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When the Rain Came
Not yet published
Expected 17 Mar 26The rain never stops. The world is drowning. Survival is everything.
When the Rain Came
is the first YA book in an all-new, action-packed dystopian adventure series by
New York Times
bestselling author Matt Eicheldinger.
“If we stay here, if we keep wandering without a real plan, we won’t last. Maybe The Hill is dangerous. But maybe it’s not. It’s the only plan we have.”
Seventeen-year-old Aurora knows how to survive. Life in the foster system has taught her how to stay quiet, stay smart, and stay ready. But nothing could prepare her for this: a never-ending storm that swallows cities, drowns forests, and turns the world into a flooded wasteland.
Trapped in a collapsing house with her strict prepper foster parents, Aurora is forced to live by their rules just to stay alive. Until the day they disappear without a trace.
Alone. Abandoned. And running out of time.
All Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a “The Hill.”
With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher each day, she’s left with one impossible choice—stay and wait for the storm to take her, or risk everything on a journey through the drowned remains of the world, to a find a place that may or not exist.
It’s forward or nothing.
With echoes of Life As We Knew It, The Last of Us, and Hatchet, Aurora’s story is a gripping, emotionally resonant survival story about resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to reclaim her future in a drowning world.
“If we stay here, if we keep wandering without a real plan, we won’t last. Maybe The Hill is dangerous. But maybe it’s not. It’s the only plan we have.”
Seventeen-year-old Aurora knows how to survive. Life in the foster system has taught her how to stay quiet, stay smart, and stay ready. But nothing could prepare her for this: a never-ending storm that swallows cities, drowns forests, and turns the world into a flooded wasteland.
Trapped in a collapsing house with her strict prepper foster parents, Aurora is forced to live by their rules just to stay alive. Until the day they disappear without a trace.
Alone. Abandoned. And running out of time.
All Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a “The Hill.”
With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher each day, she’s left with one impossible choice—stay and wait for the storm to take her, or risk everything on a journey through the drowned remains of the world, to a find a place that may or not exist.
It’s forward or nothing.
With echoes of Life As We Knew It, The Last of Us, and Hatchet, Aurora’s story is a gripping, emotionally resonant survival story about resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to reclaim her future in a drowning world.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 17, 2026
4 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved it. RTC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When the Rain Came by Matthew Eicheldinger is a gripping tale of survival that blends tension, drama, and an unrelenting atmosphere of dread, making it a great debut. I was sad to come to the end of the story, but I am looking forward to the next installment.
From the very first page, I was drawn into a world that was haunting and vividly imagined: a relentless storm that threatens to consume everything in its path. The main character, seventeen-year-old Aurora, is a great character. Her journey is one of resilience and discovery, shaped by her harsh experiences in the foster system. The author does a great job of portraying her struggles with authenticity, which had me empathizing with her difficulties as she confronts the challenges of her unpredictable environment and her home life with her prepper foster parents. When they unexpectedly vanish, the stakes rise significantly, propelling her into a heart-pounding quest for survival. The setting feels like a character in its own right, and the descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them as events unfolded. What I liked about this storyline is its exploration of hope amid despair. Aurora’s drive to seek The Hill is not just a search for safety; it symbolizes the natural human desire to find a place of belonging, even when the world seems lost. The themes of isolation, courage, and the instinct to survive are at the heart of the narrative. I thought Kota was a good character, too; he was sweet and courageous. There were some sad moments, such as the character of Markell.
For me, this novel was an exciting ride, while offering depth and emotion. It's a story that combines suspense with powerful character development. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
#WhentheRainCame #NetGalley @AndrewsMcMeel
From the very first page, I was drawn into a world that was haunting and vividly imagined: a relentless storm that threatens to consume everything in its path. The main character, seventeen-year-old Aurora, is a great character. Her journey is one of resilience and discovery, shaped by her harsh experiences in the foster system. The author does a great job of portraying her struggles with authenticity, which had me empathizing with her difficulties as she confronts the challenges of her unpredictable environment and her home life with her prepper foster parents. When they unexpectedly vanish, the stakes rise significantly, propelling her into a heart-pounding quest for survival. The setting feels like a character in its own right, and the descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them as events unfolded. What I liked about this storyline is its exploration of hope amid despair. Aurora’s drive to seek The Hill is not just a search for safety; it symbolizes the natural human desire to find a place of belonging, even when the world seems lost. The themes of isolation, courage, and the instinct to survive are at the heart of the narrative. I thought Kota was a good character, too; he was sweet and courageous. There were some sad moments, such as the character of Markell.
For me, this novel was an exciting ride, while offering depth and emotion. It's a story that combines suspense with powerful character development. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
#WhentheRainCame #NetGalley @AndrewsMcMeel
Review of advance copy
When the Rain Came is combination dystopian and science fiction, so it’s the best of both genres. This is a quick read, but be forewarned, it’s set to be a trilogy therefore it has, while still satisfying, a cliffhanger ending. So be ready…
Oh dear writer, You can't leave me like this!
We love an occasional cozy, rainy day, but what if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? Welcome to Aurora's world. Aurora is a foster child who has just moved in with, yet another family, right before the rain phenomenon starts. Luckily for her, these foster parents are preppers. They have supplies stored, bug out bags in every room and are prepared for disaster. But one morning, they are gone, I mean disappeared gone! .
Knowing she won’t survive if she stays there, Aurora sets out on her own to find a place of refuge. Soon she meets a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and everything in its wake disappears. It’s as if the water is devouring itself! Kota calls it the shui gui. As they trudge on, all Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a name: “The Hill.” Is this their safe place? But, the posted signs concerning The Hill seem a bit cryptic so is it really a refuge? Or does this place even exist?
With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher snd higher, its move forward or nothing.
As I turned the last page I still had many questions. What's behind the Dark Pools for one? Thus, there will be a sequel.
I really liked Aurora, whose story is an emotional survival story of resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to provide for herself a future in a drowning world.
.
I highly recommend! I'm sure you too will anxiously await the sequel.
Oh dear writer, You can't leave me like this!
We love an occasional cozy, rainy day, but what if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? Welcome to Aurora's world. Aurora is a foster child who has just moved in with, yet another family, right before the rain phenomenon starts. Luckily for her, these foster parents are preppers. They have supplies stored, bug out bags in every room and are prepared for disaster. But one morning, they are gone, I mean disappeared gone! .
Knowing she won’t survive if she stays there, Aurora sets out on her own to find a place of refuge. Soon she meets a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and everything in its wake disappears. It’s as if the water is devouring itself! Kota calls it the shui gui. As they trudge on, all Aurora has is a waterlogged scrap of paper and a name: “The Hill.” Is this their safe place? But, the posted signs concerning The Hill seem a bit cryptic so is it really a refuge? Or does this place even exist?
With looters closing in and the floodwaters rising higher snd higher, its move forward or nothing.
As I turned the last page I still had many questions. What's behind the Dark Pools for one? Thus, there will be a sequel.
I really liked Aurora, whose story is an emotional survival story of resilience, found family, and one girl’s fight to provide for herself a future in a drowning world.
.
I highly recommend! I'm sure you too will anxiously await the sequel.
December 3, 2025
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
This book is my jam! I love YA dystopian and science fiction, so this was right up my alley. I raced through this book because I loved it. I did not know it was set to be a trilogy until I got to the cliffhanger ending! I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open like, "What? You can't leave me like this!"
What would happen if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? That's what is happening in Aurora's world. She's just moved in with new foster parents right before the disaster, and now everything has changed. Luckily for her, her parents are preppers. They seem to be ready for just a disaster. But one morning, they are just gone without a trace. Now what will she do?
Aurora sets out on her own, stumbling across a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and it all just disappears. Together, they try to find a safe place only known as The Hill. But is the Hill really what they think it is?
This book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my set. I read it in one day, so you know it is good. I am so sad that the sequel isn't already out! I'm left with so many questions. We don't know what the Dark Pools are yet, but it seems to have some sort of scientific reason (this is science fiction, after all.) Kota has a more mystical interpretation, but it does not appear that is the real answer. I also liked that this is what you could label a "clean read." No foul language, nothing too graphic. Some intense scenes of course, but not gory.
I highly recommend! I cannot wait for the sequel, I will definitely be reading it!
This book is my jam! I love YA dystopian and science fiction, so this was right up my alley. I raced through this book because I loved it. I did not know it was set to be a trilogy until I got to the cliffhanger ending! I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open like, "What? You can't leave me like this!"
What would happen if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? That's what is happening in Aurora's world. She's just moved in with new foster parents right before the disaster, and now everything has changed. Luckily for her, her parents are preppers. They seem to be ready for just a disaster. But one morning, they are just gone without a trace. Now what will she do?
Aurora sets out on her own, stumbling across a young boy who has been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and it all just disappears. Together, they try to find a safe place only known as The Hill. But is the Hill really what they think it is?
This book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my set. I read it in one day, so you know it is good. I am so sad that the sequel isn't already out! I'm left with so many questions. We don't know what the Dark Pools are yet, but it seems to have some sort of scientific reason (this is science fiction, after all.) Kota has a more mystical interpretation, but it does not appear that is the real answer. I also liked that this is what you could label a "clean read." No foul language, nothing too graphic. Some intense scenes of course, but not gory.
I highly recommend! I cannot wait for the sequel, I will definitely be reading it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you enjoy disaster/survival/dystopian books then you should absolutely read When the Rain Came!
This book is the first in a new trilogy and begins after the rain has already started. The main character, Aurora, is living with a foster family and they're just trying their best to continue to survive. As the story progresses, we get additional snippets into Aurora's story, although the author does leave us with some questions about her background that I'm assuming will be answered in the later books. Aurora faces conflict and turmoil with her foster parents, but I won't go into too much detail in order to avoid spoilers. At one point she is forced to leave her foster home and that is when the story really starts to get interesting. There is more going on in the outside world than what we initially learned about and Aurora faces new perils on the outside. There is plenty of action and adventure to keep the story going and there is a great mix of all types of characters...good, bad, and undetermined.
My main critique of this book is that it left me with three major questions that were left unanswered. One of those will likely be resolved over the course of the next two books, but I'm unsure about the other two. Regardless, this is an entertaining story that young adult readers will enjoy. It's been a while since a great dystopian series has been published, so I have high hopes for this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to review an eARC of this book!
This book is the first in a new trilogy and begins after the rain has already started. The main character, Aurora, is living with a foster family and they're just trying their best to continue to survive. As the story progresses, we get additional snippets into Aurora's story, although the author does leave us with some questions about her background that I'm assuming will be answered in the later books. Aurora faces conflict and turmoil with her foster parents, but I won't go into too much detail in order to avoid spoilers. At one point she is forced to leave her foster home and that is when the story really starts to get interesting. There is more going on in the outside world than what we initially learned about and Aurora faces new perils on the outside. There is plenty of action and adventure to keep the story going and there is a great mix of all types of characters...good, bad, and undetermined.
My main critique of this book is that it left me with three major questions that were left unanswered. One of those will likely be resolved over the course of the next two books, but I'm unsure about the other two. Regardless, this is an entertaining story that young adult readers will enjoy. It's been a while since a great dystopian series has been published, so I have high hopes for this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to review an eARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Growing up in the foster system, 17-year-old Aurora has not had an easy life. She thought her luck might change when Niko and Jada wrote her a letter to welcome her into their home, but then the rain began. The rain didn't stop, so Aurora's dystopian world is now experiencing flooding of biblical proportions. Aurora has overheard Niko and Jada discussing a possible refuge called The Hill, but she has no idea just how much worse life will become in the coming days as the rain continues relentlessly. No spoilers, so I'll just say that Part 1 of Eicheldinger's young adult trilogy had me racing to see what would happen next.
Eicheldinger already has several books on my classroom shelves (the Matt Sprouts series and his Holes in My Underwear poems), but this will be the first that will appeal to my older middle school readers. I ordered the hard copy as soon as I finished my review copy and can't wait for Part 2 of the trilogy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Eicheldinger already has several books on my classroom shelves (the Matt Sprouts series and his Holes in My Underwear poems), but this will be the first that will appeal to my older middle school readers. I ordered the hard copy as soon as I finished my review copy and can't wait for Part 2 of the trilogy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, this was a treat.
I had a great time! I really liked the characters. Aurora is a really great protagonist. She is world-weary, for sure, but she isn't mean or unlikable. She is smart and practical without it being over the top. Kota is very sweet, and Eicheldinger has done a great job of creating a younger brother character that inspires protective feelings in the reader without also being. Well. Annoying.
I like that this book is critical of The Adults without becoming too cynical. That can be a hard balance to strike. Niko and Jada are very interesting characters. A great way to introduce the concept of flawed ≠ bad to young readers, especially in terms of parental figures.
I do think it is hard to put an age rating on this one. In a lot of ways it leans more middle grade than young adult, but certain descriptions might be a little scary for younger readers. I would probably recommend it to readers 14+ because of that, but there is a good bit of leeway there. I always very much appreciate having more books for my teen patrons that request no romance, so I am thrilled to add this one to that list!
I will say that it is incredibly funny that this Irene Twist is happening. Like. It is...pretty obvious. However, I am also definitely not a young teen, but in fact a Grown Adult Librarian who has read. Just so many books. So admittedly this may land a little better with the intended audience. Another minor complaint is that the ending felt a little abrupt, and I tend to prefer when at least the first book in a series can be standalone. That is mostly personal taste, however.
I am very excited to read the second book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
I had a great time! I really liked the characters. Aurora is a really great protagonist. She is world-weary, for sure, but she isn't mean or unlikable. She is smart and practical without it being over the top. Kota is very sweet, and Eicheldinger has done a great job of creating a younger brother character that inspires protective feelings in the reader without also being. Well. Annoying.
I like that this book is critical of The Adults without becoming too cynical. That can be a hard balance to strike. Niko and Jada are very interesting characters. A great way to introduce the concept of flawed ≠ bad to young readers, especially in terms of parental figures.
I do think it is hard to put an age rating on this one. In a lot of ways it leans more middle grade than young adult, but certain descriptions might be a little scary for younger readers. I would probably recommend it to readers 14+ because of that, but there is a good bit of leeway there. I always very much appreciate having more books for my teen patrons that request no romance, so I am thrilled to add this one to that list!
I will say that it is incredibly funny that this Irene Twist is happening. Like. It is...pretty obvious. However, I am also definitely not a young teen, but in fact a Grown Adult Librarian who has read. Just so many books. So admittedly this may land a little better with the intended audience. Another minor complaint is that the ending felt a little abrupt, and I tend to prefer when at least the first book in a series can be standalone. That is mostly personal taste, however.
I am very excited to read the second book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's pretty refreshing when a post apocalyptic book is written and it isn't about an EMP or zombies so I was pretty excited for this one. I do feel that it could have been a little faster paced and that there could have been more action in the middle of the book rather than the very end but even so, the slow parts weren't bad. I will admit that I don't like when loose ends aren't tied up just for the sake of making a sequel so that is a bit of a bummer to me but it was still worth reading. The characters were likable and relatable which is a huge plus. I'd most likely read the sequel if I came across it but I don't think I would actively go looking for it. All in all, I'd recommend to anyone who is a fan of both young adult fiction and post apocalyptic scenarios.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When The Rain Came is the perfect entry level End of Times/Dystopian novel for YA readers.
As an adult reader, it did leave me with many unanswered questions, but I'm not the target audience...
This is an interesting read, combining 'prepping', ending of days, science and survival.
Cleverly written and very detailed, down to the issue of mold. Because of course everything is molding when everything is constantly wet. Matthew Eicheldinger has considered everything.
Easy to read, fast paced and an ending that perfectly sets up book 2. I'm finding myself eager for When The Sun Returned.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As an adult reader, it did leave me with many unanswered questions, but I'm not the target audience...
This is an interesting read, combining 'prepping', ending of days, science and survival.
Cleverly written and very detailed, down to the issue of mold. Because of course everything is molding when everything is constantly wet. Matthew Eicheldinger has considered everything.
Easy to read, fast paced and an ending that perfectly sets up book 2. I'm finding myself eager for When The Sun Returned.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine if it started raining one day, and just didn't stop. How long until things flooded? Until society collapsed? When the rain comes explores all of this from the perspective of Aurora, a teen in foster care who thought she had finally landed with good foster parents. When they disappear, she doesn't know what to do, so she tries to find The Hill, a place that allegedly is a safe haven.
What a fun read! Fast-paced and engaging, I read this quickly, and didn't realize until the end it was going to be a trilogy. Now I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC!
What a fun read! Fast-paced and engaging, I read this quickly, and didn't realize until the end it was going to be a trilogy. Now I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The first installment of a trilogy that follows a girl during a world-wide flood. As with any apocalyptic, society breaks down and it’s every man for himself. Preppers establish new settlements that may be every bit as dangerous as the open water. Nature and man compete for which can be most brutal. This should really appeal to a J or YA audience. Very engaging, right up to the rather abrupt ending. I’ll be watching for the next installment, as I’m rooting for the main characters’ survival, and hoping for answers to my questions regarding Aurora’s background and the nature of the creepy water hazards.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This fast-paced dystopian book kept me up late reading until it was finished. Truthfully, it didn't start out fast paced, but was instead moody and ominous. I kept waiting for something to happen and when it finally did- I couldn't put it down.
A global disaster, foster kid living with preppers, and weird, unexplainable things combined together into quite an interesting story.
I don't think I can say much else without giving away spoilers- but I do recommend this book.
A global disaster, foster kid living with preppers, and weird, unexplainable things combined together into quite an interesting story.
I don't think I can say much else without giving away spoilers- but I do recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When the Rain Came is a good YA dystopian read. It's fast-paced and interesting. I only wish there was more detail about the pre-apocalyptic time, before all the rains came, to get more of an idea of why and how all of it happened. The main character was a little flat, but the major secondary character was a good one to have around. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good survival/natural disaster book. This was my first read of 2026, and it did not disappoint. I do wish that there was a copy available for Kindle, but other than that I adored this read.
I love a good survival/natural disaster book. This was my first read of 2026, and it did not disappoint. I do wish that there was a copy available for Kindle, but other than that I adored this read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is definitely a YA story, but it’s a wildly suspenseful one. The novel follows Aurora and Kota as they learn how to survive the flooded, rain-soaked dystopian world they find themselves in. While I would have liked more depth and detail in both the characters and the overall story, the fast-paced thrills and constant challenges they face while searching for safety make this an enjoyable read. I will most certainly be picking up the next two installments.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews