Survival Continues the Dystopian Adventure. The author does an excellent job pulling readers into the next step of her characters' adventures. Various obstacles and challenges to survival test the girls, and the author presents these challenges in a way that is easy to read and engaging for middle-school readers. The emotions are well-portrayed, and the strength of character and the bond of friendship form the heart of the story. The author tackles the realities of survival along with some of the relatable realities of growing up and relationships. 

Expect a Clean Read. I often find tween/teen dystopian novels jump too quickly into romance and violence--but, the author here offers a clean read that your tweens and younger teens can read without worrying about the content themes. The girls face obstacles to survival (and challenges to their relationship)--and a love interest--but the nature of the story remains clean and a family-friendly read.

Would I Recommend Survival by J. Taylor? I enjoyed this novel. While you could read this book alone, I would recommend reading the first book in the series to help better understand the characters' situations and the background of their bond. The novel is fast-paced and engaging, with action-packed scenes. This pace makes some of the scenes play out rather quickly, but the style and flow of the book are perfect for younger teen readers. If you enjoy middle grade dystopian fiction with strong characters and an engaging, clean storyline, this series in an easy one to pick up and enjoy from the first pages.

​Book Title: THE INVASION (Book Three The After series) by J. Taylor
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  July 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, the two teenage characters do kiss​

About the Book

With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.

Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits. 
​
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.

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 Meet the Author 

J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories. 

Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.

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Today, I have a dystopian novel in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about Eden and author Pascal Bouduillard! 

Dystopian Novel

Date Published: May 2, 2025

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2054, to combat the chronic anemia of the sedentary population, who live cloistered and under government tutelage, the pharmaceutical company Orson and Orson, of which Nucleus is the main shareholder, developed a regenerative pill called Jouvence. Everyone is clamoring for it. "Unfortunately," the side effects of the miracle product affect the libido of the consumers, causing them to literally die of pleasure. 

Nucleus manipulates governments to gradually rid the planet of the surplus humans who no longer have a place in a society where finance has supplanted mass consumerism. His hope is to turn Earth into a true Eden for his people who are, in his eyes, the only humans worthy of survival. However, a persistent infertility crisis amongst his kind, casts a dark shadow over his once-promising vision of a utopian future. Meanwhile, in the Metropolis, some Sedentaries, including Winston, manage to escape the systematic and inevitable extermination set in motion by Nucleus. 

Will they be able to survive the persecution of the army of liberty and the reactivation of the GMO seeds of hyper-accumulating hyacinths that has covered the entire planet? 

Gripping, provocative, and chillingly prescient, Eden: The Final Solution is a dystopian tour de force that challenges the limits of progress, morality and reimagine the Orwellian dystopia, shaped by the excesses and anxieties of our time. Fans of Brave New World and 1984 will find themselves enthralled—and terrified—by this haunting vision of the future.

About the Author

At the end of the ’80s, he spent several years touring Europe and French-speaking countries with the “Trio Français de Guitare”, which he co-founded and which specialized in transcriptions of works by early 20th-century composers. Unfortunately, focal dystonia prevents him from pursuing a career as a classical guitarist. He then obtained a scholarship to the “Maitrise de Musique Baroque de Versailles”, where he played tenor and was introduced to conducting. 

In the ’90s, he co-founded the progressive rock band Saens, in which he was composer, singer, bassist and acoustic guitarist, and with whom he released three albums: Les Regrets d’Isidore D, Escaping From The Hands Of God and Prophet In A Statistical World. 

In 1997, he conducted Benjamin Britten’s opera “Noah’s Ark” at the Cathédrale Saint Louis in Versailles, the Église Saint Augustin in Paris and the Théâtre de Poissy. That same year, he was invited to conduct a group of musicians from the Orchestre National de France at the Théâtre des Champs Élysées, on the occasion of Mstislav Rostropovich’s 70th birthday. 

He then moved to the USA to find the woman he was to marry. Interested by the turn the world economy is taking, he returns to his original political passions. 

After more than 5 years of research and reflection as part of a virtual focused group of French citizens, and driven by the anxieties provoked by his discoveries, he launched into the writing of “Eden” and the “Practical Guide toward an Atomic Democracy”.

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Today, I have a recently released young adult dystopian novel in our book spotlight spot! Check out Shadowed Skies, learn about author Haley Cavanagh, and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance

Date Published: 03-25-2025

Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

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In the shadowed aftermath of global destruction, humanity’s hope takes flight on the wings of the Evol-humans. River Shaw, secluded in his high-altitude sanctuary, seeks solace after a life scarred by loss. His quiet existence is disrupted when Delene Fairborne, fleeing captivity and a dark past, crashes into his world. Together, they find strength in their unique abilities, resisting the sinister forces that hunt them for a cure only their blood can provide. 

 As love blossoms amidst the chaos, they face a ruthless scientist hell-bent on harnessing their power. Shadowed Skies is a tale of survival, sacrifice, and soaring hope, where two souls, bound by destiny, fight for a world on the brink. Dive into a world where love flies against insurmountable odds.

About the Author

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is a multiple award-winning and best-selling author and the two-time recipient of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill Award in 2020 and 2024. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

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Today, I have a young adult Christian dystopian novel in our book blitz spotlight! Check out The End: Alpha, learn about author Aaron Ryan, and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

YA Christian Sci-Fi/Dystopian

Date Published: 03-05-2025

When a man in power believes he's God, mankind doesn't have a prayer

About the Author

Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches.

He is the author of the bestselling "Dissonance" 6-book alien invasion saga, the post-apocalyptic Christian fiction saga "The End," the sci-fi thrillers "Forecast" and "The Slide," the children's picture books "The Ring of Truth," "The Sword of Joy" and "The Book of Power," the business reference business books "How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book" and "The Superhero Anomaly", 6 business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, "The Omega Room."

When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book.  And thus, "The Electric Boy" was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write.  From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.

He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy.  In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more.  The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.

Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit the Dissonance saga website at https://www.dissonancetheseries.com or The End saga website at https://thisisnottheend.com.

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My daughters and I have always loved finding new young adult dystopian thrillers to share! Today, I have a new novel from author Esther Cordova that is getting great reviews in our book spotlight! Check out Convergence and learn about the author! 

Young Adult Fiction

Published: 1/21/2025

Convergence is The Hunger Games meets Ex Machina—a gripping YA dystopian novel that dives deep into love, consciousness, and the ethical dilemmas of AI. 

When Maya leaves her secluded village to save her sister's life in a futuristic city, she uncovers a chilling plot that threatens the very fabric of humanity. If you hate predictable villains and love stories with jaw-dropping twists, morally complex characters, and thought-provoking questions, this book will captivate you. 

As one reader said, "I rarely get so intrigued by something that I end up zoning out for a few moments to have a mental discussion over the morality of those implications." 

Ready to question what it truly means to be human? Convergence is your next unputdownable read.

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About the Author

 

Author Esther Cordova is on a mission to change mindsets around the world. It’s a simple enough change, she wants to add the word YET. 

 

When children say ‘I can’t do that’, she adds the word ‘yet’. (Great advice for adults too!) Esther believes that this simple concept will help children overcome their fears and strive to learn as much as they can in life. One word makes an important difference!

 

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