When the Rain Came

by Alessia Trunfio (Illustrator), Matthew Eicheldinger

The rain never stops. The world is drowning. Survival is everything. When the Rain Came is the first YA book in an all-new, action-packed dystopian adventure series by New York Times  bestselling author Matt Eicheldinger.

“If we stay here, if we keep wandering without a real plan, we won’t last. Maybe The Hill is dangerous. But maybe it’s not. It’s the only plan we have.”
 Seventeen-year-old Aurora knows how to survive. Life in the foster system has taught her how to stay quiet, stay smart, and stay ready. But nothing could prepare her for this: a never-ending storm that swallows cities, drowns forests, and turns the world into a flooded wasteland.

Trapped in a collapsing house with her strict prepper foster parents, Aurora is forced to live by their rules just to stay alive. Until the day they disappear without a trace.

Alone. Abandoned. And running out of time.

All Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a “The Hill.” With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher each day, she’s left with one impossible choice—stay and wait for the storm to take her, or risk everything on a journey through the drowned remains of the world, to a find a place that may or not exist.

It’s forward or nothing.

With echoes of Life As We Knew It, The Last of Us, and Hatchet, Aurora’s story is a gripping, emotionally resonant survival story about resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to reclaim her future in a drowning world.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Post Apocalyptic, Audiobook, Science Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Chriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the story and had been waiting for its release. As this book was the first of a trilogy I have to wait for book 2 to be released. Patience is not one of my virtues and I’m afraid I’ll have forgotten some details by then, so I hope it’s released soonish. My only negative comment is that the narrator (Audible) was too old to speak Aurora. It was quite distracting initially but eventually I was so engrossed by the story I was able to put it out of my mind. Well done, Mr. Eich!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2⭐️ This is a great start to a series I am already enjoying immensely! This book gives readers a dark, thrilling take on what could happen in our future. Matt also shows us very relevant characters with foibles we can root for and sheds light on foster care in our world.

The main character, Aurora, is a 17-year-old girl living with two peepers. That means they are prepping for some kind of disaster to befall the earth. Rain and flooding for a month brings on that disaster. Amidst prepping for this disaster, Aurora’s foster parents vanish, leaving the reader guessing whether they willingly or unwillingly left her to fend for herself. She meets a younger boy, Kira, and they set off to find a safe, dry place to survive the disastrous flooding that is occurring.

The book takes many adventurous turns and as it finished I was wishing the second book was already available! Well, now I and all the rest of Matt’s fans must wait until September (but you can preorder now) the second book, When the Sun Returned.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Rain Came is a YA dystopian adventure. First in a trilogy, it tells the story of seventeen year old Aurora who has spent her young life in foster care. It has taught her how to stay quiet, smart, and ready. Not long after she is placed with a married couple, a never ending storm begins. The landscape is all water and the levels are rising daily. Luckily, her foster parents are preppers, so while they are strict they are better prepared than others. Until the day they disappear without a trace. All alone in a collapsing home, Aurora has no choice but to strike out on her own with only a scrap of paper and a name: “The Hill.”

When the Rain starts off with a great sense of atmosphere. You can see the mold and rot and feel the damp. Aurora's foster parents are interesting characters who you want to get to know. Aurora herself is a great lead character who is strong, smart, and easy to root for.

Then the action starts and every decision is important. We meet other characters along the way who we quickly become attached to. There is a grand feel to everything that reminded me at times of The Walking Dead, minus the zombies. We don't know the cause of the rain or other developments but it's not hard to follow along or immerse yourself in the story. There might be a bigger mystery at play that will be revealed over time.

When the Rain Came leaves off on an interesting cliffhanger which is a set up for the next book. I'm excited to see where the story goes!

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been following this big-hearted author and former teacher on social media for a few years now and it was a slam-dunk that I’d buy this book (in all three formats, no less) as I have his other books. As his first YA series opener, and his first non-humorous work, I was excited to see how it would unfold.

The story is great! I enjoy dystopian themes and the imagination flex that they bring. The description of the continual global rain and its effects on everything and everyone are so vivid, and the world-building was distinctive and believable.

Aurora is a 17-year-old girl who’s been unhappily housed in several foster homes that didn’t offer safety or support for her until her last placement a few months before the rains started, with an affluent suburban couple who turn out to be pretty hard-core emergency survival peppers. They train her in many survival skills and techniques, especially after the unceasing rains begin and start to wash away the remnants of their world.

One day, just as the damage in their large house is about to overcome its flooded foundation, Aurora wakes up to an empty house. Her foster parents, Niko and Jada have gone, leaving her alone to fight the elements.

The book is about Aurora’s struggle to do just that, while protecting Kota, a 12-year-old boy that she encounters in her travels. As many dystopian novels do, the negative side of people in crisis and mob mentality, are highlighted, and Aurora and Kota wonder if there are any “good guys” left. Having seen some of this on a lesser scale recently during the COVID pandemic, I was watching how this would play out in the story. The kids do encounter some helpful folks along the way, thank goodness, but there are far more who blindly lash out at anyone, taking by force anything they can.

This first episode of the trilogy ends on a huge cliffhanger, natural in the first book in a series, but a little frustrating when the second book won’t be out for months (and yes, I’ve preordered it!). There are a couple of exciting issues that I’m assuming will be resolved in future installments (though I can’t imagine how), and I’m looking forward to the series’ continuation and conclusion.

[TacoFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a YA post-apocalyptic book. I actually liked the main characters. The found family was sweet. I also found the idea of continuous rain to be well done. They point out that the rain started and didn't stop, and you couldn't find relief because it rained everywhere. I'm thinking about my town, where it starts to flood if it rains for more than three days... I can't imagine not having dry land anywhere!

Since this was YA, there was constant danger, which I didn't like. I also didn't understand why every adult they encountered wanted to keep them until they "figured out what to do with them". Why? Wouldn't it be easier to just take their provisions and leave? It's not like they had anyone to run back to. Also, wouldn't pumpkin pie filling be good? It's already flavored and everything. Canned pumpkin (no spices, just plain pureed pumpkin) is not good by itself.

I lost interest with the weird cult and all.

I'm really glad I read it! Looking forward to the next one.

[Julie (Bookish.Intoxication) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When The Rain Came is the perfect entry level End of Times/Dystopian novel for YA readers.
As an adult reader, it did leave me with many unanswered questions, but I'm not the target audience...

This is an interesting read, combining 'prepping', ending of days, science and survival.

Cleverly written and very detailed, down to the issue of mold. Because of course everything is molding when everything is constantly wet. Matthew Eicheldinger has considered everything.

Easy to read, fast paced and an ending that perfectly sets up book 2. I'm finding myself eager for When The Sun Returned.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mangy Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging apocalyptic survival story—filled with the heart and resilience of a teenage girl who has had to discover and invent herself in the lack of caring adults. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. I really did. I follow the author on Facebook, and he is an amazing storyteller. Matt's voice has the ability to pull you in and calm you. I liked the book, but I didn't love it. It is considered YA and dystopian. For me, it read more like a middle school book. Very slow start to it, but the action picks up at the end. It leaves you hanging as this is the first book in a trilogy (the next 2 have not yet been published).

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is When the Rain Came about?

The rain hasn't stopped for weeks, and the flooding is apocalyptic with every building, including homes, schools, shops etc drastically flooded.

The main characters are constantly busy, making sure they stay dry and safe as their mansion home begins to fail under the onslaught to constant rain.

They must get to somewhere safe before that happens, but there is no sign of any emergency services, or government aid anywhere. They must survive on their own.


Plot summary of When the Rain Came

This novel begins with a wealthy home surrounded by water, nearly to the 2nd floor. It hasn't stopped raining for weeks and 17 year old Aurora is now living with her new foster parents Nico & Jada. They are well prepared for this event as they are preppers. They have food, a radio, weapons and maps.

Aurora gets a taste of what these new foster parents would be like in a normal situation, but that changed as the waters rose, and their circumstances became more dire. Rising waters aren't the only threat however, as Nico tells Aurora that other people may have what they have stockpiled, and want to take it by force. She didn't expect to be learning how to throw a hatchet with accuracy, and wonders if she could actually throw one at a person.

When she finds herself alone, she must draw on all that she has learnt. Escaping the house is a must, and finding a boy a little younger than her a surprise. They quickly form a close bond and must not only navigate the rising floodwaters in the constant rain, but avoid strange things in the water and other people wanting all that they have for their survival.

Finding a refuge is the most important thing, but the journey is dangerous, and the final destination a risk.


Characters

Main character Aurora is a 17 year old teenager who has been placed with yet another foster family. She never knew her parents, and has been in foster care from a day old. She has learnt to protect herself from heartbreak over the years, as each family she stays with is different in temperament and love. None have been as hopeful as her new foster parents Nico and Jada, and Aurora began to believe that she may be actually loved in her new home. But when the rain came, that hope shrank into days of trying to survive.

Nico is Aurora's new foster father and an engineer who is super focussed on their survival. He seems to cut himself emotionally from Aurora as he listens intently to the radio for news, and trains her to throw a hatchet to defend herself.

Jada is Aurora's new foster mother and an architect. She is obviously worried about their future and tries to show Aurora she is still important to them, but Aurora wonders if she has become a burden in this apocalyptic situation.

Kota is a boy in his early teens who Aurora finds in a parking garage. His scouting prowess comes in handy as they fight for survival, but he begins to rely more and more on Aurora as he is terrified again and again by the events they face.


Writing Style

When the Rain Came is written in Aurora's point of view in present tense. This allows the reader to be right there in the action as she ventures out onto the floodwaters, teams up with a younger boy and is forced to make tough decisions constantly.

The 1st page of each chapter has a raindrop above the chapter heading and a dark pattern at the bottom of the page. The chapters are short to medium length, making it easy to carry on reading to find out what happens next.


FAQ's - When the Rain Came
What age is it for?

12 - 18 years


Where & When is it set?

Mostly on top of floodwaters inside floating craft / Near future / USA


What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

1st person / Present tense


Is there Violence?

Yes


What genre is When the Rain Came ?

YA /  Dystopian


Is there any sex in the novel?

No


Themes

Family / Courage / Climate Change / Survival / Societal Collapse / Adaptability


Is it part of a series?

Yes. When the Rain Came is No. 1 in a duology.

1) When the Rain Came
2) When the Sun Returned  (Release around Sept 2026)


Final thoughts?

When the Rain Came intrigued me in the beginning by its cover. Experiencing more rain events than ever in NZ, this novel felt entirely possible. The story is a gritty one, with society collapsed and no rules applying to anyone - including empathy and common decency.

Life is desperate, and many will not hesitate to take what they believe they need by force. The characters and their actions were believable in this horrifying scenario, and easy to root for.

The setting is rich in description - constant rain, thick clouds and endless damp crept off the page and into my imagination. Trying to comprehend being surrounded by water under endless rainfall and the noise it brings, is a tough one.

I'm looking forward to the sequel, When the Sun Returned, as the scenario is flipped to never ending, intense sun and the need to escape and survive it.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting debut trilogy with dystopian elements plus enough survival aspects to satisfy any action/adventure book-junkie from middle grades thru YA.

Aurora has never known where or who she came from and has spent her entire life moving from one foster home or facility to another before finally landing with Niko and Jada, a childless couple with some peculiar “prepper” behaviors, who truly seem to want her to be a part of their family. Shortly after entering their home, a perpetual rain begins and Aurora’s self-defense, first aid, and outdoor survival training intensifies and with every foot of accumulated water that creeps up the stairwell of their home, she begins to understand why. From the windows, only water is visible and the ground, most trees and all single story buildings have disappeared and so Aurora learns to throw a hatchet on target and with force, can treat most minor wounds and is becoming accustomed to eating cold water reconstituted foods until one morning she awakens to find herself alone with only a well-stocked bug out bag (BOB) containing her, an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) and her everyday carry items (EDC) at her waist. Did Jada and Niko abandon her just when she was beginning to trust in their care and permanence in her life? Were they forcibly taken by someone Aurora has heard on Niko’s tightly guarded radio? Finding a map labeled The Hill, a phrase she has overhead across the radio, Aurora wonders if she should head out into the flooded wasteland in search of this supposed sanctuary when attackers enter her home and force her evacuation. Thanks to luck, her training and her BOB, Aurora makes her way to the city, defends against a band of panicked homeless and discovers Kota, a young boy in a more dire situation than she. The two quickly form a tight bond and determine together to make it The Hill despite signs warning “Stand with The Hill or don’t stand at all.”

