Alien Instinct
Author: Cara Bristol
Reviewer: Sophia Rose
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
His alien race invaded and decimated her world, now they must find a way to survive in the post-apocalypse after. Cara Bristol’s writing is a favorite of mine and I knew she had talent, but she stretched it beyond sci-fi into a survival ‘enemies to lovers’ adventure romance that I found well-nigh unputdownable.
Alien Instinct is the second of the Apocalypse duology and because of the tight connection and ongoing story, it really works best read in order.
As I said, Alien Instinct is a follow-up story to Survival Instinct and shows what happens next with Grav, the alien hero of the first book’s brother, Rok, getting his story.
Like Grav, Rok is part of the dreaded Progg race who invaded earth and attempted to annihilate every living being from humans down to the plant life like they had done to other worlds. But, something untoward happens to the Progg when they are on earth. They encounter the ‘Common Cold’ and it decimates their race so they withdraw rapidly even as most are infected and infect the ones remaining in space. Those, like Grav and Rok, are marooned now with a hostile remnant of humans.
Whereas Survival Instinct took place in an isolated small town area, Alien Instinct takes the story to a concentrated area of survivors where humans are figuring out how to pick up the pieces, organize, and move on. With the destruction of so much including government, community resources, and so much more, base instincts kick in and humans are sometimes in as much danger from other humans than any roving murderous alien Progg still about.
Chloe lost everyone and is struggling so its not a surprise that finding Rok, a Progg who survived the ‘cold’ and is now in need of her help even if he has to kidnap her to get it, she’s not feeling forgiving or cooperative.
But, time spent together, eyeing each other with great mistrust and aversion, they watch each other and start to see the person behind the enemy’s face. Slowly trust and friendship grow, but so does attraction.
Meanwhile, Lauren and Grav from the first book, are making their way into this more ‘civilized’ area and start their campaign to work on the future. The suspense and tension of the meet-up between the brothers who don’t have the same family experiences as most humans was a high point, but the tension continues to rise as humans encounter the alien confederation who make contact and offer to help humanity sort things out though they will most definitely take some revenge on the ravaging Progg who are greatly weakened and now the helpless ones.
Chloe and Rok’s future together is uncertain and there are many who can’t and won’t get beyond the past on both sides.
Alien Instinct dug into the feelings a person has going through the unthinkable like this situation. There is a grittiness and stark tension throughout the book even while there is a seed of hope that grows. Oh, and much sizzling slow-burn attraction, as well, once the pair reach an understanding.
I was so glad to see the first pair get the secondary plot line so I could see their story get resolution, as well.
And, shoutout to dog character Kevin who was a real scene-stealer.
All in all, an exciting blend of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic action and romance. Definitely recommend this completed duo by Cara Bristol.
My Rating: A
Sophia Rose
About the Book:
In a world where trust can be deadly, they’ll cross enemy lines to find love
Months after aliens from planet Progg-Res invade Earth, Chloe Thorne has yet to encounter another human being. Haunted by loss, but driven by grit, she wanders city to city in search of survivors.
One night, she camps in a rundown trailer in a remote area. Upon awakening, she finds herself face-to-face with an armed alien. She expects to be vaporized, but he offers her a help him find his brother, and he’ll grant her freedom. She would rather die than assist one of the murderous invaders, but she’s counting on having a chance to escape.
Rok is a disgraced Progg soldier, alone and stranded on an unfamiliar world after a virulent plague wipes out his unit. When he finds Chloe, duty demands that he eliminate her, but something about her causes him to hesitate. Breaking all the rules, he coerces her assistance to locate his estranged brother, an important officer who may know what happened to the Progg forces.
From an uneasy alliance fraught with distrust, anger, and fear, each comes to see the other in an unexpected light. Chloe, fierce and stubborn, realizes the Progg soldier is nothing like the monsters who massacred her people, and for Rok, the very human Chloe awakens some very alien instincts.
On an Earth now divided by violence and vengeance, they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to risk a relationship or allow love to become the casualty in the fight for survival.
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Publisher: Cara Bristol
Series: Apocalypse #2
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi Romance
Format(s): paperback (298 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author