Survival

by Susan Draper

The highly anticipated second-in-series finds Hecate, Rhea’s evil sister, imprisoned far below the surface of exoplanet Kapteyn b. Her takeover attempt has been stopped dead in its tracks. Rhea instructs Arcturus to monitor every move she makes. Will Hecate continue to scheme against her sister? What are Zahra, Orion, and the orphan trio planning behind closed doors that could possibly upend the sacred tiers of power?

Meanwhile, Donovan remains on Earth with his trusted feline friend, Khan, who has contracted the virus. Donovan reveals mind-boggling superpowers in a heroic endeavor to bring the vaccine developed in the United States back home. Sickened felidors, also stricken with a rogue virus, desperately need a fighting chance at survival.

Artema, chosen by Rhea to head the newly-formed Centauri Council, continues to carry out the doctrines that felidors have lived by for eons. Doctrines that demand the protection of the felidor race above all else. This will prove to be immensely difficult, when alien life forms plan an attack. Hurl through the universe with Cataclysm in the Cosmos-Book Two. A twisted “tail” of epic proportions!

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2021

About the author

After blogging for seven years Susan decided to publish a poetry book, Random Reflections, in 2020. Step into the mind of a Hoosier indie writer!

Cataclysm in the Cosmos, a clean, middle grade series, came out in 2021. It is guaranteed to engage young readers, while also promoting science and space exploration.

Following the trilogy, she wrote a stand alone mature sci-fi book called Into the Sun. It presents a different take on alien invasion.

Her latest works, published in 2025, are a crime fiction thriller based in Northwest Indiana, Lakeshore Secrets and also a horror anthology, Night Passage.

Susan's favorite genres are science fiction, horror, true crime, poetry, mysteries, teen/YA, historical works, baseball bios, and fantasy.

Climb aboard the follow train and let's read!

Reviews

[Tim Eagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Draper has written a sci-fi book that paints a picture of dark, decaying times, and at the same time gives us color and sure rays of positivity. This is Book II of Cataclysm in the Cosmos, and it doesn’t fail to entertain and tie up loose ends. Donovan has found loyalty while stuck on earth, even when he has been given free reign to make it back to Kapteyn b. His friend, Khan falls ill with the virus, as well as fifty other cats in one of the remaining cat shelters and the rapid spreading infection doesn’t seem to have an end. The vaccine has been approved, now he waits by all of their sides. He has three human allies, befriended and who have loyalty to his amazing humanoid cross with cat-like features, he is a felidor.
Donovan’s friends are on Kapteyn b, watching as councils are formed, and deviant plans are unfolding, and out of their control. Hecate awaits in a prison. She is full of hate and an intense fire that she hides from her captors. Hecate, who has turned ugly, and cursed, wants to be released from this prison and she will plot behind the scenes due to her defeat by sister Zahra. The coup has been stopped on Kapteyn b, but more problems ensue.
Draper has shown us her writing expertise in both books, and continues to give readers a beginning, an end, and a great roller coaster ride of a read. Indulge yourself for Christmas, and pick this up, you won’t be disappointed. The imagery, the words, and the beautiful friendships Draper has given us will endure in hearts forever after the final page has been turned.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival picks up right where Virus Attack left off - Hecate has been defeated; Artema and her friends were rescued; Donovan is still trapped on Earth where the feline virus rages. Despite the dire look of things on Earth, a vaccine has been developed to combat it. Back on Kapteyn b, with the defeat of Hecate, Zahra, Orion, and the three orphans are faced with the defeat of their plans, too. Forced to restore Donovan's travel capabilities and provided the choice to repent of their actions or face the consequences, all five capitulate and agree to follow the new rules set out by the new Council and to follow the Council's decisions going forward. But are they really capitulating or is this a new ruse to bide their time? Will the vaccine developed on Earth also work with the felidors who have fallen ill on Kapteyn b? And what about this new threat of killer alien birds intent on the eradication of cats throughout the universe? What will happen to our friendly alien cats? I guess you'll have to read this novella to find out.

As with the first novella, there is more tell than show, which again leads to a choppy feel to the story. But, as with the first novella, the story is still compelling enough to make up for that. With everything that happened in this book, I am definitely looking forward to reading the conclusion of this series. I only wish I didn't have to wait until August to read it. I don't like having to wait. LOL.

If you like cats and space, then you definitely need to read this series with space cats.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Susan Draper writes is captivating from the beginning and you just want to keep reading and reading and not stop. It is both descriptive and has great world building (important for a fantasy) but also is interesting and has a hint of mystery/suspense throughout so that you aren't bored (you can tell there's more to the story than we know). I was reading as fast as I could. I was disappointed when it was over. I wanted more!! But the ending is amazing as is the rest of the book and totally throws you for a twist.