by Katherine Stewart - undifferentiated
First published 2004
Leah and Sara Davidson wake to a world transformed by biological warfare. Most of humanity lies dead. The sisters must abandon their Colorado home and strike out for safety. They set their sights on Monterey, California, where Leah's uncle Tim waits. The trek from Grand Junction tests them at every turn. Threats lurk on empty highways and in abandoned towns. When they finally reach the California coast, they discover a small band of survivors struggling to make sense of their shattered world. Uncle Tim welcomes them into this makeshift community. Here, among strangers who have become family, the sisters confront their losses. They learn new skills and forge unexpected friendships. The old rules no longer apply. Every day brings fresh challenges as they work to establish routines and rebuild trust. Slowly, Leah and Sara transform from refugees into leaders. They discover reserves of strength they never knew they possessed. In this fragile settlement by the sea, they begin the long work of healing.
Genres: fiction, 21st-century, post-apocalyptic, apocalyptic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, survival
Setting: California, Colorado, Grand Junction, Monterey
Period: 21st-century
366 pages · Paperback · Publishamerica Inc
Content warnings: death, violence