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The Last Book
Where do you go when the world ends? Who do you take?
As society unravels, Chance Dixson and his family find themselves in a small group of neighbors confronting these thoughts. When violence thrusts them into the open chaos of the world, they must face the cost of survival, taking long roads through the collapse of what is left, in hopes of a safe harbor on the other side.
The Last Book is a gritty, intense tale about the hope and depravity in the human soul, and how thin is the dividing line. Violent, dramatic, and built around the experiences of Chance, his wife Natalie, and their daughter January, The Last Book questions family, belief, survival, and the stories we make of our lives.
As society unravels, Chance Dixson and his family find themselves in a small group of neighbors confronting these thoughts. When violence thrusts them into the open chaos of the world, they must face the cost of survival, taking long roads through the collapse of what is left, in hopes of a safe harbor on the other side.
The Last Book is a gritty, intense tale about the hope and depravity in the human soul, and how thin is the dividing line. Violent, dramatic, and built around the experiences of Chance, his wife Natalie, and their daughter January, The Last Book questions family, belief, survival, and the stories we make of our lives.
430 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 15, 2025
In the first part of the book, it took me a little while to get used to the writing style and the shifts in time throughout the story. There were several interesting and moving/disturbing moments that really made me think. You know that situations like these could actually happen, and if the world ever reached that point, this book feels like a realistic portrayal of it. At times, however, the story felt a bit flat, which caused the pace to slow down here and there.
The final part, on the other hand, I read in one sitting. Such suspense! The epilogue wrapped things up nicely, although a few characters have stayed with me. I can’t help but wonder what happened to them afterwards.
Definitely a good book, though some of the more emotional/disturbing moments can be quite heavy to read. Otherwise, it’s certainly a recommendation.
The final part, on the other hand, I read in one sitting. Such suspense! The epilogue wrapped things up nicely, although a few characters have stayed with me. I can’t help but wonder what happened to them afterwards.
Definitely a good book, though some of the more emotional/disturbing moments can be quite heavy to read. Otherwise, it’s certainly a recommendation.
January 19, 2026
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is now the 2nd book I've read by Alisha Galvan, and I have to say she is a solid horror writer. There's something beautiful and horrific about the way she writes and tells a story, and this is no exception.
The Last Book is a post-apocalyptic story about one family's attempt to survive following some catastrophic event (those details weren't exactly clear). It almost felt like the Walking Dead, but without zombies. This was more of a character study, and how this broken family fought to survive in order to fix themselves and find a happy ever after.
This book was brutal and honest. I feel like some of the details we don't really think about in this type of story were discussed, because they are less glamorous. Alisha went into detail about how roles changed, how their bodies were no longer perfectly kept and groomed to the standards we (particularly women) are held to in this day and age. With Natalie as a nurse, she had to learn and do things she never had before. The discussion of contraception in a time when there isn't access to condoms and other forms of birth control anymore was also something I've never seen approached before in a novel like this. I really appreciated these mundane sort of details. It made this story feel hyper-realistic. A lot of the same societal issues we face today were explored, but in this world where society no longer exists and people are trying to find a way to start over again.
I also loved to see the character growth, especially between Natalie and Chance. High school sweethearts with a fractured marriage sounds liked a recipe for disaster once the apocalypse happens, and yet they chose to work through their problems. It was messy, got better before it got worse, and ultimately felt like a real marriage. There are ups and downs, and multiple rough patches before you can finally feel repaired again.
This book was terrifying, tense, emotional, and just a beautiful look into life, and the things we find important. I highly recommend this book!
This is now the 2nd book I've read by Alisha Galvan, and I have to say she is a solid horror writer. There's something beautiful and horrific about the way she writes and tells a story, and this is no exception.
The Last Book is a post-apocalyptic story about one family's attempt to survive following some catastrophic event (those details weren't exactly clear). It almost felt like the Walking Dead, but without zombies. This was more of a character study, and how this broken family fought to survive in order to fix themselves and find a happy ever after.
This book was brutal and honest. I feel like some of the details we don't really think about in this type of story were discussed, because they are less glamorous. Alisha went into detail about how roles changed, how their bodies were no longer perfectly kept and groomed to the standards we (particularly women) are held to in this day and age. With Natalie as a nurse, she had to learn and do things she never had before. The discussion of contraception in a time when there isn't access to condoms and other forms of birth control anymore was also something I've never seen approached before in a novel like this. I really appreciated these mundane sort of details. It made this story feel hyper-realistic. A lot of the same societal issues we face today were explored, but in this world where society no longer exists and people are trying to find a way to start over again.
I also loved to see the character growth, especially between Natalie and Chance. High school sweethearts with a fractured marriage sounds liked a recipe for disaster once the apocalypse happens, and yet they chose to work through their problems. It was messy, got better before it got worse, and ultimately felt like a real marriage. There are ups and downs, and multiple rough patches before you can finally feel repaired again.
This book was terrifying, tense, emotional, and just a beautiful look into life, and the things we find important. I highly recommend this book!
August 29, 2026
“The Last Book” is the 5th book from horror/thriller-suspense writer Alisha Galvan, and true to form, is yet another different sub-genre she tackles in the post-apocalyptic fashion.
I have been a huge fan of Alisha’s and this is no different. I was blown away by this entire book from start to finish. The poetic writing style, the focus on character and world-building and one family’s fight for survival both physical and emotional. The depths we fall to in order to adapt and survive, or not. What we are willing to sacrifice and what are willing to die for.
This is a very intentionally slow-moving book that is more of a character study than it is a traditional post-apocalypse action story. There is so much explored in the way of food and shelter and hygiene and how humans might realistically react and change and cope in a world that is so vastly different. The things we lose and never have again. The versions of ourselves we have to let go of. And the things we must change and fight for to let not only a newer world settle in, but a newer, and hopefully stronger, version of ourselves.
This book is dark and upsetting, and does come with several trigger warnings. I enjoyed the note we ended on, as well as how some characters we’ll never have a pretty bow for. In a world of darkness and chaos and sometimes the worst of humanity… sometimes all it takes is to find the one shred of hope and light, and fight like hell to keep it.
This was a beautiful story of survival and redemption. And a family’s will to keep moving even when there is no guarantee. And who we are when we are stripped of everything… and who are willing to become in the aftermath of it.
Even though I selfishly wanted to know more about “the event”… I respect that we only know as much as the characters do, which is nothing but gossip and speculation and news that is ravaged by word-of-mouth conjecture. What a great means to disorient the reader, in a good way.
This comes highly recommended as all her work does. I will be eagerly awaiting her next publication, no matter the genre she decides to tackle next.
I have been a huge fan of Alisha’s and this is no different. I was blown away by this entire book from start to finish. The poetic writing style, the focus on character and world-building and one family’s fight for survival both physical and emotional. The depths we fall to in order to adapt and survive, or not. What we are willing to sacrifice and what are willing to die for.
This is a very intentionally slow-moving book that is more of a character study than it is a traditional post-apocalypse action story. There is so much explored in the way of food and shelter and hygiene and how humans might realistically react and change and cope in a world that is so vastly different. The things we lose and never have again. The versions of ourselves we have to let go of. And the things we must change and fight for to let not only a newer world settle in, but a newer, and hopefully stronger, version of ourselves.
This book is dark and upsetting, and does come with several trigger warnings. I enjoyed the note we ended on, as well as how some characters we’ll never have a pretty bow for. In a world of darkness and chaos and sometimes the worst of humanity… sometimes all it takes is to find the one shred of hope and light, and fight like hell to keep it.
This was a beautiful story of survival and redemption. And a family’s will to keep moving even when there is no guarantee. And who we are when we are stripped of everything… and who are willing to become in the aftermath of it.
Even though I selfishly wanted to know more about “the event”… I respect that we only know as much as the characters do, which is nothing but gossip and speculation and news that is ravaged by word-of-mouth conjecture. What a great means to disorient the reader, in a good way.
This comes highly recommended as all her work does. I will be eagerly awaiting her next publication, no matter the genre she decides to tackle next.
January 4, 2026
* 3.5 Stars *
It took me a minute to situate myself into this world and figure out what was going on with the way I was dropped right in. I think it did a good job displaying how emotions and relationships evolve when you're in survival mode, but because of the emphasis on this, it does drag some. The dragging is not helped either by the chapter lengths which are LONG. When the action was there it hit hard and was great. I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. Definitely read this if you want to see more of the human reaction to destruction rather than a ton of action and things happening. I did enjoy the writing style which was more on the poetic side as well.
It took me a minute to situate myself into this world and figure out what was going on with the way I was dropped right in. I think it did a good job displaying how emotions and relationships evolve when you're in survival mode, but because of the emphasis on this, it does drag some. The dragging is not helped either by the chapter lengths which are LONG. When the action was there it hit hard and was great. I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. Definitely read this if you want to see more of the human reaction to destruction rather than a ton of action and things happening. I did enjoy the writing style which was more on the poetic side as well.
October 3, 2025
What a read, as this being my first read by this author. I really enjoyed it. It was dark and disturbing. Which are one my favorite type of books. I couldn't put it down once I started it. Heads up there are triggers warnings to be prepared especially if you are triggered easily.
October 25, 2025
I was hooked from the start. Dark, intense, and suspenseful, it kept me turning pages despite some slower sections early on. The ending and epilogue were satisfying, though a few characters linger in my mind. Heavy at times, but unforgettable, a highly recommended read.
October 4, 2025
WOW
I have read many end of the world books. This one hits a little different.
Miss Alisha writes about things that down normally get mentioned, but you gotta read it to find out!
I have read many end of the world books. This one hits a little different.
Miss Alisha writes about things that down normally get mentioned, but you gotta read it to find out!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews