A weird but very good story
I’m not a fan of speculative fiction but this book has been on my TBR list for a while and now that it has been released on audiobook, I took the chance to listen to it. I’m very happy that I did because it’s really entertaining.
Two centuries into the future, the world as we know it is plagued by drought, radiation and crime. In the little town of Lafontaine, Casey Prentice has been surviving by only caring about her younger sister Emily and her best friend Malice Hiroyama. Nothing happens in Lafontaine until an armed group called the Anastasian League descends into the town looking for a well-kept secret. When Casey offers shelter to a league deserter called Pax, it will trigger a series of events that will put Casey’s life in danger, more than the apocalypse itself.
I tend to avoid the post-apocalyptic genre because it rarely looks at humanity in a positive way and there’s little space for romance in the plot. While the first part of my previous statement is true, I’m glad that there is a bit of romance in the story to balance out the negativity. If you think of a world in which all the known life comforts are gone, electricity is almost nonexistent, gangs of raiders threaten to attack any day taking everything and everyone, then it could make for a pretty depressive read. But – and this is a big but – Ms. Lawrence adds a cynical character with a sarcastic sense of humor, witty banter, and laugh-out-loud dialogues, and the overall tone of the book is completely transformed.
This book is weird and I say this in the most appreciative way. The weird (but justified) title, crazy situations and quirky characters, make it a hilarious read. But beyond the easy laughs, funny one-liners, and bewildering moments, the reader can appreciate and identify with, the human condition and the consequences of people’s actions. It makes for a thought-provoking read with an unexpected turn of events that you won’t see coming.
I’ve never heard of narrator Blair Baker before and she doesn’t seem to read many audiobooks, at least under that name. However, her comedic timing is impeccable and her performance of both Casey and Pax is amazing. All in all, this is a very weird but entertaining listen. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Length: 7 hours, 41 minutes
