Praise for Last Ones Left Alive

“Written in sparse, affecting prose and reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, this is a fiercely feminist, highly imaginative novel.”

—The Guardian

“The stellar character work and rapid pacing will be enough to hook readers. First-time novelist Davis-Goff has a firm grasp of good storytelling, and one hopes that this confident debut will mark the beginning of a long bibliography.”

—Booklist (starred review)

“In her debut novel, Irish author Davis-Goff writes Orpen’s apocalyptic world in a compelling cadence and shines at the bleak details.… Her fight scenes hit the sweet spot and help highlight the natural feminist bent of the work. Despite the grim surroundings, there is beauty in Orpen’s world, where she was taught to survive, but also how to live.”

—Shelf Awareness

“Davis-Goff writes language evocative of melancholy longing in a landscape both beautiful and brutal, and she’s created the distinctive voice of a first-person narrator who is both confident in her abilities and filled with fear and grief.… With a bleak setting, waves of action, and immersive worldbuilding, Davis-Goff’s debut successfully blends horror, lyrical prose, and feminist themes.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“It is not only the distinctly Irish element, but the immense quality of the writing that stands this novel a clear head and shoulders above the rest. It’s as much an exploration of inexpressible grief and loss as it is a rocket-paced page-turner, as much a coming-of-age story as it is a testament of resilience in impossible circumstances. And it left me feeling almost as queasy as Orwell did.”

—Irish Independent

“A debut novel of jaw-dropping skill and immense power, a shimmering dystopian vision but also a lucid meditation on tenderness, intimacy, and courage. From the get-go, it gripped me, and since the last page I’ve been haunted.”

—Joseph O’Connor, #1 international bestselling author of Star of the Sea

“Sarah’s writing is crisp and evocative, her dialogue crackles and sparks, and her gifts of imagination and narrative verve, and her empathy and compassion, are present on every page. This dystopian future Ireland will unnerve and thrill and intrigue readers the world over.”

—Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart