Survival Instincts: A Dystopian Novel

I received an ARC of this book from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review,however, I also bought a copy in paperback because it’s just so……….AWESOME!I absolutely adored this book. It’s a debut novel from May and it didn’t disappoint. Packed full of action, emotion, and heart stopping moments, it’s an absolute thrill.Lynn, the main character is amazing! She has a tough exterior and hides her feelings to protect herself, using her instincts to survive in a world returned to nature. The whole story centres on her exploring building relationships and learning there is more to life than just surviving.This is one of the best books I have ever read. I highly recommend it to anyone, and you honestly won’t be disappointed. It takes you on one hell of a ride. It’s very easy to connect with Lynn, and in a couple of chapters really sympathise with how bad this world they live in must be at times, but you will also find yourself doing the same with Dani.Skeever just steals the show! What a great companion he is!I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and perhaps one day we can have more of Lynn, or Dani, or both, as they are inspirational characters!GREAT BOOK! FANTASTIC READ! NOT ONE TO BE MISSED!

It's a few months since I read this, and I've read several books since, but I still think about this book and its characters and even remember the name of the dog! I never remember characters names!I can also remember the ot very clearly, it's seared into my mind and heart...This is dystopian, and a unique take on that broad concept... I loved the world biding and the huge amount of detail gone into...it was impressive and wow, so much effort to just stay alive...brilliantly captured. The struggle for existence was like a major evil character in itself, it was 'the big bad' that constantly drove the narrative... Excellent idea.I will admit taking a while to like the main character, but this is totally intentional, she has some growth to do as the story unwinds. By the end I was totally committed to both the main characters (not to mention Skeeves) and was very sad to finish the book. Maybe there will be a sequel? Hopefully!Brilliant stuff!

In the future where New York is a wasteland, Lynn meets a group of people who recognize her dog Skeever. They insist she take them to Richard’s dead body to prove she did not kill him. But Lynn gets them to agree that she will only take Dani Wilson with her.The two set off on a perilous journey, neither trusting each other, and each having their own plan. The descriptions of the growing relationship between the two women was excellent and so well written. The character development of Lynn and Dani was enthralling, with Skeever the dog stealing many of the scenes. The action was exciting fast paced and you did not know what was around the next corner. Vivid descriptions made it easy to visualise and be totally absorbed in the story. May Dawney is a gifted writer and has written a very entertaining well written page turner. Thoroughly enjoyed reading Survival Instincts. Well deserved 5 Stars.

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 any mainstream publishing company.Pick up this book, put on your big girl pants and brace yourself for a heck of a ride.***** Oops, just been pointed out that this author has a number of other novels. Bad Mags. Apologies to the author - I will be checking out these other works.

I have read many books set in the future, but this is the first I have read that shows the unending strain of living on your wits in a world where survival is threatened at every turn. The world has turned from humans as the top of the food chain to one where we are food for many others including wolves, lions, bears etc. The tension this causes is unrelenting and shows how different life would be.There are some really brutal moments around he death of a family that are really well described, but very tough to read, this is most definitely not your normal futuristic love story.It is an extraordinary book that has me finding time to read just one one chapter, rather than going to sleep. A brilliant, but tough read.

What a book. Initially I thought the author struggled with descriptive prose and I almost put the book away. How wrong. This is a superb story and well written. When I purchased this novel I did not realise it was LGBT literature but the love story compares to a Sparks romance and the action to a Reacher romp. By far the most superior dystopian book I have ever read including The Road. This could be our children's future. See if you can put it down.

The world building that has gone into this is excellent. The constant fear of predators and a desperation to find safe shelter every night fall is pretty nerve wracking.The two main characters Lynn and Dani, mesh really well together and their developing relationship is wonderful to read. Lynn's development from "I don't care" to doing whatever she can to look after Dani, was really well done and didn't feel rushed at all.Thoroughly enjoyed, and so glad I picked this up.

Where to start with how brilliant this story was, not only was it written beautifully, it had action, suspense and the ability to draw you into Lynn's world and never want to leave, I havnt enjoyed a book this much in along time, I couldn't get enough of it! I loved the character developments, the bond that grew from nothing..... Just fantastic! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who wants something different, a story that doesn't shy away from the dark side of surviving in a world like this, a slow burn that leaves you satisfied.