Quick review of When the Floods Came.

When the Floods Came is a well-written and imaginative take on an apocalyptic future. The novel is set in England, where a virus has wiped out most of the population. A few people live in isolated pockets using technology that is slowly running down. The main focus is a family who live by themselves in an otherwise abandoned apartment block. The story is told from the viewpoint of 22-year-old Roza. Due to the effects of the virus, people her age and under are rare.

The story centres around Roza waiting for her fiance (whom she has never met in real life; all their interactions have been on the web) to arrive on his push bike – no cars or pods are still running. While she waits, a mysterious stranger turns up. His arrival brings a sense of mystery and intrigue. Does he want to help and fit in, or does he have some hidden agenda?

The story is more character than plot-based. It is about how a family cut off from physical interaction with other survivors copes with a stranger and the outside world he introduces them to.