Review of ARV-3 (The After Light Saga #1)

[Barbara Ann RS]

Lately, I’ve been reading quite a bit of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction, and I am so pleased that I discovered ARV-3, which veers away from some of the usual zombie apocalyptic stories I’ve encountered. Renae has added an intriguing but disturbing twist to this plot because the antagonists aren’t merely zombies infected with a virus who’ve risen from the dead to wreak havoc on the survivors. Instead, they are living, breathing humans who have, over time, mutated into frighteningly violent, animalistic creatures after they took an untested anti-radiation vaccine hastily distributed by the government prior to the planet’s nuclear meltdown.

Although the majority of the population was unprepared for this catastrophe, some doomsday planners were able to find safety in underground bunkers that they built and stockpiled for just such an emergency. When Abigail Parker, or Abi was just four years old, she and her parents escaped underground with several other families and hunkered down to live in an old missile silo. Abi has grown up in this insulated, but lovingly safe environment or “hive” with little memory of feeling the warmth of sunshine, the gentle breeze of the wind, or the grass beneath her feet.  Now, after thirteen years below ground, contamination levels have been reduced and the story really begins once they resurface and begin their journey to one of the “safe zones,” a much larger, government controlled bunker where they can work together with other survivors to begin rebuilding the wasteland that is left.

Renae does an amazing job with world-building to help readers visualize the “hives” or underground facilities that house the survivors and the desolate landscape now bereft of animals and vegetation; the only topside inhabitants existing are the vile, cannibalistic creatures, called “Arvies,” who’ve lost their humanity and now roam the earth seeking the destruction of those around them. They crave human flesh, and one bite from an Arvy is all it takes to infect and spread the mutation.  Their existence makes the story all the more horrific as Abi and her group realize that these were people with limited options for survival, who took the vaccine trusting that it would protect them from radiation poisoning, but as a result, were turned into abominable creatures who still show some capacity for thought. Although Abi and her group are forced to fight these creatures, Abi initially struggles with guilt over taking another’s life, and this is one of many attributes that make her character so realistic and believable.

At seventeen, Abi is perceptive, compassionate, loving, and wickedly gifted in the use of weaponry. With her trusty firearm named Hellfire, Abi proves herself over and over in helping her family and friends survive the multitude of crises they encounter. The story is well-paced and full of dangerous and suspenseful scenes that made it hard to take a reading break. Over the course of their journey I began to really care about this small group of survivors who are as close as family, extremely loyal, and always concerned for each other’s well-being.

Furthermore, I also became emotionally invested in the burgeoning romance between Abi and her best friend, Finn, who has grown into a handsome young man right before her very eyes. They finally reveal their mutual attraction for each other after they go topside, and I appreciated how easily they were able to express their feelings for each other and take their friendship to the next level. The description of their first kiss is memorable and is meant to solidify their commitment to each other.  However, just as I suspected, their relationship will be tested after they settle in at the government run underground facility where they are surrounded by other teens, one of whom is set on vying for Finn’s attention and affection.  The love scenes are sweet, touching, and appropriate for young adult readers.

Although I was sorry to reach the book’s conclusion since the plot is nowhere near finished, the author does provide a satisfying place to pause until the next installment is released. Overall, this was a well-written story with an engaging plot and relatable characters. I’m very interested in reading the next installment in this series, and I certainly recommend this book to teens and adults who enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction.

I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review.

Link to Review

http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/blog-tour-review...