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Radio Apocalypse
It's been nearly seven thousand days since the world ended. Seven thousand days of devastation, seven thousand days of shifting wastelands and dangerous creatures, seven thousand days of a vicious fight for survival. Humanity has long gone silent, except for two voices.
Lota's broadcast has served as the sole beacon in this time of darkness for years now, and she reports on everything from daily events to her own deepest fears in the hopes of connecting with another person. But these hopes begin to dwindle as time goes on, and it becomes increasingly evident that solitary survival under these conditions is unlikely at best.
Rachel, meanwhile, lives on her own in the empty shell of her family's former home and place of work, a laboratory across the ocean, doing anything she can to get by. But when a mysterious disease ravages Rachel's crops and the ghosts of her past come back to haunt her, it becomes increasingly evident that she needs to leave. She has nowhere to go, however, until one night, the impossible happens: she uncovers Lota's broadcast.
Then it becomes a race for them to beat the odds-to cross an ocean and hundreds of miles of radioactive land, outrun superhuman mutations and monsters of every kind, not to mention braving the elements-and for two of the last people on earth to find each other.
Lota's broadcast has served as the sole beacon in this time of darkness for years now, and she reports on everything from daily events to her own deepest fears in the hopes of connecting with another person. But these hopes begin to dwindle as time goes on, and it becomes increasingly evident that solitary survival under these conditions is unlikely at best.
Rachel, meanwhile, lives on her own in the empty shell of her family's former home and place of work, a laboratory across the ocean, doing anything she can to get by. But when a mysterious disease ravages Rachel's crops and the ghosts of her past come back to haunt her, it becomes increasingly evident that she needs to leave. She has nowhere to go, however, until one night, the impossible happens: she uncovers Lota's broadcast.
Then it becomes a race for them to beat the odds-to cross an ocean and hundreds of miles of radioactive land, outrun superhuman mutations and monsters of every kind, not to mention braving the elements-and for two of the last people on earth to find each other.
530 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2022
186 people are currently reading
5613 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Gallagher
4 books117 followersi'm not active on here (and have not been since 2016, when i was 11 lmao), but you can find me on Instagram and Twitter @so_many_ocs
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 12, 2022
listen. i really, really wanted to enjoy this book. support a young, independent author and read about an apocalypse with lesbians? what a charming concept. however… the execution was… terrible. to put it delicately. most of my feelings on this book can be summed up with the comments in my reading activity (they’re a little snarky, but i was suffering).
the story made no sense. there was no world building. the characters had no personality. their only traits were that one likes science and engineering and the other likes art and cooking. the plot seemed interesting until i actually started reading. listen i get isolation is bad. i get wanting companionship. but i was under the impression there was a reason rachel had to leave her incredibly safe, military grade, laboratory bunker with equipment, medical supplies, food, radiation protection, and literally everything you would need to survive an apocalypse. except, there wasn’t. she left because she was bored and didn’t like the minimalism and modern accents of the lab. she let her safe, military grade bunker with medical equipment and food because it was too modern and not homey enough? she left that to travel 3000 miles across an ocean, woefully unprepared, and for what! a random person she talked to over a radio like three times? the whole trip was a mess. rachel knew nothing about geography. didn’t even have a plan of how to find, let alone get to, lota. she somehow always finds survival equipment and everything she needs almost immediately to aid her journey. the author so clearly could not write a plot in which the character was either actually prepared or had to work to find supplies to survive. no, instead everything was painfully convenient and there were no struggles to actually overcome. the two quickly, magically find each other despite no planning and no communication. there is a rushed romance and a weird ending/climax that literally happened at the very end of the book (i’m talking the last ten pages) with no explanation. i was sitting there awestruck at the fact this book made it through editing to be published.
all of that said, there were passages that were actually okay. the descriptions of the monsters, mainly. the author included a lot of detail and information about them that made them seem a little more real.
i do think kayleigh can be a good writer, which is why i wanted to support this novel. it just felt so… disjointed and not at all thought out. there were so many plot holes and stupid character decisions. they marketed the romance as “slowburn” when the romance happened instantaneously within a span of 5 pages. they have the drive and want to be a good author, i just think this novel needed some more time and thought. i wanted this book to be at least three stars. it’s such a passion project! it’s self published! they did all of the art and marketing by themselves! at seventeen! they clearly have passion which i admire, but i still had to be honest with my review. no, i did not like this book and yeah, it is objectively pretty bad, but there is something to say about the unwavering passion and creativity it takes to self publish at such a young age.
*update i saw this book on my shelf again today and flipped through it and i truly am still in awe of how terrible it was like i am absolutely dumbfounded even five months later*
the story made no sense. there was no world building. the characters had no personality. their only traits were that one likes science and engineering and the other likes art and cooking. the plot seemed interesting until i actually started reading. listen i get isolation is bad. i get wanting companionship. but i was under the impression there was a reason rachel had to leave her incredibly safe, military grade, laboratory bunker with equipment, medical supplies, food, radiation protection, and literally everything you would need to survive an apocalypse. except, there wasn’t. she left because she was bored and didn’t like the minimalism and modern accents of the lab. she let her safe, military grade bunker with medical equipment and food because it was too modern and not homey enough? she left that to travel 3000 miles across an ocean, woefully unprepared, and for what! a random person she talked to over a radio like three times? the whole trip was a mess. rachel knew nothing about geography. didn’t even have a plan of how to find, let alone get to, lota. she somehow always finds survival equipment and everything she needs almost immediately to aid her journey. the author so clearly could not write a plot in which the character was either actually prepared or had to work to find supplies to survive. no, instead everything was painfully convenient and there were no struggles to actually overcome. the two quickly, magically find each other despite no planning and no communication. there is a rushed romance and a weird ending/climax that literally happened at the very end of the book (i’m talking the last ten pages) with no explanation. i was sitting there awestruck at the fact this book made it through editing to be published.
all of that said, there were passages that were actually okay. the descriptions of the monsters, mainly. the author included a lot of detail and information about them that made them seem a little more real.
i do think kayleigh can be a good writer, which is why i wanted to support this novel. it just felt so… disjointed and not at all thought out. there were so many plot holes and stupid character decisions. they marketed the romance as “slowburn” when the romance happened instantaneously within a span of 5 pages. they have the drive and want to be a good author, i just think this novel needed some more time and thought. i wanted this book to be at least three stars. it’s such a passion project! it’s self published! they did all of the art and marketing by themselves! at seventeen! they clearly have passion which i admire, but i still had to be honest with my review. no, i did not like this book and yeah, it is objectively pretty bad, but there is something to say about the unwavering passion and creativity it takes to self publish at such a young age.
*update i saw this book on my shelf again today and flipped through it and i truly am still in awe of how terrible it was like i am absolutely dumbfounded even five months later*
July 30, 2025
There's a lot of valid criticism in the neutral/negative reviews that populate the top reviews for this book, if you're a critical reader you might want to heed them. I, however, had a generally great time with the book, the vibes were vibing, and that's why I'm giving it a 4. I love radio horror and there was plenty of radio action in there. The characters were a little simplistic, but they were nice and easy to root for. The world was interesting and I liked the descriptions of the monsters.
October 27, 2022
Kindle Unlimited.
WHOA. This was a creepy, and confusing tale, but full of intrigue. It's the end of the world. Dystopia as two young adult ladies know it. They are the only ones left in a wasteland society, but are seemingly different sides of the earth.
They manage to communicate, and eventually one sets off to find the other.
There's creepy creatures, and dangerous weather patterns, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things that happen in this world. It's endlessly captivating, but also very open-ended, where you're not going to get a firm conclusion to any of the wildness in the story.
