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Into the Deadlands: Book 2 of the Kara Mason Story
“No one else was supposed to die…”
The laboratories are gone, the ashes of the dead drawn by the wind into frozen nothingness.
Former government scientist Kara Mason knew the risks when she agreed to escape the laboratories and destroy the DDC’s greatest weapon. But she never expected to be responsible for the harrowed band of escaped volunteers and a cure that could save the world from the grips of the Zoribiatus virus.
“It had to be done.”
In the middle of a wilderness, traumatized and adrift, Kara knows it’s only a matter of time before the search begins and the DDC sends out their trail of near-dead. To get the cure into the waiting hands of the dissenters, Kara will have to navigate a world she’s never been a part of to do what her father couldn’t.
Eli Cain spent his life on the outside and seems to have the answers. Kara wants to trust the enigmatic mercenary, but his refusal to follow the rules might tear the group apart.
“We don’t kill the living.”
The dissenters have always existed with some level of invisibility, but things have changed. Supplies are running short and tension threatens to tear apart what little family Kara has left. Orman’s out for more than revenge and someone in the group is harboring a terrible secret.
“Out here, there’s a lot more to worry about than the near-dead.”
Into the Deadlands is the heart-pounding, thriller-packed sequel to Due North.
The laboratories are gone, the ashes of the dead drawn by the wind into frozen nothingness.
Former government scientist Kara Mason knew the risks when she agreed to escape the laboratories and destroy the DDC’s greatest weapon. But she never expected to be responsible for the harrowed band of escaped volunteers and a cure that could save the world from the grips of the Zoribiatus virus.
“It had to be done.”
In the middle of a wilderness, traumatized and adrift, Kara knows it’s only a matter of time before the search begins and the DDC sends out their trail of near-dead. To get the cure into the waiting hands of the dissenters, Kara will have to navigate a world she’s never been a part of to do what her father couldn’t.
Eli Cain spent his life on the outside and seems to have the answers. Kara wants to trust the enigmatic mercenary, but his refusal to follow the rules might tear the group apart.
“We don’t kill the living.”
The dissenters have always existed with some level of invisibility, but things have changed. Supplies are running short and tension threatens to tear apart what little family Kara has left. Orman’s out for more than revenge and someone in the group is harboring a terrible secret.
“Out here, there’s a lot more to worry about than the near-dead.”
Into the Deadlands is the heart-pounding, thriller-packed sequel to Due North.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2023
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Jill N. Davies
3 books20 followersWriting is my first love. I’ve been writing stories as long as I can remember. My first stories included gems like “Puffy the Pufferfish,” and “Stinktown,” a story about a skunk and all its forest creature friends. I won my first award in Sixth grade for a school-wide creativity writing contest with a “Camp in the Cave,” a gripping tale about best friends who get separated from their summer camp and trapped inside of a cave. Other gems from my childhood include an unnamed fan fiction set in the universe of “Back to the Future,” and “Sled Runners,” which is a story about Alaska and sled dogs because I used to be absolutely obsessed with Jack London.
I continued writing into High School, but, in an earnest attempt to define myself, began spending more time obsessing about science. With all the confidence of a 16-year old, I believed I needed to be distinct from my sister, who had claimed writing and literature as her own and thus science and mathematics were clearly mine.
I majored in Chemistry, but never stopped writing. After graduating I worked in an analytical laboratory for almost seven years, constantly transforming flashes of reality into fantastical stories and storing them in the archives of my mind. In 2011 I joined a writing group and began writing in earnest again. Though the group disintegrated after only a few months, I continued to write with wildly varying frequency while obtaining a masters in education.
Finally, after the devastatingly premature birth of my first child completely upheaved our lives, I decided to get serious about writing and publishing. This of course, began the arduous journey of becoming an Indie author. It took about 18 months before I published my first novel in 2020, only one month before the premature birth of my second child. I still write to this day, combining fantasy and reality into action-packed, thrilling stories I can’t wait to share with you.
I continued writing into High School, but, in an earnest attempt to define myself, began spending more time obsessing about science. With all the confidence of a 16-year old, I believed I needed to be distinct from my sister, who had claimed writing and literature as her own and thus science and mathematics were clearly mine.
I majored in Chemistry, but never stopped writing. After graduating I worked in an analytical laboratory for almost seven years, constantly transforming flashes of reality into fantastical stories and storing them in the archives of my mind. In 2011 I joined a writing group and began writing in earnest again. Though the group disintegrated after only a few months, I continued to write with wildly varying frequency while obtaining a masters in education.
Finally, after the devastatingly premature birth of my first child completely upheaved our lives, I decided to get serious about writing and publishing. This of course, began the arduous journey of becoming an Indie author. It took about 18 months before I published my first novel in 2020, only one month before the premature birth of my second child. I still write to this day, combining fantasy and reality into action-packed, thrilling stories I can’t wait to share with you.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2023
We start immediately after the explosive conclusion of book 1 and pick up with Kara and the rag-tag group she has assembled on the lam. The action picks up in the opening scene and rarely lets off throughout the rest of the novel. They are on a mission to save the world and everything that can go wrong does, which keeps the stakes high and Kara (and us) very stressed.
I enjoyed book 2. The structure felt more solid and trackable. The world continuously expanded and the conspiracies deepened as the story progressed.
At times Kara’s insistence on loyalty to the people immediately around her caused her to make choices that put the good of humanity as a whole at risk which could be frustrating. There were hard choices to make and I appreciate that she cares deeply for people and is unwilling to lose those who are close to her because of her past, but I think I missed seeing her really wrestle with the gravity of those decisions as she was making them. She was very clear on what the right choice was for her and I didn’t feel the choice was always so clear. Or maybe that she wasn't challenged enough on putting the mission at risk.
I also liked that this installment expanded on the promise of the science fantasy angle of the story. We learn more about the zorabiatus virus, but we also get to see so many cool futuristic gadgets and vehicles.
With again another very high stakes climax, we are left with bigger questions, some of our friends in big danger, and the corrupt forces of this world closer on our tails than ever. I'm excited to see where Kara's story goes from here.
I enjoyed book 2. The structure felt more solid and trackable. The world continuously expanded and the conspiracies deepened as the story progressed.
At times Kara’s insistence on loyalty to the people immediately around her caused her to make choices that put the good of humanity as a whole at risk which could be frustrating. There were hard choices to make and I appreciate that she cares deeply for people and is unwilling to lose those who are close to her because of her past, but I think I missed seeing her really wrestle with the gravity of those decisions as she was making them. She was very clear on what the right choice was for her and I didn’t feel the choice was always so clear. Or maybe that she wasn't challenged enough on putting the mission at risk.
I also liked that this installment expanded on the promise of the science fantasy angle of the story. We learn more about the zorabiatus virus, but we also get to see so many cool futuristic gadgets and vehicles.
With again another very high stakes climax, we are left with bigger questions, some of our friends in big danger, and the corrupt forces of this world closer on our tails than ever. I'm excited to see where Kara's story goes from here.
October 14, 2023
I came here directly from Due North. The author initially sent me Into the Deadlands as an ARC, but after about a chapter, I wanted to go back and read book one. I'm glad I did, and Davies delivers once again with book 2. The stakes are high, and the energy and action in the story propelled it forward at a breathless pace. I absolutely had to know what Kara would do next, and now with another explosive climax, I am already impatient for book 3. I had no idea where the author would go with Into the Deadlands, and it kept my interest from page 1, all the way through the end. I was glad to see some romance finally enter the scene, and I felt like the classic 'love triangle' was thoughtfully written. This author is great at building suspense and book 2 expanded the Kara Mason world in interesting ways, without dragging the storyline. As always, Kara's emotional depth and loyalty to her friends were continually developed, and I found myself wanting to know what would happen next. Great read all around.
September 27, 2023
The much anticipated sequel for those in know! I received an ARC of this book. The story picks up with as much urgency as it left off. Loved the expansion of the world for the reader and learning more of what is a stake. Into the Deadlands does not disappoint.
October 13, 2023
This book was captivating from beginning to end, it’s high intensity intro to the time ticking drama of saving the world, I was absolutely on the edge of my seat all the way through. Im begging for more! Kara Mason is such a fantastic fmc, this story continues to grow the support you have for her as she grows from book 1! The romance develops in this story! We get a well done love triangle. Emotions run high, suspense runs high. It was absolutely thrilling. I encourage everyone to grab this series!
November 20, 2023
Absolutely 5 stars hands down !!!! I think I love book 2 more than book 1 😅. It was so good , so juicy , every chapter kept me on my toes because I just needed to know how the journey was going to go!! I was so on edge especially because of Cain !! He was so impulsive!! I just want my girl Kara to get through this, she’s been through so much tragedy , I hope she wins !!
Can’t wait for books 3&4 like I’m glued to this story line !!!
Can’t wait for books 3&4 like I’m glued to this story line !!!
March 8, 2025
This book picks up immediately where the first one left off, delivering an action-packed and emotional journey that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, unable to put the book down.
What truly stands out is the protagonist, Kara. She's a fierce fighter who stands up for humanity, even when faced with unimaginable challenges. The most refreshing part of this story is the way it challenges the typical zombie narrative. Just because someone is infected doesn't mean they lose their humanity. Kara’s unwavering belief in decency for all, even for those who are infected, is a rare and powerful message in a genre that often reduces the infected to mindless monsters.
The emotional depth and complexity Kara brings to the table, combined with the high-stakes action and suspense, make this book a standout in its genre. If you're a fan of zombie stories that explore what it means to be human in the face of crisis, this is a must-read. It's a powerful reminder that compassion and decency can survive even in the darkest of times.
What truly stands out is the protagonist, Kara. She's a fierce fighter who stands up for humanity, even when faced with unimaginable challenges. The most refreshing part of this story is the way it challenges the typical zombie narrative. Just because someone is infected doesn't mean they lose their humanity. Kara’s unwavering belief in decency for all, even for those who are infected, is a rare and powerful message in a genre that often reduces the infected to mindless monsters.
The emotional depth and complexity Kara brings to the table, combined with the high-stakes action and suspense, make this book a standout in its genre. If you're a fan of zombie stories that explore what it means to be human in the face of crisis, this is a must-read. It's a powerful reminder that compassion and decency can survive even in the darkest of times.
October 13, 2023
Kara Mason and her squad of scientists and survivors just risked everything to escape the Northern Laboratories and deliver the much-needed cure to the zoribiatis virus that plagues this near-future post-specifically world. Now they find themselves wandering through the frozen tundra toward a world Mason (and for that matter readers) know little about. What's really going on in the world where government scientists conduct elaborate but friends experiments on once-human specimen?This fast-paced sequel picks up where Due North left off and develops the world and many of its characters in more depth. We even get a love triangle. The emotional realism as Mason deals with past trauma and steps reluctantly into a leadership position gives this action-packed, zombi-esque story some extra depth and punch. The stakes are high, propelling me smoothly onward through their journey until it builds into something epic. It's a great build on the series. Jill N. Davies hit her stride with this one.
April 13, 2025
This series is like Divergent, The Hunger Games, Warm Bodies, and a Bella-Edward-Jacob-level love triangle all rolled into one—and I absolutely devoured it! The beginning was a little slow, but I totally get why it needed to build that foundation. Once it picked up, it took off—so much action, excitement, and plot twists that had me flipping pages like crazy. I eventually switched to audiobook because I wanted to get all of the books formats😍
And the love triangle? I was Team Cain all the way. The tension, the chemistry, the emotional pull—chef’s kiss. Mr. morally gray with a rough rugged I’m surviving an apocalyptic time vibe 🥰
I'm on the ARC team for the prequel, and after finishing this, I am beyond ready. If you’re even thinking about picking up this series, do it. It’s 100% worth your time and money.
And the love triangle? I was Team Cain all the way. The tension, the chemistry, the emotional pull—chef’s kiss. Mr. morally gray with a rough rugged I’m surviving an apocalyptic time vibe 🥰
I'm on the ARC team for the prequel, and after finishing this, I am beyond ready. If you’re even thinking about picking up this series, do it. It’s 100% worth your time and money.
March 26, 2025
This picks up directly after Due North with the same intensity and high stakes. I love how the world expanded and the more I read, the more I needed to know what would happen.
Kara is one tough cookie. And I love there was a little romance thrown in. I rooted for the cast of characters to win out and save the world. Things move along at warp speed as they fight the zombies. Kara faces her demons and reluctantly grows into a leader.
Samantha Norbury again narrates Kara and does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I found myself caught up listening and not wanting to stop for real life
I highly recommend this series. If you are an audiobook listener, the narration takes a great story and hits it out of the park.
Kara is one tough cookie. And I love there was a little romance thrown in. I rooted for the cast of characters to win out and save the world. Things move along at warp speed as they fight the zombies. Kara faces her demons and reluctantly grows into a leader.
Samantha Norbury again narrates Kara and does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I found myself caught up listening and not wanting to stop for real life
I highly recommend this series. If you are an audiobook listener, the narration takes a great story and hits it out of the park.
November 24, 2023
Into the Deadlands takes place immediately after the events of Due North. A team heads to a refuge to deliver and manufacture a possible cure for a zombie virus. The protagonist is consistent, perceiving the world as a scientist would be expected to view it. The supporting characters are written well, as is the love triangle, which includes an insufferable character. Proceeding at a comfortable pace, the trek has tense moments of action mixed with attempts to decipher the conspiracy. The change in the journey happens at an appropriate time, with the last several chapters being vividly post-apocalyptic.
March 7, 2025
I loved the complex relationship between Kara and Eli Cain, the mercenary who’s as mysterious as he is compelling. Their tension and differing philosophies made their dynamic so interesting. The stakes feel personal, not just because of the virus, but because of the characters’ emotional journeys.
This book blends intense action with deep emotional moments, and the world-building is top-notch. The tension, the secrets, and the constant threat of danger made it impossible to put down. If you’re into post-apocalyptic stories with strong characters and high stakes, this one is a must-read. Can’t wait for the next one!
This book blends intense action with deep emotional moments, and the world-building is top-notch. The tension, the secrets, and the constant threat of danger made it impossible to put down. If you’re into post-apocalyptic stories with strong characters and high stakes, this one is a must-read. Can’t wait for the next one!
February 10, 2026
The author has done an amazing job again with this book. Her descriptions are great as always and her narrator brings all the characters and their emotions to life without being cringy and I love it! The only thing I wish I had done was listen to Hearts of a Vanishing City before listening to Due North and then Into the Deadlands because it seems like we get a little bit more cross over with characters from the prequel in this book and it has been so long since I read it but that's on me and no way takes away from the story itself!
Full review on my website on 2.10.26.
www.mommodeloading.com
Full review on my website on 2.10.26.
www.mommodeloading.com
October 16, 2023
Suspenseful, action packed, dystopian, sci-fi, page turner
Jill N. Davies has done it again! I liked book two even more than book one. The heroine is growing up, she has acknowledged her trauma and is learning to open up and love again. Such an epic journey! I love all of the new characters. I could not put it down. I can’t wait for book three.
Jill N. Davies has done it again! I liked book two even more than book one. The heroine is growing up, she has acknowledged her trauma and is learning to open up and love again. Such an epic journey! I love all of the new characters. I could not put it down. I can’t wait for book three.
June 17, 2024
I love the way Davies writes! The description, the science, the character dynamics, and the action! This is a great second book the series and I am looking forward to the third! The adventure isn't over yet!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews