The Hollowed: Project Virion: Book One

Project Virion #1

by Amilea Perez, Rachel Miller (Editor), Riley Josephine (Editor)

The infected aren’t the only ones who should be feared.

Dr. Lucilla Castillo was never supposed to leave Sanctum Medical. Not after the outbreak turned her research lab into the last line of defense against the virus that hollowed out humanity, but when a vaccine of her creation proves to work, she is thrusted into a world far more dangerous than the flesh eating monsters outside.

Accompanied by Alejandro Ramirez, a soldier with too many scars and Luna, the dog who’s followed him through hell, Luci must journey west to the only facility left that might help mass-produce the cure. But freedom has a price, and trust is a currency no one parts with easily.

Prometheus, the institution that raised and educated her, claims to serve the greater good, but as Luci digs deeper, she begins to realize that not everything is as it seems and sometimes the greatest threats come from the very people who swore to protect you.

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The Hollowed is a heart wrenching tale of love, resistance, and what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself, even after everything’s already been lost.

Genres: Dystopia, Zombies, Post Apocalyptic

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2025

About the author

Amilea Perez is a Mexican-American author and full-time student based in Utah. When she’s not buried in textbooks or conducting research, she enjoys spending time with her family, binge watching TV shows, rewatching her favorite movies, and most of all, crafting stories that celebrate Mexican main characters and cultural pride.

Growing up, Amilea longed to see her heritage reflected in media and higher education. With the guidance of her parents, she learned that change only happens when we take action. Motivated by this belief, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Biological Chemistry and was named Utah’s Young Humanitarian for her work in improving medical access to underserved communities.

While she takes great pride in her academic and humanitarian accomplishments, Amilea’s heart has always belonged to storytelling. She began writing in 2020 as an outlet for artistic expression, and in 2024, she released her debut novel, The Tournament of Heirs. Through her books, she hopes to continue bringing diverse stories to life and to inspire other Latinx writers to embrace their voices and heritage.

Follow Amilea Perez on social media to stay up to date on her latest projects and upcoming releases.


Website: Amileaauthor.com
Instagram: Amilea.writes
TikTok: Amilea.writes

Reviews

[Archives of Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and new is what I’d describe this book to be. While there is so much in this book being relatable to today’s world such as politics, science, and even being Latine in America, it made me feel seen.

We read for escapism and picking up a dystopian book may seem like something you won’t want to do when it relates so heavily to the bleak parts of our world but trust me you won’t regret it. This book shows you where perseverance and not bending to your governments will get you. That there’s hope, good people willing to fight for the greater good. All whilst having zombies, cool action scenes, and believable relationships impressively in under 300 pages.

Like I told Amy, I didn’t know what to do when I finished this, I loved it so so much and I feel like I can’t really explain it well enough but tell you I loved it and you should read it.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, huge thank you to Amy & her team for the ARC 💌

Okay but LISTEN… Cipher owns my whole heart 😩❤️ I SAID WHAT I SAID!!! But Luna?? My girl Luna 🐶✨ is the sweetest lil baby German Shepherd who will 1000% bite your face off if you mess with her hoomans 😤💅

We’ve got a zombie apocalypse 🧟‍♀️🔥, a solider, and a doctor (Luci 🩺💗) who’s trying to find a cure while surviving a world gone mad. Alex 👀 is the protective “I’d die for you” type who’s been in love with Luci forever 🫠💘 When she’s sent to AZ with Alex, his team, and something that could save everyone, things get real messy… and I was eating it up 🍿🤭

This book is EVERYTHING !!! resilience 💪, bravery 🫶, found family 🫂, and love that never wavers 💋 Plus the Latina rep?? chef’s kiss 💃🌹 And the political parallels?? TOO real 😳 ifykyk 👀

Anyway, go read it on 12/12/2025. Like, run 🏃‍♀️💨 for Cipher and his slutty little glasses 🤓🔥

[Kimberlyyyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5

Many often read with the intention to use it for escapism especially in today’s society. This book does not do that. Instead it tackles concepts that can be seen in our day to day lives and reminds us as to what we are fighting for. Hope.

This book was everything I needed it to be! Lucilla and Alex are two amazing protagonists, who are just willing to do anything to keep each other safe. This is essential when the place you call home actively weaponizes the relationships closets to you. The fact that they’re Mexican 🇲🇽, makes them THAT much more iconic 😍

This is my favorite book from Amy, I really hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I did 🤭!!

Shout out to Luna for stealing the show, may she forever receive all the ear scratches and naps of the world.

Cipher and Myra 😛, I’m purely convinced they were added to the story to give me even more bisexual panic because wdym that Myra tops him and Cipher whimpers?!

Amilea puts so much passion into all her work, from the boxes she makes to the art that she commissions. You can feel her dedication and voice in this novel.

I seriously cannot recommend this book enough!!!

Dystopian December was made just for Amilea 🙂‍↕️❤️

[Urmoodymamii · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because hope inspires courage where there should be submission. Hope makes people question, resist, and rebel. And for a regime like Prometheus, that's dangerous."

Sometimes you finish a book and the words to describe what you felt and what it was about, comes easy. Other times, words evade you. The reason why I feel my words will never be enough to describe what was within the pages of The Hollowed, is because although fiction- the truth of what can happen, especially during the current political climate simmered off the pages. It's emotionally captivating, unforgiving, and brave.

This is a fast paced book set in New Chicago under the regime of Prometheus. The only thing they value is your loyalty, submission, and your time to help further their mission. The manipulation in this book used on the humanity left from the disease that spread 3 years prior, spoke volumes. There isn't anything Prometheus didn't use to help keep everyone in line. I was left speechless at the lengths they took and the lack of empathy they had for the community that kept them beating.

It was truly hard to pick a favorite character or not fall in love with them all. Lucilla, refuses to give into the hardness Prometheus teaches and is set on saving the world. Alejandro, a recruit to Prometheus' army was taught to be lethal no matter what, yet his feelings for Luci show him that there's more than one light at the end of the tunnel. Myra (the character I resonated with the most) is the sensitive gangster. She is badassry incarnate, but underneath her walls, is a woman who wants to keep those she loves alive and close. Cipher is the ride or die of the group, he would literally follow you into the dark. Amilea poetically depicted the softness during moments where each character needed a reminder that there's so much to fight for- a push for a better future.

While this book is action packed, romantic, and thrilling- it also serves as a mirror to the world we live in and what could happen should we stop fighting back, TOGETHER. I'm sat for book 2 and the hell the gang is going to raise. Thank you Amilea for allowing me the pleasure to ARC read for you.

The Hollowed will be releasing on 12/12/25. Trust me, and add to your TBR now.

[Mel Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amilea Perez is wise beyond her years and is a fantastic writer. This is the first book in her new series and I loved every moment. It has a totally different plot than her first series but has an equally strong voice. It is action packed, full of heat (Alex is so yummy), and has a fiercely powerful message imbedded into the plot. Amelia weaves her culture into this book and all of her books, giving readers a look into the victories and trials Latinos face. I was completely hooked early on and cannot wait for the next book. An absolute must read for fans of dystopian romantasy that packs a punch!

Thank you to Amy and her team for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Franny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars! This was a great book! Dystopian, zombie apocalypse, spice, and German Shepherd side kick. I really enjoyed this and it had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you BookSirens for this ARC.
It was so good, I purchased a signed book trophy.

[Esmeralda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been looking for a forbidden romance set in the future where zombies roam, or as they are called in this book the Hollowed? Then this is for you! It is fast paced filled with romance, action, deception and hoards (iykyk).
I had the privilege to receive the ARC and it is so good that I am excited to read the book again when it releases!
If you liked the walking dead and the last of us then this is for you. Not only fighting the hollowed is hard but fighting the system and all you've ever known is a war in itself. Will love triumph? Will they be able to save the rest of humanity? Read to find out!

[waywardwraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐

"My people are prepared to fight. We don't bend our knees to fascists"

Thank you to the author and to Book Sirens for the eARC!
I loved this book. It's clear that the author was inspired by the current political situation in the US, where people are being hunted down and taken away by solid water. I genuinely had to take a break and nod in certain scenes, because of how real they felt.
"If we had spoken spanish at home, it would've made us look like we weren't American enough. If someone like me speaks it, it's suspicious and wrong, but if someone like you does it's... an accomplishment and something to admire"
This exact scene touched something deep in my heart too, as a daughter of immigrants, it feels too close to home. In a way that makes you feel understood, but makes you understand how unfair the situation is.

The author also spoke about corrupt regimes, the kind that gives you false hope, a false image of freedom and protection, when in reality you're living in a prison you can't see. You are not free, you don't even belong to yourself. You belong to them. You are their property and they can do whatever they want with you. Women are used as a means to an end, because reproduction is more important than anything else. More important than a cure itself. "You are property of Prometheus" is an alarm. A wake up call.
Not only that, the amount of brainwashing and propaganda used by these regimes to manipulate people into being submissive, so that people don't question the system twice, so they don't resist. It's not just fiction, it's inspired by what we're currently living in. If you look close enough, you can see it.

The characters are beautiful, as I said. Smart, strong, and they don't let anyone control their choices. They fight for what they believe in and that is making the world better for everyone, giving people what they deserve, which is hope and a new chance in life. I loved how they questioned everything and how they were ready to risk it all just to save each other. SO GOOD.

Honestly, there are so many themes discussed in this book, and I don't want to spoil some of the things happening in there, since they are like plot twists. So, surprise surprise when you read it.


There are a few things that made the rating go down, but keep in mind that even with those thing I did absolutely love the book and I will 100% keep up with a sequel.
-Very fast paced. The book is short and things happen quickly. The action, the plot itself, the relationships, they flow a bit quick. Which in itself wouldn't bee to much of an issue. But I just felt like if we had a bit more of time to get more information about the world building, how the system works, how stuff happened etc, it would have been nicer.
-plot holes. Like, where did her friend from chapter one go? After talking about her in the beginning it seemed like she was just fogotten up until the end again when she was mentioned. Sure, Luci didn't get any updated about her after the outbreak happened, but it's the fact that she judt didn't think of her at throughout the book, save for the first chapter and the last. Also, the world bulding has some plot holes too, stuff missing. How does the facility work? How did people get into it? What have they been doing this whole time? How does plasma even work, etc. Many things just weren't explained well, thus why I think it could have been more slow paced to give us more info, but hopefully in the next book we will get more explanations.
-The writing wasn't bad at all, I actually liked it. It just felt too fast, again.
-I think the characters could have a little more depth, even if I do absolutely love them.

All this aside, this book is beautiful and you should absolutely read it.

[Maya Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ☆

“Consider me yours to command.”

Thank you so much Amilea Perez and Book Sirens for an Arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had so much fun with this story, genuinely what a rollercoaster ride. First of the characters were all so loveable, Alex and Luci have my heart. I love how smart and dedicated both Luci and Alex were- infact all the characters were. Even though it took me a few chapters to warm up to Myra, I adored her just the same, especially when she was with Cipher, they were so understanding and supportive of one another. Jace was a sweet baby and I'm rooting for him! Luna was a loveable dog, she added to the plot in the best way possible.

Luci and Alex were what would be defined as the dream relationship. Their priorities and dedication towards one another were so heartwarming. The energy and effort they made sure to give so that they were feeling 100% most of the time was a cherry on top. I loved their intimacy- the way Amilea had wrote it actually made it feel intimate, which sounds like that would be obvious, but the spice incorporated feelings of vulnerability that add to deep exposer of it all- it makes everything more emotional instead of just focusing on lust. Another plus: Nothing about this book was cringey to me, even with the "I'll burn the world for you" trope, the delivery of the lines felt natural.

The world building and the traveling was so easy to understand and to imagine; I would say if you're new to dystopian and sci-fi this would be a great book to start with, nothing was overly complicated but it was still investing. The messaged layed out in the book was amazing, along with the hispanic representation, it's not very often that we are represented which is, in it's entirely, devistating. So, thank you so much for adding the representation into this story. I would also like to mention how the corruption from one large and in-power group affects so many people from all races, all ages, and all statuses. This is a real world problem that needs more attention- people need to speak out about overpowering groups that do more harm than good, we can't be afraid to speak are minds, and act on our ideas.

I do wish that there was a bit more action throughout the story, do not get me wrong there was a great chunk of action, but I still would've loved just a bit more (I do understand though that this is book one, but hopefully there will be more action to come). I also do wish that cliffhanger ending had given me more of a shock, but I will still definitely be picking up book 2 when it comes out. I'm excited to see where the series goes!

-

Quotes

-"Denying her anything would be impossible for him. She could have asked him to steal the stars from the sky, and he would have spent his last breath

-“Then I’m yours,” he promised against her mouth, each word spoken like an oath that couldn’t be broken. “For as long as you want me Luci — I’m yours.”

-“How the hell can hope be dangerous?”
Doc leaned back. “Because hope inspires courage where there should be submission. Hope makes people question, resist, and rebel. And for a regime like Prometheus, that’s dangerous.”

[purrs and plotlines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanna thank the author for the chance to ARC read this because I love a good sci-fi novel! Not to mention, the author is a scientist and the FMC is a doctor doing vaccine research and that’s 100% up my alley as a research scientist myself.

I loved the beginning of this book because life is as normal as it can be in Lucilla’s world until she literally witnesses a man being hunted down and chomped on by another human. Fast forward a few years later and this virus has taken over. Humans are living essentially in quarantined settlements for safety but under the rule of Prometheus. This entity controls their every movement from jobs to reproduction.

During this lockdown, Dr Lucilla Castillo grows close with Alex, a young man who was brought into their program at a young age before the virus was even in play. He handles operations that involve collecting supplies from the city around them and taking down infected if needed. He also has the sweetest pup named Luna.

In her spare time, Lucilla is on the hunt for a vaccine to help either prevent infection or to revert it quickly once bitten to prevent it from taking over. And she’s finally done it. In order to get this distributed to all survivors the mission is simple, Alex and Lucilla + a team of operatives will transport the vaccine to AZ-7 from their current location in Chicago…but must also not get infected or killed along the way.

Oh, and did I mention Prometheus is hoping for their deaths? Because why would they want healing when they have so much control in this situation? Luci and Alex face a variety of troubles along their way and the ending was a cliffhanger that leads me to believe book 2 will do a deeper dive into all that Prometheus is hiding.

In the beginning of this book it says, “The politicians claimed it was out of their control.”

- Disease at a pandemic level
- The poor being taken advantage of by being forced into labor for accomodations and food
- Detrimental global climate change
- Greed being at the center of it all.

So painfully accurate and relatable. Amilea touches base on such bleak real world topics and I like the direct call out on these things. Her main characters speak to her love of her heritage and they are the heroes of this story. In our current state, we often see immigrants painted as a myriad of awful things. People carry their cultures and beliefs with them (food, stories, music, history, etc) and we would be missing out if we chose not to embrace each other. We learn and experience so much from being a diverse nation. And at the most basic level, humans deserve to be treated as humans regardless of the things that make us “different.”

I want to end on this note with a quote from the book,

“How the hell can hope be dangerous?”

Doc leaned back. “Because hope inspires courage where there should be submission. Hope makes people question, resist, and rebel. And for a regime like Prometheus, that’s dangerous.”


We should continue to hope and to inspire it in others. Otherwise, nothing changes and how shameful would that be?

[Ash (so there’s this book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Adult/NA Apocalyptic Romance
Spice: 2/5🌶️
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝙰𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚊 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚣’𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚓𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚅𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜.

The Catalog: F/M, friends to lovers, doctor FMC x bodyguard MMC, FMC in STEM, apocalyptic roadtrip, zombie apocalypse, forced proximity, touch her/him and die, governmental corruption, Mexican main characters, found family, band of survivors, doggo sidekick, Lantine author

CWs: gore, violence, gun violence, blood, medical content, racism (remembered)

Synopsis: Dr. Lucilla has dedicated her life to finding a vaccine for the virus that created the Hollowed, vicious zombies that seem to be getting smarter. However, on the brink of discovery, the Prometheus Collective tells her she’s out of time and will be joining the breeding program. With only a few days left, Lucilla strikes genius, but her work is a target as much as a miracle, a dangerous one.

Thoughts:
I am a major zombie apocalypse connoisseur, gobbling up all apocalyptic romances that involve zombies, survival, and found family. When I first saw this book teased by the author, I was already hooked. Now that I’ve read book one, I’m buzzing with excitement. I think this series is going to knock me off my feet.

The world building is very easy to digest for dystopian and apocalyptic genre readers, and although I wish there had been more zombie horror, I think the level is very approachable!

The story takes place in a slightly futuristic world ravaged by a virus that decimated the population and created zombies. The MCs live inside of a hospital compound ran by the Prometheus Collective, an overlord type agency with all of the power. No one leaves unless they are a soldier, like Alex and Myra. However, when Lucilla strikes vaccine gold, the rules of the game change, and she’s sent out with Alex and a team of soldiers to transport the vaccine from Chicago to Arizona.

I am obsessed with the four main characters: Alex, Dr. Lucilla, Myra, and the tech expert Cipher. We get to see their stories unfold separately before converging together. This book does end on a soft pause, not quite a cliffhanger, and I am already so excited to see where this team of fighters will go next. The setup for book two is fantastic.

As for the romance, I love that there are two couples, although the main romance seems to be mostly focused on Alex and Lucilla. Their love story is a friends to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn situation that was genuinely very sweet. I loved the contrast between their relationship and the harsh setting.

Overall, I’m just so excited to see where this series goes. I think this was an incredibly strong start and I’m so invested!!

[Kiera Ponting · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Hollowed' is a book that I'm going to be wholeheartedly recommending going forward - it's fast-paced, laced with romance, and full of important political commentary that applies to our world today.

This book follows Luci, a doctor, as she works towards developing a vaccine against the infection turning humans into mindless zombies. She's essentially owned by Prometheus, a powerful corporation that educates and houses people in this post-apocalyptic America in exchange for owning years of their time and everything they produce. When Luci finally has a breakthrough, her friend Alex (and his amazing German Shepard Luna) is tasked with acting as her bodyguard on a dangerous mission to deliver the prototype vaccine to a larger, distant facility with the ability to replicate it at a larger scale. Of course as with any dystopian novel, not everything is as it seems and action ensues.

The highlight of 'The Hollowed' is it's characters. Amilea Perez has done an amazing job of writing authentic, believable characters that feel like they really would exist in the harrowing future world she has created. Luci is driven and strong, defying the expectations of others at every turn. Alex is a fierce protector type, but with a soft side. Myra is a good foil to Luci, acting as the character who is bitter about everything and with a hard exterior, but is also loyal. Cipher was an excellent addition to the cast in the latter half of the book, with the book smarts to help cover the weak spots of the tougher, more worldly members of the cast.

The setting is dark, with the main narrative taking place several years into a zombie outbreak, but in an already dystopian future. There was enough world-building to keep me happy, with explanations covering how this dystopia came to be and some of the alternative tech of the future. One thing I wanted to know a bit more about is how plasma became a source of power/energy, especially because the author is a biological chemist. I realise this is a niche area of interest, but as a regular plasma donor in the real world, I was fascinated by this concept as it subverted the generosity of donation. The real point of focus here is the romance between Luci and Alex (who I did love together!) but I did want just a little more build-up. Because there are already friends prior to the story starting, and the action kicks in so quickly, I just wished for a little more of them as friends to get a better picture of their pre-existing relationship.

I'm so excited to see where the rest of this series goes, and to check out the author's other series!

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

[ComeReadWithDocP · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I need to say this with my whole chest: this book beautifully represents my people. As a Mexican-American, seeing our culture, resilience, strength, traditions, and brilliance portrayed with pride hit me right in the heart. And the STEM rep? Chef’s kiss. Having a Latina doctor leading a story, giving voice to women of color in science, is powerful. Representation matters, and Amilea delivered it with love and authenticity. Thank you for that. ❤️

Okay, now to the chaos.

This book is a fast-paced, heart-pounding zombie dystopian thriller with a heavy dose of political intrigue. Think The Last of Us meets a corrupt regime… with a Latina scientist leading the resistance.

We follow Dr. Lucilla Castillo (Luci) as she fights to find a cure in a world overrun by a deadly virus that turned people into zombies. The science in this book? Real, thoughtful, and exciting. As a fellow science geek, I loved being inside Luci’s brain as she worked through research, reasoning, and experimentation. She’s a powerhouse, intelligent, brave, passionate, and compassionate.

And then there’s Alex, her bodyguard, plus Luna, his canine sidekick and Luci’s fierce protector. Alex gives total touch her and 💀 energy. Their romance thread is soft, protective, and grounded in trust, not rushed or forced.

The found family is another highlight. Every side character brings warmth, depth, humor, or heartbreak. This isn’t just a story of surviving zombies, it’s a story of surviving with people, rebuilding, trusting, and choosing hope.

The ending sets up book 2 perfectly, twists, danger, new stakes, and a whole lot of questions.

If you love zombie survival stories, dystopian governments, scientific thrillers, found family, and protective MMC energy? Add The Hollowed to your TBR immediately.

[Rachel]

Special thanks to the author for making this eARC available!

Things I loved:
-Representation/Diversity, especially in a zombie apocalypse. I don’t see that very often and I enjoyed reading about it.
-Myra’s storyline. I think she’s technically a side character but Myra really stood out to me. I loved her drive, her love for her found family, and her confidence.
-The action scenes felt very tense! There’s a scene in a high school that’s particularly good.
-The dog! We love a dog. Don’t worry, no harm comes to our queen.
-The multiple POV’s were fun!

Things That Felt Off:
-Lucilla starts the book searching for her best friend, and talks a lot about her, but then Lucilla only thinks about her friend one more time during the entire rest of the book. I kept wondering if she was Lucilla’s imaginary friend.
-There was a lot of info-dumping at the beginning of the book.
-I couldn’t always follow the world building. Cars can run on plasma? Like human plasma? Lucilla has always lived in a hospital or just after the zombie apocalypse? The big bad government has alway controlled everything? These were all unclear to me.
-The “evil” characters felt very one-dimensional to me.
-The romances were rushed to me, but I also prefer a slow-burn, so that’s on me.

Overall, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but I enjoyed the fun action and quick read.

Thanks again to the author for providing an eARC!

[Sussu {Romance Obsessed} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Amilea Perez for the arc!!

Luna es preciosa 100% 💖

4.5 rounded up bc I loved the characters so much.

I really enjoyed this book, I'm so happy to see more Hispanic representation, and heroes in 2025.

There's a whole social commentary of corporate greed and overlords who run the world and control the population? It feels scarily accurate.

Who wouldn't love an smart woman who endlessly works in a lab for a cure to an infectious zombie disease?
Also, who wouldn't love a tough mercenary guy who admires her intelligence and doesn't let anything bad happen to her? (Cough) Any Pedro fans in the chat?

Lastly, who wouldn't love a big softie of a dog who is also fiercely protective and bites any zombies who get too close. She's also immune to their bites. 💅

The book is less than 300 pages, and I feel like so much is packed in without feeling overwhelming.
It takes serious talent as an author to accomplish so much with less pages.
There are also side characters who get fleshed out.

It would be so easy to have them fall into one dimensional stereotypes, but you get the feeling that they're people too with wants and needs.


There were only a few things that were unclear:
- The plasma for the vehicles. Is it human plasma? Or different?
- What about the brother storyline?

I'd love for there to be a sequel where more of this gets clarified, in addition to the growing world.

[TribesReadingObsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Then we do this my way. We'll find a way to make this work." He leaned in closer, his voice soft but firm. "But understand that if it comes down to it, if this world tries to take you from me, I'll burn everything — I'll kill everyone before I let that happen." (Swoon)

I loved this book it had everything I’ve ever needed and now I need more……. Book 2 asap! How is this my first zombie apocalypse book I’ve read when I live for movies along this line!

I loved the characters especially the main ones Dr. Lucilla Castello and Sargent Alejandro Ramirez. They had chemistry, sweetness, wholesomeness in a world where Zombies are taking over and evolving. They were exactly what each other needs in a time where it’s hard to keep going, keep trying when it all feels impossible. Throw in a corrupt government, a mission, a team and a badass dog named Luna.

🧟 zombies
🧟‍♂️ friends to lovers
🧟‍♀️ missions
🧟 dog named Luna
🧟‍♂️ corrupt government
🧟‍♀️ made family
🧟 spice
🧟‍♂️ Mexican MC
🧟‍♀️ Quick easy but awesome read

Definitely will be suggesting this book to anyone and everyone. I cannot wait for more from this author.
Thanks for an amazing read. This is an honest arc review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of The Hollowed in exchange for my honest review.


The Hollowed turned out to be such a fantastic dystopian read. I’m always drawn to stories set in bleak, desolate futures where a small, determined group has to pull together to save what’s left of the world, and this book absolutely delivered on that front. It gave me a really fun blend of *The Maze Runner*, *Divergent*, and even *The Last of Us*…all the best elements of those worlds without feeling derivative.

One of the things I appreciated most was the pacing. The story moves quickly, but not at the expense of detail. Instead of dropping all the world building on the reader at once, the author wove it naturally into the plot as it progressed, which kept things engaging while still giving a clear sense of the world and its rules.

At its core, this book is about love, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about. There’s the constant tension of surviving under a controlling organization, the bravery required to step beyond everything familiar, and the resilience the characters show again and again.

I do, however, wish we had gotten more background on how the virus began. Where it came from, how it started, what triggered everything. I also found myself pretty upset by the death of certain characters. It felt barely acknowledged, almost brushed aside, like their loss didn’t matter as much as it should have, and that definitely stuck with me.

Still, if you’re even remotely a fan of dystopian stories, this is one you’re going to want to pick up.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the e-arc!

"Because hope inspires courage where there should be submission. Hope makes people question, resist, and rebel And for a regime like Prometheus, that's dangerous."


I was on the search for a book with Mexican representation & I found it with The Hollowed.

With the current way our community is being depicted by the government, I loved the way the author reclaimed that narrative with this book.


Lucilla and Alex were STRONG, INTELLIGENT, & RESILIENT. And boy did they fight against the corrupt system.

The reason for taking a star is due to the pacing of the book. Things were happening a bit too quickly for me to the point that in some chapters it was giving me whiplash trying to keep up with what was happening.


Overall, I’m emotionally invested in the story & will be looking forward to book 2!

A special thank you to the author, Amilea, thank you for the Mexican representation. It means so much to a girl like me. :)

[Chrys Champ · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASEEEEEE do yourself a favor & me a favor & read this book !!!!
I read this book in one sitting ! It is sooo binge worthy. It will make you feel alll the emotions .

You get two love stories, a sick boy & a dog!
We have Luci & Alex, Myra & Cipher , Jace & Luna.

The setting is in a post apocalyptic world where Luci is a doctor trying to find a cure . However home girl has morals. She took an oath and she is determined to create a vaccine that will end the Hallowed & won’t allow anyone to stand in her way.

You have the most bad ass security Alex who will burn the world down for Luci, as he escorts her to AZ7 to take the vaccine to be developed further. But the Prometheus never fully intended on them being successful in their mission as it will inevitably lead to them losing control over the people.

My severe PTSD from 2020 had me sweatttting , remembering lockdown and quarantine, but I was triggered in the best way.

You get action filled scenes (I imagined Alex as John Wick, just killing everyone in slow motion) as he gets to AZ7 and realizes they were set up for failure. They want to keep Luci as their guinea pig & breed her & Alex said “not on my watch”.

They end up getting a tip to head to a safe place in Sonora Mexico where they are actually looking out for the good of the people . They are welcomed into a community , Nueva Esperanza , who welcomed them the way a Hispanic grandmother welcomes you home . Ready to take care of you and feed you and make sure you’re ok.
I knew it from the moment the sign said “ Los Sobrevivientes son bienvenidos” & “Bienvenidos a la comunidad de Nueva Esperanza” that they had found their sanctuary!

That ending was like a hug from my abuelita .


Amelia thank you for allowing me to be a part of your street team , I’m honored to have been able to read this early !
You wrote such a beautiful book in a time where our community is being degraded and painted as criminals.
What a way to honor the Mexican culture & to show our culture represented this way , the way we know them to be … welcoming , respectful , and willing to do anything for to protect their people .

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I adored this book!! This is my honest review!

[Rachael Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

"𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎, 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔."

When I saw that Amilea was looking for ARC readers for The Hollowed I immediately applied and this is my honest review!

I'm not a horror fan on any kind, the pacing, characters and storyline intrigued me and kept me hooked, I ended up finishing it in one night!

I loved all the characters but Myra and Cipher are absolutely the standouts for me!

The writing keeps you feeling as though when you turn the page, something bad is going to happen!

The story explores many themes that don't feel forced, loss and trauma are just a couple of them, absolutely check trigger warnings before you start reading The Hollowed.

Thank you so much Amilea for choosing me to be apart of your ARC & Street Team. 💚

[Mackenzie Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

▪️TRUST IS A CURRENCY NO ONE PARTS WITH EASILY ▪️

Happy Hollowed day!!!

First and foremost thank you so much to Amy for the incredible PR! This box was so incredible and I am so HUMBLED to have been included! It was such a privilege to receive this and you knocked it out the park!

This book was such an easy read. Amy’s craft is so easy to follow and flows so smoothly that this book was so digestible not only because it was a great plot/story but because it was so intentionally written. I love shorter books like this that pack such a punch. Like a lil heart attack 😅

It’s safe to say I’ve arrived in my dystopian era because I ate this upppppp! Luci and Alex are 👄😮‍💨 Real ones know that the most important thing about this book is that the furry sidekick was not harmed in the making of these pages 😆 basically, merry Christmas to you because you need this 😈💅🏻

🧪dystopian romance
🧪besties to lovers
🧪corrupt institutions
🧪doctor x bodyguard
🧪WOMEN IN STEM
🧪a mission to save the world
🧪zombie apocalypse

Grab this immediately! Out now on kindle and kindle unlimited!

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great dystopian read!! It had elements that reminded me of a mix of The Maze Runner, The Walking Dead, Divergent, and Matched—but with a completely original storyline and characters.
I really liked and appreciated how fast paced the story was while still including lots of detail—instead of an info dump of world building and background details, all of that was woven into the story as the plot progressed which I LOVED.
And I really appreciated the standing-up-to-a-corrupt-institution vibes we had throughout the whole thing!

I truly loved everything about this book! No notes. Such a great dystopian read!

[Nicol | Read With Me Sis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my dystopian era

Amilea Perez I love you. Thank you for writing a book that not just had a great plot with fun characters but also for representing a community that needs it. As a no sabo baby this book hittt.

Luci and Alex are tasked with bringing a vaccine to a different medical station with their trusted side kick and furry friend Luna. Along the way a lotttt happens and by the end I don’t even know how I still have hope BUT I DO. Alex and Luci are also so adorable I love them.

Can’t wait for book two!
4.25 stars: the beginning felt a little rushed to me and the pacing felt off at times. I actually wish this book was longer because I wanted a little more backstory and build up. But I still loved it.

[Melanie Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book, and was so grateful to receive an eARC prior to my physical copy arriving! The storytelling in The Hollowed is just as artful as in The Mexica Chronicles, but I love how different this story is and the myriad of themes it explores. Each and every character is easy to love and I'm so anxious to find out how their lives continue. The Hollowed had me hooked throughout the busy holidays, from the romances to the manipulation and betrayals by Prometheus. It's refreshing to read how an author navigates such timely issues in an artistic form of resistance. I will truly have such a long book hangover from this one, and cannot wait for book two ♡

[urarchive · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars for me!

I love apocalyptic romance! The hollowed is a fast-paced and short apocalyptic romance (at least for book one).

Alex and Luci’s chemistry is top notch! One’s a doctor and one’s a bodyguard. I think they really complement each other.

“For as long as you want me Luci — I’m yours.”

My heart!!! How could I not melt when reading that?????

Tbh, I love all the men in this book and the girls are total badasses. It’s multi-POV and there is also a second couple!!!!! I’m definitely looking forward to the next book. There’s still so much waiting to unravel in this series!

[natty · Rating 5 out of 5]

“hope makes people question, resist, and rebel.”

this was an easy five star read for me. a fast paced, dystopian story with the vibes of the last of us, with sweet blossoming romances. but what truly captivated me was the reflection it gave to the real world. it was heart wrenching and impactful. it does not shy away from the current political climate and urges the reader to do exactly what the characters do - hope. and fight back.

this is a must read for all, regardless of genre.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hollowed is everything I love about great dystopian fiction and MORE! Yes, you get the post-apocalyptic setting, shady organizations, & plots to overthrow them, but you ALSO get Mexican-American main characters, an absolutely brilliant FMC of color in STEM, an action-packed, suspenseful plot with SERIOUSLY high stakes, a little romance, & a German Shepherd. Do I need to say more?

I absolutely LOVED this book, & I can’t wait for the rest of the series!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll do a detailed review eventually but I NEED BOOK 2 ASAPASAPASAP

[tarungaleela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for an eARC in exchange for this honest review. I had such a great time reading The Hollowed, once I started I couldn’t put it down. It had all of the elements I personally enjoy from dystopian/post-apocalyptic stories like The Last of Us, Resident Evil, The Walking Dead, etc. all while still being a story unique to itself that holds up on it’s own. As a latinx person myself, I very much resonated with our main characters and was very touched by the topics discussed throughout the book. I can’t wait to read about what’s next for Luci and the gang, Prometheus is surely cooking up something absolutely horrifying for them in the future. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author and will continue supporting them.