Kahayatle (Apocalypsis Book 1) by Elle Casey

This was a little different from the usual post-apocalyptical novels. I liked it, a lot, which was unusual for me since there were gays in the book. The author tastefully added it into the book and it worked well. It doesn't have to be an in-your-face, stuff it down your throat, vulgar subject.

There was a virus that affected all of the adults and young children. They all died, in the first wave. Just the adolescents were left to try to figure out how to live a life.

Bryn, Peter, and Bodo find each other and decide to travel together and look out for one another.

I'll be looking into Book 2 in this series. ( )

Overall this was a very good book. I enjoyed the characters, which I found to be unique and engaging. Lots of humor for an end of the world scenario. I also found the setting unusual for a apocalyptic book. The Everglades would not have entered my mind as a possible refuge which makes the characters stand out. I plan on reading the next book in the series. ( )

I received [Apocalypsis Book 1: Kahayatle] by [Elle Casey] as part of a LibraryThing give away. It came as part of a compilation book calle [Shattered Worlds]. I really enjoyed reading it and hope to read more in the series.

It takes place in Florida starting in Central Florida and ending in the Everglades. It is about the journey of survivors after a plague killed all adults and children before puberty. They just want to find some place safe where they can live and rebuild but have to avoid becoming food for the 'canners'.

The characters are genuine enough to keep the story moving. Also as a middle school teacher here in FL I can tell you I can see society run by teenagers going into chaos and a few good ones fighting for life. The only thing that really bothered me was that the road they take to the Everglades, I-95, does not go near Winter Park. Minor detail though. ( )

Another Masterpiece From Elle Casey!!! A FEW MINOR SPOILERS!!! This is quite possibly one of the best post-apocalyptic YA novels I've ever read!

The setting for this series is very unique, a weird plague has wiped out all of the adults and young children leaving behind only those teens who are in puberty. Once most of the food has run out the locals go all cannibal and start attacking other children for food. It's really creepy and horrible.

I love the main characters. Bryn is awesome and her fighting skills rock. Peter is sweet and such a good person plus he's super smart. I have a feeling we'll be seeing much more of what he can do in the books to come and then there's Bodo the crazy German exchange student. I really liked his character. He just seems to go with the flow and is almost always happy and optimistic. The fact that he doesn't understand a lot of American phrases makes him so funny. There was a chapter in the book where Bryn and Bodo were talking about doodling and it had me laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair. I wonder what Bodo's backstory is? The real hero of the book though is Buster the poodle. You can tell Mrs. Casey has dogs. Only someone who's ever had the good fortune to have such a loving and loyal companion could do them justice. My mom has had two poodles and they're every bit as loyal, fierce, smart and loving as she portrays them to be. It's impossible to have a poodle without getting all silly and using baby talk or poodle talk with them. Buster is just so awesome and I hope he makes it through everything.

There's just something about books like this that I really enjoy. I mean except for the whole cannibal thing, there's a big part of me that really likes the idea of complete freedom and just living the best you can off of the land without having to worry about society, money, politics, etc. I wouldn't really want to do that but I like to dream about it :) Just living your life how you want with some good friends and a nice place to call home.

Elle Casey's characters are always top notch. They become the readers friends and family and we suffer along beside them. We laugh when they do and cry when things are bad. They're extremely relatable and once again I was sucked into the world she created. I cannot wait to see what happens next for everyone. I love that they ended up with a Native American tribe or what's left of it. I so hope they can build a good home there for themselves but with things going so bad in the outside world you never know what's going to happen and from reading her other books I know anything and everything can and will happen and I probably won't ever see any of it coming.

I just have to try and finish each book before night because I know from past experience that I won't be able to put them down and get any sleep. They just suck you right in and refuse to let you leave. I highly recommend this book along with her War of the Fae and Clash of the Otherworlds series. I want to thank Elle Casey for also bringing the Native American tribes of the Everglades in Florida to my attention. I've been reading about them and find their history and culture truly fascinating. I learned a lot of new things from this book. ( )

**SPOILER ALERT**
Imagine being in a world without adults or young children - they were all killed by an unusual virus. Bryn, the 17 year old lead character, had spent the last several years training as a survivalist. Her father had a vision of the future turning out this way and had prepared his daughter in those skills needed - especially the martial arts - to survive in such an environment. After the apocalypse, surviving teens had to live on their own; foraging for food and other supplies to keep their homes cozy. However, factories were not making supplies and inventories dwindled, food eventually ran out. Gangs were formed and members resort to violence; raiding homes and stealing supplies from others. When those sources finally dry up, these gangs resort to cannibalism - killing those who are weaker and then barbecuing the body parts and sharing in the bounty.

Bryn must stay awake all night long to protect her home from these roving gangs. She had been lucky so far, but the gangs are getting bolder and she knew it will soon be time to leave. She discovers a younger boy, Peter, in the vacant home behind her and together, they rescue a poodle from a home down the street. Bryn and Peter start making plans to leave the neighborhood. However, everything changes when they find themselves in a life or death battle with gang members who are trying to break into her home. Peter shoots one of them dead to end the siege. In the morning, they discover the dismembered head of the shot gang member laying on the front porch...the body gone They soon find it, or what is left of it, on the backyard barbecue of the home next door. Empty bottles of booze and drunken, unconscious gang members litter the yard. It is time to go. Now!

The pair gather supplies and leave on bicycles for the Everglades, soon coming upon an individual traveling alone. He is a German transfer student who quickly teams up with trio of travelers and joins them in their quest to reach what Bryn believes will be their sanctuary. During their trek, they come upon rogue gangs and other formidable foes. The story is unique, funny at times, terrifying in places and keeps the reader on edge to see what will happen next.

The ending left me hanging and longing for more. The trio and dog finally reach the Everglades, and eventually join forces with two nearby Indian tribes. However, they soon find their sanctuary threatened upon learning that a nearby gang is warehousing humans to eat in the near future. It's a great read and highly recommended. I'm looking forward to reading books 2 & 3 to see how this group manages their future.

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel ( )