The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

A quick paced, apocolyptic coming of age story.

Synopsis:

Florida is slipping away. As devastating weather patterns and rising sea levels wreak gradual havoc on the state’s infrastructure, a powerful hurricane approaches a small town on the southeastern coast. Kirby Lowe, an electrical line worker, his pregnant wife, Frida, and their two sons, Flip and Lucas, prepare for the worst. When the boys go missing just before the hurricane hits, Kirby heads out into the high winds in search of his children. Left alone, Frida goes into premature labor and gives birth to an unusual child, Wanda, whom she names after the catastrophic storm that ushers her into a society closer to collapse than ever before.

As Florida continues to unravel, Wanda grows. Moving from childhood to adulthood, adapting not only to the changing landscape, but also to the people who stayed behind in a place abandoned by civilization, Wanda loses family, gains community, and ultimately, seeks adventure, love, and purpose in a place remade by nature.

Told in four parts—power, water, light, and time—The Light Pirate mirrors the rhythms of the elements and the sometimes quick, sometimes slow dissolution of the world as we know it. It is a meditation on the changes we would rather not see, the future we would rather not greet, and a call back to the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness.

Thoughts: 

This book pulls you right in. I was so pulled into this book, in my first sitting I looked up and had suddenly read 80 pages. It is a high anxiety read, but not the kind you have to set down to breathe, but the kind where the pages keep turning.

The writing style was on point for me. We switched character point of views often, but each one was raw and real. I think that the story is told in present tense also adds to it's overall atmosphere.  As the story unfolded we heard their hopes, their regrets, and their sorrows as they happened.

Wanda's journey is dramatic coming of age story during a drastic period of climate change. Wanda was poorly named (after the hurricane that changed so many people's lives), sets the stage for her to be picked on.  She grows up watching her town constantly change, and slowly most of the people she knows leaves for higher ground as the sea rises.  It's a lovely, and terrifyingly dramatic story with a good balance of potential real science mixed in with enough bits of fantasy and imagination.

If you enjoy dystopian/apocolyptic stories, with a side of "this could be so real" and a bit of mystery I think you'd enjoy this book. 

Special thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the review copy!

The Light Pirate was published December 6, 2022 and is available on Amazon and Bookshop.

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Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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The Revivalist by Christopher Hood

 

Ya'll I stepped a bit out of my typical reads with this one, and it was soo good. My main hope for a book is that it takes me someplace else...and this one delivered.

Synopsis:
Bill and Penelope are the lucky ones. Not only do they survive the Shark Flu emerging from the melting Icelandic permafrost to sweep like a scythe across the world, but they begin to rebuild a life in the wreckage of the old. A garden to feed themselves planted where the lawn used to be, a mattress pulled down to the living room fireplace for warmth. Even Bill’s psychology practice endures the collapse of the social order, the handful of remaining clients bartering cans of food for their sessions. But when their daughter’s voice over the radio in the kitchen announces that she’s joined a cult three thousand miles away in Bishop, California, they leave it all behind to embark on a perilous trek across the hollowed-out remains of America to save her.

Their journey is an unforgettable odyssey through communities scattered across the continent, but for all the ways that the world has changed, the hopes and fears of this little family remain the same as they always have been. In The Revivalists, Christopher M. Hood creates a haunting, moving, darkly funny, and ultimately hopeful portrait of a world and a marriage tested by extraordinary circumstances.

Thoughts:

So much drama! This wasn't like most post-apocolyptic books I read.  When I hear post-apocalyptic I think of movies like Mad-Max, or I am Legend, or books like After the Plauge, by Imogen Keeper.  This one was different. This one felt more real in a lot of ways..information was cut off.  Bill and Penelope didn't know how the rest of the world survived...there were no news casters to tell them. It was a complete societal collapse...and not really enough people left to create scenarios like Mad-Max. 

Bill and Penelope stayed in their home, they grew food in their backyard. They spoke with their surviving neighbors, and Bill even started back up his therapy practice...for barter.  People had trauma from what they went through...and Bill needed a sense of purpose. 

When Bill and Penelope set off on their journey to find their daughter Hannah, they run into quite a few different communities as they go. People just trying to survive a new world. There are some crazies, but most people are kind.  Most people are willing to share knowledge, food, supplies and are just happy to see someone alive. Their journey across the country is a dangerous one never-the-less, with no safety nets in case of an accident, or injury. They met some really fascinating people on the way.

If you're looking for a book that is a quick read, that will stick with you for a while, be sure to check out it out.  Bonus points for the Colin Kaepernick pseduo-cameo. 

The Rivivalist is available on Bookshop and Amazon.

Special thanks to Harper Publishing for the advanced copy.

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Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Queentide: A Review

Queentide is a fictitious dystopian novel that hits very close to home.

Blurb:

Australia in 2026 is not an easy place to be a woman.

Authoritarianism has crept into the country and women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them. They have set up a radical feminist group, Queentide, to steal the upcoming election and make Aboriginal politician, Kathleen, the next Prime Minister of an all-women Government. The ex-wife of a senior Minister, Lilith, vows to help them by sharing explosive secrets that will guarantee Queentide's success.

But two things might stop them. A state-backed, violent men's rights group and a bitter power struggle that threatens to tear Queentide apart. Can the women harness the storm and smash the patriarchy?Or will Queentide wreck itself?

Thoughts: 

I want to preface this review by letting you know, I am absolutely a feminist.  The last few weeks in the US with the court rulings has tipped me further towards the radical feminist side. So when I read books like this it just ignites my fury. So having said that.... I found this to be a difficult read.

 

In 2026 in Australia women had no voice, no control over their bodies, their lives, or their children. Poor behavior from men was often overlooked or excused and women were perceived guilty unless proven innocent.  When a woman left her marriage she very likely lost her children. Lilith bravely left her husband, and only seeing her children when he allowed her to. Bravely..she secretly began attending meetings with Queentide.  Where she met Brodie, an older woman with experience leading groups for women.

I personally read books that pull me out of reality so I can get a break however this book immersed me into a reality that was not far from where we are.   Women had no voice, men's poor behavior was excused.  Women were perceived guilty unless proven innocent, and when a woman left her marriage she very likely lost her children. Ya'll...we are only four years away from the reality in this book...and I know a lot of women fear the world this book built may be our not so distant future. 

I would have liked to have seen more intersectionalism in the book. There were lots of strong independent women in this book, with lots of tense moments.  Would Queentide be successful and get Kathleen elected, dispite all the odds stacked against her? Well I'm not going to tell you, go get the book. If you enjoy feminists books, or need a book to ignite your fury then this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review. This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to bookshop here, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog. Thanks!

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Of Cages and Crowns: A Book Review

If you liked Hunger Games, you'll love Of Cages and Crowns

Summary:

Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump is book one of a two book series.   Monroe Benson, a young woman who is "goddess touched" and has the ability to use and manipulate fire. Every generation 10 young goddess touched women, each with their own unique ability come together to compete in a contest called the Culling. They compete with each other,  killing each other to become the next queen of Erydia. Monroe doesn't want this future that seems laid out for her.  Her "goddess touched" mark was on her hand when she was born, family moved to a remote part of the country, and hid her entire life from authorities.  Her family though is split on opinions; her brother Kace wants to become a royal guard and tries to encourage Monroe that her gift is an honor and to fight for the crown would elevate their family. Her other brother, Ambrose joins a resistance group called the Culled, and tries to get Monroe out of the country before she is caught and sent to the capital for the Culling.

Thoughts:

Ya'll what a wild ride. For starters, the book was well paced, and it was tough to set down.    The world building was laced beautifully throughout the story, with an introduction in the beginning that helps give the world depth.  **Don't skip the intro**  It's short and helps set the stage. I liked Monroe, she was tough, independent, not whiney, or needy.  There is a sweet but complicated blossoming relationship between Monroe and Cohen, the queen's son.  I love how Monroe was vulnerable, initially depending on her brother to get her to safety, but in the end she really came into her own making tough choices to get herself and those she loved to safety. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games, or the Divergent series you'll enjoy Of Cages and Crowns.  I can't wait for the next book to be available!

Heat Index: Zero

Triggers: Death, Violence, Betrayal

Of Cages and Crowns is available for pre-order now, and will be available for purchase November 22, 2022. 

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A review: The Magpie's Song

If writing novels was an artform it would look like this book.  When I first started this book I immediately noticed Allison Pang's writing style, and how artfully she described the world she created. 

Summary:

The story develops quickly, immediately pulling you in and connecting you emotionally to the characters. Set in a dystopian world, Raggy Maggy is a tough independent young woman with a mysterious past. She is a Moon Child, which is defined by a half breed of a Meridian...the ruling class that lives in a floating city above the world, and a commoner who lives on the ground. As a Moon Child, she is thought to be immune to the plague that has devastated the area. 

My thoughts:

I love a strong woman lead in any book, and Maggy does not disappoint.  She is unapologetically herself, she loves hard, and isn't afraid of doing difficult and dangerous things. Combine this with clockwork dragons, mystery, secrets, religious zealots, disease and brilliant world building this book I found well worth the read.

Allison Pang leaves us on a bit of a cliff hanger, but graciously gave us a sneak peak at the end of the book for the next book in the series.  

Magpie's Song is the first installment of her Ironheart Chronicles series, and is available for purchase now. You can purchase by clicking here. Please be sure to check out her website by clicking here, and if you like Instagram be sure to give her a follow here.

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book for free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive.  There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  If you really love what you've read, please consider buying me a coffee by clicking the link on the right. Thanks!

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Review: After the Plague by Imogen Keeper

Ya'll what a ride.  First of all, I would like to thank dear Imogen Keeper for the last three very very late nights that I couldn't put this book down. When I started reading After the Plague by Imogen Keeper, it felt very similar to the beginnings of covid which was an eerie connection for me. The book quickly became much much more.  The world in a few short weeks overcome with a flu strain with an insane death ratio, that ends up wiping out almost everyone.  It has an 80% death rate, but not everyone is susceptible.  A small population never got sick at all, and these survivors built their new post-plague world.

One of our main character's Frankie seems immune to the flu variant, but gets through it with a deep heavy loss.  She finds a boy, Auden, and his sweet collie named Beast. (The pupper in the photo is my own sweet collie boy, Benny!)  The boy and his dog give her a reason to continue living. After settling in with Auden and his dog, she meets Yorke, and together they form a tight family-like unit.  They begin looking for people like them in hopes to be a part of a bigger community.

If you're looking for a fast paced, slow burn post-apocalyptic romance that doesn't revolve around sex then I highly suggest this book.   I'm looking forward to reading her next installment, safe.

To learn more about Imogen Keeper please check out her website!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book for free for review. This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking on these links won't cost you anything, but any purchase you make helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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