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Into the Mist #2
Out of the Dawn
Mercury Rhodes leads a group of survivors toward salvation—that is, until someone, or something, starts hunting them again.
Mercury Rhodes barely remembers life before the bombs fell, before the green mist. While it proved deadly to all the men who breathed it in, it gave new life to some women who did the same. The green mist provided each member of her newfound family an ability: Stella’s sense of the future, Imani’s earthly connection, Karen’s bond with Spirit, and Gemma’s healing ability. Although Mercury now has incredible physical strength—she doesn’t know if she will be strong enough for what comes next. Especially after the death of Ford, their companion through the aftermath of the mist.
The group finds respite in creating a small community in the Painted Hills. Together, they hope to find a place where they can start over. But Mercury knows it won’t be that simple, not when she knows someone, or something, is hunting them. Something that wants to rule the ruins of the world and something who sees Mercury as a threat to get rid of.
Mercury will have to muster all her strength if she is to fight for a new dawn. The fate of her friends—and the world—depend on it.
Mercury Rhodes barely remembers life before the bombs fell, before the green mist. While it proved deadly to all the men who breathed it in, it gave new life to some women who did the same. The green mist provided each member of her newfound family an ability: Stella’s sense of the future, Imani’s earthly connection, Karen’s bond with Spirit, and Gemma’s healing ability. Although Mercury now has incredible physical strength—she doesn’t know if she will be strong enough for what comes next. Especially after the death of Ford, their companion through the aftermath of the mist.
The group finds respite in creating a small community in the Painted Hills. Together, they hope to find a place where they can start over. But Mercury knows it won’t be that simple, not when she knows someone, or something, is hunting them. Something that wants to rule the ruins of the world and something who sees Mercury as a threat to get rid of.
Mercury will have to muster all her strength if she is to fight for a new dawn. The fate of her friends—and the world—depend on it.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 8, 2023
57 people are currently reading
6912 people want to read
About the author
P.C. Cast
163 books28.3k followersPC was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. PC is an experienced teacher and talented speaker. Ms. Cast lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. House of Night Other World, book 4, FOUND, releases July 7th, 2020. More info to come soon about the HoN TV series!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 19, 2023
I loved the first book in this series and this book was one of my most anticipated books of the year.
The series returns with the teachers and Gemma as they start focusing on building what the new world looks like according to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel this book held the same fervor as the first book. I enjoyed Gemma’s part of the story, but overall this book didn’t do anything to promote the series.
Listening to the audiobook was great as Lorelei King did a spectacular job.
The series returns with the teachers and Gemma as they start focusing on building what the new world looks like according to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel this book held the same fervor as the first book. I enjoyed Gemma’s part of the story, but overall this book didn’t do anything to promote the series.
Listening to the audiobook was great as Lorelei King did a spectacular job.
August 17, 2023
Mercury can hardly remember life before the green mist. While being deadly to men who breathed it in, it gave new life to the women who did. The green mist gave each member of her newfound family superhuman abilities. Mercury has heightened physical powers, Stella has a sixth sense about the future, Imani has a connection to Earth, Karen has a connection to spirits, and Gemma becomes a healer. The group creates a small community in the Painted Hills. Mercury knows something or someone is hunting them, something that wants to rule the world and sees her as a threat.
Out of the Dawn is creative and entertaining just like the first book. I received this as an audiobook ARC and the narrator did a fantastic job keeping my focus and attention. I really enjoyed the heroine aspect of the book and the group banning together to save the world. I enjoyed the story of survival and building a new community in a new world that is their new reality. There was a repetitiveness to the writing though that wasn't my favorite. Overall, it was enjoyable and if you like a superhero book with a strong girl power feel, I think you'd enjoy this.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC and giving me the chance to listen and review it honestly.
Out of the Dawn is creative and entertaining just like the first book. I received this as an audiobook ARC and the narrator did a fantastic job keeping my focus and attention. I really enjoyed the heroine aspect of the book and the group banning together to save the world. I enjoyed the story of survival and building a new community in a new world that is their new reality. There was a repetitiveness to the writing though that wasn't my favorite. Overall, it was enjoyable and if you like a superhero book with a strong girl power feel, I think you'd enjoy this.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC and giving me the chance to listen and review it honestly.
July 10, 2023
This book! The suspense was nail-biting. The characters, who were developed in Into The Mist, are evolving in this one, and it’s great to see them take root in their roles in this mew world.
Every description is so well-described that I could totally imagine myself with them.
If you like dystopian stories with a beautiful touch of fantasy, than this one is for you!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Every description is so well-described that I could totally imagine myself with them.
If you like dystopian stories with a beautiful touch of fantasy, than this one is for you!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 1, 2023
YouTube review can be found here.
Full written review can be found on Medium.
Here's the abridged version.
What I Liked
-The setup with the group from Timberline Lodge making their way toward the core group's camp, forcing them to accelerate in getting shelter properly established.
-The ending, with Mother Earth awakening to protect herself.
What I Didn't Like
-P.C. Cast used -like 40 times, including cave-like 12 times
-There's a ridiculous number of far too similar character names, leading to Gemma and Georgie getting mixed in dialogue a couple times
-So many excessively long sentences, including a 78 word sentence.
-Slow pacing and, for most of the book, no sense of stakes.
-Al and Eva were completely ineffectual villains who spent most of the book having zero impact on the protagonists.
-Al and Eva developed new powers out of nowhere during the climax.
-Though the ending was interesting and thematically consistent with the series, there wasn't a proper build-up, so it didn't feel like an actual pay-off to anything.
-The world-building continues to be paper thin and falls apart at the slightest questioning.
