After a rabies mutation turns most of humanity into violent, zombie-like "rabids," anxious, OCD-affected teen Flora leads her injured brother and a small group of survivors on a perilous journey through California, seeking refuge at their childhood cabin and hoping to find their missing father. Blending intense action, graphic horror, and dual timelines with deeply character-driven themes of trauma, identity, queer and neurodivergent representation, and the enduring bonds of family, the story explores what it means to choose life and hope in the face of relentless fear and loss.

Reader Review Summary

Set during the aftermath of a global rabies mutation that turns people into violent, zombie-like 'rabids,' the story follows Flora Braddock Paz, a teen girl with OCD and anxiety, as she leads her injured older brother Cain and a group of survivors on a dangerous journey from their deserted LA suburb to a secluded Northern California cabin. The narrative alternates between the present-day apocalyptic road trip and flashbacks to the family's last vacation to the same cabin before the outbreak, highlighting the stark contrast between Flora's life before and after the world changed. The book is character-driven, focusing on Flora's internal struggles, her evolving relationship with her brother, and the challenges of survival in a world where both the infected and other humans pose threats. The story incorporates themes of fear, trauma, family, found family, and queer identity, with a cast that includes LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and biracial characters, and features significant representation of OCD and anxiety.

Readers praised the book's in-depth and realistic portrayal of mental health, particularly Flora's OCD and anxiety, noting that these aspects were woven organically into both her pre- and post-apocalypse experiences. The sibling dynamic between Flora and Cain was frequently highlighted as a strong emotional core, with many also appreciating the found family elements and the inclusion of queer and neurodivergent representation. The dual timeline structure was cited as effective in deepening character development and providing emotional resonance, while the writing style was described as vivid and immersive, especially in its depiction of both action and introspective moments. Many readers also enjoyed the balance between tense, gory survival scenes and quieter, character-focused passages, and found the representation of Latinx and LGBTQ+ identities to be authentic and meaningful.

Some readers expressed disappointment with the pacing, particularly noting that the middle section of the book felt slow or that downtime between action scenes dragged on. The antagonists and 'bad guys' were seen as underdeveloped by several reviewers, with some wishing they had been introduced earlier or explored in more depth. While the book was marketed as YA horror, a number of readers felt it leaned more toward coming-of-age or survival thriller, with less emphasis on horror elements than expected. The romance subplot, especially between Flora and Crisanta, was described as underwhelming or too subtle by some, and a few found the dual timeline occasionally disrupted the narrative flow. The ending was described as rushed or open-ended by some, leaving a desire for more closure or additional exploration of certain themes.

The book has received an average rating of 4.05 out of 5 from 400 ratings and 236 full reviews, indicating generally positive reception. It is categorized as horror, young adult, LGBT, queer, dystopia, and thriller, and features a mostly queer cast with significant mental health and cultural representation, including conversational Spanish and biracial family dynamics. The author, Racquel Marie, also narrates the audiobook, which some found added nuance while others felt it was monotone. The story contains graphic violence, gore, and themes of trauma, survival, and hope, with content warnings for death, violence, intrusive thoughts, and other potentially triggering material. The book is set for publication on June 17, 2025.