Malorie by Josh Malerman was definitely the sequel that I needed after BirdBox left me a little unsatisfied and with so many questions at the end. This has been my most anticipated release for this year, ever since I discovered that a sequel was in the works and it did not let me down! I’m so glad that I got to read it before it’s official release date and before any additional hype or spoilers about this book came out, but to be honest, I don’t think anyone could’ve built this one up for me more than I did for myself.


This sequel takes place 17 years later after the initial “outbreak” of the creatures, and people still don’t know what to do in regards to living with them or doing anything about them. The opening of this book gave me even more questions and I was lost for words, but I was also immediately pulled back into this world, with an immediate reminder at how dangerous it is.


I liked seeing the children from the first one grown up in this book, both being 16 years old now, and seeing what it’s like being brought up in this new world, compared to those who were born before this event. It was more fascinating when you got little interactions with even younger kids, as this is the only world they know, meaning they weren’t scared by it all. It was really interesting to read those differences between characters and interactions.


This book still had the creepiness and suspense from the first book, which I loved, but I felt more satisfied with, not only the direction this one took, because I already knew the background so there wasn’t time being wasted on that, but with giving us some answers and a somewhat better and satisfying ending. But I still am thinking how it would take 17 years to think of something like that??


This book does give away spoilers to the first book, BirdBox, so do be prepared for that if you’re going into this one without reading the first book.

If you thought Bird Box was terrifying wait until you read Malorie! Wow, this was a read in a single session book, too scared to put it down and desperate to see what was going to happen next. The entire book kept me on edge and praying for the characters to make it . Just the thought of a world where just looking at something can send you crazy is crazy. But hey, we live in the world were a pandemic has changed our lives forever so who knows what is possible.

Malorie picks up the story 10 years later. Olympia and Tom are now teenagers and want some freedom. Malorie is still living by the blindfold and jumps at the smallest sound. She is exhausted and always nervous. But when the gets hold of a lost of names with 2 familiar names on it she is prepared to risk it all again. Together they will cross the country and learn of the new world to try to get something back in their lives

This book will make you think, it will scare you and it will make you appreciate your life. Thanks to Hachette for my advanced copy of this book to read.

The creatures are still a threat and there's still so much Malorie doesn't know. There is still the intrigue and fear that was present in book one, so in that respect, Malerman has a hit on his hands. True to form, our main characters are also tasked with going on a trip to find another group of survivors and so we have the main plotline. All in all, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first one.

Audio review: If you enjoyed the narrator the first time around, then you'll be satisfied as Cassandra Campbell been enlisted to narrate this one as well. This lends a sense of continuity to the stories that is pleasantly satisfying as already familiar characters have not changed. The flow wasn't an issue as the chapter breaks were quite clear. There also weren't any distracting music or sound effects to take you away from the tension of the world. Sometimes effects are needed, this time the book worked well without them.

This definitely wasn't as good as Bird Box but there's something about these books, this post apocalyptic world with these creatures that make me happy. I've always wanted to get into post apocalyptic books and these are the only ones that I've managed to enjoy so far which says something.

I like that it's shorter and it could come off as a novella and I think I'd kind of like a third book to see how things have progressed which I wouldn't usually want from these type of books.

I really can't stick my finger on it but I just really enjoy being with these characters around these creatures even if a whole lot doesn't happen. Although Tom really did annoy me for 90% of the book but I get why he acts the way he does.

Honestly, I wasn't excited at the prospect of a Bird Box sequel and after reading it, I feel like it didn't need to happen. I liked the mystery that we were still left with at the end of Bird Box. Ugh, it feels impossible for a good book to remain as a standalone anymore. I didn't need a 10 years later with the kids at the centre of it. Not a fan unfortunately. I also struggled with the audiobook itself. It kept jumping back and forth between chapters and at 80%, apparently I'd finished the book but then it picked back up where I was before. Note: my rating is not based on the illogical audiobook.