The Torn World by Melanie Karsak
Series: The Harvesting #3
Published by Indie
Published on: August 31, 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Fantasy
Pages: 222
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | GoodReads
This is the way the world ends...
With the undead walking, vampires hunting, and kitsune closing in, everything seems lost. Layla and the others will need help if there is any hope of survival. But how can you endure in the dying world?
Join Layla, Cricket, Amelia, and the other survivors for the final chapter of The Harvesting Series in The Torn World.
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I approached the final book in Melanie Karsak’s Harvesting series with some trepidation. I was worried for all the characters because this world that the author created has been so unforgiving to the characters, and we have lost some along the way. She doesn’t shy away from realism while writing characters that are living in the zombie apocalypse, to say the least. I should also mention that zombies aren’t the only creature to be afraid of in this series. That’s because, when most of the population of earth has been decimated, the hidden paranormal creatures were bound to show up, especially when some of them rely on humans in order to live. So yes, this is a very scary picture of what the zombie apocalypse would be like in this situation. But did I love it? Absolutely!
Reason number one for loving it? The world building. So fresh and new for this genre, at least I thought it was. I know zombies have been done over and over again, but zombies combined with the other creatures here-not so much. There’s also plenty of magic in this world building, and what’s not to like about that? Well, it depends on if it’s a good guy wielding it or one of the villains. Enough said about that.
Reason number two? The characters. I adored all of them and they were mostly all so fleshed out by now, that I felt I knew them. Layla, the sword expert from the Smithsonian, Cricket, the tilt-a-whirl worker from the carnival, and Amelia the teenage, but powerful witch, all become the main characters this time. Each has their own book or novella prior to this, so the reader is invested in each of them already.There’s also a good group of peripheral characters to love as well. Some are love interests for the main characters, some are there because they have fought brilliantly to stay alive, others are there because they have been protected. And some are there because they are of the supernatural sort, of the good guy kind. Each had their own part to play in this book.
Reason number three? Of course, it’s the writing. I found the author’s premise from the first book onward to be nothing short of interesting, entertaining, and at times heartbreaking. She wove the stories of each of the main characters through each of the books to where they all eventually found each other. I thought it was wonderfully done, and I should emphasize that these can not be read out of order because of the ongoing story arc.
This ended up being one of those series that I am sorry to see end. It just doesn’t seem like we have had enough time with the characters. I could see a followup being done a few years down the road in the characters lives, just to see where everyone is. There is an epilogue and I was extremely happy to get that.
I really enjoyed this series. I would highly recommend it to ages 16 plus, due to extreme violence and occasional mild references to sexual activity. Great read!
FYI-This is book 3 of the series, but there are also two novellas that are just as important to the story, and should be read in order with the books.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Though I am not a huge zombie fan I have been curious about this series and I believe I have book one, so I need to just try it! 🙂 Great review!
Yes, I think you should if you already have it because this whole series is great. I think you might really like it Stormi )
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
I know how much you’ve enjoyed the series prior to this book, Lorna, so I’m happy you were well pleased with the finale. It is always hard to say goodbye to characters and a story we’ve invested ourselves in and it says a lot of Karsak’s writing that you didn’t want things to end. I’m going to have to make time for this series sometime even though I’m not a zombie fan. 😉 I’m very curious about the other supes that inhabit this world and I’m anxious to meet these girls! 😀
It was a really different sort of zombie series than the usual.I think the magic involved in the story had a lot to do with it. Even though it was pretty dark at times, it still had a fun feel to it due to the magic. At least I thought so 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
I’ve read some really good zombie series and I’ve read some so-so zombie series. I’ve never read one that had magic and witches as part of the world, which sounds really interesting. I need to look into this series. *I wonder if it is available on audio?* LOL 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Lonen’s War by Jeffe Kennedy (@mlsimmons, @jeffekennedy)
I think this would be so good on audio if it’s available. I hope you can find it that way Melanie!
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
It sounds like a mix of everything you’ve come to enjoy about this genre. And though it may sound a bit at times, I’m glad you enjoyed everything about this series (character deaths, and all).
Yes, it would have been unrealistic if no one died. I didn’t like it but it made it real-and dark at times. I actually did love the whole series. I have Kimberly to thank for that since I read her review and I immediately wanted to read it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
I think I have the first book for this, I need to go check because if not I should grab it, it sounds like my kind of series for sure. Wonderful review Lorna!
I really hope you like it Ali!
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
Yes, I will share my thoughts in October but I was nervous too and she pulled it all off..leaving me smiling 🙂 Great review!!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne
Thank you! If I hadn’t seen that your were reading it on GoodReads, I would never have known it had been released so thank you for that!And also for putting the series on my radar in the first place 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
I do enjoy your reasoning for why these are so good. This series is definitely on the list thanks to this one and your past reviews. I think it’s good that she writes the story darker and that there is no guarantees b/c that’s how a zombie apocalypse would seem more authentic.
Glad it lived up to expectation.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Committed by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott #AfternoonDelight
I think you really might like this series Sophia. I found I due to a review Kimberly did and we both loved it )
Hmm maybe, they do sound interesting
They really are interesting 🙂
Good world building is paramount to fantasy novels, Lorna, and I think that if this is well done, the rest kind of follows! It sounds like The Torn World is a great ending to a series you’ve enjoyed, so I’m adding the whole thing to my TBR 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Movie Review: Me Before You
I hope it lives up to my review Lexxie! I do think you will enjoy them 🙂
I love it when you take a chance on an indie author and it just works! This sounds so good and I will have to check it out. You had me at worldbuilding. 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Spotlight Post: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Oh good! I hope you like them as much as I did!
I am not a big fan of zombie books, but this series does sound good and I like the covers. Your reviews make me curious about these, but I a still not sure if this would be a series I enjoy. I like how you describe the realism in these books. Indeed if you live during the zombie apocalypse it would make sense to lose a few people along the way. And good world building is always a plus in my opinion. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this series even if you were sorry to see it end. great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: How I experience being fluent in two languages
I could see where this might not be for everyone. I found it to be such an adventure and action packed that I couldn’t put it down. Some romance as well which is always good for me. I just think they were different and well written 🙂
OMG! You just reminded me that Melanie sent me a request about this one! I need to get it! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I need to see how this series ends!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Bedmates by Nichole Chase ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@NicholeChase, @InkSlingerPR)
I loved it! I didn’t even know it was out until I saw on GoodReads that Kimberly was reading it. I think you will really enjoy it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)