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Survival Instincts

May Dawney (Goodreads Author)

4.39 · Rating details · 670 ratings · 123 reviews

Civilization ended long before Lynn Tanner was born. Wild animals roam the streets, but mankind is still the biggest threat to a woman alone in the ruins of a world reclaimed by nature. Lynn survives by sleeping with one eye open at all times and trusting no one but her dog.
When she is forced to go on a dangerous journey through the concrete jungle of New York City, Lynn d ...more

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ebook, 358 pages

Published March 7th 2018 by Ylva Publishing

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2018 Lesbian Releases

236 books — 179 voters

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110 books — 106 voters

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· 670 ratings · 123 reviews

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Mar 17, 2018 Lex Kent rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: apocalyptic, f-f-ylva-romance, 2018-favorites, f-f-action-romance

I was really excited about this book. I’m a big post-apocalyptic fan and they seem to be few and far between in lesfic. But I’m also an animal lover, and when I heard about some of the violent scenes, I started to worry. It came to a point instead of rushing to read this, I kept putting it off. After some advice, from a friend who had read this already, I finally felt okay with reading it. I’m so glad I did because I flat out loved this book.

I do want to give a warning first, yes this book is vi I was really excited about this book. I’m a big post-apocalyptic fan and they seem to be few and far between in lesfic. But I’m also an animal lover, and when I heard about some of the violent scenes, I started to worry. It came to a point instead of rushing to read this, I kept putting it off. After some advice, from a friend who had read this already, I finally felt okay with reading it. I’m so glad I did because I flat out loved this book.

I do want to give a warning first, yes this book is violent. After war has ravaged the world, predator animals are back on the top of the food chain. Not only are animals a worry, but humans are too in this extremely dangerous new world. Due to the violence, this probably won’t be a book for everyone, but if you can handle it I highly recommend reading this.

I’m not going to go into a summary; there are a lot of reviews already if you need one. I do want to mention there are two main characters Lynn and Dani. This book is in third person, but we are only ever in Lynn’s headspace. I actually thought it was an interesting choice for a book like this, but it really worked. Lynn is a fantastic main character. She was one of those strong badass female characters I just love. Dani has her flaws and Dawney (the author) is not always that nice to her, but I loved learning about her as Lynn did. Even not being in her headspace, you still felt like you really understood Dani.

There is a romance. For this being an adventure book that keeps you on your toes with danger at every corner, the romance really worked for me. It progressed at a nice slow pace as these characters slowly learned to depend on each other. I loved the dialogue when the characters would discuss their feelings. The one main sex scene was so well done. It wasn’t steamy but it felt like a love scene not just sex. There was so much emotion behind it, it actually blew me away a bit. I think it would actually go into my top ten favorite intimate scenes in lesfic. I usually reserve them for super steamy scenes, but this was just so well written I won’t forget it anytime soon.

There are a few tiny negatives. There were a few times that I had to suspend disbelief a bit. Or I thought the time period didn’t match up perfectly with what the characters knew. This take place (If I remember correctly) 200 years after the war that really ended civilization as we know it. I think if Dawney would have cut that time in half, everything would have lined up so much better. But in the grand scheme of things, these complaints were so tiny they didn’t affect my love for the book at all.

The book is long, but in a good way. The pace of the book hardly even slowed down enough for me to catch my breath. I soon found myself staring at my Kindle’s percentage complete, wishing it would slow down. But it ended and I was left knowing this book would stay with me for a long time. It ended and I knew I was going to write one of my rarer full five star reviews. When a book is this damn good, it’s hard to do it justice in a review. If you are a post-apocalyptic fan, an adventure/action fan, I absolutely recommend this. I can’t wait to see what Dawney puts out next.

An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review. ...more

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Apr 28, 2018 Jem rated it it was amazing

Survival instincts

Violent. Gritty. Graphic. These are some of the first adjectives that come to my mind when I started reading Survival Instincts. And pretty much throughout the book. But by the end, I'd add to it pulse-pounding, heart-breaking, and quite simply--effing awesome!

It's a completely immersive and truly visceral experience. But it's not for the squeamish. Life in this dystopian future is more akin to life in prehistoric times--raw, wild and brutal. It's a literal dog-eat-dog world. P Survival instincts

Violent. Gritty. Graphic. These are some of the first adjectives that come to my mind when I started reading Survival Instincts. And pretty much throughout the book. But by the end, I'd add to it pulse-pounding, heart-breaking, and quite simply--effing awesome!

It's a completely immersive and truly visceral experience. But it's not for the squeamish. Life in this dystopian future is more akin to life in prehistoric times--raw, wild and brutal. It's a literal dog-eat-dog world. Predators and prey roam the sprawling concrete wilderness formerly known as cities.... A few hundred years ago... Before the bombs fell. Now the rusting car husks and abandoned buildings are just like caves where one can just as easily hide from danger as they can meet their end.

The main character Lynn is a "wilder", a futuristic nomad. She's chosen to live a life of solitude, relying solely on her wits and well-honed instincts for survival. She chances upon a small settlement one day but is immediately accused of being responsible for the death of their leader, because she has his dog. A foolhardy decision to retrieve his buried body results in the most horrific trip to hell.

Lynn choses a single travel companion for the job--someone from the settlement who isn't likely to kill her--and someone she thinks she can dump the first chance she gets.

But things don't go exactly as planned...

The most noteworthy and in my opinion, authentic aspect of the book is how it draws its dystopian world. Though the time frame seems a bit too long (it's a little hard to imagine humanity still hasn't gotten its act together..a few hundred years after the apocalypse), for the most part, it was easy for me to get behind the author's vision of the world. I thought the scenarios depicted and the characters’ reactions to them stayed true to the author’s vision, however off-putting they may be to some romance readers. I'm one of those. But I always look for a great love story underneath the veneer, or in this case, the dreck. It's absolutely there and it's developed just the way it should be...super slow burn, with lots of low-key, understated but no less dramatic, heart-tugging moments. Okay, I must admit that the romantic development part of the book has a bit of a modern feel to it but that, I think, is the book’s only concession to romance readers. Everything else is pretty much what you’d expect a wild and dangerous world like that to be--where survival means having to kill in order not to be killed, where human life is reduced to the basest of animal instincts--survival.The many scenes of violence, gore and animal kills, none of which are gratuitous, reinforce the book's bleak dystopian reality.

Rich character development is another aspect I loved about the book. I thoroughly enjoyed how the MC slowly, subtly and quite reluctantly grew from a self-centered, almost-misanthropic lone wolf to someone who was willing to lay down her life for another... And how her natural, life-long instincts for self-preservation struggled mightily with it. I thought that was such an incredibly honest and incisive characterization.

The book is also a very effective thriller. The trip to hell and back is fraught with danger and unknown risks, and death and dismemberment always seem to be just lurking around the corner waiting to pounce on our heroines. The action and thrills are well sprinkled throughout the book, and there is seldom a dull moment.

As a book, this is great. As a debut novel, it is simply amazing.

5 stars

ARC from Ylva ...more

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Mar 09, 2018 Lexxi Kitty rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, setting-continent-north-america, lesbian-fiction, dog, animals, best-by-author, age-030s, lgbt, genre-science-fiction, lesbian-action

*I received this book from Ylva Publishing for an honest review*

This was one of those dense rich stories that took a while to read. If I recall correctly, and I might not, there was a similar denseness/richness in the short story I read by this same author – the only other work I’ve read by them. ‘What does that mean?’ Um . . . hmms. Boiled down: there’s a lot of ‘stuff’ packed into the words/actions/scenes. Right. So.

This story, entirely seen through the perspective of one character, Lynn Tanne ...more

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Mar 17, 2020 hubsie rated it it was amazing

I must preface this to say that it is St. Patrick's Day in amongst COVID-19.

I might be slightly drunk on Irish whisky.

But don't let that sway you from this review. This book was SO GOOD. It was exactly what I needed and at the exact right time. Post-apocolyptic NYC, who knows the exact year, with two MCs from different worlds. MC Lynn is a "Wilder" who stumbles upon a settlement in NYC and other MC Dani. They end up having to navigate the wilds as strangers on an expedition of sorts. The adventu ...more

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Aug 30, 2019 Bethany rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ylva, enemies-to-lovers, fantasy-paranormal-dystopian, slow-burn-romance

So... I have to say up front that I really enjoyed this novel. The problem is that I read it so soon after reading Charon Docks at Daylight, and that means that I can't help but compare the two since they're both post-apocalyptic dystopian stories. If I had read Survival Instincts first, or if there had been more time between the two before I read Survival Instincts, I honestly think my rating would be much higher. Take that into consideration before making a choice to read or not!

Unfortunately ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Alexis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure, dogs-cats-horses-pets, nature-outdoors-wildlife, dark-twisted, fantasy-sci-fi, triggers-involved, lesfic

Mother Nature's Revenge.

That would have been a perfect sub title to this book. A post war crumbling New York taken over by flora and fauna serves as the backdrop for this dystopian novel. This book was not at all what I was expecting because let's face it, everything dystopian lately is all about zombies or walkers or mutants etc. The concept of a concrete jungle turned into an almost literal jungle made for a very interesting read.

The other thing I wasn't quite prepared for was the amount of c ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Wow this is an intense read. And it doesn't let up. It's relatively long in the world of Lesfic, but it doesn't feel like it. The action is just non-stop. I loved the slow way the relationship and trust built up between our two mains. The emotional need Lynn had for Dani was palpable to this reader. As mentioned in other reviews there are a few times when the time line doesn't seem to jive...but honestly very minor to the story as a whole.

4.5 stars rounded up....cuz zebras running wild in NYC? ...more

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Mar 03, 2018 Joc rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: futuristic, fantasy, lesbian, romance

Survival Instincts is set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian New York City where zoo animals have procreated and become the predators they once were and buildings are slowly being absorbed back into nature. Lynn Tanner, a loner, and her dog are travelling southwards to warmer winters when she comes across a settler group in the middle of a hunt. Her dog, Skeever, rushes towards them and in the uproar that follows it becomes apparent that Lynn’s dog is known to the setter’s group. Thinking she has Survival Instincts is set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian New York City where zoo animals have procreated and become the predators they once were and buildings are slowly being absorbed back into nature. Lynn Tanner, a loner, and her dog are travelling southwards to warmer winters when she comes across a settler group in the middle of a hunt. Her dog, Skeever, rushes towards them and in the uproar that follows it becomes apparent that Lynn’s dog is known to the setter’s group. Thinking she has stolen Skeever they capture Lynn and want to force her to return to where she found him to prove her innocence. Lynn refuses to go unless Dani Wilson is the only settler to go with her. (There is more to it than this but I don't want to put in any spoiler alerts.)

For the most part I enjoyed reading this but there are quite a few areas where my suspension of disbelief was broken, the story lagged or words jarred with the setting.

I don’t have a clear idea of the history leading to the present situation. It is mentioned that there were millions of people in NYC hundreds of years before so it’s possible that the war happened at least a hundred years ago. What that leads me to is: why are the characters still in ‘survival mode’ if the war happened over a hundred years before? The air seems to be clean, water is available, things grow, there are lots of animals and there are lots of relics intact, like vehicles, furniture and buildings. Why have they not made things to make their lives easier? Stuff like paper seems to be mostly perished but there doesn’t seem to be any industry so where are they getting their clothing (which, depending on the environment, wouldn’t last much longer than paper)?

The main characters are on their own for most of the novel meaning that there wasn’t enough dialogue. Lynn is a survivor who has been on her own for a long time and has kept herself alive by her ruthlessness. Dani has been with the settlers for a while and although she is a capable hunter her survival skills are not honed like Lynn’s. Their relationship is one that is fraught with distrust and at the same time, a mutually beneficial goal - unless one of them can figure out how to get out of it. This makes for a wonderful amount of tension between them that in turn heightens the suspense.

On the downside, sometimes the language they use is more indicative of people who are in counselling rather than people who have just survived a wolf attack. Dani's motivation for going on this journey should possibly have been brought in earlier particularly between 40% and 60% of the way through where the story dipped.

This is probably one of my idiosyncrasies but the characters are never very clean. The attacks, kills and corpses are so well described with blood, dirt and maggots covering the main characters with regularity but washing of bodies and clothing is rare and seemingly quite superficial. Just the mere suggestion of intimacy gives me the shudders.

