“It picks up where the action left off. Emergence is more action-packed than the first one,” Ms Smith said. 

“I introduced all of the characters in the first one and now stuff starts happening pretty quickly. 

“We have the walkers developing into their powers and the scientists making small breakthroughs as well and the bad guys are also making pace.”

Ms Smith has incorporated her love of science into the novels. 

“I was really inspired to write the story by my science background. I often found myself daydreaming in lectures, thinking ‘hey this would be a cool basis for a story’, and how I could use the science to make a cool narrative,” she said. 

“There is a good amount of accurate science in the story and it is action-packed. It’s really cool that I could do this.”

The first book in the series was released a year ago and was “well received”, Ms Smith said. 

“It has been nice to hear from younger readers that they enjoyed it,” she said. 

“I am really hoping that teenagers can see themselves in the characters a little and appreciate the link we have to our environment as well.”

The third book is almost complete and will be released in May 2019. The Emergence launch at Pilgrims starts from 5.30pm.