Warpaint

Apocalypsis #2

by Elle Casey

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ELLE CASEY, brings readers Book 2 of 4 in the YA Dystopian APOCALYPSIS Series, suitable for older teens and adults.

WARPAINT. My name’s Bryn Mathis. I’m seventeen years old, and I live in Kahayatle, otherwise known as The Everglades. I’m here with my three best friends and a tribe of Native American teens, because my dad died almost a year ago, along with all the other adults in the world. We’re creating a whole new world for ourselves, but this world has problems. The biggest threat to our survival is not starvation anymore … it’s the gang of kids who lives nearby that has become more vicious than anyone could have imagined possible. The soulless demons have gone too far, and it’s time for us to rise up and do what needs to be done to set things right. Alone, it might have been impossible; but now I’ve got friends. I’m worried, though, that I won’t be able to get them ready to fight in time, and that we’re taking on more of a challenge than we can handle right now. And I have no idea what might be waiting for us when we arrive on their front doorstep.

Content Warning: Mild violence and some foul language. Meant for older Young Adult readers (age 15+). This book is in the Dark Science Fiction / Horror / Post-Apocalyptic genres, featuring teen characters only.

APOCALYPSIS SERIES READING ORDER
Kahayatle (Apocalypsis Book 1) **Special introductory ebook price**
Warpaint (Apocalypsis Book 2)
Exodus (Apocalypsis Book 3)
Haven (Apocalypsis Book 4)

This series is dedicated to the amazing, wonderful Native Americans who populate our nation, continuing their traditions and reminding the rest of us that sometimes, progress isn’t always the best thing for our people. I invite you to learn more about the Miccosukee tribe, their history, culture, and lifestyle by visiting this website: http://www.miccosukee.com/indian-vill...

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Horror, Romance, Survival

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2012

About the author

Elle Casey, a former attorney and teacher, is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling American author who lives in France with her husband, the youngest of her three kids, and several horses, dogs, and cats. She has written more than 40 novels in less than 5 years and likes to say she offers fiction in several flavors. These flavors include romance, science fiction, urban fantasy, action adventure, suspense, and paranormal.

BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY
 (by genre):

ROMANCE 

By Degrees

Rebel Wheels (3-book series)
Just One Night (romantic serial)
Just One Week
Love in New York (3-book series)
Shine Not Burn (2-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Bourbon Street Boys (3-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Desperate Measures
Mismatched

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE 

All the Glory: How Jason Bradley Went from Hero to Zero in Ten Seconds Flat
Don’t Make Me Beautiful
Wrecked (2-book series), Book 1 also available as an Audiobook


 CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY

 

War of the Fae (10-book series)
*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*
Ten Things You Should Know About Dragons (short story, The Dragon Chronicles)
My Vampire Summer

Aces High



 SCIENCE FICTION
 

Drifters’ Alliance (3-book series +)
Winner Takes All (short story prequel to Drifters’ Alliance, Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)
The Ivory Tower (short story standalone, Beyond the Stars: A Planet Too Far. A Space Opera Anthology)


 DYSTOPIAN

 

Apocalypsis (4-book series) *Book 1, Kahayatle, is a FREE ebook at most retailers*


 PARANORMAL
 

Duality (2-book series)
Monkey Business (short story)
Dreampath (short story, The Telepath Chronicles)
Pocket Full of Sunshine (short story & screenplay)

A personal note from Elle ...
If you've enjoyed any of my books, please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you bought the book, here on Goodreads, or on any book blogs you participate in, and tell your friends! I love interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books or your family or pets, please visit me. You can find me at:
www.ElleCasey.com
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
www.Twitter.com/ellecasey
www.Instagram.com/Ellecaseyauthor

Want to get an email when my next book is released?
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Reviews

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.25 I love Bodo Stars**

OK...so I said in my previous review that this is Young Adult and I was going to veer away from it...but shit if I ain't hooked and can't stop.

I absolutely LOVE Bodo with his sense of humor and German accent!

I found myself connecting with all the characters easier in this one and it flew by the time I was done.

Want to know what totally pissed me off though?

F-ing CLIFFHANGER!

Off to the next one!

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt about the same about this one as I did the first one. Nothing overly surprised me in this one and I felt like it may have suffered some bouts of middle book syndrome. From the first book, we know the canners are out there, we know Bryn and Bodo like each other, and we know that Bryn is going to be teaching the kids at Kahayatle how to fight. The first about 75% was her and Bodo getting into a relationship and her training the kids to fight, then there was about 10% of planning to take out some canners, and then the last 15% was the only part I found really exciting.


However, that is not to say I did not enjoy the book because I definitely still enjoyed it and will be reading the next book! I also really like Winky. I thought she was a great character and hope to learn more about her in later books!

While I like Bryn and her fighting skills, I wish she would lose a fight to someone! She seems too perfect (fighting-wise) for me to completely connect with her character. How has she not ever lost a fight since she was 12? I did learn this description is accurate though!

[Tiffany Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many of you know I read and enjoyed Apocalypsis Book 1. So I anxiously jumped on it's sequel. Did I have expectations? Absolutely. I was expecting some more full out laughs, a lot of action and to see more of what appeared to be a budding romance. Well, Casey does not disappoint.

Warpaint picks up where Kahayatle left off. Bryn and her family of four have found a home in the safety of the Kahayatle or in English: the Everglades. They have become friends with it's natives but now have more on their minds than simply surviving. As the cannibals that filled readers with dread and suspense in book one, get closer to their home, Bryn must prepare them to defend themselves and fight.

Bryn continues to be the strong heroine I came to know and love. She is the same badass who keeps kicking ass and taking names. :) Casey keeps us laughing throughout the book and the reader is continuously treated to front row seats to great action scenes. The romance is definitely budding. It was sweet, and honest and very steamy. For those of you who are queasy about reading books with sex in it... Don't worry, although steamy the happy couple don't have intercourse.

I recently mentioned that the mystery surrounding Bodo left me with a feeling of foreboding... Well Bodo reveals all of his secrets in this novel and no, it's not at all what I expected. He continues to be sweet, romantic and protective. Peter continues with his OCD tendencies. He also makes new friends and becomes an even stronger character than he was in Book 1.

I will be stopping here in the hopes of not spoiling this book for anyone. It is a great read. It is funny, action packed, romantic and a great story of survival and friendship and love.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books are pretty short, but 80% of this was filler until the big showdown with the cannibal kids. At that point it got interesting.

I get that Bodo is speaking with a German accent, I don’t need it spelled out phonetically, it’s really starting to grate on my nerves.

Does it really take two more books to wrap up this story?

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, I feel bad tough that I can't write a decent review I read all the book in two or three days and can't keep the story lines apart. I freaking love the characters.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single time that I think that Elle Casey's books just can't get any better I read another one and I'm completely blown away. I have to admit that I go into each one of Mrs. Casey's books with very high standards based upon her previous works and she never fails to not only meet those standards but to exceed them. And not just by a little bit either. If I could give this book 10 stars I would do it in a heart beat. Her deep characters continue to grow and gain even more depth. The storylines take a lot of unexpected twists and turns. The humor is always top notch and the action is exactly perfect. The characters that I've grown to love in this series I now love even more.

Bryn continues to evolve and I really believe that this book is going to be a huge turning point in her life. After reading the last book I was hoping that they would just settle down and live in the Everglades but I'm just not seeing that for her anymore. She's a natural born leader that people are automatically attracted to and I think maybe she's found her calling in life whether she knows it or not. Bodo seriously amazes me. I really liked him in the first book. He's easy going, funny and goofy but has now shown he can be serious too and has a much richer personality than I had thought. I was looking forward to seeing Bodo and Peter's talents and boy was I not let down. What Bodo can do is incredible and I really enjoyed the "other love" in his life. And then there's Peter who may be weak physically but has one giant muscle of a brain. The dudes a genius and has proven his worth time and time again. I just hope he can find someone to cuddle with (other than Buster that is). Buster still rocks (those snakes don't stand a chance).

The rest of their new extended family are all pretty amazing. Winky totally kicks some major butt and I enjoyed every scene she was in. There's also a lot of new characters who's names we didn't know in the first book. Everyone in the tribe has their own talents and personalities and I can't help but feel emotionally invested in all of them. It was scary enough reading this book and having to wonder if everyone's going to be okay. I so don't want to read any of them getting hurt or killed but know it's bound to happen so I keep reading dreading and enjoying every minute of it. This was another Elle Casey book that was impossible to put down. I'm about to start the next book because I just have to know what happens to a certain character. That was an evil evil cliffhanger but I wouldn't want it any other way :) What a great book!!!

[Kitlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW
I mean WOW
And I should mention that you are the worst kind of cliffhanger author I have ever read. Gould thing I have the next book in my kindle because otherwise I would have gone cray cray.
I love how all the characters have grown and are showing even more personality.
I admire Bryn very much. She's my kind of gal :)
I am not in love with Bodo, although I really like him. Must be the name. I don't take seriously somebody with the name Bodo for some reason, I don't know why.
And I am going to spoil something for you, yes the ending, doh.
But just for the ones that want to be spoiled.
Ok here goes nothing are you sore you want to konw? I mean really, it is pretty spoilery OK, don't say I didn't warn you at the end of the fight Bodo goes missing, and is kind of presumed dead.
Oh and of course I loved the book, do you even have to ask?
Is Ms. Casey we're talking about. DOH

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this series, and again as soon as I finished book 1 I was straight onto book 2, now I've just finished book 2 and I'm straight onto book 3!
Pretty hard not too with that ending

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh on the edge of my seat through the last 20% of this one and it ended on a cliffhanger. Thankfully I started reading the series after the entire thing has been written.

[Aaron Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting off where the last book ended and while the first book I had nothing but praise for this book did not live up to the hype. To start things off what I found happening though a lot of the book was it was VERY BORING. Pounds and pounds of dialogue but nothing to move with it, just a bunch of people talking. Don't get me wrong the ending of this book was terrific, one of the best parts of the whole series but it doesn't make up for the fact of how slow the book really went. First I this book introduced some of my favorite characters of the series including Fohi and Winky with a nice bit from Rob. What I don't like however was the build up secret for Bodo. He has a bird. A BIRD. His whole secret was he had a bird. You got to be kidding me that is the best you could come up with that's just sad. It seemed you had no idea you were gonna write a second book and just through that in there. What else you through in there. Making Paci a actual character that would matter in the latter books! He was a nobody character from book one that got kicked into water and wasn't really even mentioned until this book really and you set him up to be a love interest for Bryn wow that came out of nowhere. But again that ending though with the fight with the canners was amazing well done there. The second book regressed some from the first book but overall not a terrible book to carry on the sequal.

[Laura Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jay Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 my favorite of the series.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book of the series. Even better than the 2nd book. Loved it

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as book 1 but still well worth reading

[Annette Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this whole series (4 books). No zombies for a change! But plenty of action and cool characters, all teenagers but they're still awesome ;-)

[Anna Jakson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow it was so good, but another cliffhanger? Really?

[Tammie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

[Terri Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Bryn, Peter, and Bodo in the first book. When they reached the “safety” of Kahayatle (the Everglades), I was so happy that they had survived their journey. Of course, the cliff hanger ending in book one made me need to read book two right away! Elle Casey is a pro at ending books with cliffhangers, or as I like to call it in the case of my kindle, a digital sucker punch!

I love how the relationship between Bryn and Bodo grows. The secret that he’s been holding out on is finally known and is one that I would never have guessed in a million years. His accent and confusion with colloquialisms is hysterical in this book. Just one of Bodo’s lines in the book that had me laughing is, “I didn’t say fucktart. Dat was you. You are the lady saying all the fucktart words today. Or moron. She likes dat one, too. I think it means boy I luff.” I couldn’t help but read his parts with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice in my head!

Bryn shows just how awesome she is, bringing peace to the native american kids and preparing their tribe to save others. She is becoming as “bad ass” as Jayne is in the War Of The Fae and Clash Of The Otherworlds series that Elle writes. She is very mature and centered for her age, excellent at krav maga fighting, and feels a great responsibility to help those around her. She is every bit the hero in this book.

The character Peter is great. I’m beginning to think of him as a Rain Man of sorts. His ability to organize and remember things is “uncanny” (I really had to throw that in, read the book and I swear, it’s funny!) He seems to be getting braver in this book, and it’s nice to see a character evolve so much for the better. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him in book three and four!

In this book, we finally get to know the kids of Kahayatle better. It’s amazing how Elle can make each and every one of the kids in the tribe real to me. I really felt as though I lived right there with them. They also became my friends (except that one girl I wanted to hurt! LOL). I really look forward to getting to know these characters and also the newest characters that came at the end of the second book.

This book ended in a gut wrenching cliff hanger. In fact, I already had book three in my kindle and less than 10 seconds after finishing book two, I was on to book three. I seriously recommend buying this entire series! Book four isn’t out yet, but I suggest buying one, two and three at the same time. There is no way you can NOT read the next installment with Elle Casey. She is THAT good!

[Leeland Artra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Elle Casey’s book Kahayatle (Apocalypsis #1) to return some of the good karma she had bestowed on me. She is very supportive freely giving me really good and sincere advice for my first dive into the world of Indie authoring. I had not read any of the current Young Adult genre books (my experiences with that genre essentially end with devouring the Hardy Boys Mysteries). As I said in my review of that book it was an eye opening experience and I was hooked.

Warpaint (Apocalypsis #2) will not disappoint you. It picks up almost exactly at the point where the first book ended. From there you are taken on spinning ride through many of the emotional and physical issues of being a young adult. The plot established in the first book begins to more deeply develop as do all of the characters.

You will root for Bryn, Bodo, Peter, Kowi and surprisingly Trip. A few new characters are added which all add depth and some fun to the world. Bryn continues to kick ass but there are further developments which Elle handles wonderfully. Elle manages to provide a lot of heart and soul to all of the people of Kahayatle (the Everglades). You’ll join the characters feelings as they begin to deal with the cannibals that are portrayed so well the fear, disgust and resolve seeps from the pages into you.

You’ll feel many emotions as Bodo’s surprising secret is revealed and as they tribes make their initial attempt to deal with the cannibal threat. There is a honest but steamy romance scene which Elle masterfully catapults you through. Don’t worry about the sex although very emotional and steamy it is not graphic nor is there any real intercourse. The sex scene is however pretty honestly portrayed.

Finally all your favorite characters generally remain true to themselves even though they obviously and believably grow in this book. So Elle will not disappoint you with this excellent sequel. You will get pulled into the book and will find it hard to put down.

[Lisa Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle Casey has created a most remarkable post-epidemic world, where only teenagers are left to inherit the earth and all the good and bad things that come with that. Our main character, Bryn, is a heroine the likes of Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) or Clary Fray (City of Bones). She is strong in character, she knows who she is, yet she has flaws, she is just trying to survive in her new reality and do so in line with her morals and conscious. I love sharing this kind of book with young adult (15 yrs. +) women, they need strong role models in literature. I abhor the books that portray women and girls as victims to be saved by big, strong, or smart men while they cower in fear. Bryn will have you loving every "Girl Power" moment, she is fascinating and real.

Finally out of imminent danger, Bryn follows her conscious and is willing to risk it all to save total strangers in life and death circumstances, and she is not alone. Bryn has friends that are willing to work with her and risk their own lives in the process, something that weighs heavily on Bryn's conscious. How can a group of teenagers face certain danger with few if any weapons beyond their own physicality.

I don't want to hand out a heap of spoilers, just trust that this novel is the second of a series that has an amazing range of issues to ponder, discuss, and digest. You will not be able to put it down, and you will want to share it with everyone you know so that you can all discuss what you are uncovering in these amazing novels. Apocalypsis and it's follow-up books, including Warpaint, are all equally thrilling, edge of your seat, shocking, and riveting. I anxiously await the fourth book in these series, coming soon. Elle Casey has created a series that is relevant, absorbing, and totally new. A great novel for school projects and book reports, or even to be read as a class curriculum item. I am a 40 year old with a Master's Degree and loved them, my 15 year old niece adores them just as much, and that speaks volumes. Snap them up for your Kindle at these amazing prices, or order the hard copies for sharing.

[Tina | TBR, etc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apocalypsis is Book Two in the Warpaint series. The series is post apocalyptic. All of the adults have died off, leaving kids and teenagers to run the world. Some of the teens have turned into animals and have started eating other people. The author doesn't get into graphic detail, but the thought if it is pretty messed up. It reminds me of a teen version of The Walking Dead, without all the graphic violence.

Brynn and her new family Bodo- the bubbly yet mysterious German, Peter- the sassy, tiny former neighbor, and their pink poodle Buster have moved onto a Native American reservation in the Everglades. In order to keep their place on the reservation, Brynn has agreed to train everyone in Krav Maga. The find out that the cannibals, or, "canners", have gotten one of their own and are storing other kids for future meals. The group decides to do their best to make things right by breaking into the canner house and saving who they can.

What I like: It's funny- I'm not a particular fan of the main character in this book, Brynn, but I like the supporting characters. I like some of the plot holes- Bodo's background, the other canners they'll run into, what happened to some of the other good kids, how long can this reservation sustain, and really hope that we get some answers at the end of the series. It's pretty fast paced and there's a good balance of action and "romance".

What I don't like: I find myself having to skim past some of the corniness (ok, please stop saying doodle), some of the "Brynn's tough fight scenes", and some of the awkward girliness that Brynn goes through in her relationship with Bodo. Many of the characters feel very immature to me- their personalities just don't always come across as genuine. The accents the author uses for Bodo really wears on me.

Still, there's no denying that this book is a page turner. I'm excited to see what happens in the rest of the series. Oh, if you don't like cliffhangers, do yourself a favor and buy all 4 of the books now, because as far as I can tell (and even the author admits) they all end this way.

[Michele Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This being the 2nd book I'm totally hooked on this series. Bryn is an ass kicking smart teenager whom everyone is looking up to to save them from the canners. She now by the end of this book doesn't know where Bodo is! Is he alive and captured by the canners and is going to be dinner? Or is he dead? Which is the worse outcome for Bryn and for Bodo? Yes, she saved the kids from the canners mansion but she lost Bodo. Bodo the first love of her life. What is she going to do now? When her and Peter went to live in the Everglades they never counted on the gang of kids who lives nearby that has became so vicious and was kidnapping kids and cutting the limbs off of them one limb at a time and bar*b*queing them like it was no big deal. Now she rescued those kids the ones she could and she helped kill the others the ones she couldn't save. Is she a murderer now? As she talks to her father in her head she has to believe that what she did was the right thing to do right? What else could she do?

As I sat reading this book I was thinking what if that were my kids what would they do? How would they survive? They are adults two married and all girls. One is a Marine and married a Marine with 2 children. I sat there in my bed thinking about this and thought OH Please I hope this never happens but the way of the world now one never knows. But, Bryn's dad prepared her for the worst. But, this story didn't say how the world came to be like this. I hope in the next book Elle Casey gives some type of background as to what happened to all the adults. It sure as HELL left all the kids to their own and the bad kids just got worse.
If YOU like scarey to the bone movies the book will stay with you even when your not reading it. If you like strong teenage lead characters this is the book for you. Can't wait to start the next book glad I bought all four!

[Richie Soares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic! Warpaint is like a dose of freshness!

99% about this book was near perfect, with action, actually funny and original humor, young love romance, and even sadness. Elle Casey is infamous with cliffhangers, though, so new beware. Even so, she still concludes the story answering most questions and with everything seemingly coming together at the end, even with the cliffhanger to make you buy the next book. I did expect the ending to occur, but not in exactly that; sorry I cannot say more without spoiling, and I respect this author way too much. Her writing is creative, her characters whole, and her style very much her own.

I must say, what I didn't like about the story was that only about 5% of it was the actual "war" (or battle) that used the title's said warpaint. I would have really enjoyed reading more of the battle and more of the aftermath.

With all this said, and even without the cliffhanger that I have a feeling wasn't altogether necessary for making me to purchase the next book, the entire story line is built on strength of the post-apocalypse, and who couldn't appreciate that? I will definitely purchase her next books, even, as I stated, without the cliffhanger to force me to. Elle Casey has definitely been added to my favorites list of authors, both from indie writers and published. This gal definitely needs 5 stars for everything!

[Andrea Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warpaint picks up right where we left off. If you haven't read the first book, please note that spoilers are ahead.



It's time to go after the Canners, the cannibalistic teenagers in a house not far from the swamp where Bryn and her friends now live. The Canners are holding kids hostage, in a meat locker of sorts, and cutting off their limbs one at a time. The kids are in different states of life: some missing one limb... and some with no limbs at all.

This book focuses on Bryn, Peter and Bodo getting settled in the swamp, Bryn training a rescue team, her relationship with Bodo, and the rescue mission. As before, there is gore in this book and some shocking scenes. There's mild sexual content as well.

I adore this series, but this is my least favorite out of them all. It's still amazing but, until the end, lacked the adventure and action of the first installment.

As usual, Elle Casey leaves us with a cliffhanger that makes you pick up book three, Exodus, as soon as this one is done.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book

I almost did not continue reading the series because the first book was ok, mostly mediocre but the story picked up towards the end. Therefore I decided to read the sequel which is a vast improvement. I think the first book spent too many chapters on details and descriptions that seemed irrelevant or the author didn't do a good job in seamlessly incorporating the importance of those details. However the end was good enough to continue to this book and I'm glad that I did.
This book was a much faster read, more thrilling and has a better story line. The plot has also improved and character development seems to have finally peaked! Of course the love story between Bryn and Bodo does make it a more interesting read but their relationship is such a side item. If Bodo dies the story line would still be strong because Bryn and her new tribe have a quest- eliminate the canners and survive. This quest is now the main story line.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warpaint was a really great followup to the first book in the series.

The characters showed a wonderful scope of growth and development from the first book. You could truly see that their journey had changed them, and I think overall they are better for it. Even more than that though, you could also see them grow further during this book as they put aside their preconceived notions. That alone helped push this book to the 5 star marks.

The plot continues where the first book left off. If you've read the first book then you can likely guess what events this book will center around, but a lot of this book focuses more on the changing dynamics of the characters rather than events. I personally enjoy very character centric books, and emotional books and this story definitely delivered that.

On the other hand, the cliffhanger is killing me. *cries*

[T. Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't given enough credit to this series of books. I love the humor that seems to pop out of nowhere. I found myself laughing my butt off in certain places; then crying in others.
The only things about this book I didn't really like is the way the main character, Byrn, seemed too full of herself. I mean I have known people that are lifetime martial arts people. Never once have I ever heard them strutting around, picking fights, or taking their frustration and anger out by engaging other people. So I kinda got tired of the whole "I'm Byrn, badass." thing. I would've liked her to be more subtle. I guess.
Even though, by the time I had finished the book. I still felt it was a really good read. I have ordered the next one in the series.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Apocalypsis series and picks up right where the first one leaves off. Like the first book it's definitely a page turner that I had a hard time putting down. As a result I finished it pretty quickly and therefore was disappointed there wasn't more to the book (really my only complaint). So we continue to follow Bryn and her new family's story along with their new friends of Kahayatle as they train and prepare to rescue the kids being held and used by the Canners. We also get to know/meet some more great characters that I hope will continue to be a part of the next book(s) in the series. In true Elle Casey style like all her other books this one ends on a major cliffhanger! They get to me everytime and made me jump right into the next book.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me by being much better than the first one in the series. However, there is still so much wrong with it. Not sure who edited these stories, but the grammatical errors are distracting.

This book had enough action and plot to make it readable. The ending was a little bit of a letdown.. The entire book is building up this big war against the canners & then it ended rather abruptly. I'm sure the third book will pick up where this one left off... And I'm sucker enough to keep going with this series. I've committed & I've gotta see it through to the end at this point.