Beyond The Night by J. Ware

JWare-Beyond the NightUsually when I try to imagine a post-apocalyptic Earth, I think of dry, barren wastelands with a mainly reptilian population. That’s completely opposite to the lush post-aocalyptic world Joss Ware introduced in her novel Beyond the Night, the first book in her Envy Chronicles. It’s even full of lions, tigers and elephants!

When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott’s extraordinary new “gift”—he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences.

Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one . . . until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart?

If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that take them beyond danger. Beyond desire.

While I adored Elliott, I had mixed feelings about Jade. Elliott was a strong, caring, if not overly protective, man who put 110% into anything he did. He was very into volunteer work before the apocalypse and after he continued to voluntarily heal people, despite the consequences from his new paranormal gift. Jade was just as dedicated to her work, often risking her own neck to save others. But she was so fiercely protective of her independence that she would often refuse to explain even the simplest actions to Elliott, fearing it would somehow detract from her independence. There was some natural chemistry between Elliott and Jade, but I felt like Beyond the Night focused more on them as individuals than as a couple. They spent a majority of their time together with at least one other person around, not really giving them enough time to full develop a relationship.

Of course, no apocalypse would be complete without zombies. Gangas are terrifying caricatures of humans, that aren’t quite zombies but just as flesh hungry. But the Gangas were good for instigating some intense fight scenes that kept the plot from dragging too much, as it was apt to do while introducing this brand new world.

Beyond the Night was an intense novel that took a completely different outlook on post-apocalyptic Earth. It ended with just enough unanswered questions to bring readers back for book two, Embrace the Night Eternal.

Read Order:
Beyond the Night
Embrace the Night Eternal
Abandon the Night
Night Betrayed
Night Forbidden

About Casey 203 Articles
Casey is the founder of Heart Full of Ink, Director at Reading Until Dawn Con, and a full time cheese addict. She's been ranting and reviewing for Literary Escapism since 2010, and is part of the trio #3Bloggers1Series podcast. When she's not reading, looking for new books, or stalking authors online (waiting for more books), she can be found binge watching Netflix. But really, her life is all about DEM BOOKS!

4 Comments

  1. Good review, thanks! I’ve just finished books 1-3 of The Forest of Hands & Teeth…Beyond the Night looks like a good next step into zombieland.

  2. @Jen – I just finished Embraced the Night Eternal and loved it! Working on the review now, but I can’t wait to read Abandon the Night. I think it’s going to be my favorite =)

    @BJ – Thanks! I read The Forest of Hands and Teeth and loved it. If you’re looking for more zombie recommendations I’d suggest Jesse Petersen or Daniel Waters.

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