Lost World

Broken World #4

by Kate L. Mary

MP3 CD Format

With their shelter destroyed and their sense of security shattered, Vivian, Axl and the group set off in search of a safe place. But the group's morale is at an all-time low, and they now know it's not just the dead they have to fear. Weeks of wandering brings sickness, death and loss to the survivors, and Vivian soon finds herself losing hope of ever discovering a safe place to live. To make matters worse, two members of the group go missing, leaving the others to wonder not only what happened to them, but if they will ever see their friends alive again.

After what happened in Vegas, Hadley feels like a stranger in her own body. When she and Jon get separated from the rest of the group, she finds herself confronted not only with the scars left behind by her ordeal, but facing the possibility of a new beginning with Jon at her side.

In a twist of fate, Vivian and Axl stumble upon a place that could be the group's salvation, only to have hope slip through their fingers once again when they are met with the most devastating blow yet . . .

Genres: Zombies, Post Apocalyptic, Romance, Horror, Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction

1 pages, Audio CD

First published April 20, 2015

About the author

I'm a mom of four, Air Force wife, and author of adult and young adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. I love intense world building and character driven stories that feature strong female leads - as well as a side of romance - and any end of the world scenario. Zombies, aliens, a distant future where people have no clue how the world ended in the first place, you name it, I will create a story there!

Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.

When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!

Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.

Awards:

Outliers
Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction
Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine

When We Were Human
2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction
2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction

Tribe of Daughters
Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction
Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-...

Website: http://KateLMary.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieautho...

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kate-L.-Mary/e...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kate-L.-Mary...

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

Reviews

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I had a great time with this book. After listening to the first three books in the Broken World series, I wanted more. I just had to know what would happen next to this group of characters. Unfortunately, only the first three books in the series have audiobooks available at this time. I didn't let that stop me and downloading the ebook for the next installment and enjoyed the experience just as much.

This is the fourth book in the Broken World series which really does need to be read in order since each build builds on the events of the previous installment. It has been quite the journey with this group of characters at this point so I don't want to miss a second of what might happen next. In this book, the story is told through both Vivian's and Hadley's point of view. This was the first chance to see things from Hadley's point of view and I really found that I appreciate her perspective.

Things were not looking good for the group at the start of this book. They need to find shelter and only have a very limited amount of supplies. They have learned not to trust others and are always on alert for the dead. They find a temporary shelter that seems to be the answers to their immediate problems but it becomes a nightmare before everything is over.

The best thing about these books are the characters. Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to several characters in this installment but there are a lot of other important developments including the addition of a few new characters. It was great getting the chance to see things from Hadley's point of view. She is really struggling after the events from the previous book. Her relationship with Jon makes a lot of progress in this book. I really didn't have much of an opinion of Jon before this book but he has quickly become a favorite.

This book was really exciting. I thought that it moved very quickly and I think that the dual points of view helped make it feel like a very quick read. This book was also quite emotional and I loved the way that each character's emotions came through across the page. I found this book almost impossible to put down once I got started and I love that there were some pretty big surprised worked into the story.

I would recommend this series to others. This series has been filled with strong characters who are faced with an almost impossible situation. I cannot wait to see what will happen to everyone in the next book!

Initial Thoughts
Really enjoyed this one! It was nice to get a chance to see things from Hadley's perspective. I really liked her take on things and liked getting to know her a bit better. There were some fairly exciting scenes and a few things that really surprised me. Can't wait to start with the next book!

Book source: Kindle Unlimited

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.25 Anguslicious Stars**

OMG OMG OMG

Where is book 5???

Don't you just love when you find a series that you can't put down? Well, this is one of them for me but the sad part is ----- now I have to wait for the next book! :-(

I do have to add though, that by the time I got to the near end...I was ready to stop ---- I got so pissed off at Ms. Mary for something that happens...but I will stop there!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Snowy Mountain stars

Lost World is book 4 in the Broken World Series. First off, let’s go over the two things I love about this one. We get Hadley’s POV!!!! And now everyone is in the Mountains. So it’s not just the zombies, but the cold and lack of food everyone has to be worried about.

I’m so glad that the setting has changed because I always wondered what would happen during cold temperatures. I admit I watch the TV zombie shoes like Walking Dead and Z Nation, but I never seen how zombies interact during winter.

So, Lost World was very different and refreshing in my opinion. I would say everything has shifted after Mad World. Everyone is a bit colder, harder and especially Hadley. Lost World still has plenty of Vivian and Axl, but I was super interested in Hadley’s POV and her relationship with Jon now.

The group is now making way to north, thinking the cold climate might give everyone a break from the zombies. It’s pretty much true, but they never realized how difficult it could be to LIVE in cold climate especially when heat and food is hard to find.

I love romance and I love that there is this awkward relationship between Hadley and Jon. Even though Jon is the person to blame for Hadley’s rape, she doesn’t blame him for it, but she does hold major grudges and takes it out on Jon. I feel for Hadley completely and I understood her actions and emotions. I just wanted to tell her to be brave and keep on trucking!

I love love love Jon. I know everyone has flaws, but he really does try hard to redeem himself, he basically follows Hadley like a puppy and is willing to do ANYTHING to protect her even if she treats him badly.

The second half of the book kind of shifts and I’m okay with that. It creates a little tension and adds different elements to the book, I just hope it’s the WHOLE focus of the book or the next book. I guess we just have to wait and see.

**Read on Kindle Unlimited**

REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON

[✿ | thatgrl.kuoya | ❥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 that-lil-spark-of-hope stars
Me when I finished this..



Seriously.
Wow. So much going on, i didn't want this to end!

That Angus part though..


Then...


Holy...
That ending though..

I NEED BOOK 5 NOOOOOW!!!

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars ~ a bit better than 4 stars but not quite 4.5!

So many of the reviews for this series say that Kate Mary has borrowed much from The Walking Dead that I won't point out all the similarities; I thought at first that we had a guest appearance of Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones, too, aka Brady, the educated, articulate dwarf who can beat a man twice his size with verbal arrows, but he didn't turn out to be him after all, about which I was pleased! But is Hope Springs as sinister as whatever-The-Governor's-community-was-called? We will have to wait until Book 5 to find out!

Something the less positive reviews have failed to point out, though, is that there is a hell of a lot in this series that isn't TWD. Daryl Dixon might be Ms Mary's ideal, but Axl in the Broken World series is very much his own man. There are plenty of characters and situations that are the author's own invention, and very good they are too. The love stuff isn't over the top in any of the books and the (very occasional) sexy bits aren't smut-for-the-sake-of-it, they're just real. These books are not about zombies, they're about people. And people fall in love, get jealous, feel insecure, argue - and do sex. Vivian and Axl's relationship is too believable, too down to earth, for a moonlit kiss fading to asterisks!

I was disappointed not to have chapters from Axl's POV in this one, as in Book 3, but Hadley's story was a good diversion from the main one, and her 'voice' very different from Vivian's. I enjoyed this book very much, and the scene at the end when we nearly lost a main character is terrific, so well done, the best I've read in these books so far. The dialogue is great, the characters clear and easily identifiable, all the way through.

The Broken World series is not great literature, it's popular, easy read fiction, but that requires as much storytelling talent as any other sort, and Kate Mary has this in spades.

Recommended for any fellow lovers of this genre, and I can't wait to read New World when it comes out in the summer!

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Lost World is the fourth installment in the Broken World Series, but trust me, the series isn’t losing any steam. Once again, this book kept me riveted, madly turning the pages until I (sadly) got to the end.

In this installment, the gang finds a new safe haven of sorts – but if you’ve been reading these books you’ll know that nothing is truly safe in the world that Mary has created. With the threat of winter looming over them, the group needs to find real shelter and supplies. When Hadley and Jon get separated from the group, circumstances get even more complicated!

What I LOVED:

Hadley and Jon.
In this one, we get part of the book from Hadley’s perspective so that we can see her journey with Jon. At first, I wasn’t so keen on Hadley’s POV because she’s so bitter and negative – not that she doesn’t have the right to be after what happened to her in the last book, but it was a little hard to read at first. But as the book progresses we see Hadley’s journey toward healing and recreating herself. Turns out, I ended up loving her story!

Brady.
Brady is a new character who’s introduced and he’s (as per usual with Mary) a little different than your typical post-apocalyptic hero. I don’t even want to say what about him is different because it’s more fun to leave it as a surprise! But I will say that Brady is smart (and smart-alecky) and such a fun new character. I look forward to getting to know him even more in future books!

The ending.
Something happens at the end of the book that nearly undid me and led to a pretty major twist. I won’t say anything else, but I will say that I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to find out what happens next!

The negatives:

Separation from the group.
The only thing that bothered me just a little bit was the fact that when Hadley and Jon got separated from the group, no one made an effort to go back for them. I know that circumstances didn’t allow it right away (I won’t spoil why, but I will say that things got desperate for a while!), but I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t have at least tried to go find them when they had a vehicle and the opportunity to. It just didn’t make sense to me because that’s not how this group operates – there have been plenty of times when Vivian and Axl have gotten in trouble and separated from the group and someone always comes for them. They just don’t abandon each other. Ever.

I think I say this every time I review one of these books, but I’ll say it again – if you’re an adult reader who enjoys zombie or post-apocalyptic books and you haven’t read this series, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Whatever it is, stop waiting. Trust me, you won’t be sorry! Oh, and I just saw that there’s a book of short stories that just came out in July! I don’t read a lot of short stories, but for this series, I’ll make an exception. I just bought it and can’t wait to read it! I give Lost World 4.5/5 stars.

***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Book Junky Girls · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Hope is a fickle thing and after everything they have been through they have very little of it left, but what else is there to do besides try and survive?

Vivian has found herself throughout these long weeks and has become a stronger person than she ever thought she was. She suffered the loss of her daughter, but she has found Axl and a family with the survivors in her group. But everyone is worn out weeks on the road has been rough on everyone and they are suffering more each day. They need a place to stay, but with hordes everywhere can they ever find a place to settle down?

Hadley went through something terrible in Vegas and is only now coming to grips with everything. She thought she had it under control, but time has made things harder to accept not easier. She is tough and fierce in her own way but she also just wants to be cared for. And when she and Jon get split from the group they will have to figure out how to be around each other without being akward and figure out if there is more there than quick hookups.

Time is moving on and you see just how hard things are for everyone, but you also see their contiinued determination to survive and new and inventive ways of doing things you might not have though about before. I love seeing the ups this groups has and feel every down as though I'm right there with them and that is what makes this a truely great read!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gawd ANGUS!!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I liked the fact that this book contained dual points of view and two different settings because it kept things from getting bogged down too much. That being said, I would rather the additional point of view come from someone other than Hadley. To me, her thought processes were just so similar to Vivian that if not for the fact that they were in two different locations for most of the book it would have gotten boring. If it were up to me, I would have liked the additional point of view to have been Parvarti's or Sophia's or even Angus. Or maybe especially Angus. That might be fun to read.

I think the change in scenery since the previous book was also was helpful because the action scenes were kind of getting similar to all the others, although not sure how much variation you can give to zombie killing. But it seems the group was quite often getting caught by surprise and almost overrun. If Vivian is in the group she will likely trip and fall and lose her gun - if she remembers it in the first place that is. This scenario got kind of old so it was kind of a nice change that they ended up somewhere cold with snow. They still get overrun. Vivian seems to still have trouble holding onto her gun but there are frozen-type zombie attacks rather than the extra mushy variety and they seem to be moving slower so it's a little bit different to read about. The focus of this book is more about how to survive the winter without freezing or starving to death.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth installment in Mary's post-apoc series "Broken World", "Lost World" loses steam towards the middle of the book as the main characters stumble around a hostile environment and fumble towards a purpose. Hadley and Jon are separated from the main group for most of the story, and Vivianne and Axl continue to deal with the constant supply needs of a large group. This time the story is told from Vivianne and Hadley's perspectives, with no male voice.

I was tempted to skim in some areas, but didn't. I hope the next book picks up the pace - the surprise twist at the end with Angus may yield an interesting plotline.

[LM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, so damn much. Probably one of the best zombie apoc series I've ever got my hands on.

The characters are so perfectly imperfect, that you can't help but love the creativity and complexity of them.

This story is quite a bit like the others... people die, zombies are assholes, their luck sucks terribly. There's tons of action, and TONS of new developments with the characters. Plus, you get POV change from Hadley and GINNY.

Great new characters, new setting, new problems, new love, new loss... all of it. It's splendid.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fall more in love with this series with each book I read. I love Axl and Vivian. Towards the end, my heart about stopped with what happened! Looking so forward to reading book five to find out what's in store for these characters - Ginny and Jon, Axl and Vivian and the rest of their group.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished this series in a week and now i have to wait. good zombie book series. great writing and a great cast of characters

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this installment. There was a lot of action and we got inside Hadley's head a little bit, which I loved. There was more death and heartbreak and it was so suspenseful. I waited for the entire book for Hadley and Jon to be reunited with Vivian and Axl again. The ending was super dramatic and intense, but parts of it irked me too. The writer had Vivian pick a stupid fight with Axl about something that was pretty ridiculous and the writer did that at the worst time, just to cause some unneeded drama at a bad time. But the ending was still pretty great and and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I do want to say that the repetitiveness of the pursed and puckered lips is REALLY starting to get on my nerves. Can we stop that please??

[Vettech · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book 4 of the Broken World Series our group of survivors are faced with finding another "safe place" to hide out from the zombies. Though with winter upon them, the cold seems to be slowing down the walking dead. So their decision to move North was a wise one. Desperate to find medicine for a sick boy among them, members of our rag tag group are separated from the rest. Though they've lost a few of their friends when they'er over run by zombies, hopes are high that a warm shelter can be found to ride out the frigid weather that is a Colorado winter.

I found this particular book to be the most surprising one yet! Sorry no spoilers here....lets just say that the readers will have their mouth hanging open when they read this one. I really though Kate L. Mary was brilliant with how she handled a very exciting event that happens to a main character that will change the course of that persons life! I look forward to jumping into the next book New World!!

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 stars.

[Danielle Marx · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing just keeps getting better. The change in setting to the snowy mountains was much needed as was the development in characters. Vivian and Axl as great as always and I'm loving the developments with Angus, Winston, Parvati and even Darla. It's really coming into its own and is far from the fan fiction style we saw in book one. I'm very impressed. The story splits through the book to focus on Hadley and Jon just as much as Vivian and Axl and whilst I love the idea of that I just don't like Hadley all that much to care. The other characters in the group are so much more interesting that I find myself questioning why we have to focus on Hadley and Jon. Personal I find them a dull pair despite their story having some interesting moments.
4 solid stars.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to picture any kind of romance in a zombie apocalypse. Nothing says sexy times like not showering or changing your clothes for weeks, not to mention all the adrenaline running from zombies. Lots of interesting smells in this fourth book.

That scene in the hot springs, I swear I gagged at the visual of all those dead zombies in the hot water.

All around us, dead bodies bob. The hot water seems to be cooking their rotten flesh, making the air thick with the stench of decay. Every breath I take feels more toxic than the last. My lungs burn, and it feels like I have a layer of rot forming on the inside of my mouth, coating my tongue. So thick and vile I can taste it.

This brought up some fond memories of a dog I once had with death farts.

Speaking of ass, Angus is getting on my good side. He’s still a complete jerk, but you know he’s got your back against those zombies.

I love in this one we get Hadley’s POV and Jon is such a good guy!!

“I’ll be here for you.” Jon’s mouth is pressed to my hair, and when he talks, his hot breath blows against the back of my head.

I lean into him and close my eyes. “You know it might not be yours.”

“It’s mine.”

Sigh, that Jon, stepping up to take care of her no matter what. The last book was a doozie and poor Hadley received the brunt of of the Vegas nightmare. She went from being a Hollywood star, to a lonely women locked in a bunker, to a sex slave, to running for her life. She’s grown SO MUCH since book two.

Vivian and Axl are my favorite couple. I love their relationship, their communication, and how they treat each other like equals.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am dedicated to this series. And because of that I cannot rate it any lower than 4 stars.
I love it! This book set a lot up but didn't wrap them up for me in the end. I KNEWWWWWW Hadley had tried something with Axel! I knew it! That was being set up from the 1st book. Her commenting on how hot he was over and over made me uneasy. I just wish he would have told Vivian...

So much was left open and unsaid that it frustrated me and I felt it was over too soon. Like Angus!! Wow!
With that being said I am awaiting the next book!

[Alisha Frias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. it started off right where the last book left off. Lost World is told from Vivian and Hadley's point of view. They finally find a good person that has a good place to stay and there are rumors of a place called Hope Springs that are bringing people together. The ending was very sad but it also ended up being a happy one... Will Hope Springs and up being the real thing?

[MommyDearest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for book 5 to come out. I have really enjoyed this series. I really like the characters and I like that some of them are a shade of TWD.

This series has lots of good, relatable characters, lots of zombie action and personal interaction.

If you like a good zombie series you should definitely read this one.

[Jennifer Disario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving this series!!! I've been devouring the books and can't wait for the 5th! Thank goodness it comes out this summer 2015 lol I am addicted to zombie stories at the moment and this has been my fave series. Vivian is a kickass heroine and her relationship with Axl and his white trash brother has been epic!

[Stephani Beauchamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic!l

I preordered this book because I have loved all of the others and they just keep getting better! I can't wait for the next one! As soon as I can preorder that one I will! Read this series, you won't be disappointed.

[Elizabeth Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Series

I read the first book in this series and thought it was good, people were how they might really act if this virus was real but the books that followed were better with each book. This Book 4 is the best so far. I can't wait for the next book to be published.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing again and left me crying for more!!!!

[Erin Begnaud- Moberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Carly Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series!

Seriously, I can't say enough how much I enjoy these books... The only thing bothering me is that I now have to wait for the next book to be written

[Megan Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the books in the series so far, but this one was my favourite!

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in this series

I loved this installment and cannot wait for book 5 to be released. I hate having to wait to see what happens to my favorite characters!