Book Review: If We Survive This by Racquel Marie
Oh, Racquel Marie, I pray you never stop writing! When I picked up If We Survive This, I was immediately pulled into a world that felt achingly familiar yet horrifyingly dark. As a Virgo myself, I found a deep connection with Flora, the protagonist who’s grappling with her worst fears while navigating a nightmarish reality. Spoiler: it’s not just the zombies lurking in the shadows that haunt her—but also the weight of responsibility for her brother that she must bear.
From the onset, Flora is relatable in her complexities, embodying both vulnerability and fierce determination. In this beautifully dark narrative, she is thrust into a role that flips the sibling dynamic on its head, making her the one to keep her brother safe in a world unraveled by chaos. This exploration of sibling relationships, particularly the way Flora must maneuver as both sister and protector, struck a chord with me. The anxiety and stakes of survival are so palpable, echoing the universal feeling of wanting to shield those we love from harm.
Marie assembles a cast that feels like a well-rounded tapestry of humanity—even the characters we meet for mere moments leave lasting impressions. Each has their own battles—trust, uncertainty, grappling with past pains—yet they’re all united by shared motivations and the desperate will to survive, making their interactions feel rich and believable. The inclusion of a predominantly queer cast is not only refreshing but offers an authentic lens through which to view queerness amidst the apocalypse. It’s a poignant reminder that love and identity persist, even when the world feels like it’s crumbling.
Now, let’s talk tone. This is undoubtedly Marie’s darkest work yet. The presence of zombies isn’t just for gore’s sake; it serves as a backdrop to more profound themes involving the moral implications of survival. Questions about humanity linger heavy in the air, forcing both characters and readers to confront the weight of their decisions in dire times. The horror elements are effectively juxtaposed with the tender moments of connection among characters, creating a rhythm of emotional highs and lows that kept me turning pages late into the night.
One particularly striking moment for me was how Flora wrestles with her OCD and intrusive thoughts amid the chaos. The way the narrative tackles mental health within the context of survival felt both raw and respectful, adding layers to her already complex character.
As the story unfolds across two timelines leading to the cabin, the intricacy of relationships deepens, revealing how past choices interweave with present challenges. The ending—bittersweet and haunting—perfectly encapsulates Flora’s journey, and while some might find it unresolved, to me, it mirrored the reality of life: sometimes, there are no neat conclusions.
Ultimately, If We Survive This is not just about surviving the zombies; it’s about clinging to hope amidst despair. It’s a gripping read for anyone who enjoys emotionally charged storytelling, rich character development, and explorations of moral complexity. This book left me contemplating the resilience of the human spirit, long after I turned the final page.
If you’re looking for a captivating narrative that challenges the gut while also engaging the heart, look no further than Racquel Marie’s latest offering. I assure you, this book is worth every single page—and it may just keep you up at night, pondering the intricacies of survival in a world gone mad.