SURVIVAL
​(Book 2 of The After Series)
Available for order at over 50,000 booksellers worldwide


​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.

"A teenage girl and her friend find new companions and encounter unexpected dangers in Taylor’s YA SF sequel.
A skillfully crafted tale of survival and the power of hope and connection."
-Kirkus Reviews

In Nova Scotia, signed copies of Survival can be purchased at:
Tattletales 

SURVIVAL
​
 ​The After Series Book Two

You can order your copy of SURVIVAL from most major retailers online...

Hardcover & Paperback

Ebook


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Specifications:
191 pages
5x8 inches
B&W interior
ISBNs:
Hardcover: 978-1-03-832972-1
Paperback: 978-1-03-832971-4
eBook: 978-1-03-832973-8


Book Reviews


Reviews sent to J. Taylor, through her "CONTACT" page, will be displayed below.
Reviews left on Goodreads and Amazon support the author


"A teenage girl and her friend find new companions and encounter unexpected dangers in Taylor’s YA SF sequel.
A skillfully crafted tale of survival and the power of hope and connection."
-Kirkus Reviews

"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.

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"

​-Gina Rae Mitchell

"I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This sequel to The After starts off running and stays that way throughout. Getting through your teenage years is hard enough, but doing it when a pandemic has wiped out a majority of the population, including your family, is nearly impossible. Unless, that is, you are incredibly resourceful like Charlotte, Anna, and Luke. They reminded me of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. While this book is considered a young adult story, adult fans of post apocalyptic survivor stories will be entertained, too. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series; I need to know these characters I’ve grown to admire have a happy ending (fingers crossed!)"

-Carol
"My thoughts: After being forced off Charlotte’s family property by an invader, teenage girls Charlotte and Anna are homeless in the Nova Scotian wilderness. Their survival skills are put to the test when they settle upon a different property that isn’t as abandoned as they believed. To complicate their lives further, a disaster forces them to flee once again into a world plagued by a deadly virus, with no government, no home, and no one to keep them safe. These girls are the heart of this series, with their endearing characters as they endure a riveting plot that keeps them on their toes. This is an amazing series for middle-grade, YA readers, and adults alike."
​
-Michelle Godard-Richer
"Survival Continues the Dystopian Adventure. The author does an excellent job pulling readers into the next step of her characters' adventures. Various obstacles and challenges to survival test the girls, and the author presents these challenges in a way that is easy to read and engaging for middle-school readers. The emotions are well-portrayed, and the strength of character and the bond of friendship form the heart of the story. The author tackles the realities of survival along with some of the relatable realities of growing up and relationships. 
 
Expect a Clean Read. I often find tween/teen dystopian novels jump too quickly into romance and violence--but, the author here offers a clean read that your tweens and younger teens can read without worrying about the content themes. The girls face obstacles to survival (and challenges to their relationship)--and a love interest--but the nature of the story remains clean and a family-friendly read.
 
Would I Recommend Survival by J. Taylor? I enjoyed this novel. While you could read this book alone, I would recommend reading the first book in the series to help better understand the characters' situations and the background of their bond. The novel is fast-paced and engaging, with action-packed scenes. This pace makes some of the scenes play out rather quickly, but the style and flow of the book are perfect for younger teen readers. If you enjoy middle grade dystopian fiction with strong characters and an engaging, clean storyline, this series in an easy one to pick up and enjoy from the first pages."
 -Bookcornernewsandreviews
🧭 The Story: Survival Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Emotional
Set in the wilds of Nova Scotia after an unspecified catastrophic event, Survival follows Charlotte and Anna as they navigate the brutal demands of staying alive. From building shelter and sourcing food to coping with emotional upheaval, the girls are forced to mature quickly in this new world.

But just when they begin to find a rhythm, a mysterious newcomer throws off their fragile balance. The tension escalates, and a devastating turn of events splits them apart—physically and emotionally. The stakes couldn’t be higher as each girl struggles to find her way back, not just to safety, but to each other.

💬 What I Loved
I was immediately drawn to Charlotte, our main character. She’s not just brave—she’s clever, resilient, and refreshingly real. The dialogue throughout the book is a huge highlight. It feels natural and unforced, something that’s rare in dystopian fiction aimed at younger readers. The characters talk like actual kids under stress, with all the emotions, fears, and sharp instincts you’d expect.


Another standout element? The survival tips woven into the story. Whether it’s purifying water, building shelter, or staying warm, Survival offers valuable lessons without feeling preachy. You’re not just reading about survival—you’re learning it. It gave me that “what would I do?” kind of vibe that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

👧 Characters Who Feel Like Friends
Charlotte and Anna’s friendship is the emotional heart of the story. It’s raw and real, with highs and lows that mirror what real-life relationships look like under pressure. Their bond gets tested—not just by external threats, but by trust, jealousy, and miscommunication. These are two fully-formed characters whose struggles feel personal.

The mysterious stranger who enters their world adds just the right amount of tension. Is he friend or foe? His presence disrupts the dynamic, forcing the girls to reassess what they know about survival, loyalty, and themselves.

🌲 A Setting That’s Beautiful and Brutal
Taylor paints the Nova Scotia wilderness in vivid detail. It’s both stunning and treacherous, much like the story itself. From icy rivers to dense woods, the setting becomes its own character—one that tests the girls at every turn. You can feel the cold, hear the wind, and smell the pine. It's immersive in the best way.


🧠 Themes That Go Deeper
Survival isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about resilience, friendship, trust, and personal growth. The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths: people change, fear can drive a wedge between even the closest friends, and sometimes being strong means knowing when to ask for help.

There’s also an underlying commentary on how young people can rise to challenges in unexpected ways. These aren’t adult heroes in kid-sized bodies. Charlotte and Anna are realistically young, and their decisions reflect that—but so does their strength.

🧭 Final Thoughts
If you enjoy fast-paced survival stories with emotional depth and engaging characters, Survival is a great pick. Joanne Taylor delivers a thrilling sequel that’s both educational and entertaining, especially for middle grade and early YA readers.

You’ll walk away not just with a deeper appreciation for wilderness survival, but for the inner strength it takes to keep going when everything feels lost. I'm definitely excited to see where The After Series goes next!
​
-Kims Book Reviews and Writing Ahas

"I really enjoyed After, the first book in this series. I had fingers and toes crossed that I’d enjoy the second book too. I did. Actually, I enjoyed it even more. Especially the continued friendship between Charlotte and Anna. The two young teens were there for each other when the pandemic swept across the globe. Now they’re back.
Charlotte and Anna are homeless now so they search for a new place to live. They find one, but soon have to leave it too. Times just keep getting tougher for the girls. But, they’re getting tougher too. Every day is a new test. For Shelter. For food. For their very lives.
This series is a story of two young girls trying to survive a pandemic. To me, it’s also an extreme test of courage and compassion.  Whether your a young teen or an adult, this story will make you feel all the feels. I’m excited to read the next book, Invasion. The title alone makes me think the two brave girls will be put to the ultimate test of survival. I hope they come through it and can’t wait to find out."
5 STARS
-fuonlyknew

"I loved this just as much, if not more, than the first! I love the storyline, characters and Canadian content. I can't wait to see what adventures the next book brings. I want more!"
Jennifer
"In Survival, Charlotte and Anna face the raw challenges of wilderness life in Nova Scotia—finding food, building shelter, and navigating emotional tensions when a stranger disrupts their bond. It’s a clean, family-friendly read that balances suspense with heartfelt growth."

-the_endless_pages
"This is the second book in The After series. Charlotte and Anna are on their own trying to survive. This story had a few heart wrenching moments. This book reminded me of The Last of Us in the way that the girls were on the run, looking for ways to survive.
 
Survival is an intense and heart wrenching story."

​​-Jill Jemmett
"This dystopian series is filled with action, always moving forward. I binged books 2 and 3 this time, and my review is for both. Fast-paced, focused on two young women, Anna and Charlotte, who are like sisters now that the world is gone. The world suffered a terrible pandemic, and the virus destroyed humanity as we know it. This is a book without zombies, but it has the eeriness and need for survival of worlds like The Last of Us and The Walking Dead (some of my favorites that I know). The author gives us a lot of details, and the characters are very smart, utilizing their knowledge acquired from the world before or from their family. Perfect for fans of the Hatchet. This keeps them safe. In Survival, they find a house that can become their safe haven, but the arrival of a teen leads them to high-stakes action. The story goes from two characters to a cast until they get separated.

Book 2 is perfect for fans of The Hatchet, with all the elements and understanding of how to survive in a real-life catastrophic event. The connection between the characters keeps them alert. This is more than just surviving. The plot grows into something larger, political, and community, but the books are easy to read and without triggers or adult content."
-There Are No Bad Books
"I enjoyed reading the first book from J Taylor's The After series, which was, also called The After. I wanted to keep reading the series to see what happens next. I was happy to have the opportunity to the second installment, Survival. I do want to caution fellow readers that since this is a series, it would be best to start off with book one, The After, for a better reading experience. Once again, I was hooked with Charlotte and Anna’s story. It was great catching up with them in Nova Scotia and seeing what is going on in their world now. I loved taking this adventure with the two that included action, mystery, suspense, and danger. They were faced with unexpected challenges that I wanted to see how resilient they would be to survive. I admired their bond and determination. Even though I am not the targeted audience as an adult, I still greatly enjoyed the book. 
​
I am going to give Survival a very well deserved five plus stars. I believe that fans and lovers of Middle Grade / Young Adult / Dystopian Fiction will not want to miss out on reading this one. I am eager to get my hands on the next installment of The After series, The Invasion, to see what is in store for Charlotte." 

-Locks, Hooks and Books
"My Review 🖍️ This book we get to see Charlotte and Anna's bond solidify and I loved each and every minute. The effects of the virus are definitely lingering and the girls are smart and strong finding ways to survive. They need to seek out food and shelter but a encounter with a stranger may threaten what they have built. I was so happy to be able to read this book and I was not disappointed. It has everything I remember from the first book survivalist instincts, danger and friendships and of course a couple of cute animals. The story is solid and beautifully written with heart. I felt excited while reading and I could also feel dread from the unknown."

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
​-Leannebookstagram
"Fantastic book!! Can’t wait for the next one!!! Loving that adventure and journey they are on!!"

​-​Amazon Customer
"Going to keep my reviews for both books semi brief so I avoid spoiling anything! I read the first book in this series last year and really enjoyed it. I was happy to see that the series was going to continue. Book two was a great follow up, I loved seeing how much the characters were adapting to their new situation. My heart broke for these characters, especially Charlotte, having dealt with another loss. The pacing in this sequel was on point and I was focused until the end."

​-bearyintobooks
"I absolutely loved book one in this series, so I had to read the next two! We are once again back with Anna and Charlotte as they are trying to find a new home in this apocalyptic world that they find themselves completely alone in. I loved getting to know the new characters in each book, and I was constantly rooting for them. These are two very strong young women who have to do literally everything on their own! I couldn’t even imagine having the type of discipline they have. If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, I highly recommend this series!"

​-nissa_the.bookworm
"My kids 12 and 14 love these books."

​-Justus
"This was really great! Don't be put off by the young looking character on the cover as this is a really well written, YA adventure. As an adult reader , I found it a really well developed story, it held my attention from start right to the very end, leaving me wanting to know more. There is some angst but not too bad I found. A really great read!"

​-​Sam
"Grades 5 and up: Love the setting in Nova Scotia, You will recognize the places the characters visit along their trek for survival. Loved the pacing of the novel and the characters. This is book two and you have to read book one The After first. Charlotte and her friend Anna are still struggling to survive in Nova Scotia after the ENO.9 pandemic has terrorized the world. After living in the woods for part of the winter they find a group of houses that seem abandoned and when they finally work up the nerve to check they find 13 bodies all victims of the virus. They move into one of the other houses and everything is running smoothly until Luke returns to the homestead. He is the son of one of the families that died. They all have to figure out how to trust each other to survive. Then mother nature gets involved and a drought makes everything dry up and a huge forest fire threatens to destroy everything. Fleeing for their lives the friends get separated and have to figure out how to survive and reunite. An excellent book that is full of action and I can't wait for book 3."
John Jodrey
​Tattletales
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