But hiding isn’t surviving
4 out of 5 stars
If you are looking for an action-packed post-apocalyptic adventure, this isn’t the book for you. However, if you want a book that explores the after-effects of “winning” (or losing, depends on who you talk to in the book) a war with an alien race and one girl’s quest to find her lost sister, then you will fall in love with this book.
Usually, in post-apocalyptic books, I’m expecting action and adventure but Kate L. Mary took a different approach to this novel, and it was very successful. The book starts with Eva being hiding alone and still reeling from losing her sister. She stumbles across Walker and Tara who take her in and start to show her how to feel again. I thought this was a clever plot as it shows more of the emotional side of a world in chaos. Reading so much fantasy, I’m used to people taking action and going to war that it this was a nice reprieve.
Since this was not focused on the action there were some points that did tend to drag on. While they never lasted long, it felt more like a repeat. Certain instances I felt like I read only a little bit ago for them to be mentioned again but with different wording. This didn’t take the focus away from the story but it the few times it happened, I was anxious to move on. Overall, this had a really good pace and feel to it. There were a couple of intense scenes that had me on the edge of my seat because even though this was more of an emotional story, there are still aliens on Earth.
I absolutely loved the character development in this novel, especially Eva. When she is first introduced, she is hurting and alone. Trust doesn’t come easy in a world like this and neither does happiness. But after teaming with Walker and Tara, she finds that it’s good to have other people around and not be on her own – that there is still goodness left in the world. Even Tara and Walker’s personalities change after finding Eva. Their adventure together definitely teaches them new perspectives in life.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it really hit close to the heart and I love it when books surprise me like that. With a great plot and descriptive story, Kate L. Mary really makes this post-apocalyptic world believable. Even though there were some moments that seemed to repeat themselves, the book had great pacing and fantastic writing kept me invested the entire time. Eva was a fantastic main character to follow in this journey and really watch her grow into a fierce character. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a great post-apocalyptic read with flawed characters who still put up a fight.
Betty Soo did a really fantastic job narrating this story. Her voice really portrayed Eva’s story and guided us through her world. I really enjoy it when narrators act out what the person is actually doing (yawning, talking with food in mouth, etc.) and BettySoo took the time to add those little details in. It truly adds to the experience of listening to the audio. The scenes that were supposed to be intense were and if it was a quieter scene, it was quiet. I would definitely recommend this audio.
Book Description:
When We Were Human by Kate L. Mary
Narrator: BettySoo
Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
on August 10th 2016
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
They came four years ago. Invaded our planet, rounded us up, and decimated the human race. We fought back, and some even say we won, but they're wrong. The invaders took everything from us. Our family. Our hope. Our humanity. We won the war, but there are no humans left. Only monsters who will do anything to survive. Some look human and some don't, but they are all the same.
Eighteen-year-old Eva has spent the last year punishing herself for her sister's death and hiding from everyone she comes into contact with, human or otherwise. With the population destroyed and Earth left in ruins, she sees little hope left for the future.
But when she crosses paths with Walker and Tara, something inside her awakens. Something she thought had died along with her entire family. In these new friends Eva sees a promise of what the future could be, as well as evidence that humanity might not be extinct after all.
When a ghost from Eva's past makes an unexpected appearance, the group sets out on a cross-country trek that will teach Eva how to love and hope again, and will remind her what it truly means to be human.
Also by this author: Broken World, Shattered World, Mad World, Moonchild