I enjoyed the writing and the descriptions are evocative and engage the sense of sight, smell and touch (too much sometimes, in my case). The evolution of Lynn and Dani’s relationship was engaging and the reason I finished the book. I’m divided about how I feel about Survival Instincts because there was a lot I enjoyed and just as much that frustrated me. ...more

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Mar 03, 2018 Jane Shambler rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ylva-pub, end-of-the-world

WOW!!! What can I say this book is amazing. It is set about 200 years after the world destroyed itself. The survivors are living either as settlers in the ruins of the cities or as wilders in the open countryside.

The book is centered on Lynn a wilder and Dani a settler. They set out on a journey to recover the body of the leader of Dani's group. Predators roam freely and there is possible danger at every turn. Everything is a struggle. But they persevere and bond. They learn to trust each other ...more

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Mar 10, 2018 Tiff rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-reads, holy-shit-moment, loner-recluse, someone-is-deceased, survival-doom, dislike-to-love-got-of-on-the-wrong, she-is-so-gifted, futuristic, 5-stars, adventure

Survival Instincts by May Dawney was absolutely stunning! It has everything you want and need all wrapped up in one glorious tale. This is EASILY the best book I have read in 2018! The romance gives you the feels, the characters are strong, badass dynamic women! Off the charts amazing read.

Lynn Tanner is a survivor. That's what she does, that all she knows how to do. In a world that was devastated by war, living by your wits and survival skills is a must. Lynn has no family left, she has kept to Survival Instincts by May Dawney was absolutely stunning! It has everything you want and need all wrapped up in one glorious tale. This is EASILY the best book I have read in 2018! The romance gives you the feels, the characters are strong, badass dynamic women! Off the charts amazing read.

Lynn Tanner is a survivor. That's what she does, that all she knows how to do. In a world that was devastated by war, living by your wits and survival skills is a must. Lynn has no family left, she has kept to help and traveled the wilderness living off the land for a decade. Traveling south from Ottawa, Lynn is determined to head south to avoid another harsh winter. Traveling along, she kinds a dog, Skeever, whose owner had just passed. Meeting this dog makes Lynn take stock of just how lonely she is. Even the will to hunt has diminished. His arrival changes everything for Lynn.

What is amazing about Lynn is her mental fortitude and resilience. She is one of those characters that while her life has been so difficult, she never gives up, she fights for everything she has, every day. Her spirit captivates you as the reader. You love her for her weaknesses as much as her strengths.

Dani Wilson is the other main character in Survival Instincts. Dani is a skilled hunter, but Lynn see's her as weak, and an adversary she believes she came overcome if necessary. These two definitely get off on the wrong foot. Dani is witty, extremely smart, and tough as nails. These two go toe to toe and then become an unbeatable force. They are so different but absolute equals.

I think what really sets this book apart from so many others is how multi-layered it is. May Dawney has given you a long detailed story full of twists and turns and characters that stay with you long after you turn the final page. Dawney takes her time and draws the characters out. Backstories are cleverly crafted, the scenes are set, and you feel the story as much as see it as you read. I was equally mesmerized and terrified at the same time. What I loved most of all, and I am talking really loved, is how the character’s chemistry between each other is just dynamite. It just jumps right off the page! You have sexiness, cuteness, agonizing pain and badassness all rolled into one epic adventure. This book is so beyond awesome!

6 stars ...more

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Mar 24, 2018 Arien rated it liked it

ARC received from YLVA for a fair review.

3 stars. The book has its moments and they're really impactful emotionally but a lot of the book is repetitive.

I liked both leads - the strong and independent Lynn and the strong and not so independent Dani. And Skeevers is the best character in the book, dog companions rock.

The author also paints a fairly believable picture of a post-apocalyptic world, the descriptions are rich and paint an appropriately bleak picture. But then questions start to arise ARC received from YLVA for a fair review.

3 stars. The book has its moments and they're really impactful emotionally but a lot of the book is repetitive.

I liked both leads - the strong and independent Lynn and the strong and not so independent Dani. And Skeevers is the best character in the book, dog companions rock.

The author also paints a fairly believable picture of a post-apocalyptic world, the descriptions are rich and paint an appropriately bleak picture. But then questions start to arise. Why are they all hunter-gatherers when the world is full of vegetation? Stuff grows so it's natural to assume that people would form agricultural communities for a sustainable and predictable food source. Instead, survivors band up in small groups and are doing the hunting and gathering thing which doesn't make much sense.

And what about clothes? They're hundreds of years after the apocalypse, all clothing from that time would be destroyed yet they have a rather modern apparel from what I can tell. Without agriculture, they should be running in primal leathers.

Then there's the pacing of the book which was my main problem with it. In places, it gets too repetitive without anything of substance happening. Too much of the book is spent in Lynn's head. The interactions with Dani were the best parts but they're quite short when compared to the repetitive Lynn's thought process.

Furthermore, I was awaiting how she'll integrate within the (view spoiler) yet that part was almost completely skipped. The main conflict was too easily resolved in quite a rushed way. The author should have cut off Lynn's repetitive thought process in half and developed the story about settlers more. There were plenty of interesting characters but they didn't get any screen time in the end.

And by the end of the book, it felt like Lynn couldn't go 5 steps without some sort of attack directed at her by all kinds of beasts and humans. What was exciting at first ended being "Not again!".

Overall an enjoyable action read that lacks proper research, has troubles with pacing but features good leads and the best dog you can read about. ...more

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Mar 19, 2018 Kurt rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi, 3-5-stars, there-is-an-animal, ylva, read-in-2018

*Note: I was graciously provided a copy of this book by the publisher

Overall I think this is a good "end of the world" story with a romance. Some of it is gripping and other parts are gruesome. The story reads fluidly enough written in the third person, limited point of view. The author writes in such a way that I had no difficulty visualizing the story as a movie in my mind. The romance was a slow burn as it takes a long period for the trust issues between the two characters to be resolved and ...more

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Nov 11, 2018 Farah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: career-day, we-go-together-like-a-wink-and-a, cry-me-a-river, ff-amore

I Am Legend met Wall-E and The Zoo.

This was not an easy read, I worried about the hs' welfare/safety from the start till the end. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lynn Tanner found herself travelling with Dani Wilson to dig out and retrieved a body that belonged to Dani's 'family'.

Lynn didn't want to complete the suicidal task and had been planning to ditch Dani onced it was safe to do so. Dani had an obligation to fulfill, formed ingenious plans of her own to make Lynn stick to the plan.

Lynn ...more

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May 12, 2018 Corporate Slave rated it it was amazing

Such a good read! Not my genre but loved it which means I highly recommend it :)

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Mar 09, 2018 K. Aten rated it it was amazing

Survival Instinct is the kind of book that grabs your attention early and holds onto it much too late into the night. Once I started it I found it very difficult to put the book down again. But it’s a big novel and you will be forced to wrench yourself out from time to time unless you have an entire day (or more depending on the reader) at your disposal.

I loved the action and the character progression. Dawney did an excellent job showing us what our world would look like a few hundred years aft ...more

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Jun 05, 2018 M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: l-books, sci-fi, thrillers

Good lord, this is simply an amazing slice of post apocalyptic, future thriller.

What an amazing book from an author that doesn’t seem to have published a full length novel previously.

This is as full on palette cleanse as you can get after reading any number romance novels with no bite. This has bite, claws, knives, spears and everything in between.

There is absolutely no fluff, this is as stripped a novel with harsh and “real world consequences” within a fantasy setting that you will find from ...more

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Aug 01, 2020 AnnMaree Of Oz rated it liked it

On a dystopian kick lately.

The feelings of danger really engulfed the world in this novel. Survival really was the name of the game for these people.

I enjoyed the romance between Dani and Lynn. I liked how neither was truly innocent and doing things to help their own chances with some grey areas that weren't just black and white. Until they both caught feelings of course! ...more

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Mar 21, 2018 A.J. Schippers rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. So, I read this book in one go, with a brief interlude to get some shut eye in the middle. Still, I started it yesterday and finished it today. It was so incredibly good.

I have always had a weird fascination for dystopian worlds but I haven't read many books with this theme. I love(d) the 100 and I can spend all day in Fallout3.

I love the cover, the idea of New York being so run over by nature and let's face, in due time it'll be exactly that.