And that's OK. It's definitely part of this story's charm! It's one of those spooktacular readings that will stick with you, and you'll keep trying to figure out, but probably never will. In the best of ways.
Highly Recommend!
WHOA. This was a creepy, and confusing tale, but full of intrigue. It's the end of the world. Dystopia as two young adult ladies know it. They are the only ones left in a wasteland society, but are seemingly different sides of the earth.
They manage to communicate, and eventually one sets off to find the other.
There's creepy creatures, and dangerous weather patterns, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things that happen in this world. It's endlessly captivating, but also very open-ended, where you're not going to get a firm conclusion to any of the wildness in the story.
And that's OK. It's definitely part of this story's charm! It's one of those spooktacular readings that will stick with you, and you'll keep trying to figure out, but probably never will. In the best of ways.
Highly Recommend!
May 19, 2024
this felt like reading fanfiction for a piece of media I'd never engaged with.
August 26, 2024
I really, really wanted to love this. And it was right up my alley: post-apocalyptic and sapphic, mixed media (well, transcripts and prose), and the monsters—the monsters were perfect. Biblically-accurate angels (complete with the whole “BE NOT AFRAID” shtick), the holy grail of eye-imagery, body horror and gore and transmutation—just awesome. Kayleigh Gallagher’s descriptions in general were excellent, but the monsters really shone. Which makes the execution of the rest of Radio Apocalypse that much more disappointing, since it just … didn’t.
I would love to see Radio Apocalypse republished after another round or two of editing with a professional. This is one of those self-published novels that I discovered on TikTok that I believe could be bestsellers if they had the support of a publishing house—the marketing team, the cover artists, the editors, etc. Because all of my issues with it come from poor pacing, a lack of character development (or of fully fleshed-out characters in the first place), implausible plot developments (solo-sailing across the Atlantic with no experience, for one), and a lack of worldbuilding—every single one of which would’ve been fixed by an editor.
And maybe someone with some experience or professional know-how relating the radiation, because the way radiation worked in Radio Apocalypse was really, really strange and, in my unprofessional opinion, did not seem scientifically sound. Not that accuracy is all that important in fiction, but it was odd to the point that every time they mentioned radiation, I was distracted from the story by how confused I was. Honestly (and again, in my unprofessional opinion), if I were Kayleigh Gallagher, I probably would’ve dropped the radiation aspect altogether—the monsters themselves were deterrent enough to limit the characters’ ability to go outside or to travel, and radiation didn’t end up affecting the plot in any way other than forcing the characters to wear radiation-proof suits (which also didn’t affect the plot).
Maybe a bit of backstory as to how, exactly, the world ended would’ve made the world’s radioactivity seem less out-of-place. But, at the risk of including a sort-of spoiler in this review, Gallagher never included any flashbacks, any stories—even, really, any comments—about how or when the world ended throughout the almost-500 pages of Radio Apocalypse. Lota mentions being four when the world ended, and both her and Rachel mention the deaths of their parents (very, very briefly), but that’s it. Nothing about how these monsters appeared, nothing about how society collapsed, nothing about where the radiation came from (or why it’s still around), absolutely nothing.
There is a passage where Lota, describing one of the creatures, says, “I suppose he may have been human at one point.” Which is horrifying, and a really, really exciting potential plot point! But it’s brought up within the last fifty pages, and completely glossed over. They never mention that possibility—that these abominations are, actually, the rest of humanity we never get to see, transmuted themselves into creatures completely unrecognizable—and we never learn what happened to the rest of the human race. In general, the lack of any backstory paired with the fantastic descriptions of the monsters is especially disappointing for me. Being Gallagher employs all this gorey, twisted religious imagery in their designs, and I would’ve loved to read her take on that sort of an apocalypse. The whole trumpets-blaring, four horsemen, revelations-type apocalypse event that seems to me to fit Radio Apocalypse’s dystopian landscape perfectly.
This would’ve fixed the issues I have with the characters, too—neither of them feel fleshed-out, like I said, and including flashbacks to their stories, to how they lost their families, etc. would’ve added some of that depth they were lacking.
In short, Radio Apocalypse is fantastic—for a draft. And, unfortunately, you can tell. The bones of it are great, but, again: some heavy editing, some rearranging, some aspects being changed, and a bit of backstory added—all that is needed before I can rate Radio Apocalypse at anything more than four stars, and right after my first read, it’s a solid 3.25. (This could change, the more I think about it; we’ll see.) I had a lot of fun reading it, loved the atmosphere, and would definitely recommend it, but it’s just not fully cohesive or satisfying in its current form to be a favorite.
I would love to see Radio Apocalypse republished after another round or two of editing with a professional. This is one of those self-published novels that I discovered on TikTok that I believe could be bestsellers if they had the support of a publishing house—the marketing team, the cover artists, the editors, etc. Because all of my issues with it come from poor pacing, a lack of character development (or of fully fleshed-out characters in the first place), implausible plot developments (solo-sailing across the Atlantic with no experience, for one), and a lack of worldbuilding—every single one of which would’ve been fixed by an editor.
And maybe someone with some experience or professional know-how relating the radiation, because the way radiation worked in Radio Apocalypse was really, really strange and, in my unprofessional opinion, did not seem scientifically sound. Not that accuracy is all that important in fiction, but it was odd to the point that every time they mentioned radiation, I was distracted from the story by how confused I was. Honestly (and again, in my unprofessional opinion), if I were Kayleigh Gallagher, I probably would’ve dropped the radiation aspect altogether—the monsters themselves were deterrent enough to limit the characters’ ability to go outside or to travel, and radiation didn’t end up affecting the plot in any way other than forcing the characters to wear radiation-proof suits (which also didn’t affect the plot).
Maybe a bit of backstory as to how, exactly, the world ended would’ve made the world’s radioactivity seem less out-of-place. But, at the risk of including a sort-of spoiler in this review, Gallagher never included any flashbacks, any stories—even, really, any comments—about how or when the world ended throughout the almost-500 pages of Radio Apocalypse. Lota mentions being four when the world ended, and both her and Rachel mention the deaths of their parents (very, very briefly), but that’s it. Nothing about how these monsters appeared, nothing about how society collapsed, nothing about where the radiation came from (or why it’s still around), absolutely nothing.
There is a passage where Lota, describing one of the creatures, says, “I suppose he may have been human at one point.” Which is horrifying, and a really, really exciting potential plot point! But it’s brought up within the last fifty pages, and completely glossed over. They never mention that possibility—that these abominations are, actually, the rest of humanity we never get to see, transmuted themselves into creatures completely unrecognizable—and we never learn what happened to the rest of the human race. In general, the lack of any backstory paired with the fantastic descriptions of the monsters is especially disappointing for me. Being Gallagher employs all this gorey, twisted religious imagery in their designs, and I would’ve loved to read her take on that sort of an apocalypse. The whole trumpets-blaring, four horsemen, revelations-type apocalypse event that seems to me to fit Radio Apocalypse’s dystopian landscape perfectly.
This would’ve fixed the issues I have with the characters, too—neither of them feel fleshed-out, like I said, and including flashbacks to their stories, to how they lost their families, etc. would’ve added some of that depth they were lacking.
In short, Radio Apocalypse is fantastic—for a draft. And, unfortunately, you can tell. The bones of it are great, but, again: some heavy editing, some rearranging, some aspects being changed, and a bit of backstory added—all that is needed before I can rate Radio Apocalypse at anything more than four stars, and right after my first read, it’s a solid 3.25. (This could change, the more I think about it; we’ll see.) I had a lot of fun reading it, loved the atmosphere, and would definitely recommend it, but it’s just not fully cohesive or satisfying in its current form to be a favorite.
January 22, 2022
Radio Apocalypse is a novel about two girls living across the world from one another in the aftermath of an apocalypse. Lota hosts a radio show where she speaks her minds to anyone who’s still alive (which, to her knowledge, is nobody else). But Rachel hears Lota’s broadcast across the ocean, and realizes she isn’t alone either. The two girls forge a strong relationship while braving a terrifying post-apocalyptic world.
There are some really interesting components of Radio Apocalypse that make it a unique read. The take on the apocalypse, which has its origins left relatively vague, leads to a bunch of cool and fearsome creatures and environments that really enhance the worldbuilding and setting. The use of perspective is also something that stands out: Rachel mostly communicates her perspective through the typical 1st-person prose, but the reader can only hear Lota’s point-of-view through her radio broadcast, which still manages to get a lot out of her personality in terms of what she says (and what she doesn’t say). This book also has good diversity (about as much as you can have when there’s not a lot of human characters left) and a WLW relationship.
So, now that the general idea of the story is covered, here are my thoughts on it:
Firstly, I want to commend Gallagher on her use of these two different perspectives. I never found myself mixing up the characters, and they had distinct voices and personalities that complemented each other. However, I think the relationship featured in the novel, while having good chemistry, went a little too fast for my liking. This might just be a personal thing, but I wished the relationship was a slower burn and included more personal setbacks or complications that blocked the characters from just instantly falling in love.
I found the setting to be really well written and the descriptions were short but moving. The entire story, actually, is very well-written and impressive. If there was one thing I’d alter, though, it would be to better clarify some of the mystical beings and their purpose/role. It’s kind of implied that some of them are angels or demons or something else divine, but they don’t really have any logic or consistency in a lot of the story. I think their concept is very strong but a little bit more fleshing out would go a long way.
This story is certainly a character-based story, not a plot-based story. This is mostly a good thing, as it strengthens the characters and makes them more well-rounded and interesting. However, it sometimes leads to troubles with pacing, especially around the middle. At the end, however, the plot rocketed ahead and it was thrilling up until the end, which—I won’t spoil—but it left me with more questions than answers. I think there could definitely be a sequel to this story, but at the same time, if it was left as a standalone, that would definitely work too.
Some other thoughts that are more personal and not really a judgment of the story or the writing:
I liked Rachel more than Lota. Sometimes Lota was really funny, but otherwise, she was a bit blander than Rachel. Both characters were still great though.
The saddest part of the story is a spoiler, but all I’ll say is that page 357 broke my heart.
I thought it would end up in a “two characters, one bed” type story—in some ways, I’m glad it didn’t, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t have been mad if it did.
Don’t let the length fool you. 500-something pages seems like a lot, but it goes by fast and also the font is larger for the radio broadcasts.
The cover, title, and design are all excellent
I’d definitely recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of fantastical sci-fi, apocalyptic fiction, or WLW relationships. If you are a fan of slow-burn romance, sci-fi where all the science is explained/detailed, or stories with a large cast, this might not be perfect for you (though I still recommend you give it a shot).
There are some really interesting components of Radio Apocalypse that make it a unique read. The take on the apocalypse, which has its origins left relatively vague, leads to a bunch of cool and fearsome creatures and environments that really enhance the worldbuilding and setting. The use of perspective is also something that stands out: Rachel mostly communicates her perspective through the typical 1st-person prose, but the reader can only hear Lota’s point-of-view through her radio broadcast, which still manages to get a lot out of her personality in terms of what she says (and what she doesn’t say). This book also has good diversity (about as much as you can have when there’s not a lot of human characters left) and a WLW relationship.
So, now that the general idea of the story is covered, here are my thoughts on it:
Firstly, I want to commend Gallagher on her use of these two different perspectives. I never found myself mixing up the characters, and they had distinct voices and personalities that complemented each other. However, I think the relationship featured in the novel, while having good chemistry, went a little too fast for my liking. This might just be a personal thing, but I wished the relationship was a slower burn and included more personal setbacks or complications that blocked the characters from just instantly falling in love.
I found the setting to be really well written and the descriptions were short but moving. The entire story, actually, is very well-written and impressive. If there was one thing I’d alter, though, it would be to better clarify some of the mystical beings and their purpose/role. It’s kind of implied that some of them are angels or demons or something else divine, but they don’t really have any logic or consistency in a lot of the story. I think their concept is very strong but a little bit more fleshing out would go a long way.
This story is certainly a character-based story, not a plot-based story. This is mostly a good thing, as it strengthens the characters and makes them more well-rounded and interesting. However, it sometimes leads to troubles with pacing, especially around the middle. At the end, however, the plot rocketed ahead and it was thrilling up until the end, which—I won’t spoil—but it left me with more questions than answers. I think there could definitely be a sequel to this story, but at the same time, if it was left as a standalone, that would definitely work too.
Some other thoughts that are more personal and not really a judgment of the story or the writing:
I liked Rachel more than Lota. Sometimes Lota was really funny, but otherwise, she was a bit blander than Rachel. Both characters were still great though.
The saddest part of the story is a spoiler, but all I’ll say is that page 357 broke my heart.
I thought it would end up in a “two characters, one bed” type story—in some ways, I’m glad it didn’t, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t have been mad if it did.
Don’t let the length fool you. 500-something pages seems like a lot, but it goes by fast and also the font is larger for the radio broadcasts.
The cover, title, and design are all excellent
I’d definitely recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of fantastical sci-fi, apocalyptic fiction, or WLW relationships. If you are a fan of slow-burn romance, sci-fi where all the science is explained/detailed, or stories with a large cast, this might not be perfect for you (though I still recommend you give it a shot).
January 18, 2023
This fucking book. There is so much that is absolutely trash about it that i will start with the one positive.
- The authors way of describing the creatures that live in the world, that’s been destroyed (we never learn how it got destroyed!)
Anyway, that’s really it. Now, shout-out to the author for being 18 and self publishing, but there is a reason this is self published… The actual thought of the book is very good, two girls surviving an apocalypse and not knowing of the other person, until they final do and have to get to eachother butttttt
-Rachel leaves her military safe, top notch bunker(house maybe?? they never say) to go ACROSS THE OCEAN because she spoke with lots TWICE. TWO TIMES.
-The characters have no personality. Lota likes engineering and science and rachel likes art and plants, that is it. Nothing else. There is no other struggles with them.
-Rachel’s adventures ANYWHERE always have a struggle, that would lead to her not being able to get to lota but then MAGICALLY the things she always needs to get it lota appear?! For example, she is crossing the fucking ocean on a boat she just happened to find that wasn’t broken from being in the water and radiation FOR YEARS?! Then a storm happens but she makes it magically to north coraline (i know how she gets there but don’t want to do spoilers)
-Now, after 330 pages, they finally meet (super shocking) and the romance is BARELY THERE and then, after i kid you not 2 fucking pages, THEY KISS?! Out of nowhere, literally nowhere. It was so weird and so rushed
-The ending, what was evening happening?! She kept on seeing things, went into a cave, talked to a god(??), then the god told her it wouldn’t go away BUT THEN IT DID?! And how DID SHE NOT DROWN?! She was face down in WATER?! Drowning just isn’t a thing apparently
the only reason this gets two stars is because, despite the book BEING FOUR HUNDRED PAGES, it was actually a quick read because the writing was so simple
- The authors way of describing the creatures that live in the world, that’s been destroyed (we never learn how it got destroyed!)
Anyway, that’s really it. Now, shout-out to the author for being 18 and self publishing, but there is a reason this is self published… The actual thought of the book is very good, two girls surviving an apocalypse and not knowing of the other person, until they final do and have to get to eachother butttttt
-Rachel leaves her military safe, top notch bunker(house maybe?? they never say) to go ACROSS THE OCEAN because she spoke with lots TWICE. TWO TIMES.
-The characters have no personality. Lota likes engineering and science and rachel likes art and plants, that is it. Nothing else. There is no other struggles with them.
-Rachel’s adventures ANYWHERE always have a struggle, that would lead to her not being able to get to lota but then MAGICALLY the things she always needs to get it lota appear?! For example, she is crossing the fucking ocean on a boat she just happened to find that wasn’t broken from being in the water and radiation FOR YEARS?! Then a storm happens but she makes it magically to north coraline (i know how she gets there but don’t want to do spoilers)
-Now, after 330 pages, they finally meet (super shocking) and the romance is BARELY THERE and then, after i kid you not 2 fucking pages, THEY KISS?! Out of nowhere, literally nowhere. It was so weird and so rushed
-The ending, what was evening happening?! She kept on seeing things, went into a cave, talked to a god(??), then the god told her it wouldn’t go away BUT THEN IT DID?! And how DID SHE NOT DROWN?! She was face down in WATER?! Drowning just isn’t a thing apparently
the only reason this gets two stars is because, despite the book BEING FOUR HUNDRED PAGES, it was actually a quick read because the writing was so simple
April 27, 2022
I really liked the writing style and for me it was a real page-turner. However i do feel like the end was a bit rushed and incomplete. I would have loved more information on Jeremy! Overall a good book.
March 27, 2022
Yay happy lesbians but like can we fully wrap up the plot before fading to black?? Like did I miss something?
March 28, 2022
*3.5 stars*
I really enjoyed the first chunk of this book. The world was really vivid and equally disturbing. The bit where Lauren fist met Jeremy and he was talking to the camera was super creepy. Loved it. It started feeling really rushed towards the end, though. The kiss felt like it came out of nowhere—I knew they would be getting together eventually and they had a lot of chemistry, but I think the kiss and the relationship that came afterwards could have used more build up, more flirting and stuff like that. Also, I would have liked to get some more answers about that moment where Rachel wanted to rip out Laurens eyes—it’s not so much that it came out of nowhere that bothers me, but more like it was never addressed at it was just one solitary event. I was expecting some supernatural cause or illness behind it that would be discovered, or maybe she’d actually end up attacking Lauren and they’d have to get past that, which would give their relationship a little bit of struggle I think it was missing. They’re relationship felt like it came too easily to them, and I would have liked to see more awkwardness and uncomfortableness with them since neither had seen another person in years. There was also some confusion around Laurens whole deal with the visions—was she seeing real things? Is she going insane? What was that eye thing in the cave? Why didn’t Lauren tell her about the eye on her forehead when she was seeing these things? Why does only Lauren have this ability, or curse, or whatever it is? I don’t expect this book to answer these questions, but I do hope theirs a sequel to explain some things. I did really like all the companions through the book—Victor and Jeremy especially were very entertaining, and I would have loved to see more of both. Jeremy especially really intrigued me.
Overall it was a really enjoyable read—I know I laid down a lot of criticism just now, but I really did like it, and I’d definitely get a sequel if the author wrote one. I want to see more of this world and get background on these characters, and I want to know what started this apocalypse in the first place. It definitely captivated me and had me reading far later into the night then I should have been up.
I really enjoyed the first chunk of this book. The world was really vivid and equally disturbing. The bit where Lauren fist met Jeremy and he was talking to the camera was super creepy. Loved it. It started feeling really rushed towards the end, though. The kiss felt like it came out of nowhere—I knew they would be getting together eventually and they had a lot of chemistry, but I think the kiss and the relationship that came afterwards could have used more build up, more flirting and stuff like that. Also, I would have liked to get some more answers about that moment where Rachel wanted to rip out Laurens eyes—it’s not so much that it came out of nowhere that bothers me, but more like it was never addressed at it was just one solitary event. I was expecting some supernatural cause or illness behind it that would be discovered, or maybe she’d actually end up attacking Lauren and they’d have to get past that, which would give their relationship a little bit of struggle I think it was missing. They’re relationship felt like it came too easily to them, and I would have liked to see more awkwardness and uncomfortableness with them since neither had seen another person in years. There was also some confusion around Laurens whole deal with the visions—was she seeing real things? Is she going insane? What was that eye thing in the cave? Why didn’t Lauren tell her about the eye on her forehead when she was seeing these things? Why does only Lauren have this ability, or curse, or whatever it is? I don’t expect this book to answer these questions, but I do hope theirs a sequel to explain some things. I did really like all the companions through the book—Victor and Jeremy especially were very entertaining, and I would have loved to see more of both. Jeremy especially really intrigued me.
Overall it was a really enjoyable read—I know I laid down a lot of criticism just now, but I really did like it, and I’d definitely get a sequel if the author wrote one. I want to see more of this world and get background on these characters, and I want to know what started this apocalypse in the first place. It definitely captivated me and had me reading far later into the night then I should have been up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
1.5? was really hyped for this but it was so extremely uneventful until the last few chapters, the world building was little to none so i had no idea how any of these mystical creatures got here. the romance seemed extremely rushed and they didn’t even seem very 3d people, especially lota/lauren, she felt very robotic nearing the end. all the random events in here never made any sense because the world building was so insignificant. loved the idea but it just had some issues with execution, more focus should’ve been put on the world building to at least give the reader some context. also would’ve been nice if it was building up to something in the end, it felt as if the climax wasn’t a climax at all.
August 10, 2025
This was soooooo Welcome to Night Vale-esque it's insane. I feel like it was made specifically for me. I've listened to WTNV for a decade at this point, and it's one of my longest running interests.
This book feels like Cecil and Carlos if they were lesbians! I loved it so much! I think the things a lot of people are caught up on are simply because they've never listened to the podcast or don't really understand what the author was going for... but I did!
I read it all in one sitting, (it's almost seven in the morning LOL) which is probably why this review is so mediocre besides me getting across the fact that I loved it very much. I would die for Lauren and Rachel. Unlike what some people said, I don't think the romance was rushed at all.
If you thought you were the only person left on earth, you'd move mountains to get to the other person who seems to be just like you. And not only did I love watching their relationship blossom, but I found it so sweet as well.
This book feels like Cecil and Carlos if they were lesbians! I loved it so much! I think the things a lot of people are caught up on are simply because they've never listened to the podcast or don't really understand what the author was going for... but I did!
I read it all in one sitting, (it's almost seven in the morning LOL) which is probably why this review is so mediocre besides me getting across the fact that I loved it very much. I would die for Lauren and Rachel. Unlike what some people said, I don't think the romance was rushed at all.
If you thought you were the only person left on earth, you'd move mountains to get to the other person who seems to be just like you. And not only did I love watching their relationship blossom, but I found it so sweet as well.
March 6, 2022
I've spent weeks now trying to figure out how to write a review for this book that encapsulates all my thoughts and feelings on it, without much success. Gallagher has worked to fit a LOT into this novel, and it shows, so I'm going to break down my review into a couple of categories while being as spoiler-free as possible.
Setting:
The world of Radio Apocalypse is absolutely one of its biggest strengths, in my opinion. Gallagher does a fantastic job of introducing a broad range of elements that have emerged in this apocalyptic world, ranging from things that are very grounded in reality (intense, unpredictable weather patterns), to much more fantastical elements that are slowly added in after you've already bought into the story and its world. The setting feels massive, which is fantastic for amplifying the loneliness of its protagonists. You can totally see the elements that Gallagher has borrowed from things like horror audiodramas, biblical creatures, eldritch horror, etc while still making them feel cohesive and natural in her own universe.
Characters/structure:
Rachel and Lotta contrast one another really well, and their differences were re-enforce by the formatting differences between their pov chapters. Rachel, the introverted, introspective, suffer in silence type, tells her stories in more conventionally structured chapters that allow readers to hear her internal thoughts, because she rarely voices those thoughts.
Lotta talks through transcripts of her radio broadcasts, which emphasize her natural talkative personality, and how she's struggling with having no one to talk to. As such, we only get this more performative voice for Lotta throughout the majority of the book. This definitely felt in-character, and allows the reader to see Lotta the same way Rachel does. But it did feel to me at times, like I didn't get to know Lotta very well, because of the performance that colours all her narrated sections of the book.
Pacing:
This novel has a very slow start. A lot of the initial character and worldbuilding is done through passive observations by the protagonists who are very used to this world. There are very few (if any) moments where things are clearly explained directly to the audience. While it's refreshing to discover what happened to humanity in a more natural way, the lack of context or a solid base of information is a little frustrating at times. In the first ~150-200 pages in particular, it felt like I was always playing catch-up, but never allowed to have the full context for anything. This does improve as the book progresses, and the characters move out of their comfort zones, effectively getting on your level of context, instead of bringing you up to theirs.
I think that a lot of the storytelling techniques that were borrowed from audiodramas were incorporated well into this book, but unfortunately don't ring quite as strongly in a text format. For example, a lot of the tonal context you get from passive worldbuilding is lost without hearing the characters actually say things. Having said that though, I think this would make a fantastic audiobook, and I would absolutely buy one, were it ever to get made. And in that vein, I think this expansive, largely unexplored world would do really well as a setting for a role playing game as well.
But as is, Radio Apocalypse is a book that really sparks the imagination, and makes you want to know more about its world and characters. I absolutely reccomend it to anyone who's considered reading it.
Setting:
The world of Radio Apocalypse is absolutely one of its biggest strengths, in my opinion. Gallagher does a fantastic job of introducing a broad range of elements that have emerged in this apocalyptic world, ranging from things that are very grounded in reality (intense, unpredictable weather patterns), to much more fantastical elements that are slowly added in after you've already bought into the story and its world. The setting feels massive, which is fantastic for amplifying the loneliness of its protagonists. You can totally see the elements that Gallagher has borrowed from things like horror audiodramas, biblical creatures, eldritch horror, etc while still making them feel cohesive and natural in her own universe.
Characters/structure:
Rachel and Lotta contrast one another really well, and their differences were re-enforce by the formatting differences between their pov chapters. Rachel, the introverted, introspective, suffer in silence type, tells her stories in more conventionally structured chapters that allow readers to hear her internal thoughts, because she rarely voices those thoughts.
Lotta talks through transcripts of her radio broadcasts, which emphasize her natural talkative personality, and how she's struggling with having no one to talk to. As such, we only get this more performative voice for Lotta throughout the majority of the book. This definitely felt in-character, and allows the reader to see Lotta the same way Rachel does. But it did feel to me at times, like I didn't get to know Lotta very well, because of the performance that colours all her narrated sections of the book.
Pacing:
This novel has a very slow start. A lot of the initial character and worldbuilding is done through passive observations by the protagonists who are very used to this world. There are very few (if any) moments where things are clearly explained directly to the audience. While it's refreshing to discover what happened to humanity in a more natural way, the lack of context or a solid base of information is a little frustrating at times. In the first ~150-200 pages in particular, it felt like I was always playing catch-up, but never allowed to have the full context for anything. This does improve as the book progresses, and the characters move out of their comfort zones, effectively getting on your level of context, instead of bringing you up to theirs.
I think that a lot of the storytelling techniques that were borrowed from audiodramas were incorporated well into this book, but unfortunately don't ring quite as strongly in a text format. For example, a lot of the tonal context you get from passive worldbuilding is lost without hearing the characters actually say things. Having said that though, I think this would make a fantastic audiobook, and I would absolutely buy one, were it ever to get made. And in that vein, I think this expansive, largely unexplored world would do really well as a setting for a role playing game as well.
But as is, Radio Apocalypse is a book that really sparks the imagination, and makes you want to know more about its world and characters. I absolutely reccomend it to anyone who's considered reading it.
July 20, 2023
Where do I even begin.
I guess with my first impression. We start with Lota’s point of view, saying she’s awesome at building things and studying science. She also says she wishes she had an outdoor greenhouse. Cut to Rachel’s POV, saying how much she sucks at science and building things, and that she tends to the greenhouse every day. Oh, and having a girlfriend would be nice.
I understand the setup, but it happens within the first two chapters, and the characters are telling us these things, not showing us. There’s no hinting at what is to come, just telling. It was painfully predictable.
I think this story has so much potential. I want to know about what causes this apocalypse, what kind it is— other than radioactivity— I want to know why there are giant floating monsters, I want to know why some of the beings seem to be ghosts of former humans, I want to know why some are kind and some are not, and I want to know why Rachel’s parents just fucked off into the abyss leaving their daughter behind and why Rachel even stayed behind in the first place, being as timid as she seems.
Also, I know these are lesbians, but for fuck’s SAKE they got that U Haul early.
Their love story isn’t there— they meet, kiss after a couple of days, and then ask if that means they’re together. There’s little to no pining or wondering or crushing on each other, which is what makes a love story great and keeps readers engaged.
I also understand that this is a young writer, but I wish that the people who beta read this and helped put it together would have said something before publishing. The story is in bits and pieces, and in one instance a giant floating monster (that we are supposed to be afraid of) carried Rachel across the ocean because she got shipwrecked. The problem solving just isn’t there.
I would love to see this writer explore this universe again when they have more experience.
I guess with my first impression. We start with Lota’s point of view, saying she’s awesome at building things and studying science. She also says she wishes she had an outdoor greenhouse. Cut to Rachel’s POV, saying how much she sucks at science and building things, and that she tends to the greenhouse every day. Oh, and having a girlfriend would be nice.
I understand the setup, but it happens within the first two chapters, and the characters are telling us these things, not showing us. There’s no hinting at what is to come, just telling. It was painfully predictable.
I think this story has so much potential. I want to know about what causes this apocalypse, what kind it is— other than radioactivity— I want to know why there are giant floating monsters, I want to know why some of the beings seem to be ghosts of former humans, I want to know why some are kind and some are not, and I want to know why Rachel’s parents just fucked off into the abyss leaving their daughter behind and why Rachel even stayed behind in the first place, being as timid as she seems.
Also, I know these are lesbians, but for fuck’s SAKE they got that U Haul early.
Their love story isn’t there— they meet, kiss after a couple of days, and then ask if that means they’re together. There’s little to no pining or wondering or crushing on each other, which is what makes a love story great and keeps readers engaged.
I also understand that this is a young writer, but I wish that the people who beta read this and helped put it together would have said something before publishing. The story is in bits and pieces, and in one instance a giant floating monster (that we are supposed to be afraid of) carried Rachel across the ocean because she got shipwrecked. The problem solving just isn’t there.
I would love to see this writer explore this universe again when they have more experience.
December 10, 2023
wow it took me 2 years to read this (counting my 'hiatus' on this book in 2021)
Overall, it wasn't that bad of a book, given that the author wrote this at 17 (?) and self-published it too! The concept of possibly the last two survivors on earth meeting up despite being from different places was very cool, but there were just some problems with the execution of the plot. I'll first put the things I loved about this book before hiding the cons in the spoiler section.
- I loved the whole atmosphere in this book, the abandoned houses and gas stations, and the great barren land. It feels so fuzzy and vague but it adds to the post-apocalyptic vibe
- oh my god that first encounter with the floating long-armed creature was terrifying, I actually got jumpscared by a whole line
- The description of the creatures is just so ethereal and gruesome in some parts! I love :)
- Lesbians <33333
Cons:
(i put the spoiler tag on each point cus i dont know if a spoiler tag works on a whole section with multiple paragraph breaks)
∴ Radio Apocalypse has loads of potential, but the plot could've been marinated for a little longer for it to be worth 500+ pages.
Overall, it wasn't that bad of a book, given that the author wrote this at 17 (?) and self-published it too! The concept of possibly the last two survivors on earth meeting up despite being from different places was very cool, but there were just some problems with the execution of the plot. I'll first put the things I loved about this book before hiding the cons in the spoiler section.
- I loved the whole atmosphere in this book, the abandoned houses and gas stations, and the great barren land. It feels so fuzzy and vague but it adds to the post-apocalyptic vibe
- oh my god that first encounter with the floating long-armed creature was terrifying, I actually got jumpscared by a whole line
- The description of the creatures is just so ethereal and gruesome in some parts! I love :)
- Lesbians <33333
Cons:
(i put the spoiler tag on each point cus i dont know if a spoiler tag works on a whole section with multiple paragraph breaks)
∴ Radio Apocalypse has loads of potential, but the plot could've been marinated for a little longer for it to be worth 500+ pages.
March 22, 2022
I’ve been on a bit of a pretentious tangent with my reading as of lately- reading things I’ve been told are good or are highly regarded. So it’s like a breath of fresh air when I stumble upon the authors tik tok and see promotion for their new book
Radio apocalypse- marketed as a dystopian post apocalyptic lesbian slowburn
I was intrigued I say the least and I’m super happy to say that it lived up to my expectations and in many way- exceeded it.
If you’re a fan of:
Lemon demon
Tally hall/ miracle musical
Weird core aesthetic
Biblically accurate angels
The Magnus Archives
Good wlw representation
You will like this book
Reading it reminded me how fun reading can be. The story, the characters, the freaks were all so fun and well thought out. It’s a brilliant and well thought out story with parts that were just so enjoyable.
Lota is such an entertaining character - her radio broadcast are humorous and optimistic despite the world around her crumbling
“Now onto the traffic- there is no traffic this is the apocalypse!”
Her dialogue is so well done and really makes her come to life.
Her and Rachel are the complete opposite but go so well together. Lota is this energetic chaotic but wary individual. She creates well thought out plans and is great at staying positive. Rachel on the other hand is slightly quiet and often acts impulsively and breaks from the comfort of her routine. But the two of them together trying to find each other thinking they’re the last people alive was just such a great trope!
Rachel and her journey through this world was great but I did feel like it was lacking in parts. Some parts did kinda feel a little unrealistic? Like things just so happen to turn out okay because of plot armour. But I managed to ignore that because of how cool the world and creatures around her were
Slight spoilers I guess? Go to *** to skip just incase
The ending I felt like was a little fast? Like maybe if what happened to lota in the end had began earlier on- before Rachel found her.
And I wanted to hear more about the start of their relationship!! I get they’re like star crossed love at first sight kinda couple but I feel like these two awkward characters could have had like a whole date night or something. Like some sort of reward after all the hurt they’ve been through that shows them trying to resume normality and get to know each other.
But other than that I though their relationship was really well done and I can scarcely find any good proper lesbian books that have characters that are so greatly represented
There were still quite a few questions that were left unanswered at the end wich is a little bit annoying. Like if you look into the technique of chekhov's gun- a lot of bits were put in but none of them were really answered at the end or brought back up and from all that was talked about I thought there was going to be more
***
When recommending to others I’d give it 4 stars. This is because there are obviously some little bugs in the narrative but that’s common with a lot of books- what sells it the most is the character driven story of the last two souls on earth finding each other.
But- for me personally is give it a 5 stars which is what I have done. It’s some of my favourite things rolled into one- it’s just so engrossing and immersive and I loved it so much!
Song vibes:
Can I call you tonight?-Dayglow
Ribs-Lorde
Mr Blue sky- Electric light orchestra
(This one specifically reminds me of Lotas cheery broadcasts)
Radio apocalypse- marketed as a dystopian post apocalyptic lesbian slowburn
I was intrigued I say the least and I’m super happy to say that it lived up to my expectations and in many way- exceeded it.
If you’re a fan of:
Lemon demon
Tally hall/ miracle musical
Weird core aesthetic
Biblically accurate angels
The Magnus Archives
Good wlw representation
You will like this book
Reading it reminded me how fun reading can be. The story, the characters, the freaks were all so fun and well thought out. It’s a brilliant and well thought out story with parts that were just so enjoyable.
Lota is such an entertaining character - her radio broadcast are humorous and optimistic despite the world around her crumbling
“Now onto the traffic- there is no traffic this is the apocalypse!”
Her dialogue is so well done and really makes her come to life.
Her and Rachel are the complete opposite but go so well together. Lota is this energetic chaotic but wary individual. She creates well thought out plans and is great at staying positive. Rachel on the other hand is slightly quiet and often acts impulsively and breaks from the comfort of her routine. But the two of them together trying to find each other thinking they’re the last people alive was just such a great trope!
Rachel and her journey through this world was great but I did feel like it was lacking in parts. Some parts did kinda feel a little unrealistic? Like things just so happen to turn out okay because of plot armour. But I managed to ignore that because of how cool the world and creatures around her were
Slight spoilers I guess? Go to *** to skip just incase
The ending I felt like was a little fast? Like maybe if what happened to lota in the end had began earlier on- before Rachel found her.
And I wanted to hear more about the start of their relationship!! I get they’re like star crossed love at first sight kinda couple but I feel like these two awkward characters could have had like a whole date night or something. Like some sort of reward after all the hurt they’ve been through that shows them trying to resume normality and get to know each other.
But other than that I though their relationship was really well done and I can scarcely find any good proper lesbian books that have characters that are so greatly represented
There were still quite a few questions that were left unanswered at the end wich is a little bit annoying. Like if you look into the technique of chekhov's gun- a lot of bits were put in but none of them were really answered at the end or brought back up and from all that was talked about I thought there was going to be more
***
When recommending to others I’d give it 4 stars. This is because there are obviously some little bugs in the narrative but that’s common with a lot of books- what sells it the most is the character driven story of the last two souls on earth finding each other.
But- for me personally is give it a 5 stars which is what I have done. It’s some of my favourite things rolled into one- it’s just so engrossing and immersive and I loved it so much!
Song vibes:
Can I call you tonight?-Dayglow
Ribs-Lorde
Mr Blue sky- Electric light orchestra
(This one specifically reminds me of Lotas cheery broadcasts)
April 3, 2023
ok, i think 2 stars might be harsh - generally this was a decent book, and i did enjoy it to an extent, so lets call it 2.5 - but there were little bits in it that kind of threw me off :(
i was super pumped about this, like self published independent authors?? hell yea!! but its a shame that it was a little lacking in some areas. there were parts where the story felt a little disconnected, with things happening just because, and there a lot of little bits happening in between that made it a bit jumpy overall
and the ending?? what was happening?? i feel like i missed some crucial information somewhere. what was the deal with the last place they went?? what did it mean??? it ends so quickly and we get no answers and its kinda frustrating
its a shame, i was super excited about this one. its not awful, and makes for a decent read to pass the time, but thats all id have it for
i was super pumped about this, like self published independent authors?? hell yea!! but its a shame that it was a little lacking in some areas. there were parts where the story felt a little disconnected, with things happening just because, and there a lot of little bits happening in between that made it a bit jumpy overall
and the ending?? what was happening?? i feel like i missed some crucial information somewhere. what was the deal with the last place they went?? what did it mean??? it ends so quickly and we get no answers and its kinda frustrating
its a shame, i was super excited about this one. its not awful, and makes for a decent read to pass the time, but thats all id have it for
November 4, 2022
The pacing of this book is wayyyy off. The beginning where they haven’t even communicated lasts too long, and then everything else goes by extremely fast. Rachel being in the wildness felt like it lasted 3 days but apparently it was weeks??
Also, in my opinion, this could have worked really well as a podcast. I mean it’s called RADIO apocalypse. Script is quite boring for me to read and that’s half of the book. Having a podcast could have really brought the story to life !
Also, in my opinion, this could have worked really well as a podcast. I mean it’s called RADIO apocalypse. Script is quite boring for me to read and that’s half of the book. Having a podcast could have really brought the story to life !
May 6, 2024
I have a lot of thoughts on this, so I do want to write a proper review for it a bit later
May 4, 2023
I started this book last year and have finally finished it today after a massive reading slump!! Radio Apocalypse was an intriguing book, to say the least. I discovered the book through TikTok and bought it almost instantly, I mean the idea of a sapphic romance built around a post apocalyptic world was too cool not to. I read the first half of the book quickly and I loved it, the characters were sweet and the creatures were fantastical and ethereal almost. While I did find that the last quarter of the book confused me a little bit, overall I found this book to be sweet and lovable and would totally recommend it if you’re looking for new sapphic romance novels, especially of the sci-fi fantastical nature.
December 30, 2022
I was really excited to read this book because I adore stories set in the apocalypse or, you know, in a post-apocalyptic world. So, obviously, as soon as I saw that this was set almost 7000 days after the world had ended (and that it was a sapphic romance!) I ordered and finished it in a day.
This brings us to my first point: the story is really captivating.
Sci-fi and fantasy are two genres that I like but can yet be really confusing because you basically enter a world and a story where a lot of things are unfamiliar.
Yet, with this book, when you start reading, it's not hard to understand. There's no mention of some kind of different planet it would be set on, or a society that is completely fictive. I mean, basically, there's no society anymore. Plus it's set on Earth (both in what used to be England and what used to be North America). So, yeah, it was not as confusing as I feared it would be.
But then, we're starting to talk about some creatures and that's when I got a bit taken aback. I know I shouldn't have because this is a sci-fi book after all, but still, wasn't expecting them to appear out of nowhere without really any explanation.
But that's the thing - coming to my second point - the characters don't know where or even when the creatures appeared or from where they come from. Which is fine because, as I moved forward in the story, I told myself that we were going to understand with the characters, at the same time, together. And yet...
It felt unfinished.
The story is really interesting and the characters are too and we do learn a lot about them throughout the story and the way they react to certain things and talk, but still, as we finish the book, it feels like there's so much missing. And it feels a bit frustrating because the plot and the whole sci-fi side really drew you in and you want to dive even more in but you're just cut short. And it's 500 pages so this is even more frustrating.
So my last point will be this; I did enjoy the book because the story really was interesting (as I keep saying) and I was even more impressed by how well written it was when I found out that the author are only 17.
That being said, the story had/has so much potential that you're left hungry for more. I'm not sure if they plan on writing a sequel (or a prequel maybe?) but I would really like that considering the many questions that remain after finishing the book.
This brings us to my first point: the story is really captivating.
Sci-fi and fantasy are two genres that I like but can yet be really confusing because you basically enter a world and a story where a lot of things are unfamiliar.
Yet, with this book, when you start reading, it's not hard to understand. There's no mention of some kind of different planet it would be set on, or a society that is completely fictive. I mean, basically, there's no society anymore. Plus it's set on Earth (both in what used to be England and what used to be North America). So, yeah, it was not as confusing as I feared it would be.
But then, we're starting to talk about some creatures and that's when I got a bit taken aback. I know I shouldn't have because this is a sci-fi book after all, but still, wasn't expecting them to appear out of nowhere without really any explanation.
But that's the thing - coming to my second point - the characters don't know where or even when the creatures appeared or from where they come from. Which is fine because, as I moved forward in the story, I told myself that we were going to understand with the characters, at the same time, together. And yet...
It felt unfinished.
The story is really interesting and the characters are too and we do learn a lot about them throughout the story and the way they react to certain things and talk, but still, as we finish the book, it feels like there's so much missing. And it feels a bit frustrating because the plot and the whole sci-fi side really drew you in and you want to dive even more in but you're just cut short. And it's 500 pages so this is even more frustrating.
So my last point will be this; I did enjoy the book because the story really was interesting (as I keep saying) and I was even more impressed by how well written it was when I found out that the author are only 17.
That being said, the story had/has so much potential that you're left hungry for more. I'm not sure if they plan on writing a sequel (or a prequel maybe?) but I would really like that considering the many questions that remain after finishing the book.
January 17, 2024
I dedicate my 1st star for some of the monsters and the 2nd to the potential this book certainly had, but did not live up to. It reads like a third draft of a book, void of beta readers, and it’s a shame because the author said it was the tenth. It needed a lot more editing.
There was something off about the narration. I can’t pinpoint it, but the first person narration was sometimes annoying. I did however enjoy the radio transcripts.
The author also marketed this as a horror novel, but as someone who has read a decent amount I can safely say it wasn’t. Like why would I be scared for the main characters when the author already makes half the monsters…. Not be too bad. And for a big theme to be isolation, there really wasn’t any. The author keeps TELLING us they’re sad and isolated, but we don’t see it. We start almost immediately to when they make contact.
Speaking of show don’t tell, that is basically nonexistent in this book. The characters were acting plain stupid sometimes. I don’t understand how they’re supposedly smart, I don’t understand how they’re even alive, but it’s okay because the author tells us how smart they are. I have also read a lot on the sci-fi, dystopia, apocalypse genre, and I can tell that this is the most poorly thought out setting there is. So unrealistic, almost sheer ridiculousness.
The plot is also character driven, which is usually my cup of tea, but the result is very little cohesive plot and not in a good way. It’s also hard to like a character driven plot when the characters are making dumb decisions that supposedly just work out for them. It is also inconsistent, like the author wrote things then forgot about it. Some things were just so random.
There is little chemistry between the only two characters in the book and the insta love is not it. They literally kiss two seconds after they meet like?? No conversation about their feelings, nothing. It felt ridiculously artificial.
I’m surprised the beta readers let this book slide. If anything, I truly believe that if the author just did a revision and properly edited it with some more help, it could potentially live up to its potential.
There was something off about the narration. I can’t pinpoint it, but the first person narration was sometimes annoying. I did however enjoy the radio transcripts.
The author also marketed this as a horror novel, but as someone who has read a decent amount I can safely say it wasn’t. Like why would I be scared for the main characters when the author already makes half the monsters…. Not be too bad. And for a big theme to be isolation, there really wasn’t any. The author keeps TELLING us they’re sad and isolated, but we don’t see it. We start almost immediately to when they make contact.
Speaking of show don’t tell, that is basically nonexistent in this book. The characters were acting plain stupid sometimes. I don’t understand how they’re supposedly smart, I don’t understand how they’re even alive, but it’s okay because the author tells us how smart they are. I have also read a lot on the sci-fi, dystopia, apocalypse genre, and I can tell that this is the most poorly thought out setting there is. So unrealistic, almost sheer ridiculousness.
The plot is also character driven, which is usually my cup of tea, but the result is very little cohesive plot and not in a good way. It’s also hard to like a character driven plot when the characters are making dumb decisions that supposedly just work out for them. It is also inconsistent, like the author wrote things then forgot about it. Some things were just so random.
There is little chemistry between the only two characters in the book and the insta love is not it. They literally kiss two seconds after they meet like?? No conversation about their feelings, nothing. It felt ridiculously artificial.
I’m surprised the beta readers let this book slide. If anything, I truly believe that if the author just did a revision and properly edited it with some more help, it could potentially live up to its potential.
September 9, 2022
i have been searching for a lesbian book for so long, let alone an apocalyptic one?? i asked for it for my birthday MONTHS in advance, and was so excited to get it. so then came the school year when i decided to pick it up and binge read it.
but this is where i was let down. the book is set in present tense format, but the wording of it is horrible. i don’t know why i hate it so much, but just to confirm i’m not the only one, i asked some people at school and every one of them agreed it was weird.
to start with the story review, the ‘zombies’ are as tall as buildings, but without legs? i couldn’t figure out if that is what was happening, even if that’s not what’s happening, it doesn’t affect the story anyway.
that leads me onto my next point that this story had no hook. nothing to pull you in and make you read for hours. i so wanted a great one, but instead i got nothing.
this wasn’t the only boring part though because what really put me off was the 5-10 page house tour. infact this is what i stopped reading after because of boredom.
after i decided to stop reading it, i skipped ahead a bit just to see how some stuff happens. and to me it seemed that lota doesn’t even know that rachel exits for almost the entirety of the book? this was so frustrating, because her radio broadcasts were soo boring. you would think that rachel would find a way to get in contact??
but this is where i was let down. the book is set in present tense format, but the wording of it is horrible. i don’t know why i hate it so much, but just to confirm i’m not the only one, i asked some people at school and every one of them agreed it was weird.
to start with the story review, the ‘zombies’ are as tall as buildings, but without legs? i couldn’t figure out if that is what was happening, even if that’s not what’s happening, it doesn’t affect the story anyway.
that leads me onto my next point that this story had no hook. nothing to pull you in and make you read for hours. i so wanted a great one, but instead i got nothing.
this wasn’t the only boring part though because what really put me off was the 5-10 page house tour. infact this is what i stopped reading after because of boredom.
after i decided to stop reading it, i skipped ahead a bit just to see how some stuff happens. and to me it seemed that lota doesn’t even know that rachel exits for almost the entirety of the book? this was so frustrating, because her radio broadcasts were soo boring. you would think that rachel would find a way to get in contact??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
Soooooooo... I've found a new favorite indie book.........
Radio Apocalypse takes its time, but it's so, so worth it. Atmospheric is the biggest word I can think of to describe it. And it feels a little like a video game, in places? Or like old Winnie the Pooh cartoons or other older animated media, where you can kind of tell what is going to be interactable and what isn't because they can't be drawn as one layer. I've seen some people talk about how the writing style is childish, but to me... it just feels honest. And honestly, although it took me a couple tries to get past the first few pages, once i did i was enamored, plain and simple.
It did take a couple of starts, and it's the kind of book that leaves you with more questions than answers, but for me, at least, it did that in a good way. In an exactly-what-i-wanted-from-it way.
So... yeah. Definitely on my 2023 top ten.
Radio Apocalypse takes its time, but it's so, so worth it. Atmospheric is the biggest word I can think of to describe it. And it feels a little like a video game, in places? Or like old Winnie the Pooh cartoons or other older animated media, where you can kind of tell what is going to be interactable and what isn't because they can't be drawn as one layer. I've seen some people talk about how the writing style is childish, but to me... it just feels honest. And honestly, although it took me a couple tries to get past the first few pages, once i did i was enamored, plain and simple.
It did take a couple of starts, and it's the kind of book that leaves you with more questions than answers, but for me, at least, it did that in a good way. In an exactly-what-i-wanted-from-it way.
So... yeah. Definitely on my 2023 top ten.
June 12, 2024
I have mixed feelings on this book. I greatly enjoyed it and the descriptions of the mutated humanoids gave me very clear images in my head that definitely conveyed the complete surreal terror that these girls faced. At times the plot moved rapidly and didn’t quite seem to make sense and could’ve been further explored but was abandoned. Like what was that impulsive thought rachel had about gouging Lotas eyes out??? Like okayyyy??? Then we just move past that.
I’m glad Rachel made it to Lauren but realistically (which luckily this isn’t) she 100% would’ve died the first night on the boat and especially when it capsized. I guess miss girl just insanely lucky bc there is no way she should’ve been about to make it with a boat that was 20 years old to a girl 3000miles away with no map, compass, gps or anything and she only had a very general idea of where Lauren was located. Not to mention that how tf Lauren was able to find her in the first place, girl has some guardian angel or all the luck in the world bc the US is massive and the chance of them actually running into eachother like that is insane!
I think this story has potential for more if the author chooses to expand on it and I would love to see more of Rachel and Lauren’s adventures and whatever fuckshit is going on with Lauren head bc those were some terrifying dreams she was having. I would also like an illustrated book of the mutated monsters. I think that would definitely be super cool😎
Anyway,
Madi signing off ✌🏻
I’m glad Rachel made it to Lauren but realistically (which luckily this isn’t) she 100% would’ve died the first night on the boat and especially when it capsized. I guess miss girl just insanely lucky bc there is no way she should’ve been about to make it with a boat that was 20 years old to a girl 3000miles away with no map, compass, gps or anything and she only had a very general idea of where Lauren was located. Not to mention that how tf Lauren was able to find her in the first place, girl has some guardian angel or all the luck in the world bc the US is massive and the chance of them actually running into eachother like that is insane!
I think this story has potential for more if the author chooses to expand on it and I would love to see more of Rachel and Lauren’s adventures and whatever fuckshit is going on with Lauren head bc those were some terrifying dreams she was having. I would also like an illustrated book of the mutated monsters. I think that would definitely be super cool😎
Anyway,
Madi signing off ✌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
I’m sorry but I cannot like this book. I know the other is young and self published but this was just not good. I finished the book because j was intrigued on how the story would go but I regret it because it made absolutely no sense and everything was so rushed for the entire last half. Furthermore, how are you in a 15+ year apocalypse but you somehow have access to years worth of hair dye, ICE CREAM???, AND EGGS/BACON??? There is no mention of any farm or farm animals and they also can’t go outside without radiation poisoning so obviously all the animals are dead so like what the heck? The romance was so extremely rushed and juvenile even though I think these characters are supposed to be in their twenties. They speak too matter of factly and this just seems like an odd fanfic. The monsters and apocalypse makes no sense, they somehow find each other without communication, and then there’s weird plot points that were so unneeded. Overall, I do think the writing was technically good in regard to grammar and descriptions but not dialogue. I think the author would be better off writing poetry!
July 29, 2025
spooky eldritch horror post apocalypse u haul lesbians where earth gets truly fucked up. loved the two main characters and wish we saw a little more of their happy ending. genuinely made my skin crawl at times this book had some of the more creative horror aspects ive ever seen and im sure I will see these creatures in my nightmares.
November 11, 2022
Okey, ya sé que está feo decir que me gustaría vivir en el post-apocalipsis, pero es que tampoco me lo han pintado tan mal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
really cute chill train read. thought the past 20 pages or so were quite weak which is a shame but I really enjoyed the rest of it
January 31, 2025
A lot of good ideas, but better planning would have made a more cohesive story that would have been more exciting to read.
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