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The Shelter Trilogy #2
The Present Day by Day
In a world struggling with the aftermath of catastrophe, the small community of Osto is a beacon of hope uniting ragged survivors with a creed of cooperation and equality. As the newly elected leader of the town, Amaya Bly has her hands full after a harder-than-expected winter drained limited resources and strained the population's tolerance for long, dark days and overcrowded spaces.
The aftermath of a sizable earthquake has her questioning her friendships and loyalties when news of a new nearby settlement reaches the Shelter. Amaya is suddenly faced with the unique dilemmas of How will Osto approach their new neighbors? What sort of relationship should they—can they—hope to establish? And how can they keep the malcontents within Osto from poisoning the nascent alliance without betraying their ideals?
In this second book of The Shelter Trilogy, a new cast of characters joins old favorites, intrigue threatens all, and bit by bit, humanity continues the recovery!
The aftermath of a sizable earthquake has her questioning her friendships and loyalties when news of a new nearby settlement reaches the Shelter. Amaya is suddenly faced with the unique dilemmas of How will Osto approach their new neighbors? What sort of relationship should they—can they—hope to establish? And how can they keep the malcontents within Osto from poisoning the nascent alliance without betraying their ideals?
In this second book of The Shelter Trilogy, a new cast of characters joins old favorites, intrigue threatens all, and bit by bit, humanity continues the recovery!
182 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 15, 2026
Unfortunately I stumbled across this without realising that it was the second part of a trilogy.
I thought this was a well written and captivating novel, with fantastic world building and full bodied characters. I do have a soft spot for post apocalyptic sci-fi anyways.
I do believe that my rating may have been higher had I read the first installment of this series.
I thought this was a well written and captivating novel, with fantastic world building and full bodied characters. I do have a soft spot for post apocalyptic sci-fi anyways.
I do believe that my rating may have been higher had I read the first installment of this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Present Day by Day is the second book in the Shelter trilogy, a series I hadn’t even heard of before requesting this ARC from NetGalley. You know that moment when excitement quietly morphs into panic? That was me realizing I’d picked up book two of a trilogy. Cue the internal debate: Do I buy the first book? What if I don’t like it? What if I do like it but resent myself for the preemptive purchase? Reader dilemmas are real.
The good news is that I don’t feel like I need to go back and read the first book in order to appreciate this one. That’s not a knock against the series. Quite the opposite. The Present Day by Day works surprisingly well as a standalone novella. If I stumble across the first book cheaply, I’d happily read it, but I don’t feel as though my enjoyment here is missing any crucial puzzle pieces.
This is a short dystopian novella, and I’ve learned recently just how difficult it is to write a good short dystopian story. Limited space often means unanswered questions and plot holes you can trip over. I didn’t experience that here. The story felt complete within its scope, even while clearly being part of a larger narrative. There’s more to come, and that’s by design, not by omission.
One of the things I appreciated most was the exploration of survival and what it actually means. Different groups of people have very different ideas about how to live after collapse. If you survive but know nothing of the past and preserve none of it, does that life still carry meaning? That question hums quietly beneath the story, and I suspect different readers will land on different answers. With my anthropology background, the value placed on memory, history, and preservation really resonated with me.
The book is also inclusive in a way that feels natural and unforced. Diversity exists because people exist, not because boxes need to be checked. That subtlety matters, and it’s refreshing to see it handled so smoothly.
Overall, this was an easy, quick, and satisfying read. Since this appears to be a series of novellas, I’m keeping my eye out for the next installment. If it arrives later this year, I’ll be ready. I enjoyed this one very much and absolutely recommend it.
The good news is that I don’t feel like I need to go back and read the first book in order to appreciate this one. That’s not a knock against the series. Quite the opposite. The Present Day by Day works surprisingly well as a standalone novella. If I stumble across the first book cheaply, I’d happily read it, but I don’t feel as though my enjoyment here is missing any crucial puzzle pieces.
This is a short dystopian novella, and I’ve learned recently just how difficult it is to write a good short dystopian story. Limited space often means unanswered questions and plot holes you can trip over. I didn’t experience that here. The story felt complete within its scope, even while clearly being part of a larger narrative. There’s more to come, and that’s by design, not by omission.
One of the things I appreciated most was the exploration of survival and what it actually means. Different groups of people have very different ideas about how to live after collapse. If you survive but know nothing of the past and preserve none of it, does that life still carry meaning? That question hums quietly beneath the story, and I suspect different readers will land on different answers. With my anthropology background, the value placed on memory, history, and preservation really resonated with me.
The book is also inclusive in a way that feels natural and unforced. Diversity exists because people exist, not because boxes need to be checked. That subtlety matters, and it’s refreshing to see it handled so smoothly.
Overall, this was an easy, quick, and satisfying read. Since this appears to be a series of novellas, I’m keeping my eye out for the next installment. If it arrives later this year, I’ll be ready. I enjoyed this one very much and absolutely recommend it.
January 18, 2026
A really interesting look at a post-societal community trying to navigate survival without abandoning their core values.
The best part of this book is definitely the world-building around the new society. It raises some really interesting questions about leadership and the ethics of altruism. Specifically, it looks at how to navigate a society where views on altruism differ and whether it's still altruistic to punish people just because they don't share those same values.
The ideas around children and childbirth were also super compelling. Framing a child as a literal "weight to carry," and the idea that finding something to remove this burden has extreme value, was a great concept. It gave the story an extra layer that you don't always get with novellas.
As for the writing, it was great. It was very clear but still allowed for character complexities to show through. The only thing I struggled with was the use of mini-chapters within the main chapters. They felt a bit jarring since the character we are following changes each time. I think this was a stylistic choice, which is fine, but it just wasn't for me.
Overall, the strong themes and clear writing made this a really solid read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The best part of this book is definitely the world-building around the new society. It raises some really interesting questions about leadership and the ethics of altruism. Specifically, it looks at how to navigate a society where views on altruism differ and whether it's still altruistic to punish people just because they don't share those same values.
The ideas around children and childbirth were also super compelling. Framing a child as a literal "weight to carry," and the idea that finding something to remove this burden has extreme value, was a great concept. It gave the story an extra layer that you don't always get with novellas.
As for the writing, it was great. It was very clear but still allowed for character complexities to show through. The only thing I struggled with was the use of mini-chapters within the main chapters. They felt a bit jarring since the character we are following changes each time. I think this was a stylistic choice, which is fine, but it just wasn't for me.
Overall, the strong themes and clear writing made this a really solid read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2026
I got an ARC of this book.
I LOVED the first book. It was a book I read while walking. The moment I was offered this book, there was no question that I needed it.
It is hard to match perfection. This book is being compared to one of my favorite books, so the four stars might be five if book one wasn't just so darn good. Please keep that in mind.
This was a continuation of the plot. The raiders, newcomers, have settled into Osto. There was a hard winter after accepting so many newcomers into the town at once. Not everyone is happy about this hard winter or welcoming in people that tried to kill them. There is still animosity about an injury. There is a lot of emotions running high. It really does require remembering book one to really get all the emotions. There is no hand holding. The depth is achieved in just seven days (and an epilogue many days later). The way that time has changed from hours to days has me excited to see what book three is going to offer.
There is so much progress these people have made over the year that we have known them. But I am still left wondering what really happened to the old world? How many towns exist? With the Newsomes be less troublesome? I am so excited to find out. This book reminded me why I love this world, but I dread the wait for book three.
I LOVED the first book. It was a book I read while walking. The moment I was offered this book, there was no question that I needed it.
It is hard to match perfection. This book is being compared to one of my favorite books, so the four stars might be five if book one wasn't just so darn good. Please keep that in mind.
This was a continuation of the plot. The raiders, newcomers, have settled into Osto. There was a hard winter after accepting so many newcomers into the town at once. Not everyone is happy about this hard winter or welcoming in people that tried to kill them. There is still animosity about an injury. There is a lot of emotions running high. It really does require remembering book one to really get all the emotions. There is no hand holding. The depth is achieved in just seven days (and an epilogue many days later). The way that time has changed from hours to days has me excited to see what book three is going to offer.
There is so much progress these people have made over the year that we have known them. But I am still left wondering what really happened to the old world? How many towns exist? With the Newsomes be less troublesome? I am so excited to find out. This book reminded me why I love this world, but I dread the wait for book three.
February 13, 2026
I have a soft spot for stories that take place after everything is lost where people try to rebuilt and have hope in the future, and this is the continuation of a story that I loved the first book, that being said, I think this book was meant to be much bigger, why give relevance to the earthquake if that wouldn’t have any relevance in the story? I was expecting for more things to do with the earthquake to be brought to life, our main character in this book wasn’t as strong or charismatic as Vastra the main character in the first book.
The first book I read in a siting, this one I cant say the same, its not bad but wasn’t as good as the first one.
Thank you Netgalley and Interstellar Flight Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
The first book I read in a siting, this one I cant say the same, its not bad but wasn’t as good as the first one.
Thank you Netgalley and Interstellar Flight Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
December 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️.75
This is a story of how people are rebuilding after a world wide catastrophe. A small settlement is faced with natural disasters and a threats from their foes.
This book doesn’t feel like a short story, it includes so much detail of their surroundings and relationships with friends and family. This book will get you thinking about all the simple things we may take for granted.
I feel like this story wasn’t as action packed as I thought it might be given the summary of the book. So that being said if you want a short novel, with strong and powerful women in, ‘calmer’ new world story, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with this ARC
This is a story of how people are rebuilding after a world wide catastrophe. A small settlement is faced with natural disasters and a threats from their foes.
This book doesn’t feel like a short story, it includes so much detail of their surroundings and relationships with friends and family. This book will get you thinking about all the simple things we may take for granted.
I feel like this story wasn’t as action packed as I thought it might be given the summary of the book. So that being said if you want a short novel, with strong and powerful women in, ‘calmer’ new world story, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with this ARC
February 13, 2026
I really enjoyed the themes in this book and liked that I could read it in one sitting. The world building was great and so much went on that it could easily have been a much longer book.
I hadn't realised it was a sequel when I started though so will now go back and read the first installment, but this didn't stop me enjoying this book.
I hadn't realised it was a sequel when I started though so will now go back and read the first installment, but this didn't stop me enjoying this book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews