Christopher Artinian has done it again! I am always amazed at how he can keep this series (along with its companion series) fresh, but he does it every time!
Wren, Robyn and Mila have returned to the Priory where the Safe Haven residents are now living and they brought a few new friends with them! But, they also bring news that there are (potential) enemy forces nearby. Of course, Mike and Mia decide that the best thing to do is attack before the attack is brought to them.
Also, Prime Minister Beck thinks that the best course of action for him is to surrender himself to Olsen/Ashford and negotiate peace. Does he truly believe that those two power hungry psychopaths will comply?
Throw in plenty of action, both with zombies and enemy forces, a few near deaths (I'm coming for you, Artinian!), and a couple of unexpected budding romances and you have a great book! The book is fast paced, full of emotion and the addition of lots of fun new characters add to the enjoyment of this latest installment.
I really appreciate how the author has worked in relatable human emotions into these books. You have a beloved Auntie with dementia who is protected at all costs by her loving niece. You have a young autistic boy loved by everyone in the community. Then, you have a couple of the strongest characters we have come to love experiencing depression and hopelessness. All of these details bring a whole new level of engagement for the reader.
The full cast of amazing women characters is very unique for this genre. From the youngest to the oldest, the women in this group are fearless! It is a refreshing change from a lot of zompoc books where the women are just there as background fodder. And, we can't forget the dogs! Wolf, Muppet and Humphrey continue to earn their keep (and often amuse the reader).
Kim Bretton is an absolutely amazing narrator and her performance truly brings this series to life. Her individual voices for each of the characters are instantly recognizable to long-time listeners and it's almost like having a movie play in your head as you listen.
I only hope that the author continues this series for a long time. I feel like I know each and every character and love them like family!