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The Survivors #2
Autumn
The virus came from deep in Africa.
By the time they had a name for the disease, it had wiped out half the continent. Within a year, it had decimated our world. Now, ten years later, our species is on the verge of extinction. Only a few of us have survived, those lucky enough to be born with a natural immunity to the plague. We scavenge amongst the ruins of our old civilizations, picking out a living from the devastation.
After a decade of living a solitary existence, I have found a family, one that I would do anything to protect. Then tragedy strikes in the blink of an eye, and leaves my family in mourning. There was nothing any of us could do. We were helpless. My inability to protect them from pain and loss feels like a terrible failure. Despair becomes a constant companion, but I can’t live like that forever. I must find a way to move through the grief, and carry on.
I choose to fight for what’s important. I can’t just stand by waiting for death to claim the people that I care about, one by one. What can one person do to save a world this far gone? I can try to bring hope to the people that are left behind. It will be a difficult battle, but I don’t have a choice. I have to try. We have to try. We have to find some way to move forward, or humanity will be lost forever. Someone must step forward and lead the way.
My name is Sandy McDermott, and I say that merely surviving is no longer enough.
By the time they had a name for the disease, it had wiped out half the continent. Within a year, it had decimated our world. Now, ten years later, our species is on the verge of extinction. Only a few of us have survived, those lucky enough to be born with a natural immunity to the plague. We scavenge amongst the ruins of our old civilizations, picking out a living from the devastation.
After a decade of living a solitary existence, I have found a family, one that I would do anything to protect. Then tragedy strikes in the blink of an eye, and leaves my family in mourning. There was nothing any of us could do. We were helpless. My inability to protect them from pain and loss feels like a terrible failure. Despair becomes a constant companion, but I can’t live like that forever. I must find a way to move through the grief, and carry on.
I choose to fight for what’s important. I can’t just stand by waiting for death to claim the people that I care about, one by one. What can one person do to save a world this far gone? I can try to bring hope to the people that are left behind. It will be a difficult battle, but I don’t have a choice. I have to try. We have to try. We have to find some way to move forward, or humanity will be lost forever. Someone must step forward and lead the way.
My name is Sandy McDermott, and I say that merely surviving is no longer enough.
398 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2014
55 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Dreyer
16 books73 followersVictoria L. Dreyer is an international best-selling author based out of Auckland, New Zealand. She is best known for her post-apocalyptic series, The Survivors, as well as the Immortelle series under her pen name, Abigail Hawk. Her earlier works cover numerous graphic novels, including Tour Girls In The 23rd Century and The Gyrath's Gate Chronicles and an assortment of essays and short stories.
Ms Dreyer grew up in a home that valued literacy above all else, and she learned her love of books during childhood. At the age of 14, she penned her first novel in the form of the original draft of the The Gyrath’s Gate Chronicles, which is in the process of being adapted to graphic novel format. Shortly after high school, she co-founded the graphic novel publisher Blue Scar Productions with the aid of Alexandra “Blue” Saunders. Between the two of them, they recruited sixteen volunteers united by their love of comic books. Although Blue Scar Productions ceased to operate as a commercial entity in November 2011, Ms Dreyer has since gone on to produce more works under her own name. Her preferred genres are science fiction, post-apocalyptic survival, and romance - and sometimes all three at once.
Ms Dreyer suffers from an advanced form of Meniere's Disease, which has left her with a hearing impairment. Despite this, she still loves talking to her readers. In her free time, she is an avid reader, enjoys freelance writing and photography, and loves to explore an assortment of handicrafts.
Ms Dreyer grew up in a home that valued literacy above all else, and she learned her love of books during childhood. At the age of 14, she penned her first novel in the form of the original draft of the The Gyrath’s Gate Chronicles, which is in the process of being adapted to graphic novel format. Shortly after high school, she co-founded the graphic novel publisher Blue Scar Productions with the aid of Alexandra “Blue” Saunders. Between the two of them, they recruited sixteen volunteers united by their love of comic books. Although Blue Scar Productions ceased to operate as a commercial entity in November 2011, Ms Dreyer has since gone on to produce more works under her own name. Her preferred genres are science fiction, post-apocalyptic survival, and romance - and sometimes all three at once.
Ms Dreyer suffers from an advanced form of Meniere's Disease, which has left her with a hearing impairment. Despite this, she still loves talking to her readers. In her free time, she is an avid reader, enjoys freelance writing and photography, and loves to explore an assortment of handicrafts.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 1, 2014
While Book I of the Survivors included a sad, shuffling version of zombies that deserved our pity more than our fear (until the end, when they begin to mutate into something very much more dangerous), Book II only has one scene that features the new undead threat. That's not to say that the mutation isn't on our heroine's mind, and the reader is reminded periodically of the possibility.
But Book II is more about Sandy learning to live again, instead of just surviving. She has found a group of people she can trust, including the sister she had long thought she'd lost to the plague. She has found love, and she starts to think about a little something called the future.
Book II includes horrors and triumphs, ingenuity and strength, love and loss, and a road trip of epic proportions through the devastation that once was the corner of civilization known as New Zealand.
I liked watching Sandy grow into her leadership role, and the fact that she is a kick-ass heroine where the rubber meets the road. I would not want to be deserving to be on the wrong end of her shotgun!
We learn more about Sandy's sister Skye, who gets to show us that bad-assery is a family trait. We get to see some repeat characters, old friends and old enemies, and some new friends, as well as new enemies.
There is even some humor to be found as Sandy and Michael's relationship grows, and in at least one other relationship in the story.
The end is especially cool because, well, lets just say that we get a great idea about the direction Book III is going to take. I don't want to give anything away.
The Survivors Book II: Autumn is a fun read. Just don't expect a lot of zombie action is this installment.
But Book II is more about Sandy learning to live again, instead of just surviving. She has found a group of people she can trust, including the sister she had long thought she'd lost to the plague. She has found love, and she starts to think about a little something called the future.
Book II includes horrors and triumphs, ingenuity and strength, love and loss, and a road trip of epic proportions through the devastation that once was the corner of civilization known as New Zealand.
I liked watching Sandy grow into her leadership role, and the fact that she is a kick-ass heroine where the rubber meets the road. I would not want to be deserving to be on the wrong end of her shotgun!
We learn more about Sandy's sister Skye, who gets to show us that bad-assery is a family trait. We get to see some repeat characters, old friends and old enemies, and some new friends, as well as new enemies.
There is even some humor to be found as Sandy and Michael's relationship grows, and in at least one other relationship in the story.
The end is especially cool because, well, lets just say that we get a great idea about the direction Book III is going to take. I don't want to give anything away.
The Survivors Book II: Autumn is a fun read. Just don't expect a lot of zombie action is this installment.
October 3, 2022
Life has certainly changed over the past few months for MC Sandy. After 10 years on her own slowly she's building friendships & reuniting with loved ones. After so many years with the world on the fritz Sandy has an epiphany and it's to start making waves on the new world or the world that will come next once the rebuilding of society begins. It's a hard enough prospect on it's own but with numerous threats from humans and infected alike, at times it seems like a shot in the dark. Sandy is determined and has a good group behind her so while the task won't be easy it's something the survivors need. A safe place to band together where humans can flourish once again. There are already so few women that growing a tribe and protecting them may be the ONLY way to keep our species alive. The group make a few travels and work on setting up their homestead. Of course every time things seem like they are going well, reality steps in and squashes all the progress. Still I'm enjoying the series. This book seemed to fly by. Can't wait to see who they meet next and where they decide on their new home base!!!
June 21, 2014
May contain spoilers so read at your own risk:
This book was more romance novel than anything else. Every other page had Sandy either seriously making out with Michael, mooning about, having sex with him, or discussing his pectorals and abs in graphic detail. Enough! I know 13 year olds that have more maturity than Sandy exhibits in regards to her boyfriend/romance. I found myself skimming page upon page, and whole sections consisting of their sexual conversations, strip downs, nudity and sexual exploits, just looking for it to get interesting again. If I want to read a romance novel I will read one. I do not want to read a soft-core porn book when I am interested in a survival and/or post-apocalypse and/or zombie novel - Some is okay, but this was way too much.
After the insta-love in book 1, I expected some romantic progression but did not expect half the book to be relationship, PMS discussions, and gratuitous sex scenes. It was too much and very tedious to read. Much of the soft porn could have been edited out or shortened.
