Follow a group of survivors on a journey that spans more than thirty books and decades of apocalyptic horror as they search for safety in a world overrun by the dead…
Broken World
When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Vivian sets out in hopes of seeing the daughter she gave up for adoption. Then her car breaks down and she’s faced with a give up or accept a ride from brothers, Angus and Axl. Vivian knows getting in the car with strangers is risky, but with time running out, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to reach her daughter.
The virus is spreading, and by the time the group makes it to California, most of the population has already been wiped out. When the dead start coming back, Vivian and the others realize that no electricity or running water are the least of their concerns. Now Vivian must learn how to be a mom under the most frightening circumstances, cope with Angus’s aggressive mood swings, and sort out her growing attraction to his brooding younger brother, Axl.
While searching for a safe place to go, the group meets a pompous billionaire who may be the answer to all their problems. Trusting him means going into the middle of the Mojave Desert and possibly risking their lives, but with the streets overrun and nowhere else to turn, he might be their only chance for survival…
Love, Loss, and the Living Dead
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋😉😎🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
Characters and Plot Summary
Vivian Thomas is a woman with a mission. As a deadly virus spreads across the country and society begins falling apart, she sets out for California with one goal in mind: finding the daughter she gave up for adoption to see her in person just one time. It’s an emotional reason to make an already dangerous journey, and Vivian’s determination to reach her daughter gives the story a personal center beyond simply surviving the apocalypse.
Her plans take an unexpected turn when her car breaks down and she accepts a ride from two brothers, Angus and Axl. Angus is crude, unpredictable, and has an aggressive streak that makes him difficult to trust. Axl, his younger brother, is considerably more reserved and brooding, but there is a softer, more compassionate side to him that gradually becomes apparent. The contrast between the brothers makes for an interesting dynamic, especially as Vivian finds herself increasingly drawn to Axl while having to navigate Angus’s difficult personality.
As the group travels toward California, the situation becomes increasingly terrifying. The virus has devastated the population, familiar towns are becoming deserted, and the dead are no longer staying dead. What begins as a desperate road trip to reunite a mother with her daughter turns into a fight for survival in a world that is rapidly becoming unrecognizable.
Highlights and Limitations
One of my favorite aspects of this story is that Vivian has something deeply personal driving her decisions. She’s not simply looking for a place to hide or trying to make it through another day. She wants to find the daughter she hasn’t seen in years, and that gives her journey an emotional weight that I appreciated. Her willingness to accept a ride from two complete strangers because she refuses to give up on reaching California also says a lot about her determination.
I enjoyed the contrast between Angus and Axl, too. Angus is the sort of character who can make me want to reach through the pages and shake some sense into him, while Axl is much easier to warm up to. Their relationship as brothers adds another layer to the group dynamic, and I liked watching Vivian figure out who she could actually depend on as the world around them deteriorated.
The progression of the apocalypse was another strong point. The increasingly empty roads, abandoned communities, and unsettling encounters with the infected create a creepy atmosphere without needing constant action. I especially liked how the characters have to adjust their understanding of what is happening as the situation gets worse. The danger isn’t immediately confined to zombies. Other desperate survivors can be just as concerning.
My main reservation was Angus. I understand that his abrasive personality is part of his characterization, but there were moments when his behavior became more irritating than entertaining. I also would have liked a little more time devoted to developing some of the relationships before the next crisis arrived. Still, the combination of survival horror, family drama, and romantic tension kept me interested.
Narration
Hillary Huber does a good job bringing Vivian’s story to life. Her narration is clear and engaging, and she handles the dialogue well, giving the characters enough distinction that their conversations feel natural, but she does sound a bit older than Vivian, who is only 22. I particularly enjoyed the way she captures the tension between Vivian and the two brothers. She also handles the emotional moments without making them feel overly dramatic. Though I have to say I hate solo narration, but there aren’t a lot of options for post-apocalyptic books with romance.
The audiobook is just over eight and a half hours, and Huber kept the story moving at a comfortable pace. Her performance suited the atmosphere, whether the characters were dealing with uncomfortable conversations or the growing danger outside their vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Broken World was an entertaining start to a zombie-apocalypse series, and I enjoyed that Kate L. Mary gave the story more to work with than simply running from the undead. Vivian’s search for her daughter provides an emotional foundation, while the complicated personalities and relationships within the group keep things interesting.
I was especially invested in the contrast between Angus and Axl, and I found myself wanting to see how their relationships with Vivian would develop as their circumstances became more dangerous. The story has its frustrating moments, but the combination of an unfolding apocalypse, complicated characters, and an emotional reason to keep moving made this an enjoyable listen.
I’m definitely interested in continuing the series. I want to see where Vivian’s journey takes her and what other challenges this group will have to face. If you enjoy zombie fiction with a mixture of survival, relationship drama, and characters who aren’t always easy to figure out, this is worth checking out.
