My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Narrated by Paul Heitsch
The Earth is devastated by a comet strike, and survivors are few. One is Dust, a sixteen-year-old boy, who finds himself alone in a ruined land. He starts out to find out if there are other survivors and he meets several- some human, some not, and some, like Dust, somewhere in between. His exposure to the comet strike left Dust with some extraordinary powers that attract the attention of one of the not-human survivors, who intends to use Dust and his new abilities to create a new species to rule the Earth. Among the human survivors he meets, Dust teams up with seventeen-year-old Sammi and her little brother, and Joise, the daughter of the leader of a survivalist group who also has enhanced powers. The four band together to cross the barren United States in the effort to outrun the beast chasing Dust, and perhaps find other survivors.
It wasn’t a bad story. The post-apocalyptic world portrayed is grim and unfriendly, which is logical given the devastation of the comet strike. The main characters are decently developed, while some of the secondary ones are a bit stereotypical. The idea of some people and animals being changed by the comet (radiation? comet dust?) is interesting, but in the end it devolves into vampires versus werewolves which is the set-up for the second book, but also leaves the final battle a bit lacking. It’s also been done before, a lot.
Despite some flaws, this is a decent story in the post-apocalyptic type. It moves along pretty quickly which is good. There are few info dumps, although I might have liked some more explanation on some points. To be fair, some of them were things that the characters themselves shouldn’t know, so not a big problem. The narration was good. Overall, it was a decent story and I would recommend it if you like YA dystopia.
=============================================
Available now :
After five years away, Kaili is coming home for the ceremony to install her sister as head of the family business. When an old rivalry threatens the family, Kaili and her partner need to use all their skills to save the sisters’ lives. Learn more here
A collection of six short fantasy stories set in varied worlds of magic and mayhem. Learn more here.
A short novelette set in a dystopian Earth after the final environmental collapse. Sam is a genetically engineered chameleon who may hold the key to mankind’s survival. Learn more here.
In a world reeling under the effects of severe climate change, food shortages are common, and arable farmland is scarce. Unscupulous distributors like Beni Oligowma take advantage of the shortages for their own gain. When a promising new technology for growing food even under the harsh conditions is unveiled, grocery store owner Frank is determined to see that everyone is able to benefit from the results, not just the Benis of the world.
Feed My People is a short story, set in a dystopian science fiction world, and is free. Learn more here
Demon hunters Johnny and Cerise travel to the small town of Carroll Fork where they find a demon-possessed thrift store, a sweet old lady who is more than she seems, and an army of underworld inhabitants. Can Johnny and his trusty yo-yo save the town from a devil of a problem?
Five and Daemon, the Yo-Yo Files #1, is a short novelette in an urban fantasy setting, with elements of the supernatural and humor. Learn more here
Things have been quiet. No demonic possessions, no otherworldly intrusions, nothing. And then Lucifer shows up in Johnny’s living room, claiming that two archangels are missing, and something is definitely not right in the heavenly- and other- realms. Saying he has nothing to do with it- this time- he asks Johnny and Cerise to help him find out what’s happening, and who is behind the disappearances. While they are trying to do just that, Lucifer is devilnapped by a larger-than-life serpent. He manages to get a clue to Johnny before he disappears. Johnny and Cerise are left to puzzle out the disappearances and try to find the missing angels. Oh, and stop what could mean the ultimate destruction of pretty much everything.
Snake’s Alive, the Yo-Yo Files #2 is an urban fantasy novelette with elements of the supernatural and humor. Learn more here.
And So On... 