The world has collapsed and everything modern American society takes for granted, such as telephones, supermarkets, electricity and gas is gone. After their parents die, teenage sisters Eva and Nell survive in the California Redwood Forest valiantly handling all the new society throws at them.

Eva knows that her sister loves to read and write. She searches the house until she finds a notebook filled with blank paper. Nell appreciates the opportunity to write down her thoughts from reading the encyclopedia. Nell knows that her sister is a fanatical dancer who loves to practice ballet. Though the music is gone, Nell realizes that her sibling still practices. However, her shoes are falling apart and there is no store to buy a new pair. Nell restores a pair of Eva's shoes. Eva loves the fact that her shoes have been repaired, making it easier to practice the ballet. Eva with her dance and Nell with her encyclopedia adjust to the new world order of chaos.

Readers who enjoy post apocalypse survivalist tales will love INTO THE FOREST, a novel about two strong female survivors struggling to stay alive in a world gone mad. The enjoyment and freshness to this seemingly bleak story comes from watching how the two ladies survive by bringing something they loved from their past into their current situation (Eva with her ballet and Nell with her reading). Incredibly great debut novel that will make Jean Hegland a fan favorite.