Survival (The After Series, Book Two) by J. Taylor

“Set against the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia, Survival explores how two girls, Charlotte and Anna, cling to hope, friendship, and determination as they face the ultimate test—building a new life in a world that has forgotten them.”

Welcome to my stop on this special two-part feature! Today I’m spotlighting and reviewing Survival (Book Two) in J. Taylor’s middle-grade dystopian After Series. Next week—same time, same place—I’ll be back with The Invasion (Book Three) to complete the duo. I have previously reviewed The After (Book One) of the series. You might like to read it here.

Set in the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia, Survival follows Charlotte and Anna as they face the essentials—food, shelter, safety—and the harder stuff: trust, loyalty, and what happens when someone new threatens the fragile world they’re building. It’s tense, heartfelt, and absolutely page-turning for readers 10–15 (and their grown-ups!).

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📝 All About the Book

Survival
By J. Taylor
Series: The After Series #2
Published by FriesenPress on January 2025
Genres: Fiction, Dystopian, Middle-Grade, Post Apocalyptic, Young Adult
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 198

Book Two of The After Series
In the wilderness of Nova Scotia, Charlotte and Anna confront the formidable challenges of survival such as finding food, building a shelter, and establishing a new life. Their bond is tested, however, when an unknown individual enters the scene, potentially driving a wedge between them.

As tensions rise, a catastrophic event further complicates their situation, leading to a separation that leaves them struggling to reunite.Book Two of The After Series explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the harsh realities of survival, highlighting both the strength of Charlotte and Anna’s connection and the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.

Source: iRead Book Tours

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📚 Where to Find Survival

Available on Amazon

[amazon fields ="103832971X" value="thumb"]

🛒 KINDLE  |  PAPERBACK   |  HARDCOVER

If the above links don’t direct you to your country’s Amazon page, please feel free to contact me—I’m happy to provide the correct link.

Using my Amazon affiliate links doesn’t change the price you pay. Amazon shares a small commission with me, which helps keep this blog running—thank you!

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Prefer to shop local?
🛍️ You can also purchase Survival from your favorite indie bookstore online.

Bookshop.org is an excellent option that supports indie authors—and book bloggers like me—while avoiding the big-box route.

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Also available at:
📘 Friesen Press | Indigo | B&N

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✨ My Thoughts on Survival ✨

I love a survival story that puts relationships at the center, and Survival does exactly that. Charlotte and Anna’s bond is the backbone of the book—resilient, messy, and real. The wilderness challenges feel tactile (what to eat, how to stay warm, where to sleep), while the emotional stakes—jealousy, fear, and grit—keep the pages flying.

The plot moves with steady suspense, punctuated by a few “oh no” moments that will land perfectly with middle-grade readers. The arrival of an outsider adds just enough uncertainty to test both girls in believable ways. I especially appreciated how the story balances survival craft with quiet, human choices—when to speak up, when to forgive, and how to keep going when plans fall apart.

If I’m nitpicking, a couple transitions felt a touch brisk—I would have happily lingered longer in certain scenes. But that’s also part of the book’s momentum: this is a story that moves.

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Review at a Glance

• Rating: 5/5

• Perfect for: Readers 10–15 who love wilderness adventure, friendship stories, and gentle suspense

• Vibe: Heart-forward survival with real stakes and lots of hope

• Content Notes: PG (per tour guide); no profanity or graphic content; a brief kiss between teens

• Themes: Resilience, friendship under pressure, problem-solving, trust, found family

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I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review represents my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Check out the full series!

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🖋️ Guest Post from J. Taylor

I’m delighted to host a guest post from J. Taylor today. In “The Appointment,” she offers a poignant, intimate scene from a potential nonfiction project—a mother awaiting genetic test results for her infant. It’s a quiet masterclass in tension and tenderness, and you can feel the same emotional intelligence that powers Survival: ordinary people meeting extraordinary moments with courage and love.

Read J. Taylor’s guest post below: “The Appointment.”

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If you wrote a non-fiction book, give your readers a sneak peak: 

The Appointment

The mother sat on the hard bench outside the pediatrician's office, her arms wrapped tightly around her infant daughter as if she could shield her from whatever news waited behind those doors. One by one she watched the other families filter in—toddlers clinging to their parents' hands, babies fussing in carriers—until each was called, each vanished, and the waiting room slowly emptied.

     Now it was only her and her little girl, so small, warm, and perfect against her chest. She knew the results of the genetic testing had come back, knew the doctor's calm smile might carry words that could change everything, and the future she had so carefully pictured for them could unravel in a single breath.

     At the front desk, the steady tapping of keys ceased. The young receptionist glanced up, her smile automatic. "Mrs. Taylor," she called softly, "the doctor will see you now."

     The mother rose on unsteady legs, pulling her daughter closer as though her warmth could steady her. Inside, the office was warmly lit, books lining the shelves, a pastel painting on the wall, but the comfort it offered was undone by the heaviness in the doctor's expression. For a moment, his eyes lingered on the baby, then returned to hers.

     "The results are back," he said quietly, sliding a thin folder across the desk toward her.

     She stared at it, her pulse thundering in her ears, every instinct begging to delay the moment her world might break apart.

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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.

Connect with the author:

 website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads ~ amazon

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✍️Closing Notes

Thank you for stopping by for Part 1 of this two-week feature! I’ll see you next week on October 23 with my post for The Invasion (Book Three).

I also want to thank iRead Book Tours, J. Taylor, and Friesen Press for providing me with all the information needed for this review, including a copy of the book.

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Official iRead Tour Page 

Tour Schedule for both books!

🌲 Survival (Book Two – The After Series)

• Oct 13 – @bearyintobooks
• Oct 13 – Liese's Blog
• Oct 14 – Sandra's Book Club
• Oct 15 – @jilljemmett
• Oct 15 – @michellegodardricher
• Oct 16 – Gina Rae Mitchell
• Oct 17 – @nessasbookreviews
• Oct 20 – Book Corner News and Reviews
• Oct 20 – @reader_ceygo
• Oct 22 – Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Ahas
• Oct 28 – @Leannebookstagram
• Oct 29 – Cover Lover Book Review
• Oct 29 – @bookishlife.line
• Oct 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books
• Nov 3 – FUONLYKNEW

🌅 The Invasion (Book Three – The After Series)

• Oct 15 – @michellegodardricher
• Oct 20 – Liese's Blog
• Oct 20 – @jilljemmett
• Oct 21 – Book Corner News and Reviews
• Oct 21 – @ablueboxfullofbooks
• Oct 23 – Gina Rae Mitchell
• Oct 24 – Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Ahas
• Oct 27 – @reader_ceygo
• Oct 30 – @bookishlife.line
• Oct 31 – @Leannebookstagram
• Nov 4 – Locks, Hooks and Books
• Nov 4 – Sarandipity's
• Nov 4 – @emwigstersbookshelf
• Nov 5 – FUONLYKNEW
• Nov 6 – @nissa_the.bookworm
• Nov 7 – @respecka
• Nov 7 – @acourtofspinesnpages

 

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📌 Quick Book Tour Recap:

Book Title: SURVIVAL (Book Two 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: January 2025
Tour dates: Oct 13 to November 7
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kiss​

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