Some things I absolutely loved:
- the returning zebr ...more

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Mar 03, 2018 Liz rated it really liked it

Shelves: ylva

This is a well written story set in a future world where nature are the predators. Some scenes were a little hard to read as an animal lover but that does not distract from the story.

I did find myself wanting more as how this world evolved and why people had gone back to either living in small groups or going it alone. The world is harsh and so are the characters. My favourite was the dog.

I enjoyed the story, full of action, but with 2 characters spending most of the time on their own I would ha ...more

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Oct 20, 2019 Sara Rastakhiz rated it really liked it

it was good. i enjoyed reading it . the world building was really good familliar yet unfamilliar! the connections the relationships and the character develooments were really good too! though i think the romantic phase was a bit too fast...but i liked that too! in fact very much so! though i would have prefered if the ending was different ( i like tragedies) but i cant help but to think it was kinda heatlrt warming too cuz many of the lgbtq relationships at least in my country lead to disasters ...more

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Apr 28, 2018 A.W. rated it really liked it

This story is from Lynn's perspective and in the third person. She is a strong character who survived all this time pretty much on her own. Meanwhile, Dani, also a strong character in a different way is used to living with others. It was interesting getting to know the characters and how not everything is at it seems.

There is romance in Survival Instincts and I enjoyed the slow burn romance that developed between Lynn and Dani.

I thought that the action was well described and well done alt ...more

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Aug 18, 2018 Alealea rated it did not like it

Shelves: f-f, romance, science-fiction

I had to force myself to finish that book.
It's well written, you easily get into the story and most character are shapely. So. What rubbed me wrong?
First, constant victimization and verbal abuse of the main character.
She survives on her own so she's selfish and untrustworthy ? What kind of moronic logic is that? They are all surviving by scrapes and we don't see the homesteaders sharing their wealth and acting honorable so their moral footing seemed completely unbelievable.
The complete intrig ...more

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Mar 05, 2018 Jasmine rated it it was amazing

This book has been on my radar for months and months. It did not let me down. I loved it. It was extraordinary. It was everything I dreamed of and more. I love anything (post) apocalyptic. This was like all my favourite movies and TV shows come to life with incredible writing and a beautiful romance between two strong, badass women, and a fascinating exploration of the things that make us human. This book is being bought in paperback by me ASAP and I know I will probably read it again very soon. This book has been on my radar for months and months. It did not let me down. I loved it. It was extraordinary. It was everything I dreamed of and more. I love anything (post) apocalyptic. This was like all my favourite movies and TV shows come to life with incredible writing and a beautiful romance between two strong, badass women, and a fascinating exploration of the things that make us human. This book is being bought in paperback by me ASAP and I know I will probably read it again very soon.

This story begins 200 or so years after the war that has destroyed most of the earth. Nature has taken back what is their's, cities are overgrown and predators roam free. Lynn has been happy living alone and staying safe, trusting only herself to do so. She find herself in a sticky situation, captured by a group of people and forced on a journey, that is almost certainly a death wish, under the watchful eye of Dani. She plans to escape first chance she gets. She doesn't plan on loneliness, something she hasn't felt in a very long time. She certainly doesn't plan on the sudden affection and attraction she feels for Dani. Will the two women survive the journey? Will their newfound relationship survive the harsh realities of the world they live in?

The descriptions in this book was off the chart! It wasn't just that I felt like I was watching a movie in my head, it felt like I was there. You could feel the branches brushing against your skin and you could smell the blood and campfire and the food. The smells were a huge part of the story, it really drew you in, connected you to the story and the characters. Colours too, were so vibrant. Textures.

This book is from Lynn's POV, but you still have a really good sense of all the other characters. The characters were definitely a strength in this novel. Lynn relies on her observation to stay alive, and because of her keen observation skills the reader knows every intimate detail of the people around her. The people at the Homestead were really fascinating. Each one unique and a strong character, playing a role in the Homestead and in the story. I would love to read more about their stories. Skeever, the dog, was an all around hero. He was so cute! Dani is awesome, she's strong and baddass and brilliant. I really loved being inside Lynn's head to follow her evolution as a character throughout the story.

A lot of people were weirded out by grime and intimate scenes. But didn't bother me, maybe because I watch a lot of the Walking Dead and The 100. I think too if you've been living like this your whole life, its not grime its your normal. The intimate scenes were stellar, not only were they sexy, but the emotions and the connection between Lynn and Dani was so powerful. It was really beautiful.

The descriptions and the characters were really really strong, I was instantly immersed in the story and connected to the characters from the beginning. I certainly be reading more of this author. If you love a good apocalypse story or just a good adventure and a beautiful romance, please read this, you'll love it.

I received an ARC from YLVA in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 22, 2020 Kristen rated it it was amazing

I loved it.
The post-apocalyptic world is one of my favourite worlds. Be it games, books or movies, it sucks me right in.
Survival instincts showcases humanity - reduced to its most basic and stripped from luxury. It's about making sure you survive to live another day.
This is how our main protagonist, Lynn, lives her life. Having lost everyone she ever cared about long ago, Lynn operates out of sheer instinct to live.

But life should be about more than just surviving, something Lynn realises for th ...more

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Apr 06, 2018 BadassCmd rated it it was amazing

Shelves: harold, wlw-sff, subj-fanfic, ylva-books

Right off the bat:
I love the post-apocalyptic setting. And somehow I still haven't read a post-apocalyptic wlw book before, so I am just really glad this exists.

And the cover? I ADORE it. The aesthetic of the setting and cover together already makes me so, so happy.

Survival Instincts is fairly long (for a lesfic novel) and it's very thorough with the setting descriptions, so it wasn't a one-nighter for me, but I still really liked it.

I also want to note how well researched the setting and every ...more

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Jul 10, 2018 Starsandsun18 rated it really liked it

I thought this is a zombie book. I never read that blurb or reviews. My partner just gave me this as a present along with some other books and it’s on my TBR so I gave it a try.
Funny because I kept on waiting for the zombie to have an appearance. Well, until almost half of the book and I decided to checked Goodreads. Can’t stop laughing. Why did I think of zombies just because of the title?
I’m not really a fan of post apocalyptic/dystopian genre but I like this one. I’m thinking of Survivor and ...more

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Mar 10, 2018 Jane Clements rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lesbian, science-fiction, fantasy, dystopian

I love a good, smart dystopian novel, and the prospect of a good, smart dystopian novel with lesbian characters thrills me. I tried not to get too excited when I started this book, though, because there are not too many good ones around, so I’m often disappointed.

Survival Instincts did not disappoint me. I have a few quibbles with it but nothing that made me put the book down in disgust.

I love that there are only hints of what caused the apocalyptic event or events that led to the world these ch ...more

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Dec 17, 2019 Betty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ff-sf, ff-fantasy, ff-pa

I really enjoyed this. Really. Enjoyed.

Full-on Post Apocalyptic survival with very strong character evolution. Secondary characters are as vile as they tend to be in PA. Trust is hard to come by in a world that tries to kill you every step of the way.

It is genre fiction first, woven in with the evolution of characters and relationship that comes from time, circumstance, and lots of misfortune. There is plenty of action, lots of depth, and the romance element is very secondary. It is wrapped in ...more

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May 24, 2019 Emma Sterner-Radley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book shows you the thrill and struggle of surviving in a wild, dystopian New York. Two young women, with their emotional walls crumbling, grow and learn about themselves and each other. Occasionally a harsh read but so captivating!
Five stars for this page-turner!

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Mar 18, 2018 Betty rated it really liked it

This is a very good dystopian novel. I’ve read many novels that lean toward dystopian, and many of those are crap. Thankfully, this one does not fit into that mold. The characters are well drawn, the story flows smoothly and captures you with the very first page…and it keeps you captive until the very end.
The author did a fairly good job of describing what the world would be like with the human population decimated 200 years in the future. The only unrealistic part of the story for me, was the f ...more

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About May Dawney

May Dawney

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Author signed at Ylva Publishing. My motivation to write comes from the desire to build worlds that are somehow more (or less) than our own. I want to write stories where miracles are logical manifestations of the supernatural or divine and discover what it means to be human when humanity is no longer a given. What I want to add to the amazing body of literature already out there, both to the main ...more