What do you think?
Rate this book
Day of Now
Not yet published
Expected 12 Feb 26
To survive, trust no one.
An explosive dystopian YA novel perfect for fans of The Last of Us and All That's Left in the World.
'Fresh, original and genuinely affecting. Highly recommended.' schoolreadinglist.co.uk
A devastating fungal pandemic has wiped out most of society. Dayna and Pax live in an isolated house in the countryside, learning to survive in the world left behind. But when their father gets sick they make a choice that changes they summon help from the outside. And they're not prepared for the betrayal that follows . . .
Dayna and Pax must race against time across a ruthless landscape to save their father. They won't be able to do it on their own, but who can they trust in a world where survival is everything?
A powerful post-apocalyptic story about growing up fast and facing impossible choices.
An explosive dystopian YA novel perfect for fans of The Last of Us and All That's Left in the World.
'Fresh, original and genuinely affecting. Highly recommended.' schoolreadinglist.co.uk
A devastating fungal pandemic has wiped out most of society. Dayna and Pax live in an isolated house in the countryside, learning to survive in the world left behind. But when their father gets sick they make a choice that changes they summon help from the outside. And they're not prepared for the betrayal that follows . . .
Dayna and Pax must race against time across a ruthless landscape to save their father. They won't be able to do it on their own, but who can they trust in a world where survival is everything?
A powerful post-apocalyptic story about growing up fast and facing impossible choices.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 9, 2026
3.5 stars.
Internet is faulty, will add more when it’s fixed.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy..
Reading the synopsis and seeing the cover had me requesting this like my life depended on it to breathe, I went into this with no expectations, and not having read this author previously, i was excited to see what this was about.I was made aware of this book when it was shared in a group by like minded people who enjoy this genre like myself.
I struggled a wee bit with this one, I went in knowing that it was YA which I fully expected, but these characters were younger than what I was prepared for, I’m guessing not even teenagers so adapting to their thought process and behaviour took some getting used to.
I enjoyed the storyline which was unique to anything I’ve read before, and all the terrifying situations these characters found themselves in, a group of misfits struggling within a changed world with only their wits to lead them to safety with nothing but a bat and slingshots to ward off evil.
Internet is faulty, will add more when it’s fixed.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy..
Reading the synopsis and seeing the cover had me requesting this like my life depended on it to breathe, I went into this with no expectations, and not having read this author previously, i was excited to see what this was about.I was made aware of this book when it was shared in a group by like minded people who enjoy this genre like myself.
I struggled a wee bit with this one, I went in knowing that it was YA which I fully expected, but these characters were younger than what I was prepared for, I’m guessing not even teenagers so adapting to their thought process and behaviour took some getting used to.
I enjoyed the storyline which was unique to anything I’ve read before, and all the terrifying situations these characters found themselves in, a group of misfits struggling within a changed world with only their wits to lead them to safety with nothing but a bat and slingshots to ward off evil.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Day of Now is a reflective, emotionally driven read that leans heavily into atmosphere, character introspection, and the quiet weight of pivotal moments. Miranda Reason crafts a story that feels very grounded in the present — where choices, timing, and internal conflict matter just as much as the external plot.
One of the book’s strongest points is its emotional realism. The characters feel human, flawed, and very much shaped by their pasts. Their inner dialogue is especially well done, giving the reader a strong sense of who they are and why they act the way they do. This made it easy to become invested in their journeys, even during slower or more contemplative sections.
The writing style is clear, thoughtful, and immersive, with moments that linger after you’ve put the book down. Rather than rushing from plot point to plot point, the story allows space to breathe — which works beautifully for the themes it explores. That said, this pacing may not be for everyone. At times, the narrative leans more introspective than action-driven, and a few sections felt like they could have been tightened for greater impact.
Thematically, Day of Now shines when exploring ideas of change, choice, and living in the moment. There’s a quiet poignancy to how the story unfolds, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own “now” — the moments we often overlook but that quietly shape everything.
The reason this lands at four stars rather than five is mainly due to pacing and momentum. While beautifully written, certain parts slowed the overall flow, and I found myself wanting a bit more narrative urgency or payoff in places. Still, the emotional core remained strong enough to keep me engaged.
Overall, Day of Now is a thoughtful, character-focused read that will resonate most with readers who enjoy introspective storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. A strong, meaningful book that leaves a gentle but lasting impression.
One of the book’s strongest points is its emotional realism. The characters feel human, flawed, and very much shaped by their pasts. Their inner dialogue is especially well done, giving the reader a strong sense of who they are and why they act the way they do. This made it easy to become invested in their journeys, even during slower or more contemplative sections.
The writing style is clear, thoughtful, and immersive, with moments that linger after you’ve put the book down. Rather than rushing from plot point to plot point, the story allows space to breathe — which works beautifully for the themes it explores. That said, this pacing may not be for everyone. At times, the narrative leans more introspective than action-driven, and a few sections felt like they could have been tightened for greater impact.
Thematically, Day of Now shines when exploring ideas of change, choice, and living in the moment. There’s a quiet poignancy to how the story unfolds, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own “now” — the moments we often overlook but that quietly shape everything.
The reason this lands at four stars rather than five is mainly due to pacing and momentum. While beautifully written, certain parts slowed the overall flow, and I found myself wanting a bit more narrative urgency or payoff in places. Still, the emotional core remained strong enough to keep me engaged.
Overall, Day of Now is a thoughtful, character-focused read that will resonate most with readers who enjoy introspective storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. A strong, meaningful book that leaves a gentle but lasting impression.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A brilliant post-apocalyptic thriller that breaks the rules
Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with an ARC of Miranda Reason’s, Day of Now.
I’ll start with the one thing that nagged me about Day of Now – age.
This novel is marketed as YA, but given the rule that kids read up, protagonist, Dayna, is rather young. That said, rules are there to be broken, and I’m glad they were. This novel will work perfectly well as a post-apocalyptic YA. However ...
This is a pacey adventure/thriller in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Themes are grown-up, but perfectly acceptable for a YA audience. Themes which make this a suitable crossover book, that adult fans of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction will love as well.
I enjoyed seeing Dayna develop as a character. Miranda Reason is a remarkable author who hasn’t forgotten what it is like to be Dayna’s age. I am going to pre-order a physical copy of Day of Now, and I’m looking forward to reading it again.
Five/six stars (the range on my personal reviewer’s page allows six for exceptional books) for Day of Now by Miranda Reason – an exceptional novel, grounded, with plausible and relatable characters, impossible choices, a book that breaks the rules.
Perfect for fans of All That's Left in the World and The Girl with All the Gifts.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with an ARC of Miranda Reason’s, Day of Now.
I’ll start with the one thing that nagged me about Day of Now – age.
This novel is marketed as YA, but given the rule that kids read up, protagonist, Dayna, is rather young. That said, rules are there to be broken, and I’m glad they were. This novel will work perfectly well as a post-apocalyptic YA. However ...
This is a pacey adventure/thriller in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Themes are grown-up, but perfectly acceptable for a YA audience. Themes which make this a suitable crossover book, that adult fans of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction will love as well.
I enjoyed seeing Dayna develop as a character. Miranda Reason is a remarkable author who hasn’t forgotten what it is like to be Dayna’s age. I am going to pre-order a physical copy of Day of Now, and I’m looking forward to reading it again.
Five/six stars (the range on my personal reviewer’s page allows six for exceptional books) for Day of Now by Miranda Reason – an exceptional novel, grounded, with plausible and relatable characters, impossible choices, a book that breaks the rules.
Perfect for fans of All That's Left in the World and The Girl with All the Gifts.
January 13, 2026
Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this upcoming release!
3.75⭐️
My first book of 2026 and I really enjoyed it. A great book for dystopian lovers🫶🏻 Some twists towards the end which kept you reading!
I wish we had a little bit more description of Dayna and Pax like age as that really helps connect you to a story but didn’t effect it too much. I was surprised to see certain topics mentioned in a YA book so I wouldn’t recommend it for those below age 13/14 personally.
It left room for a sequel so I’m interested to see if that’s on the cards!🤭
3.75⭐️
My first book of 2026 and I really enjoyed it. A great book for dystopian lovers🫶🏻 Some twists towards the end which kept you reading!
I wish we had a little bit more description of Dayna and Pax like age as that really helps connect you to a story but didn’t effect it too much. I was surprised to see certain topics mentioned in a YA book so I wouldn’t recommend it for those below age 13/14 personally.
It left room for a sequel so I’m interested to see if that’s on the cards!🤭
January 23, 2026
A post-apocalyptic survival tale exploring ethical and moral questions- namely, how far would you go to ensure the survival of the human race? What is forgivable and what is not?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews