When the Silence Came: The Wild Remnants Series

by Maddison Phillips

When the world falls into chaos, Ciara only had two keep her daughters alive and outrun the monsters that used to be human.

But survival is more than hiding from the dead. Other survivors want what she has. Food, shelter, safety. And they will kill to take it.

In the ruins of Australia, can Ciara trust the strangers who promise protection? Or will letting them in cost her everything?

When the Silence Came is the gripping first book in the Wild Remnants Series, a post0apocalyptic tale of family, loyalty and survival against all the odds.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read! I really enjoyed it, a well written & developed plot in a turbulent world, with a good overall energy. I was pulled in from the first page & loved the whole adventure. I will be looking for more by this author & do recommend.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read zombie stories, but I enjoyed this one. If anyone were to survive in a zombie-infested apocalypse, it seems like preppers and motorcycle clubs would have the advantage. Well done!

[Desig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book

[Kirsty Southwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know me you’ll know I have a zombie book addition and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a four star review from me. Excellent characters each with their own history which is told in first person for each of them. It helps to blend the stories together and understand why they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Boy was the main character and her friend ready for the apocalypse! But it’s the people she brings along in the journey that help make this story gripping. I wanted to see more of the dogs especially Loki, and they weren’t listed in the character list at the end of the book 🥺🥺. A story of heart ache, grit determination and hope. I can’t wait to read the second book!!

[Sandra Aranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew I’d like this book before I started reading it. Post-apocalyptic, zombies, strong female characters. Yet I didn’t like it. Nope. I LOVED IT! From page one I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I cringed, I hoped for them all. The author draws you in and makes you love Ciara and her extended ‘family’. The book left me wanting more, and guess what?? PART 2 COMES OUT THIS MONTH!! Read this book and fall in love with all of them! Especially LOKI!

[Rue · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.
What is with the soapy, corny end of chapter lines? Literally each one, every time needs to end on something profound and insightful. It was super cringe.
And the author likes the same line: they did not have to turn around to see who was coming behind them....they all somehow ALWAYS knew! This is a Zombie apocalypse, for goodness sake! Maybe some of them should have been taken out for stupidity.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. If this is only the first book from the author she is born to write great things. I absolutely devoured this book in a day. Thankfully book 2 will be out soon and I will not have to wait much longer. I have already preordered it.

What a fantastic zombie novel! Intriguing characters and great back stories. Had my heart pounding flipping through pages so I could find out their fate on the next page.

My only complaints: (this could have been because I did not order it from kindle directly? And received it copy from the author?) Formatting. I will find out in book 2 if this is an actual problem or not.
A few grammatical errors but nothing major that I found.
The flashbacks- for me these were not transitioned smoothly and therefore pulled me out of the book and problem at hand. They felt.... forced. I do like the flashbacks but if we could make a smoother transition into those scenes it would have 5 stars.

Regardless i will absolutely be reading book 2. In fact I can't wait. I've grown attached to these characters. Let's hope they all make it! Especially loki and ghost. 🐶