Strays

Kassab’s second Primal Age Chronicles postapocalyptic novel (following Foamers) accurately depicts the impossibility of true safety in a world gone to hell, but it too often turns women into objects. The creepiness of blacked townhouses and abandoned cars sets the scene of a ruined near-future U.S. in which protagonist Kade must try to rescue friends who’ve been captured by the remnants of a fascist federal government. Kade keeps his small band of survivors safe in New York State while the world is ravaged by the “Feline Flu,” which turns people into animalistic creatures called foamers. But not even he can protect everyone, as decisions have unexpected consequences. The foamers are given personalities, a nice piece of storytelling that separates them from zombies, but the repeated trope of men being motivated by women and children being hurt, captured, raped, or infected mars what could have been an innovative and compelling series. (Aug.)