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Empty Earth
When Vivian closes her eyes to go to sleep, she prays she doesn't wake up, that the world just goes away. Little does she realize her prayers are about to be answered. Vivian wakes to a world void of life. Bodies everywhere, cars smashed into buildings and each other. It seems whatever happened occurred in an instant. Everyone is dead. Everyone but her. Now Vivian not only searches out others, but for answers as to what happened and why.
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Published July 26, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
September 1, 2023
*3.5* A unique take on the post-apocalyptic genre. The story deals with some heavy topics, and asks some hard questions. More focused on plot than character development, but still entertaining.
Surviving an attempted drug overdose and waking to a silent world with dead bodies? It couldn’t be real.
A woman wakes up in a pile of her own vomit, only to discover everyone around her has dropped dead.
Not a romance!
Post-apocalyptic
Unputdownable
Questionable heroes
Satisfying twisty ending
Has a Thanos/Terminator 2 feel to it
TWs: Cheating, divorce, attempted suicide, mass death, and survivors guilt.
Surviving an attempted drug overdose and waking to a silent world with dead bodies? It couldn’t be real.
A woman wakes up in a pile of her own vomit, only to discover everyone around her has dropped dead.
Not a romance!
Post-apocalyptic
Unputdownable
Questionable heroes
Satisfying twisty ending
Has a Thanos/Terminator 2 feel to it
TWs: Cheating, divorce, attempted suicide, mass death, and survivors guilt.
August 25, 2023
It was a little much at times but overall it was a pretty entertaining read. Viv was sometimes compelling sometimes really annoying. Points for the really rather bleak vision of humanity.
May 20, 2022
frustrated.
This story is brilliantly conceived, riveting, engrossing. It is thought-provoking, possibly prescient. And throughout my life, I’ve loved dystopian tales. I have a similar mind set.
In recent months I’ve read dozens and dozens of them, many excellently told.
But seriously, do NONE of you have spellcheck on your computers? It’s maddening and distracting from the natural movement your stories have. The difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re,’ the vast overuse of the word ‘smirk,’ which 90% of you use. No one smiles or grins. Everyone smirks.
Do none of you employ copy editors? I’ll work for you cheap, just to polish your excellent story telling. Because I want to read more of you. But without cringing at middle school syntax, spelling and punctuation. There’s no shame in that. John Steinbeck could barely spell his own name. But he relied on editors to polish his work so it would be respected.
Still, a really great story.
This story is brilliantly conceived, riveting, engrossing. It is thought-provoking, possibly prescient. And throughout my life, I’ve loved dystopian tales. I have a similar mind set.
In recent months I’ve read dozens and dozens of them, many excellently told.
But seriously, do NONE of you have spellcheck on your computers? It’s maddening and distracting from the natural movement your stories have. The difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re,’ the vast overuse of the word ‘smirk,’ which 90% of you use. No one smiles or grins. Everyone smirks.
Do none of you employ copy editors? I’ll work for you cheap, just to polish your excellent story telling. Because I want to read more of you. But without cringing at middle school syntax, spelling and punctuation. There’s no shame in that. John Steinbeck could barely spell his own name. But he relied on editors to polish his work so it would be respected.
Still, a really great story.
August 5, 2022
Good story line, atrocious editing
When I started this book I was automatically involved. But as I read on, the editing just got worse and worse, until I figured it was just stopped. So many typos (it for if numerous times), thrown "through a loop" instead of "for a loop", words just plain missing. I honest to gosh thought this was originally written in another language then poorly translated into English.
The ending left a lot to be desired. There is really no explanation as to the hows and whys. All that information is in journals discovered well into the story, and we, the readers, don't get to know what was written in them.
The story had great promise, fell apart in the telling.
When I started this book I was automatically involved. But as I read on, the editing just got worse and worse, until I figured it was just stopped. So many typos (it for if numerous times), thrown "through a loop" instead of "for a loop", words just plain missing. I honest to gosh thought this was originally written in another language then poorly translated into English.
The ending left a lot to be desired. There is really no explanation as to the hows and whys. All that information is in journals discovered well into the story, and we, the readers, don't get to know what was written in them.
The story had great promise, fell apart in the telling.
October 22, 2024
My first read from Jacqueline Druga, this book was awesome! I'm currently 3rd book into her collection since reading this one.
Ever wanted to be the only person left in the world... I have and I'm still not sure if I want it to happen 🤣
Ever wanted to be the only person left in the world... I have and I'm still not sure if I want it to happen 🤣
May 27, 2022
The editing and sentence structure was abysmal and ruined an otherwise fine book.
May 7, 2025
First of all let me just say that I already ordered a couple of books by her so in the end I did enjoy the sufficient for trying a couple of more. I should have seen the genre here - which I usually do - but unfortunately my mind didn't retain time travel.
So, first of all, I dislike Time Travel genre. I mean it becomes a bit bonkers to my liking.
My expectation was a journey of self discover by the main protagonist Vivian and although we do get some , it was not what I expect. Look at the synopsis and you expect something but just after 30 pages or so she finds the first survivor and then another an so on. So instead of being a more character driven story it deals with on WHY and HOW.
It's not a bad book by any means, the writing is fast paced, remind me of Jon Athan (they are probably the most beautiful writing you gonna see -they are self-publish) and coming from a non-native I would say it's on the easier scale to read.
So what I didn't enjoy? I mean it's not a spoiler since it's on the genres - it's a time travel genre. The explanation felt forced but it did bring a interesting question - spoilerly? beware
We are consuming the resources at a alarming pace - is it wrong to kill half the population so the other half can live without those constrains? I mean, of course most people would say - it's wrong. But in 50 years time when we reaching a breaking point - probably the question would be so "wrong".
Nothing to do with the book, but I see Earth has a living being - Gaia if you wish to call it. She has diseases, virus etc to kill people off. We are seeing strains more and more deadly , I believe it's the way mother earth has come up with the destroying kind (we - humans). unfortunately the parasites (we-humans) are too fast for her to react. And you know what happens when a human has too much garbage, disease and such within ourselves? We die.
Yeah so sorry :) So I would rate this book 75/100. I enjoyed it. Fast pace post apocalyptic thriller. On the easy side
So, first of all, I dislike Time Travel genre. I mean it becomes a bit bonkers to my liking.
My expectation was a journey of self discover by the main protagonist Vivian and although we do get some , it was not what I expect. Look at the synopsis and you expect something but just after 30 pages or so she finds the first survivor and then another an so on. So instead of being a more character driven story it deals with on WHY and HOW.
It's not a bad book by any means, the writing is fast paced, remind me of Jon Athan (they are probably the most beautiful writing you gonna see -they are self-publish) and coming from a non-native I would say it's on the easier scale to read.
So what I didn't enjoy? I mean it's not a spoiler since it's on the genres - it's a time travel genre. The explanation felt forced but it did bring a interesting question - spoilerly? beware
We are consuming the resources at a alarming pace - is it wrong to kill half the population so the other half can live without those constrains? I mean, of course most people would say - it's wrong. But in 50 years time when we reaching a breaking point - probably the question would be so "wrong".
Nothing to do with the book, but I see Earth has a living being - Gaia if you wish to call it. She has diseases, virus etc to kill people off. We are seeing strains more and more deadly , I believe it's the way mother earth has come up with the destroying kind (we - humans). unfortunately the parasites (we-humans) are too fast for her to react. And you know what happens when a human has too much garbage, disease and such within ourselves? We die.
Yeah so sorry :) So I would rate this book 75/100. I enjoyed it. Fast pace post apocalyptic thriller. On the easy side
June 23, 2024
An interesting concept, a fascinating book but would have preferred better description and a less rushed ending.
March 2, 2025
3.5 stars
June 2, 2024
Another audio book for me. It was good. A lil twist at the end which I didn’t expect. Feel like there was enough left at the end for a sequel— which I would read.
May 17, 2022
This story is insanely readable but absolutely ridiculous. Druga is a master at keeping the story going and keeping you on the edge of your seat. You may roll your eyes a million times at the super handy coincidences that help the story along, and you may audibly scoff at the revelation of what is happening, but damn it, you just HAVE to keep going!
It's a gift she has.
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite Druga books, and there were a lot of things I just didn't get, it wasn't a bad way to pass a couple of hours before bed.
It's a gift she has.
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite Druga books, and there were a lot of things I just didn't get, it wasn't a bad way to pass a couple of hours before bed.
June 5, 2023
This book was a disappointment. I got the audiobook, and my god was it mumbly. Funnily enough, one of my coworkers asked me to help her pen her work from home request based on her hearing loss, and when she described the way the background would be a loud indistinct scribble, but no matter how high she turned up her hearing aid, she found it hard to discern the words from the main voice, I was surprised to find I not only understood what she meant, I had experienced it, thanks to this book. So… um, kudos for that, I guess.
I did find myself thinking over and over that I should just get a refund on the audiobook and buy the book. Thank goodness I checked here first, apparently the ebook and hard copy are sloppy carwrecks.
So… good luck finding a version of this media that you can process if you’re truly devoted to finding out what happened.
The premise is interesting, and I think under ordinary circumstances, I could just go with the wacky ending, but given that I kept missing pertinent lines so regularly, it became a chore to listen to, and when the big reveal came, I just said, “Oh, fuck off. You wish you were Sarah Connor!” and stopped even trying to follow the reasoning.
It was a good start, and for the first couple of hours, I did care enough to skip backwards to find out what I missed, but it got tiresome early on, and I reached a point where it was a complete slog to get through so I could listen to something easier on my ears.
I did find myself thinking over and over that I should just get a refund on the audiobook and buy the book. Thank goodness I checked here first, apparently the ebook and hard copy are sloppy carwrecks.
So… good luck finding a version of this media that you can process if you’re truly devoted to finding out what happened.
The premise is interesting, and I think under ordinary circumstances, I could just go with the wacky ending, but given that I kept missing pertinent lines so regularly, it became a chore to listen to, and when the big reveal came, I just said, “Oh, fuck off. You wish you were Sarah Connor!” and stopped even trying to follow the reasoning.
It was a good start, and for the first couple of hours, I did care enough to skip backwards to find out what I missed, but it got tiresome early on, and I reached a point where it was a complete slog to get through so I could listen to something easier on my ears.
June 25, 2022
One issue is that there are a lot of editing issues with this book, some of which should have been easy to find and fix before publishing. It starts out with an intriguing mystery and one that kept me interested with the apparent time travel element. The revelation that it was the future main character that made the decision to kill billions in her project to save the future was mind boggling. Who is allowed to make that decision on their own? The ending was weak as well since the main character is unconscious through the big final decision which ended up being made by someone else. It is always uncomfortable when a nice mystery builds to a disappointing finish.
December 28, 2022
I'm so thoroughly disappointed by this book. How can you, after setting up a postapocalyptic, unexplained world event storyline, suddenly introduce a back-from-the-future, oddly militant plotline? If it was more sophisticated I think I would've been there for it, but it felt so clunky and poorly done. Not impressed.
"Everyone I hurt, damaged, ruined on that one fateful day was now gone. Dead. There was no one to atone to, no one to apologize to or to allow to see justice served. They died without that peace as would I."
"Everyone I hurt, damaged, ruined on that one fateful day was now gone. Dead. There was no one to atone to, no one to apologize to or to allow to see justice served. They died without that peace as would I."
July 8, 2022
Couldn't even finish the book.
I am a huge fan of the post apocalyptic genre and I really thought this book looked promising. Maybe something along the lines of "Earth Abides" by George R. Stewart but I was sorely disappointed. Not often do I quit a book half way through and yes I was more than half way, when I just couldn't take it anymore. The dialog was like listening to a bunch of teenagers discussing a bad trip to the mall. Very simplistic, and the story was pretty weak.
I am a huge fan of the post apocalyptic genre and I really thought this book looked promising. Maybe something along the lines of "Earth Abides" by George R. Stewart but I was sorely disappointed. Not often do I quit a book half way through and yes I was more than half way, when I just couldn't take it anymore. The dialog was like listening to a bunch of teenagers discussing a bad trip to the mall. Very simplistic, and the story was pretty weak.
December 15, 2023
I wanted to love this book so badly, but it just all felt a bit generic. I guess that's a risk when you write somethign dystopian, even if you come at it from an interesting angle like Empy Earth does, but it just never feels very interesting. There is a twist that did catch me off guard, but it was also inconsequential my feelings about the characters or the books. The whole package would've been better if the last 50 pages had been entirely different.
June 20, 2022
Confused
I really hate to give a 2 for this review. However, I read a lot of books but this was the most confusing book I have ever read. Maybe it is just me but I tried every way possible to get excited. I read it, went back in some sections and reread but it was still confusing. I still cannot explain the book. Oh well, many more to read!
I really hate to give a 2 for this review. However, I read a lot of books but this was the most confusing book I have ever read. Maybe it is just me but I tried every way possible to get excited. I read it, went back in some sections and reread but it was still confusing. I still cannot explain the book. Oh well, many more to read!
July 14, 2022
This book is interesting and begins really well. The story is very ridiculous in how it connects the characters, and the character development isn’t believable. However, if you want a really easy read and you like dystopian or apocalyptic fiction before bed, then this isn’t too far from what you’re after. No effort required.
August 25, 2022
I really wanted to like this book - the premise was fascinating, and this is a genre that I love. But the writing was terrible. This author badly needs an editor. The misspellings, grammatical errors, and other flaws took me out of the story and almost turned this into a dnf. Two stars for plot and pacing.
June 11, 2024
Interesting concept, but needs a good editor
A sudden and silent cataclysm that kills off billions of people is the opening scene of the book. It's a good hook but the story devolves into a confusing mess after the second act, compounded by grammatical and idiomatic errors. A good editor could have helped a lot.
A sudden and silent cataclysm that kills off billions of people is the opening scene of the book. It's a good hook but the story devolves into a confusing mess after the second act, compounded by grammatical and idiomatic errors. A good editor could have helped a lot.
September 13, 2022
I listened to the audiobook version of this book with Carolyne Keeler having the narrator honors. She did a fantastic job and let me miss the editing errors other reviewers have mentioned.
There are so many elements of this book that had great potential. My perception is, after reading it, that Druga did not invest the effort to exploit the different elements to their full potential. I want to avoid spoilers but each character in the book has a story of which we are only provided a brief glimpse. Vivian undergoes a huge transformation (apparently) but that transformation is contained in a series of journals, the details of which are not revealed. There are some scientific elements (again no spoilers) that could have stood to be better explained. Other reviewers have complained about the weak ending, and they are not wrong. The way the story is resolved is not the issue - but rather the details that were omitted - it just felt like Druga was rushing to deliver the book at the expense of better character development, scientific explanation, and a good ending.
Combined with the editing complaints that other reviewers have mentioned my complaint is that Druga just did not take advantage of all the elements of great potential - she seemed rushed to deliver and only mailed it in. This is not typical of her other books - and while I am not suggesting this could have been a full-blown series, but by adding a few more chapters (and an editor) this book could have been nudged from okay to great.
There are so many elements of this book that had great potential. My perception is, after reading it, that Druga did not invest the effort to exploit the different elements to their full potential. I want to avoid spoilers but each character in the book has a story of which we are only provided a brief glimpse. Vivian undergoes a huge transformation (apparently) but that transformation is contained in a series of journals, the details of which are not revealed. There are some scientific elements (again no spoilers) that could have stood to be better explained. Other reviewers have complained about the weak ending, and they are not wrong. The way the story is resolved is not the issue - but rather the details that were omitted - it just felt like Druga was rushing to deliver the book at the expense of better character development, scientific explanation, and a good ending.
Combined with the editing complaints that other reviewers have mentioned my complaint is that Druga just did not take advantage of all the elements of great potential - she seemed rushed to deliver and only mailed it in. This is not typical of her other books - and while I am not suggesting this could have been a full-blown series, but by adding a few more chapters (and an editor) this book could have been nudged from okay to great.
March 14, 2023
Empty Earth
Post-apocalyptic
Jacqueline Druga
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had such an interesting premise. I love how Jacqueline Druga really focuses on the aftermath of apocalyptic disasters while slowly revealing the causes.
The characters were well developed and I liked how most of them connected with each other. I didn't like Renee but that's due to how well she's written, she's meant to be a horrible character 😂. I think Viv and Stanley were my favourite characters, their relationship grew and it was sweet to see Viv finally get some support.
I really liked seeing Viv find her purpose and her drive and realise that she is alive for a reason.
I didn't see some of the plot twists coming, especially in the second half. I didn't expect the plot to go in the direction it did either and I have so many questions! 😂
There were some typos and errors, including spelling a characters name wrong which could be fixed with more editing.
Overall, I'm loving this authors writing style and the way she tells a story.
* TWs: This book does focus heavily on depression and suicide right from the start so that may not be suitable for everyone.*
Post-apocalyptic
Jacqueline Druga
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had such an interesting premise. I love how Jacqueline Druga really focuses on the aftermath of apocalyptic disasters while slowly revealing the causes.
The characters were well developed and I liked how most of them connected with each other. I didn't like Renee but that's due to how well she's written, she's meant to be a horrible character 😂. I think Viv and Stanley were my favourite characters, their relationship grew and it was sweet to see Viv finally get some support.
I really liked seeing Viv find her purpose and her drive and realise that she is alive for a reason.
I didn't see some of the plot twists coming, especially in the second half. I didn't expect the plot to go in the direction it did either and I have so many questions! 😂
There were some typos and errors, including spelling a characters name wrong which could be fixed with more editing.
Overall, I'm loving this authors writing style and the way she tells a story.
* TWs: This book does focus heavily on depression and suicide right from the start so that may not be suitable for everyone.*
December 28, 2023
Ugh. Goodreads strikes again at crashing after I’ve written a long and thoughtful review. :(
Let’s try again.
This book was a short read/listen. I did the audio book and really enjoyed the narrator a lot. Overall, I think this book was okay. I picked it cause of length and the fact that I love a good post-apocalyptic story. This story had some great characters and I really enjoyed Vivian, the main character. It left me surprised when the reason for everyone dying was revealed, which I appreciated. For spoilers sake, I’ll just say that I didn’t expect the book to turn in that direction. I think this was a good read, but probably won’t be a memorable one for me over time and the ending felt very blah to me. I also didn’t love it enough to add it to my “to read again” list. But if you’re looking for an easy sci-fi read, this one should do the trick. After all, I did read this in one sitting.
**Editing to add that after reading other reviews, I’d agree that listening to this book is the best option. I did not notice any of the grammar/sentence structure issues others reported.
Let’s try again.
This book was a short read/listen. I did the audio book and really enjoyed the narrator a lot. Overall, I think this book was okay. I picked it cause of length and the fact that I love a good post-apocalyptic story. This story had some great characters and I really enjoyed Vivian, the main character. It left me surprised when the reason for everyone dying was revealed, which I appreciated. For spoilers sake, I’ll just say that I didn’t expect the book to turn in that direction. I think this was a good read, but probably won’t be a memorable one for me over time and the ending felt very blah to me. I also didn’t love it enough to add it to my “to read again” list. But if you’re looking for an easy sci-fi read, this one should do the trick. After all, I did read this in one sitting.
**Editing to add that after reading other reviews, I’d agree that listening to this book is the best option. I did not notice any of the grammar/sentence structure issues others reported.
March 24, 2023
Vivian’s suicide attempt was a failure and her disappointment escalated to note that the world is not the same as she remembered the night before her suicide attempt. In the next 5 days, she encounters survivors who group together to find out what had happened to their town. Questions arise with every findings which made this book exciting.
The first half of the book was more entertaining than the second as Jacqueline tried to connect all the dots. As Vivian uncovers the truth, she faces the hardest decision of her entire existence; a decision that will be harmful to many, but with a surprising positive effect on many lives.
Note: The audio version is superior to the unreadable poorly edited print version.
The first half of the book was more entertaining than the second as Jacqueline tried to connect all the dots. As Vivian uncovers the truth, she faces the hardest decision of her entire existence; a decision that will be harmful to many, but with a surprising positive effect on many lives.
Note: The audio version is superior to the unreadable poorly edited print version.
July 23, 2022
Worst Kindle book ever for spelling, and formatting, despite the problems having existed for weeks after publishing. The story was good until about 75% of the way through the book, when it was rushed, and became very unbelievable very quickly. It felt that the author had got bored and wanted to finish and move onto another book. The book was then given to someone who could not speak or write English to proof read, and who then copied the rough text into an Ebook format without testing the formatting. I hope the other books are not as sloppy as this one. Such a shame, this could have been really great, but the lack of care and lack of concern for the readership is stunning and is unlikely to tempt me to read a second Druga book.
February 3, 2023
I’m sorry to say I didn’t particularly enjoy this book at all. Asides from the sentence structure and formatting on my kindle which I found irritating (not sure however if this is author intended or my kindle) the story was just .. well weird.
Of course there is a high element of imagination requirement involved in any post apocalyptic story, and I have read many. There were far too many coincidences between the characters and stories that noticeably forced the narrative to make sense. The characters lacked development, articulation and it seems any kind of real remorse or loss for the World unfolding around them. I couldn’t relate to them at all.
Not my favourite.
Of course there is a high element of imagination requirement involved in any post apocalyptic story, and I have read many. There were far too many coincidences between the characters and stories that noticeably forced the narrative to make sense. The characters lacked development, articulation and it seems any kind of real remorse or loss for the World unfolding around them. I couldn’t relate to them at all.
Not my favourite.
September 6, 2024
This story had a lot of potential but not enough polishing. Viv had some real issues but they felt pretty rote a lot of the time. Also the ending felt super rushed and honestly didn't make a lot of sense.
How and why does this pediatric nurse know about time travel and that kind of science? Who and what made her a leader? She's not particularly skilled, just morose. And Stan just forgiving her? If she's not in jail for 10 years, how does she know things in the future?
Nothing makes sense by the end. Or Owens romance. What? Why?
What started out as a mystery ended up a complete dud. Too many genre cliches and tropes without a story to weave them all together.
How and why does this pediatric nurse know about time travel and that kind of science? Who and what made her a leader? She's not particularly skilled, just morose. And Stan just forgiving her? If she's not in jail for 10 years, how does she know things in the future?
Nothing makes sense by the end. Or Owens romance. What? Why?
What started out as a mystery ended up a complete dud. Too many genre cliches and tropes without a story to weave them all together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2022
Started off interesting then went… in a different direction. I didn’t realize, at first, that this was the same author as another book I read until I got to the end. It was the same one chapter wrap-up that the previous book had. I am not a fan of it. It’s like the author makes it nearly to the end then gets tired of the story and basically gives a summary of the end. It’s lazy. And detached. Show, don’t tell.
Also, it was full of typos and editing problems. Some of them were bad enough that I had no idea what the intended word was.
Also, it was full of typos and editing problems. Some of them were bad enough that I had no idea what the intended word was.
January 29, 2023
I thought the book was entertaining, with believable characters. A lot of characters to keep track of though. It had a surprising twist at the end which I enjoyed. I gave it 4 stars due to the editing, which was non-existent. Some sentences were missing a necessary word, so the reader had to guess what word was intended, some sentences easy, some more difficult. This is typical in her books however. Not enjoyable at times when you have to stop to decipher what's missing. Still I enjoyed the read.
December 20, 2023
Thoughtful Post Apocalyptic Fiction
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and as a fan of the post apocalyptic genre can honestly say it was one of the most original I’ve read among the glut of recent years. Selfishly I wish it had been two (perhaps three) times longer but I respectfully defer to the author’s decision for a fast pace.
This is the first work of Jacqueline Druga I’ve read so I’m going to stop writing this review and go investigate if she has further offerings. Enjoy!
Martin
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and as a fan of the post apocalyptic genre can honestly say it was one of the most original I’ve read among the glut of recent years. Selfishly I wish it had been two (perhaps three) times longer but I respectfully defer to the author’s decision for a fast pace.
This is the first work of Jacqueline Druga I’ve read so I’m going to stop writing this review and go investigate if she has further offerings. Enjoy!
Martin
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