Year One

A plague of apocalyptic proportions sweeps across the world, decimating the population and fundamentally altering reality itself. In the chaos that follows, some survivors discover they possess magical abilities—gifts that make them both powerful and targets. As society collapses and two distinct factions emerge, humanity faces a stark choice between hope and darkness, community and cruelty. Nora Roberts crafts an epic tale that blends post-apocalyptic survival with urban fantasy, exploring how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances. The story follows multiple characters as they navigate this transformed world, forming bonds and facing threats both human and supernatural. At its heart, this is a novel about the eternal struggle between good and evil, examining whether humanity's better nature can prevail when civilization's veneer is stripped away. What makes this book compelling is its combination of visceral survival drama with the wonder of emerging magic, all grounded in emotionally resonant characters. Roberts balances intimate character development with sweeping world-building, creating an engaging start to a trilogy that asks profound questions about power, community, and what it means to rebuild when everything has fallen apart.