The intro/exposition portion of Eicheldinger’s series opener is filled with mystery and survival training that will absolutely grab readers’ attention and imagination. The characters of Aurora, Jada and Niko are conflicted with Aurora at times appearing vulnerable and in search of family and at others, an aloof almost brat-like personality and Jada and Niko having almost the same two sides-seemingly wanting a daughter but often harsh with what seems to be crazed training intensity. The action from the moment Aurora learns she is alone almost never lets up and just as literal calm waters are found, something rises up and challenges her, and later, the Aurora-Kota duo. Book 1 begins its conclusion with Kota and Aurora at The Hill and seeing more the threat alluded to on the signs than the safety they hope for, a revolt beginning among residents and a mystery revealed that just may connect to Aurora’s origins. Book 2, When the Sun Returned is expected in the Fall of 2026 and readers of this book 1 will be anxiously watching for it.

*Target age: listed as YA but reviewers and publishers indicate that to be grade 7/age 12 and up which is little younger than most librarians would place YA, however, I agree that grade 6 and up is a fine placement for this book 1 but who knows what is coming in subsequent books????
*Profanity: none
*Violence: physical attacks of human on human are frequent but not overly graphic; dead bodies and those who meet death as many attempt to escape flooded everything are seen, but details are very basic; a squirrel fight is viewed as is a bobcat on squirrel plus a bobcat attacks Aurora and Kota with some mild blood-letting.
*Sexual content: none
*Representation: Jada, Niko and Aurora seem to be light-skinned as sunburn is a fairly immediate concern for them while outside; Kota refers to his Korean grandmother’s identification of Dark Holes in the floodwaters as Shui-gui, a paranormal evil known in her native folktales
*LBGTQ+: none

Thanks for the early look with an eARC, Edelweiss and Andrews McMeel.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A world falls apart under relentless rain, leaving a seventeen-year-old girl on the impossible mission to survive.

It has been raining all over the world non-stop for weeks, and there's no sign of it stopping any time soon...if ever. Hunkered down in her latest foster parents' mansion outside of the city, Aurora's, at least, still alive thanks to their years of prepping for a disaster of any kind. When she wakes up one morning to find them gone, she's devastated that she's been abandoned again, but this only holds for a moment as two men burst in to kill her. Barely escaping, she finds herself on a canoe with a couple days of supplies and no where to go, except for a place she keeps hearing whispers about, The Hill. And these whispers aren't necessarily hinting at anything good.

The author does an excellent job at bring this rotting, wet world to life. The problems of mold, leaks, constant dampness, and more come across with grabbing reality. Aurora's situation makes sense, and her foster parents' distance to her emotionally adds an odd edge to create uncertainty. The first chapters give the reader time to sink into the entire world, situation, and gain a grasp on Aurora's personality. Her fighter spirit mixed with a hidden desire to belong to a family make her easy to sympathize with and give her enough toughness to believe that she might have a chance to overcome what she'll face. There is also a constant sense of tension even in calmer moments, which keeps the pages turning, and it's not just thanks to the never-dying threat of the rain or drive to survive...although these definitely pack enough suspense to make it a grabbing read on their own. Instead, the danger caused by the selfishness of others and the extent they'll go to to survive keeps Aurora's situation dire. Then, there's the entire secret surrounding The Hill and even a possibly more sinister secret underneath the water itself, which poses a constant threat to keep the pages turning. I ended up reading this in one sitting because it was engaging.

This is a great beginning to a series with the promise of so much more to come...and there are sure to be several surprises, which are impossible to see coming. Plus, the plot carries enough uniqueness to make it different than other dystopian reads. There are, however, a few things which kept me from absolutely loving this read. First, Aurora does not come across as seventeen, and I found myself (about 2/3rds the way through) stopping to look back and make sure she wasn't twelve or thirteen. Especially a girl who had supposedly been tossed around in a foster system and borders on adult on her own should have a lot more maturity. So, I am very tempted to recommend this read for the lower end of the YA audience. Then, there were several logic holes. For example, the depth of the water was very unclear with mentions that people in the Rockies were drowning but overpasses and parking garages still above water. Several other aspects also didn't really make sense (abandoned cars might have extra fuel...just saying).

But all in all, this was still a grabbing read and one I would recommend for survival, adventure, and dystopian fans. I'm giving this one 3.5 and rounding up.

[Nannette Demmler · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing via Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the first book in a new YA trilogy that has quite the interesting premise. Imagine it raining so much that it basically floods the whole world! Even for someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest, known for its rain, I had a hard time wrapping my head around so much water coming from the sky. But it wasn’t long before I was all in and totally hooked on this story of survival and found family.

The story is told through the eyes of Aurora. She is a survivor already, with having spent her whole life in foster care. She finally thinks she might have found her place with Jada and Nico, when the rain starts. Aurora really shines through in this story. She starts off a bit quiet and reserved, as you would expect with her history, but she soons shows herself as someone who will protect those who need it and also fight for herself and others. I really enjoyed her journey and watching her grow. She did read a bit on the younger side at the start of the story, but as she went on her journey her attitude and personality matured.

I really liked Jada and Nico, even if they were a bit on the rough side. Their prepper instincts were good, and they really did prepare Aurora as much as they could. I was disappointed when the disappeared on her, but I held out hope that there was more to it. I also really liked Kato, a young teen that Aurora rescues pretty early on. Their relationship quickly becomes a brother/sister dynamic and they work well together. Kato is also a survivor with really good instincts.

As you can imagine with this type of story there is a lot of action, and pretty much everyone is in nonstop survivor mode. The author does a great job of creating a hauntingly vivid world which you can easily picture happening. There are many dangers in this new world and not all of them are human. I don’t want to give too much away, but I did get the feeling that there was something otherworldly going on and not just the environmental disaster that was happening. I also liked the feeling of suspense about The Hill. Was this going to be somewhere safe or not?

This is a wonderful start to a much longer story. I hope that we get more answers in the next installment, which I am very much looking forward to reading. This is a wonderfully written story about found family, resilience and survival as well as self discovery. If you enjoy dystopian this is a series you don’t want to miss.

https://elnadesbookchat.com

[Raney Simmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

To view on Rainy Day's Books, Video Games and Other Writings: https://rainyday.blog/2026/03/14/book...

Rating: 4 stars

I received a digital copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review.

When the Rain Came was an action-packed, gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next. A story from the perspective of a character that you couldn’t help but feel empathetic towards, as she’s someone who’s never had anyone that she saw as family. Then, when she finally gets people in her life that she might actually see in that way, things in her life go haywire, and then they abandon her to the elements, and she has to learn to survive in a drowning world.

And I enjoyed every minute reading this gripping story, wondering where Aurora was going to end up next. I felt like this was a wonderful read because it had you on the edge with every chapter, and I felt like I could imagine the world Aurora was living in as she was doing everything she could to survive. It was truly an apocalyptic story, which was what I enjoyed about it, as you saw what these characters had to do to survive this world.

What I also enjoyed about When the Rain Came was seeing the story told from Aurora’s perspective. I found her character very enjoyable in this story because even with what was going on, she kept moving forward. She didn’t give up even when things were very grim for her. She kept fighting even when things were really bad. I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Hill in the story here, too, and not truly knowing if this place is somewhere the characters really want to go or not. I am also interested in finding out in the next book what’s going to happen to Aurora and the rest of the characters. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to everyone who loves young adult dystopian fiction. When the Rain Came is scheduled to be published on March 17, 2026, for those interested in reading this book.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Rain Came by Matthew Eicheldinger is a gripping tale of survival that blends tension, drama, and an unrelenting atmosphere of dread, making it a great debut. I was sad to come to the end of the story, but I am looking forward to the next installment.

From the very first page, I was drawn into a world that was haunting and vividly imagined: a relentless storm that threatens to consume everything in its path. The main character, seventeen-year-old Aurora, is a great character. Her journey is one of resilience and discovery, shaped by her harsh experiences in the foster system. The author does a great job of portraying her struggles with authenticity, which had me empathizing with her difficulties as she confronts the challenges of her unpredictable environment and her home life with her prepper foster parents. When they unexpectedly vanish, the stakes rise significantly, propelling her into a heart-pounding quest for survival. The setting feels like a character in its own right, and the descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them as events unfolded. What I liked about this storyline is its exploration of hope amid despair. Aurora’s drive to seek The Hill is not just a search for safety; it symbolizes the natural human desire to find a place of belonging, even when the world seems lost. The themes of isolation, courage, and the instinct to survive are at the heart of the narrative. I thought Kota was a good character, too; he was sweet and courageous. There were some sad moments, such as the character of Markell.

For me, this novel was an exciting ride, while offering depth and emotion. It's a story that combines suspense with powerful character development. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

#WhentheRainCame #NetGalley @AndrewsMcMeel

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Rain Came is combination dystopian and science fiction, so it’s the best of both genres. This is a quick read, but be forewarned, it’s set to be a trilogy therefore it has, while still satisfying, a cliffhanger ending. So be ready…
Oh dear writer, You can't leave me like this!

We love an occasional cozy, rainy day, but what if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? Welcome to Aurora's world. Aurora is a foster child who has just moved in with, yet another family, right before the rain phenomenon starts. Luckily for her, these foster parents are preppers. They have supplies stored, bug out bags in every room and are prepared for disaster. But one morning, they are gone, I mean disappeared gone! .

Knowing she won’t survive if she stays there, Aurora sets out on her own to find a place of refuge. Soon she meets a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and everything in its wake disappears. It’s as if the water is devouring itself! Kota calls it the shui gui. As they trudge on, all Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a name: “The Hill.” Is this their safe place? But, the posted signs concerning The Hill seem a bit cryptic so is it really a refuge? Or does this place even exist?
With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher snd higher, its move forward or nothing.

As I turned the last page I still had many questions. What's behind the Dark Pools for one? Thus, there will be a sequel.
I really liked Aurora, whose story is an emotional survival story of resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to provide for herself a future in a drowning world.
.
I highly recommend! I'm sure you too will anxiously await the sequel.

[Charity Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

This book is my jam! I love YA dystopian and science fiction, so this was right up my alley. I raced through this book because I loved it. I did not know it was set to be a trilogy until I got to the cliffhanger ending! I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open like, "What? You can't leave me like this!"

What would happen if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? That's what is happening in Aurora's world. She's just moved in with new foster parents right before the disaster, and now everything has changed. Luckily for her, her parents are preppers. They seem to be ready for just a disaster. But one morning, they are just gone without a trace. Now what will she do?

Aurora sets out on her own, stumbling across a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and it all just disappears. Together, they try to find a safe place only known as The Hill. But is the Hill really what they think it is?

This book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my set. I read it in one day, so you know it is good. I am so sad that the sequel isn't already out! I'm left with so many questions. We don't know what the Dark Pools are yet, but it seems to have some sort of scientific reason (this is science fiction, after all.) Kota has a more mystical interpretation, but it does not appear that is the real answer. I also liked that this is what you could label a "clean read." No foul language, nothing too graphic. Some intense scenes of course, but not gory.

I highly recommend! I cannot wait for the sequel, I will definitely be reading it!

[Jennifer Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy disaster/survival/dystopian books then you should absolutely read When the Rain Came!

This book is the first in a new trilogy and begins after the rain has already started. The main character, Aurora, is living with a foster family and they're just trying their best to continue to survive. As the story progresses, we get additional snippets into Aurora's story, although the author does leave us with some questions about her background that I'm assuming will be answered in the later books. Aurora faces conflict and turmoil with her foster parents, but I won't go into too much detail in order to avoid spoilers. At one point she is forced to leave her foster home and that is when the story really starts to get interesting. There is more going on in the outside world than what we initially learned about and Aurora faces new perils on the outside. There is plenty of action and adventure to keep the story going and there is a great mix of all types of characters...good, bad, and undetermined.

My main critique of this book is that it left me with three major questions that were left unanswered. One of those will likely be resolved over the course of the next two books, but I'm unsure about the other two. Regardless, this is an entertaining story that young adult readers will enjoy. It's been a while since a great dystopian series has been published, so I have high hopes for this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to review an eARC of this book!

[Rita Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first ARC (advanced reading copy), and I believe it was a good idea. I want to read more outside of what's popular and help writers along the way. After all, I'm writing a book myself.

As for When the Rain Came itself, I liked the theme of survival and found family, similar to what I had loved in Dry, by Neal Shusterman. In addition, I liked how the book managed to keep the reader not wanting to stop reading, especially near the finale and how the public can relate to the characters.

However this wasn't a 5 star read for me. In spite of being younger than the protagonist, I felt like the book was sometimes too soft. The action was there but it wasn't as intense as I would expect and even though the stakes were high, I wasn't really scared and at the edge of my seat. I was interested in the story but not feeling it as I wanted to. Another thing that annoyed me was the amount of unanswered questions I found in this novel. And I may be wrong but this book is really shorter in size from what I was expecting. I read several titles with the same page count that felt a lot bigger.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a treat.

I had a great time! I really liked the characters. Aurora is a really great protagonist. She is world-weary, for sure, but she isn't mean or unlikable. She is smart and practical without it being over the top. Kota is very sweet, and Eicheldinger has done a great job of creating a younger brother character that inspires protective feelings in the reader without also being. Well. Annoying.

I like that this book is critical of The Adults without becoming too cynical. That can be a hard balance to strike. Niko and Jada are very interesting characters. A great way to introduce the concept of flawed ≠ bad to young readers, especially in terms of parental figures.

I do think it is hard to put an age rating on this one. In a lot of ways it leans more middle grade than young adult, but certain descriptions might be a little scary for younger readers. I would probably recommend it to readers 14+ because of that, but there is a good bit of leeway there. I always very much appreciate having more books for my teen patrons that request no romance, so I am thrilled to add this one to that list!

I will say that it is incredibly funny that this Irene Twist is happening. Like. It is...pretty obvious. However, I am also definitely not a young teen, but in fact a Grown Adult Librarian who has read. Just so many books. So admittedly this may land a little better with the intended audience. Another minor complaint is that the ending felt a little abrupt, and I tend to prefer when at least the first book in a series can be standalone. That is mostly personal taste, however.

I am very excited to read the second book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Halcyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rated 3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.

When the Rain Came is a very fascinating concept that takes you back to the days of dystopian fiction in the best way possible.

A month has passed and the rain hasn’t stopped. It rains so much the streets wash away, buildings flood, and society stops functioning properly. Neighbors turn on each other. It’s a war zone in the cities. And all Aurora wants to do is survive.

This adventure reminds me a lot of The Maze Runner series, but more specifically, The Scorch Trials book. It’s their fight for survival and who to trust amongst their peers as they try to find the safe haven.

I’m excited to see where Aurora’s journey goes in the rest of the trilogy (and would LOVE to learn more about this The Hill situation, this Irene character, and how everything is going to play out).

Thank you, Andrew McMeel Publishing, for sending me an ARC of When the Rain Came!

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty refreshing when a post apocalyptic book is written and it isn't about an EMP or zombies so I was pretty excited for this one. I do feel that it could have been a little faster paced and that there could have been more action in the middle of the book rather than the very end but even so, the slow parts weren't bad. I will admit that I don't like when loose ends aren't tied up just for the sake of making a sequel so that is a bit of a bummer to me but it was still worth reading. The characters were likable and relatable which is a huge plus. I'd most likely read the sequel if I came across it but I don't think I would actively go looking for it. All in all, I'd recommend to anyone who is a fan of both young adult fiction and post apocalyptic scenarios.

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good book about weather, a journey, and world destruction and redevelopment. It starts with the rain falling. Falling for one month, endlessly. Can you imagine how awful that would be? You follow the two main characters, young Aurora and her found friend Kota. I was hooked, turning page after page to see what happens next. If you love a good dystopian, world building, found family kind of book ~ you must give this a try. It is young adult book but I’m in my mid 40s and didn’t find it juvenile at all. Very well written. It is a first in a new series.

Thank you to Andrew McMeel and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for my honest review. It was my honor!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: When the Rain Came  
Author: Matthew Eicheldinger        
Genre: YA  
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This felt more like a middle grade than YA. A dystopian read, although the societal response to the weather disaster is basically non-existent, which doesn’t really make sense to me. No mention of weather forecasters, at the very least, much less the response by the government and first responders? That didn’t feel believable.

This was still a solid, very quick read, and is clearly a set-up for a series. Getting to know Aurora at the beginning gave enough of her background and who she was to showcase the change in her towards the end of the book, and the conflict made it intriguing.

(Galley courtesy of Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of action in this one and you feel for Aurora. She's had a hard life, one foster home to another and just when it seems like she found a good place, the world went crazy! At the start, things are a bit stable, even in the crazy times for Aurora. But then she's on her own, often seemingly going from the fire into the fry pan. Aurora does manage to find help along the way, sometimes from unusual people and even manages to help others, which seems to be her base instinct. Things get tricky towards the end, when it seems like she should have found the ultimate safe spot, but not so much. Aurora was able to get some answers, but right at the end, she's left with a few more questions, which hopefully we will learn in the next book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Rain Came by Matthew Eicheldinger

A very small niece once wished that it would never rain again. I explained how bad that would be for all living, growing things. This book explores the reverse: What if it never stopped raining? In this dystopian floodland, it’s hard to know who to trust, but it’s essential to find those you can. Aurora has to navigate treacherous waters, but she does believe that “Everyone deserves a chance.”
I love her and Kota, brave, caring and responsible. I don’t love the cliffhanger ending. There’s some comfort in knowing that two more books are coming, but I want a sense of resolution and peace, even if only a respite, before leaving a book and the persons I’ve come to care about.

[Ria Neubauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book by a new author that I found through his IG page.
I really liked the character development. For instance, Irene. She came in at the end, basically as a bad guy. Already I feel like I know her, but she is nuanced enough that I don’t outright hate her as the villain. I can see that she might have, what seem to her, really good reasons for being so harsh. But I foresee a really good plot twist there. 😉
I also like how I feel the physical atmosphere they are in, but it is described through the characters emotions about it, not a weather report.
And it’s tense and disturbing enough to hold my attention but not so much so that I think it will upset my 13yo granddaughter. I’m not into scary and violent just for the sake of it.
I’m not a teen, but I loved this book!

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I am not the target audience for this genre but feel 2 stars would be rude considering it's clean and adventurous and I liked it some.

I enjoy Matt's stories on social media and was interested in supporting him by reading his book. The premise is interesting, and I liked that the teenage characters were actually kind people and didn't turn rude or inappropriate like many YA novels. It was slow to start then had some action. But again, a good 200 pages in, it was feeling so dang slow that I almost didn't finish at all. I scanned a few chapters and the storyline picked up again. The end left me with questions that do make it compelling to read the next book in the series. I probably won't come back and finish the trilogy but that's just personal preference.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if it started raining one day, and just didn't stop. How long until things flooded? Until society collapsed? When the rain comes explores all of this from the perspective of Aurora, a teen in foster care who thought she had finally landed with good foster parents. When they disappear, she doesn't know what to do, so she tries to find The Hill, a place that allegedly is a safe haven.

What a fun read! Fast-paced and engaging, I read this quickly, and didn't realize until the end it was going to be a trilogy. Now I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first installment of a trilogy that follows a girl during a world-wide flood. As with any apocalyptic, society breaks down and it’s every man for himself. Preppers establish new settlements that may be every bit as dangerous as the open water. Nature and man compete for which can be most brutal. This should really appeal to a J or YA audience. Very engaging, right up to the rather abrupt ending. I’ll be watching for the next installment, as I’m rooting for the main characters’ survival, and hoping for answers to my questions regarding Aurora’s background and the nature of the creepy water hazards.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very pleasant surprise--not because I wasn't familiar with the author, but because this genre is not something I gravitate towards. I was pulled into the depth of the narrative, the evolvement of characters, and a genuine curiosity to find out what happened next.

Eicheldinger does a fantastic job letting the reader sink their teeth into things via descriptive text that puts one right in the middle of what is happening. I couldn't help but feel what the characters were feeling and make connections to my own life where the struggle is so tangible at times.

I'm greatly looking forward to diving into the rest of the trilogy when it becomes available!