Book Review: When the Rain Came
- Charity Harvey
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
I'm back with a special book review/recommendation! I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy from the site NetGalley.
This book is my jam! I love YA dystopian and science fiction, so this was right up my alley. I enjoyed it so much, I read this book in a matter of hours. What I did not know at the time, however, is that this is a planned trilogy. Meaning, I've got to wait for the next two books to get all of my questions answered! As I kept reading the pages and realizing there were less and less, and a whole lot was gonna have to happen to wrap it up, I got nervous. And of course, it was a cliffhanger ending. Then I read the epilogue letting us know the story will be continued. I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open. But I'm hooked! I've got to read the next two.
Now, what exactly is this story about, you may ask? I will answer that question, with a question: what would happen if it started raining one day, and just never stopped? Day after day, downpours of rain, no sunshine, and the water just keeps rising? That's what is happening in Aurora's world. She's just moved in with new foster parents right before the disaster, and now everything has changed. Luckily for her, her parents are "preppers". If you're not familiar with the term, it means they have been stockpiling supplies for any apocalyptic event. They seem to be ready for any disaster, including this one. Her foster dad, Niko, even teaches her self defense by axe throwing. Oh yeah, they're not taking any chances. They're prepared.
But one morning, Aurora wakes up, and they are just gone without a trace. Now what will she do? She really doesn't have any other choice but to leave on her own, out into the murky waters in a fragile little boat. She stumbles across a young boy who has also been left alone, Kota. He lost his family to a mysterious Dark Pool: a black hole in the waters that sucks everything in and it all just disappears. Together, they try to find a safe place only known as The Hill. But is the Hill really what they think it is?
This book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my set. I don't want to give to much away, so I'll keep it vague, no spoilers. Aurora and Kota are kids with no adults ready to help them. This book stayed pretty realistic, even to the point that it was fairly eye opening. People don't typically react well in a disaster. It becomes about survival, and some are willing to do anything to survive, whether it involves kids or not. Aurora is shocked to find how quickly people descend into fighting, looting, and self preservation. She and Kota had expected to find adults who are willing to help, but they very often find the exact opposite. This isn't just a story of natural disaster, but selflessness, and what is means to be family.
I am so sad that the sequel isn't already out! I'm left with so many questions. We don't know what the Dark Pools are yet, but it seems to have some sort of scientific reason (this is science fiction, after all.) Kota has a more mystical interpretation, but it does not appear that is the real answer. We will have to continue the series to find out what it is! I also liked that this is what you would label a "clean read." No foul language, nothing too graphic. Some intense scenes of course, but not gory. You know I choose clean reads, and recommend them, especially for young adults and kids!
I highly recommend, and I'm excited to finish the trilogy as each book becomes available. If you keep a list of books you want to read, I think you should add this one! I have mine on goodreads, that is an easy way to keep track. You can use this direct goodreads link to the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235991672-when-the-rain-came
It is also available for pre order on Amazon if you want to look for it there. (Disclaimer: this is not an add for the book, goodreads or Amazon! I just like to make it easy for you to find books! The Amazon link is with the photo above for your convenience though.) Happy Reading!
