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What Blooms in Barren Lands
When hope is in ruins and the future burns, a dark freedom rises from the ashes.
When her dreams of having a family are shattered, Renata’s life unravels completely. But so do the lives of everyone else, as a mind-altering disease ravages the global population. Almost overnight, the world is plunged into chaos, and within weeks, the human race is driven to the precipice of extinction by the bloodthirsty infected and their uncompromising attack, feed, multiply.
Seeking refuge in a survivors’ settlement on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, Renata meets Einar, a dangerous man who reawakens her appetite for life, along with many of her long-buried desires. What starts as a strategic arrangement soon becomes an obsession more lethal than the outbreak itself.
Combining his tactical mind with her archery skills, they embark on a journey not only to eradicate the menace lurking in their new home but also to reinvent their lives after the unthinkable has happened.
But in humanity’s darkest hour, every great victory comes at a crushing cost. Should the ransom they are willing to pay for survival be condemned by the very posterity whose existence they help ensure? And what matters more, being the heroes in each other’s story, or the villains in everyone else’s?
A dark post-apocalyptic romance. Contains mature content, trigger themes, and a bittersweet ending, NOT an HEA. Reader discretion advised. Content considerations can be found on the author’s website.
When her dreams of having a family are shattered, Renata’s life unravels completely. But so do the lives of everyone else, as a mind-altering disease ravages the global population. Almost overnight, the world is plunged into chaos, and within weeks, the human race is driven to the precipice of extinction by the bloodthirsty infected and their uncompromising attack, feed, multiply.
Seeking refuge in a survivors’ settlement on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, Renata meets Einar, a dangerous man who reawakens her appetite for life, along with many of her long-buried desires. What starts as a strategic arrangement soon becomes an obsession more lethal than the outbreak itself.
Combining his tactical mind with her archery skills, they embark on a journey not only to eradicate the menace lurking in their new home but also to reinvent their lives after the unthinkable has happened.
But in humanity’s darkest hour, every great victory comes at a crushing cost. Should the ransom they are willing to pay for survival be condemned by the very posterity whose existence they help ensure? And what matters more, being the heroes in each other’s story, or the villains in everyone else’s?
A dark post-apocalyptic romance. Contains mature content, trigger themes, and a bittersweet ending, NOT an HEA. Reader discretion advised. Content considerations can be found on the author’s website.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
About the author
Margo Smythe
4 books130 followersMargo is a software engineer by day and a writer of spicy ruin by night. Her stories feature morally grey characters, high stakes and haunting choices, and seldom come without a dose of emotional damage.
When Margo is not lost in books, hers or others’, she is travelling, gaming, or hiking. She currently lives in Prague but tends to move wherever curiosity pulls her.
When Margo is not lost in books, hers or others’, she is travelling, gaming, or hiking. She currently lives in Prague but tends to move wherever curiosity pulls her.
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September 19, 2025
UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE AND ON KU
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
What Blooms in Barren Lands by Margo Smythe
Publication date: 21st October 2025
Thoughts
I've honestly never read anything like this.. I don't even know how to start this review... Post apocalyptic setting x dark romance... now it's no surprise I love me a morally gray man but Einar will stay with me for the rest of my ife no exaggeration... actually this story will haunt me for the rest of my life in the best way possible... This story was nothing short of a masterpiece, it's dark, emotional, heavy yet deeply poetic... I knew this would be a dark read but I had no idea it would leave my heart aching the way it is right now 💔😭 if you read anything before the end of the year please let it be this book... This changed something in me for life.. I don't think I'll ever process the ending; in fact this whole experience feels like a fever dream and now that I've "come out" of it I just wanna hide away and cry... I felt like I was living it with them and for it to end the way it did... I just...😭💔 forever grateful to have came across this author's post I can't express it enough!!!
Plot Summary
After losing her dream of a family, Renata’s life unravels just as a mind-twisting disease wipes out most of humanity. Seeking safety on Corsica, she joins a survivor camp and meets Einar, a dangerous man who reignites her will to live. Their alliance—born of strategy but fueled by obsession—makes them powerful against the infected, yet every victory demands a heavy price. In a world on the brink, Renata and Einar must choose whether to be each other’s salvation or the villains of tomorrow.
PLEASE CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS
💌 : “You’ve already given me something I thought possible only in books.” I ran my own fingers along Einar’s face, tracing the sharp cheekbones, the strong jaw. “A mutual obsession rather than a relationship. No one has ever matched the intensity of what I wanted, of what I carried inside. Until you came along."
Many thanks to the author for the early copy
My Bookstagram
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
What Blooms in Barren Lands by Margo Smythe
Publication date: 21st October 2025
Thoughts
I've honestly never read anything like this.. I don't even know how to start this review... Post apocalyptic setting x dark romance... now it's no surprise I love me a morally gray man but Einar will stay with me for the rest of my ife no exaggeration... actually this story will haunt me for the rest of my life in the best way possible... This story was nothing short of a masterpiece, it's dark, emotional, heavy yet deeply poetic... I knew this would be a dark read but I had no idea it would leave my heart aching the way it is right now 💔😭 if you read anything before the end of the year please let it be this book... This changed something in me for life.. I don't think I'll ever process the ending; in fact this whole experience feels like a fever dream and now that I've "come out" of it I just wanna hide away and cry... I felt like I was living it with them and for it to end the way it did... I just...😭💔 forever grateful to have came across this author's post I can't express it enough!!!
Plot Summary
After losing her dream of a family, Renata’s life unravels just as a mind-twisting disease wipes out most of humanity. Seeking safety on Corsica, she joins a survivor camp and meets Einar, a dangerous man who reignites her will to live. Their alliance—born of strategy but fueled by obsession—makes them powerful against the infected, yet every victory demands a heavy price. In a world on the brink, Renata and Einar must choose whether to be each other’s salvation or the villains of tomorrow.
PLEASE CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS
💌 : “You’ve already given me something I thought possible only in books.” I ran my own fingers along Einar’s face, tracing the sharp cheekbones, the strong jaw. “A mutual obsession rather than a relationship. No one has ever matched the intensity of what I wanted, of what I carried inside. Until you came along."
Many thanks to the author for the early copy
My Bookstagram
October 14, 2025
★ ARC REVIEW ★ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ STARS....
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
📚 WHAT BLOOMS IN BARREN LANDS 📚 Is a full length post apocalypse romance debut novel by Margo Smythe. In this you'll meet Einar & Renata.
I saw this pop up numerous times on my IG feed, and of course I had to sign up, because zombies are my kryptonite!!
First off I can not believe that this book is this author’s debut book, because she comes across like a very seasoned author, it's that polished, and her writing skills blew me away.
I did find it a wee bit long winded, (this took me 2 days to read) but then closing out of that last page, I got to thinking, what would I remove? And my answer was, nothing at all..It all needed to be said..
Renata and her boyfriend Petr are on holiday when a deadly virus strikes down the country leaving them in lockdown within their hotel accommodation where they are accompanied by other tourists. Military promised food and other essential items would be delivered on a daily basis to stranded occupants. But when their food and supplies start dwindling and no military men in sight for weeks things started to get dire. They had to come up with a plan, to evacuate and that was to head towards Corsica. Renata was an exceptional archer and knew she could keep them safe from the fury's as they had come to calling the infected. She had won every competition she'd ever participated in. So first things first she knew they needed weapons, gear and food supplies they could scavenge along the way. With a treacherous journey ahead of them and scoping out other like minded survivors camping out they finally came across Einar and his motley group. Convincing him to let them stay with them took some cunning as she killed near on forty fury's using her archery skills.
Things between Einar and Renata heated up from their first meeting, he awoke something left dormant within her, releasing a deeply rooted obsession which slowly turned into a profound love for each other, their journey was fire and I honestly couldn't get enough of them.
This genre is definitely my favourite, I inhale zombie books like there's no tomorrow, and have read many, it’s one of my top genres. I always ask myself, why do characters not have sexual endeavours in this genre? I can count on one hand the amount of books that do..So imagine my surprise when these two go at it like rabbits..And go at it they do..They can't keep their hands off each other.
I also enjoyed how the zombies were sort of secondary characters, they weren’t the whole focus, the focus was these two, an unconventional meeting, but all said and done, they were perfect for each other.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
📚 WHAT BLOOMS IN BARREN LANDS 📚 Is a full length post apocalypse romance debut novel by Margo Smythe. In this you'll meet Einar & Renata.
I saw this pop up numerous times on my IG feed, and of course I had to sign up, because zombies are my kryptonite!!
First off I can not believe that this book is this author’s debut book, because she comes across like a very seasoned author, it's that polished, and her writing skills blew me away.
I did find it a wee bit long winded, (this took me 2 days to read) but then closing out of that last page, I got to thinking, what would I remove? And my answer was, nothing at all..It all needed to be said..
Renata and her boyfriend Petr are on holiday when a deadly virus strikes down the country leaving them in lockdown within their hotel accommodation where they are accompanied by other tourists. Military promised food and other essential items would be delivered on a daily basis to stranded occupants. But when their food and supplies start dwindling and no military men in sight for weeks things started to get dire. They had to come up with a plan, to evacuate and that was to head towards Corsica. Renata was an exceptional archer and knew she could keep them safe from the fury's as they had come to calling the infected. She had won every competition she'd ever participated in. So first things first she knew they needed weapons, gear and food supplies they could scavenge along the way. With a treacherous journey ahead of them and scoping out other like minded survivors camping out they finally came across Einar and his motley group. Convincing him to let them stay with them took some cunning as she killed near on forty fury's using her archery skills.
Things between Einar and Renata heated up from their first meeting, he awoke something left dormant within her, releasing a deeply rooted obsession which slowly turned into a profound love for each other, their journey was fire and I honestly couldn't get enough of them.
This genre is definitely my favourite, I inhale zombie books like there's no tomorrow, and have read many, it’s one of my top genres. I always ask myself, why do characters not have sexual endeavours in this genre? I can count on one hand the amount of books that do..So imagine my surprise when these two go at it like rabbits..And go at it they do..They can't keep their hands off each other.
I also enjoyed how the zombies were sort of secondary characters, they weren’t the whole focus, the focus was these two, an unconventional meeting, but all said and done, they were perfect for each other.
Did Not Finish
November 1, 2025DNF at 24% in, so no star rating. This started out very promising, like a darker, more violent, more deranged version of Claire Kent's Kindled series. It begins in the normal mundane world, but quickly dissolves into the dystopian collapse of society, due to a virus that turns people into zombie-like creatures. It's got a resourceful heroine who is slightly unhinged but not OTT psycho (she's nonchalant about violence and catastrophe, and good at killing zombies with a bow and arrow). There's a "sex, in exchange for protection" deal with the hero. There's a European setting and European characters (she's from Prague, he's Nordic, they're in Italy. It feels fresh, and it's a welcome change from all the America-centric settings that most books have). This is all good stuff! I was into all of it, except for her excessive references to her infertility, but I was even willing to roll with that. So, why the DNF? I was getting the feeling that maybe this is "no HEA." Sure enough, I flipped to the end to check, and yeah, it is, in fact, no HEA. That's not a romance, this shouldn't be advertised as one.
I see now that the blurb does say "bittersweet" ending. That's on me, for missing that, at first. But also, I still don't think that's accurate. "Bittersweet" is like the ending of Manacled / Alchemised (in that story, That's a "bittersweet" romance ending - a HEA, but coming at a heavy cost, with a lot of pain and darkness around it). This isn't that. This is a romantic tragedy. I'm not in the mood for a romantic tragedy. This is promising enough that I'd try more from this author, but not if she tries to trick me into reading another no HEA book.
I see now that the blurb does say "bittersweet" ending. That's on me, for missing that, at first. But also, I still don't think that's accurate. "Bittersweet" is like the ending of Manacled / Alchemised (in that story, That's a "bittersweet" romance ending - a HEA, but coming at a heavy cost, with a lot of pain and darkness around it). This isn't that. This is a romantic tragedy. I'm not in the mood for a romantic tragedy. This is promising enough that I'd try more from this author, but not if she tries to trick me into reading another no HEA book.
September 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - truly unforgettable
I was lucky enough to be given an arc copy of this book by the amazing Margo Smythe. Release date is the 21st October.
It is a rare and beautiful exploration of growth in bleak, dark world. A story that stays with you. Margo Smythe has created a story of such emotional weight, visual richness, and moral complexity that by the end, I was left speechless that it had ended.
The characters are deep and relatable, their struggles and choices making the story feel real and emotional.
The writing is poetic without being too heavy and the images of life pushing through emptiness stay with you long after the last page. It’s a story about resilience, love, and finding light where you least expect it.
Margo, you have outdone yourself with this book and Einar and Ren will live in my soul forever. Please check this book out when it is released on the 21st October. You will not be disappointed 🙌🏻💚
I was lucky enough to be given an arc copy of this book by the amazing Margo Smythe. Release date is the 21st October.
It is a rare and beautiful exploration of growth in bleak, dark world. A story that stays with you. Margo Smythe has created a story of such emotional weight, visual richness, and moral complexity that by the end, I was left speechless that it had ended.
The characters are deep and relatable, their struggles and choices making the story feel real and emotional.
The writing is poetic without being too heavy and the images of life pushing through emptiness stay with you long after the last page. It’s a story about resilience, love, and finding light where you least expect it.
Margo, you have outdone yourself with this book and Einar and Ren will live in my soul forever. Please check this book out when it is released on the 21st October. You will not be disappointed 🙌🏻💚
September 23, 2025
After reading what this book was about prior, ngl it was one that I anticipated so much and boy! It didn't let me down.
𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚊 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚞𝚝𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔, 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚗𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎.
Renata, on holiday, is stuck in a lockdown due to a deadly virus outbreak, along with other tourists in a hotel. Unfortunately, as weeks pass they realize the army has stopped coming. This prompts their evacuation to Corsica, to seek out other survivors, she is also an excellent archer which aids in their fight. Decisions can’t be thought upon, they need to be acted on instantly! Meeting Einar was a surprise for her, in more ways than one his leadership role, his dominance, his unbridled love and thus their journey starts…
Once I finished this I had to take stock, it is still in my head being processed 🤔 I can't completey explain the profound effect it had on me, the writing was amazing, the narrative coming together to effectively describe what transpires. There is violence, gore, spice, d3ath and tears to name a few 🫣 Einar is my new book boyfriend 🫶🏻
𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚏 𝚊 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚞𝚝𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔, 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚗𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎.
Renata, on holiday, is stuck in a lockdown due to a deadly virus outbreak, along with other tourists in a hotel. Unfortunately, as weeks pass they realize the army has stopped coming. This prompts their evacuation to Corsica, to seek out other survivors, she is also an excellent archer which aids in their fight. Decisions can’t be thought upon, they need to be acted on instantly! Meeting Einar was a surprise for her, in more ways than one his leadership role, his dominance, his unbridled love and thus their journey starts…
Once I finished this I had to take stock, it is still in my head being processed 🤔 I can't completey explain the profound effect it had on me, the writing was amazing, the narrative coming together to effectively describe what transpires. There is violence, gore, spice, d3ath and tears to name a few 🫣 Einar is my new book boyfriend 🫶🏻
Read
October 3, 2025DNF at 31%— great scene setting, but the characters and romance fell flat for me. Once I hit the “tectonic plates for shoulder blades” description, I was mostly out.
I rarely give up on books, especially ARCs, so I’m a little bummed this one didn’t work for me. That said, I wish the author all the best with the release and I’m glad to see it’s working for other readers — it just wasn’t for me.
No star rating to be fair as I did not finish the book in it's entirety.
I rarely give up on books, especially ARCs, so I’m a little bummed this one didn’t work for me. That said, I wish the author all the best with the release and I’m glad to see it’s working for other readers — it just wasn’t for me.
No star rating to be fair as I did not finish the book in it's entirety.
October 5, 2025
Okay… This book was so so so beautiful. From the get go, Ren was my favourite. The way fertility in this book is handled so gently whilst also exposing the rawness and the damage it can cause, really warms me. There arent a lot of authors that can capture this topic, in a way that does the feelings surrounding it, justice.
I loved this book from the beginning. The characters are so loveable, Ren & Einar are my absolute favourites. Ren is fierce and unapologetically herself and Einar loves and worships the literal ground she walks on😩
The yearning, THE SPICE!!!!!??? To die for 🙂↕️
That ending, quite literally, shattered me. Total sobbing time: 40 minutes🥲 It takes the word bittersweet to a WHOLE new level🫠 I’m going to need a good few working days to get over this book.
I loved this book from the beginning. The characters are so loveable, Ren & Einar are my absolute favourites. Ren is fierce and unapologetically herself and Einar loves and worships the literal ground she walks on😩
The yearning, THE SPICE!!!!!??? To die for 🙂↕️
That ending, quite literally, shattered me. Total sobbing time: 40 minutes🥲 It takes the word bittersweet to a WHOLE new level🫠 I’m going to need a good few working days to get over this book.
October 20, 2025
omgosh... ahhhhhh... what a book..
Right let me start from the beginning, seeing this book and its Blurb I was like yes please, gimme now. I'm a sucker for zombie stories, so to see a dark romantic tale thats spicy and got praise and punishments.. omgosh take me now.
This book had blended into my very soul, I'm actually quite sad it's finished.. I need more from this author so I looked and it seems to be their only book.. whattttt!! Their writing style seems more experienced than a new writer. so I'll be keeping an eye out on this author for sure!!
Right let me start from the beginning, seeing this book and its Blurb I was like yes please, gimme now. I'm a sucker for zombie stories, so to see a dark romantic tale thats spicy and got praise and punishments.. omgosh take me now.
This book had blended into my very soul, I'm actually quite sad it's finished.. I need more from this author so I looked and it seems to be their only book.. whattttt!! Their writing style seems more experienced than a new writer. so I'll be keeping an eye out on this author for sure!!
October 1, 2025
I received this as an ARC read and Im so glad I did!
Thank you so much to the author for letting me read this.
This is a book about a virus outbreak and it really makes you think “what would I do in this situation”.
There are some really heartbreaking moments.
The story is wonderful and the characters are memorable.
Make sure you mark your calendars and get this book on release day!
Thank you so much to the author for letting me read this.
This is a book about a virus outbreak and it really makes you think “what would I do in this situation”.
There are some really heartbreaking moments.
The story is wonderful and the characters are memorable.
Make sure you mark your calendars and get this book on release day!
October 20, 2025
I am absolutely and equal parts obsessed, heartbroken, and satisfied. It was gruesome, terrifying, macabre and brutal. It was beautiful, irresistible, and wondrous. My heart feels like it was torn out and stomped on, but at the same time, it ended in the most honest and amazing way. Einar and Renata's love was traumatic and full of love, and the all-encompassing fear that came with it until the last page was phenomenal. I will not forget this book anytime soon.
September 25, 2025
This book is amazing. As a first time ARC reader for a new book setting (post apocalyptic romance) I enjoyed reading this book so much. It’s so captivating from the start i couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one go and i wish i could read it for the first time again. The chemistry between Reneta and Einar 🫠🤭. Written with just the right amount of passion and intensity, makes their moments both exciting and believable, unlike many books i have read before. The ending shattered me. Nothing could have prepared me for the bittersweet ending. Margo brought elements from our own pandemic too, and alongside her amazing vivid and authentic writing, you can imagine yourself in the book experiencing everything with the FMC Reneta and MMC Einar in the post-apocalyptic world.
September 19, 2025
✰✰.5
This is surely a book I recommend if the summary seems intriguing to someone! It is generally well written and has a good story, and a balance of world plot and romance plot. This book just isn’t for me.
I was angry, then annoyed, then intrigued, then bored, then sad (sad in a good way), then bored again. It’s really hard for me to get my thoughts on this together. I was seriously annoyed for a good chunk, but also enjoyed a good chunk. The story is extremely character-focused and more about Renata’s experiences and growth as a person rather than the whole survival aspect. I did really enjoy how flawed every single character was.
The story started with, well, the whole thing with Petr. Who I of course was not a fan of. There was also repeated instances of Ren reminding us how tiny and small she is, how big her boobs are and how hot she is. That got annoying after the first time it was mentioned. It also took a long time to actually get into “the good part,” when Ren and her new friends travel to the island. I liked the beginning of their experiences with Einar’s group, but the politics at the end got a little confusing. They felt added in for no reason other than to throw something in there for world building filler. They were not fleshed out like the internal “Einar’s group”’s politics, if politics is even the correct descriptor. I’m not sure how to explain this; the past third of the politics simply didn’t fit in with the rest of the story, to me.
Renata’s journey was…interesting. She knew herself but could never /be/ herself until the world fell apart. I don’t want to say much more because it would be spoiler-y, but the prologue and epilogue wrap the story up so, SO well. It would be fine without them and not told as a memoir, but the format fits so perfectly. Also, I expected no HEA or world-fixing, but would have appreciated one of the big events not happening, and did not expect it to happen. I do see how the loss was needed for Renata’s story, though, and how poetic it was when/how it happened. I suppose it’s an interesting commentary on life making a mockery of what you want, and that mockery was also commented on in the book.
Overall, it was good! I did expect it to be better than it was, simply based on my impression from the prologue and first couple chapters. Any disappointment I feel about this book is more so an issue with my expectations and preferences rather than the quality of the book.
Thank you to Margo for the eARC!!
༘•*⁀➴ mid-read 𖧧𓋼𖡼𖤣𖥧𓍊⚘
➵ I am already wow’ed by the prologue. Which…wow lol. (end of prologue)
➵ Not sure what I expected, but this is certainly far better than whatever it was. (end of chapter 2)
➵ Okay, so…I can deal with one mention of an FMC being petite. Maybe a few in the whole book. I cannot deal with four mentions of her being petite and having a body like an adult film star, literally. Any more than this and it will absolutely ruin the book for me. But considering it’s only five chapters in, it is surely bound to happen. Not sure why authors feel the need to do this. (end of 5)
➵ Things are progressing a bit faster than I’d like. I’m enjoying it, but would prefer more yearning. I am enjoying that there are actual conversations being had between Ren and Einar, still, though. (end of 12)
This is surely a book I recommend if the summary seems intriguing to someone! It is generally well written and has a good story, and a balance of world plot and romance plot. This book just isn’t for me.
I was angry, then annoyed, then intrigued, then bored, then sad (sad in a good way), then bored again. It’s really hard for me to get my thoughts on this together. I was seriously annoyed for a good chunk, but also enjoyed a good chunk. The story is extremely character-focused and more about Renata’s experiences and growth as a person rather than the whole survival aspect. I did really enjoy how flawed every single character was.
The story started with, well, the whole thing with Petr. Who I of course was not a fan of. There was also repeated instances of Ren reminding us how tiny and small she is, how big her boobs are and how hot she is. That got annoying after the first time it was mentioned. It also took a long time to actually get into “the good part,” when Ren and her new friends travel to the island. I liked the beginning of their experiences with Einar’s group, but the politics at the end got a little confusing. They felt added in for no reason other than to throw something in there for world building filler. They were not fleshed out like the internal “Einar’s group”’s politics, if politics is even the correct descriptor. I’m not sure how to explain this; the past third of the politics simply didn’t fit in with the rest of the story, to me.
Renata’s journey was…interesting. She knew herself but could never /be/ herself until the world fell apart. I don’t want to say much more because it would be spoiler-y, but the prologue and epilogue wrap the story up so, SO well. It would be fine without them and not told as a memoir, but the format fits so perfectly. Also, I expected no HEA or world-fixing, but would have appreciated one of the big events not happening, and did not expect it to happen. I do see how the loss was needed for Renata’s story, though, and how poetic it was when/how it happened. I suppose it’s an interesting commentary on life making a mockery of what you want, and that mockery was also commented on in the book.
Overall, it was good! I did expect it to be better than it was, simply based on my impression from the prologue and first couple chapters. Any disappointment I feel about this book is more so an issue with my expectations and preferences rather than the quality of the book.
Thank you to Margo for the eARC!!
༘•*⁀➴ mid-read 𖧧𓋼𖡼𖤣𖥧𓍊⚘
➵ I am already wow’ed by the prologue. Which…wow lol. (end of prologue)
➵ Not sure what I expected, but this is certainly far better than whatever it was. (end of chapter 2)
➵ Okay, so…I can deal with one mention of an FMC being petite. Maybe a few in the whole book. I cannot deal with four mentions of her being petite and having a body like an adult film star, literally. Any more than this and it will absolutely ruin the book for me. But considering it’s only five chapters in, it is surely bound to happen. Not sure why authors feel the need to do this. (end of 5)
➵ Things are progressing a bit faster than I’d like. I’m enjoying it, but would prefer more yearning. I am enjoying that there are actual conversations being had between Ren and Einar, still, though. (end of 12)
September 22, 2025
A story based in a post-apocalyptic setting with dark romance accompanied by praise and punishments, a morally grey MMC, a strong unhinged FMC and a virus that alters the mind.
It was known as the Great Pandemic, taking place is 2028, it was often referred to as CanLys (Lyssavirus Cannibalisticus) and it attacked the nervous system of its victims, altering their minds, causing disorientation, and impacting cognitive functions and abilities, rendering them speechless and empty. With an incubation period of one week, only the virus is transmissible via saliva or bodily fluids. The only thing these infected do is chase, chase movement and sounds, and they bite and shed blood, repeating a birthing cycle of more infected humans.
The infected were referred to as cannibals, roamies or furies - what title you chose, it didn't change that they were now the ones ruling the world.
Renata - the unhinged, quieted FMC stuck in a mundane partnership that has left her tormented and scarred from failed attempts at conceiving a child. Despite the several attempts, they were advised to take a break and accept the weight of the situation. In an attempt to lighten their moods, they took a holiday and managed one day before the pandemic hit - a global lockdown, and they were stuck in a hotel with unrest and strangers. While they temporarily maintained access to food, supplies, and even telecommunications, her partner reveals he has found love with another, and Renata is completely unfazed. Deciding to make his way back home to his family, Renata stays and becomes a beacon. As access to necessities halted, action needed to be taken and she stepped up to the plate. First goal, get weapons and one she is familiar with - a bow. A group of volunteers offers her help to obtain and liquidate the small store before deciding to find a safer place - one outside the city.
Einar - the morally grey MMC who was elected to be the leader of ASCU, a settlement of survivors with a version of safety. He was elected because he is immune to the virus, adding to his ferocity and strength. Renata stumbles upon their safety net and pleads to be sheltered, only offering the women shelter. In a feeble attempt, Renata makes a stage before him where she shows her skills and takes out fifty infected right before him. Despite the display, his offer stands until it is revealed that they have weapons stashed, at which point a bargain is struck for the group, training to take place, and for Renata to serve his needs. She agrees.
Einar and Renata fall in cadence quickly, and despite the blossoming romance between them, they have one goal - to survive, but what's life without a little fun? Einar ignites the dark parts of Renata as she fans his flames, making them the perfect match. Assembling volunteers and making good on her word, the camp is budding and thriving as best as it can. With the newfound strength and training, they decide to do a cleansing of the mountain, where they embark on erradicating the furies, finding survivors and creating an alliance with more settlements to help with the flow of necessities and protection. Until that protection is threatened by not the infected but the depravity of man and the ruthlessness that comes with the settlement that has heavy weaponry and kidnaps women, before they can become a bigger threat and problem, Einar is quick to act with a plan in place, ensuring the allies and ASCUs security - they eliminate the threat. With the downfall of the world, it's rare that the survivors get a break, and they are back to hatching a plan to finalize the remaining infected that are grouping together and would become a threat. With success in tow, another threat looms, and it is one in the guise of a man trying to restore government and control. Understanding the unspoken truths and rules of this new commitment, Einar realizes that his role will become futile when the missions are complete. Setting a plan in place for him and Ren - his wife and the family they have built together- they set off to escape the mountains and settle in his hometown. While things seem to go well, the ease of the situation is quickly taking a drastic turn as they are faced with faces from the past, more loss, and decisions that the heart is unwilling to accept. Acquiescing and moving forward, Ren finds herself fighting because Einar would want her to. After regaining control slowly over the world, things slowly begin to be restored. Ren is left to readjust with two pieces of a missing heart. After several years, a semblance of a cure is underway, and they are able to reach Einar's homeland and settle in his home. But Rens' only companions are two pieces to a missing whole - a hole in her heart. With the cure underway, the stories of Einar and Ren's actions are called into question and scrutinized, but Ren won't have that and stands against the accusations, painting them and their survival as hostile and unnecessary; how were they supposed to know in a decade there would be a cure? She reminds them that not everyone was privileged to be sheltered and not have to stave off hunger, the infected, the hunt from humans and endure the things she had to.
Don't let the title of this novel fool you; barren lands apply to more than the carnage left behind in the wave of the outbreak. This story is raw, fierce, and emotional. It highlights the means of what we will do for love out of duty and love out of connection, what we will put ourselves through, what happens when the world is stripped of its humanity and what's left is more evil than good, and what choices you face in the wake of such destruction. Will you make the hard decisions to survive? Will you keep your humanity? Will you be able to face the choices when the dust clears? When the world is righted and you are left with the scars and loss etched across your heart.
It was known as the Great Pandemic, taking place is 2028, it was often referred to as CanLys (Lyssavirus Cannibalisticus) and it attacked the nervous system of its victims, altering their minds, causing disorientation, and impacting cognitive functions and abilities, rendering them speechless and empty. With an incubation period of one week, only the virus is transmissible via saliva or bodily fluids. The only thing these infected do is chase, chase movement and sounds, and they bite and shed blood, repeating a birthing cycle of more infected humans.
The infected were referred to as cannibals, roamies or furies - what title you chose, it didn't change that they were now the ones ruling the world.
Renata - the unhinged, quieted FMC stuck in a mundane partnership that has left her tormented and scarred from failed attempts at conceiving a child. Despite the several attempts, they were advised to take a break and accept the weight of the situation. In an attempt to lighten their moods, they took a holiday and managed one day before the pandemic hit - a global lockdown, and they were stuck in a hotel with unrest and strangers. While they temporarily maintained access to food, supplies, and even telecommunications, her partner reveals he has found love with another, and Renata is completely unfazed. Deciding to make his way back home to his family, Renata stays and becomes a beacon. As access to necessities halted, action needed to be taken and she stepped up to the plate. First goal, get weapons and one she is familiar with - a bow. A group of volunteers offers her help to obtain and liquidate the small store before deciding to find a safer place - one outside the city.
Einar - the morally grey MMC who was elected to be the leader of ASCU, a settlement of survivors with a version of safety. He was elected because he is immune to the virus, adding to his ferocity and strength. Renata stumbles upon their safety net and pleads to be sheltered, only offering the women shelter. In a feeble attempt, Renata makes a stage before him where she shows her skills and takes out fifty infected right before him. Despite the display, his offer stands until it is revealed that they have weapons stashed, at which point a bargain is struck for the group, training to take place, and for Renata to serve his needs. She agrees.
Einar and Renata fall in cadence quickly, and despite the blossoming romance between them, they have one goal - to survive, but what's life without a little fun? Einar ignites the dark parts of Renata as she fans his flames, making them the perfect match. Assembling volunteers and making good on her word, the camp is budding and thriving as best as it can. With the newfound strength and training, they decide to do a cleansing of the mountain, where they embark on erradicating the furies, finding survivors and creating an alliance with more settlements to help with the flow of necessities and protection. Until that protection is threatened by not the infected but the depravity of man and the ruthlessness that comes with the settlement that has heavy weaponry and kidnaps women, before they can become a bigger threat and problem, Einar is quick to act with a plan in place, ensuring the allies and ASCUs security - they eliminate the threat. With the downfall of the world, it's rare that the survivors get a break, and they are back to hatching a plan to finalize the remaining infected that are grouping together and would become a threat. With success in tow, another threat looms, and it is one in the guise of a man trying to restore government and control. Understanding the unspoken truths and rules of this new commitment, Einar realizes that his role will become futile when the missions are complete. Setting a plan in place for him and Ren - his wife and the family they have built together- they set off to escape the mountains and settle in his hometown. While things seem to go well, the ease of the situation is quickly taking a drastic turn as they are faced with faces from the past, more loss, and decisions that the heart is unwilling to accept. Acquiescing and moving forward, Ren finds herself fighting because Einar would want her to. After regaining control slowly over the world, things slowly begin to be restored. Ren is left to readjust with two pieces of a missing heart. After several years, a semblance of a cure is underway, and they are able to reach Einar's homeland and settle in his home. But Rens' only companions are two pieces to a missing whole - a hole in her heart. With the cure underway, the stories of Einar and Ren's actions are called into question and scrutinized, but Ren won't have that and stands against the accusations, painting them and their survival as hostile and unnecessary; how were they supposed to know in a decade there would be a cure? She reminds them that not everyone was privileged to be sheltered and not have to stave off hunger, the infected, the hunt from humans and endure the things she had to.
Don't let the title of this novel fool you; barren lands apply to more than the carnage left behind in the wave of the outbreak. This story is raw, fierce, and emotional. It highlights the means of what we will do for love out of duty and love out of connection, what we will put ourselves through, what happens when the world is stripped of its humanity and what's left is more evil than good, and what choices you face in the wake of such destruction. Will you make the hard decisions to survive? Will you keep your humanity? Will you be able to face the choices when the dust clears? When the world is righted and you are left with the scars and loss etched across your heart.
October 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Genre
Post Apocalyptic Dark Romance - Genre Bending
Page Count
532 (Kindle)
Tropes
🖤 European Setting
🩸 Strong Unhinged FMC
🖤 Morally grey MMC
🩸 High stakes
🖤 Moral Dilemma’s
🩸 Praise & Punishment
🖤 Zombie virus
🩸 Spice 🌶️🥵
🖤 Female & reproductive health rep
🩸 Bittersweet ending
🖤 For Dark Romance readers who love TWD!!
Plot thoughts
Spice
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
Cover design
Would I recommend this book?
Genre
Post Apocalyptic Dark Romance - Genre Bending
Page Count
532 (Kindle)
First & foremost, thank you Margo for representing infertility & women’s health in a respectful manner. I, like many others, deal with daily mental struggles of infertility and don’t generally like to delve into the topic in books I read but it was portrayed perfectly and allowed me to still enjoy the book.
There is a moment at around 25% that Renata & Einar have a conversation on this. It is so beautifully done with pure emotion in that conversation.
❝ Before I met her, I never realised it was possible to grieve not only a life lost, but also a life that should have been but wasn’t. That kind of sorrow is mostly invisible to others. Must have been brutally isolating.❞
Tropes
🖤 European Setting
🩸 Strong Unhinged FMC
🖤 Morally grey MMC
🩸 High stakes
🖤 Moral Dilemma’s
🩸 Praise & Punishment
🖤 Zombie virus
🩸 Spice 🌶️🥵
🖤 Female & reproductive health rep
🩸 Bittersweet ending
🖤 For Dark Romance readers who love TWD!!
Plot thoughts
This isn’t one of those jump fast into the plot with insta love & just spice type of stories. It has been written with thought and detailing so immense that you’re sucked in right from the first page. No description has been lost on characters, places or scenarios and you’re given plenty to imagine from everything written! I know others will look at the size of the book and feel intimidated, but I promise you’ll really enjoy this read.
There were times I didn’t like the MMC but then gradually you come to understand more about him.
Now of course, this is dark romance so please be mindful there are triggers, and if you need them before heading into the story, I suggest you check out the authors socials for their website to find these. For all the folks who don’t, what you waiting for? 😏
Spice
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
HOW SHE TOOK ALL OF THAT! I’ll never know 😂 but damnnnnnn girl!
Cover design
It’s originally what pulled me in (then of course the blurb & the TWD reference because ya girl loves TWD) I love the cover and will of course be getting my hands on a physical for a book trophy 🫶🏻
Would I recommend this book?
Abso-freaking-lutely!! If you’re not a reader of the dystopian genre but are open to be, get stuck in! I guarantee you’ll love it!
Thank you to Margo for allowing me to adv read What Blooms in Barren Lands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
If you love The Walking Dead and dark romance you will be obsessed with this story! I found myself not wanting to put the book down as I desperately needed to know what happened next! I had an unhealthy addiction to the characters and the spice ❤️🔥
The romance was decadently dark so be sure to check the trigger warnings before you jump in. But I enjoyed the special relationship that FMC Renata and MMC Einar had. I thought not only the spice (think 4 chilli spice🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️) was really well done, but also the way both characters shed their morality and became people who were strong enough to survive in a post extinction level event zombie apocalypse world. It was interesting to see how those strong of will and of mind, and also those with a deep sense of who they really are when the layers of civility which society imposes are shed, become the players in a survival situation.
Renata, goes through some heavy feelings relating to IVF treatments and a harrowing infertility journey. Renata’s journey also poses commentary about wasting one’s life trying to fit into a mould in a less than acceptable relationship and trying to hide parts of yourself in order to do the things expected of you, like having a good job and serving your purpose as a woman by producing offspring.
The world building was very typical of a zombie apocalypse type event. The mass destruction, the gore, the bombings to try and eradicate the contagion, the shop fronts destroyed with looting, the cars abandoned everywhere. The main setting for the majority of the book was the island of Corsica and I thought the author did a great job of describing the different parts of the island but also the type of buildings and resorts and camping grounds found in each part.
I honestly had such a strong emotional connection to Renata and Einar. The way these characters are written, I felt so invested in everything that they went through and their developing feelings for each other. There were also some characters I absolutely hated, which were appropriate for the type of scum that would likely emerge and survive after zombies destroy modern society.
I absolutely would recommend reading this book if you like:
🩶 Morally grey unhinged characters
🧟 Post apocalyptic zombie infested world
❤️🔥 Praise and punishments
🥰 Found family
💀 Touch her and die vibes
😈 Possessive MMC
🫶🏼 Bittersweet ending
Thank you to Margo Smyth for the eARC and the privilege of reviewing this book and this is my honest review.
The romance was decadently dark so be sure to check the trigger warnings before you jump in. But I enjoyed the special relationship that FMC Renata and MMC Einar had. I thought not only the spice (think 4 chilli spice🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️) was really well done, but also the way both characters shed their morality and became people who were strong enough to survive in a post extinction level event zombie apocalypse world. It was interesting to see how those strong of will and of mind, and also those with a deep sense of who they really are when the layers of civility which society imposes are shed, become the players in a survival situation.
Renata, goes through some heavy feelings relating to IVF treatments and a harrowing infertility journey. Renata’s journey also poses commentary about wasting one’s life trying to fit into a mould in a less than acceptable relationship and trying to hide parts of yourself in order to do the things expected of you, like having a good job and serving your purpose as a woman by producing offspring.
The world building was very typical of a zombie apocalypse type event. The mass destruction, the gore, the bombings to try and eradicate the contagion, the shop fronts destroyed with looting, the cars abandoned everywhere. The main setting for the majority of the book was the island of Corsica and I thought the author did a great job of describing the different parts of the island but also the type of buildings and resorts and camping grounds found in each part.
I honestly had such a strong emotional connection to Renata and Einar. The way these characters are written, I felt so invested in everything that they went through and their developing feelings for each other. There were also some characters I absolutely hated, which were appropriate for the type of scum that would likely emerge and survive after zombies destroy modern society.
I absolutely would recommend reading this book if you like:
🩶 Morally grey unhinged characters
🧟 Post apocalyptic zombie infested world
❤️🔥 Praise and punishments
🥰 Found family
💀 Touch her and die vibes
😈 Possessive MMC
🫶🏼 Bittersweet ending
Thank you to Margo Smyth for the eARC and the privilege of reviewing this book and this is my honest review.
October 26, 2025
I am grateful to of been chosen as an ARC reader for this, however, it is a really hard one to rate for me.
I absolutely loved the post apocalyptic storyline and its progress to try and save the world. I loved the action but felt there could have been even more of it! I also feel that the action always ended quite abruptly with a perfect ending. The description of the furys was fantastic and vivid!
While I enjoyed the basic romance between Renata and Einar I didn’t enjoy the brutality of it. There was a high level of spice which was fine but I found the sexual acts very unrealistic and sometimes quite disturbing.
There was a variety of interesting characters but I didn’t really have a favourite. Again though the descriptions made it very easy to imagine the characters. The writing in general was very good.
I must admit I was close to DNFing a couple of times as it felt very long winded and jumped in time quite quickly. I am glad I finished it though and found out what happened in the end.
I liked that the ending linked back to the beginning but wish that had happened a little sooner in the book. I must admit I would have never predicted that ending and it did make me quite sad. The book in general covered a lot of issues so I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before reading, especially if you are affected by infertility. This subject was treated with care but was still very heartbreaking.
All in all a great book apart from a few scenes. I look forward to what her next book will be!
I absolutely loved the post apocalyptic storyline and its progress to try and save the world. I loved the action but felt there could have been even more of it! I also feel that the action always ended quite abruptly with a perfect ending. The description of the furys was fantastic and vivid!
While I enjoyed the basic romance between Renata and Einar I didn’t enjoy the brutality of it. There was a high level of spice which was fine but I found the sexual acts very unrealistic and sometimes quite disturbing.
There was a variety of interesting characters but I didn’t really have a favourite. Again though the descriptions made it very easy to imagine the characters. The writing in general was very good.
I must admit I was close to DNFing a couple of times as it felt very long winded and jumped in time quite quickly. I am glad I finished it though and found out what happened in the end.
I liked that the ending linked back to the beginning but wish that had happened a little sooner in the book. I must admit I would have never predicted that ending and it did make me quite sad. The book in general covered a lot of issues so I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before reading, especially if you are affected by infertility. This subject was treated with care but was still very heartbreaking.
All in all a great book apart from a few scenes. I look forward to what her next book will be!
October 3, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
If I'm being quite honest, I wanted to DNF this book so many times, but I am so glad that I didn't. This book covers a lot of heavy hitting topics, primarily infertility, with secondary characters making snide remarks. So if this is something that you personally struggle with, please proceed with caution and make sure you read through the list of the trigger warnings.
We are introduced to Ren and the beginning throws of the CanLys epidemic, and the gangly band of friends that accompany her on their journey to avoid the cannibal zombies caused by the CanLys. Ren travels through most of Europe to find other survivors who are also immune to the disease. They come to a settlement and we meet Einar. The leader of the settlement. He's got a PhD in Chemistry, built like a viking, and leads like one too. In the field and in the bedroom.
"The next time you speak to my girl this way will be the last time you ever speak, because I will rip your tongue out and our friendship be damned. I don't do bros-before-hoes. Insulting my woman, or so-help-you-god harming her, is a capital offence against me. For anyone"
This story ends with a very bittersweet ending. Eventually, Ren is met by an interviewer who has skewed information from someone she used to consider a friend and tries to set the record straight.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
If I'm being quite honest, I wanted to DNF this book so many times, but I am so glad that I didn't. This book covers a lot of heavy hitting topics, primarily infertility, with secondary characters making snide remarks. So if this is something that you personally struggle with, please proceed with caution and make sure you read through the list of the trigger warnings.
We are introduced to Ren and the beginning throws of the CanLys epidemic, and the gangly band of friends that accompany her on their journey to avoid the cannibal zombies caused by the CanLys. Ren travels through most of Europe to find other survivors who are also immune to the disease. They come to a settlement and we meet Einar. The leader of the settlement. He's got a PhD in Chemistry, built like a viking, and leads like one too. In the field and in the bedroom.
"The next time you speak to my girl this way will be the last time you ever speak, because I will rip your tongue out and our friendship be damned. I don't do bros-before-hoes. Insulting my woman, or so-help-you-god harming her, is a capital offence against me. For anyone"
This story ends with a very bittersweet ending. Eventually, Ren is met by an interviewer who has skewed information from someone she used to consider a friend and tries to set the record straight.
October 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What Blooms in Barren Lands absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way! This was my first ever ARC read and my first post-apocalyptic romance; and honestly, what an intro!! Margo Smythe’s writing is brutal, beautiful, and deeply real. The world feels raw and painfully real, with loss, survival, and moments of tenderness and emotion that sucker punch you.
Renata’s strength and pain are so intensely felt throughout, and Einar… well damn, he’s chaos and heartbreak all in one. Their connection is fierce, desperate, and utterly beautiful. I went through EVERY emotion reading this book: love, rage, grief, and hope.
I read the final 3 chapters twice to really let it sink in, and to torture myself more! Margo has written a dark, gut-wrenching and unforgettable book! This book will live rent-free in a special place in my mind 🫶🏽
Thank you for asking me to be an ARC reader, it was a pleasure!
🖤
What Blooms in Barren Lands absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way! This was my first ever ARC read and my first post-apocalyptic romance; and honestly, what an intro!! Margo Smythe’s writing is brutal, beautiful, and deeply real. The world feels raw and painfully real, with loss, survival, and moments of tenderness and emotion that sucker punch you.
Renata’s strength and pain are so intensely felt throughout, and Einar… well damn, he’s chaos and heartbreak all in one. Their connection is fierce, desperate, and utterly beautiful. I went through EVERY emotion reading this book: love, rage, grief, and hope.
I read the final 3 chapters twice to really let it sink in, and to torture myself more! Margo has written a dark, gut-wrenching and unforgettable book! This book will live rent-free in a special place in my mind 🫶🏽
Thank you for asking me to be an ARC reader, it was a pleasure!
🖤
October 6, 2025
This was written very well. It's not my first go-to of a choice of book, im not a huge "zombie apocalypse" fan.
That being said the story was well written with depth, maybe a little too much depth for me, but that's just my opinion. There seemed to be a lot of explaining when it wasn't needed. I also felt like the ending was rushed, I would have liked to have seen more of Kevin and Daves' lives afterwards.
It was also a bittersweet, sad ending. Not the happily ever after you usually get! Which makes a nice change!
That being said the story was well written with depth, maybe a little too much depth for me, but that's just my opinion. There seemed to be a lot of explaining when it wasn't needed. I also felt like the ending was rushed, I would have liked to have seen more of Kevin and Daves' lives afterwards.
It was also a bittersweet, sad ending. Not the happily ever after you usually get! Which makes a nice change!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2025
First ARC on this book. I don't normally read Post-apocalyptic themed books, but I enjoyed this. The pairing of Renata & Einar was on 🔥 How they are around one another while battling through a worldwide pandemic made for great reading. This book covers so many topics that kept me captivated, and who doesn't love a good trigger warning! 😏
October 18, 2025
This debut novel is a dark romance (emphasis on the dark, less on the romance) set during the zombie apocalypse. It follows Renata and other survivors while exploring themes of morality, infertility and connection in a post-apocalyptic world. I was surprised by the ending, it was not the direction I thought things would end based on the first quarter or so of the book.
I can’t resist a dystopian book and I can’t say I’ve read anything quite like this which I liked. While I connected with FMC Renata and do like a tall, dark and morally gray love interest, Einar wasn’t it for me. This is one to read the trigger warnings.
I can’t resist a dystopian book and I can’t say I’ve read anything quite like this which I liked. While I connected with FMC Renata and do like a tall, dark and morally gray love interest, Einar wasn’t it for me. This is one to read the trigger warnings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
This was an ARC that I received, and I feel so lucky to have been able to read this absolutely brilliant book.
I have given What Blooms in Barren Lands 4 stars. It would have been 5, but there are minor things that irritated me.
The book is basically the FMC - Renatas - account of her fifty shades of grey romance with the MMC, Einar during what was essentially a zombie apocalypse.
I love that it is set in the future and the way the writer dealt with the complex nature of morality during such a chaotic and terrifying event is applaudable.
I liked that Einar wasn't just morally grey, but outright unmoral at times, but I wasn't a fan of him standing by and doing nothing when Monika was being abused, especially when she was pregnant. Although I do recognise that this is realistically what probably would have happened in real life.
The level of spice was surprising, as I wasn't expecting it, but it added an enjoyable layer to the book.
I am so gutted that Einar died, and it was Petr - so fuming. Would have loved a happy ending.
I'm not sure the addition of the unpublished interview was necessary, but I liked that it broached the question of whether it was acceptable to kill the infected when a cure was now available.
I love that this was a debate throughout.
My only really negative thing was the word 'erstwhile' was used soooo many times, I just wanted to see the word former or anything else by the end of the book. It doesn't really affect the story it just became a little annoying.
I would 100% recommend this book and will definitely be getting a copy as a trophy for my bookshelf.
I have given What Blooms in Barren Lands 4 stars. It would have been 5, but there are minor things that irritated me.
The book is basically the FMC - Renatas - account of her fifty shades of grey romance with the MMC, Einar during what was essentially a zombie apocalypse.
I love that it is set in the future and the way the writer dealt with the complex nature of morality during such a chaotic and terrifying event is applaudable.
I liked that Einar wasn't just morally grey, but outright unmoral at times, but I wasn't a fan of him standing by and doing nothing when Monika was being abused, especially when she was pregnant. Although I do recognise that this is realistically what probably would have happened in real life.
The level of spice was surprising, as I wasn't expecting it, but it added an enjoyable layer to the book.
I am so gutted that Einar died, and it was Petr - so fuming. Would have loved a happy ending.
I'm not sure the addition of the unpublished interview was necessary, but I liked that it broached the question of whether it was acceptable to kill the infected when a cure was now available.
I love that this was a debate throughout.
My only really negative thing was the word 'erstwhile' was used soooo many times, I just wanted to see the word former or anything else by the end of the book. It doesn't really affect the story it just became a little annoying.
I would 100% recommend this book and will definitely be getting a copy as a trophy for my bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
4.75⭐
I haven't read a book quite like this before so when I began reading, my brain didn't know what to think at first 😅 but by the end I was enjoying it so much that my emotions were all over the place. I was going through the motions along with the characters.
I haven't read a book quite like this before so when I began reading, my brain didn't know what to think at first 😅 but by the end I was enjoying it so much that my emotions were all over the place. I was going through the motions along with the characters.
September 1, 2026
Blooms
What an amazing read!!! I absolutely loved the zombie aspect and it kept me wearing more!!! That ending has me going around because now I am questioning myself lol. This story was over 500 pages of non stop crazy that I definitely wanted. I can't wait to see what's next!!
What an amazing read!!! I absolutely loved the zombie aspect and it kept me wearing more!!! That ending has me going around because now I am questioning myself lol. This story was over 500 pages of non stop crazy that I definitely wanted. I can't wait to see what's next!!
Did Not Finish
February 6, 2026I wasn’t in the good mindset to read it
September 25, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book, just couldn't put it down (even to sleep! Who needs sleep anyway?). Think a much condensed version of "The Walking Dead" coupled with a dark romantic love story underlining it all. Follow a strong slightly unhinged woman and her journey of who she was before the outbreak to who she became after the outbreak along with the morally grey man she happens to meet along the way. The gains, the losses, the heartbreak, the test of loyalty and the questionable things you would do for love when the world as you know it is ending. Would you keep your humanity? Would you know right from wrong? All of this wrapped up in an incredibly well written story. 5 🌟
October 23, 2025
Once I started this dystopian apocalyptic novel, it had me locked in and I can honestly say it completely turned me upside down. This novel has so many elements to it. Survival, fear, death, hope and love. The journey, harrowing sacrifices and fight for survival takes place mostly on the beautiful island of Corsica in the Mediterranean.
Renata’ story starts off with her and her partner Petr as they struggle to start a family while also trying to reconnect with each other. In hopes of rekindling that bond, they take a much-needed getaway to Italy. What begins as a carefree trip quickly shifts when, in Florence, they find themselves in the midst of a deadly global pandemic. In an instant, everything changes — and the decisions they make separate them, setting Renata on a path toward rediscovering herself while managing the chaos around her and within her.
But this isn’t just any pandemic — it’s one that shuts down civilization and strips away people’s humanity, turning the world into a horrifying landscape of violence, fear, isolation and the fight one’s own survival.
Living day to day in survival mode means you stop wasting time on trivial things. Connections become fleeting — yet you can feel the instant spark when Renata first meets Einar. Renata’s fierce resilience soon becomes a match for Einar’s steel perseverance to lead and protect the people around him. Together, they form an alliance that runs deeper than mere survival — it’s a bond that redefines love, trust, and survival.
💬My thoughts:
* I fell in love with the writing style. It’s filled with moments of eloquence and softness, with lines that carry deep meaning and fit beautifully with both the story and the characters.
* Is there darkness in this book? Absolutely. The darkness of survival. The pandemic didn’t change them — it revealed them. It allowed them to embrace the darker parts of themselves they’d hidden. Einar’s darkness might be hard for some to comprehend, but Renata relishes it in a way few could. Together, they learn to love not just in spite of their darkness, but because of it. In the depths of despair, they find a love stronger than ever.
* There is just so much that the authors brings to the story within the many characters, the building of the background of the pandemic and how it affects humanity and the fall of society to a lawless one.
I also loved how this retelling is told through Renata’s eyes. This story captured my heart — her loves, her losses, her strength. Some moments were so intense I had to stop and catch my breath. 🫣 A love story both tender and haunting, it left me in tears and stayed with me long after the last page. 🥹💔
Highly Recommend: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to author for copy of an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts and a review.
Renata’ story starts off with her and her partner Petr as they struggle to start a family while also trying to reconnect with each other. In hopes of rekindling that bond, they take a much-needed getaway to Italy. What begins as a carefree trip quickly shifts when, in Florence, they find themselves in the midst of a deadly global pandemic. In an instant, everything changes — and the decisions they make separate them, setting Renata on a path toward rediscovering herself while managing the chaos around her and within her.
But this isn’t just any pandemic — it’s one that shuts down civilization and strips away people’s humanity, turning the world into a horrifying landscape of violence, fear, isolation and the fight one’s own survival.
Living day to day in survival mode means you stop wasting time on trivial things. Connections become fleeting — yet you can feel the instant spark when Renata first meets Einar. Renata’s fierce resilience soon becomes a match for Einar’s steel perseverance to lead and protect the people around him. Together, they form an alliance that runs deeper than mere survival — it’s a bond that redefines love, trust, and survival.
💬My thoughts:
* I fell in love with the writing style. It’s filled with moments of eloquence and softness, with lines that carry deep meaning and fit beautifully with both the story and the characters.
* Is there darkness in this book? Absolutely. The darkness of survival. The pandemic didn’t change them — it revealed them. It allowed them to embrace the darker parts of themselves they’d hidden. Einar’s darkness might be hard for some to comprehend, but Renata relishes it in a way few could. Together, they learn to love not just in spite of their darkness, but because of it. In the depths of despair, they find a love stronger than ever.
* There is just so much that the authors brings to the story within the many characters, the building of the background of the pandemic and how it affects humanity and the fall of society to a lawless one.
I also loved how this retelling is told through Renata’s eyes. This story captured my heart — her loves, her losses, her strength. Some moments were so intense I had to stop and catch my breath. 🫣 A love story both tender and haunting, it left me in tears and stayed with me long after the last page. 🥹💔
Highly Recommend: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to author for copy of an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts and a review.
August 13, 2026
‼️‼️⚠️THE BOTTOM OF MY REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. SPOILER FREE REVIEW AT THE TOP. ⚠️‼️‼️
⭐⭐⭐/⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I’m honestly still struggling with how to rate What Blooms in Barren Lands, because this is one of those books where my thoughts are very mixed. I can absolutely see the vision the author had for these characters, & I do think the writing itself was genuinely strong. There’s a lot going on, but Margo Smythe is clearly a very talented writer.
The apocalypse side of the story was done well too. I appreciated that the Ferals weren’t just pushed completely into the background once the characters found somewhere to settle. A lot of zombie/post-apocalyptic romance books do that, where the actual threat basically disappears except for a couple of random encounters, only have people conflict, but this one still had a decent amount of Zom action & danger throughout.
Where I struggled was with the main characters themselves. Both MCs are very morally questionable, which isn’t automatically a problem for me, but some of their choices & reactions were hard to ignore. I could understand why the FMC was drawn to the MMC in a way, because they both had a lot going on & seemed to understand parts of each other that most people wouldn’t. But there were definitely moments where I felt like the red flags were not just waving, they were basically slapping me in the face 😅
There is a lot of open-door spice, & while I understand this is meant to be darker, some of it felt a bit too OTT & unrealistic for me personally. I don’t mind dark romance elements, but some of the escalation felt like a lot.
SPOILERS BELOW
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️⚠️
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
The MMC gave me the full ick when he was first introduced. The power-tripping, misogynistic attitude, especially with him saying he only wanted to let the FMC into the settlement to use her for sex, was not a good first impression. I understand the FMC isn’t exactly in a healthy headspace either, & that part of the point is that these two are not typical “good” people, but I still struggled to feel like he ever fully redeemed himself.
The scene with the FMC’s pregnant friend being hit by her partner was probably one of the biggest moments where I disconnected from the MCs. The fact that the MMC, as the leader of the settlement, refused to get involved, & then stopped the FMC from intervening too, really bothered me. Especially when so much of the FMC’s storyline is tied to infertility & desperately wanting a child of her own. Her reaction afterwards just didn’t make sense to me emotionally, & the follow-up didn’t really fix that initial reaction for me either.
But then, after all of that, the ending still made me ugly cry. Which is honestly rude 😂 It is not an HEA, & even though I didn’t exactly like the MCs for most of the book, that final emotional scene was done beautifully. The hospital sacrifice at the end was awful, but I also think it was brave writing. The FMC’s inner monologue around what she did, & why she did it, added a lot of complexity. It was messed up, but realistically, none of us really know how we’d act in that kind of survival situation.
So overall, this is a hard one. I didn’t always like the characters or their choices, & some parts genuinely frustrated me, but I can’t deny that it was well written, emotionally effective, & bold in what it was willing to do with its MCs.
⭐⭐⭐/⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I’m honestly still struggling with how to rate What Blooms in Barren Lands, because this is one of those books where my thoughts are very mixed. I can absolutely see the vision the author had for these characters, & I do think the writing itself was genuinely strong. There’s a lot going on, but Margo Smythe is clearly a very talented writer.
The apocalypse side of the story was done well too. I appreciated that the Ferals weren’t just pushed completely into the background once the characters found somewhere to settle. A lot of zombie/post-apocalyptic romance books do that, where the actual threat basically disappears except for a couple of random encounters, only have people conflict, but this one still had a decent amount of Zom action & danger throughout.
Where I struggled was with the main characters themselves. Both MCs are very morally questionable, which isn’t automatically a problem for me, but some of their choices & reactions were hard to ignore. I could understand why the FMC was drawn to the MMC in a way, because they both had a lot going on & seemed to understand parts of each other that most people wouldn’t. But there were definitely moments where I felt like the red flags were not just waving, they were basically slapping me in the face 😅
There is a lot of open-door spice, & while I understand this is meant to be darker, some of it felt a bit too OTT & unrealistic for me personally. I don’t mind dark romance elements, but some of the escalation felt like a lot.
SPOILERS BELOW
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️⚠️
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
The MMC gave me the full ick when he was first introduced. The power-tripping, misogynistic attitude, especially with him saying he only wanted to let the FMC into the settlement to use her for sex, was not a good first impression. I understand the FMC isn’t exactly in a healthy headspace either, & that part of the point is that these two are not typical “good” people, but I still struggled to feel like he ever fully redeemed himself.
The scene with the FMC’s pregnant friend being hit by her partner was probably one of the biggest moments where I disconnected from the MCs. The fact that the MMC, as the leader of the settlement, refused to get involved, & then stopped the FMC from intervening too, really bothered me. Especially when so much of the FMC’s storyline is tied to infertility & desperately wanting a child of her own. Her reaction afterwards just didn’t make sense to me emotionally, & the follow-up didn’t really fix that initial reaction for me either.
But then, after all of that, the ending still made me ugly cry. Which is honestly rude 😂 It is not an HEA, & even though I didn’t exactly like the MCs for most of the book, that final emotional scene was done beautifully. The hospital sacrifice at the end was awful, but I also think it was brave writing. The FMC’s inner monologue around what she did, & why she did it, added a lot of complexity. It was messed up, but realistically, none of us really know how we’d act in that kind of survival situation.
So overall, this is a hard one. I didn’t always like the characters or their choices, & some parts genuinely frustrated me, but I can’t deny that it was well written, emotionally effective, & bold in what it was willing to do with its MCs.
October 1, 2025
I am so thankful I was selected as an ARC reader for this novel and really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone and reading something out of my norm. I will be honest, I did not particularly enjoy part 1 of the book, but I understand why it was necessary. As we began to transition to part 2, I was hooked and read the rest of it in about 48 hours. The story was very unique, and it was one of those stories that once finished, you just want to sit and process and reflect on the story, it was very well done. Instead of a synopsis on the story, I want to illuminate themes that really stood out to me (so some minimal spoilers).
As someone who is plagued with infertility, this book really struck a chord with me (and yes I read my trigger warnings). But the author's approach to the topic is so real and beautiful. It addresses not only the struggle of actual infertility but the societal pressure surrounding it of family asking when you're going to start a family or struggling to be happy for those around you when they do get pregnant. Here are some lines that really struck me:
"Infertility has intricate ways of gnawing into a woman's self-worth until none is left (p.8)."
"Life only truly starts when you have children...(p.19)"
"In the tree of evolution, I was nothing but a dead branch from which no others grew...(p.20).
"I never realised it was possible to grieve not only a life lost, but also a life that should have been but wasn't. That kind of sorrow is mostly invisible to others. Must have been brutally isolating (p.134)."
"Everyone knows that unrequited love is a gut-wrenching matter...knowing yourself capable of bottomless parental affection for a child you can never have... (p. 309)"
The author also does a great job of describing the true nature of a dominant-submissive relationship, acknowledging that the submissive really has all the power in those dynamics. The amount of trust required for a successful relationship like this is beyond comparison. Ren and Einar's relationship may not be traditional but there is no doubt it is genuine. Einar acknowledges that he acts on what he wants quickly because the pandemic proved how short life can be. It's romantic to watch the relationship move from just physical to "I'd burn the world for you."
A final theme that really stood out to me was that even with a pandemic occurring, the biggest threat to humans was still other humans. During the pandemic, other groups were a threat. Then after the pandemic, the government is looking for places to point blame and look to the survivors who did what was necessary to survive and call it “terrorism.”
Overall, an absolute must read. So thankful I got the opportunity experience this story.
As someone who is plagued with infertility, this book really struck a chord with me (and yes I read my trigger warnings). But the author's approach to the topic is so real and beautiful. It addresses not only the struggle of actual infertility but the societal pressure surrounding it of family asking when you're going to start a family or struggling to be happy for those around you when they do get pregnant. Here are some lines that really struck me:
"Infertility has intricate ways of gnawing into a woman's self-worth until none is left (p.8)."
"Life only truly starts when you have children...(p.19)"
"In the tree of evolution, I was nothing but a dead branch from which no others grew...(p.20).
"I never realised it was possible to grieve not only a life lost, but also a life that should have been but wasn't. That kind of sorrow is mostly invisible to others. Must have been brutally isolating (p.134)."
"Everyone knows that unrequited love is a gut-wrenching matter...knowing yourself capable of bottomless parental affection for a child you can never have... (p. 309)"
The author also does a great job of describing the true nature of a dominant-submissive relationship, acknowledging that the submissive really has all the power in those dynamics. The amount of trust required for a successful relationship like this is beyond comparison. Ren and Einar's relationship may not be traditional but there is no doubt it is genuine. Einar acknowledges that he acts on what he wants quickly because the pandemic proved how short life can be. It's romantic to watch the relationship move from just physical to "I'd burn the world for you."
A final theme that really stood out to me was that even with a pandemic occurring, the biggest threat to humans was still other humans. During the pandemic, other groups were a threat. Then after the pandemic, the government is looking for places to point blame and look to the survivors who did what was necessary to survive and call it “terrorism.”
Overall, an absolute must read. So thankful I got the opportunity experience this story.
October 8, 2025
ARC Review - Thank you to the author for sharing the E-pub with me. I received this ARC in exchange for a fair review which you will find below.
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Post Apocalyptic with Dark Romance elements.
Spice Level: 5 Chili Peppers
This is a spectacular debut novel for Margo Smythe!!! The emotional ride that I took in this book would put roller coasters to shame. Take a chance on her.....you will not regret it.
*****CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS***** I do reviews without spoilers, but I think it is important to call this out first. Things in this book created not just an emotional reaction but also a visceral reaction in me and I do not have TWs normally. The full list can be found https://www.margosmythe.com/content-w...
Our FMC, Renata. She is on holiday when a deadly zombie like virus breaks out and she winds up in lockdown for weeks with other tourists. Eventually, the choices are take a chance at becoming infected and find a safe place to "survive" or die of starvation as no one is coming to save them. Ren is strong-willed, intelligent, extremely talented with a bow, and yet vulnerable self-doubting all at the same time. She was incredibly relatable as a female going through what she was. Our MMC, Einar, is the leader of a survivor settlement. He is a Viking of a man, dominant, intelligent, dangerous, scary, and no slouch with an Axe or in hand-to-hand combat for that matter. When these two meet it is anything but traditional but the world wasn't normal at that time either. The ride that they go on together is emotional, vulnerable, and the love of a lifetime. They are a formidable couple for certain.
I wish that I could put into words better what this book did to me. I went through so many emotions in the 533 pages that are in this book (she is a thicc one). I finished it 3 days ago and I still cannot find the words that will sufficiently describe the ride this story took me on. I promise that you will laugh, you will scream, you will kick your feet, and you will cry but when it is all said and done you will still think about it afterwards.
I do not usually read post-apocalyptic stories because for some reason my stupid brain creates nightmares from zombies/zombie like descriptions. I am so glad that I read this book. It is easily a top 3 book for 2025. This is a book, I wish I could read for the first time again. Brava!!!
I do want to make one call out here - the writing style of this author is very descriptive and flowery. I have no issue with this for this book, as I think it truly helped to build the emotion of the time. If you do not like flowery writing or heavy writing then this might not be the right book for you.
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Post Apocalyptic with Dark Romance elements.
Spice Level: 5 Chili Peppers
This is a spectacular debut novel for Margo Smythe!!! The emotional ride that I took in this book would put roller coasters to shame. Take a chance on her.....you will not regret it.
*****CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS***** I do reviews without spoilers, but I think it is important to call this out first. Things in this book created not just an emotional reaction but also a visceral reaction in me and I do not have TWs normally. The full list can be found https://www.margosmythe.com/content-w...
Our FMC, Renata. She is on holiday when a deadly zombie like virus breaks out and she winds up in lockdown for weeks with other tourists. Eventually, the choices are take a chance at becoming infected and find a safe place to "survive" or die of starvation as no one is coming to save them. Ren is strong-willed, intelligent, extremely talented with a bow, and yet vulnerable self-doubting all at the same time. She was incredibly relatable as a female going through what she was. Our MMC, Einar, is the leader of a survivor settlement. He is a Viking of a man, dominant, intelligent, dangerous, scary, and no slouch with an Axe or in hand-to-hand combat for that matter. When these two meet it is anything but traditional but the world wasn't normal at that time either. The ride that they go on together is emotional, vulnerable, and the love of a lifetime. They are a formidable couple for certain.
I wish that I could put into words better what this book did to me. I went through so many emotions in the 533 pages that are in this book (she is a thicc one). I finished it 3 days ago and I still cannot find the words that will sufficiently describe the ride this story took me on. I promise that you will laugh, you will scream, you will kick your feet, and you will cry but when it is all said and done you will still think about it afterwards.
I do not usually read post-apocalyptic stories because for some reason my stupid brain creates nightmares from zombies/zombie like descriptions. I am so glad that I read this book. It is easily a top 3 book for 2025. This is a book, I wish I could read for the first time again. Brava!!!
I do want to make one call out here - the writing style of this author is very descriptive and flowery. I have no issue with this for this book, as I think it truly helped to build the emotion of the time. If you do not like flowery writing or heavy writing then this might not be the right book for you.
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