-Constant inclusion of racist language and microaggressions for the sole purpose of reminding readers that the villains are bad.
-Ableism, victim blaming, fatphobia, and ageism.
-Despite being a feminist apocalypse for and about women, the main characters are constantly getting saved by a man.
-There is an entirely unnecessary and extremely triggering rape subplot that could have been entirely cut with minimal impact to the overall story and character arcs.
-Chad Condon could have been completely cut out of the story.
-One of only three people of colour in this book is physically changed by the mist, becoming part goat. He says he feels more himself and at home in his body than he ever has before. Yeah... Maybe don't have a person of colour say they feel more like their true self in the body of an animal.
-There is exactly one very brief conversation about trans women and nonbinary people in this book. In it, the author hand waves all concerns about erasure and questions about how a biological weapon like the mist works when sex is not two discrete categories by saying, "It's about spirit, not biology!" This not only doesn't grapple with the actual nuance of the issue, but also causes the entire premise of the plot to fall apart.
Full written review can be found on Medium.
Here's the abridged version.
What I Liked
-The setup with the group from Timberline Lodge making their way toward the core group's camp, forcing them to accelerate in getting shelter properly established.
-The ending, with Mother Earth awakening to protect herself.
What I Didn't Like
-P.C. Cast used -like 40 times, including cave-like 12 times
-There's a ridiculous number of far too similar character names, leading to Gemma and Georgie getting mixed in dialogue a couple times
-So many excessively long sentences, including a 78 word sentence.
-Slow pacing and, for most of the book, no sense of stakes.
-Al and Eva were completely ineffectual villains who spent most of the book having zero impact on the protagonists.
-Al and Eva developed new powers out of nowhere during the climax.
-Though the ending was interesting and thematically consistent with the series, there wasn't a proper build-up, so it didn't feel like an actual pay-off to anything.
-The world-building continues to be paper thin and falls apart at the slightest questioning.
-Constant inclusion of racist language and microaggressions for the sole purpose of reminding readers that the villains are bad.
-Ableism, victim blaming, fatphobia, and ageism.
-Despite being a feminist apocalypse for and about women, the main characters are constantly getting saved by a man.
-There is an entirely unnecessary and extremely triggering rape subplot that could have been entirely cut with minimal impact to the overall story and character arcs.
-Chad Condon could have been completely cut out of the story.
-One of only three people of colour in this book is physically changed by the mist, becoming part goat. He says he feels more himself and at home in his body than he ever has before. Yeah... Maybe don't have a person of colour say they feel more like their true self in the body of an animal.
-There is exactly one very brief conversation about trans women and nonbinary people in this book. In it, the author hand waves all concerns about erasure and questions about how a biological weapon like the mist works when sex is not two discrete categories by saying, "It's about spirit, not biology!" This not only doesn't grapple with the actual nuance of the issue, but also causes the entire premise of the plot to fall apart.
August 8, 2023
I received this book as an ARC reader, before the official release, in exchange for an honest review.
I did absolutely love the magick system and how their abilities were enhancements of skills or interests they already had. It didn’t make me feel like the characters were “missing” anything before they reached their peak. They didn’t need anything they didn’t already have, it just got turned up and came with a few extra perks.
There were several conflicts that, even though I saw them coming, I was surprised at how they played out. I appreciated that the bad guys were essentially just regular people. It show cases how power can corrupt or enlighten depending on who it is given to.
I do wish some things had been better explained or resolved. Where did the mist come from? Why did it only give power to women? What causes the exception to the men it didn’t kill? How much exposure can they withstand? While I can understand why some of this was left unanswered, I can’t help but want to know.
I would absolutely love another book! I want to see the world that their community creates and expands. I want to see what else the mist does. I want to see how much their powers grow. I want more!
I did absolutely love the magick system and how their abilities were enhancements of skills or interests they already had. It didn’t make me feel like the characters were “missing” anything before they reached their peak. They didn’t need anything they didn’t already have, it just got turned up and came with a few extra perks.
There were several conflicts that, even though I saw them coming, I was surprised at how they played out. I appreciated that the bad guys were essentially just regular people. It show cases how power can corrupt or enlighten depending on who it is given to.
I do wish some things had been better explained or resolved. Where did the mist come from? Why did it only give power to women? What causes the exception to the men it didn’t kill? How much exposure can they withstand? While I can understand why some of this was left unanswered, I can’t help but want to know.
I would absolutely love another book! I want to see the world that their community creates and expands. I want to see what else the mist does. I want to see how much their powers grow. I want more!
Want to read
June 23, 2023I guess I'll be buying this one since my ARC request got denied :( Don't the publishers know I have the 2nd highest liked review on Goodreads of INTO THE MIST??? Gosh.
October 25, 2025
This is a great follow up to “Into the Mist “. The questions I had were answered. Strong female characters. So good. This book has everything. Apocalyptic. Dystopian. Mythical. Fantasy. I would
have given 5 stars, but there’s some editing issues
that were slightly annoying to me. Overall the writing
is great. I recommend both books.
have given 5 stars, but there’s some editing issues
that were slightly annoying to me. Overall the writing
is great. I recommend both books.
December 3, 2023
I wanted to like this book so bad, because I really liked the premise (countries/a country mad at the US attacks us with bombs made of green mist, green mist kills all the dudes, women are in charge, how does that go?!)
Then, it turns out some men live. Apparently some men were hiking (above the mist) or were in walk-in freezers (so many dudes in freezers! Good for them) or were just evil, like Al (not a spoiler; he was in the first book).
This part bothered me, because we as women or gender non-conforming people *know* men are dangerous to them (yeah, #notallmen, I know!) It's now again about women trying to survive men trying to kill them - this is not new! This is every day for women around the world. We need more mist.
Also, I don't need to be reminded people are evil because they kill baby animals. Jeez. All the animal killing was excessive; have you thought about harassing the prisoners in Madras? That's also evil and doesn't kill baby animals.
Anyway, the book could have been stronger if just Eva got to be "the bad guy." We don't need Al to be scared of bad people - women can be bad people! The majority of the book is just what would happen if some men died but others survived. No mist needed.
In the end, I don't know what this book is trying to be. Countries are mad at the US, specifically the dudes running it, they bomb us and most guys die. I don't even care that the mist wasn't explained, but I *do not believe* that the mist was somehow engineered to give women superpowers that also... have other things in it that I won't mention because they're spoilers.
Is this a book a critique of patriarchal capitalism? If so, I'm down! Is this a book on feminism and paganism and creating a new world? If so, I'm also down! But it is a mashed critique of patriarchal capitalism that then turns into feminist paganism? If so... I'm confused.
Also, it still bothers me from the first book that Imani lost her husband and toddlers, and Karen (who we were supposed to hate in book 1 but like now?) lost her husband and grown sons, but they're supposed to get over it quickly? Yet Mercury meets a dude in the mist, knows him for 3 days, and then gets to sleep off her sadness for three days while everyone else does all the work?
And one last gripe, the wildly bad decisions of Stella and Mercury in acquiescing to Gemma's demands (that lead to Very Bad Things). Stella's given the ability to sense things, but when she says 'this is dangerous' they're all like, 'haha whatever let's try it.' Why?!
2 stars because I like the premise, and the book actually has a satisfactory (for these characters) ending. No book 3 needed!
Then, it turns out some men live. Apparently some men were hiking (above the mist) or were in walk-in freezers (so many dudes in freezers! Good for them) or were just evil, like Al (not a spoiler; he was in the first book).
This part bothered me, because we as women or gender non-conforming people *know* men are dangerous to them (yeah, #notallmen, I know!) It's now again about women trying to survive men trying to kill them - this is not new! This is every day for women around the world. We need more mist.
Also, I don't need to be reminded people are evil because they kill baby animals. Jeez. All the animal killing was excessive; have you thought about harassing the prisoners in Madras? That's also evil and doesn't kill baby animals.
Anyway, the book could have been stronger if just Eva got to be "the bad guy." We don't need Al to be scared of bad people - women can be bad people! The majority of the book is just what would happen if some men died but others survived. No mist needed.
In the end, I don't know what this book is trying to be. Countries are mad at the US, specifically the dudes running it, they bomb us and most guys die. I don't even care that the mist wasn't explained, but I *do not believe* that the mist was somehow engineered to give women superpowers that also... have other things in it that I won't mention because they're spoilers.
Is this a book a critique of patriarchal capitalism? If so, I'm down! Is this a book on feminism and paganism and creating a new world? If so, I'm also down! But it is a mashed critique of patriarchal capitalism that then turns into feminist paganism? If so... I'm confused.
Also, it still bothers me from the first book that Imani lost her husband and toddlers, and Karen (who we were supposed to hate in book 1 but like now?) lost her husband and grown sons, but they're supposed to get over it quickly? Yet Mercury meets a dude in the mist, knows him for 3 days, and then gets to sleep off her sadness for three days while everyone else does all the work?
And one last gripe, the wildly bad decisions of Stella and Mercury in acquiescing to Gemma's demands (that lead to Very Bad Things). Stella's given the ability to sense things, but when she says 'this is dangerous' they're all like, 'haha whatever let's try it.' Why?!
2 stars because I like the premise, and the book actually has a satisfactory (for these characters) ending. No book 3 needed!
August 3, 2023
I enjoyed the first book in this series, Into the Mist, and was happy to return to the world and characters but had some mixed feelings about Out of the Dawn. While set in a post apocalyptic world, this book felt more focused on the fantasy and magical elements versus the dystopian vibe of the first book. The writing style had some things I don’t love - there was an overuse of names and nicknames in dialog, repetitive dialog and words/phrases, a lot of telling vs showing and several occurrences of the dreaded “she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding” which are all pet peeves of mine. There is also a triggering subplot that felt unnecessary. It is a really interesting world and concept, but the slower pace and writing style didn’t fully work for me. I enjoyed how it wrapped up and wish that had been expanded upon instead of some of the unnecessary side plots. While things do come to a conclusion, the ending left room for an additional book in the series.
I split time between the audio and physical book and enjoyed both formats. The narrator on the audiobook is Lorelei King and she does a fantastic job!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the ARC/ALC.
I split time between the audio and physical book and enjoyed both formats. The narrator on the audiobook is Lorelei King and she does a fantastic job!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the ARC/ALC.
July 15, 2024
The sequel and conclusion to Into the Mist was a ride. Still giving The Mist, The Stand, The Fireman, Sleeping Beauties, Chronicles of the One, and Y: The Last Man vibes! But also its own post-apocalyptic story. Glad to have gotten back into P. C. Cast!
January 31, 2024
DNFing this book at present. I enjoyed PC Cast's other series, but in the first book there was an excessive use of the word pee. I looked it up and it's used 72 times in 342 pages. Immediately in the next book, first chapter it's used again. Then a couple chapters in TWICE on one page, 48 times in the second book. And these are adults, saying stupid stuff like get up, go pee, get some coffee and then we'll head out. AND THEN! There's a set of twins in the books, in the first one their names are Jayden and Cayden. Their names in the second book? Cayden and Hayden. Not just a once typo. Completely changed. And NOBODY mentions this in ANY of the other reviews I read. Was it just my copy? How did something as important as a set of twins who are mentioned SEVERAL times and spend over half of the first book with the main characters get messed up and changed in the second book. The books weren't published so far apart that people wouldn't notice something like that. Massive error for me, and I cannot continue at this time.
August 2, 2023
THIS BOOK! As a huge fan of Into the Mist I just couldn't wait to get my hands on Out of the Dawn. I am so happy to have snagged an advanced copy! I loved revisiting these characters and seeing how much they have grown and come into themselves. Karen, in particular surprised me so much with her growth and I loved experiencing her point of views. I really appreciated the themes surrounding this book and the delicate but powerful connection with nature our characters had was stunning. With the broadening of this story and some of the fantastical things happening I am very impressed with the amount of tension and edge of your seat dread this was able to hold for me. Towards the end I was worried that there just weren't enough pages left to wrap up the story in a concise way, but I loved how this ended!
A huge thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape media for my advanced copy!
A huge thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape media for my advanced copy!
February 26, 2024
I'm really bummed about this one. I love dystopian, apocalyptic stories. Add magick and fantasy and I'm usually enthralled.
I've read PC Cast before and I do like her writing.
However, this book was just so boring. It dragged, and dragged. Plus, so many elements were so similar to the Tales of a New World series. It just didn't give me the satisfaction I usually get when reading a book.
To make things worse, there was never a resolution as to what actually caused the bombs and how the rest of the world was faring.
That's probably not where the author wanted it to go. As a reader, I would have enjoyed that piece resolved.
I absolutely loved book 1 but this one left way too much to be desired.
I've read PC Cast before and I do like her writing.
However, this book was just so boring. It dragged, and dragged. Plus, so many elements were so similar to the Tales of a New World series. It just didn't give me the satisfaction I usually get when reading a book.
To make things worse, there was never a resolution as to what actually caused the bombs and how the rest of the world was faring.
That's probably not where the author wanted it to go. As a reader, I would have enjoyed that piece resolved.
I absolutely loved book 1 but this one left way too much to be desired.
October 2, 2023
Thought it would be more
As most everyone else, I waited a long time for this book to come out. The first one was sooo good. This one took me a while to read. Just didn’t feel the same, or felt something was missing. Took me a while to just get through it. When the story picked up it was better, but just never quite made it home for me.
It’s interesting how Ford came back. The storyline with Gemma was a lil predictable. The punishment for the crime against women was definitely predictable. The end of the story was not predictable.
I feel like this second book could have been great, but for me, it just missed its mark.
As most everyone else, I waited a long time for this book to come out. The first one was sooo good. This one took me a while to read. Just didn’t feel the same, or felt something was missing. Took me a while to just get through it. When the story picked up it was better, but just never quite made it home for me.
It’s interesting how Ford came back. The storyline with Gemma was a lil predictable. The punishment for the crime against women was definitely predictable. The end of the story was not predictable.
I feel like this second book could have been great, but for me, it just missed its mark.
August 10, 2023
I seriously loved Into The Mist, so I was super excited for this book. You definitely need to read Into The Mist to really understand Out Of The Dawn. There is so much information about how they go into this situation, who the people are, and really what is happening now. If you really want to connect with the core four of this book, please start with the first book.
The women are still fighting the mist. I don’t think it’s going anywhere, and it effects continues to change. The powers it gives some women are amazing, and some frightening. In this book, the mist has an unsettling effect on a couple of men. Keep in mind, most men don’t survive it. This really changes the course of the story, and brings the women into new territory.
I absolutely love the world building that PC Cast does in these books. Watching the women build their homes from scratch, actual mud and clay, is amazing. They have become a tribe of their own, creating a new world and trying to survive in it. With their connection to the earth, and how they honor it, I was incredibly moved. I need these people to survive, to flourish.
Is this the last book for the series? I have no idea. I’m not sure where it could go after this book, but I kind of want it to continue. If The Walking Dead can have a million seasons, why can’t this series have a million follow up books? I’m ok with watching their progress and seeing what obstacles they have to face. And let’s not forget, the most keeps changing. Anything is possible.
The women are still fighting the mist. I don’t think it’s going anywhere, and it effects continues to change. The powers it gives some women are amazing, and some frightening. In this book, the mist has an unsettling effect on a couple of men. Keep in mind, most men don’t survive it. This really changes the course of the story, and brings the women into new territory.
I absolutely love the world building that PC Cast does in these books. Watching the women build their homes from scratch, actual mud and clay, is amazing. They have become a tribe of their own, creating a new world and trying to survive in it. With their connection to the earth, and how they honor it, I was incredibly moved. I need these people to survive, to flourish.
Is this the last book for the series? I have no idea. I’m not sure where it could go after this book, but I kind of want it to continue. If The Walking Dead can have a million seasons, why can’t this series have a million follow up books? I’m ok with watching their progress and seeing what obstacles they have to face. And let’s not forget, the most keeps changing. Anything is possible.
August 9, 2023
This book really adds to things from the first. I love how the core group is sticking together, realizing that it's a new world, new rules need to be made, new ceremonies need to happen and if you don't like what this community it buildings, then move on. No hard feelings.
I really felt bad for Jemma, she had to grow up a bit too fast in this one. And as bad as things were for Jemma, she had all the women at her back letting her know things would be ok going forward and crimes will be punished. Did I think the punishment was too much...no, it was about right.
Karen is one who surprised me. I like how she's blended her love for God and how the world is now. She's so much more accepting (Ford) and even happier in her life and she had some good advice for Jemma.
Mercury had to face a lot in this one, from getting over Ford, to actually living again and taking a very active role in the new community. At the end of the book she's in such a great place now, something she deserves.
All sorts of new characters to start this new community, all working to just live, be safe and happy and banding together to defeat some old foes. I hope that they all can keep the spirit of the community going!
I really felt bad for Jemma, she had to grow up a bit too fast in this one. And as bad as things were for Jemma, she had all the women at her back letting her know things would be ok going forward and crimes will be punished. Did I think the punishment was too much...no, it was about right.
Karen is one who surprised me. I like how she's blended her love for God and how the world is now. She's so much more accepting (Ford) and even happier in her life and she had some good advice for Jemma.
Mercury had to face a lot in this one, from getting over Ford, to actually living again and taking a very active role in the new community. At the end of the book she's in such a great place now, something she deserves.
All sorts of new characters to start this new community, all working to just live, be safe and happy and banding together to defeat some old foes. I hope that they all can keep the spirit of the community going!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2023
*Audiobook
TW: Rape, racial slurs, political undertones
This was the follow up to Into The Mist…following a crew of bada$$ female MCs.
While this book is a bit political I didn’t mind it because it’s subtle while still getting the point across and adding something to the story. So well done.
The characters further develop their new skills in this book and become stronger and more united. In this book not all of the men are bad or dead.
This is a fun story if survival in a post apocalyptic world. I’m a sucker for a good dystopian book. This book was perfectly atmospheric and was not wasteful with words.
I felt fully immersed while listening to this excellent audiobook. So kudos to the audiobook narrator.
Into the Mist and Out of the Dawn would make a cool mini series if there’s ever consideration for a screen adaptation
TW: Rape, racial slurs, political undertones
This was the follow up to Into The Mist…following a crew of bada$$ female MCs.
While this book is a bit political I didn’t mind it because it’s subtle while still getting the point across and adding something to the story. So well done.
The characters further develop their new skills in this book and become stronger and more united. In this book not all of the men are bad or dead.
This is a fun story if survival in a post apocalyptic world. I’m a sucker for a good dystopian book. This book was perfectly atmospheric and was not wasteful with words.
I felt fully immersed while listening to this excellent audiobook. So kudos to the audiobook narrator.
Into the Mist and Out of the Dawn would make a cool mini series if there’s ever consideration for a screen adaptation
July 25, 2023
An excellent sequel to Into The Mist! The story is exciting and emotional. Kept me engaged (and crying a little). As always I look forward to more books from P. C. Cast!!
January 29, 2024
Lots of questions left unanswered, but I assume that is for a purpose. Very poetic ending and loved the characters!
July 26, 2023
This is the sequel to Out of the Mist. It is a great follow up to the previous book.
This is the first audiobook I’ve read in awhile and it was a great one to start with since it was so good. It has gotten me out of my funk!
I received this book from Netgalley, these are my honest opinions.
This is the first audiobook I’ve read in awhile and it was a great one to start with since it was so good. It has gotten me out of my funk!
I received this book from Netgalley, these are my honest opinions.
September 28, 2023
Out of the Dawn
by P.C. Cast
Into the Mist #2
Fantasy Science Fiction Dystopia
Scribd Audio
18+
Mercury and her fellow teachers, along with some kids they picked up along the way, are making a new home in the middle of the woods, planning on using the cliffs as the templates for adobe homes so the green mist can't reach them. They know it will kill the men, but they don't know what additional exposure will do to them: enhance their powers, or kill them.
But the green mist didn't kill every man it touched, those few who lived are now something that had always lived inside of them.
The second, and final book in this series picks up pretty much where the first one left off, where the group is trying to stay alive and make a safe place for themselves and others. It stayed with the main plot of teachers who talked like teenagers and liked to drink wine and smoke pot in front of the kids in their care and let a 'mature' teenager join them, but the religious preaching, (yes, I'm a Pagan) wasn't as shove down the reader's throat as the first book, and I did like how the Christian of the group accepted the others instead of trying to force them to believe as she did, and the Pagans allowed her to believe as she wanted. “Love thy neighbor..."
I did listen to this book and while the narrator had great voice changes for the different characters, she had a couple of voices that were flat and monotone and made the characters come across as unfeeling, stuck-up b***hes who still thought they were one of the high school teens they used to teach.
As to spoilers, I can't give any more detail other than it is a good story and series, I just wish the teachers acted more like adults. (The Christian acted more like an adult than the others and that could come across unfavorably for the Pagan religions.)
While I can't give it a high rating, I do still recommend it to older readers (because of the violence and the gore/violence in the first book), as an easy/quick read.
2 Stars
by P.C. Cast
Into the Mist #2
Fantasy Science Fiction Dystopia
Scribd Audio
18+
Mercury and her fellow teachers, along with some kids they picked up along the way, are making a new home in the middle of the woods, planning on using the cliffs as the templates for adobe homes so the green mist can't reach them. They know it will kill the men, but they don't know what additional exposure will do to them: enhance their powers, or kill them.
But the green mist didn't kill every man it touched, those few who lived are now something that had always lived inside of them.
The second, and final book in this series picks up pretty much where the first one left off, where the group is trying to stay alive and make a safe place for themselves and others. It stayed with the main plot of teachers who talked like teenagers and liked to drink wine and smoke pot in front of the kids in their care and let a 'mature' teenager join them, but the religious preaching, (yes, I'm a Pagan) wasn't as shove down the reader's throat as the first book, and I did like how the Christian of the group accepted the others instead of trying to force them to believe as she did, and the Pagans allowed her to believe as she wanted. “Love thy neighbor..."
I did listen to this book and while the narrator had great voice changes for the different characters, she had a couple of voices that were flat and monotone and made the characters come across as unfeeling, stuck-up b***hes who still thought they were one of the high school teens they used to teach.
As to spoilers, I can't give any more detail other than it is a good story and series, I just wish the teachers acted more like adults. (The Christian acted more like an adult than the others and that could come across unfavorably for the Pagan religions.)
While I can't give it a high rating, I do still recommend it to older readers (because of the violence and the gore/violence in the first book), as an easy/quick read.
2 Stars
May 25, 2024
Relaxing Post-Apocolyptic Vibes. I am obsessed with this two book series, and I wish it was longer. The combination of the writer's style and the narrator's voice made this such a relaxing listening experience. One of the best parts of this book is the theme of acceptance for religions, cultures, beliefs, etc. and the idea of them working towards building a better world than the one we live in now.
June 9, 2023
I received an ebook arc of this book through Netgalley. Overall, I think the book was enjoyable. I loved the idea of the dystopian world connecting to Pagan gods. I was a little confused at the beginning especially with how the last book finished. I read the arc of the first one as well and I thought it ending a different way then how this book began with the character Ford. I loved all the characters in this book. I do think the plot was rushed at the end. Mercury is a great character. I love her friendships with the other women.
I give it three stars because I enjoyed it, but I don't think I would read it again. The writing also dropped it for me. I don't think it was necessary for the constant repeating of the same thing from each member of the group. There was some plot points that I also thought were unnecessary to the main plot.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes dystopian mixed with magic and loves girl power. There is a triggering sub plot that you have to look out for but I feel as if it is predictable when it happens. Doesn't make it less hard to read for those who have dealt with that.
I give it three stars because I enjoyed it, but I don't think I would read it again. The writing also dropped it for me. I don't think it was necessary for the constant repeating of the same thing from each member of the group. There was some plot points that I also thought were unnecessary to the main plot.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes dystopian mixed with magic and loves girl power. There is a triggering sub plot that you have to look out for but I feel as if it is predictable when it happens. Doesn't make it less hard to read for those who have dealt with that.
April 28, 2024
Good Fantasy read
Use your imagination and just go with it. Don't try to analyze it. Just enjoy the story and the characters.
Use your imagination and just go with it. Don't try to analyze it. Just enjoy the story and the characters.
August 18, 2023
Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
After the bombing and after the death of a friend, you go on adventure with Mercury and the group of survivors. They are now trying to understand their new gifts that they received from the green mist and rebuild their new world. However, they now have a deal with someone who is not human anymore and wants to take everything away from them. What will be the outcome of everything, will they be able to live in their ossias in peace, or will they have to keep fighting for the new life they want to live?
I enjoyed the second book a lot, I think for me it wasn’t the plot but the characters that I fell in love with. I mean the plot was really great and I loved all the pagan themes throughout it. I loved the positive girl power in the book, and how the women in the group came up with the rules for the new world. I thought it was really interesting to see all the new developments that all the females keep getting when they meet the green mist again. For me this was the perfect fantasy/witchy/pagan vibes but also had a really good point that we need to take care of our earth again.
I loved that the character development in this book was so huge, for me it was Karen that took the biggest leap of them all and I just adore the new Karen. I think all the characters had some development as well, they became more accepting and understanding of the new changes and some were even able to heal themselves again. If I had to pick a favorite character though it would have to be Mercury and Stella. I just love the vibes that those women are putting off and I could see myself becoming best friends with them.
I was given the audio to review, and I thought the narrator did a fantastic job with all the emotions and describing the new world. I really was able to picture what was happening while listening to the book.
I cannot wait to see what P.C. Cast will come out next.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
After the bombing and after the death of a friend, you go on adventure with Mercury and the group of survivors. They are now trying to understand their new gifts that they received from the green mist and rebuild their new world. However, they now have a deal with someone who is not human anymore and wants to take everything away from them. What will be the outcome of everything, will they be able to live in their ossias in peace, or will they have to keep fighting for the new life they want to live?
I enjoyed the second book a lot, I think for me it wasn’t the plot but the characters that I fell in love with. I mean the plot was really great and I loved all the pagan themes throughout it. I loved the positive girl power in the book, and how the women in the group came up with the rules for the new world. I thought it was really interesting to see all the new developments that all the females keep getting when they meet the green mist again. For me this was the perfect fantasy/witchy/pagan vibes but also had a really good point that we need to take care of our earth again.
I loved that the character development in this book was so huge, for me it was Karen that took the biggest leap of them all and I just adore the new Karen. I think all the characters had some development as well, they became more accepting and understanding of the new changes and some were even able to heal themselves again. If I had to pick a favorite character though it would have to be Mercury and Stella. I just love the vibes that those women are putting off and I could see myself becoming best friends with them.
I was given the audio to review, and I thought the narrator did a fantastic job with all the emotions and describing the new world. I really was able to picture what was happening while listening to the book.
I cannot wait to see what P.C. Cast will come out next.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book.
August 10, 2023
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication date: August 8, 2023
Out of the Dawn is the sequel in the “Into the Mist” post-apocalyptic series by PC Cast. I was fortunate enough to have been provided an arc for the first one through NetGalley and for this second book I received both a digital NetGalley arc as well as a physical copy from #crookedlanebooks
Out of the Dawn starts immediately following the ending of the first instalment. Mercury Rhodes and her teacher friends work to navigate this new world created by the elusive green mist. While the green mist was deadly to men, it heightened and strengthened natural abilities in women.
With these new abilities and a new place to call home, Mercury and her friends begin to settle in and work towards building a better, stronger world for the survivors. Tapping into their new abilities though, uncovers that peace is not as easy as it seems and there are predators out there looking to destroy Mercury and her friends.
Does Mercury and her group have enough strength and guidance to persevere in this strange new world? What else is lurking under the mist that they might need to face?
I enjoyed this second book better than the first! I was unsure of the characters and the story itself but curious enough to read the sequel and I’m so glad I did. This book really detailed each of the women’s new abilities and how they would contribute moving forward. The flow of this book was more smooth and I was dragged right into the plot. This is a 4 star read for me! Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of this book!
#NetGalley #crookedlanebooks #pccast #outofthedawn
Publication date: August 8, 2023
Out of the Dawn is the sequel in the “Into the Mist” post-apocalyptic series by PC Cast. I was fortunate enough to have been provided an arc for the first one through NetGalley and for this second book I received both a digital NetGalley arc as well as a physical copy from #crookedlanebooks
Out of the Dawn starts immediately following the ending of the first instalment. Mercury Rhodes and her teacher friends work to navigate this new world created by the elusive green mist. While the green mist was deadly to men, it heightened and strengthened natural abilities in women.
With these new abilities and a new place to call home, Mercury and her friends begin to settle in and work towards building a better, stronger world for the survivors. Tapping into their new abilities though, uncovers that peace is not as easy as it seems and there are predators out there looking to destroy Mercury and her friends.
Does Mercury and her group have enough strength and guidance to persevere in this strange new world? What else is lurking under the mist that they might need to face?
I enjoyed this second book better than the first! I was unsure of the characters and the story itself but curious enough to read the sequel and I’m so glad I did. This book really detailed each of the women’s new abilities and how they would contribute moving forward. The flow of this book was more smooth and I was dragged right into the plot. This is a 4 star read for me! Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of this book!
#NetGalley #crookedlanebooks #pccast #outofthedawn
February 20, 2025
I honestly quite enjoyed this book. The pacing was better and the story felt more balanced as most of the heavy lifting in terms of world building was already done. P. C. Cast set up a good and story jumped right in.
The problem was, this should have been the second book in a trilogy and not the end of the story. For one thing, Al and Eva went out like total bitches in the end. All the build up of them being the bad guys was totally wasted because they were defeated on a single page. I wish we could have expanded more and understood why they were evil and given time to demonstrate how powerful they are. I mean Al is all talk considering his leeches couldn’t even kill a kitten!!!
Then there’s Karen who is neat character in theory but what exactly was the point of her gift? I feel like she could have come to terms with her faith without it and it never really played a part in the story the way everyone else’s did.
Finally, I don’t love the fact that Mercury killed Chad. While I agree that raping Gemma is super fucked up and deserves punishment, I don’t think execution is the answer. It’s why I don’t agree with capital punishment. These women wanted to build a society free of violence and hatred but then killed someone for breaking the rules and that just doesn’t seem to fit. I think a much better conclusion would have been to have a character with a gift to cut out the “rot” from people. In this instance she could cut off his penis and then let him go somewhere in the woods. Sure he could still die but I guess it’s more symbolic. You’ve taken away the source of his power. His “rot”. With Eva, you could cut out her tongue because she uses her words to manipulate people. And Al, well he’s kind of an anomaly and I think rotten to the core. So cut out his heart.
The problem was, this should have been the second book in a trilogy and not the end of the story. For one thing, Al and Eva went out like total bitches in the end. All the build up of them being the bad guys was totally wasted because they were defeated on a single page. I wish we could have expanded more and understood why they were evil and given time to demonstrate how powerful they are. I mean Al is all talk considering his leeches couldn’t even kill a kitten!!!
Then there’s Karen who is neat character in theory but what exactly was the point of her gift? I feel like she could have come to terms with her faith without it and it never really played a part in the story the way everyone else’s did.
Finally, I don’t love the fact that Mercury killed Chad. While I agree that raping Gemma is super fucked up and deserves punishment, I don’t think execution is the answer. It’s why I don’t agree with capital punishment. These women wanted to build a society free of violence and hatred but then killed someone for breaking the rules and that just doesn’t seem to fit. I think a much better conclusion would have been to have a character with a gift to cut out the “rot” from people. In this instance she could cut off his penis and then let him go somewhere in the woods. Sure he could still die but I guess it’s more symbolic. You’ve taken away the source of his power. His “rot”. With Eva, you could cut out her tongue because she uses her words to manipulate people. And Al, well he’s kind of an anomaly and I think rotten to the core. So cut out his heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
I received a complimentary audiobook copy of OUT OF THE DAWN by P.C. Cast. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley!
OUT OF THE DAWN is the second book in the author’s Into the Mist series. The first book began with a group of teachers leaving a convention in Oregon. When they make a stop, the scenic view becomes a horror as strange things fall out of the sky, decimating the cities they see in the distance and creating a strange green mist. Suddenly people around them are dying horrifying deaths in the mist with only the women surviving, though not without significant changes to their abilities.
Throughout the first book, we’ve learned more about the world and about the changes that women have undergone. Together they must form a new way of life and a new normal. This second installment in the series picks up just a couple of days after the surprising end to book one.
It is hard to say a lot about the plot of this book without some major spoilers for book one. The cast of characters grew throughout the first book as they original group of teachers merged and separated with other survivors. The impacts of the mist continue to grow and take some turns that I didn’t expect.
I do really enjoy seeing how characters have changed over the course of the two books and how their perception of the world changes. There are some significant trigger warnings around the way some of the women are mistreated both by the surviving men and sometimes each other, so that is something to check out if a concern.
There were a few places in the book that I felt could have been edited down as conversations felt a little repetitive, but overall I really enjoyed continuing on with this story and will be happy to pick up more in the future!
OUT OF THE DAWN is the second book in the author’s Into the Mist series. The first book began with a group of teachers leaving a convention in Oregon. When they make a stop, the scenic view becomes a horror as strange things fall out of the sky, decimating the cities they see in the distance and creating a strange green mist. Suddenly people around them are dying horrifying deaths in the mist with only the women surviving, though not without significant changes to their abilities.
Throughout the first book, we’ve learned more about the world and about the changes that women have undergone. Together they must form a new way of life and a new normal. This second installment in the series picks up just a couple of days after the surprising end to book one.
It is hard to say a lot about the plot of this book without some major spoilers for book one. The cast of characters grew throughout the first book as they original group of teachers merged and separated with other survivors. The impacts of the mist continue to grow and take some turns that I didn’t expect.
I do really enjoy seeing how characters have changed over the course of the two books and how their perception of the world changes. There are some significant trigger warnings around the way some of the women are mistreated both by the surviving men and sometimes each other, so that is something to check out if a concern.
There were a few places in the book that I felt could have been edited down as conversations felt a little repetitive, but overall I really enjoyed continuing on with this story and will be happy to pick up more in the future!
July 25, 2023
First of all, this is the second book in the (hopefully) series of books. This is one of those times where reading the first is a must to understand the second. I loved the first installment so I was admittedly obsessed with getting a hold of the sequel. I enjoyed it a great deal.
The world building is clever and thought-provoking. You know the author has done a great job with their apocalypse when you find yourself thinking about how the rest of the world is effected and how they might be trying to survive and thrive. Whether the continents and countries will ever be able to communicate again. Hell, whether other states in the US will ever be able to contact each other.
Though the first book leaned into the scientific explanations for what is happening the second leans into Earth magic (which in my opinion is science that we don't understand yet,) and I was here for it.
It felt like it freed up the exploration of "getting back to nature" and what that could mean to these new humans. They are all forced to be new whether they have been physically transformed or not. That is understandably uncomfortable for some and blissfully transformative for others.
Although there was a great deal of tension sometimes, there was also a strong confidence that my favorite characters would pull through, no matter what. I did find myself emotionally crossing my fingers through a great deal of interactions. The bottom line is, everyone should always listen to Stella.
Thank you to P.C. Cast, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the chance to read/listen to this Audio book!
The world building is clever and thought-provoking. You know the author has done a great job with their apocalypse when you find yourself thinking about how the rest of the world is effected and how they might be trying to survive and thrive. Whether the continents and countries will ever be able to communicate again. Hell, whether other states in the US will ever be able to contact each other.
Though the first book leaned into the scientific explanations for what is happening the second leans into Earth magic (which in my opinion is science that we don't understand yet,) and I was here for it.
It felt like it freed up the exploration of "getting back to nature" and what that could mean to these new humans. They are all forced to be new whether they have been physically transformed or not. That is understandably uncomfortable for some and blissfully transformative for others.
Although there was a great deal of tension sometimes, there was also a strong confidence that my favorite characters would pull through, no matter what. I did find myself emotionally crossing my fingers through a great deal of interactions. The bottom line is, everyone should always listen to Stella.
Thank you to P.C. Cast, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the chance to read/listen to this Audio book!
July 26, 2023
Out of the Dawn
Book 2 in Into the Mist series
Written by P.C. Cast
Narrated by Lorelei King
I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this audiobook through Netgalley.
This was a fantastic book by P.C. Cast! And I absolutely love Lorelei King!! I’m a big fan of both of these women.
I didn’t read the first book, but I was able to keep up with the story fine.
A green mist has turned many men to jelly and left them for dead. Women who are surrounded by mist gain magical abilities (second sight, healing, strength, making plants grow, etc). And men who are killed by manmade means, but inhale the mist, can resurrect into changed magical beings.
From there we have a Lord of the Flies type of post-apocalyptic story - two warring sides, both hoping for dominance.
One side wants dominance over the kind of people allowed.
The other side seeks domination over everyone and everything.
This is a tale of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. It is also a tale of triumph and defeat - both of self and new world.
I loved the people in this book. Each and every one is well developed. The good guys are easy to cheer for, and the bad guys are easy to dislike.
I think this is an excellent book and would be well received by feminists, pagans, fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, lovers of fantasy and magic.
I definitely recommend this book!
Book 2 in Into the Mist series
Written by P.C. Cast
Narrated by Lorelei King
I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this audiobook through Netgalley.
This was a fantastic book by P.C. Cast! And I absolutely love Lorelei King!! I’m a big fan of both of these women.
I didn’t read the first book, but I was able to keep up with the story fine.
A green mist has turned many men to jelly and left them for dead. Women who are surrounded by mist gain magical abilities (second sight, healing, strength, making plants grow, etc). And men who are killed by manmade means, but inhale the mist, can resurrect into changed magical beings.
From there we have a Lord of the Flies type of post-apocalyptic story - two warring sides, both hoping for dominance.
One side wants dominance over the kind of people allowed.
The other side seeks domination over everyone and everything.
This is a tale of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. It is also a tale of triumph and defeat - both of self and new world.
I loved the people in this book. Each and every one is well developed. The good guys are easy to cheer for, and the bad guys are easy to dislike.
I think this is an excellent book and would be well received by feminists, pagans, fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, lovers of fantasy and magic.
I definitely recommend this book!
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