Book Review | Horizon by Sophie Littlefield

Horizon is the third and final installment in Sophie Littlefield's Aftertime series.

Book Description

Cass Dollar is a survivor. She's overcome the meltdown of civilization, humans turned mindless cannibals, and the many evils of man.

But from beneath the devastated California landscape emerges a tendril of hope. A mysterious traveler arrives at New Eden with knowledge of a passageway North—a final escape from the increasingly cunning Beaters. Clutching this dream, Cass and many others decamp and follow him into the unknown.

Journeying down valleys and over barren hills, Cass remains torn between two men. One—her beloved Smoke—is not so innocent as he once was. The other keeps a primal hold on her that feels like Fate itself. And beneath it all, Cass must confront the worst of what's inside her—dark memories from when she was a Beater herself. But she, and all of the other survivors, will fight to the death for the promise of a new horizon….

Horizon is a fitting conclusion for Sophie Littlefield's Aftertime series. I was thrilled to see the zombies make a significant return for the finale.

The only flaw I found with Horizon and the Aftertime series as a whole was a lack of connection to the characters. Cass Dollar was pretty different in each book, and I never managed to like any of the versions of her.

Thankfully I loved the story, and I found unforgettable moments throughout the series. I do recommend you read Aftertime and Rebirth before reading Horizon. There is a novella, Survivors, between the first two that I recommend as well, but it's not necessary.

Littlefield has created such an epic world within the Aftertime series. Even though we are left with a resolved ending and so many answers were given in Horizon, it feels like the series could go on forever. I can close my eyes and picture what's happening in the Aftertime world right now. It makes me sad that the series has ended which is always the mark of a great read.

7/10: Recommended

Review copy provided by publisher

Review: Survivors (Aftertime #1.5) by Sophie Littlefield

Yesterday, as I was stealing grabbing a cover pic from GoodReads for my Rebirth review post, I discovered Sophie Littlefield wrote a novella between Aftertime and Rebirth entitled Survivors (Aftertime #1.5).  Naturally I scooped it up on my Kindle and gave it a read!

Book Description

DOING RIGHT ISN'T EASY IN A WORLD GONE SO WRONG

Cass Dollar outlasted the fall of civilization. But surviving Aftertime requires the kind of toughness that can conquer the violent landscape of California and still retain its humanity.

When a young boy and his dying grandmother are brought to the Box, the survivalist community where Cass takes shelter, she realizes that without her help he won't be long for this unforgiving new world. But while the Box is a haven from the roaming marauders—and the flesh-hungry Beaters—it forbids children within its confines. The boy will be turned out to fend for himself. All that stands between him and the brutal wilderness is Cass's protective instincts, and the stubborn resolve that's gotten her this far Aftertime.

If you have read (or plan on reading) Aftertime, read Survivors before moving on to Rebirth.  I wish I had!  The second book Rebirth takes places a couple of years after Aftertime.  Survivors, however, gives you insight into how life was for Cass and Smoke (and Ruthie who seems to sleep 99% of her life) shortly after the end of book one.  I had an issue with not liking the characters in Rebirth, but they are quite likeable in Survivors and that likely would have carried over some into Rebirth.

This is a short novella, but it was a good dose of Littlefield's Aftertime world and a quick shot of some more zombie goodness.

Update: You can get Survivors for free on Amazon right now. I assume it is a limited offer as I just paid $2.99 for my copy.

Additional topics of interest
Book Review: Aftertime (Aftertime #1) by Sophie Littlefield
Book Review: Rebirth (Aftertime #2) by Sophie Littlefield
Dystopian book reviews

Book Review: Rebirth (Aftertime #2) by Sophie Littlefield

Rebirth is the second book in the Aftertime series by Sophie Littlefield.

Book Description

The end of the world was just the beginning

Civilization has fallen, leaving California an unforgiving, decimated place. But Cass Dollar beat terrible odds to get her missing daughter back—she and Ruthie will be happy.

Yet with the first winter, Cass is reminded that happiness is fleeting in Aftertime. Ruthie retreats into silence.

Flesh—eating Beaters still dominate the landscape. And Smoke, Cass's lover and strength, departs on a quest for vengeance, one that may end him even if he returns.

The survivalist community Cass has planted roots in is breaking apart, too. Its leader, Dor, implores Cass to help him recover his own lost daughter, taken by the totalitarian Rebuilders. And soon Cass finds herself thrust into the dark heart of an organization promising humanity's rebirth—at all costs.

Bound to two men blazing divergent paths across a savage land, Cass must overcome the darkness in her wounded heart, or lose those she loves forever.

I love the Aftertime world Sophie Littlefield has created.  This is a great "escape" series to get lost in.

In Rebirth, Cass heads back out into the world of zombies and (even more frightening) humans.  Her journey is suspenseful and even chilling at times.

The zombie "beaters" play a much larger role in the first book (Aftertime) than they do in Rebirth.  Rebirth focuses more on Cass and the dystopian "Rebuilders" of Aftertime.

I'm not a huge fan of the characters in Rebirth, but it ends on a great note introducing us to some new characters who have a lot of potential.  It has me looking forward to the final book (Horizon) in February 2012.

If you are a fan of post-apocalyptic or dystopian books, this is a series you will want to read.

Review copy provided by publisher

Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (The Goddess Test #1)

The Goddess Test is the debut book of Aimee Carter and the first book of the Goddess Test series.

Book Description

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Kate has made a deal with Hades.  She must stay in his mansion for six months and pass seven tests delivered by the Gods.  I made the mistake of assuming these Olympians tests would be of epic proportion.  Instead, I spent the entire book wondering along with Kate how she is even being tested.  The only two tests we are aware she is taking is a pencil and paper test and a test in which Hades gives her the answer.

The Goddess Test is told from Kate's point of view, and she spends the entire book waiting.  I will not be waiting for book #2.

Have you read the Goddess Test?  It is getting great reviews.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Review copy provided by publisher

Book Review | Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

I love a good zombie book.

Book Description

Awakening in a bleak landscape as scarred as her body, Cass Dollar vaguely recalls surviving something terrible. Having no idea how many weeks have passed, she slowly realizes the horrifying truth: Ruthie has vanished.

And with her, nearly all of civilization.  Where once-lush hills carried cars and commerce, the roads today see only cannibalistic Beaters—people turned hungry for human flesh by a government experiment gone wrong.

In a broken, barren California, Cass will undergo a harrowing quest to get Ruthie back. Few people trust an outsider, let alone a woman who became a zombie and somehow turned back, but she finds help from an enigmatic outlaw, Smoke. Smoke is her savior, and her safety.  For the Beaters are out there.  And the humans grip at survival with their trigger fingers. Especially when they learn that she and Ruthie have become the most feared, and desired, of weapons in a brave new world….

Cass Dollar was sheltering in a library with her daughter Ruthie when the zombies took her.  Cass recalls some of the events leading up to the attack, but she doesn't remember what happened, how much time has past, or how she has even survived.  She is desperate to get back to her daughter.

I did not want to put this book down.  As scary as the flesh eating zombies were in this book, the humans were even more frightening. 

If you are a zombie fan, this is a great read, but I'm also recommending this book to anyone who likes to be on the edge of their seat.

Aftertime is the first book in a planned trilogy.  While Littlefield delivered a strong story in this first installment, I have the feeling we are just getting started.  I will be anxiously waiting to get my hands on the next book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐★
4/5 Stars

Let me hear your thoughts on Aftertime!

Review copy provided by publisher

Additional topics of interest:
Book Review: The Rising by Brian Keene