Who Would Like This Book:
If you love dystopian adventures, especially with strong female leads and high-stakes survival, After the Flood might be your next page-turner. The premise is compelling: think Waterworld-meets-Mad Max with a maternal twist. Many readers enjoyed the immersive (and bleak!) world-building - imagine the world's mountaintops as islands, society reshaped by climate catastrophe, and humanity forced to adapt. This book has action, pirates, a dash of romance, and plenty of ethical gray areas. If you're into stories about parental love, moral dilemmas, and endurance in the face of unthinkable adversity, you'll likely be hooked. Fans of The Road or Station Eleven may also appreciate this one!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers bounced off this book due to the slow pace in the middle, repetitive internal dilemmas, and characters that weren't easy to root for - particularly the main character, whom some found frustrating or unlikable. If you crave airtight world-building, the loose science and occasional plot conveniences may be a turn-off. There are moments when the action slows for too much boat talk or ethical hand-wringing, which could be tedious. Trigger warnings are definitely warranted, as the story doesn't shy away from some very dark and graphic themes. Those who dislike post-apocalyptic sadness, or need to connect deeply with characters, might not find this to be their cup of tea.
About:
"After the Flood" by Kassandra Montag is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a world where rising floodwaters have submerged most of the land, leaving only scattered settlements on high peaks and people living on boats. The story follows Myra, a mother trying to survive with her daughter Pearl, as they embark on a dangerous journey to find Myra's older daughter, Row, who was kidnapped years ago. The book is praised for its fast-paced writing style, strong character development, and a plot filled with adventure, survival, and emotional depth.
The novel explores themes of family, survival, trust, and resilience in the face of disaster. It follows Myra's desperate quest to reunite with her lost daughter, navigating a treacherous world filled with marauders, challenges, and unexpected alliances. The gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and vivid world-building make "After the Flood" a compelling read that delves into the complexities of human nature and relationships in extreme circumstances.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include themes of kidnapping, human trafficking, violence, and suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
From The Publisher:
A Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year
An inventive and riveting epic saga, After the Flood signals the arrival of an extraordinary new talent.
A little more than a century from now, our world has been utterly transformed. After years of slowly overtaking the continent, rising floodwaters have obliterated America's great coastal cities and then its heartland, leaving nothing but an archipelago of mountaintop colonies surrounded by a deep expanse of open water.
Stubbornly independent Myra and her precocious seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, fish from their small boat, the Bird, visiting dry land only to trade for supplies and information in the few remaining outposts of civilization. For seven years, Myra has grieved the loss of her oldest daughter, Row, who was stolen by her father after a monstrous deluge overtook their home in Nebraska. Then, in a violent confrontation with a stranger, Myra suddenly discovers that Row was last seen in a far-off encampment near the Arctic Circle. Throwing aside her usual caution, Myra and Pearl embark on a perilous voyage into the icy northern seas, hoping against hope that Row will still be there.
On their journey, Myra and Pearl join forces with a larger ship and Myra finds herself bonding with her fellow seekers who hope to build a safe haven together in this dangerous new world. But secrets, lust, and betrayals threaten their dream, and after their fortunes take a shocking-and bloody-turn, Myra can no longer ignore the question of whether saving Row is worth endangering Pearl and her fellow travelers.
A compulsively readable novel of dark despair and soaring hope, After the Flood is a magnificent, action packed, and sometimes frightening odyssey laced with wonder-an affecting and wholly original saga both redemptive and astonishing.
Ratings (13)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (6) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (80):
Read It (16) | |
Want To Read (46) | |
Not Interested (18) |
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