• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Connect With Me
    • Request A Review
    • Beta Reading Requests
    • Policies
    • Testimonials
  • Book Review Archive
    • Book Review Archive
    • Audiobook Review Archive
    • Spooky Children’s Book Review Archive
  • Resources
    • A Running List of 2023 Horror Book Releases
    • Interview Archive
    • List of Horror Author Online Bookshops
    • List of Horror Publishers That Sell Books Directly
    • Podcast Recs
    • Referral Links
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

A to Z of Horror by Kevin J. Kennedy book photo

A to Z of Horror by Kevin J. Kennedy | Book Review

January 2023 | Recap - Erica Robyn Reads

January 2023 | Recap

The Drift by C.J. Tudor book photo by Erica Robyn Reads

The Drift by C.J. Tudor | Book Review

[Book Review] Arid by Anne Joyce

November 17, 2022      Erica Robyn      4 Comments

Arid by Anne Joyce is a tense dystopian novel set in the US where water is scarce but dehydration isn’t the only thing to fear out in the wastelands.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Arid by Anne Joyce

Set in the United States after a nuclear war has occurred in 2040, this camp of people are desperately trying to survive. They are given rations from the people who hold power over them, called the Purifiers. But it’s not nearly enough. This group has ways of trying to gather water themselves and they hunt anything they can safely eat, but it’s still hardly enough to keep them all going.

After a visit from the Purifiers goes sideways, the turmoil begins to rise.

Later, after a violent fight for their lives, the group takes a truck and flees to find safety. But little do they know, they’re about to be faced with horror after horror as they brave the desert to try to get to Mexico, and not all of them are going to make it alive.

This story is an absolutely amazing dystopian! The set up itself really sinks readers right into the situation, and before long, the action begins and doesn’t let up until the very end. I was so nervous at every turn, and just wanted this group to catch a break! I really loved that readers get to know each of the characters more as the story develops. This only adds to the terror as you may learn more about a character on one page, just to see them meet a brutal end shortly after.

Speaking of brutal ends… the action that leads to bloodshed and gore here is intense! One scene specifically on a rooftop has really cemented itself into my mind. But with this, the author also throws in some heart-twisting grief and rage that sets the characters up to fight back.

My Favorite Passages from Arid

Grief changes shape but it doesn’t go away. It’s not something you endure until you get to the other side. I’ve learned that there is no other side, no mystical place or state of mind where everything’s okay again. There’s just adjustment and acceptance. It alters your very soul.

“Mutiny will bring all types of people out of the woodwork. Some of them want to make things better. Others just want to take advantage of the chaos. It gives them an opportunity to do bad things…”

An enormous silhouette of a man holding a lantern came into view. He held up the light to reveal a dirty face with broken teeth and a square jaw. “This is my car! Nobody gets on it but me and nobody closes the —”
Four guns clicked and pointed at him. “Uh… you know on second thought, there’s plenty of room in here.”

My Final Thoughts on Arid

If you enjoy dystopian novels with a lot of terror and bloodshed, but also plenty of heart and sheer determination, then this is a great pick for you!


Snag a copy using my Amazon Affiliate link or inquire at your local indie:

Thanks for reading!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! I’m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

Subscribe via Email

Loading

Search This Blog

Browse By Category

Recent Popular Posts

  • The Drift by C.J. Tudor | Book Review
  • Deep by Aquino Loayza | Book Review
  • Best of Season Three on Dead Headspace | Podcast Feature
  • [Feature] Little Free Library Visit – #12
  • Rachel Harrison on Dead Headspace | Podcast Feature

An Easy Guide to Locating Horror Reviews Without Losing Your Mind created by Lori of Barks At The Ghouls
Shirley's Book Blogger List
Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs by Kindlepreneur

Copyright © 2023 Erica Robyn Reads