Silence Beneath Fire: A post apocalyptic romance.

by Magda Mizzi

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2026

Reviews

[Kez Marie]

This was a fab sequel and I've been looking forward to seeing what chaos and danger Annie and Jude got up to next.
I loved the shocking reveals that came in from page 1 and how it's adding layers to the characters and how the outbreak truly began.
This was so emotional too with Jude still struggling with his recent trauma and Annie trying to reassure him and get him to open up.
I enjoyed the new characters and communities they come across, how their little found family group increases unexpectedly, and the dramatic reunions.
This also has great romantic tension with Annie and Jude finally confronting their feelings for each other.
Ugh the betrayals and jealousies hit so hard in this especially at the end, and I feel like Jude and Annie just can't catch a break on their intense survival and rescue mission.
Excited to see the next part and if they finally find Lucas and escape their enemies.

[Therearenobadbooks]

Ohhhhh This one!! SO tense. I paused to eat, and when I went back to it, I made a mistake and clicked on the Netflix app instead, ahah. It reads as a series so I was ready to binge it. I did but with audio. ahah. It doesn't read as a middle book because it raises the stakes and gives us some kind of resolution to where Lucas is. Have you noticed the cover? They have to run away with a baby and babies don't know when to be quiet, attracting a lot of danger. The author balances action fast paced attacks with down times well these marked by their relationship. Now that we know more about the "evolution" beyond the "prototype" the third book will give us very hard decisions.

[Craig and Phil]

Big thanks to Magda and Kelsey from Book Publicity Services for sending us a copy to read and review.
Although life and the world has fallen into chaos it’s amazing to think that human resilience, emotion and devious behaviours still play out.
In part two of this series we are treated to more detail on how Jude and Annie survive and the challenges they endure.
The virus has infected many, a corrupt group run the city and supplies are in short supply as Sydney is crippled.
Jude and Annie together attempt to keep one step ahead of evil and its repercussions.
Finding a newborn and nurturing him reiterates life goes in and escape from the mayhem of the city is imperative.
Within groups of survivors it becomes clear emotions still govern human behaviour both positively and negatively.
Retribution, jealousy and love pump through their veins.
The imagination has to be used when reading this and one only hopes that reality doesn’t mirror this type of disaster in the future.
The fact we have recently lived through a pandemic makes the reader realise and remember how behaviours did change.
A story that had me invested and hankering to find out the ending.

[Taylor • Read Poet Society]

Silence Beneath Fire was such an enjoyable read for me and honestly… HOW DARE THAT ENDING LEAVE US HANGING

I am very invested in the story and characters, and then to be left on that cliffhanger?? Absolutely cruel. I am desperate to know what happens next.

One thing I really appreciated about this book was the emotional depth, especially surrounding the MMC and the way he views himself. At times I did feel like the story circled back to those thoughts and struggles quite a bit. I do understand why this is and why it is such a major part of his character and healing journey. What I really liked was seeing the gradual steps toward healing and growth rather than everything being magically fixed straight away. It made the emotions feel more real and grounded.

I also enjoyed the overall atmosphere and tension throughout the story. The emotional moments hit well, and I found myself attached to what the characters were going through.

Overall, this was a great read for me, and now I’m left impatiently needing the next book after that ending!

[Marie]

TW: Swearing, violence, attempted SA, attempted suicide

Thank you Book Publicity Services for sending me a copy of this book! This is becoming one of my favourite Australian YA dystopia series!

Book 2 continues Annie & Jude's journey to find Lucas & seeking answers to questions about Jude.

This time they head to Kooragang where they hope to find Lucas but discover other VFPs who are like Jude & other secrets.

You can see the yearning between Annie and Jude. Annie tries to be patient for Jude but ultimately does what most teens do when trying to get the attention of the one they like - she flirts with his old friend which leads down a dangerous path.

Poor Jude with everything that happened to him at the zoo you can't blame the guy for being so guarded with everyone & feeling like he's not worthy of receiving love from Annie.

But when they finally stop dancing around their feelings for each other, they choose to not run or hide from the love that has been growing & will choose to protect each other until the very end.

I can't wait to read book 3 to see how this story ends.

"Fear is fire. It can warm you or burn you down."

Continuing their search for Lucas, Annie and Jude head towards Kooragang, where a facility lies in ruin. There they discover there are VFPs who like Jude who have been kept prisoners with one protecting a baby. Before the facility is destroyed, Annie & Jude are given the baby, tasked with keeping him safe from Peterson (Jude's bio father) who is hunting for Jude. They escape the facility then heading to Dunbogan, Jude's old home town where they reunite with people from Jude's past (his dad, old friends).

But danger is always lurking around & sometimes it can strike from someone who is meant to have your back.

[TheSeasonedReader]

4.5 Star Rating from Me

Again, I was hooked within the first few pages of Magda Mizzi's second book in The Distorted Horizon series, especially with the added backstory from before the virus outbreak that set Annie and Jude on their mission.

This story continues to follow Annie and Jude as they search for Annie’s brother, Lucas, travelling out of Sydney and deeper into the bushland.

The survival skills Annie learned from Brian prove invaluable as she and Jude fight to stay alive and get closer to finding Lucas — alongside Jude’s superhuman strength, heightened senses, and healing abilities.

Their journey is far from easy, with terrifying encounters with those changed by the virus, the discovery that someone in a position of power is trying to eliminate them, and the uncovering of what appears to be a facility where virus test subjects were once held. From this comes one of the novel’s most touching moments: rescuing a newborn baby untouched by the virus.

With a baby now in their care, Annie and Jude head to Jude’s family country home, hoping to regroup and find some safety. But returning home is not easy for Jude, who fears how old friends and acquaintances will react to the person he has become. It's a small town wary of outsiders, and Jude’s return is only held secret for a short time.

Jude soon learns that old friends are not always true friends and finds himself ostracised when he is feared of the person the town believes he's become. Yet despite everything, Jude remains deeply caring and selfless, never hesitating to help when townspeople go missing — with Annie standing firmly beside him.

But betrayal strikes again, forcing Annie and Jude to flee once more.

This story beautifully explores love, loyalty, family, and friendship while also deepening the bond between Annie and Jude in a heartfelt and believable way. And that ending? It absolutely leaves you wanting more of their future.

I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to @magsmitzi and Kelsey @bookpublicityservices

[Karen Bowness]

Silence Beneath Fire, book two in the Distorted Horizons series, picks up straight after the devastating events of book one and the emotional intensity is there from page one.

Annie and Jude are still desperately searching for Annie’s brother Lucas, chasing leads through a dangerous and ever-changing post-apocalyptic Australia. Their search takes them to Kooragang Island, where they uncover more survivors of the horrific experiments. While they don’t find Lucas, they do leave with something unexpected - a baby boy entrusted to Annie and Jude, adding another layer of hope and heart to an already emotional journey.

From there they head back to Jude’s home, hoping for answers and somewhere safe to regroup. Finding a community there brings a whole new dynamic to the story, with Jude choosing to stay hidden while Annie steps forward. The tension, uncertainty, and constant fight for survival kept me completely hooked.

One of my favourite parts was Annie and Jude’s relationship continuing to deepen. They’ve both been through so much, and that trauma shapes every interaction between them. Jude especially broke my heart in this one, and watching Annie try to break through his walls felt so raw and genuine.

Magda Mizzi continues to create such an immersive Australian dystopian world filled with survival, resilience, found family, and hope in the darkest places. I’ve loved every book in this universe so far and I already can’t wait for the next one.

[Emily (the_bookdragons_den)]

It was great to be back with teenagers Annie and Jude again in Silence Beneath Fire. It’s book two in The Distorted Horizon series, which is a post apocalyptic romance set in Australia.

🦠 Overall, Silence Beneath Fire is a survival story, where strong and smart teenage lead characters have to navigate their way through a virus ravaged landscape knowing there is a deeper conspiracy at play that is somehow linked to Jude.

It’s tense, atmospheric and emotionally driven. The discovery of baby had me on the edge of my seat too, especially when those affected by the virus are drawn to sound 👀

I really enjoyed this second installment and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next as I’ve become quite invested in Jude and Annie!

Thank you to the author and Book Publicity Services for a copy to review 💕

[Awesome_Ames]

The next instalment in The Distorted Horizon series did not disappoint. No second book syndrome here.

After that ending from book 1, I was fully locked in, wanting answers, and ready to find out why Annie was holding a baby on the front cover!

We start with more backstory this time which added so much layering and depth to the story and Jude’s character in particular. The whole family dynamic - the original one and the newer one with his step-dad (spoiler, he’s amazing!) - and the jarring differences between humans and their humanity is undeniable.

The themes of family, resilience, survival and trust still run throughout the story. However the found family dynamic grows even stronger with the return to Jude’s community. The constant uncertainty of who can be trusted is pervasive and unsettling.

Annie has absolutely come into her own after everything she learnt from Brian in book 1. She is a force to be reckoned with. No longer a passive girl at the whims of the world around her. Watching her balance her strength with her nurturing side with Jude and the baby, is captivating. Her growth has been such a strong element in this series.

The slow-burn tension between Annie and Jude continues to simmer. The yearning, the restraint, the fear - it was all so authentic. Jude’s secrets slowly unfurling as Annie comes to truly understand him, strengthens the connection between them.

The tension and action is so addictive. This is a page turner, just another chapter, up until 1am kind of book. Desperate for the next one after that ending. DESPERATE!

[gardenofchapters]

This is the second book of The Distorted Horizon series and it was absolutely wonderful! After reading the first book–and as a crazy series lover–I thought this book resolved every question I had in the first book and created new ones as well.

The plot was very engaging and tense from beginning to end. Even when Jude and Annie were resting or taking a break while searching for the Island, I could not let my guard down. There were also big reveals in this book and I loved that because it was fast paced. The constant movement and the change of settings were dynamic, keeping me engaged (and the baby omg).

I especially loved the development and change of character, particularly Jude, as his past and powers are revealed gradually. His traumatic experiences slowly healing with his connection with Annie warmed me, although I could see that he was still very broken inside. Annie was so strong in this book and I loved seeing that side of her.

Overall, this was a fast paced, emotional, and gripping book, and I’m so excited for Book 3!

[NatandCol]

This was such a strong follow-up to book 1. Before you get thrown back into Annie and Jude’s story, there are some big reveals about the origins of the virus. AND OH MY GOD! I loved how it starts, while also adding more layers to the characters.
What really stuck with me was Jude. He’s still dealing with everything he went through, and you can feel how much it’s affecting him. The way his secrets come out slowly and how his powers evolve had me completely hooked, and every reveal made it harder to put the book down. Annie trying to reach him while dealing with her own fears and guilt made their dynamic feel even more real.
The slow-burn tension between them was done so well. It’s always there in the background, building through small moments, which made it way more impactful when they actually start confronting their feelings. On top of that, the new characters and the growing found-family vibe added a lot, even with all the tension, betrayals, and chaos going on.
It’s intense, emotional, and honestly pretty addictive. I finished it wishing I already had the next book because I need to know what happens to Annie and Jude next.

[Raina]

I honestly loved Silence Beneath Fire by Magda Mizzi. The slow-burn romantic tension wow — it just quietly builds in the background and had me completely hooked, constantly waiting for those little moments between the characters.

But what really got me was Jude. The way his secrets start unfolding bit by bit had me so invested. Every reveal just made me want to keep reading “one more chapter”. By the end, I was desperate to know more about him and what’s coming next.

Genuinely one of those books where you finish it and immediately wish you had the next one in your hands. I’m already hanging out for the next instalment.

[Lauren Vick]

A great addition to the series. So tense and addicting to follow the characters continuing stories. Even though the whole world may be gone, this tiny world created amongst the surviving characters is one you will want to keep up with.

[Sadiebooks]

Silence Beneath Fire by Magda Mizzi somehow managed to raise the stakes even higher after Dawn in Ruins, and I honestly didn’t think that was possible. This book felt darker, more emotional, and way more intense, especially because Annie and Jude are no longer just trying to survive, they’re trying to hold onto who they are while the world keeps taking pieces of them away.

What really stood out to me in this sequel was how much deeper the relationship between Annie and Jude became. Their connection felt earned because of everything they’ve already survived together. There’s this constant tension between them. It's not just romantic tension, but fear, guilt, protectiveness, and trust. Annie is so fiercely determined to protect Jude, especially after learning more about what he went through when they were apart and feeling it was her fault, and you can feel how much that weighs on her throughout the story.

Jude completely carried this book emotionally for me. In the first novel he was already complex, but here you really see the psychological impact of being half-infected and treated like something less than human. Some of his internal struggles were genuinely heartbreaking because he’s terrified of becoming the monster everyone expects him to be. At the same time, there are quieter moments where his vulnerability comes through so clearly, especially with Annie, and those scenes made him feel incredibly real.

I also loved that the sequel expanded the world so much more. The reveals about the origins of the virus and the experiments added another layer of horror because suddenly the infected aren’t just random threats. There’s this terrifying sense that everything was engineered and manipulated from the beginning. The atmosphere throughout the book felt constantly tense and claustrophobic, especially in the abandoned locations and during the scenes where silence itself becomes dangerous.

One of my favourite things about the novel was how balanced the pacing was. The action scenes are genuinely stressful and fast-paced, but the quieter character moments in between are what made the story hit emotionally. The scenes where Annie and Jude are forced to rely on each other completely were some of the strongest in the book because you can see how trauma has shaped both of them differently.

The emotional weight of this sequel felt much heavier too. Themes of humanity, identity, trust, and sacrifice run through the entire story, and the ending absolutely destroyed me in the best way. It leaves you desperate for the next book because the stakes suddenly feel enormous.

Overall, Silence Beneath Fire is such a strong sequel because it doesn’t just repeat the first book — it deepens everything. The characters feel more layered, the world becomes more terrifying, and the emotional connection between Annie and Jude is impossible not to get invested in. If you love post-apocalyptic stories with emotional depth, morally complicated characters, survival tension, and a slow-burn relationship that actually feels authentic, you need to read this. This series is seriously underrated.

[Rachel ✨]

I absolutely loved the second book in this series! So much happened from the very first pages right to the end.

There were so many moments with the VFPs and Jude where I was holding my breath with anticipation and felt genuine panic for what was going to happen.

Of course I can't leave off that I was kicking my feet at all the Annie & Jude interactions 😭🙌🏻

Excited to see what the last book has in store and what secrets will be uncovered.

[Emily Jania]

A good continuation from the first book in the series Dawn in Ruins. The relationships get even stronger in this book, and I love the addition of more permanent characters (especially Andrew and Zeke). The book is suspenseful, but at times feels a little far fetched (it is a dystopian novel though, so far fetched is to be expected). There is also a larger presence of religion/spirituality in this book. The ending left me shocked and excited to see what comes next for Jude and Annie(Bella).

Favorite quote, “But fear is fire. It can warm you or burn you down.”

[Sharmaine]

Gripping from the start. I will read everything from this author because of this one. I think I am a little in love with Jude!

[Krystal]

It took me a minute to get into this one, but boy it was it worth it. Fact paced, emotional and gripping.

Loved the characters development, and that it answered a lot of questions I had since the first book.

[Karis Clements]

This book is the second instalment in the YA Distorted Horizon series, and it did not disappoint. I love Annie and Jude as characters, and I really enjoy a good slow burn.
This book was addictive and had me reading well into the night, and that ending! I need the next book immediately.

[the_bookishbee_]

4.5⭐️
Ate this book up just as fast as Dawn in Ruins…it effortlessly pulled me back into the world of The Distorted Horizon series from the very first page.
Silence Beneath Fire follows our MC’s Annie and Jude, as they continue searching for Lucas, all the while travelling further out of the city into the bush. The further they go, the more they discover terrifying truths about the virus and the people behind it. The tension is unrelenting and every new encounter, reveal, and location had me flying through chapters because I NEEDED to know what was coming next (all the while bracing for the jumpscares!)
I still felt those strong Walking Dead vibes mixed with the Tomorrow, When the War Began nostalgia which made me love book one so much. The survival aspects, constant danger and emotional weight all combine to create the perfect adventure.

While this whole story carries that same desperation and urgency I loved in the first book, this time everything feels way darker and also more emotional. There are betrayals, super creepy facilities, terrifying VFP encounters, and huge reveals about Jude that make it impossible to stop reading. I found the baby storyline especially added such a heartfelt layer to the story and I loved the growing found family feel around the characters, even if I was terrified it would all come crashing down🫣.

Jude was easily my favourite part of this book because I was so keen to learn more about his past and his powers. His deep trauma and how he survives it make him a character that nestles straight into your heart. Plus the slow burn tension between him and Annie is so well done.

Overall, another banger in this series. This sequel is packed with action and emotion, it just next level addictive… plus that ending (criminal!) left me desperate for book three immediately.