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The Sky So Heavy #2
When We Are Invisible
Instinct has kept us alive so far. It's like a compass and I tune in to the needle trust/don't trust, run/stay ... I can't read the needle right now. The warmth of the room is clouding my judgment. In the midst of a nuclear winter, Lucy, Fin and Max flee the chaos of Sydney with blood on their clothes, a gun and handwritten directions to safety. When they reach Wattlewood, it seems like their struggle to survive might be over. There is food, warmth and adults in charge. So why can't Lucy shake the feeling they're still in danger? Lucy's survived the apocalypse, but can she escape a more insidious threat?
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2021
10 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Claire Zorn
8 books175 followersClaire Zorn grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. She studied Fine Arts at UWS and Writing at UTS. She currently lives on the South Coast of NSW with her husband and two small children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 10, 2021
When We Are Invisible is the sequel to The Sky So Heavy. Published eight years after the first book, some might say this is a very long awaited sequel. It doesn’t disappoint.
Readers are reunited with Lucy, Max and Fin. When We Are Invisible picks up where The Sky So Heavy left off. Lucy, Fin and Max are running for their lives. Fleeing the bloodshed and horror of Sydney, they head for the hope of safety and food at the Wattlewood commune. Finally surrounded by enough food and water, safety, blessed warmth and adults who are taking a stand to protect them, things at Wattlewood are good. But Lucy isn’t sure everything is as safe as it appears.
While When We Are Invisible is a continuation of The Sky So Heavy’s story, it is its own book. The first book was written from Fin’s perspective, while in the sequel, Lucy takes over the narration. It is amazing to see the world through her eyes. We learn more about her family and the life she left behind, as well as the events that haunt her and the things are troubling her now. It creates a different perspective and a different focus for the story.
It is interesting reading When We Are Invisible, about a global event that effects the entire world and the supply of resources and how people react, while living though a global pandemic. It makes me want to create an inventory of my pantry and perhaps befriend a prepper. Reading When We Are Invisible again reinforces how accurate Zorn’s interpretation of how people react to such events was in the first book (though maybe she understated the importance of toilet paper. It does get a specific mention in this second book). It is a confronting look at survival and the lengths people are willing go to, to survive. This second book looks beyond the initial struggle for resources to the placement of power and what safety means, as well as highlighting important issues around abuse and power imbalances in relationships that are prevalent regardless of society’s level of pending doom.
Lucy is a female character and the events of their arrival and stay at Wattlewood feature her female perspective. It brings to light the differences in how those from different genders are treated, the power differences asserted by some characters and the fight at all times to stay safe. There is an incredibly powerful passage in the book that I know all women and girls will relate to.
This shift in focus and perspective made this novel so powerful. It is both a continuation of the overall story but an important book in it’s own right. No second novel syndrome here. However, to make sense of the story, it’s recommended that readers read the books in series order. Will there be a third book? I would welcome a third book and the continuation of this compelling story, but the ending does feel a little more concluded than the events of the first, so it could go either way.
Dystopian fiction fans and those who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by this expertly crafted story.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Readers are reunited with Lucy, Max and Fin. When We Are Invisible picks up where The Sky So Heavy left off. Lucy, Fin and Max are running for their lives. Fleeing the bloodshed and horror of Sydney, they head for the hope of safety and food at the Wattlewood commune. Finally surrounded by enough food and water, safety, blessed warmth and adults who are taking a stand to protect them, things at Wattlewood are good. But Lucy isn’t sure everything is as safe as it appears.
While When We Are Invisible is a continuation of The Sky So Heavy’s story, it is its own book. The first book was written from Fin’s perspective, while in the sequel, Lucy takes over the narration. It is amazing to see the world through her eyes. We learn more about her family and the life she left behind, as well as the events that haunt her and the things are troubling her now. It creates a different perspective and a different focus for the story.
It is interesting reading When We Are Invisible, about a global event that effects the entire world and the supply of resources and how people react, while living though a global pandemic. It makes me want to create an inventory of my pantry and perhaps befriend a prepper. Reading When We Are Invisible again reinforces how accurate Zorn’s interpretation of how people react to such events was in the first book (though maybe she understated the importance of toilet paper. It does get a specific mention in this second book). It is a confronting look at survival and the lengths people are willing go to, to survive. This second book looks beyond the initial struggle for resources to the placement of power and what safety means, as well as highlighting important issues around abuse and power imbalances in relationships that are prevalent regardless of society’s level of pending doom.
Lucy is a female character and the events of their arrival and stay at Wattlewood feature her female perspective. It brings to light the differences in how those from different genders are treated, the power differences asserted by some characters and the fight at all times to stay safe. There is an incredibly powerful passage in the book that I know all women and girls will relate to.
This shift in focus and perspective made this novel so powerful. It is both a continuation of the overall story but an important book in it’s own right. No second novel syndrome here. However, to make sense of the story, it’s recommended that readers read the books in series order. Will there be a third book? I would welcome a third book and the continuation of this compelling story, but the ending does feel a little more concluded than the events of the first, so it could go either way.
Dystopian fiction fans and those who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by this expertly crafted story.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
June 21, 2022
I have been waiting for this book since I read The Sky So Heavy. Now that it's here, and I've finished it I'm slightly disappointed.... Mostly in myself.
I think I would've enjoyed this more if I had more time to sit and read. Having a baby doesn't leave you with much time to physically read a book (audio books are my best friend).
It's taken me so long to slowly wade through the first half, and today I gave myself the challenge to finish it!
I'm happy that I finally know what happened to Fin, Max and Lucy. Little spoiler alert, but they didn't exactly get their perfect happy ending like I imagined when I finished TSSH, but I still liked it all the same.
I think I would've enjoyed this more if I had more time to sit and read. Having a baby doesn't leave you with much time to physically read a book (audio books are my best friend).
It's taken me so long to slowly wade through the first half, and today I gave myself the challenge to finish it!
I'm happy that I finally know what happened to Fin, Max and Lucy. Little spoiler alert, but they didn't exactly get their perfect happy ending like I imagined when I finished TSSH, but I still liked it all the same.
April 28, 2021
When We Are Invisible is the sequel to the post-apocalyptic YA #loveozya book, The Sky So Heavy. It follows Lucy, Fin and Max as they flee Sydney in search of safety and shelter. This is definitely an important book and gives a voice to women everywhere.
Most of the book is set within a camp that seems safe at the start, but are faced with a bigger threat - a dangerous man who needs control and power over his people. The book has an important message about gaslighting, emotional abuse and domestic violence, often not in the most obvious of ways. Even other well meaning males can't sense the danger that this man exhibits, but it's something that women can tell straight away. It was fascinating seeing the story unfold as Lucy tries to escape his clutches, while coping with her own grief and emotional trauma.
I did feel that the whole survival camp aspect has been done before in many other works - and it felt like a very condensed setting without any real outside threats like zombies or a virus (which may be intentional). Because of this, I felt found my interest waning towards the end of the book when I saw where it was going.
A big thank you to UQP books for sending me a copy for review!
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews.
Most of the book is set within a camp that seems safe at the start, but are faced with a bigger threat - a dangerous man who needs control and power over his people. The book has an important message about gaslighting, emotional abuse and domestic violence, often not in the most obvious of ways. Even other well meaning males can't sense the danger that this man exhibits, but it's something that women can tell straight away. It was fascinating seeing the story unfold as Lucy tries to escape his clutches, while coping with her own grief and emotional trauma.
I did feel that the whole survival camp aspect has been done before in many other works - and it felt like a very condensed setting without any real outside threats like zombies or a virus (which may be intentional). Because of this, I felt found my interest waning towards the end of the book when I saw where it was going.
A big thank you to UQP books for sending me a copy for review!
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews.
April 20, 2021
Welcome everyone to my stop on the review tour for When We Are Invisible, the new book from Claire Zorn and sequel to 2013’s The Sky So Heavy. You would think living through a pandemic that I wouldn’t want to read dystopian anymore – but it seems I don’t have that problem, especially when they are this good.
“The anger inside me is stronger than fear and I’m sick of being on guard.”
When We Are Invisible gives us Lucy’s story. She is no longer the girl we see from Fin’s perspective, who is brave and wonderful. She is scared, she is strong, she is barely holding it together. She should feel happy and safe in Wattlewood, where their teacher sent them to wait out the apocalyptic nuclear winter. But she doesn’t.
The exploration of the misuse of power, misogyny and emotional abuse in this book is incredibly and realistically well done. Lucy is unsettled by the behaviour of the camp’s leader but struggles to make herself heard and even in her own assessment of the situation wonders if anyone will even believe her. Even Fin can’t understand what she is talking about, despite the fact that he’s a good guy, he just can’t even fathom the things that girls put up with every single day – apocalypse or not. It was fascinating to watch Lucy work through this in her own mind and act on it. I’m sure we all wish we had her courage.
There was a teaser of a probable third book at the end of this one, although it did feel kind of all wrapped up. We might know in another eight years!
4.5 stars
“The anger inside me is stronger than fear and I’m sick of being on guard.”
When We Are Invisible gives us Lucy’s story. She is no longer the girl we see from Fin’s perspective, who is brave and wonderful. She is scared, she is strong, she is barely holding it together. She should feel happy and safe in Wattlewood, where their teacher sent them to wait out the apocalyptic nuclear winter. But she doesn’t.
The exploration of the misuse of power, misogyny and emotional abuse in this book is incredibly and realistically well done. Lucy is unsettled by the behaviour of the camp’s leader but struggles to make herself heard and even in her own assessment of the situation wonders if anyone will even believe her. Even Fin can’t understand what she is talking about, despite the fact that he’s a good guy, he just can’t even fathom the things that girls put up with every single day – apocalypse or not. It was fascinating to watch Lucy work through this in her own mind and act on it. I’m sure we all wish we had her courage.
There was a teaser of a probable third book at the end of this one, although it did feel kind of all wrapped up. We might know in another eight years!
4.5 stars
March 5, 2024
Drusku šaubījos vai 8 gadus vēlāk uzčinīts turpinājums var būt labs, bet šajā gadījumā tas bija ne tikai labi, bet arī papildus pavilka pirmo daļu.
Apokalipse joprojām fonā un filtrs vairāk caur cilvēkiem, kuriem tajā jārada jauna ikdiena. Nav vajadzīgas pat lielas likmes un grandiozi mērķi, lai neliešu personība nomarinētos tiktāl, ka konkrēti sačakarē dzīves visiem apkārtējiem.
Beigas aizgāja pilnīgā wild ride, gan notikumos, gan emocijās; man tagad vajag kaut ko priecīgāku.
Apokalipse joprojām fonā un filtrs vairāk caur cilvēkiem, kuriem tajā jārada jauna ikdiena. Nav vajadzīgas pat lielas likmes un grandiozi mērķi, lai neliešu personība nomarinētos tiktāl, ka konkrēti sačakarē dzīves visiem apkārtējiem.
My immediate thought is that we are imprisoned by a monster, but the truth is more terrifying: Jaxon isn’t a monster – he’s a human and what he is doing to us is invisible. I want to say he’s an abusive, controlling person with a hero complex and a terrible, terrible singing voice. I want them to know who he really is, but how would I even describe what Jaxon does? He stands too close? He doesn’t use a nice voice? He’s never hit me. He pushed me, but they could just say he was scared and stressed because Tom was shot. Besides, we know how people can respond. We’ve heard it all before: if you were so uncomfortable, dearie, why didn’t you yell out? Or scream? Or run away?
The way he makes me feel can’t be described. It can’t be proven. And what would all my accusations be other than snarky opinions about a good bloke who everyone knows is flawed, but still a good guy, right? Give him the benefit of the doubt, love. You might not like how he goes about things, but he gets the job done. He keeps us all fed and watered and safely tucked in at night.
Beigas aizgāja pilnīgā wild ride, gan notikumos, gan emocijās; man tagad vajag kaut ko priecīgāku.
July 11, 2021
I read this immediately after re-reading The Sky So Heavy, and found myself a bit surprised at how incredibly different they were tonally. The Sky So Heavy was about surviving in extreme circumstances, When We Are Invisible is about manipulation of power and controlling men - and honestly, I didn't like it as much. The whole Jaxon plot just left a bad taste in my mouth while reading... and even now.
