Hearts of a Vanishing City: Prequel to the Kara Mason Story

by Jill N. Davies

What would you sacrifice for the ones you love?

Hearts of a Vanishing City is a sweeping narrative that brings the brutal censorship of Fahrenheit 451 to a disease-ridden world where a zombie-like virus hides more secrets than Girl with all the Gifts.

One hundred years after outbreak nearly destroyed humanity, society is changing again as a new disease spreads. Four different couples navigate impossible choices, pitting their own survival against a dangerous future.

The governing DDC has designed a society to keep people the clinics, the rules, the curfews, even the education system. In this dystopian world, choice is gone before anyone knows it's missing, and danger lurks for anyone who questions the system. People like Mora with her old-world tablet and supposedly extinct pet raven, Zayd, a factory worker out to make a better life for his growing family, or Park, a promising student who's just washed out of the prestigious Institute system. Others, like dissenter loyalist Simons, are already standing up to the DDC’s overreach.

The curious and courageous must make heartbreaking decisions to shape a more humane world.Early Praise for Hearts of a Vanishing

“Spectacular world building! Fear of the past battling against present fears of control.”

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2025

About the author

Writing 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.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review as part of the narrator Samantha Norberrys Street Team.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Hearts of a Vanishing City is the prequel to the Kara Mason series. I haven't read the other books in the series, but I would say this could possibly be read as a stand-alone.
The book is set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world and told from multiple POV. Each character has something different to add to the story with different experiences, situations happening, thoughts and opinions, and roles, and I enjoyed the differing viewpoints and reactions each character had and why. It made me think back to the covid 19 pandemic with the unknown, unease, people rebelling, people following rules and being compliant, and above all the uncertainty everyone felt and faced.
I felt invested in so many of the characters' lives and experiences, and this heightened the experience through Samantha Norberrys expressive narration.
I look forward to continuing this series.

[Audrey Finchum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying—this book, while technically a prequel, absolutely works as a standalone. That said, don’t be surprised if it hooks you into picking up the other two books already out. You’ve been warned!

The multiple POVs were handled beautifully and were easy to follow. What I really loved was how the characters reacted differently to the changes in their world. Some conformed, some rebelled, and others stood uncertain, caught in between. It added such a realistic and layered dynamic to the story.

This book took me on a true emotional roller coaster—I was mad, scared, furious, excited, joyful, heartbroken… and above all, hopeful. I'm so thankful for this glimpse into a world I've already grown to love. It deepened the experience and left me eager for more.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those rare prequel novels that doesn’t just set the stage: it builds an entire world, layer by intricate layer. It is an incredibly smart and emotionally resonant post-apocalyptic story. The world-building is top-tier. From the remnants of culture (like nail polish becoming taboo because you need to see nails to see early symptoms) to the chilling normalization of rules and control, every detail deepens the atmosphere and makes the setting feel eerily plausible.

I usually steer clear of stories that involve surprise pregnancies, but this book is a clear exception. It’s so fundamental to the emotional weight and stakes of the plot that I honestly can’t imagine the story working without it. It adds a powerful layer of humanity and urgency, grounding the dystopian elements in something deeply personal.

Every character brings something unique to the table. At its core, this is a story about complex relationships set against a dystopian world. There is a slow realization that survival isn’t the same as freedom. This is dystopia done right.

I’m seriously impressed by the scope and skill here. If you like your post-apocalyptic fiction thoughtful and layered, this one’s for you. I’m eager to dive into the rest of the series.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[BookishlySonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I think it takes a good writer to be able to keep you invested in reading a story where you already know the ending.

Having read both Due North and Into the Dead Lands I already knew how some of these character’s stories would end but the journey there was absolutely worth it.

I was not expecting to cry to be honest because the other two books didn’t bring that out in me but there was something about these characters that really resonated with me. I feel like the author has honed her craft even more and was able to extend that to her characters, making them feel more real and human and thus more compelling.

I do agree with another reviewer who wished that the zombies would have been a bigger part of the beginning of the story as I do feel like it relies on the reader having background information from the two previous books at times. But while zombies are part of the overall storyline I have never felt they were the main storyline either in this book or in the other two books. This series has always felt, to me, to be more about the humans and the choices they make in this brutal world than the zombies themselves.

Fantastic read and I can’t wait for the rest of the Kara Mason story knowing that I have more fleshed out knowledge.

Mandatory: F*ck Orman.

[Harker McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading the entire Kara Mason Story so far, but I absolutely loved Hearts of a Vanishing City. It's the right kind of dystopian commentary for the world we're living in. It's shockingly parallel to reality, especially right now, and has notes of Sunrise on the Reaping, the Last of Us, The Walking Dead, and The Handmaid's Tale. HOAVC is unique, however, in the way it infuses hope into the chaos with character-driven narratives. The characters in HOAVC each have different voices and stories that meld together over time into a powerful ending that left me feeling contemplative, but also empowered - which is a challenging juxtaposition to create in dystopian stories.

I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it - Jill N. Davies is an underrated writer. As a former scientist, Davies can literally put the "sci" in sci-fi. I've read so many books in this genre that are removed from basic science. It's fascinating to read something that is so grounded in reality, and it both builds out the Kara Mason world, while infusing it with... well, horror. Hearts of a Vanishing City feels like it could happen... or is already happening. And that's something that should feel horrifying to us all.

Hearts of a Vanishing City is a prequel, but it works on its own and could be read at any point in the series. It's a fantastic read for both young adults, and more sophisticated readers who are looking for thoughtful stories deeply-rooted in the dystopian genre. To me it feels elevated. It has all the best parts of YA dystopian with none of the unbelievable or trite plotlines. It's dystopian for people who truly love the genre and want something fresh and smart.

Easiest five stars I've ever given.

[Larae Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set a century after a devastating outbreak, this dystopian tale follows four distinct couples, each grappling with impossible choices in a world tightly controlled by the DDC. The regime's version of “safety” comes at a steep price—curfews, restrictions, and a silent erasure of choice itself. But the spark of resistance still flickers in characters like Mora, clinging to an old tablet and a supposedly extinct raven, and Park, whose dreams have just been crushed by the very system he once trusted.

What makes this story truly shine is its emotional depth. Each relationship is nuanced and real, their struggles framed by a society that demands compliance at the expense of humanity. Davies weaves their stories with empathy and suspense, building a world that feels both frightening and familiar.

Whether you're new to the Kara Mason series or already a fan, Hearts of a Vanishing City is a must-read. It’s a story of quiet courage, hard choices, and the enduring fight for a more compassionate future.

[Tayler Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️, rounded up.

I’ll start off by saying that I have not read the other books in this series, and maybe that would help in understanding some of the things going on in the story. I almost DNFed, but decided to stick this one out, because the writing itself is not bad. Having said, my main issue was that it took almost 250 pages for the zombies to even be described, in a book about zombies. Once I got about 65% into the story, the action started picking up and I was able to breeze through the rest.

To me, some of the POVs weren’t exactly necessary in the beginning, but they turned out to be setting up relationships between characters at the end.

I think I would have rated this higher and been more apt to finish the story sooner if we could have seen what the patients/zombies looked like in Park’s POV more towards the beginning.

I’d be interested in giving at least the first book a try just to see if that would help my viewpoint on this prequel.

[Ashley Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much going on in this book—and I loved every minute of it. With multiple points of view, intense pregnancy-related themes, a dystopian setting, zombies, action, and romance, it felt like The Handmaid’s Tale, Call the Midwife, Warm Bodies, and Divergent had a baby. The world is rich, the pace is relentless, and the characters are unforgettable. That said, a character index at the front or back would’ve been helpful—I had to keep track like it was a survival guide. Still, a totally unique and gripping read.

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that I read this before starting her series. I've had Due North downloaded as an audiobook on my phone for a couple months but hadn't started it and now I'm kind of glad that I didn't. I think I got a lot of great information that will help me understand the world that the author has created in this series. I can't wait to start book 1 in the series!

Full review on my website on 5.20.25
www.mommodeloading.com

[J.C. Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so wonderful! A prequel to Due North and Into the Deadlands, I found it not only suspenseful and action-packed, but it also tugged on my heartstrings. For those who have not read the two prior books, this is a great place to start, and I believe will bring a greater understanding as you dive into this dystopian world! Five stars!

[Joanna Arismendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Jill N Davies read yet! Hearts of a Vanishing City gives us an early glimpse into the world Kara Mason is a part of. It's a plot driven prequel that can 100% stand alone if you haven't read the other stories. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many new characters and seeing how their stories aligned and intertwined as our characters faced difficult circumstances and choices.

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed the other 2 books in the Kara Mason story, but this has been my favorite! I love that I didn’t need to remember the details of the other books to enjoy this. Interesting characters and intriguing world building!

[Schmoop · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
To sum up to plot, we follow various people living in a society rebuilt in the aftermath of a zombie outbreak. Throughout the story we see how these people deal with the corruption of the leadership and what appears to be a new outbreak.

The story is more slow and suspenseful with less action than I would have expected from a zombie book, bur it was done pretty well. The zombies are not central to the plot, the focus lies on living in a totalitarian state and resisting it. Also there's whole lot of unexpected pregnancies going on. Anyways, I liked the setting and found the story interesting.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC