Julia Ash's Reviews > Malorie

MALORIE by Josh Malerman is the sequel to my favorite read of 2021: BIRD BOX. Thankfully, birds of a feather flock together. Both books soared in the right direction: as heart pounding, five-star reads!

MY TEASE…

For Malorie Walsh and her two teens, Tom and Olympia, “life by the fold” (the blindfold) has become routine and one dimensional. The family’s purpose? To never forget that the creatures exist. To never “get lazy” because the creatures are waiting—every second, every minute, every hour of every day—to turn those who look upon them…violently mad.

The family has existed for 10 years at Camp Yadin. And because of their singular focus (to never look), Malorie finds herself light years away from the risktaker she once was in the old world.

Until…

Until someone in the new world knocks on their cabin door. A man conducting a census. A man who has literature. Literature that speaks of an operational Blind Train located just 30 miles away. Literature, in fact, that includes names of those who’ve survived.

And when Malorie recognizes the name of someone whom she thought long dead, her desire to maintain the status quo is beyond ruffled.

Look for hope…or stay blind to the world? Face danger among the living…or keep hiding to merely exist? Regardless of her decisions, Malorie senses that imminent danger awaits.

As usual, her instincts are rarely blurred.

THOUGHTS…

Josh Malerman is a master of tension building. His talent jumped off the pages, grabbed me, and wouldn’t let me go!

Here is one sample below. The scene: With a flashlight, Malorie is under a blanket so she can read the literature left by the census man. Her blindfolded teens have been sleeping. The text reads…

She [Malorie] feels a tap on her back.
She falls flat to the floor, heart thudding.
“Mom.”
It’s Olympia, whispering, her lips pressed to Malorie’s ear through the fabric of the blanket.
“What?” Malorie whispers back.
“We’re not alone in here.”
Malorie goes cold.
“Someone is standing in the doorway,” Olympia says. “I can hear them breathing.”

Like I said…TENSION in all caps! Now multiply that by almost every page.

QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…

Plot (the story): 5
Main character’s likability: 5
Development of supporting character(s): 5
Settings/Atmosphere: 5+ (Crushed it!)
Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5
Believability (in the context of the story): 3
Satisfying ending: 5
Tension of the story: 5+ (Crushed it!)
Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A

OVERALL:

MALORIE stayed on track for a tension filled, five-star ride! I highly recommend this duology! I LOVED both books :)