In the Beginning

by Daisy Graham

This is the story of five young women who are trapped in a cave during a massive earthquake and the change in the world around them when they finally escape; their journey to find family and their trauma in the new way of life they are forced to live; the people they meet on their journey, friends they make, and friends they lose; their apprehension of where they are heading and what will become of them; and their amazement at the strength of those around them and the strength they find in themselves.

106 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2016

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Beginning, by Daisy Graham, is the account of five women on what New Zealanders call a tramping trip, otherwise known as a hiking trip. They are in the hills of Piha, New Zealand when they come upon a cave. The women decide to investigate the cavern. Once in the depths of the cavern, with their torches, known in America as flashlights, turned on, the women investigate the cave. Suddenly the ground shakes, rocks fall, and the women are trapped inside. Several days later, believing an earthquake happened, they emerge from the cave to discover the world outside has been forever changed.
And so, Graham’s intriguing science fiction novel of shock, adjustment, and revelation begins. Graham’s descriptive novel shows attention to detail while capturing the readers' attention. It is the “what if?” and the “now what?” scenarios readers enjoy dissecting. The women: Sharon, Julie, Marion, Kathy, and Claire emerge from a cave to find they must transform their way of thinking to adjust to a new world.
Graham brilliantly intrigues the reader and entices him to accept, and try to understand, what has happened to the earth. Along with the characters, the reader will learn what happened and if anyone other than themselves survived.
A new stronger bond forms between the women as they find themselves adjusting to the new world. Though very different from each other in some aspects, they become similar and grow closer as they adjust and accept the new challenges they must deal with and overcome.
I am giving, In The Beginning, by Daisy Graham, 5 out of 5 stars. With captivating characters, an engaging plot, and the shocking astonishment of a new world, In The Beginning, by Daisy Graham skillfully convinces the reader, with Biblical proof, that the likelihood of a newly changed earth is possible.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Beginning is a compelling book written by Daisy Graham, which addresses how people deal with life issues and how we adapt to change. We follow five women who are hiking in New Zealand and each of them are going through a peculiar experience in life. The mutual support that they give each other is essential to be able to move forward. While exploring a cave, they get trapped in it, and after a few days, they realize that Earth is not the same.
This is a story of discovery, friendship, and survival. Author Graham dynamically narrates the journey of a group of friends, who are going through different stages of their lives. At a certain point they are all heard, and they all help each other to try to cope with this difficult moment. Trying to survive is the goal.
The author skillfully created relatable characters as I kept thinking that we all surely go through different moments where we feel that we cannot continue, where we feel that the weight of the past is too heavy to carry. I enjoyed the fact that the author keeps the reader in the dark in the beginning of the book making you want to continue reading to find out what happened to these women and the world they once knew. I found the plot to be fascinating making this book hard to put down. The author’s vivid descriptions of the character’s surroundings make you feel like you are in the story. In the Beginning is an exceptional read and one that I didn’t expect. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Bathsheba Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went a little fast with not enough explanation, though the premise is good it's a bit predictable. As the story moved along it picked up a lot more characters which ended up getting quite confusing, also dropped some, what happened to the people in helensville? I mean they spent enough time there for it not to be a major part of it but the story just moved along as if it never happened. Quick read anyway. Would have liked the story to stick with the girls and their be more descriptive stuff and more about how it was affecting them emotionally.

[Chris Devine · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the back cover blurb, I thought this would be like a natural disaster survival story, it kind of is, but it's actually an end of days christian story. It starts out with 4 strong females surviving the first little bit, but by the end all the women in the story are old fashioned housewives, doing the cooking and cleaning while the manly men take care of the hard work. I guess if you're christian you'll love this book, but it's not for me.

I won this from a goodreads giveaway.

[Daisy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a tramping holiday in New Zealand, five women—Sharon, Julie, Marion, Kathy, and Claire—get trapped in a cave during a massive earthquake. When they manage to get out, they witness drastic changes and devastation. Concerned about the safety of their families, they set out to find them. On their way, they meet more survivors and finally reach their loved ones. Cut off from the rest of the world, they must now battle to survive the ruinous wrath of intermittent quakes, tidal waves, and volcanic fires, which might be the Apocalypse.

Graham delivers an incredible survival story based on the strength of faith. Using the experiences of all the survivors, Graham highlights how humanity attempts to win against obstacles, even natural disasters. During the ordeal, they combine efforts and come up with various tactics to pull through. These include a generator, an old radio which restores some communication, helicopters that aid in rescue, fallen pine trees for building log cabins, solar panels for power, tanning trays for leather clothes, hoses to supply water from the spring, and handmade sheepskin boots. While deaths of friends and loss of shelter and supplies amplify the helplessness of mankind before nature, the camaraderie between all characters and their individual determination highlight their strength. It is significant that despite great losses, almost every character gathers confidence from his or her faith in God. This unwavering faith is divinely rewarded when a sudden bright light engulfs them at the end of the novel, flooding everyone with peace. This moment—definitely the most powerful in the whole story—elevates the initial chaotic mood toward a solemn meditative calm. Dramatic descriptions and elegant narrative style make this novel enjoyable. Radiant and graceful, this novel tells us to heal and hope.

[Denise]

End of the world. Only in Australia. Total rapture for those who follow His lead.