July 25, 2023
"In the midst of a nuclear winter, Lucy, Fin and Max flee the chaos of Sydney with blood on their clothes, a gun and handwritten directions to safety. When they reach Wattlewood, it seems like their struggle to survive might be over. There is food, warmth and adults in charge. So why can’t Lucy shake the feeling they’re still in danger?
Lucy’s survived the apocalypse, but can she escape a more insidious threat?"
When We Are Invisible is the sequel to The Sky So Heavy. Published eight years after the first book, some might say this is a very long awaited sequel. It doesn’t disappoint.
Readers are reunited with Lucy, Max and Fin. When We Are Invisible picks up where The Sky So Heavy left off. Lucy, Fin and Max are running for their lives. Fleeing the bloodshed and horror of Sydney, they head for the hope of safety and food at the Wattlewood commune. Finally surrounded by enough food and water, safety, blessed warmth and adults who are taking a stand to protect them, things at Wattlewood are good. But Lucy isn’t sure everything is as safe as it appears.
While When We Are Invisible is a continuation of The Sky So Heavy’s story, it is its own book. The first book was written from Fin’s perspective, while in the sequel, Lucy takes over the narration. It is amazing to see the world through her eyes. We learn more about her family (her sister had an eating disorder) and the life she left behind, as well as the events that haunt her and the things are troubling her now. It creates a different perspective and a different focus for the story.
It is interesting reading When We Are Invisible, about a global event that effects the entire world and the supply of resources and how people react, while living though a global pandemic. It makes me want to create an inventory of my pantry and perhaps befriend a prepper. Reading When We Are Invisible again reinforces how accurate Zorn’s interpretation of how people react to such events was in the first book (though maybe she understated the importance of toilet paper. It does get a specific mention in this second book). It is a confronting look at survival and the lengths people are willing go to, to survive.
This second book looks beyond the initial struggle for resources to the placement of power and what safety means, as well as highlighting important issues around abuse and power imbalances in relationships that are prevalent regardless of society’s level of pending doom.
Lucy is a female character and the events of their arrival and stay at Wattlewood feature her female perspective. It brings to light the differences in how those from different genders are treated, the power differences asserted by some characters and the fight at all times to stay safe. There is an incredibly powerful passage in the book that I know all women and girls will relate to.
This shift in focus and perspective made this novel so powerful. It is both a continuation of the overall story but an important book in it’s own right. No second novel syndrome here. However, to make sense of the story, it’s recommended that readers read the books in series order. Will there be a third book? I would welcome a third book and the continuation of this compelling story, but the ending does feel a little more concluded than the events of the first, so it could go either way.
Dystopian fiction fans and those who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by this expertly crafted story.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
https://madisonslibrary.com/2021/04/2...
Lucy’s survived the apocalypse, but can she escape a more insidious threat?"
When We Are Invisible is the sequel to The Sky So Heavy. Published eight years after the first book, some might say this is a very long awaited sequel. It doesn’t disappoint.
Readers are reunited with Lucy, Max and Fin. When We Are Invisible picks up where The Sky So Heavy left off. Lucy, Fin and Max are running for their lives. Fleeing the bloodshed and horror of Sydney, they head for the hope of safety and food at the Wattlewood commune. Finally surrounded by enough food and water, safety, blessed warmth and adults who are taking a stand to protect them, things at Wattlewood are good. But Lucy isn’t sure everything is as safe as it appears.
While When We Are Invisible is a continuation of The Sky So Heavy’s story, it is its own book. The first book was written from Fin’s perspective, while in the sequel, Lucy takes over the narration. It is amazing to see the world through her eyes. We learn more about her family (her sister had an eating disorder) and the life she left behind, as well as the events that haunt her and the things are troubling her now. It creates a different perspective and a different focus for the story.
It is interesting reading When We Are Invisible, about a global event that effects the entire world and the supply of resources and how people react, while living though a global pandemic. It makes me want to create an inventory of my pantry and perhaps befriend a prepper. Reading When We Are Invisible again reinforces how accurate Zorn’s interpretation of how people react to such events was in the first book (though maybe she understated the importance of toilet paper. It does get a specific mention in this second book). It is a confronting look at survival and the lengths people are willing go to, to survive.
This second book looks beyond the initial struggle for resources to the placement of power and what safety means, as well as highlighting important issues around abuse and power imbalances in relationships that are prevalent regardless of society’s level of pending doom.
Lucy is a female character and the events of their arrival and stay at Wattlewood feature her female perspective. It brings to light the differences in how those from different genders are treated, the power differences asserted by some characters and the fight at all times to stay safe. There is an incredibly powerful passage in the book that I know all women and girls will relate to.
This shift in focus and perspective made this novel so powerful. It is both a continuation of the overall story but an important book in it’s own right. No second novel syndrome here. However, to make sense of the story, it’s recommended that readers read the books in series order. Will there be a third book? I would welcome a third book and the continuation of this compelling story, but the ending does feel a little more concluded than the events of the first, so it could go either way.
Dystopian fiction fans and those who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by this expertly crafted story.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
https://madisonslibrary.com/2021/04/2...
April 21, 2021
Firstly, huge thank you to Claire Zorn for writing this sequel to The Sky So Heavy, it was an absolute delight to devour the story in days and be lead back into the minds of these much missed characters.
My first thoughts going into this book was 1. I do not remember what happened at all in the first book because it has been some time. 2. Maybe this is not the best book to read during a pandemic
At first I thought the writing was a bit juvenile for my tastes but after a while I got used to it and it did not bother me so much as I realised I am reading through the eyes/mind of a teenage girl.
I will say this book has many triggers and involves mentions of rape, loss of family and also abusive relationships. Some trigger warnings at the beginning would have been super nice though because it was a bit rough to have to read through some parts and the book does get heavy. The story deals with mental health and trauma also as we are inside the mind of Lucy mentally dealing with the events that happened in the first book/beginning of this one and how it all affects her, it was super hard at times to read her internally crying out for help from others around her but them not really zoning in on her cry for wanting them to ask her the right questions to allow her to explain her emotions or open up.
Towards the middle of the book there is this apparent feeling of unrest as the story moves along and the reader has this feeling that something bad is going to happen any time soon because living in an apocalyptic world sure has chaotic moments. Lucy finds herself very much trapped in a man's world, she is forced with mundane tasks that lock her down with limitations purely based on the fact that she is a girl. I was tense reading many moments during this book and it was very relatable, handling some modern day issues so this book might not be for everyone. We also find Lucy navigating her relationship with Fin and discovering what that even is or what she wants from it, but honestly who even has time to date during a nuclear winter?? I am super glad that she had at least one person that was clued in to her mental state and that she had someone to talk to, but my heart still cried out to her. I was surprised by how the book ended and do I want a third book? Yes I do but that sneaky little chapter at the end was just a sweet surprise to lift my heart into a levelled state of happiness and closure.
My last note on this book is that, thank God the dog did not die. That would have turned me off the whole entire book but thank God!
My first thoughts going into this book was 1. I do not remember what happened at all in the first book because it has been some time. 2. Maybe this is not the best book to read during a pandemic
At first I thought the writing was a bit juvenile for my tastes but after a while I got used to it and it did not bother me so much as I realised I am reading through the eyes/mind of a teenage girl.
I will say this book has many triggers and involves mentions of rape, loss of family and also abusive relationships. Some trigger warnings at the beginning would have been super nice though because it was a bit rough to have to read through some parts and the book does get heavy. The story deals with mental health and trauma also as we are inside the mind of Lucy mentally dealing with the events that happened in the first book/beginning of this one and how it all affects her, it was super hard at times to read her internally crying out for help from others around her but them not really zoning in on her cry for wanting them to ask her the right questions to allow her to explain her emotions or open up.
Towards the middle of the book there is this apparent feeling of unrest as the story moves along and the reader has this feeling that something bad is going to happen any time soon because living in an apocalyptic world sure has chaotic moments. Lucy finds herself very much trapped in a man's world, she is forced with mundane tasks that lock her down with limitations purely based on the fact that she is a girl. I was tense reading many moments during this book and it was very relatable, handling some modern day issues so this book might not be for everyone. We also find Lucy navigating her relationship with Fin and discovering what that even is or what she wants from it, but honestly who even has time to date during a nuclear winter?? I am super glad that she had at least one person that was clued in to her mental state and that she had someone to talk to, but my heart still cried out to her. I was surprised by how the book ended and do I want a third book? Yes I do but that sneaky little chapter at the end was just a sweet surprise to lift my heart into a levelled state of happiness and closure.
