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Last Woman #1
The Last Woman
After emerging from a coma, Faye Wills opens her eyes to complete darkness and the feeling of being trapped. She awakens in the worst place imaginable, one of thousands of bodies in a makeshift mass grave that was once a football stadium.
Left for dead, there are no signs of life and the only sound she hears is the buzzing of flies that follow the stench of death.
Once out of the stadium she steps into a desolate, barren world, void of all life and people. Faye learns that while in a comatose state, the world was besieged by some sort of epidemic. Without a soul around, there are a lot of missing pieces. Where did everyone go?
In her weakened state, she must pull it together and move forward to find answers and survivors. However, she soon realizes that she may never find anyone and must face the possibility that she may be The Last Woman on earth.
Left for dead, there are no signs of life and the only sound she hears is the buzzing of flies that follow the stench of death.
Once out of the stadium she steps into a desolate, barren world, void of all life and people. Faye learns that while in a comatose state, the world was besieged by some sort of epidemic. Without a soul around, there are a lot of missing pieces. Where did everyone go?
In her weakened state, she must pull it together and move forward to find answers and survivors. However, she soon realizes that she may never find anyone and must face the possibility that she may be The Last Woman on earth.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2014
556 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
August 8, 2023
*4.5* I couldn’t stop reading this book. A surprisingly unique premise in the post apocalyptic genre.
This is exactly the type of story I love to read. It’s a simple journey of survival, no need for flashy added drama or zombies.
The premise: After emerging from a coma, Faye Wills opens her eyes to complete darkness and the feeling of being trapped. She awakens in the worst place imaginable, one of thousands of bodies in a makeshift mass grave that was once a football stadium.
There is a decent amount of character depth and backstory throughout the story. As the readers gets to know Faye, they begin to understand her motivations. I will admit to being annoyed by her at times. Then again, I can’t imagine what I would have done in the same situation.
There are a few questions left about the world, which I’m hoping will be answered in the next book.
This is not a romance. Just throwing that out there in case you love romantic survivalist stories like I do. Still, it’s gooooooood. Give it a try.
*I will warn readers this is a mother grieving the loss of her children, so if that is a trigger for you, just be aware.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but book 2 is already out and on KU.
This is exactly the type of story I love to read. It’s a simple journey of survival, no need for flashy added drama or zombies.
The premise: After emerging from a coma, Faye Wills opens her eyes to complete darkness and the feeling of being trapped. She awakens in the worst place imaginable, one of thousands of bodies in a makeshift mass grave that was once a football stadium.
There is a decent amount of character depth and backstory throughout the story. As the readers gets to know Faye, they begin to understand her motivations. I will admit to being annoyed by her at times. Then again, I can’t imagine what I would have done in the same situation.
There are a few questions left about the world, which I’m hoping will be answered in the next book.
This is not a romance. Just throwing that out there in case you love romantic survivalist stories like I do. Still, it’s gooooooood. Give it a try.
*I will warn readers this is a mother grieving the loss of her children, so if that is a trigger for you, just be aware.
Ends on a cliffhanger, but book 2 is already out and on KU.
December 17, 2019
What an interesting book.
It's a zombie book but without the zombies.
Faye survives the pandemic that has killed just about everyone. With no reason to live she decides to go home and end her life. But on the way she meets a survivor.
The Last Woman is not easy to define. It's very internal, and honestly quite melancholy. But I think because it was such an interesting take on the dystopian genre, almost like a journal, I found myself enjoying it. And in sense because it felt like a personal account the flaws, and there are a few, didn't really bother me.
It's a zombie book but without the zombies.
Faye survives the pandemic that has killed just about everyone. With no reason to live she decides to go home and end her life. But on the way she meets a survivor.
The Last Woman is not easy to define. It's very internal, and honestly quite melancholy. But I think because it was such an interesting take on the dystopian genre, almost like a journal, I found myself enjoying it. And in sense because it felt like a personal account the flaws, and there are a few, didn't really bother me.
September 19, 2014
This is a story which really starts off pretty strong. Faye awakes from a coma to find herself in a real life nightmare. Whilst she has been “absent” the world’s population has been decimated by a flu type virus and she actually wakes up in a football stadium crammed with decaying corpses. I was intrigued as to what would happen next, Was she the only person left alive? If not, who would she meet and would they be good or bad? Why did this happen?
Not a bad storyline at all really, but the book is badly let down by the writing which reads like an unedited draft rather than a finished product. There are punctuation, spelling and grammar mistakes on most pages and at times the writing is really clunky, with whole paragraphs that took two or three reads to make sense of. One to be returned for a refund!
Not a bad storyline at all really, but the book is badly let down by the writing which reads like an unedited draft rather than a finished product. There are punctuation, spelling and grammar mistakes on most pages and at times the writing is really clunky, with whole paragraphs that took two or three reads to make sense of. One to be returned for a refund!
July 6, 2016
This two book series was really good to me. I almost got upset because the heroine kept getting on my nerves but the author wanted that to happen. I'm so glad I waited to read book two before rating book one because I got it after a minute. The author had to place emphasis on the heroines negative characteristic in order to highlight her growth as a woman who lost much and almost drowned in her grief to what she became after it was all said and done. Loved the Hero.
Squeaky clean story for all you sex craved romance addicts with addictive type personalities. You may still get addicted to some of the characters in this story. It really is a sweet one with some bad thrown in for good measure. I was addicted and had no choice to nab book two right away.
Imagine waking up to find you're the last person on earth, but then........
Squeaky clean story for all you sex craved romance addicts with addictive type personalities. You may still get addicted to some of the characters in this story. It really is a sweet one with some bad thrown in for good measure. I was addicted and had no choice to nab book two right away.
Imagine waking up to find you're the last person on earth, but then........
May 8, 2014
I really hope there is more!!!!
I really hope there is more!!!!
Love this genre. Could actually feel Faye's pain and depression; but was routing for her to see what could be...and she did.. I sure hope there is a sequel. When the book ended, I thought I was missing some pages.... please let there be a sequel....
I really hope there is more!!!!
Love this genre. Could actually feel Faye's pain and depression; but was routing for her to see what could be...and she did.. I sure hope there is a sequel. When the book ended, I thought I was missing some pages.... please let there be a sequel....
February 9, 2019
I liked the story, but the main character was a bit hard to take and I found the writing a little bit of a chore to read. I kept noticing I was reading a story instead of being immersed within it.
February 28, 2019
A post-apocalyptic tale of loss, devastation and ultimate strength in the face of adversity.
Waking amidst a stadium of rotting corpses and buzzing flies, Faye has no memory of what caused the end of every living thing. Seeing no people, birds, animals, or other signs of life, she has one goal — to get home and to learn everything she can about the epidemic that besieged the earth along the way. Still suffering from the tragic death of her husband and two children months earlier, she welcomes the solitude until she discovers she is not alone in the barricaded city.
By writing this emotional tale in the first person, Druga provides insight into Faye’s internal dialogue and feelings, building an immediate affinity between reader and protagonist. While dropping in the backstory to explain the heroine’s rationale, we watch this strong woman’s progression through grief, acceptance and ultimately survival.
Because the plot was singularly focused on finding other survivors and enduring in a non-functioning world, I wondered if the author would be able to keep my attention throughout the novel, but I needn’t have worried. Faye’s personal development led to a fabulous tale of motherhood and endurance. However, learning more about why some people survived and what led to recovery or immunity would add more weight and realism to the story. I also felt the story was quite short and while it did have a sort-of end, it could extend further into the future. Given the length of The Last Woman and the sequel The Last Woman 2, I wonder if these two books would be better combined into one complete novel.
Waking amidst a stadium of rotting corpses and buzzing flies, Faye has no memory of what caused the end of every living thing. Seeing no people, birds, animals, or other signs of life, she has one goal — to get home and to learn everything she can about the epidemic that besieged the earth along the way. Still suffering from the tragic death of her husband and two children months earlier, she welcomes the solitude until she discovers she is not alone in the barricaded city.
By writing this emotional tale in the first person, Druga provides insight into Faye’s internal dialogue and feelings, building an immediate affinity between reader and protagonist. While dropping in the backstory to explain the heroine’s rationale, we watch this strong woman’s progression through grief, acceptance and ultimately survival.
Because the plot was singularly focused on finding other survivors and enduring in a non-functioning world, I wondered if the author would be able to keep my attention throughout the novel, but I needn’t have worried. Faye’s personal development led to a fabulous tale of motherhood and endurance. However, learning more about why some people survived and what led to recovery or immunity would add more weight and realism to the story. I also felt the story was quite short and while it did have a sort-of end, it could extend further into the future. Given the length of The Last Woman and the sequel The Last Woman 2, I wonder if these two books would be better combined into one complete novel.
February 16, 2019
The Last Woman
The story of Faye Wills and Dodge Cash. Faye wake up in a pile of corpses and now she has to find other people. Walking around she find Dodge and then they find two young boys. Now they hear on the CB that a survival camp in Kentucky. Will it be a save place for them? Great story.
The story of Faye Wills and Dodge Cash. Faye wake up in a pile of corpses and now she has to find other people. Walking around she find Dodge and then they find two young boys. Now they hear on the CB that a survival camp in Kentucky. Will it be a save place for them? Great story.
June 11, 2014
Thank god this is short. Good premise, painful writing.
April 2, 2020
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Review Tour – L’ultima donna di Jacqueline Druga, thriller distopico pubblicato da Leone Editore lo scorso 20 febbraio.
Parliamo di tempismo, il mio, e aggiungiamoci anche una dose abbondante di ipocondria, sempre la mia, condiamo il tutto con urla e pianti, e avremo la blogger farlocca, che si è ritrovata a dover leggere questo libro forse nel momento sbagliato, o forse è stato proprio il romanzo giusto nel momento in cui avevo bisogno di aggrapparmi alla mia razionalità. Non è necessario sottolineare che cosa stia attraversando il nostro Paese nell’ultimo periodo. L’emergenza sanitaria riempie le pagine dei giornali, viviamo ore angoscianti e ci auguriamo di superare indenni l’ennesima tempesta, sconfiggeremo il virus e l’epidemia e torneremo più forti, temprati dall’ennesima prova che la vita ci pone davanti. Ma immaginate per un attimo uno scenario diverso, apocalittico e surreale: vi svegliate una mattina e vi accorgete di essere gli unici sopravvissuti a quello che viene considerato un virus devastante. Questa è la situazione di Faye Wills. Senza alcun riferimento spaziotemporale, si ritrova circondata da migliaia di corpi in decomposizione. Lei stessa buttata tra quei cadaveri, considerata morta, abbandonata al suo destino. Nessun ricordo di quanto le sia successo, da sola in compagnia di terrificanti mosche che si cibano fameliche dei corpi. Breve è la confusione, perché l’istinto di sopravvivenza prende il sopravvento, si trova all’interno di uno stadio di calcio e deve uscire da lì, cercare di idratarsi e mettere ordine nei suoi ricordi confusi.
“Non potevo muovermi o respirare. Potevo solo guardarmi attorno. Ero in uno stadio di football. Da qualche parte vicino alla end zone. Il punto da cui si effettua il calcio piazzato era alla mia sinistra, ma la parte centrale era sepolta come tutto il resto. Sepolta sotto un’enorme montagna. Una montagna alta fino a dove riuscivo a portare lo sguardo, composta solamente da cadaveri.”
A fatica Faye riesce ad uscire dallo stadio ritrovandosi di fronte un paesaggio desolato, solo corpi abbandonati ovunque e un accampamento militare con altri cadaveri in avanzato stato di decomposizione. Dagli spacci militari riesce a farsi un quadro più chiaro della situazione : una terribile epidemia, un virus letale senza alcuna cura ha spento ogni forma di vita. Il suo ultimo ricordo è una serata con le amiche a bere, la sua routine giornaliera dell’ultimo periodo, ma come si può passare da una serata alcolica, una di quelle che annullano i pensieri, ad un incubo di tale proporzione? Non è il virus che ha tolto tutto a Faye, è stata la vita spesso bastarda a giocarle un brutto tiro. L’autodistruzione, dopo che un terribile incidente mortale l’aveva privata di tutta la sua famiglia. Rimasta sola, di continuare a vivere non le importava quasi più. Per questo annegava i suoi dispiaceri nell’alcol, sperando che le annebbiasse i pensieri e la portasse all’autodistruzione. Ma paradossalmente è questa nuova situazione a tirarla fuori da quella spirale discendente. Adesso vuole sopravvivere, tornare a casa e capire perché proprio lei è l’unica indenne dalla pandemia globale.
“ARDS. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Sindrome da stress respiratorio acuto. In Europa aveva cominciato a diffondersi a febbraio… gli scienziati non avevano mai trovato un solo caso di immunità alla malattia. Nemmeno un caso? E io cos’ero? Un colpo di fortuna o ero davvero l’unico caso ad averla sconfitta su quasi otto miliardi di persone?”
Capite da soli quali siano state le mie difficoltà nell’affrontare questo libro, non ero abbastanza lucida quando l’ho ricevuto, ho finto che non esistesse, ho nascosto il volume sperando di dimenticarlo, ma una strana forza attrattiva mi spingeva tra quelle pagine. Il perché è facile da spiegare: nonostante lo scenario apocalittico e distruttivo, L’ultima donna è un libro intriso di speranza, un romanzo positivo, una lettura che, anche in questo periodo di incertezza e grande dolore, può aprire uno spiraglio verso il futuro, può infonderci coraggio e, perché no, aiutare i soggetti ipocondriaci come la sottoscritta ad avere un approccio più razionale alle cose. Faye è una donna con un grandissimo coraggio, la vita è stata davvero dura con lei. Le ha tolto tutto, non le ha dato un motivo per continuare ad andare avanti e nello stesso tempo le ha invece offerto la possibilità di riscattarsi, di avere un obiettivo per il futuro. Ci sarà un motivo se è rimasta l’unica al mondo, ma è davvero da sola? Lungo il suo viaggio di ritorno verso casa, si renderà conto che non tutto è perduto, che può fare affidamento anche su altre persone. E la figura di Dodge, un carcerato, anche lui incredibilmente sopravvissuto all’epidemia, sarà indispensabile per questo percorso di crescita. Jacqueline Druga esordisce in Italia con un romanzo dai tratti distopici che incanta il lettore. Ve lo avevo detto a inizio recensione, non ero particolarmente convinta di potermi misurare con un testo del genere, in questo momento. Sono contenta di essere andata oltre le mie paure, perché quello che emerge dalle pagine è una storia colma di speranza. Una volta annullate tutte le mie perplessità , sono riuscita a godermi una bella lettura e ho messo da parte le mie assurde ipocondrie. E se ci sono riuscita io, non fatico a immaginare che possiate farcela anche voi. Leggetelo.
Review Tour – L’ultima donna di Jacqueline Druga, thriller distopico pubblicato da Leone Editore lo scorso 20 febbraio.
Parliamo di tempismo, il mio, e aggiungiamoci anche una dose abbondante di ipocondria, sempre la mia, condiamo il tutto con urla e pianti, e avremo la blogger farlocca, che si è ritrovata a dover leggere questo libro forse nel momento sbagliato, o forse è stato proprio il romanzo giusto nel momento in cui avevo bisogno di aggrapparmi alla mia razionalità. Non è necessario sottolineare che cosa stia attraversando il nostro Paese nell’ultimo periodo. L’emergenza sanitaria riempie le pagine dei giornali, viviamo ore angoscianti e ci auguriamo di superare indenni l’ennesima tempesta, sconfiggeremo il virus e l’epidemia e torneremo più forti, temprati dall’ennesima prova che la vita ci pone davanti. Ma immaginate per un attimo uno scenario diverso, apocalittico e surreale: vi svegliate una mattina e vi accorgete di essere gli unici sopravvissuti a quello che viene considerato un virus devastante. Questa è la situazione di Faye Wills. Senza alcun riferimento spaziotemporale, si ritrova circondata da migliaia di corpi in decomposizione. Lei stessa buttata tra quei cadaveri, considerata morta, abbandonata al suo destino. Nessun ricordo di quanto le sia successo, da sola in compagnia di terrificanti mosche che si cibano fameliche dei corpi. Breve è la confusione, perché l’istinto di sopravvivenza prende il sopravvento, si trova all’interno di uno stadio di calcio e deve uscire da lì, cercare di idratarsi e mettere ordine nei suoi ricordi confusi.
“Non potevo muovermi o respirare. Potevo solo guardarmi attorno. Ero in uno stadio di football. Da qualche parte vicino alla end zone. Il punto da cui si effettua il calcio piazzato era alla mia sinistra, ma la parte centrale era sepolta come tutto il resto. Sepolta sotto un’enorme montagna. Una montagna alta fino a dove riuscivo a portare lo sguardo, composta solamente da cadaveri.”
A fatica Faye riesce ad uscire dallo stadio ritrovandosi di fronte un paesaggio desolato, solo corpi abbandonati ovunque e un accampamento militare con altri cadaveri in avanzato stato di decomposizione. Dagli spacci militari riesce a farsi un quadro più chiaro della situazione : una terribile epidemia, un virus letale senza alcuna cura ha spento ogni forma di vita. Il suo ultimo ricordo è una serata con le amiche a bere, la sua routine giornaliera dell’ultimo periodo, ma come si può passare da una serata alcolica, una di quelle che annullano i pensieri, ad un incubo di tale proporzione? Non è il virus che ha tolto tutto a Faye, è stata la vita spesso bastarda a giocarle un brutto tiro. L’autodistruzione, dopo che un terribile incidente mortale l’aveva privata di tutta la sua famiglia. Rimasta sola, di continuare a vivere non le importava quasi più. Per questo annegava i suoi dispiaceri nell’alcol, sperando che le annebbiasse i pensieri e la portasse all’autodistruzione. Ma paradossalmente è questa nuova situazione a tirarla fuori da quella spirale discendente. Adesso vuole sopravvivere, tornare a casa e capire perché proprio lei è l’unica indenne dalla pandemia globale.
“ARDS. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Sindrome da stress respiratorio acuto. In Europa aveva cominciato a diffondersi a febbraio… gli scienziati non avevano mai trovato un solo caso di immunità alla malattia. Nemmeno un caso? E io cos’ero? Un colpo di fortuna o ero davvero l’unico caso ad averla sconfitta su quasi otto miliardi di persone?”
Capite da soli quali siano state le mie difficoltà nell’affrontare questo libro, non ero abbastanza lucida quando l’ho ricevuto, ho finto che non esistesse, ho nascosto il volume sperando di dimenticarlo, ma una strana forza attrattiva mi spingeva tra quelle pagine. Il perché è facile da spiegare: nonostante lo scenario apocalittico e distruttivo, L’ultima donna è un libro intriso di speranza, un romanzo positivo, una lettura che, anche in questo periodo di incertezza e grande dolore, può aprire uno spiraglio verso il futuro, può infonderci coraggio e, perché no, aiutare i soggetti ipocondriaci come la sottoscritta ad avere un approccio più razionale alle cose. Faye è una donna con un grandissimo coraggio, la vita è stata davvero dura con lei. Le ha tolto tutto, non le ha dato un motivo per continuare ad andare avanti e nello stesso tempo le ha invece offerto la possibilità di riscattarsi, di avere un obiettivo per il futuro. Ci sarà un motivo se è rimasta l’unica al mondo, ma è davvero da sola? Lungo il suo viaggio di ritorno verso casa, si renderà conto che non tutto è perduto, che può fare affidamento anche su altre persone. E la figura di Dodge, un carcerato, anche lui incredibilmente sopravvissuto all’epidemia, sarà indispensabile per questo percorso di crescita. Jacqueline Druga esordisce in Italia con un romanzo dai tratti distopici che incanta il lettore. Ve lo avevo detto a inizio recensione, non ero particolarmente convinta di potermi misurare con un testo del genere, in questo momento. Sono contenta di essere andata oltre le mie paure, perché quello che emerge dalle pagine è una storia colma di speranza. Una volta annullate tutte le mie perplessità , sono riuscita a godermi una bella lettura e ho messo da parte le mie assurde ipocondrie. E se ci sono riuscita io, non fatico a immaginare che possiate farcela anche voi. Leggetelo.
May 20, 2024
Although the lead Character in this book was irritating, she was real. Distraught of the loss before the sickness, waking up to find herself in a sea of dead. And finally realizing that life can go on.
Good book. On to number 2. Right away, I need to know what happens!
Good book. On to number 2. Right away, I need to know what happens!
October 30, 2024
The main character, Faye drove me crazy. She was so negative, she was so naive, and all she wanted to do was dispute everything that Dodge said. She was fatalistic, alcoholic, and so far in her own grief she couldn't look up, I wanted to shake her. However, it was a well-written story because I wanted to know what happened.
As soon as I was done I plowed right into part 2.
As soon as I was done I plowed right into part 2.
June 2, 2014
Three stars mean I liked it. I liked the story very much. It left me wanting more of their adventure and more details. The ending was good and it could have a great sequel. The first chapter was very graphic with vivid descriptions of the bodies in various states of decay and I couldn't put it down. I do hope there is a sequel and I hope it has a proofreader this time. The typos were plentiful. I heartily recommend this if you like end of the world, survival, world gone to hell in a handbasket sort of book.
May 25, 2014
What a surprise!
What a surprise!
I really didn't expect this book to be a great read but I found out it was one of those books you don't want to put down. I love the end of the world as we know it type books and this book was a fresh look at this scenario. I really hope this author has more coming soon and I look forward to reading her other books.
What a surprise!
I really didn't expect this book to be a great read but I found out it was one of those books you don't want to put down. I love the end of the world as we know it type books and this book was a fresh look at this scenario. I really hope this author has more coming soon and I look forward to reading her other books.
September 7, 2014
I was iffy at first when I was recommended this book. I read some of the reviews and they weren't great, and I was worried about being disappointed.
After reading the book, I can honestly say I don't understand the negativity it has received. I found it very engaging and it presented characters that I found very relatable! I am looking forward to the sequel!
After reading the book, I can honestly say I don't understand the negativity it has received. I found it very engaging and it presented characters that I found very relatable! I am looking forward to the sequel!
November 28, 2017
I liked this book a lot. As with other books she has written, this author has a great capacity for putting you in the main character's point of view. The only reason that I could not give this a 5 star was there were enough spelling and grammar errors and a few other inconsistencies (like the radio call sign) that I felt a good editor would help. I very much look forward to Book 2.
February 5, 2019
Not a bad story
I liked the plot. The descriptions were very imaginative. Found Faye hard to like because she was, in my opinion, wallowing and needed a good shake. I can understand why Dodge got frustrated with her which means the author had good character development. I look forward to the next book.
I liked the plot. The descriptions were very imaginative. Found Faye hard to like because she was, in my opinion, wallowing and needed a good shake. I can understand why Dodge got frustrated with her which means the author had good character development. I look forward to the next book.
November 20, 2014
Great Book, scary but good. It's not a horror book, but when everyone is riped out over a virus and you are all alone, it becomes scary. The whole thing will leave the hairs on your back of the neck sticking up while reading it.
February 10, 2019
This book has a good premise and starts out strong, but steadily goes downhill from there. It just seemed to lack ..depth maybe? And, why are so many women that are main characters in books have to be drunks? This book was short and I’m ready to move onto something better.
December 5, 2021
This is truly a wonderful read! I did really enjoy it, a great story, with interesting situations & characters! A great overall experience! I can't wait to read more by this writer! I do recommend for all that love apocalyptic stories!
July 16, 2023
A captivating read.
I absolutely loved this book it was an amazing read. I was so glad that it wasn’t a zombie book, I loved it as it was just a plain survival book. I loved Faye although not so much when she let them go and I loved Dodge. A great bunch of characters.
I absolutely loved this book it was an amazing read. I was so glad that it wasn’t a zombie book, I loved it as it was just a plain survival book. I loved Faye although not so much when she let them go and I loved Dodge. A great bunch of characters.
July 30, 2014
$2.99 7/28/14
August 6, 2014
3.5 for me.
March 3, 2023
Very good
Interesting story, of a woman who wakes upon in a pile of bodies in a filled football stadium. Worth the read!
Interesting story, of a woman who wakes upon in a pile of bodies in a filled football stadium. Worth the read!
February 6, 2019
Not what I expected
I was surprised by how hopeful this book is. I’m used to end of the world books being 1 step forward 2 steps back. It’s a quick read and a good diversion.
I was surprised by how hopeful this book is. I’m used to end of the world books being 1 step forward 2 steps back. It’s a quick read and a good diversion.
February 22, 2019
The Last Woman by Jacqueline Durga
Good story and well written. Now have to find the next book in the series. She got me hooked. Happy reading all.
Good story and well written. Now have to find the next book in the series. She got me hooked. Happy reading all.
September 15, 2022
A different twist on postapocalyptic, and this one is good. I love all the characters, and the author manages to pack some surprises into this short book. Fantastic start to the series!
June 12, 2019
I don't understand the negative reviews. I think the writing was very well done and tied into the main characters feelings very well. Perhaps those who did not like the style of writing or complained about the main character's attitude have never actually suffered a serious loss and gone through the stages of grief. Faye was a perfect characterization of the post-trauma state and I think anyone who has gone through very hard times suffering loss, battling depression, etc., will agree.
As for the plot line... it is definitely an intriguing thought. What would you do if you woke up among a pile of dead bodies to find yourself the only survivor among such destruction? Would there be any point in trying to survived? There is really so much tied into this story. It is about, at least in my opinion, the threads of humanity and what actually makes life worth living. There are also some good prepping tips in there, like getting a French press to still enjoy coffee if the power goes out, the importance of certain supplies and how to get them if one didn't prepare.
There are just a few curse words in there. Nothing gratuitous. Overall a clean book compared to the average. I do like that that the two main characters, being male and female, don't just hop into bed together since they are sole survivors and such. That would have seriously cheapened the plot for me. I appreciate that Faye is a normal character who is both strong and struggling at the same time. She is real. I like that Dodge is not a typical hero, like a swooning Fabio type, but a tough-looking dude with a big heart - rough around the edges, but soft inside.
Overall, the writing style made it easy and enjoyable for me to read. I could tell this story and the writing style flowed for the author. She wasn't forcing it or trying too hard, she was letting it pour out of her - sign of a true writer. The story seemed relatable and realistic in that scenario. It had well-written characters and an intriguing plot line. I will have to finish the series.
As for the plot line... it is definitely an intriguing thought. What would you do if you woke up among a pile of dead bodies to find yourself the only survivor among such destruction? Would there be any point in trying to survived? There is really so much tied into this story. It is about, at least in my opinion, the threads of humanity and what actually makes life worth living. There are also some good prepping tips in there, like getting a French press to still enjoy coffee if the power goes out, the importance of certain supplies and how to get them if one didn't prepare.
There are just a few curse words in there. Nothing gratuitous. Overall a clean book compared to the average. I do like that that the two main characters, being male and female, don't just hop into bed together since they are sole survivors and such. That would have seriously cheapened the plot for me. I appreciate that Faye is a normal character who is both strong and struggling at the same time. She is real. I like that Dodge is not a typical hero, like a swooning Fabio type, but a tough-looking dude with a big heart - rough around the edges, but soft inside.
Overall, the writing style made it easy and enjoyable for me to read. I could tell this story and the writing style flowed for the author. She wasn't forcing it or trying too hard, she was letting it pour out of her - sign of a true writer. The story seemed relatable and realistic in that scenario. It had well-written characters and an intriguing plot line. I will have to finish the series.
May 4, 2020
Well this is interesting, especially in our current CoVid-19 environment. Though not as drastic as Faye finds herself awakening to, but still kind of hits home. Faye awakens from a drunken stupor, naked, amid a huge mound of decaying bodies. She doesn't remember anything other than she was out on the town with friends who were trying to cheer her up after Faye lost her husband and children to a car accident. Faye finds she is alone and eerily, even the birds and animals are gone. What has happened to her town? She is in a weakened state, being without food and water for some time. Her first need drives her to search out the needs. Luckily, the stadium she is in still has some bottled water and snacks. After resting to build up her strength, she begins to explore to clothe her body with what she can find and decides to make it to her house. The freeways are blocked from traffic and dead people. She must walk to the suburbs. Along the way she hears another voice and discovers the person is located upstairs in the local jail. Dodge is rescued and they make their way out of the city. Dodge, is very resourceful and is gathering things they may need along the way. They discover another person a young boy in WalMart. On a hunch, Dodge returns to the store the next day to discover his older brother. This is the beginning of a 2-part story of Faye and Dodge's attempt to find others that may still be alive after the US is plagued with a devastating virus.
September 7, 2020
I was drawn to Druga's unique writing style through her book Bleak. It is a brief and to-the-point style of writing that has you turning page after page. Without repeating the plot summary, this book is told from Faye's perspective. With the death of her family in a car accident, she was already feeling alone in the world - then she wakes up from a coma and finds that she truly is alone.
This is not a book about a lone survivor living off canned goods hiding from the zombies in a fortified house. Instead, Faye finds a survivor named Dodge (who lost his family too) and together they try to survive only to discover 3 kids who have also survived. Together they plan to head south.
While the book is definitely a page-turner, Durga manages to pack a lot into the quick read. The prominent story of survival is compelling enough, but there are some underlying elements that Durga manages to introduce. One such element exists within a disturbing feature of the plaque (as if killing all humanity is not enough) - Also, some of Faye's actions after the death of her family end up having a direct impact to her and other survivors.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast-moving story with good character development, and something that makes it more than you cookie-cutter post-apocalyptic story.
This is not a book about a lone survivor living off canned goods hiding from the zombies in a fortified house. Instead, Faye finds a survivor named Dodge (who lost his family too) and together they try to survive only to discover 3 kids who have also survived. Together they plan to head south.
While the book is definitely a page-turner, Durga manages to pack a lot into the quick read. The prominent story of survival is compelling enough, but there are some underlying elements that Durga manages to introduce. One such element exists within a disturbing feature of the plaque (as if killing all humanity is not enough) - Also, some of Faye's actions after the death of her family end up having a direct impact to her and other survivors.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast-moving story with good character development, and something that makes it more than you cookie-cutter post-apocalyptic story.
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