This was my first Netgalley arc. I've been really into my dystopian books lately, so I requested this one straight away as it seemed so different to anything I had read before. And I was right!

It isn't explicitly said in the novel, but it seems like there is a virus impacting the world that turns people into...zombies? Again, it was not explicitly said. But it's not something people really want. The best way to tell is if your iris goes pink or your toes grow longer. 👣

The MC is a young boy, and his family dynamics are odd and slightly unsettling. I really struggled with the religious talk and the misinformation. Maybe it's because I haven't been in a zombie apocalypse, so I also didn't understand many of the actions by so many people.

The ending of the book was the greatest surprise, though. I think the message of the book is that survival comes before anything else.

Thank you, @netgalley and the author, for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a weird little book. The "infected" have some really strange indicators and at first i was like ?? cuz it was almost comical... but the book is well written and the characters were captivating that it only took a minute to get into it. I stayed up late and didnt put it down. Its a short read but a good read.

My only complaint.... for as brief as some of the world/history building was, I sorta wish the ending wasnt explained away as much as it was. Either leave some mystery or tell me everything! Still really enjoyed this 4.5/5

3.5 Star Rating.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Olive Python Publishing and Oscar ÓRourke for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really great idea for a dystopian novella. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmospheric setting and the notion of the ‘outsider’. It evokes the feeling that this may be a social commentary on our own current World. If not, the narrative is still a great conversation starter.

I was honestly shocked at just how awful these parents were to their own children. They are taught violence from a young age, which certainly has an effect on Arthur’s story. His Mother is a coward, which I felt added such a heart wrenching aspect to the tone of the piece. In some ways, I think she was worse than their Father. I definitely did not see that ending coming!

If you are squeamish, take this as a warning for some uncomfortable content before reading! A very fast, enjoyable read that I would recommend for fans of dystopian books.

My Rating: 4*

I wasn’t certain what I was signing up for when this book came across my radar. However, the dystopian description and portrayal of humanity lured me in. We meet a boy named Arthur who lives with his family, seemingly, in the woods. The world has gone through an upheaval after people’s irises started turning pink and the world sought out the “infected” as though they were a zombie horde to be annihilated.

Even in the few short pages of this novella, the author is able to create an incredibly tense environment with fear mongering, control, and physical harm towards other characters. Even Arthur, himself, is scared to death of his father, and would do anything to not seem out of character. The issue is that Arthur expects he may be infected with the virus but is scared of his father and the chance his family will turn on him. The question remains, is it the virus which causes people to change or is it human nature to be afraid of those who are different?

Great short dystopian story!! I really enjoyed it! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this book!