My last note on this book is that, thank God the dog did not die. That would have turned me off the whole entire book but thank God!
September 10, 2021
A dramatic follow up to her Australian spec fic novel The Sky So Heavy.
When We Are Invisible takes off directly after the events of the first book, this time told from the perspective of Lucy. Lucy carries with her few supplies but plenty of emotional and psychological baggage. Traumatic events from the first story haunt her as she leads Fin and Max to a shelter in the bush run by another group of survivors. While life appears to carry on with some normalcy , Lucy isn't so sure that things are as rosy as they seem.
Brimming with tension more than action, Claire Zorn explores the psychological trauma of survivors guilt and PTSD as Lucy, Fin and Max must go on living with the consequences of their fatal actions escaping the city. We are taken back through flashbacks, to the stand off in the convenience store and the fire fight at the petrol station but we now see how these events took their toll on all the characters- Max refuses to eat, Fin wants to carry a gun and Lucy must live with blood on her hands.
Lucy must also grapple with the leader of their new camp. A man who makes Lucy question her place as she questions his leadership. There's some triggering moments for readers who have experienced domestic violence. The character of Jaxon is painted as controlling to the point of gaslighting the women in the camp and Lucy can't help but compare his actions to those of her sister's abusive boyfriend. It's a powerful message but an particularly upsetting one. After all they have faced, through all the adversity it's such a disappointment that people can be so awful.
Perhaps this wasn't the right book to read in a pandemic, it left me feeling pretty defeated and the all too real rationing of supplies and restricted movement of the survivors isolated to their compound was a little too real. That said this is a worthy follow up to the first story, just don't expect sunshine and roses.
When We Are Invisible takes off directly after the events of the first book, this time told from the perspective of Lucy. Lucy carries with her few supplies but plenty of emotional and psychological baggage. Traumatic events from the first story haunt her as she leads Fin and Max to a shelter in the bush run by another group of survivors. While life appears to carry on with some normalcy , Lucy isn't so sure that things are as rosy as they seem.
Brimming with tension more than action, Claire Zorn explores the psychological trauma of survivors guilt and PTSD as Lucy, Fin and Max must go on living with the consequences of their fatal actions escaping the city. We are taken back through flashbacks, to the stand off in the convenience store and the fire fight at the petrol station but we now see how these events took their toll on all the characters- Max refuses to eat, Fin wants to carry a gun and Lucy must live with blood on her hands.
Lucy must also grapple with the leader of their new camp. A man who makes Lucy question her place as she questions his leadership. There's some triggering moments for readers who have experienced domestic violence. The character of Jaxon is painted as controlling to the point of gaslighting the women in the camp and Lucy can't help but compare his actions to those of her sister's abusive boyfriend. It's a powerful message but an particularly upsetting one. After all they have faced, through all the adversity it's such a disappointment that people can be so awful.
Perhaps this wasn't the right book to read in a pandemic, it left me feeling pretty defeated and the all too real rationing of supplies and restricted movement of the survivors isolated to their compound was a little too real. That said this is a worthy follow up to the first story, just don't expect sunshine and roses.
April 24, 2021
Detailing the struggles of Aussie life in the midst of a nuclear winter, When We Are Invisible by Claire Zorn is a fast-paced dystopia with high stakes and big questions about much more than just face-value danger.
When We Are Invisible is set in a Sydney that is facing the terrible aftermath of what can only be described as a nuclear apocalypse. Author Claire Zorn paints a clear and worrisome picture of the many challenges that plague apocalyptic cities, and not all of these are among the expected concerns. While this disaster-struck Sydney deals with freezing temperatures, food scarcity, and resource deficits, so too it is riddled with the social and political burdens of a world facing catastrophe. These include sexism, misogyny, violence, abuse of power, and more.
Throughout When We Are Invisible, main character Lucy reveals harsh truths about the world in which she lives. She navigates female vulnerability and the possessive behaviours of a would-be saviour, and she deals with changing relationships with her boyfriend and apocalyptic cohort. Lucy reflects on lost family relationships, notably the violent experiences that make her worry most for her big sister, Bit.
When We Are Invisible focuses on themes of sexism, power, survival, strength, and much more. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, The Sky So Heavy, you’ll like this one too!
Thank you to UQP Press and Ausyabloggers for including me in this blog tour!
When We Are Invisible is set in a Sydney that is facing the terrible aftermath of what can only be described as a nuclear apocalypse. Author Claire Zorn paints a clear and worrisome picture of the many challenges that plague apocalyptic cities, and not all of these are among the expected concerns. While this disaster-struck Sydney deals with freezing temperatures, food scarcity, and resource deficits, so too it is riddled with the social and political burdens of a world facing catastrophe. These include sexism, misogyny, violence, abuse of power, and more.
Throughout When We Are Invisible, main character Lucy reveals harsh truths about the world in which she lives. She navigates female vulnerability and the possessive behaviours of a would-be saviour, and she deals with changing relationships with her boyfriend and apocalyptic cohort. Lucy reflects on lost family relationships, notably the violent experiences that make her worry most for her big sister, Bit.
When We Are Invisible focuses on themes of sexism, power, survival, strength, and much more. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, The Sky So Heavy, you’ll like this one too!
Thank you to UQP Press and Ausyabloggers for including me in this blog tour!
July 26, 2021
I really loved Sky so Heavy and although I read it ages ago (and my memory of it a bit foggy), I was keen to read the sequel. I was surprised that it was from Lucy's point of view rather than Fin's and it did take me a while to adjust to that. This book is quite different to the first because of that but also because of the setting. Lucy, Fin and Max make it out of Sydney and, following Mr Effrez's directions, they make it to a "safe" encampment. Although they are treated in a very hostile manner when first arriving by the leader, Jaxon, they prove they can make a positive contribution and are allowed to stay (which is fortunate because Max is not well). The camp has been established by "doomsday preppers" and is secure and well resourced. Lucy never really feels comfortable there and her relationship with Jaxon is troublesome. Zorn really makes the reader feel ill at ease with the situation. The book has an edge to it that the first one didn't because we see things from Lucy's point of view and how it feels to be what is considered "the weaker sex" in a more narrow and dangerous world. It also delves into the ongoing trauma of having (probably) killed someone.
I really enjoyed the book but somehow the end didn't quite hit the mark for me. It almost felt a little rushed/too fast... something - that took the shine off for me. I will definitely be recommending it at my secondary school library- firstly I'll have to re-promote Sky so Heavy!
I really enjoyed the book but somehow the end didn't quite hit the mark for me. It almost felt a little rushed/too fast... something - that took the shine off for me. I will definitely be recommending it at my secondary school library- firstly I'll have to re-promote Sky so Heavy!
August 25, 2021
This book is the sequel to "The Sky So Heavy". In "The Sky So Heavy," Australia is experiencing a nuclear winter and the chaos that come with such a disaster. In the sequel, the narrators are switched. In the first book, the story is told by Fin, and, in the sequel, Lucy continues the story. This took a little bit to get used to in the first few chapters, but it allows the author to explore Lucy's experiences of the disaster and her past. The story picks up where the last left off, with the characters leaving Sydney and travelling to the safety of Wattlewood, a camp set up by those who anticipated an apocalytic end for society. The female perspective of this book is quite interesting, and although I was frustrated by some of Lucy's thinking, it does all make sense in the end. I enjoyed this book as much as the first. Like the first, the beginning was a little slow but the pace definitely picks up by the end. Overall, this was another really good apocalytic story.
June 4, 2021
I picked up The Sky So Heavy and tore through it the other week, happy to see there was a sequel to this great series by Claire Zorn - I didn’t realise that the second book, When We Are Invisible, was only released in the last few months!
So thankful I didn’t discover the first book back when it was first released in 2013 - I would have died of impatience waiting to see how Fin & Lucy’s story ended.
Such a great story of survival and resilience in an Australia decimated by a nuclear winter. It’s a story about love and the choices that make us the wonder about what kind of society we truly want to live in.
Great YA fiction, cleverly written. Go buy or borrow this one now 🖤
So thankful I didn’t discover the first book back when it was first released in 2013 - I would have died of impatience waiting to see how Fin & Lucy’s story ended.
Such a great story of survival and resilience in an Australia decimated by a nuclear winter. It’s a story about love and the choices that make us the wonder about what kind of society we truly want to live in.
Great YA fiction, cleverly written. Go buy or borrow this one now 🖤
June 14, 2021
Told in sparse prose, Lucy takes up the story of Fin, Lucy and Max surviving the nuclear winter in Australia. This book was not what I was expecting! The three of them find safety in a communal rural location - or do they? This is a deeply feminist books about misogyny, gaslighting, manipulation, and the misuse of power. It could be a great way to start talking to teenagers about these more difficult-to-discuss aspects of abuse.
Content note: the dog
Content note: the dog
May 3, 2021
It was worth the wait. I love The Sky So Heavy. I’ve taught it to Year 8 for four years and I never get sick of hearing students talk about ethics and choices ... and how much they hate the ending and want to know what happens to the kids. I don’t mind the ending of TSSH - most of the time real life doesn’t wrap itself up in a box with a big bow - but I have very much enjoyed When We Are Invisible, which has stayed true to the flavour of TSSH without needing to reproduce it exactly. All the feels. Will read again.
April 16, 2021
There was something inherently challenging about Zorn’s sequel to The Sky So Heavy. This time, we see the continued fall out of the nuclear attack from the perspective of Lucy. She is tough, fearless and full of anger at the world. She is such a strong character, despite all the challenges thrown her way. She is definitely one of my new favourite characters.
Thank you @ausyabloggers and @uqpbooks for gifting me this copy and for having me as a part of your review tour!
Thank you @ausyabloggers and @uqpbooks for gifting me this copy and for having me as a part of your review tour!
March 14, 2025
This book is a sequel to ‘The sky so heavy’ but is also its on book in a kind of way, instead of being from the perspective of fin like the first book this one is from Lucy’s POV. This book picks up right where they left off in the previous book and tells the story of a girl and her friends who have been through some deep shit together.
This book is pretty disturbing and really makes you think and be grateful for all that you have.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone under the age of 15-16
This book is pretty disturbing and really makes you think and be grateful for all that you have.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone under the age of 15-16
dnf-series
January 27, 2022This book came too little too late for me. I was originally interested in reading it, but I read The Sky So Heavy so long ago now. Given how my reading tastes have changed, particularly towards YA, I don't want to re-read book one just to be able to read this one.
March 5, 2023
I'm not sure if it was the female voice or just stronger writing, but When We Are Invisible left The Sky So Heavy in the dust. The tension Zorn built was incredible. Lucy was complex and well-drawn and the shift in perspective felt fresh and gave plot-depth.
January 15, 2021
Confronting, exciting and satisfying.
April 18, 2021
4.5/5 RTC :D
May 28, 2021
Thought provoking and memorable. Review here: https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/w...
June 6, 2021
This is a feminism work of apocalyptic art. I hope there’s more in this series even though I love how it wrapped up. I think Lucy is one of my favourite characters of all time who I deeply relate to
November 15, 2021
Lovely to see the story from a different character's point of view. I'm Australian and this is quintessentially Australian so very disturbing to read what a dystopia might look like here. Loved it.
May 15, 2022
Great young adult fiction. Fast paced and good sequel
October 6, 2022
This book started off really boring but later on it got better. The first book in my opinion was better thought.
June 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t read the first one but I may go back and read it. This one the female characters were strong characters. Well worth a read
July 28, 2024
I'm glad I ended up reading the sequel, I liked it a lot better than the first book. Told from Lucy's point of view I found it a lot more relatable.
October 5, 2024
Post apocalyptic patriarchal gas lighting, manipulation, power and control. The sequel is far more appropriate to today's young people than The Sky So Heavy. A good read.
September 16, 2025
Great read, couldn't put it down. Hope there is a follow up. Ended flatly.14
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