e-Audio, 09:05:24
Narrated by: Racquel Marie
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Published by: Recorded Books, Inc.
Read from: June 15-16, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received a free e-ALC from the publisher and Netgalley. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Violence, Mental Illness, Grief, Suicidal Thoughts, Death of a Parent, Gun Violence, Sexual Harassment, Chronic Illness, Vomit
For Readers Interested In: The Walking Dead, Zombies, Horror, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Latinx), 2sLGBTQ+, Sparkly Covers, YAThe Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.
Flora Braddock Paz is not the girl who survives. A colorful creative who spends as much time fearing death as she does trying to hide that fear from her loved ones, she’s always considered herself weak. But half a year into the global outbreak of a rabies mutation that transforms people into violent, zombielike “rabids,” she and her older brother Cain are still alive. With their mom dead, their dad missing, and their LA suburb left desolate, they form a new plan to venture out to the secluded Northern California cabin they vacationed in growing up―their best chance at a safe haven and maybe even seeing their dad again.
The dangers of the world have changed, but so has Flora. Still, their journey up the state is complicated by encounters with familiar faces, new allies, hidden truths, and painful memories of the family’s final time making this trip last year. And for Flora, one thing inevitably remains: No matter how far you run, death is never far behind.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This is what I was missing without even knowing I was missing it. I was a HUGE fan of The Walking Dead and every spin-off they had, so yeah, I was hella excited that it worked out. This was everything I needed and more.
Ok so the main thing about this book was the zombies. They were actually scary! I’ve read a few zombie books this year and none of them really had that scare factor I was looking for. But then I read this one and it surprised me. Marie not only tells us, but shows us how their skin is coming off, what they look like when they’re trying to bite her, and how they smell and everything. I was so creeped out when I read this lol But the whole world-building was so good. I guess since I had watched TWD, I knew what the world around them looked and felt like. The empty buildings and scrounging, really made this feel lonely and destitute.
What I loved the most about this tho was how it was also so much more than just the zombies. Flora is so jaded but still giving it her all. She is so strong and giving this life her all. And to also be taking care of her brother too impressed me so much. I’m not sure I would have done any of the things she did when I was her age. Shit, idk if I would do it now as an adult. This was so crazy. And let me just say, I can’t imagine going through this and also having OCD. Her brother was also strong. That’s the only way you can survive something like this.
The tension in this never lets up tho, so just make sure you’re ready for it. This book… WHEW! Just when you think they’re doing something good, something else pops up. And I mean up until the very end. This book had me on the literal edge of my seat! There’s so many surprises. I called one of them, but even that didn’t make me like it less. It was definitely a good way to show the characters and the way they were trying so hard to normalize everything.
This book was so good! I don’t want to say too much more for fear of spoilers, but let’s just say, don’t read this at night. Racquel Marie had too much fun with this one and it shows lol Perfect way to start your Summerween! I hope y’all pick this up immediately!
Overall, I give this
