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Postscript
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26From Stonewall Honoree Cory McCarthy, a heartbreaking, joyful, read-it-in-one-sitting YA novel about the last of us.
“I’m not sure the how-pocalypse changes anything. I don’t think about it; this is hard enough.”
This is a depopulated archipelago off the coast of Massachusetts, home to a tiny handful of sapiens sifting the remnants of civilization for scraps of comfort and joy.
There’s no sense in trying to figure out exactly how humans got to this place of endless gray skies and so many mass graves—that’s a very long letter no one has the heart to read again. What matters is this fleeting postscript, a strangely joyous house of bones built by an unlikely quintet of survivors.
“I’m not sure the how-pocalypse changes anything. I don’t think about it; this is hard enough.”
This is a depopulated archipelago off the coast of Massachusetts, home to a tiny handful of sapiens sifting the remnants of civilization for scraps of comfort and joy.
There’s no sense in trying to figure out exactly how humans got to this place of endless gray skies and so many mass graves—that’s a very long letter no one has the heart to read again. What matters is this fleeting postscript, a strangely joyous house of bones built by an unlikely quintet of survivors.
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 17, 2026
3389 people want to read
About the author
Cory McCarthy
19 books374 followersCORY (previously Cori)
…earned degrees in poetry and screenwriting before falling in love with writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. They have authored four acclaimed YA novels, with a middle grade series, young adult contemporary, and nonfiction picture book forthcoming. Cory coauthored the bestselling ONCE & FUTURE, a finalist for the New England Book Award, with their spouse A.R. Capetta.
…earned degrees in poetry and screenwriting before falling in love with writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. They have authored four acclaimed YA novels, with a middle grade series, young adult contemporary, and nonfiction picture book forthcoming. Cory coauthored the bestselling ONCE & FUTURE, a finalist for the New England Book Award, with their spouse A.R. Capetta.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 7, 2025
ARC for review. To be published February 17, 2026.
4.3 stars
It is the Post, the name for the time after the apocalypse and very few people are left. West is sold to Emil who has a dog. Emil introduces West to Ani and Kay. These are the survivors, eking out an existence on Cape Cod. What’s the use of going on? Is it different for each person?
This short book was interesting, and haunting, and also comes with a powerful anti-gun message. Well done characters and a rich sense of place.
****Edited to add: I did not realize this was YA. Me Bing up to the full 4 stars and would really move to something like a 4.3. This is a great YA book.
4.3 stars
It is the Post, the name for the time after the apocalypse and very few people are left. West is sold to Emil who has a dog. Emil introduces West to Ani and Kay. These are the survivors, eking out an existence on Cape Cod. What’s the use of going on? Is it different for each person?
This short book was interesting, and haunting, and also comes with a powerful anti-gun message. Well done characters and a rich sense of place.
****Edited to add: I did not realize this was YA. Me Bing up to the full 4 stars and would really move to something like a 4.3. This is a great YA book.
did-not-finish
December 3, 2025DNF @ 32%
Reading this novella felt like being at a modern art museum. I honestly had no idea what was happening and I had no idea what I was reading more than half of the time. The details, characterization, and worldbuilding were very bare minimum and you pretty much fill in the blanks.
The post-apocalyptic vibes were more like The Road than The Last of Us. So if you're a fan of the Cormac McCarthy novel, then this might work for you.
Thank you to Dutton Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
Reading this novella felt like being at a modern art museum. I honestly had no idea what was happening and I had no idea what I was reading more than half of the time. The details, characterization, and worldbuilding were very bare minimum and you pretty much fill in the blanks.
The post-apocalyptic vibes were more like The Road than The Last of Us. So if you're a fan of the Cormac McCarthy novel, then this might work for you.
Thank you to Dutton Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book was short but filled with emotion, each of the characters were so well written. The ending was rough, but it kind of tied everything together.
September 26, 2025
I am so entirely lucky to have a friend who got me an eARC of this book sent to my email. I am so entirely lucky to be the first person to leave a review of this book on here.
My heart has latched onto this story so thoroughly. Postscript is found family. Postscript is humanity facing consequences. Postscript is forgiveness. Postscript is falling so deeply and tenderly in love. Postscript is holding on for dear life to old love. Postscript is reflecting on humanity's failings. Postscript is loss.
It took me a moment to get into the motion of McCarthy's writing style for this book. But even before I did, I was continuously filled with emotions. I'm sure there are some who this story won't reach and impact as deeply. Not every story made to touch every person. But Postscript is absolutely a new favorite book of mine. I cannot wait to have a physical copy to annotate in my hands.
From the characters to the post-apocalyptic setting to the natural commentary on humanity and the things we got/did wrong, all of which are things that need to be addressed and called out. I was fully committed to it all and didn't want to be done with this book.
And West.... West is such a special character. He will remain with me for a long time.
My heart has latched onto this story so thoroughly. Postscript is found family. Postscript is humanity facing consequences. Postscript is forgiveness. Postscript is falling so deeply and tenderly in love. Postscript is holding on for dear life to old love. Postscript is reflecting on humanity's failings. Postscript is loss.
It took me a moment to get into the motion of McCarthy's writing style for this book. But even before I did, I was continuously filled with emotions. I'm sure there are some who this story won't reach and impact as deeply. Not every story made to touch every person. But Postscript is absolutely a new favorite book of mine. I cannot wait to have a physical copy to annotate in my hands.
From the characters to the post-apocalyptic setting to the natural commentary on humanity and the things we got/did wrong, all of which are things that need to be addressed and called out. I was fully committed to it all and didn't want to be done with this book.
And West.... West is such a special character. He will remain with me for a long time.
October 5, 2025
Post-apocalyse. There are only a few left. How do the few spend what time they have left? Read to find out.
"How can you have this many feelings left?"
"Feelings grow back."
I wasn't sure what to expect from this little book, but what I got were moments of happiness where there shouldn't have been. A found family filled with hope and love when you would least expect it.
West. What a beautiful human. ♥️
I read this story in just a few short hours, but it will stay with me for much, much longer.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." - East of Eden
"How can you have this many feelings left?"
"Feelings grow back."
I wasn't sure what to expect from this little book, but what I got were moments of happiness where there shouldn't have been. A found family filled with hope and love when you would least expect it.
West. What a beautiful human. ♥️
I read this story in just a few short hours, but it will stay with me for much, much longer.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." - East of Eden
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
[arc review]
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Postscript releases February 17, 2026
3.5
“Isn’t it funny how much we shaped our days in fear of a future no one had?”
Civilization has collapsed by way of mass extinction, and the world no longer has direct sunlight. On what remains of Cape Cod are four souls, a feral kid, and a dog.
I’ve never read a post-apocalyptic novel quite like this one. West was a really interesting character to analyze and spend time with simply because he was so wise beyond his years, yet still carried this childlike optimism. Though the worldbuilding was a bit too limited for me to fully appreciate, I could still recognize the intentionality behind the whole fleeting postscript mentality, which was a very clever way to approach this genre.
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Postscript releases February 17, 2026
3.5
“Isn’t it funny how much we shaped our days in fear of a future no one had?”
Civilization has collapsed by way of mass extinction, and the world no longer has direct sunlight. On what remains of Cape Cod are four souls, a feral kid, and a dog.
I’ve never read a post-apocalyptic novel quite like this one. West was a really interesting character to analyze and spend time with simply because he was so wise beyond his years, yet still carried this childlike optimism. Though the worldbuilding was a bit too limited for me to fully appreciate, I could still recognize the intentionality behind the whole fleeting postscript mentality, which was a very clever way to approach this genre.
November 25, 2025
Very haunting story. Emotional and very well-written. I'm also a sucker for found family stories. Definitely recommend!
December 8, 2025
This review is based on an ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story.
I was not expecting to sob so early on a Saturday morning.. this book had me in the feels. West made me want to wrap him up in tight hugs and save him from Post. It took a bit to get into the prose of the story, but once I was in, I could not put it down. This post-apocalyptic world was immersive and well-conceived. Such a great story to add to the Dystopian genre. It had heart, and the introduction of characters was so well developed and intentional that it added to the depth of the story. A must read.
I was not expecting to sob so early on a Saturday morning.. this book had me in the feels. West made me want to wrap him up in tight hugs and save him from Post. It took a bit to get into the prose of the story, but once I was in, I could not put it down. This post-apocalyptic world was immersive and well-conceived. Such a great story to add to the Dystopian genre. It had heart, and the introduction of characters was so well developed and intentional that it added to the depth of the story. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews