 13, 2025
There’s a moment in American Survivor when Debbie describes sitting alone, shattered, wondering if she has anything left to fight with—and then deciding that she does. That moment stayed with me long after I closed the book.
This isn’t some polished self-help memoir. It’s raw, jagged storytelling that drags you through every betrayal, every punch, every lie Debbie had to unlearn. Her ability to see the patterns—and then break them—is what makes her story extraordinary.
The later chapters, especially the parts where she finds healing through faith and writing, are full of a quiet power. You don’t just finish the book—you rise with her.
This isn’t some polished self-help memoir. It’s raw, jagged storytelling that drags you through every betrayal, every punch, every lie Debbie had to unlearn. Her ability to see the patterns—and then break them—is what makes her story extraordinary.
The later chapters, especially the parts where she finds healing through faith and writing, are full of a quiet power. You don’t just finish the book—you rise with her.
June 15, 2025
Reading American Survivor is like ripping the bandages off generational wounds—and realizing they’ve never truly healed. Debbie doesn’t sugarcoat a damn thing. She writes her trauma, her addiction, her desperation with such clarity that it hurts to read. And that’s exactly the point.
The power of this book is in its refusal to flinch. You’ll find no tidy breakthroughs or overly polished inspiration here. What you get is one woman crawling, sometimes clawing, back to herself—through wreckage most people wouldn’t survive.
And yet, survive she does. Not by erasing the pain, but by dragging it into the light and daring it to shrink.
The power of this book is in its refusal to flinch. You’ll find no tidy breakthroughs or overly polished inspiration here. What you get is one woman crawling, sometimes clawing, back to herself—through wreckage most people wouldn’t survive.
And yet, survive she does. Not by erasing the pain, but by dragging it into the light and daring it to shrink.
June 15, 2025
here’s a part of the book where Debbie talks about trying to survive in a world that taught her pain was normal. That section hit like a freight train. She wasn’t just healing from her own trauma—she was breaking generations of silence.
The patterns she reveals—abuse, neglect, abandonment—are written with such brutal honesty, you feel the weight of every scar. And yet, she still speaks with clarity and responsibility. She doesn’t blame. She confronts. And that’s way more powerful.
This book isn’t just her truth—it’s a mirror for so many others who grew up believing suffering was part of the contract.
The patterns she reveals—abuse, neglect, abandonment—are written with such brutal honesty, you feel the weight of every scar. And yet, she still speaks with clarity and responsibility. She doesn’t blame. She confronts. And that’s way more powerful.
This book isn’t just her truth—it’s a mirror for so many others who grew up believing suffering was part of the contract.
June 18, 2025
"Jaw-Dropping From Page One—An Instant Sci-Fi Classic"
The pacing, the world-building, the character development—it’s all razor sharp. Raven is a heroine unlike any other—damaged but not broken, voiceless yet screaming with power. Debbie Hightower puts her through hell and somehow crafts beauty from ruin. The interplay between cutting-edge science and spiritual awakening adds a rare depth to the genre.
This is one of those books that lingers in your thoughts long after you've closed it. I read it twice—first in awe, second in analytical admiration. If you're a fan of The Martian, Arrival, or Children of Time, you owe it to yourself to experience American Survivor.
The pacing, the world-building, the character development—it’s all razor sharp. Raven is a heroine unlike any other—damaged but not broken, voiceless yet screaming with power. Debbie Hightower puts her through hell and somehow crafts beauty from ruin. The interplay between cutting-edge science and spiritual awakening adds a rare depth to the genre.
This is one of those books that lingers in your thoughts long after you've closed it. I read it twice—first in awe, second in analytical admiration. If you're a fan of The Martian, Arrival, or Children of Time, you owe it to yourself to experience American Survivor.
June 18, 2025
"A Love Letter to the Resilient"
From NORAD’s buried panic to the smoldering ruins of D.C., Hightower creates a sense of scale that would make most blockbuster screenwriters jealous. But what sets American Survivor apart is the heart behind the destruction. Raven Munoz is a phoenix, not just a survivor—and her silence is louder than a battle cry.
I was not prepared for how spiritual this story would be. Not “religious” spiritual—but soul-deep, searching, and full of grace. If you’ve ever fought your way out of something unthinkable, you’ll see yourself in these pages.
Highly recommended for those who love their fiction raw, redemptive, and real.
From NORAD’s buried panic to the smoldering ruins of D.C., Hightower creates a sense of scale that would make most blockbuster screenwriters jealous. But what sets American Survivor apart is the heart behind the destruction. Raven Munoz is a phoenix, not just a survivor—and her silence is louder than a battle cry.
I was not prepared for how spiritual this story would be. Not “religious” spiritual—but soul-deep, searching, and full of grace. If you’ve ever fought your way out of something unthinkable, you’ll see yourself in these pages.
Highly recommended for those who love their fiction raw, redemptive, and real.
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June 18, 2025"A Love Letter to the Resilient"
From NORAD’s buried panic to the smoldering ruins of D.C., Hightower creates a sense of scale that would make most blockbuster screenwriters jealous. But what sets American Survivor apart is the heart behind the destruction. Raven Munoz is a phoenix, not just a survivor—and her silence is louder than a battle cry.
I was not prepared for how spiritual this story would be. Not “religious” spiritual—but soul-deep, searching, and full of grace. If you’ve ever fought your way out of something unthinkable, you’ll see yourself in these pages.
Highly recommended for those who love their fiction raw, redemptive, and real.
From NORAD’s buried panic to the smoldering ruins of D.C., Hightower creates a sense of scale that would make most blockbuster screenwriters jealous. But what sets American Survivor apart is the heart behind the destruction. Raven Munoz is a phoenix, not just a survivor—and her silence is louder than a battle cry.
I was not prepared for how spiritual this story would be. Not “religious” spiritual—but soul-deep, searching, and full of grace. If you’ve ever fought your way out of something unthinkable, you’ll see yourself in these pages.
Highly recommended for those who love their fiction raw, redemptive, and real.
June 25, 2025
This is one of the most cinematic sci-fi books I’ve read in years. You can feel the ash and debris in the air, hear the confusion of a world unraveling in real time. Debbie Hightower doesn’t just describe catastrophe—she makes you live through it.
But it’s Raven who gives this book its soul. Her disorientation, her silence, her slow return to consciousness—all of it is written with such sensitivity. I found myself rooting for her on every page. Her survival isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual.
If you want something that blends sci-fi with emotion, action with introspection, this book nails it. Highly recommend.
But it’s Raven who gives this book its soul. Her disorientation, her silence, her slow return to consciousness—all of it is written with such sensitivity. I found myself rooting for her on every page. Her survival isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual.
If you want something that blends sci-fi with emotion, action with introspection, this book nails it. Highly recommend.
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