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The End of All Things #2
The Land of the Shadow
In the highly anticipated stand-alone sequel to The End of All Things, Lissa Bryan returns readers to a world devastated by disease, and the breakdown of modern society.
Two years after a horrific virus swept the globe, decimating the world’s population, Carly Daniels and her husband, Justin, have made a safe home in the isolated southern town of Colby. Protected by fences and a vigilant population, the residents there had somehow managed to keep the Infection out. Until the sight of Carly and Justin’s healthy baby girl convinced them it was safe to allow Outsiders in.
Now, in the wake of fresh losses, the small band of survivors struggles to rebuild a community. With only nineteenth-century technology to aid them, they must learn skills long forgotten to provide for their basic needs. Each day brings new challenges, and every choice they make affects their long-term survival. While Carly and Justin adjust to a growing family, and to their roles as community leaders, they must rely on one another for strength and support when they face difficult questions.
Carly has to decide how to move forward in a world where equality, justice, and freedom from tyranny are no longer guaranteed. And when new threats emerge, she has to decide what she is willing to do—and how far she’s willing to go—to protect what she has worked so hard to build.
When the end has come and gone, it’s a journey down a long and broken road through The Land of the Shadow.
Two years after a horrific virus swept the globe, decimating the world’s population, Carly Daniels and her husband, Justin, have made a safe home in the isolated southern town of Colby. Protected by fences and a vigilant population, the residents there had somehow managed to keep the Infection out. Until the sight of Carly and Justin’s healthy baby girl convinced them it was safe to allow Outsiders in.
Now, in the wake of fresh losses, the small band of survivors struggles to rebuild a community. With only nineteenth-century technology to aid them, they must learn skills long forgotten to provide for their basic needs. Each day brings new challenges, and every choice they make affects their long-term survival. While Carly and Justin adjust to a growing family, and to their roles as community leaders, they must rely on one another for strength and support when they face difficult questions.
Carly has to decide how to move forward in a world where equality, justice, and freedom from tyranny are no longer guaranteed. And when new threats emerge, she has to decide what she is willing to do—and how far she’s willing to go—to protect what she has worked so hard to build.
When the end has come and gone, it’s a journey down a long and broken road through The Land of the Shadow.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2014
70 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Bryan
19 books335 followersLissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot.... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel, Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.
Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L...
http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/
She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel, Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.
Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L...
http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 16, 2015
It was good, but not as good as the first one.
I was slightly annoyed by how Carly has been behaving here. In the first book I had the impression that she understood and accepted that the world as it was before the Ifection doesn't exist anymore, but here all I got is that she still doesn't realize it.
In an environment where everything is threatening you, your loved ones, al you can think is that you must do everything, even if stupid and without aby logic, to make things like they were before?!?!
Oh, come on, even I know that's impossible!
I liked Justing very much. He was absolutely coherent. He's so plain speaking that it was a pleasure to read! He had clear vision about their situation and he was so good in explaining it to her (like she was 2 years old!). :)
I will be definitely read the next one, because I'm curious to know what's happening next! :)
I was slightly annoyed by how Carly has been behaving here. In the first book I had the impression that she understood and accepted that the world as it was before the Ifection doesn't exist anymore, but here all I got is that she still doesn't realize it.
In an environment where everything is threatening you, your loved ones, al you can think is that you must do everything, even if stupid and without aby logic, to make things like they were before?!?!
Oh, come on, even I know that's impossible!
I liked Justing very much. He was absolutely coherent. He's so plain speaking that it was a pleasure to read! He had clear vision about their situation and he was so good in explaining it to her (like she was 2 years old!). :)
I will be definitely read the next one, because I'm curious to know what's happening next! :)
August 14, 2014
*Full Review Now Posted!*
An amazing read!
Lissa Bryan does it again with the continuation of this series that left me a gah from book 1!
There is nothing better than loving the next book in a series!! It makes all the lack of patience and whining I did waiting for this release well worth it!
Meeting up with our old friends and the introduction of new ones really gave us a robust story line that just had me turning the page wanting more and more.
And if you read Tales from the End (The End of All Things, #1.5), and you should, you know who Pearl and Veronica are. I was thrilled to see them make an appearance, their stories were my favorites, aside from Shadowfax, but it's Shadowfax, you know you love her.
So yeah, I was a bubbling mass of excitement when the ARC appeared in my kindle. *que happy dance*
The Land Of The Shadow picks up where The End of All Things, left off with Justin and Carly rebuilding the community of Colby. I was completely entranced the first half of the story. How they and the community were living their day to day lives. Trying as best they can to live normal lives, a new normal, in a new world. It was hard work but they all seemed happy. The farming, creating, their friendships, relationships, struggles, fights, disappointments, and success. I was completely wowed and I loved every moment!
Justin and Carly's relationship, still loving an passionate takes on a whole new meaning in this new world too. There interactions, their little girl Dagny, and new family members were so heartwarming you can't help but love them.
The author's descriptive writing about the daily was never to much or to little. I was completely fascinated with what you can do with so little and still survive. You really had a good feel for their lives.
The second half of the story was where the trepidation came in. You just knew there was danger lurking just beneath the surface. I don't want to say to much and give it away, but let's just say on one of Justin's scouting expedition, the discovery of "others" took on a whole new meaning. The story really started to fly at this point and I kept looking how much was left on my reader as my nerves kept climbing.
The ending was very climatic and there was a cliffie, not a bad one, but one where you were left stunned with the "what??". I immediately sent an email to TWCS asking, when is book 3 coming out?? I was assured next year so that was a relief, but I am back to my impatient whining self waiting for more!
The End of All Things series is a must read. A fantastic journey of survival, love, perseverance, struggles, and amazing points of what human nature can do when faced with uncertainty.
The Land Of The Shadow is why I love to read and why it is one of my 2014 favorite reads.
An amazing read!
Lissa Bryan does it again with the continuation of this series that left me a gah from book 1!
There is nothing better than loving the next book in a series!! It makes all the lack of patience and whining I did waiting for this release well worth it!
Meeting up with our old friends and the introduction of new ones really gave us a robust story line that just had me turning the page wanting more and more.
And if you read Tales from the End (The End of All Things, #1.5), and you should, you know who Pearl and Veronica are. I was thrilled to see them make an appearance, their stories were my favorites, aside from Shadowfax, but it's Shadowfax, you know you love her.
So yeah, I was a bubbling mass of excitement when the ARC appeared in my kindle. *que happy dance*
The Land Of The Shadow picks up where The End of All Things, left off with Justin and Carly rebuilding the community of Colby. I was completely entranced the first half of the story. How they and the community were living their day to day lives. Trying as best they can to live normal lives, a new normal, in a new world. It was hard work but they all seemed happy. The farming, creating, their friendships, relationships, struggles, fights, disappointments, and success. I was completely wowed and I loved every moment!
Justin and Carly's relationship, still loving an passionate takes on a whole new meaning in this new world too. There interactions, their little girl Dagny, and new family members were so heartwarming you can't help but love them.
The author's descriptive writing about the daily was never to much or to little. I was completely fascinated with what you can do with so little and still survive. You really had a good feel for their lives.
The second half of the story was where the trepidation came in. You just knew there was danger lurking just beneath the surface. I don't want to say to much and give it away, but let's just say on one of Justin's scouting expedition, the discovery of "others" took on a whole new meaning. The story really started to fly at this point and I kept looking how much was left on my reader as my nerves kept climbing.
The ending was very climatic and there was a cliffie, not a bad one, but one where you were left stunned with the "what??". I immediately sent an email to TWCS asking, when is book 3 coming out?? I was assured next year so that was a relief, but I am back to my impatient whining self waiting for more!
The End of All Things series is a must read. A fantastic journey of survival, love, perseverance, struggles, and amazing points of what human nature can do when faced with uncertainty.
The Land Of The Shadow is why I love to read and why it is one of my 2014 favorite reads.
September 6, 2016
I absolutely loved this sequel. There was so much love and heartache.... Progress and repression,yet it all blended together with admirable characters and fantastic world building. Looking forward to more from Lissa bryan.
August 21, 2014
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!!
I truly loved the first book in this series, The End of All Things The End of All Things
. And I was incredibly anxious for this one to be finished. WORTH THE WAIT!Ms. Bryan has crafted this book so it can stand alone. She deftly inserted enough back story to catch you up, while not dragging us down with an overload of information. I love it when an author can do that for us.
TLotS begins a few months after TEoAT. Colby is coming along. It's not thriving, but that's not for want of trying on the community members. Before the infection, few of them had planted gardens, raised chickens or fish. It's a learning process, but they are bound and determined to survive. Carly is still hoping to make a better place for them all. Justin is behind her in all things. Together they make a great team. Sam, the wolf, is still a pretty good judge of character as nomads approach the town. Some are invited to stay, and some are passed over. As you can imagine, some don't appreciate that.
Shadowfax and Storm have their moments, here, too.
The way that Ms. Bryan writes a possible future after a catastrophic plague reads true. Every time I see one of those gold commercials on TV I always think, as she pointed out in the first book: Food, Guns/Ammo, Drugs! These are the "golden things" that would be worth something.
While Carly, Justin, and the others are working hard to live in the new world, some people have pretty much reverted to a barbarian mentality. They want to take what they can, and not work for what they have. Again, this is what I'd think would happen in such a scenario.
Ms. Bryan kept me reading long after I should have been asleep. But I had to know how it would all turn out. She surprised me a few times, too. And that ending? Yeah, I need the third and final book NOW. While it's not a killer cliffie, it will make you want more just as quickly as possible. I have my guesses as to what is going to happen next, but I'm sure that she will surprise me again.
What a ride! Carly and Justin are people that I'd like on my side, and on the side of my community.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a story that will keep you glued to your reader or flipping pages in a paperback just as quickly as you can.
*Thank you, NetGalley and TWCS, for the opportunity to read The Land of the Shadow*
This book comes out on August 21, 2014. You can add it to your shelves now!
May 26, 2014
**I received an ARC for a honest review**
If you like realistic dystopian stories, these books are for you!
First off, let me preface this review by saying I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The End of All Things, and the follow-up short stories Tales from the End. To really enjoy this book you should read both of those before delving in to this one.
At the beginning of "The Land of the Shadow", we find Carly and Justin a few months after the end of "The End of All Things". They are committed to growing the town of Colby into a working, self-sustaining community that is safe and relatively happy considering the world has been almost completely decimated by a virus that may or may not have been created and released intentionally. We see what has become of some of the supporting characters from the first book, and find out how some of the people met in "Tales from the End" intersect into Carly and Justin's lives.
I felt that the first half of the book was a little slow, intentionally, because it was really focused on the world building of this new normal that Justin and Carly have created in their town. The grueling work, constant danger, and intense human emotions when placed in such high pressure situations. We get less of their "love story" in this book, which I missed because I really liked the dynamic of them falling in love in the first book, but it makes sense that since they are in a stable relationship with so many other issues going on. Don't get me wrong, it is still very obvious they are very much in love, their focus is just split between many different things now versus when it was just the two of them. What you do have is relationship building between the townspeople. People coming together to create new family units, stepping into parental, grandparental, and extended family roles. This was lovely and uplifting to witness.
The second half of the book picks up with some external threats emerging in the form of both people and environment. Carly and Justin are challenged in their own ways. I won't give any specifics, but needless to say, there are some very tough decisions to be made. Will they make the right ones, and in a world that has fallen apart, what really is right anymore?
In the end, I really really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to see what Lissa Bryan does next with this series, and based off of that ending, she definitely plans to continue with it! (It isn't a cliffy exactly, but does end with a little "duh duh duh"). So go, grab, read! You won't be disappointed.
If you like realistic dystopian stories, these books are for you!
First off, let me preface this review by saying I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The End of All Things, and the follow-up short stories Tales from the End. To really enjoy this book you should read both of those before delving in to this one.
At the beginning of "The Land of the Shadow", we find Carly and Justin a few months after the end of "The End of All Things". They are committed to growing the town of Colby into a working, self-sustaining community that is safe and relatively happy considering the world has been almost completely decimated by a virus that may or may not have been created and released intentionally. We see what has become of some of the supporting characters from the first book, and find out how some of the people met in "Tales from the End" intersect into Carly and Justin's lives.
I felt that the first half of the book was a little slow, intentionally, because it was really focused on the world building of this new normal that Justin and Carly have created in their town. The grueling work, constant danger, and intense human emotions when placed in such high pressure situations. We get less of their "love story" in this book, which I missed because I really liked the dynamic of them falling in love in the first book, but it makes sense that since they are in a stable relationship with so many other issues going on. Don't get me wrong, it is still very obvious they are very much in love, their focus is just split between many different things now versus when it was just the two of them. What you do have is relationship building between the townspeople. People coming together to create new family units, stepping into parental, grandparental, and extended family roles. This was lovely and uplifting to witness.
The second half of the book picks up with some external threats emerging in the form of both people and environment. Carly and Justin are challenged in their own ways. I won't give any specifics, but needless to say, there are some very tough decisions to be made. Will they make the right ones, and in a world that has fallen apart, what really is right anymore?
In the end, I really really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to see what Lissa Bryan does next with this series, and based off of that ending, she definitely plans to continue with it! (It isn't a cliffy exactly, but does end with a little "duh duh duh"). So go, grab, read! You won't be disappointed.
August 29, 2014
Review of the Land of the Shadow by Lissa Bryan
4.5 stars
This book is the sequel to the End of All Things and picks up months where book 1 left off. Carly and Justin have come so far and survived so much. When life continues going on in this new world they have to keep moving forward with the many challenges each new dawn seems to bring. The couple has their own daughter to care for and now an adopted son as well as the community that they lead.
Things are going, but they aren’t easy. There are farming issues, health issues, no 20th century amenities to make life easier and danger lurking around every corner. Their community is small and well managed with Carly and Justin as the leaders, but things can’t stay like that forever.
When outsiders start to make themselves known the community knows that things are about to change. They all have to reevaluate the sustainability of the life they have created. Are they really safe being where they are or are they just making themselves vulnerable?
The group make discoveries about the outsiders that leave little question about what needs to be done to protect themselves. With everyone’s safety in question they do what they have to do. Will the decisions they make make their community stronger or haunt them for years to come?
This story is told really well. I felt scared, ill-prepared, anxious, at times hopeless, and at times hopeful. I loved the believability of the characters, situations, and experiences in the book. Even in this post-apocalyptic world, relationships are still relationships, parents still worry about and care for their children, and the will to survive still gives people strength to overcome many obstacles. The end leaves a little bit of a questions as to what comes next for Carly, Justin and the others and I for one can’t wait to find out.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at readlovelust.com
4.5 stars
This book is the sequel to the End of All Things and picks up months where book 1 left off. Carly and Justin have come so far and survived so much. When life continues going on in this new world they have to keep moving forward with the many challenges each new dawn seems to bring. The couple has their own daughter to care for and now an adopted son as well as the community that they lead.
Things are going, but they aren’t easy. There are farming issues, health issues, no 20th century amenities to make life easier and danger lurking around every corner. Their community is small and well managed with Carly and Justin as the leaders, but things can’t stay like that forever.
When outsiders start to make themselves known the community knows that things are about to change. They all have to reevaluate the sustainability of the life they have created. Are they really safe being where they are or are they just making themselves vulnerable?
The group make discoveries about the outsiders that leave little question about what needs to be done to protect themselves. With everyone’s safety in question they do what they have to do. Will the decisions they make make their community stronger or haunt them for years to come?
This story is told really well. I felt scared, ill-prepared, anxious, at times hopeless, and at times hopeful. I loved the believability of the characters, situations, and experiences in the book. Even in this post-apocalyptic world, relationships are still relationships, parents still worry about and care for their children, and the will to survive still gives people strength to overcome many obstacles. The end leaves a little bit of a questions as to what comes next for Carly, Justin and the others and I for one can’t wait to find out.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at readlovelust.com
May 30, 2014
***ARC provided by TWCS and Netgalley in response for an honest review***
If you've read my review of the first book in this series, you'll know how much I loved it! So, when I knew this, the second in what I believe will be a trilogy, was available on Netgalley, I grabbed it as soon as possible.
This book picks up a few months after The End of All Things, with Justin, Carly, and their baby Dagny, in Colby trying to rebuild their community. It seems to be pretty much working, despite the lack of proper food and their crops not doing so well. The first half of the book is a pleasant pace which allows us, as readers, to get to know the ins and outs of the town and how things work. Then, all of a sudden, the story ramps up.
Without giving anything away, Justin, Carly, and the rest of the town have to think about fighting for their own survival due to outside influences. There were certain parts of the story where I held my hand over my mouth because I was scared someone was going to get seriously hurt.
With the introduction of Pearl, a character I didn't 100% trust, the dynamics of the town shift a little, and it's for the best by the end (not really a spoiler). All of the characters are relateable and truly believable. Most of their back stories make you wonder and think what you would do in their situation.
The cliffhanger at the end made me rage! How could it be left there? I NEED to know what is happening nec#xt, but I know Bryan is working on the final book right now, so hopefully, it won't be too long. Bryan has a way of sucking you in that you don't realise how much you've read until you get to the end, and still want MORE!
I'm off now to read Tales from the End, a collection of stories that interweave with these two books.
If you've read my review of the first book in this series, you'll know how much I loved it! So, when I knew this, the second in what I believe will be a trilogy, was available on Netgalley, I grabbed it as soon as possible.
This book picks up a few months after The End of All Things, with Justin, Carly, and their baby Dagny, in Colby trying to rebuild their community. It seems to be pretty much working, despite the lack of proper food and their crops not doing so well. The first half of the book is a pleasant pace which allows us, as readers, to get to know the ins and outs of the town and how things work. Then, all of a sudden, the story ramps up.
Without giving anything away, Justin, Carly, and the rest of the town have to think about fighting for their own survival due to outside influences. There were certain parts of the story where I held my hand over my mouth because I was scared someone was going to get seriously hurt.
With the introduction of Pearl, a character I didn't 100% trust, the dynamics of the town shift a little, and it's for the best by the end (not really a spoiler). All of the characters are relateable and truly believable. Most of their back stories make you wonder and think what you would do in their situation.
The cliffhanger at the end made me rage! How could it be left there? I NEED to know what is happening nec#xt, but I know Bryan is working on the final book right now, so hopefully, it won't be too long. Bryan has a way of sucking you in that you don't realise how much you've read until you get to the end, and still want MORE!
I'm off now to read Tales from the End, a collection of stories that interweave with these two books.
August 22, 2014
So happy for this sequel!
So happy for this sequel!
I am thrilled to be reading this sequel to one of my favorite "read agains". The middle book in a trilogy is always a transition tale. We still see Justin's little family, but they have been joined by a community of like-minded survivors. Everyone has to accept a new normal in society, as the rules constantly change. An excellent book, by one of my favorite authors!
So happy for this sequel!
I am thrilled to be reading this sequel to one of my favorite "read agains". The middle book in a trilogy is always a transition tale. We still see Justin's little family, but they have been joined by a community of like-minded survivors. Everyone has to accept a new normal in society, as the rules constantly change. An excellent book, by one of my favorite authors!
August 9, 2014
Wonderful and exciting story, a great follow up to the End of All Things. The story ended with a little bit of a cliffie so I can't wait for the next story of the series!
Thank you Lissa for sharing your writing talent with all of us!
Thank you Lissa for sharing your writing talent with all of us!
June 23, 2014
Reviews on Passion for Pages
Anyone who read my review of The End of All Things knows I loved the first book in this series. Lissa Bryan is a very talented story teller and has a way of pulling the reader in and making them care about her characters in a way I’m sure she does as well.
I was really looking forward to this one. Justin and Carly where just one of those couples I could never really forget about so I was excited to see where their journey had taken them.
The Land of the Shadow takes place a couple of months where we left off in the first book. Justin and Carly and their daughter have settled into Colby, have become the leaders of the community and adoptive parents to one of the orphaned.
Their way of life isn’t easy but they’re managing to survive and we’re shown just how much work they’ve put into putting a life back together through-out the first half of the book. You can definitely tell how much research Bryan put into her novels and this was no exception. The characters in this series have to basically go back to living during the pioneer days for the most part and with every challenge they meet I can picture the scene so clearly because of Bryan’s thorough writing.
Like I said, the first half of the book is basically catching us up on what has gone on the past few months, what they have to do to survive, etc. It isn’t until about half way where things start to get intense, new characters are introduced and Justin and Carly, along with the rest of their community, have to decide just how far their willing to
go to protect what little they have.
Justin is the same strong, take charge character he was in the first book. He’s no bullshit attitude and realistic views are what has gotten everyone so far and kept them alive, in my opinion.
Carly…while she’s still the strong woman she was in the first novel I don’t believe she’s as hard as she should be to live in the world they now do. In some parts she seemed almost naïve in the way she thought or acted—particularly when it came to the Infected. She’s soft-hearted, and while that isn’t a bad thing and is a feature to be endeared, it’s not the attitude she needs to survive in this new world.
That being said she does come through and when needed with that “cut throat” attitude.
I can’t wait for the third installment of this series. The cliff-hanger is terribly mean—in such a good way!
Anyone who read my review of The End of All Things knows I loved the first book in this series. Lissa Bryan is a very talented story teller and has a way of pulling the reader in and making them care about her characters in a way I’m sure she does as well.
I was really looking forward to this one. Justin and Carly where just one of those couples I could never really forget about so I was excited to see where their journey had taken them.
The Land of the Shadow takes place a couple of months where we left off in the first book. Justin and Carly and their daughter have settled into Colby, have become the leaders of the community and adoptive parents to one of the orphaned.
Their way of life isn’t easy but they’re managing to survive and we’re shown just how much work they’ve put into putting a life back together through-out the first half of the book. You can definitely tell how much research Bryan put into her novels and this was no exception. The characters in this series have to basically go back to living during the pioneer days for the most part and with every challenge they meet I can picture the scene so clearly because of Bryan’s thorough writing.
Like I said, the first half of the book is basically catching us up on what has gone on the past few months, what they have to do to survive, etc. It isn’t until about half way where things start to get intense, new characters are introduced and Justin and Carly, along with the rest of their community, have to decide just how far their willing to
go to protect what little they have.
Justin is the same strong, take charge character he was in the first book. He’s no bullshit attitude and realistic views are what has gotten everyone so far and kept them alive, in my opinion.
Carly…while she’s still the strong woman she was in the first novel I don’t believe she’s as hard as she should be to live in the world they now do. In some parts she seemed almost naïve in the way she thought or acted—particularly when it came to the Infected. She’s soft-hearted, and while that isn’t a bad thing and is a feature to be endeared, it’s not the attitude she needs to survive in this new world.
That being said she does come through and when needed with that “cut throat” attitude.
I can’t wait for the third installment of this series. The cliff-hanger is terribly mean—in such a good way!
August 22, 2014
I have to say this book is a terrific continuation of the first novel The End of All Things. Let me start off by saying that I know everyone says these books can be stand alones and while that could be true, I feel that much would be lost if you didn’t read one without the other. Lissa is great at bringing back important pieces of information from Justin and Carly’s past from book one, but if you hadn’t experienced those memories with the two characters then you would feel sort of lost in regards to the emotions behind the them and the true bond between our hero and heroine.
The Land of the Shadows takes place two years after the Infection has overtaken the world and destroyed most of its population, both human and animal. Carly and Justin have strived to reproduce a similance of normal life in the town of Colby. They have gathered with a small group of people and worked together daily to make the community a home for their families. Of course, in a world where law no longer exists, Justin and Carly soon discover that they must be willing to fight and defend their new home at all cost.
Overall, I give this book four stars. The writing is amazing. Lissa a true wordsmith. The premise and plot are believable and have a way of drawing in the reader into a new order of life. And above all, I love the characters of Carly and Justin. They compliment each other and their love for one another is magical. Lissa left us open for a third book, and I truly look forward to what she has in store for the next installment of this series.
The Land of the Shadows takes place two years after the Infection has overtaken the world and destroyed most of its population, both human and animal. Carly and Justin have strived to reproduce a similance of normal life in the town of Colby. They have gathered with a small group of people and worked together daily to make the community a home for their families. Of course, in a world where law no longer exists, Justin and Carly soon discover that they must be willing to fight and defend their new home at all cost.
Overall, I give this book four stars. The writing is amazing. Lissa a true wordsmith. The premise and plot are believable and have a way of drawing in the reader into a new order of life. And above all, I love the characters of Carly and Justin. They compliment each other and their love for one another is magical. Lissa left us open for a third book, and I truly look forward to what she has in store for the next installment of this series.
August 25, 2014
As a second book, this story was quite exciting and took the series into a great direction. While the first book focused on the immediate aftermath of the disaster, this book is all about starting to rebuild and learning how to live in a new world. Like my comparison in the first book, this book reminded me of Sunrise (Ashfall #3) by Mike Mullin, but with an adult setting.
I really appreciated how realistic the story felt in terms of the actions the characters took. It was interesting to see how people respond to living in a technology-free world, and really makes me think how I would cope. I’m guessing I wouldn’t do so great, at least initially. It was very invigorating to see how creative everyone got when they needed to be.
My one complaint about the book is how Carly seemed to send Dagny away every time there was danger. I understand wanting to keep your baby safe, but I couldn’t imagine that sending her away with virtual strangers is the way to do it. At times, it felt like a device used to avoid having to deal with a baby in the scene.
With that one small thing aside, I really enjoyed the story. I love post-apocalyse/disaster type stories, and this satisfied my expectations. The story was complete in itself, however I would still recommend reading the first book in the series first, just so you understand the back story. There isn’t a lot of time spent recapping everything, so you really need the history of the first book to understand everything.
I really appreciated how realistic the story felt in terms of the actions the characters took. It was interesting to see how people respond to living in a technology-free world, and really makes me think how I would cope. I’m guessing I wouldn’t do so great, at least initially. It was very invigorating to see how creative everyone got when they needed to be.
My one complaint about the book is how Carly seemed to send Dagny away every time there was danger. I understand wanting to keep your baby safe, but I couldn’t imagine that sending her away with virtual strangers is the way to do it. At times, it felt like a device used to avoid having to deal with a baby in the scene.
With that one small thing aside, I really enjoyed the story. I love post-apocalyse/disaster type stories, and this satisfied my expectations. The story was complete in itself, however I would still recommend reading the first book in the series first, just so you understand the back story. There isn’t a lot of time spent recapping everything, so you really need the history of the first book to understand everything.
August 9, 2014
I don't normally read a lot of dystopian type books, but this is the follow up to The End of All Things which I really enjoyed so I had to see how the story continued. Justin and Carly are raising their daughter Dagney in the town of Colby. The town has shut itself off from the rest of the world as much as it can to prevent The Infection from hitting them again. (sort of reminded me of that TV show Jericho from a few years back). They are dealing with normal issues - trying to grow enough food for the town, protect themselves from outsiders and try to have as normal a life as possible.
There were many parts of the book where I was on the edge of my seat wondering how the scene would play out. They have normal issues like any of us would have despite their situation. I like Carly's optimism and Justin's reality and they somehow make it work in the town.
The book ended with something of a cliffhanger so I'm hoping that means this is a trilogy and there will be a third book to wrap everything up. We don't know what is happening across the globe or how many people are still alive. Plus there are some scenes in the book that demand further explanation that tie to Justin's military background and even Carly's father.
There were many parts of the book where I was on the edge of my seat wondering how the scene would play out. They have normal issues like any of us would have despite their situation. I like Carly's optimism and Justin's reality and they somehow make it work in the town.
The book ended with something of a cliffhanger so I'm hoping that means this is a trilogy and there will be a third book to wrap everything up. We don't know what is happening across the globe or how many people are still alive. Plus there are some scenes in the book that demand further explanation that tie to Justin's military background and even Carly's father.
June 12, 2014
After reading The End of All Things, I could not wait for the second book to come out, and I was not disappointed. Whereas The End of All Things narrates Carly and Justin's journey to find a place to settle, The Land of the Shadow describes their quest to start a community and build a new life. You can read this as a stand-alone work, but I definitely recommend starting with The End of All Things.
Bryan's strengths in this book are much like those of her other work: describing with excellent but not overwhelming detail, answering philosophical questions without preaching, and creating empathetic characters in otherworldly situations. The plot moves quickly, and you will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. However, be aware that the ending is a serious and - if I may be critical - unnecessary cliff-hanger. The publisher has confirmed that Bryan is currently writing a third book in this series, and now I am as impatient to read the next installment as I was to read The Land of the Shadow.
Bryan's strengths in this book are much like those of her other work: describing with excellent but not overwhelming detail, answering philosophical questions without preaching, and creating empathetic characters in otherworldly situations. The plot moves quickly, and you will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. However, be aware that the ending is a serious and - if I may be critical - unnecessary cliff-hanger. The publisher has confirmed that Bryan is currently writing a third book in this series, and now I am as impatient to read the next installment as I was to read The Land of the Shadow.
December 28, 2014
"Received and ARC for an honest review"
An more than amazing sequel by Lissa, she is an extremely good writer, so this book I knew was going to be good, but I never thought it would surpass the other.
This book starts two years after the Infection. Carly and Justin are struggling to get a normal life in Colby, but it is quite different as people start wanting to take what they can, which is quite realistic in my point of view if anything like that actually happen.
The book is left open of a third one, and I'm more than looking forward to find out what happens, as I know Lissa has the tendency to surprise me in every story.
I totally and absolutely recommend any of Lissa's books, she is an amazing writer and this story is just one of the many you'll fall hard for.
An more than amazing sequel by Lissa, she is an extremely good writer, so this book I knew was going to be good, but I never thought it would surpass the other.
This book starts two years after the Infection. Carly and Justin are struggling to get a normal life in Colby, but it is quite different as people start wanting to take what they can, which is quite realistic in my point of view if anything like that actually happen.
The book is left open of a third one, and I'm more than looking forward to find out what happens, as I know Lissa has the tendency to surprise me in every story.
I totally and absolutely recommend any of Lissa's books, she is an amazing writer and this story is just one of the many you'll fall hard for.
September 1, 2014
Before you start reading The Land of the Shadow (The End of All Things #2), make sure that you have set aside the time to read it in one sitting. I learned from my experiences reading Lissa's previous masterpieces. So, although I pre-ordered this book like many other fans, I saved it for my long weekend reading.
It was worth it!! It was amazing to follow Carly while she worked with Justin to build a new world. I loved every minute of it.
I truly hope that there is a 3rd book because I have so many questions!!! Will Hamburger find a mate? Will Buttercup be able to heal Sam's heart over the loss of Tigger? Who was driving the Army truck? Was it Lewis?!
It was worth it!! It was amazing to follow Carly while she worked with Justin to build a new world. I loved every minute of it.
I truly hope that there is a 3rd book because I have so many questions!!! Will Hamburger find a mate? Will Buttercup be able to heal Sam's heart over the loss of Tigger? Who was driving the Army truck? Was it Lewis?!
April 27, 2021
Decent characters, decent world building and creating a new community. Too much backstory on Pearl, was boring and didn’t add to the overall story. Carly is less annoying than she was in the first book and starting to kick some butt. Justin stays true to his alpha character, and their child, Dagny (I said gag-me in my head when reading her name).
September 21, 2014
INITIAL THOUGHTS
As dystopia/post apocalyptic are my favourite genres I was already really looking forward to this book. I was also impatient to be finding out how the characters of Carly, Justin and Dagny were doing. Were they succeeding in re-creating a little community? I also wondered if we would learn anymore about how the virus.
MY REVIEW
I received an e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover of the book is quite dark but then that represents the times that Justin, Carly, Dagny, Kaden and the other characters are living in. The cover does fit in with the covers of the rest of the series so far.
So Carly, Justin and their daughter Dagny are still living in Colby, with the rest of its survivors. Kaden is now living with Carly & Justin as they have more or less "adopted him". Kaden dotes on Dagny and really does love Carly & Justin as though they are his parents.
There is the danger of those that survived the virus but still wander around in a zombie like state, and of course there are survivors that want to take what the Colby community have worked so hard to develop. The community of Colby are very careful who they allow to stay and join them.
Life seems to be struggling along in Colby, and people begin to relax somewhat until a new gang of "survivors" are found whilst out on a routine search to try and find out what happened to a stolen/missing hen. This new band of survivors is made up of mostly men and they seem to have taken some of the "zombies" prisoner and are using them like slaves. Unlike the community of Colby this group of survivors have no conscious and have no qualms about taking what belongs to others. As always Justin's instincts are proven right when the leader of the gang, Marcus, begins showing interest in Colby and what they have. A decision will have to be made soon, should Colby fight to protect what they have created or allow others to come in and take over? Justin as always has a lot on his mind and there is still other environmental danger all around, from illnesses which were quite easily treated and cured in the "before" when medication was in plentiful supply, so when Carly is taken ill, everyone fears the worst including Carly. Carly makes Justin promise to make sure to tell Dagny about her and have father/daughter time, she also insists on herself being quarantined. Justin is so torn, he feels he should be doing his usual jobs/leadership role, be out finding possible medication for Carly and the community and yet he hates to leave Carly's side whilst she is so ill.
It is one of the new additions to Colby, Pearl that ends up scavenging and searching for the much needed medical supplies. Pearl is one of the characters that we met in "Tales From The End", also now in Colby are Mark, Stacy and the two children they found along their way Veronica and Michael.
So that's just a few of the quandaries and struggles the characters in this book have to deal with. From large outside threats such as Marcus and his gang, and more trivial inner community disagreements over whether to kill the hens for meat or keep them for eggs.
Sadly the environment and soil are yet to recover enough for the planting and food supplies to thrive and provide enough for everyone within Colby, so food is still somewhat rationed.
This book is so well written and descriptive you feel as though you are there and are part of all the angst and action! I really enjoyed reading this one. I felt frustrated at the end, as something is left as a whopper of a cliff hanger, and I was screaming in my head "Oh nooo Lissa, you really can not leave things right there" but she did! and it is going to feel like another long, long wait for me until the next book is available. This book have some really cosy feeling scenes in them. I love the scenes involving Carly, Justin, Kaden and Dagny. I like that Lissa includes those smaller family things like Justin calling Dagny, "Daggers" for short. Justin can be a tough, hard headed military man one minutes and a soft slushy mess over his wife and family the next. This installment in "The End Of All Things" Series is really packed full, it has action, drama, betrayal on a community level as well as on a personal character level. We know that Carly is doing what she wanted in re-creating a community for her and her family, you sense and do understand how important this is to Carly. I think Justin would be happy with only his little family but, understands Carly's need and is more than willing to comply and try to make her new dream life become as true as is possible in this new world. Though within this book Carly does have the odd wobble of faith/hope in her ideas and wonders if anything can ever become any shade of normal again. You do empathize with how she feels. At times it feels like the community of Colby takes a couple of developments forward only to fall further behind in other things.
I could really visualise this book series being made into a brilliant film. (As long as they would stick to how Lissa has written the book of course).
So did I enjoy the book? Loved it. Would I recommend the book? I'd highly recommend the whole series so far. Would I read another book in this series? Yesss please! Would I read other books by this author? I think so yes.
As dystopia/post apocalyptic are my favourite genres I was already really looking forward to this book. I was also impatient to be finding out how the characters of Carly, Justin and Dagny were doing. Were they succeeding in re-creating a little community? I also wondered if we would learn anymore about how the virus.
MY REVIEW
I received an e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover of the book is quite dark but then that represents the times that Justin, Carly, Dagny, Kaden and the other characters are living in. The cover does fit in with the covers of the rest of the series so far.
So Carly, Justin and their daughter Dagny are still living in Colby, with the rest of its survivors. Kaden is now living with Carly & Justin as they have more or less "adopted him". Kaden dotes on Dagny and really does love Carly & Justin as though they are his parents.
There is the danger of those that survived the virus but still wander around in a zombie like state, and of course there are survivors that want to take what the Colby community have worked so hard to develop. The community of Colby are very careful who they allow to stay and join them.
Life seems to be struggling along in Colby, and people begin to relax somewhat until a new gang of "survivors" are found whilst out on a routine search to try and find out what happened to a stolen/missing hen. This new band of survivors is made up of mostly men and they seem to have taken some of the "zombies" prisoner and are using them like slaves. Unlike the community of Colby this group of survivors have no conscious and have no qualms about taking what belongs to others. As always Justin's instincts are proven right when the leader of the gang, Marcus, begins showing interest in Colby and what they have. A decision will have to be made soon, should Colby fight to protect what they have created or allow others to come in and take over? Justin as always has a lot on his mind and there is still other environmental danger all around, from illnesses which were quite easily treated and cured in the "before" when medication was in plentiful supply, so when Carly is taken ill, everyone fears the worst including Carly. Carly makes Justin promise to make sure to tell Dagny about her and have father/daughter time, she also insists on herself being quarantined. Justin is so torn, he feels he should be doing his usual jobs/leadership role, be out finding possible medication for Carly and the community and yet he hates to leave Carly's side whilst she is so ill.
It is one of the new additions to Colby, Pearl that ends up scavenging and searching for the much needed medical supplies. Pearl is one of the characters that we met in "Tales From The End", also now in Colby are Mark, Stacy and the two children they found along their way Veronica and Michael.
So that's just a few of the quandaries and struggles the characters in this book have to deal with. From large outside threats such as Marcus and his gang, and more trivial inner community disagreements over whether to kill the hens for meat or keep them for eggs.
Sadly the environment and soil are yet to recover enough for the planting and food supplies to thrive and provide enough for everyone within Colby, so food is still somewhat rationed.
This book is so well written and descriptive you feel as though you are there and are part of all the angst and action! I really enjoyed reading this one. I felt frustrated at the end, as something is left as a whopper of a cliff hanger, and I was screaming in my head "Oh nooo Lissa, you really can not leave things right there" but she did! and it is going to feel like another long, long wait for me until the next book is available. This book have some really cosy feeling scenes in them. I love the scenes involving Carly, Justin, Kaden and Dagny. I like that Lissa includes those smaller family things like Justin calling Dagny, "Daggers" for short. Justin can be a tough, hard headed military man one minutes and a soft slushy mess over his wife and family the next. This installment in "The End Of All Things" Series is really packed full, it has action, drama, betrayal on a community level as well as on a personal character level. We know that Carly is doing what she wanted in re-creating a community for her and her family, you sense and do understand how important this is to Carly. I think Justin would be happy with only his little family but, understands Carly's need and is more than willing to comply and try to make her new dream life become as true as is possible in this new world. Though within this book Carly does have the odd wobble of faith/hope in her ideas and wonders if anything can ever become any shade of normal again. You do empathize with how she feels. At times it feels like the community of Colby takes a couple of developments forward only to fall further behind in other things.
I could really visualise this book series being made into a brilliant film. (As long as they would stick to how Lissa has written the book of course).
So did I enjoy the book? Loved it. Would I recommend the book? I'd highly recommend the whole series so far. Would I read another book in this series? Yesss please! Would I read other books by this author? I think so yes.
March 29, 2017
Excellent
Fabulous story yet so very sad and disturbing. Great characters, great plot and a wonderful continuation of a story of the world ending, not with fire and brimstone but with a brutal plague. Focus is on how people survive and who survive. I highly recommend these books.
Fabulous story yet so very sad and disturbing. Great characters, great plot and a wonderful continuation of a story of the world ending, not with fire and brimstone but with a brutal plague. Focus is on how people survive and who survive. I highly recommend these books.
November 2, 2017
Okay, the cover is growing on me. I like how the characters are now closer on the cover as they are in the book. I got this book as well from the author in a giveaway and I was very excited to read it after I read its prequel. The book was actually lovely and I'm really happy to see that the potaagonists haven't lost themselves in trying to keep the community upright.
Good things: There is a natural progression to their relationship. Parenting, responsibilities, grief, survival, sustenance - these people are going through absolute shit at this point and it is really interesting to read about how the civilisation went right back to late 1800's because that is where the progress was before electricity. They're making the best out of a bad situation. Their world/America is becoming the Wild West all over again because that was the natural order of things till government introduced management of that chaos. I was not surprised by some of the plot developments and I was very happy to see how they as humans were still flawed. There were situations where they didn't know what the right thing is and I'm really glad that the author didn't try to make the characters perfect or just so gifted at decision making that they don't struggle like all of us do. There are consequences to their decisions which they see as time goes by and their learnings from the consequences of their decisions is what makes them human.
Not-so-good-things: I got nothing, I loved this book even more than the first one and I really liked the first one.
1. My favourite scene: Justiin sitting and listening to Pearls story. I think their frienship is really special and the author has made it so wihout making it look weird. He's not interested in Pearl, not by the longest shot and yet, she's good for him to have in his life. I really liked all the scenes with Pearl.
2. Favourite character: Pearl, I really liked her.
3. Ending: I don't know what to think about it, tbh. Carly is hopeful and I am too. But its too good to be true as well so I'm being a skeptical cat about it too.
4. Backstory of character: That leader of the band of desperados, like what kind of a horrible human being thinks its okay to enslave zombie like burn-outs and violate those women, I just cannot.
5. Excited for more: Yes, I am. Its just that I think I took a break from it because I wanetd to read something happy and now its difficult for me to get back into that frame of mind.
6. Couldn't stop reading scene: Oh god, the fire. The fight. The malaria. You name it and I was hooked on it.
7. Content warnings: Nothing unusual. Basic lemony goodness.
This book gets a 5.0 rating from me.
All my love,
sri
Good things: There is a natural progression to their relationship. Parenting, responsibilities, grief, survival, sustenance - these people are going through absolute shit at this point and it is really interesting to read about how the civilisation went right back to late 1800's because that is where the progress was before electricity. They're making the best out of a bad situation. Their world/America is becoming the Wild West all over again because that was the natural order of things till government introduced management of that chaos. I was not surprised by some of the plot developments and I was very happy to see how they as humans were still flawed. There were situations where they didn't know what the right thing is and I'm really glad that the author didn't try to make the characters perfect or just so gifted at decision making that they don't struggle like all of us do. There are consequences to their decisions which they see as time goes by and their learnings from the consequences of their decisions is what makes them human.
Not-so-good-things: I got nothing, I loved this book even more than the first one and I really liked the first one.
1. My favourite scene: Justiin sitting and listening to Pearls story. I think their frienship is really special and the author has made it so wihout making it look weird. He's not interested in Pearl, not by the longest shot and yet, she's good for him to have in his life. I really liked all the scenes with Pearl.
2. Favourite character: Pearl, I really liked her.
3. Ending: I don't know what to think about it, tbh. Carly is hopeful and I am too. But its too good to be true as well so I'm being a skeptical cat about it too.
4. Backstory of character: That leader of the band of desperados, like what kind of a horrible human being thinks its okay to enslave zombie like burn-outs and violate those women, I just cannot.
5. Excited for more: Yes, I am. Its just that I think I took a break from it because I wanetd to read something happy and now its difficult for me to get back into that frame of mind.
6. Couldn't stop reading scene: Oh god, the fire. The fight. The malaria. You name it and I was hooked on it.
7. Content warnings: Nothing unusual. Basic lemony goodness.
This book gets a 5.0 rating from me.
All my love,
sri
September 4, 2014
Jeanne's Review:
I have to say this book is a terrific continuation of the first novel The End of All Things. Let me start off by saying that I know everyone says these books can be stand alones and while that could be true, I feel that much would be lost if you didn’t read one without the other. Lissa is great at bringing back important pieces of information from Justin and Carly’s past from book one, but if you hadn’t experienced those memories with the two characters then you would feel sort of lost in regards to the emotions behind the them and the true bond between our hero and heroine.
The Land of the Shadows takes place two years after the Infection has overtaken the world and destroyed most of its population, both human and animal. Carly and Justin have strived to reproduce a similance of normal life in the town of Colby. They have gathered with a small group of people and worked together daily to make the community a home for their families. Of course, in a world where law no longer exists, Justin and Carly soon discover that they must be willing to fight and defend their new home at all cost.
Overall, I give this book four honeypots. The writing is amazing. Lissa a true wordsmith. The premise and plot are believable and have a way of drawing in the reader into a new order of life. And above all, I love the characters of Carly and Justin. They compliment each other and their love for one another is magical. Lissa left us open for a third book, and I truly look forward to what she has in store for the next installment of this series.
Rating: 4 honey pots
I have to say this book is a terrific continuation of the first novel The End of All Things. Let me start off by saying that I know everyone says these books can be stand alones and while that could be true, I feel that much would be lost if you didn’t read one without the other. Lissa is great at bringing back important pieces of information from Justin and Carly’s past from book one, but if you hadn’t experienced those memories with the two characters then you would feel sort of lost in regards to the emotions behind the them and the true bond between our hero and heroine.
The Land of the Shadows takes place two years after the Infection has overtaken the world and destroyed most of its population, both human and animal. Carly and Justin have strived to reproduce a similance of normal life in the town of Colby. They have gathered with a small group of people and worked together daily to make the community a home for their families. Of course, in a world where law no longer exists, Justin and Carly soon discover that they must be willing to fight and defend their new home at all cost.
Overall, I give this book four honeypots. The writing is amazing. Lissa a true wordsmith. The premise and plot are believable and have a way of drawing in the reader into a new order of life. And above all, I love the characters of Carly and Justin. They compliment each other and their love for one another is magical. Lissa left us open for a third book, and I truly look forward to what she has in store for the next installment of this series.
Rating: 4 honey pots
April 4, 2015
Disclaimer: I received this book from Cindy Bidwell to read and review as a member of her blog tour group.
After reading the previous book I then moved on to read the second book "The Land of Shadows" this book was about the rebuilding of Colby's community following the outbreak of the infection after Carly and Justin had arrived. It shows how people pull together to fight things and then are determined to carry on when it doesn't work out how they hope. The reader also sees some of the community go into battle when they are threatened by a group of travelling nasties who threaten them and win. The author also tells the reader about how the infection burns the brains of any survivors out and about one of the couples from Colby's Community being pregnant, but not only pregnant pregnant with twins.
The authors writing style, character development and world building captivated me all the way through the book and made me want to read the next and final book of the series.
After reading the previous book I then moved on to read the second book "The Land of Shadows" this book was about the rebuilding of Colby's community following the outbreak of the infection after Carly and Justin had arrived. It shows how people pull together to fight things and then are determined to carry on when it doesn't work out how they hope. The reader also sees some of the community go into battle when they are threatened by a group of travelling nasties who threaten them and win. The author also tells the reader about how the infection burns the brains of any survivors out and about one of the couples from Colby's Community being pregnant, but not only pregnant pregnant with twins.
The authors writing style, character development and world building captivated me all the way through the book and made me want to read the next and final book of the series.
March 10, 2015
Why would you want to read another book set in the future after a pandemic? Great question. Set in a future devastated by a flu pandemic? Lissa Bryan brings the trials and tests of rebuilding life after most people die when a virus strikes almost everyone, except those who got the flu vaccine from one particular drug company. At least that's what Carly Daniels thinks. The author knows better and provides hints throughout the second installment of "The End of All That" series.
In the Land of the Shadow, two years have passed, Justin and Carly Daniels along with their daughter Dagny have settled in Colby, a small settlement in the swamplands of Florida. Their goal: build a better world, survive to fight those ravaging the land and killing the weak, hold on to civilization with all their might. If I write more, I'll spoil the story. Suffice it to say, this is a book full of hope for the future rather than destruction. I liked the characters, their gumption, and their drive to make a better world.
Look for a longer review in Ohioana Library Quarterly http://www.ohioana.org
In the Land of the Shadow, two years have passed, Justin and Carly Daniels along with their daughter Dagny have settled in Colby, a small settlement in the swamplands of Florida. Their goal: build a better world, survive to fight those ravaging the land and killing the weak, hold on to civilization with all their might. If I write more, I'll spoil the story. Suffice it to say, this is a book full of hope for the future rather than destruction. I liked the characters, their gumption, and their drive to make a better world.
Look for a longer review in Ohioana Library Quarterly http://www.ohioana.org
March 14, 2015
The Land of Shadows begins where The End of All Things leaves off. Carly and Justin have been building a community after tragedy hit them one they joined. The first part of the book showed what they have done and were going to build up Colby again. Since it was about the rebuild the pace of the book was a bit slower. It wasn’t until we show a real threat did the book pick up.
I was a huge fan of the love story between Carly and Justin in the first book, and now that their family is going with the addition of Kaden, a boy who was left behind after everyone fell sick in Colby. There were some really great family moments in this book that pull at my heart.
Through reading you really begin to learn more about the other characters in the community and all of their roles. It is interesting to see how everyone copes with everything that is happening with them.
Lissa Bryan defiantly saved al the action for the end, and after the ending I cannot wait to see what happens in book three.
I was a huge fan of the love story between Carly and Justin in the first book, and now that their family is going with the addition of Kaden, a boy who was left behind after everyone fell sick in Colby. There were some really great family moments in this book that pull at my heart.
Through reading you really begin to learn more about the other characters in the community and all of their roles. It is interesting to see how everyone copes with everything that is happening with them.
Lissa Bryan defiantly saved al the action for the end, and after the ending I cannot wait to see what happens in book three.
October 29, 2014
Well, with an ending like that I'm expecting a third book!
As I said before, I wasn't a huge fan of the Colby section at the end of the first book and it was mainly because it wasn't as action-packed/nerve-wracking as the rest of the book. Saying that, this second book was a bit of a slow read (for me) because it was again mostly focused in the town, getting it running and such.
Besides that fact, it was quite enjoyable. The story continued nicely and I really liked that the stories from Tales From The End were developed, or continued developing...
I'm a bit afraid for some of the group though, particularly Michael. I understand that he was traumatized but he'll have to do something about that before anyone will trust him again.
As I said before, I wasn't a huge fan of the Colby section at the end of the first book and it was mainly because it wasn't as action-packed/nerve-wracking as the rest of the book. Saying that, this second book was a bit of a slow read (for me) because it was again mostly focused in the town, getting it running and such.
Besides that fact, it was quite enjoyable. The story continued nicely and I really liked that the stories from Tales From The End were developed, or continued developing...
I'm a bit afraid for some of the group though, particularly Michael. I understand that he was traumatized but he'll have to do something about that before anyone will trust him again.
February 27, 2015
Hungry for more!
The author chose a delightfully different direction for a familiar doomsday theme. The characters are rich with personality and sometimes edged with all too real painful scenarios. There are choices to be made as they each fight their own inner demons and come to terms with the loss of the old American dream and slowly build the new American dream. A special thank you to the author for including my second love PETS (reading is my first love), their inclusion and contribution to the story only added to the realism and has made me a permanent fan. Hope to see more from this author.
The author chose a delightfully different direction for a familiar doomsday theme. The characters are rich with personality and sometimes edged with all too real painful scenarios. There are choices to be made as they each fight their own inner demons and come to terms with the loss of the old American dream and slowly build the new American dream. A special thank you to the author for including my second love PETS (reading is my first love), their inclusion and contribution to the story only added to the realism and has made me a permanent fan. Hope to see more from this author.
February 18, 2015
Fantastic series! This book picks up with Justin and Carly adjusting to life in Colby. They help the residents figure out a way to continue on and attempt to thrive. The book ends in somewhat of a cliff hanger, but the third book will be out soon. Love, love, LOVE this series!!
July 5, 2015
Lissa Bryan did it again!! I loved this book and can't wait to read the next one. I'm so amazed at all of the research that must have gone into this series. It's hard to pull of a believable apocalyptic book.
February 25, 2016
I love this series. The characters are great. The animals are great. I was sad about the little bulldog. I have to say Ms. Bryan you certainly do know how to pull at my heartstrings. Keep going Justin and Carly and all your extended family................ keep going.
September 15, 2018
Reminiscent of The Walking Dead, with Pearl as Michonne and Marcus’s baddies as those dudes at Terminus. Lissa Bryan has considered a lot of aspects of life after an apocalyptic event. Interesting to see where that late development will lead in the next book.
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