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Day of Now
'Thought-provoking but also compelling ... Superb' Irish Times
'Fresh, original and genuinely affecting. Highly recommended.' schoolreadinglist.co.uk
To survive, trust no one.
A devastating fungal pandemic has wiped out most of society. Dayna and Pax live in an isolated house in the countryside, learning to survive in the world left behind. But when their father gets sick they make a choice that changes they summon help from the outside. And they're not prepared for the betrayal that follows . . .
Dayna and Pax must race against time across a ruthless landscape to save their father. They won't be able to do it on their own, but who can they trust in a world where survival is everything?
An explosive dystopian YA novel perfect for fans of The Last of Us and All That's Left in the World.
'Fresh, original and genuinely affecting. Highly recommended.' schoolreadinglist.co.uk
To survive, trust no one.
A devastating fungal pandemic has wiped out most of society. Dayna and Pax live in an isolated house in the countryside, learning to survive in the world left behind. But when their father gets sick they make a choice that changes they summon help from the outside. And they're not prepared for the betrayal that follows . . .
Dayna and Pax must race against time across a ruthless landscape to save their father. They won't be able to do it on their own, but who can they trust in a world where survival is everything?
An explosive dystopian YA novel perfect for fans of The Last of Us and All That's Left in the World.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 9, 2026
3.5 stars.
Internet is faulty, will add more when it’s fixed.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy..
Reading the synopsis and seeing the cover had me requesting this like my life depended on it to breathe, I went into this with no expectations, and not having read this author previously, i was excited to see what this was about.I was made aware of this book when it was shared in a group by like minded people who enjoy this genre like myself.
I struggled a wee bit with this one, I went in knowing that it was YA which I fully expected, but these characters were younger than what I was prepared for, I’m guessing not even teenagers so adapting to their thought process and behaviour took some getting used to.
I enjoyed the storyline which was unique to anything I’ve read before, and all the terrifying situations these characters found themselves in, a group of misfits struggling within a changed world with only their wits to lead them to safety with nothing but a bat and slingshots to ward off evil.
Internet is faulty, will add more when it’s fixed.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy..
Reading the synopsis and seeing the cover had me requesting this like my life depended on it to breathe, I went into this with no expectations, and not having read this author previously, i was excited to see what this was about.I was made aware of this book when it was shared in a group by like minded people who enjoy this genre like myself.
I struggled a wee bit with this one, I went in knowing that it was YA which I fully expected, but these characters were younger than what I was prepared for, I’m guessing not even teenagers so adapting to their thought process and behaviour took some getting used to.
I enjoyed the storyline which was unique to anything I’ve read before, and all the terrifying situations these characters found themselves in, a group of misfits struggling within a changed world with only their wits to lead them to safety with nothing but a bat and slingshots to ward off evil.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 ⭐
I honestly enjoyed this book so much.
If you know me, you know I love anything to do with mushrooms.
Some of my all time favourite stories all have something to do with mushrooms and horror lol, or the forest.
I wanted to talk about a few things I really enjoyed here, because this one feels so under appreciated and I really want to talk about it non stop lol.
Young Adult:
The audience for this book is young adult, however I do feel that there are many adult themes. It was the perfect balance in my opinion. Very dystopian!
The Age of the Children:
The children, Dayna and Pax are the main characters for Day of Now, mainly Dayna (Day is her nickname. Dayna and Pax are siblings. I don't believe they really dive into the age of the children, but if I was to guess I would say maybe Dayna is 10/11 and Pax to be near the age of 8. We also have Jason, who I would say is 16ish and Evie maybe like 6. They were a good group together, I liked their dynamic, it made sense.
Narration:
The POV is third person, I loved this most about the book. I know this can be a turn off for some people, but it just really worked. The children are young, they grew up fast due to the virus but still were not educated in school and because of this have a very young mind and need to navigate some things. They are quite naive and because of this things occur.
Character Development:
Reading about each character and how they all have their own stories and own development was fantastic. You literally follow along as these kids learn that sometimes things are not what they seem and they learn this the hard way.
Plot Twist:
I mean, I sort of saw it coming but I LOVED it.
It had me on the edge of my seat A LOT and I felt all the emotions.
I was sad, I was VERY angry and I was happy.
Overall, I cannot wait for the sequel and this may be my favourite read of 2026 (I know, already predicting lol).
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and to Miranda Reason for the arc of this book to read before release.
I honestly enjoyed this book so much.
If you know me, you know I love anything to do with mushrooms.
Some of my all time favourite stories all have something to do with mushrooms and horror lol, or the forest.
I wanted to talk about a few things I really enjoyed here, because this one feels so under appreciated and I really want to talk about it non stop lol.
Young Adult:
The audience for this book is young adult, however I do feel that there are many adult themes. It was the perfect balance in my opinion. Very dystopian!
The Age of the Children:
The children, Dayna and Pax are the main characters for Day of Now, mainly Dayna (Day is her nickname. Dayna and Pax are siblings. I don't believe they really dive into the age of the children, but if I was to guess I would say maybe Dayna is 10/11 and Pax to be near the age of 8. We also have Jason, who I would say is 16ish and Evie maybe like 6. They were a good group together, I liked their dynamic, it made sense.
Narration:
The POV is third person, I loved this most about the book. I know this can be a turn off for some people, but it just really worked. The children are young, they grew up fast due to the virus but still were not educated in school and because of this have a very young mind and need to navigate some things. They are quite naive and because of this things occur.
Character Development:
Reading about each character and how they all have their own stories and own development was fantastic. You literally follow along as these kids learn that sometimes things are not what they seem and they learn this the hard way.
Plot Twist:
I mean, I sort of saw it coming but I LOVED it.
It had me on the edge of my seat A LOT and I felt all the emotions.
I was sad, I was VERY angry and I was happy.
Overall, I cannot wait for the sequel and this may be my favourite read of 2026 (I know, already predicting lol).
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and to Miranda Reason for the arc of this book to read before release.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Day of Now is a reflective, emotionally driven read that leans heavily into atmosphere, character introspection, and the quiet weight of pivotal moments. Miranda Reason crafts a story that feels very grounded in the present — where choices, timing, and internal conflict matter just as much as the external plot.
One of the book’s strongest points is its emotional realism. The characters feel human, flawed, and very much shaped by their pasts. Their inner dialogue is especially well done, giving the reader a strong sense of who they are and why they act the way they do. This made it easy to become invested in their journeys, even during slower or more contemplative sections.
The writing style is clear, thoughtful, and immersive, with moments that linger after you’ve put the book down. Rather than rushing from plot point to plot point, the story allows space to breathe — which works beautifully for the themes it explores. That said, this pacing may not be for everyone. At times, the narrative leans more introspective than action-driven, and a few sections felt like they could have been tightened for greater impact.
Thematically, Day of Now shines when exploring ideas of change, choice, and living in the moment. There’s a quiet poignancy to how the story unfolds, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own “now” — the moments we often overlook but that quietly shape everything.
The reason this lands at four stars rather than five is mainly due to pacing and momentum. While beautifully written, certain parts slowed the overall flow, and I found myself wanting a bit more narrative urgency or payoff in places. Still, the emotional core remained strong enough to keep me engaged.
Overall, Day of Now is a thoughtful, character-focused read that will resonate most with readers who enjoy introspective storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. A strong, meaningful book that leaves a gentle but lasting impression.
One of the book’s strongest points is its emotional realism. The characters feel human, flawed, and very much shaped by their pasts. Their inner dialogue is especially well done, giving the reader a strong sense of who they are and why they act the way they do. This made it easy to become invested in their journeys, even during slower or more contemplative sections.
The writing style is clear, thoughtful, and immersive, with moments that linger after you’ve put the book down. Rather than rushing from plot point to plot point, the story allows space to breathe — which works beautifully for the themes it explores. That said, this pacing may not be for everyone. At times, the narrative leans more introspective than action-driven, and a few sections felt like they could have been tightened for greater impact.
Thematically, Day of Now shines when exploring ideas of change, choice, and living in the moment. There’s a quiet poignancy to how the story unfolds, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own “now” — the moments we often overlook but that quietly shape everything.
The reason this lands at four stars rather than five is mainly due to pacing and momentum. While beautifully written, certain parts slowed the overall flow, and I found myself wanting a bit more narrative urgency or payoff in places. Still, the emotional core remained strong enough to keep me engaged.
Overall, Day of Now is a thoughtful, character-focused read that will resonate most with readers who enjoy introspective storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. A strong, meaningful book that leaves a gentle but lasting impression.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A brilliant post-apocalyptic thriller that breaks the rules
Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with an ARC of Miranda Reason’s, Day of Now.
I’ll start with the one thing that nagged me about Day of Now – age.
This novel is marketed as YA, but given the rule that kids read up, protagonist, Dayna, is rather young. That said, rules are there to be broken, and I’m glad they were. This novel will work perfectly well as a post-apocalyptic YA. However ...
This is a pacey adventure/thriller in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Themes are grown-up, but perfectly acceptable for a YA audience. Themes which make this a suitable crossover book, that adult fans of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction will love as well.
I enjoyed seeing Dayna develop as a character. Miranda Reason is a remarkable author who hasn’t forgotten what it is like to be Dayna’s age. I am going to pre-order a physical copy of Day of Now, and I’m looking forward to reading it again.
Five/six stars (the range on my personal reviewer’s page allows six for exceptional books) for Day of Now by Miranda Reason – an exceptional novel, grounded, with plausible and relatable characters, impossible choices, a book that breaks the rules.
Perfect for fans of All That's Left in the World and The Girl with All the Gifts.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with an ARC of Miranda Reason’s, Day of Now.
I’ll start with the one thing that nagged me about Day of Now – age.
This novel is marketed as YA, but given the rule that kids read up, protagonist, Dayna, is rather young. That said, rules are there to be broken, and I’m glad they were. This novel will work perfectly well as a post-apocalyptic YA. However ...
This is a pacey adventure/thriller in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Themes are grown-up, but perfectly acceptable for a YA audience. Themes which make this a suitable crossover book, that adult fans of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction will love as well.
I enjoyed seeing Dayna develop as a character. Miranda Reason is a remarkable author who hasn’t forgotten what it is like to be Dayna’s age. I am going to pre-order a physical copy of Day of Now, and I’m looking forward to reading it again.
Five/six stars (the range on my personal reviewer’s page allows six for exceptional books) for Day of Now by Miranda Reason – an exceptional novel, grounded, with plausible and relatable characters, impossible choices, a book that breaks the rules.
Perfect for fans of All That's Left in the World and The Girl with All the Gifts.
Review of advance copy
🐦⬛
⚜️ Book Title - Day of Now
⚜️ Author - Miranda Reason
⚜️ Rating - ⭐️
⚜️ Some Genre/Themes/Tropes: YA Fiction, Post Apocalyptic and Fantasy
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book via Bloomsbury. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is my honest review.
I’m such a sucker for post-apocalyptic books, and the blurb sounded great. Did it hit the mark? Not exactly…
I found it difficult to stay invested in the story. I caught myself more inclined to doomscroll rather than pick it up, and I had to drag myself back to the book each time. Maybe this could have been a mood thing but I was keen for a post-apocalyptic.
What I struggled with most was the dialogue. It’s written in third person, with a heavy focus on conversations between the siblings and other characters. I’m not sure how old the main characters are, but they’re clearly young aka why it’s a YA and it shows. They were young when the world went downhill, so I understand their education may have been hindered… Socially they would have picked up their father’s social cues? From this though, I didn’t see much personality.
I wanted to like this one but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I ended up DNF at 40%.
I want to say thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.
Note (How I rate): One is DNF. Two is got there but struggled. Three stars is a good, enjoyable read. Four is an excellent read and five is a comfort read that lingers with me for life. My five stars can be imperfect but to me they hit right.
⚜️ Book Title - Day of Now
⚜️ Author - Miranda Reason
⚜️ Rating - ⭐️
⚜️ Some Genre/Themes/Tropes: YA Fiction, Post Apocalyptic and Fantasy
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book via Bloomsbury. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is my honest review.
I’m such a sucker for post-apocalyptic books, and the blurb sounded great. Did it hit the mark? Not exactly…
I found it difficult to stay invested in the story. I caught myself more inclined to doomscroll rather than pick it up, and I had to drag myself back to the book each time. Maybe this could have been a mood thing but I was keen for a post-apocalyptic.
What I struggled with most was the dialogue. It’s written in third person, with a heavy focus on conversations between the siblings and other characters. I’m not sure how old the main characters are, but they’re clearly young aka why it’s a YA and it shows. They were young when the world went downhill, so I understand their education may have been hindered… Socially they would have picked up their father’s social cues? From this though, I didn’t see much personality.
I wanted to like this one but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I ended up DNF at 40%.
I want to say thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.
Note (How I rate): One is DNF. Two is got there but struggled. Three stars is a good, enjoyable read. Four is an excellent read and five is a comfort read that lingers with me for life. My five stars can be imperfect but to me they hit right.
February 27, 2026
I'm such a zombie movie fanatic so the second I saw this I knew I had to request it! I've honestly struggled to find new zombie movies lately and this completely scratched that itch for me. It gave me everything I love about post apocalyptic stories.
I really loved following Day as a main character. Watching her try to survive in such a brutal world while protecting her younger brother Pax was so emotional. Their bond was one of my favourite parts of the book. They were both so young and seeing them being forced to grow up so quickly because of the world around them was heartbreaking but really powerful to read.
Something I thought was done really well was showing that the danger didn't just come from the crazed after the apocalypse but from other survivors too. Day and Pax had to learn very quickly who they could trust and who they couldn't and I liked that they made mistakes along the way. It made their journey feel more realistic and made their growth throughout the story feel earned. You could really see how everything they experienced shaped them as the story went on.
I also loved the people they met along the way and the small group they slowly formed. Found family is one of my favourite tropes and I thought this book handled it beautifully. I became really attached to these characters and their relationships, and I honestly didn't want their story to end!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers who love emotional post apocalyptic stories with strong character relationships and found family elements!!
I really loved following Day as a main character. Watching her try to survive in such a brutal world while protecting her younger brother Pax was so emotional. Their bond was one of my favourite parts of the book. They were both so young and seeing them being forced to grow up so quickly because of the world around them was heartbreaking but really powerful to read.
Something I thought was done really well was showing that the danger didn't just come from the crazed after the apocalypse but from other survivors too. Day and Pax had to learn very quickly who they could trust and who they couldn't and I liked that they made mistakes along the way. It made their journey feel more realistic and made their growth throughout the story feel earned. You could really see how everything they experienced shaped them as the story went on.
I also loved the people they met along the way and the small group they slowly formed. Found family is one of my favourite tropes and I thought this book handled it beautifully. I became really attached to these characters and their relationships, and I honestly didn't want their story to end!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers who love emotional post apocalyptic stories with strong character relationships and found family elements!!
Read
February 16, 2026With their father’s life hanging in the balance, Dayna and Pax must leave their isolated home in the English countryside and enter what’s left of a world gripped by a deadly pandemic. With only their instincts to guide them, they embark on a race against the clock to find help.
The journey that follows in Miranda Reason’s Dystopian debut: ‘Day of Now’ is an intense exploration of trust, betrayal and the fine line that exists between hero and villain.
It’s a fast-paced and vivid read. Despite being a YA, it doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths and tragic loss of innocence. It examines just how far people will go to survive when the rules of ‘normal’ society are no longer in play.
A powerful and thought-provoking read for fans of Dystopian fiction, ‘Day of Now’ is out in Australia on February 17th, 2026.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for gifting me a finished copy of the book to review.
The journey that follows in Miranda Reason’s Dystopian debut: ‘Day of Now’ is an intense exploration of trust, betrayal and the fine line that exists between hero and villain.
It’s a fast-paced and vivid read. Despite being a YA, it doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths and tragic loss of innocence. It examines just how far people will go to survive when the rules of ‘normal’ society are no longer in play.
A powerful and thought-provoking read for fans of Dystopian fiction, ‘Day of Now’ is out in Australia on February 17th, 2026.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for gifting me a finished copy of the book to review.
February 18, 2026
This was actually the first post-apocalyptic book I’ve ever read, and for a YA novel, I thought it was a really good introduction to the genre. You can definitely see the links to COVID within the story, which made the premise feel quite grounded and relatable.
The story follows Dayna and Pax as they navigate a world that has ended due to a virus spread by a mist. After their father gets attacked by an affected animal and falls sick, he is taken away by soldiers, and the book follows their journey to get him back. It was such an interesting read with heaps of world-building that really helped me understand how this new world works. Because so much groundwork was laid here, I feel like Book 2 is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to jump into it!
The story follows Dayna and Pax as they navigate a world that has ended due to a virus spread by a mist. After their father gets attacked by an affected animal and falls sick, he is taken away by soldiers, and the book follows their journey to get him back. It was such an interesting read with heaps of world-building that really helped me understand how this new world works. Because so much groundwork was laid here, I feel like Book 2 is going to be amazing, and I can't wait to jump into it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A gripping YA dystopian read set after a deadly fungal pandemic. Dayna and Pax are great characters and their sibling bond adds a lot of heart to the story. The world is tense and dangerous with strong themes of trust and betrayal. Some parts feel familiar for the genre but the fast pace and emotional moments make it an engaging read.
January 13, 2026
Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this upcoming release!
3.75⭐️
My first book of 2026 and I really enjoyed it. A great book for dystopian lovers🫶🏻 Some twists towards the end which kept you reading!
I wish we had a little bit more description of Dayna and Pax like age as that really helps connect you to a story but didn’t effect it too much. I was surprised to see certain topics mentioned in a YA book so I wouldn’t recommend it for those below age 13/14 personally.
It left room for a sequel so I’m interested to see if that’s on the cards!🤭
3.75⭐️
My first book of 2026 and I really enjoyed it. A great book for dystopian lovers🫶🏻 Some twists towards the end which kept you reading!
I wish we had a little bit more description of Dayna and Pax like age as that really helps connect you to a story but didn’t effect it too much. I was surprised to see certain topics mentioned in a YA book so I wouldn’t recommend it for those below age 13/14 personally.
It left room for a sequel so I’m interested to see if that’s on the cards!🤭
January 23, 2026
A post-apocalyptic survival tale exploring ethical and moral questions- namely, how far would you go to ensure the survival of the human race? What is forgivable and what is not?
February 12, 2026
A tragic and terrifying reminder that children are beautifully innocent. That you cannot trust everyone, despite wanting to.
That the most evil thing on this planet has always been and will always be the human race.
There is so much beauty in this book in the form of love, resilience and found family.
That the most evil thing on this planet has always been and will always be the human race.
There is so much beauty in this book in the form of love, resilience and found family.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews