With an original twist into zombies, the rapture, and a dystopian world, this read grabs with natural flair and entertains with tense moments and more than a dash of romance.

Six years before, millions of people suddenly disappeared and a new disease spread across the world. Most were forced to be vaccinated, something which back-fired horribly. Although everyone was infected, a few were immune, and strangely enough, others were cured. Ivy is one from this last group and lives with her aunt in a compound, helping others by offering time, care, and rooms at an inn. When a trip outside ends with an attack by a pair of 'zombies' who have a picture of Ivy, it's clear something awful is going on, and she's being hunted.

This book took me by surprise. Firstly, I wasn't aware it is Christian fiction, and for me, this was a new and not negative twist. The author weaves in the religious aspects and views effortlessly, keeping it definitely obvious but never preachy. It flows naturally, offers a wonderful message, and all of that while still keeping a tale, which is well-woven in the genre.

Secondly, I didn't know this was a zombie read (could be my own stupidity). I'll admit that I'm not a zombie fan, and this is more of a put-off for me. But these aren't usual zombies, either. They remind more of lepers, who do loose a bit of their mind as time goes on. So, these zombies are more alive and sick than the traditional walking dead version. This did make the story more approachable for me and added a nice platform for Ivy and her aunt's work, which also made them both that much easier to sympathize with and like.

It is not problem to sink into this tale and enjoy the characters and plot. Especially Ivy comes across as a usual teenager, and despite her whining and dash of snark, actually has a heart of gold and is very concerned for her aunt and those around her. She makes mistakes, is a bit standoff-ish and flips emotions quick, but all of this slides right into the age group and creates a character easy to identify with and enjoy. Add this to the spikey relationship with her aunt, and it's a well-rounded read on the character end.

There is romance, which follows a bit of the bad boy vs good guy. Ivy has other problems to face besides this tug-a-war, which keep it from over-powering the other plots. It adds heart, and again, gives the story a nice twist.

Christian fiction fans are going to enjoy the more 'normal' feel of this read, and fans of zombies as well as dystopian worlds are also in for an original treat. I'm not going to continue this series, but it's really because I have a hard time warming up to zombies, in general, and has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of this read. ( )

This book is intense. Of all the books I've read in the last 18 months, this is the first one that made me cry actual tears. The first chapter is a bit horrifying (and nearly made me give up). From the second chapter onwards, the story settled down to a very readable but bleak, relatively mundane post-apocalyptic life from a different perspective (that of the main character). Based on the first chapter I was worried it was going to be a mislabeled horror book! It isn't- it's a mix of many things and involves some lovely character portraits and a good inside look at Christian faith. It kind of assumes you're on board and shares its heart a little. It has a few bits of sermons which are part of the story but not much and they aren't directed at trying to convert the reader.

It's well written and emotive.

This book also has a strong romantic storyline - the "bad boy" and the "good boy" compete for the protagonist. If you like reading post-apocalyptic romance then you'll probably enjoy this one.

Disclaimer: I got a free review copy as part of a LibraryThing Member Giveaway in exchange for an honest review ( )

I had to sit on writing this review for a week or so because I honestly didn't know what to think.

I loved the different take on zombies - though I'm starting to notice a trend lately that zombies are more "human" and less shambling dead. In this story, the zombies are people who don't believe that Jesus is their savior.

The book is unapologically Christian - and I do strongly think you have to at least have a vague Christian outlook to really enjoy the book, otherwise you will lose out on a lot of the story.

There were a lot of parts to the book that I really enjoyed - Ivy going shopping while her aunt guarded over her, ready with a taser to stop anything that moved - I was bugged by Ivy's constant whining in the beginning about how her aunt was so mean to her by making her go shopping or use her manners, yet it's evident throughout the book that her aunt loves her and Ivy adores her. The inconsistencies like that throughout the book really bugged me. Yes, readers notice things like this.

All in all, it was a great, YA Christian story, with some zombies and romance thrown in for good measure.



I shared an excerpt of this book a few weeks ago - Infectious blog tour and excerpt ( )

An interesting premise about one's relationship with God being what staves off the symptoms and signs of the disease. The "cure" is open to anyone who believes. There are cases of those who were showing signs recovering once they developed their relationship with Christ. But rather than taking the gift, most people are convinced there is some curative that is being hidden from them or something in the blood of those who don't show the degeneration.

When I first read this, I thought Ivy had some growth in her character from a self-centered teen who was more concerned with fancy shoes than with her safety to a more mature young woman, but after thinking about it, I am not so sure. Certainly, her attitude toward her aunt changed, but when she has to make a decision about who to go with, she seems more led by her own interests than by rational thinking. ( )