Also, there are some inconsistencies in behavior that Sandy shows from one scene to the next which is frustrating to say the least.
Several scenes about new experiences for some of the characters are very contrived- for example Michael not having any idea how to shuck a corn cob is ridiculous! He declares it is because he is a city boy. Bull pucky!
Plot was fairly predictable in several parts, and the ending was rushed and cut in the middle of a big scene just like the first novel in this series. Seems like an annoying marketing ploy, but pisses me off just enough to not want to read any more of this series.
I did like the addition of Privya and Alfred/dog but would love to have seen more info on their background and how they survived so long (10 yrs) without assistance from other humans. How does a 3yr old survive the zombie apocalypse? How does a blind, arthritic, and almost deaf dog find food and not get eaten by crazed infected pigs? I guess with all the sexual filler there was no space to put in actual interesting information or maybe this is a way to sell more prequel or interim/short novelettes that will tell those stories.
Needs more kick-ass, less grab-ass.
This book was more romance novel than anything else. Every other page had Sandy either seriously making out with Michael, mooning about, having sex with him, or discussing his pectorals and abs in graphic detail. Enough! I know 13 year olds that have more maturity than Sandy exhibits in regards to her boyfriend/romance. I found myself skimming page upon page, and whole sections consisting of their sexual conversations, strip downs, nudity and sexual exploits, just looking for it to get interesting again. If I want to read a romance novel I will read one. I do not want to read a soft-core porn book when I am interested in a survival and/or post-apocalypse and/or zombie novel - Some is okay, but this was way too much.
After the insta-love in book 1, I expected some romantic progression but did not expect half the book to be relationship, PMS discussions, and gratuitous sex scenes. It was too much and very tedious to read. Much of the soft porn could have been edited out or shortened.
Also, there are some inconsistencies in behavior that Sandy shows from one scene to the next which is frustrating to say the least.
Several scenes about new experiences for some of the characters are very contrived- for example Michael not having any idea how to shuck a corn cob is ridiculous! He declares it is because he is a city boy. Bull pucky!
Plot was fairly predictable in several parts, and the ending was rushed and cut in the middle of a big scene just like the first novel in this series. Seems like an annoying marketing ploy, but pisses me off just enough to not want to read any more of this series.
I did like the addition of Privya and Alfred/dog but would love to have seen more info on their background and how they survived so long (10 yrs) without assistance from other humans. How does a 3yr old survive the zombie apocalypse? How does a blind, arthritic, and almost deaf dog find food and not get eaten by crazed infected pigs? I guess with all the sexual filler there was no space to put in actual interesting information or maybe this is a way to sell more prequel or interim/short novelettes that will tell those stories.
Needs more kick-ass, less grab-ass.
September 10, 2016
I would like to first thank V.L. Dreyer for sending me a free copy in exchange for a review.
I enjoyed this book. This book has a little bit of a different feel to it than the first one. In the first book it was all about surviving. In this book is mainly about learning to live again. Sandy starts to think seriously about the future and we see her gradually becoming a leader. I cannot wait until the next installment.
I enjoyed this book. This book has a little bit of a different feel to it than the first one. In the first book it was all about surviving. In this book is mainly about learning to live again. Sandy starts to think seriously about the future and we see her gradually becoming a leader. I cannot wait until the next installment.
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January 30, 2014Review to come...
January 21, 2018
This second book had a few episodes of excitement (return of a really bad guy, accident caused by traders, travel to a power station, hint of the Hamilton undead return) but was mostly Sandy's insecurities, sex with Michael, Sandy worried about Skylar, sex with Michael, Sandy upset at being embarrassed, sex, sex, sex. I have no problem with sex in the book but it was so prevalent and repetitive it became boring, very boring. Enough so that I may not see what "Winter" may have, because when it is wintertime and no TV what else is there to do but have sex?
January 14, 2019
Good story
I liked the book, I preferred the first one but like the way the story is progressing. I like the setting, survivalist and post apocalyptic sides of the story but the romance aspect is overpowering at times
I liked the book, I preferred the first one but like the way the story is progressing. I like the setting, survivalist and post apocalyptic sides of the story but the romance aspect is overpowering at times
October 14, 2022
Sandy has settled in with her new group of survivors and is enjoying not having to fend for herself. The group deals with regular aspects of life, from sun burns to death, and they begin to connect more with other groups. A good paced story, easy to read.
January 11, 2019
Too many sex scenes. All she thinks about is sex. Get on with the story.
June 24, 2014
This is the second book in the series and it takes on a bit of a different tone from the first book, The Survivors Book I: Summer. There's more romance, which I won't complain about, and more violence from both humans and zombies.
This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned, Ms. Dreyer did a fantastic job on Book I and carried it through into Book II. Another page turner with amazing characters that brought a richness to the story along with opening up a whole new world beyond that which I saw in Book I.
Sandy, the main character, is strong but becomes stronger with the help of new found friends and loved ones. I love the building of community and the strength that comes with it. Unfortunately, there's also so much more to be lost when you emotionally invest in others. Will it be worth it for Sandy? Read on and find out!
This is a series that I highly recommend and I can't wait for the next installment!
This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned, Ms. Dreyer did a fantastic job on Book I and carried it through into Book II. Another page turner with amazing characters that brought a richness to the story along with opening up a whole new world beyond that which I saw in Book I.
Sandy, the main character, is strong but becomes stronger with the help of new found friends and loved ones. I love the building of community and the strength that comes with it. Unfortunately, there's also so much more to be lost when you emotionally invest in others. Will it be worth it for Sandy? Read on and find out!
This is a series that I highly recommend and I can't wait for the next installment!
August 2, 2014
This is easily becoming one of my favorite series. Dreyer's writing and imagery is so wonderful that I couldn't put it down. While zombies have taken over the country the story is focused on the rebuilding of society. "The downfall of our species brought us back to our roots, to what we were meant to be before the Promethean lure of the modern age had turned us into something else completely." Sandy's small family have to come to terms with tragedy and the desire to not just to survive but to live. After being alone for 10 years Sandy is still acclimating to being around people. With Sandy being cautious and suspicious and Michael being trusting and have the desire to assist everyone and anyone, they make the perfect couple. I just love this couple!! This story is sweet, loving, caring, dangerous, suspenseful, and most of all hopeful. I can not wait to read the next book!!
March 23, 2015
Could have been better
I'm so frustrated after reading this second installment in the Survivor series because the basic plot is fantastic, and the characters are great....except Priya. Supposedly they run across this 13year old survivor who, of course, has the mind of a 3 year old. The way she talks is stupid and the idea that this young girl has been on her own and survived since approximately the age of three goes too far. Other than that, the book is great! I can't wait to begin book three. I still recommend this series...and hope it doesn't get anymore silly...basic plot is very interesting and a good read.
I'm so frustrated after reading this second installment in the Survivor series because the basic plot is fantastic, and the characters are great....except Priya. Supposedly they run across this 13year old survivor who, of course, has the mind of a 3 year old. The way she talks is stupid and the idea that this young girl has been on her own and survived since approximately the age of three goes too far. Other than that, the book is great! I can't wait to begin book three. I still recommend this series...and hope it doesn't get anymore silly...basic plot is very interesting and a good read.
September 17, 2015
This book deserved four stars... but the whole Sandy and Michael have sex over and over again got boring REALLY fast. I get it. Sandy thinks Michael is hot. Can we move on?
Other than that, this is going to be amazing! I love Sandy's idea and I cannot wait to see it happening!
Other than that, this is going to be amazing! I love Sandy's idea and I cannot wait to see it happening!
June 28, 2017
Really enjoying this series about a group of survivors of a terrible plague. Interesting to see how they manage to use what is available to them and how they interact with each other.
September 22, 2018
Sandy and Michael continue to lead their group. They visit Anahera and Hemi at their pa, and that is when the story really starts.This is a dystopian book, so there is violence. Some not so nice people, to the truly scary, children so innocent you just want to shelter them, romance and friendship. Oh, and sex. Not really descriptive, but descriptive enough. There is change coming. Sandy has a vision of so much more than what they have right now, and she has the conviction to see it through.Be warned, this is a cliffhanger book. All 4 books are meant to be read together. But I guess if you got here and didn't want to go further, you could. The conflicts of this story are resolved, with just a hint of others.I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews