A Beginning: Where We Stand Now: Book Three (Where We Stand Now: A Series By Brandon Pawlicki)

A Beginning: Where We Stand Now: Book Three (Where We Stand Now: A Series By Brandon Pawlicki)

Perfect for fans of The Walking Dead and The Last of Us, this gripping third installment of Where We Stand Now pushes the post-apocalyptic saga into deeper emotional and political territory as fragile peace begins to crack. Critics continue to praise Brandon Pawlicki’s worldbuilding and character depth: "Vallerie's evolution from a traumatized teenager into a capable leader is compelling, even as she struggles with the psychological strain of surviving, killing, and leading." "—an accessible entry point to the ongoing tale." "By the novel's tantalizing end, Vallerie has to look toward a future that she did not expect, securing attention for follow-up titles." — Foreword Reviews ""A Beginning: Where We Stand Now" is not just a tale of survival; it's a poignant exploration of recovery, leadership, and the choices that define us. Brandon Pawlicki has done an excellent job of creating a dystopian narrative that readers will find difficult to put down." Awarded 5 Stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ — Reader Views Winner of the CIPA EVVY Silver Award, Brandon Pawlicki continues his powerful exploration of humanity, morality, and leadership in a world fighting to rebuild itself. SUMMARY In the aftermath of the apocalypse, four fledgling communities have carved out a fragile hope for the future. Laws have been drafted. Trade has begun. Leaders speak of unity. But beneath the surface, tensions simmer, threatening to unravel everything they’ve built. Vallerie Sabell—now Community Head of Mountain Pass—has proven herself a capable, if ruthless, protector in the quiet wilds of the former North America. Once spoken in innocence, her moniker the Black Wolf has taken on a life of its own. Stories of her deeds travel faster than truth. To many, she is a hero. To others, a weapon waiting to misfire. When new arrivals join the communities—and a murderer emerges who calls her out by name—Vallerie’s authority becomes more controversial than ever. With legal battles mounting, a killer stalking the shadows, and potential alliances that feel more like burdens than blessings, she faces her greatest challenge yet: staying steady under a pressure that threatens to break her. As old wounds collide with new threats, the world edges toward renewal—and once again, the Black Wolf may be forced to bare her teeth for the greater good. But every action has its price. "Vallerie's evolution from a traumatized teenager into a capable leader is compelling, even as she struggles with the psychological strain of surviving, killing, and leading." "—an accessible entry point to the ongoing tale." "By the novel's tantalizing end, Vallerie has to look toward a future that she did not expect, securing attention for follow-up titles." - Foreword Reviews ""A Beginning: Where We Stand Now" is not just a tale of survival; it's a poignant exploration of recovery, leadership, and the choices that define us. Brandon Pawlicki has done an excellent job of creating a dystopian narrative that readers will find difficult to put down." Awarded 5 Stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ - Reader Views Brandon Pawlicki is an independent author from Michigan. He lives a modest life alongside his writing, working in customer service and enjoying all forms of storytelling media on his downtime including books, movies, video games, music, and television.    His main pursuit as an author resides in his dystopian fiction series, Where We Stand Now, which centers on a young girl's tale of trauma and recovery in traversing the zombie apocalypse and playing a key role in restarting civilization.