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The After Series #3
The Invasion
With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.
Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna's resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada's future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.
Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna's resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada's future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.
- GenresDystopiaMiddle Grade
198 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2025
8 people want to read
About the author
J. Taylor
4 books37 followersJ. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. She delights in creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories.
Taylor's upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region's culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.
Taylor's upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region's culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 6, 2025
It’s such great fun when you find a series and it keeps getting better book by book. How does that happen? Maybe it’s your attachment to the characters. Maybe it’s what events are focused on. Or, perhaps it because you begin to grasp the author’s vision. Begin to see where she’s taking you. Or, maybe something else entirely. Regardless, The After series is one of those that gets better and better.
The After, the first book, was the introduction to a dystopian way of life. Then the characters start to take hold of you. That’s where the anxiety sets in. Will things get worse? They do. How will two young teenage girls manage to survive? Can’t tell you that. The spoiler thing. But you’ll be wanting to reach the end and find out. Then you’ll be wanting more. Relax. The second book, Survival continues the series.
And then theirs the third book, Invasion. I think it’s the most intense in the series. Things get harder, darker, more serious. But the characters shine light through all that. Sometimes hope builds. Faith in humanity rises. I love character driven stories and these characters will stay with me.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
The After, the first book, was the introduction to a dystopian way of life. Then the characters start to take hold of you. That’s where the anxiety sets in. Will things get worse? They do. How will two young teenage girls manage to survive? Can’t tell you that. The spoiler thing. But you’ll be wanting to reach the end and find out. Then you’ll be wanting more. Relax. The second book, Survival continues the series.
And then theirs the third book, Invasion. I think it’s the most intense in the series. Things get harder, darker, more serious. But the characters shine light through all that. Sometimes hope builds. Faith in humanity rises. I love character driven stories and these characters will stay with me.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
November 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5 stars)
In *The Invasion*, Joanne Taylor brings us back into the chaotic, post-collapse world of Charlotte and Anna. The stakes are higher than ever as the girls are thrust into the heart of a fractured Canada, now under threat by mysterious invaders and a crumbling political system. With no central government left, a Resistance rises to protect what remains—and Charlotte and Anna find themselves caught in the middle of it all.
As someone who’s enjoyed the series from the beginning, I loved continuing to follow Charlotte. She remains a strong, clever, and deeply relatable character. Watching her evolve from survival mode into someone who begins to think about the bigger picture—her country, her people, and what role she might play in saving it—was compelling. Her resilience continues to inspire.
The emotional and physical survival elements are where Taylor truly shines. The tension of constantly being pursued, the exhaustion of fleeing through unfamiliar territory, and the determination to keep going no matter what—these are the moments that stick with you. I also appreciated how Taylor doesn’t sugarcoat the psychological toll of this life. Charlotte and Anna feel like real girls caught in an unreal situation, and their friendship continues to be the heart of the story.
That said, I personally didn’t connect as much with the larger government and resistance subplot. The politics and military-style developments felt less grounded compared to the raw, survival-focused storytelling that drew me in with books one and two. However, readers who enjoy dystopian stories with rebellion and national stakes will likely find this arc rewarding.
The pacing is brisk, the dialogue remains sharp and believable, and the action scenes are tense without being overwhelming. Taylor knows how to keep readers turning pages, and the wilderness setting once again delivers that mix of beauty and danger.
Overall, *The Invasion* is a solid continuation of *The After Series*, especially for readers invested in Charlotte and Anna’s journey. While the political angle wasn’t my favorite, the core survival story and character development still make this a worthy read.
Looking forward to seeing where Charlotte’s path leads next! Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review.
In *The Invasion*, Joanne Taylor brings us back into the chaotic, post-collapse world of Charlotte and Anna. The stakes are higher than ever as the girls are thrust into the heart of a fractured Canada, now under threat by mysterious invaders and a crumbling political system. With no central government left, a Resistance rises to protect what remains—and Charlotte and Anna find themselves caught in the middle of it all.
As someone who’s enjoyed the series from the beginning, I loved continuing to follow Charlotte. She remains a strong, clever, and deeply relatable character. Watching her evolve from survival mode into someone who begins to think about the bigger picture—her country, her people, and what role she might play in saving it—was compelling. Her resilience continues to inspire.
The emotional and physical survival elements are where Taylor truly shines. The tension of constantly being pursued, the exhaustion of fleeing through unfamiliar territory, and the determination to keep going no matter what—these are the moments that stick with you. I also appreciated how Taylor doesn’t sugarcoat the psychological toll of this life. Charlotte and Anna feel like real girls caught in an unreal situation, and their friendship continues to be the heart of the story.
That said, I personally didn’t connect as much with the larger government and resistance subplot. The politics and military-style developments felt less grounded compared to the raw, survival-focused storytelling that drew me in with books one and two. However, readers who enjoy dystopian stories with rebellion and national stakes will likely find this arc rewarding.
The pacing is brisk, the dialogue remains sharp and believable, and the action scenes are tense without being overwhelming. Taylor knows how to keep readers turning pages, and the wilderness setting once again delivers that mix of beauty and danger.
Overall, *The Invasion* is a solid continuation of *The After Series*, especially for readers invested in Charlotte and Anna’s journey. While the political angle wasn’t my favorite, the core survival story and character development still make this a worthy read.
Looking forward to seeing where Charlotte’s path leads next! Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review.
October 21, 2025
Book 3 is more focused on government, territory, and protection. They join the resistance, bringing all their positive skills. Still keeps the fast pace and exciting high stakes. This volume feels a little more YA than middle grade when the characters are tested.
4.5
This dystopian series is filled with action, always moving forward. I binged books 2 and 3 this time, and my review is for both. Fast-paced, focused on two young women, Anna and Charlotte, who are like sisters now that the world is gone. The world suffered a terrible pandemic, and the virus destroyed humanity as we know it. This is a book without zombies, but it has the eeriness and need for survival of worlds like The Last of Us and The Walking Dead (some of my favorites that I know). The author gives us a lot of details, and the characters are very smart, utilizing their knowledge acquired from the world before or from their family. Perfect for fans of the Hatchet. This keeps them safe. In Survival, they find a house that can become their safe haven, but the arrival of a teen leads them to high-stakes action. The story goes from two characters to a cast until they get separated.
Book 2 is perfect for fans of The Hatchet, with all the elements and understanding of how to survive in a real-life catastrophic event. The connection between the characters keeps them alert. This is more than just surviving. The plot grows into something larger, political, and community, but the books are easy to read and without triggers or adult content.
4.5
This dystopian series is filled with action, always moving forward. I binged books 2 and 3 this time, and my review is for both. Fast-paced, focused on two young women, Anna and Charlotte, who are like sisters now that the world is gone. The world suffered a terrible pandemic, and the virus destroyed humanity as we know it. This is a book without zombies, but it has the eeriness and need for survival of worlds like The Last of Us and The Walking Dead (some of my favorites that I know). The author gives us a lot of details, and the characters are very smart, utilizing their knowledge acquired from the world before or from their family. Perfect for fans of the Hatchet. This keeps them safe. In Survival, they find a house that can become their safe haven, but the arrival of a teen leads them to high-stakes action. The story goes from two characters to a cast until they get separated.
Book 2 is perfect for fans of The Hatchet, with all the elements and understanding of how to survive in a real-life catastrophic event. The connection between the characters keeps them alert. This is more than just surviving. The plot grows into something larger, political, and community, but the books are easy to read and without triggers or adult content.
October 23, 2025
Read a guest post from the author and learn more about the series-www.ginaraemitchell.com/the-invasion
With The Invasion, J. Taylor delivers a poignant, emotionally layered finale to The After Series. While Survival focused on rebuilding and resilience, this final installment broadens the lens—forcing Charlotte and Anna to confront not just the struggle to live, but the question of why life is worth rebuilding. The tone is slightly older, more introspective, yet still perfectly accessible for its middle-grade audience.
J. Taylor’s writing shines brightest in the moments of tension between hope and fear. The girls’ journey beyond the safety of their small world introduces new faces and new dangers, but also glimmers of community and renewal. The pacing remains brisk, with emotional pauses that land beautifully. Readers will feel the weight of every decision as the girls grapple with loyalty, forgiveness, and the meaning of home in a fractured world.
What makes Book Three stand out is its heart. Taylor balances suspense and empathy in equal measure, never losing sight of her characters’ humanity. The closing chapters are both satisfying and bittersweet—a fitting conclusion to a trilogy that celebrates courage, friendship, and the quiet bravery of ordinary people rebuilding their lives.
With The Invasion, J. Taylor delivers a poignant, emotionally layered finale to The After Series. While Survival focused on rebuilding and resilience, this final installment broadens the lens—forcing Charlotte and Anna to confront not just the struggle to live, but the question of why life is worth rebuilding. The tone is slightly older, more introspective, yet still perfectly accessible for its middle-grade audience.
J. Taylor’s writing shines brightest in the moments of tension between hope and fear. The girls’ journey beyond the safety of their small world introduces new faces and new dangers, but also glimmers of community and renewal. The pacing remains brisk, with emotional pauses that land beautifully. Readers will feel the weight of every decision as the girls grapple with loyalty, forgiveness, and the meaning of home in a fractured world.
What makes Book Three stand out is its heart. Taylor balances suspense and empathy in equal measure, never losing sight of her characters’ humanity. The closing chapters are both satisfying and bittersweet—a fitting conclusion to a trilogy that celebrates courage, friendship, and the quiet bravery of ordinary people rebuilding their lives.
November 2, 2025
I enjoyed reading the first two books from J Taylor's The After series, The After and Survival. I wanted to find out what could happen next with Charlotte and Ann. I was honored to have the chance to read the third installment, The Invasion. Since this is part of a series, it would be best to read the series in order. I was excited to jump right in with Charlotte and Anna doing all they can to protect their homeland. I find that they are good role models for young girls. I admired their strength, courage, and bravery. I felt like I was part of their journey as they are faced with danger, adventure, suspense, and action. I wanted to see what would become of the two and thought they made a great team. I found this tale to be full of hope, friendship, entertainment, and determination. A fabulous way to get away from the chaos of current events.
I am going to give The Invasion a very well deserved five plus stars. I believe that fans and lovers of clean Middle Grade / Young Adult / Dystopian Fiction will not want to miss out on reading this one. I would love to read more from J Taylor in the future to see what else she has in store for her fans and readers.
I received a digital copy of J Taylor’s The Invasion from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am going to give The Invasion a very well deserved five plus stars. I believe that fans and lovers of clean Middle Grade / Young Adult / Dystopian Fiction will not want to miss out on reading this one. I would love to read more from J Taylor in the future to see what else she has in store for her fans and readers.
I received a digital copy of J Taylor’s The Invasion from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
October 15, 2025
Charlotte and Anna's perilous adventure in this dystopian, post-apocalyptic version of Nova Scotia continues, taking them on a new and even more dangerous quest to survive. They get pulled into the Resistance, whose mission is to stabilize the government and protect Canada from invasion. These two girls are such vivacious and unique characters, drawing readers into the story. Although this series is targeted at middle-grade readers, it could definitely be enjoyed by the YA crowd and adults alike.
December 31, 2025
This was an intense and fast paced third story in The After series. Anna and Charlotte’s world grew bigger as they got involved in the Resistance group. I wasn’t sure how they would finish everything that needed to be wrapped up in this story but there will be another book in the series. This story was more heartwarming than the first two.
The Invasion is a great middle grade story!
The Invasion is a great middle grade story!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews