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Apophis
From a very young age, Samantha Poulsen knew she was different from other girls - the unrequited crush on her best friend, Andrea, was just the tip of the iceberg. But when the earth's temperature plummets and you and your family are just looking to survive, things like finding a girlfriend and being in love become trivial fantasies.
Scientists first spotted the asteroid in the year 2004. They named it 99942 Apophis after the deification of darkness. When the asteroid struck the planet, it set off a chain of events that few expected – the first Ice Age in nearly 12,500 years.
The flowers were the first things to die. Beautiful things of little practical value had no place in the new world that emerged because of the Frost. Now, two years after Apophis’s impact, survival is all that matters. But when Sam's family rescues a man and his daughter - a beautiful woman named Nora who reignites all those previously banished, trivial emotions - Sam might be convinced that there’s still a place for beauty in this new world.
Scientists first spotted the asteroid in the year 2004. They named it 99942 Apophis after the deification of darkness. When the asteroid struck the planet, it set off a chain of events that few expected – the first Ice Age in nearly 12,500 years.
The flowers were the first things to die. Beautiful things of little practical value had no place in the new world that emerged because of the Frost. Now, two years after Apophis’s impact, survival is all that matters. But when Sam's family rescues a man and his daughter - a beautiful woman named Nora who reignites all those previously banished, trivial emotions - Sam might be convinced that there’s still a place for beauty in this new world.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2013
About the author
Eliza Lentzski
31 books929 followersEliza Lentzski is the best-selling author of sapphic fiction, romance, and erotica including the Winter Jacket and Don’t Call Me Hero series. A historian by day, Eliza is passionate about telling the stories of marginalized communities.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 5, 2026
4.5 Stars
Positives:
•Personally, I have high regard for the author’s penchant for enemies to lovers character dynamic. So, it’s no surprise Apophis had great ETL character trope.
•Unique dystopian world. I haven’t read a sapphic post-apocalyptic frozen world yet. The Freeze was well written and scientifically as close to reality as it can get.
•The situational scenarios in the story were all probable and memorable.
Not So Positive:
• Nil atm. Maybe a sequel.
Positives:
•Personally, I have high regard for the author’s penchant for enemies to lovers character dynamic. So, it’s no surprise Apophis had great ETL character trope.
•Unique dystopian world. I haven’t read a sapphic post-apocalyptic frozen world yet. The Freeze was well written and scientifically as close to reality as it can get.
•The situational scenarios in the story were all probable and memorable.
Not So Positive:
• Nil atm. Maybe a sequel.
January 18, 2021
Still as great as the first time I read it. There aren't enough Dystopian/Speculative LESBIAN stories out there, so revisiting this after reading so much hetero books has truly been needed.
Lentzski's such a great writer anyway, and I'd read all of her books over and over again regardless.
Lentzski's such a great writer anyway, and I'd read all of her books over and over again regardless.
September 6, 2020
I’m not usually into dystopian-like books but I had to read this one. I’ve loved everything else by Eliza so I tried this one out too and I wasn’t disappointed.
October 17, 2022
I never review things…
I absolutely adore lesbian romance and post apocalyptic novels…so this should have been a slam dunk. The characters were unlikeable, the scenarios unbelievable, and the general lack of humanity present was unforgivable. Characters are just dying left and right for no reasons, physical touch is often described in ways that is impossible to achieve, and how these two decide they are better off alone together to starve is just ridiculous. Great concept, poorly executed.
I absolutely adore lesbian romance and post apocalyptic novels…so this should have been a slam dunk. The characters were unlikeable, the scenarios unbelievable, and the general lack of humanity present was unforgivable. Characters are just dying left and right for no reasons, physical touch is often described in ways that is impossible to achieve, and how these two decide they are better off alone together to starve is just ridiculous. Great concept, poorly executed.
January 25, 2014
An apocalypse book featuring a lesbian love story? win!!
February 3, 2015
I enjoyed the story and think it is a good start to a series I would like to read.
July 11, 2020
Apocalypse. Harsh cold after meteor hits the earth. Fight for survival. Underground bunkers and raiders. A tale of friends to lovers.
I definitely enjoyed this read.
I definitely enjoyed this read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2023
I enjoyed this story until the end. The ending itself made me SO mad that I had trouble sleeping after finishing it, and woke up in a sour mood the next day so I had to start another book right away to clean Apophis from my head. I know it sounds extreme but books can have that effect on me.
The ending made me angry because it didn't make any sense, why would Nora leave West Genesis after like less than a week?! She didn't even spend any time coming up with a plan or researching where to go next. How was she planning to feed herself since she left with the assumption that Sam wasn't coming with her? It sounds suicidal to me, and selfish after her mom and dad died trying to get her to a place where she was safe... She suddenly cared about the rest of the world that she doesn't even know where to find and after her main encounters with other people (except for Sam's family) were bad! Should we believe that someone that enjoyed good clothes and 2 showers a day just left because what¿! she had to work as a waitress? Without even trying to do anything to prove herself or change the circumstances... Was she feeling left out because Sam was making friends? How is that possible since she was talking with people during meals??? Like for real, I could continue in my crazy rant, but the end for me didn't make any sense!
The ending made me angry because it didn't make any sense, why would Nora leave West Genesis after like less than a week?! She didn't even spend any time coming up with a plan or researching where to go next. How was she planning to feed herself since she left with the assumption that Sam wasn't coming with her? It sounds suicidal to me, and selfish after her mom and dad died trying to get her to a place where she was safe... She suddenly cared about the rest of the world that she doesn't even know where to find and after her main encounters with other people (except for Sam's family) were bad! Should we believe that someone that enjoyed good clothes and 2 showers a day just left because what¿! she had to work as a waitress? Without even trying to do anything to prove herself or change the circumstances... Was she feeling left out because Sam was making friends? How is that possible since she was talking with people during meals??? Like for real, I could continue in my crazy rant, but the end for me didn't make any sense!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
Really good read. Well thought out premise and plot line.
Very good writing that draws you into the characters quickly and completely.
Quite a simple plot really, but no less effective. Not sure how I would handle the situation the author has created but I loved the tough, but often undemonstrative Sam.
Very good writing that draws you into the characters quickly and completely.
Quite a simple plot really, but no less effective. Not sure how I would handle the situation the author has created but I loved the tough, but often undemonstrative Sam.
July 17, 2015
Liked the story, could have done entirely without the last chapter. Errors once more were just on this side of tolerable.
I wasn't totally satisfied with the world building here but can't quite put my finger on the why.
This is an author that I like for her storytelling, but as published books they could use someone who whipped them into shape.
I wasn't totally satisfied with the world building here but can't quite put my finger on the why.
This is an author that I like for her storytelling, but as published books they could use someone who whipped them into shape.
September 21, 2014
Good because of the happy ending but I don't know... I have too many unanswered questions & that's something I don't like =/
October 10, 2021
Plot: The book starts with a brief overview of Apophis. The meteor struck the Earth. The dust kicked up from impact is now blocking too much of the sun’s rays causing an eternal winter that progressively gets worse. Sam’s family had chosen to stay in their home for the past two years rather than try to flock to the south where it is warmer.
Sam is woken from sleep by her father telling her that bandits are raiding their home. Sam’s mom is killed in the raid. Sam, her father, and her grandmother decide they need to leave and start hiking west. On their journey they see bandits trying to hurt a father daughter group, Nora and Mr. West. They save them. The new group offer to take them to Eden. A self sustaining haven that is able to be a permanent living place throughout the eternal winter.
On the way there Sam’s grandmother who has shown no signs of holding anyone up randomly decides to walk off into the night to die rather than potentially slow the group down. They stumble on a bunker and are invited in when Sam twists her ankle. They discover that the people in the bunker are the ones who raided and killed Sam’s mother. They try to leave in the middle of the night but guards stop them. Mr. West panics and shoots one of the guards. A gun fight ensues that leaves Mr. West dead. Sam’s father tells the girls to run while he distracts the guards.
The girls get away but are unsure if Sam’s father is alive or how to find him. They continue on hoping to find Sam’s father on the way to Eden. They spend an intimate night in a cozy cabin and are able to find Eden soon after. Eden is so well stocked that they would be able to live out their lives happily there. Nora is disgusted that they have such splendor while others are dying in the cold so she leaves without speaking to Sam. Sam decides that a short, hard life with love is better than a long, easy one without it and leaves to be with Nora.
They will most likely die within a year (my opinion) as the temperatures continue to drop and hunting becomes more scarce but they are together.
This book deals with death cavalierly. Several people die in this book and it feels like less than a page is spent morning them collectively.
Characterization: Sam is hard working. She repressed her sexuality due to her conservative surroundings.
Nora is high maintenance. She is privileged and prissy but kind. She is somewhat naïve when it comes to how desperate and malicious people can be during an apocalypse.
Writing: This was written in first person perspective from Sam’s POV. I noticed one small plot hole. Sam’s grandma leaves her sleeping bag and roll behind, so there is no reason that Nora couldn’t have used that when her inflatable mattress died. This book also broke my rule of using the word “impossibly” to describe completely possible things (especially since I doubt they have lotion and can maintain “impossibly” soft skin in harsh weather climates naturally).
Sam is woken from sleep by her father telling her that bandits are raiding their home. Sam’s mom is killed in the raid. Sam, her father, and her grandmother decide they need to leave and start hiking west. On their journey they see bandits trying to hurt a father daughter group, Nora and Mr. West. They save them. The new group offer to take them to Eden. A self sustaining haven that is able to be a permanent living place throughout the eternal winter.
On the way there Sam’s grandmother who has shown no signs of holding anyone up randomly decides to walk off into the night to die rather than potentially slow the group down. They stumble on a bunker and are invited in when Sam twists her ankle. They discover that the people in the bunker are the ones who raided and killed Sam’s mother. They try to leave in the middle of the night but guards stop them. Mr. West panics and shoots one of the guards. A gun fight ensues that leaves Mr. West dead. Sam’s father tells the girls to run while he distracts the guards.
The girls get away but are unsure if Sam’s father is alive or how to find him. They continue on hoping to find Sam’s father on the way to Eden. They spend an intimate night in a cozy cabin and are able to find Eden soon after. Eden is so well stocked that they would be able to live out their lives happily there. Nora is disgusted that they have such splendor while others are dying in the cold so she leaves without speaking to Sam. Sam decides that a short, hard life with love is better than a long, easy one without it and leaves to be with Nora.
They will most likely die within a year (my opinion) as the temperatures continue to drop and hunting becomes more scarce but they are together.
This book deals with death cavalierly. Several people die in this book and it feels like less than a page is spent morning them collectively.
Characterization: Sam is hard working. She repressed her sexuality due to her conservative surroundings.
Nora is high maintenance. She is privileged and prissy but kind. She is somewhat naïve when it comes to how desperate and malicious people can be during an apocalypse.
Writing: This was written in first person perspective from Sam’s POV. I noticed one small plot hole. Sam’s grandma leaves her sleeping bag and roll behind, so there is no reason that Nora couldn’t have used that when her inflatable mattress died. This book also broke my rule of using the word “impossibly” to describe completely possible things (especially since I doubt they have lotion and can maintain “impossibly” soft skin in harsh weather climates naturally).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
I enjoyed this book!
Aphophis makes a really solid and creative premise for an apocalyptic book, I loved that! I wish the author would have leaned more into the worldbuilding in that sense, I felt like the book didn’t explain why society could not rise up to the challenge of dealing with the cold, specially considering the main character lived in a cold area where they spent a good part of the year dealing with snow and cold.
I really liked the characters, they felt very realistic to me, I love having characters with real personalities, characters who are flawed. I love how their relationship developed, it felt very natural and imperfect. I loved how complex the family relationships were, too. I think the author has a strong skill in writing real and complex relationships.
One thing I felt was a bit weird is how the characters reacted to their grief, they both lost so much in so little time and I feel we didn’t feel that grief with them. Sam kinda felt like she forgot about the grandma two days after she left, even thought they were close. Of course a survival situation forces you to block things out, but I feel like the grief wasn’t well explained or written.
The ending was sweet, thought I felt like it was a bit rushed and underwhelming.
Overall 3 stars, it was a nice read!
Aphophis makes a really solid and creative premise for an apocalyptic book, I loved that! I wish the author would have leaned more into the worldbuilding in that sense, I felt like the book didn’t explain why society could not rise up to the challenge of dealing with the cold, specially considering the main character lived in a cold area where they spent a good part of the year dealing with snow and cold.
I really liked the characters, they felt very realistic to me, I love having characters with real personalities, characters who are flawed. I love how their relationship developed, it felt very natural and imperfect. I loved how complex the family relationships were, too. I think the author has a strong skill in writing real and complex relationships.
One thing I felt was a bit weird is how the characters reacted to their grief, they both lost so much in so little time and I feel we didn’t feel that grief with them. Sam kinda felt like she forgot about the grandma two days after she left, even thought they were close. Of course a survival situation forces you to block things out, but I feel like the grief wasn’t well explained or written.
The ending was sweet, thought I felt like it was a bit rushed and underwhelming.
Overall 3 stars, it was a nice read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2024
4.5 stars. Post apocalyptic sapphic romance. I ate this up and I need more books like this. Survival romances are my jam and this one was freakin’ awesome.
I thought the world building in this was great and I found the characters of Sam and Nora, while frustrating as hell, they also felt very real. I loved the way that their relationship developed as they got off on the wrong foot in the beginning. There was some good and fun bickering and bantering between them. Both girls are hotheaded and stubborn and I grew to love them both.
The way that the story plays out had me absolutely hooked. My one and only complaint is that the ending felt a bit unfinished and left me with quite a few questions. but aside from that this was fast paced, thrilling, with a great romance between two kick ass characters. Highly recommend it.
I thought the world building in this was great and I found the characters of Sam and Nora, while frustrating as hell, they also felt very real. I loved the way that their relationship developed as they got off on the wrong foot in the beginning. There was some good and fun bickering and bantering between them. Both girls are hotheaded and stubborn and I grew to love them both.
The way that the story plays out had me absolutely hooked. My one and only complaint is that the ending felt a bit unfinished and left me with quite a few questions. but aside from that this was fast paced, thrilling, with a great romance between two kick ass characters. Highly recommend it.
May 9, 2026
the ending was so sudden and so many details of their relationship weren't fleshed out or finalized. also nora's reason for wanting to leave genesis was so fucking stupid 😭 especially when the alternative is fending for yourself outside in freezing temperatures. suck it up and be a waitress or ask for a different job. if the author wanted to showcase the depth of their bond by sam leaving the safety of the compound for nora then she could've made an actual point of conflict or reason to leave. like nora's dad died trying to get her there and she just up and decides to leave?? not buying it.
maybe this should be bumped up to two stars because i liked their banter but the girls personalities and flip flopping made the character seem flat and hard to differentiate.
maybe this should be bumped up to two stars because i liked their banter but the girls personalities and flip flopping made the character seem flat and hard to differentiate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
I don't think I'm a fan of "asshole person meets kind person that doesn't know what she deserves" trope because half of this book I was angry at the two main characters for existing in their spaces! Ugh, one was unkind, snappy, and basically asshole'y for no reason, the other was letting it slide too much. But, for some magical reason (maybe the fact they were the only two girls around?) they grew on each other. Sadly, I didn't really see the growing part, so it wasn't that believable. And, for the whole book Sam was talking about bandits, about the world being dangerous, only for them to settle on an old rickety house at the end? What? No, unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
Violence, death, sadness, some love
I started to put the book down after 2 chapters because it was very heavy and violent. I kept going though because this author is one of the best. The book did improve greatly but there were still a lot of unanswered questions and non sensical decisions. In order for everything to have been truly explored I think the book would have to be 2-3x the size. The characters really had so much depth but we didn't get all of it as an audience. The book gives off vibes similar to the Last Of Us so if you like that, you'll like this.
I started to put the book down after 2 chapters because it was very heavy and violent. I kept going though because this author is one of the best. The book did improve greatly but there were still a lot of unanswered questions and non sensical decisions. In order for everything to have been truly explored I think the book would have to be 2-3x the size. The characters really had so much depth but we didn't get all of it as an audience. The book gives off vibes similar to the Last Of Us so if you like that, you'll like this.
March 16, 2025
I really enjoyed the apocalyptic setting and the clash of personalities in this story.
There’s something fascinating about witnessing a character’s thoughts in survival mode, reminding one’s self just how instinctual human nature can be. At the same time, the story emphasizes the importance of holding onto our values and civility—reminding us that being human isn’t just about survival, but how we choose to live. And sometimes, it only takes one person to open our eyes and hearts to the world again.
There’s something fascinating about witnessing a character’s thoughts in survival mode, reminding one’s self just how instinctual human nature can be. At the same time, the story emphasizes the importance of holding onto our values and civility—reminding us that being human isn’t just about survival, but how we choose to live. And sometimes, it only takes one person to open our eyes and hearts to the world again.
July 22, 2024
This book was fantastic! Considering the fact that I love post apocalyptic type themes, and am always looking for a queer book to relate to as a gay woman at 32- this was perfect. I found myself reading and fighting my sleep for a few days just to keep going, just like a great tv show. This author is able to paint the world around you, the sounds and habitat of the book.. I could smell the harsh winter, the snow. Absolutely beautiful novel.
August 14, 2024
Idk the world building was good I guess but the rest of it not really. It seems like the author was expecting the world to carry the whole story and no, just no. It reads like it was written by a 16yo with potential. Maybe it wasn’t intended but this should have just been an easy romance book not dystopian because really the storyline was whack as a dystopian book but will probably have worked as a romance novella.
February 1, 2026
amazing book
What an amazing story!!!! Loved it. The concept was unique and kept me reading. The relationship building and banter was cute. It had its sad moments and happy moments. Not a lot of spice.
What an amazing story!!!! Loved it. The concept was unique and kept me reading. The relationship building and banter was cute. It had its sad moments and happy moments. Not a lot of spice.
March 13, 2018
How hard is it to write respectfully about Native Americans, even in passing?
January 5, 2026
Loved the idea, did not like the execution
January 11, 2025
I think this is one of my favorite apocalypse book so far.
It was brutal fom the start the deaths and at the end just them two together remains in a cosy cottage perfect ending Samantha x Nora beautiful.
Also liked Samantha and Andrea relationship though it doomed it was heartbreaking a tragedy.
Loved it.
It was brutal fom the start the deaths and at the end just them two together remains in a cosy cottage perfect ending Samantha x Nora beautiful.
Also liked Samantha and Andrea relationship though it doomed it was heartbreaking a tragedy.
Loved it.
June 16, 2016
Another fantastic book from Eliza Lentzski!
The end of the world as we know it, chance meetings, and feisty lead characters.
I read it on my kindle, which had an extended ending linked. I wish it was part of the book, and not a separate thing.
The end of the world as we know it, chance meetings, and feisty lead characters.
I read it on my kindle, which had an extended ending linked. I wish it was part of the book, and not a separate thing.
February 12, 2026
My absolute favorite by this author, and I'm not ever giving up hope for a sequel (or two).
I read every year when it's the coldest & snowiest out. I love it so much.
I read every year when it's the coldest & snowiest out. I love it so much.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews