The Drift by C.J. Tudor

Available January 31, 2023

CW: child death, fatphobia, viral pandemic, violence

Buckle up! This is a wild one! Told through multiple POVs, The Drift is a story of survival in a world overrun with a deadly, zombie-like virus. A charter bus carrying wealthy private school students crashes during a blizzard, and the passengers slowly begin to realize that it may have been intentional. A cable car full of passengers on their way to the Retreat is stuck halfway up the mountain, also with a blizzard raging outside. At the Retreat, the storm seems more of an inconvenience, as they have generators and food stores. But electrical issues are causing headaches and tensions between the various inhabitants are beginning to reach a breaking point.

As the three groups face the deadly challenges before them, dark secrets from their pasts are revealed and cause even more strife and pit people against each other. Every person has a secret to hide and is willing to kill to survive.

This is one doozy of a book! It’s incredibly tense and violent with graphic descriptions of gore and trauma. My only complaint is the amount to casual fatphobia found throughout the entire story; I found that far worse than the violence. There is A LOT of fatphobia, please read with care. I will admit, I began to wonder to when the twist was going to be revealed, as this is a thriller, and it’s worth the wait! This is one of those stories that there isn’t a single character that you have any reason to care for. Every single person is horrible. Every single person has something to hide: an evil agenda, a person to protect, a grudge to be avenged. Every. Single. Person, Absolutely sucks. And also, there is a viral pandemic going on that causes people to become zombie-like and I understand the desire to survive in a world that would be just fine with you not being in it anymore. But the payoff at the end is, begrudgingly, earned. I was very surprised for the twist in events and found it very deftly done.

If you would like to add this book to your shelf, or add it your Library Holds Lists, you can click on the book cover or here, for ordering information. I was fortunate enough to read this title early through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. If you stuck around this long, did your read it? Love it? Hate it? Leave a comment and start the conversation.

The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson

Available Now

CW: Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, animal death, graphic violence

Even with all that said, I was fortunate enough to read this book in 2021, but I can already tell you, it’s going to be both my favorite book of 2021 and 2022. I love this book so much! It’s fierce, it’s funny, it’s emotional, it’s rage-filled-bring-down-the-patriarchy-burn-the-world-down joy. I really, really love this book.

When the world is quickly overtaken by a mysterious and deadly disease that turns it’s victims into ruthless killing machines, one woman finally sees her way out of an abusive marriage. After years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from her husband David, Chelsea Martin finally has a way to escape and save herself and her daughters. But the road to freedom is far from smooth and along the way, Chelsea discovers that she, and all the women in her life, are far stronger and resilient than she ever thought possible.

Delilah S. Dawson has given us an amazing story that is the epitome of life giving you lemons and you turning them into an artisanal cocktail. The Violence is an extremely contagious virus that causes uncontrollable rage and violent behavior in its victims. The rage is so intense, the infected person often has to memory of attacking another person, or animal, and has increased strength and speed. As cases begin to mount, Chelsea is able to use the world wide panic as a way to frame her husband, kind of, and create an escape route for her children. It’s through Chelsea’s journey to find independence and safety for her two daughters, one in high school and one in early elementary, that we see how Chelsea’s own mother’s behavior and and personality was shaped by an abusive upbringing. Knowing only heartbreak from her own parents, Chelsea’s mother parented her in the same cold, and emotionally abusive way and is distant towards her only grandchildren.

Dawson has created fully fleshed characters that draw you in to their pain and inspire you with their growth and determination. Patricia, Chelsea’s mother, grew up extremely poor and has married her away to a country club membership and sitting judge as a husband. With her new money and sophisticated lifestyle, she will go to any length to keep her history as a poor, single mother in the past. Her perfectionist attitude towards appearance and money made her relationship with Chelsea distant and cold. Chelsea, wanting a better life for her daughters, is scared to break the image of a perfect marriage and life she has made with David. Her days of keeping house, carpools, and hair appointments hide the carefully crafted home life designed to please her husband and her husband only. Seeing her mother cower from her father and the fights that occur night after night, Ella, Chelsea’s oldest daughter, has found herself in a precarious position with her first steady boyfriend. Dawson shows us, through these women, how strong the hold of abuse is and how hard it is to shake. Even with the best of intentions, it’s an incredibly hard cycle to break.

I loved this book and it’s fierce cry of pure, female rage. Time and again, our characters are thrown huge obstacles, often by men, and they come out on top, stronger and more confident than before. Their journey is incredibly hard, but it’s beautiful to see what they’ve made of themselves. Even with all the violence and darkness, there are many moments of hope to find within The Violence. Good people, strokes of good luck, and second chances are interwoven throughout providing light and hope. It’s a spectacular story that is both timely, and timeless. The Violence is an emotional roller coaster ride through overcoming trauma, finding the strength that was always within, and hope for a better future.

If you would like to add this amazing book to your shelf, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.