"The Invasion" by Joanne Taylor: A Gritty Battle for Survival and Freedom in a Broken World
Young adult/Middle-grade Dystopian Book Series
If you’ve been following Charlotte and Anna through the chaos of The After Series, then book three, The Invasion, brings even higher stakes and tenser challenges. Joanne Taylor delivers another installment that balances action, survival, and emotional resilience—this time against a backdrop of national crisis and political unrest.
Published by FriesenPress, and book tour sponsor is iRead Book Tour, The Invasion continues to explore life after collapse—but now, the danger isn’t just wild terrain and missing parents. It’s organized invaders, a crumbling nation, and the question of who, if anyone, should rebuild.
Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review. Be sure to read my full review below!
🔥 The Story: War, Resistance, and Two Brave Girls
In this third chapter, Charlotte and Anna are no longer just trying to survive—they’re trying to protect what’s left of their home. With Canada’s government in ruins and invaders pushing in, the girls are swept into the heart of the Resistance, forced to make decisions that go far beyond foraging or building shelter.
The threat of capture is constant. They’re always on the move, navigating unfamiliar land, trying to stay ahead of a relentless enemy. And while they’re still just teens, the courage they show is massive.
💬 What I Loved
Charlotte continues to shine as the strong, smart, relatable protagonist we’ve grown to admire. I love how her survival skills evolve and how she keeps pushing forward, no matter how tired or afraid she is. That sense of “what would I do in this situation?” is still strong in this book—and it’s part of what makes this series so fun and immersive.
The tension stays high throughout. Whether it’s a narrow escape or a quiet moment where doubt creeps in, you’re always turning the page wondering what’s next.
And Anna? She’s growing too. Their bond remains a core strength of the series, and it’s refreshing to see it tested and deepened rather than falling into clichés.
⚠️ What Didn’t Work for Me
While the survival and emotional elements stayed strong, I personally didn’t connect as much with the government/resistance storyline. The broader political angle pulled the story away from what I loved most in the first two books—raw survival and close-knit personal stakes. That said, this could totally be a matter of personal taste. Readers who enjoy dystopian military or resistance-style stories might find this arc exciting and well-paced.
🏞️ Setting the Stage for War
One thing that still holds strong in Taylor’s writing is her setting. The unfamiliar terrain, the looming threat of war, the atmosphere of tension—it’s all vividly drawn. You can feel the cold uncertainty, and the way danger seems to be hiding around every tree or behind every decision.
🧠 Themes: Growth, Grit, and the Cost of Freedom
What continues to shine in The After Series is its emotional core. This isn’t just a war story. It’s a story about young people pushed beyond what’s fair or reasonable, and how they hold onto hope anyway. It’s about resilience, resourcefulness, and that human instinct to keep going, even when it’s hard.
The theme of sacrifice starts to take a stronger role here too—what you’re willing to give up for a cause, a friend, or a country.
🧭 Final Thoughts
The Invasion is a tense, action-filled continuation of Charlotte and Anna’s journey. While the political plotlines didn’t fully land for me, the heart of the series—two brave girls trying to survive and do the right thing—remains compelling and powerful.
If you’ve read the first two books, you’ll want to see where this chapter leads. And if you’re new to The After Series, this is a great reason to start from book one and take the ride all the way through.
⭐ My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟✨ (3.5/5 Stars)
✔️ Strong characters
✔️ High-stakes survival
✔️ Powerful emotions
➖ Less connection to the government/resistance thread
Still, a solid read with a lot to offer for fans of dystopian YA with strong female leads and real-world survival themes.
About the book:
Book Title: THE INVASION (Book Three The After series) by J. Taylor
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old), 198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher: FriesenPress
Release date: July 2025
Formats Available for Review: print (softback) (US and Canadian), ebook (EPUB and PDF)
Tour dates: Oct 13 to November 7
Book Description:
With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.
Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.
Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo
add to Goodreads
Meet the author:
J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories.
Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads