The Park Service by Ryan Winfield

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Setting: about one thousand years in the future.

First Sentence: Dead leaves scatter, caught and swirling in the smoky exhaust.

This novel is the first in Winfield's Park Service Trilogy.

I love novels that start down one path into a predictable plot, then take an unexpected turn into a completely different story.

In this novel, our main character Aubrey, lives deep below the surface of the Earth.  All his life Aubrey has been taught that due to a nuclear war a thousand years ago, the surface of Earth is a blasted wasteland where nothing can survive.  What remains of humanity survives on artificial food and recycled possessions. When a person reaches the age of thirty-five they are "retired" to live the rest of their days in beautiful place called Eden.

At the age of fifteen, each adolescent takes a test to determine his or her future.  If they do poorly, they are sent to the lower levels where work is hard and life is less pleasant.  Those who do well, can remain on their current level.  A few who do exceptionally well can move to a higher level where life is easier and more comfortable.

When he takes his test, Aubrey does something no one else has ever done.  He aces the test.  This means he can advance to level 1.  The highest and most prestigious level.

On the trip to level one, something happens.  And Aubrey discovers that his life, until now, has been a lie.

What will Aubrey do when he is confronted with the truth about life on Earth?

This novel us a great beginning to a trilogy.  The story is not over.  The author leaves us wondering what will happen next.  I am eager to find out.  And book two of this trilogy is now on my must read list.

Bravo to the author for creating an interesting and exciting novel.

                                                             

I Hope You Find Me by Trish Marie Dawson

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Setting: Southern California, in a dystopian world.

FYI: Some Adult Content

First Sentence:  I can't remember how long their bodies burned, but I do remember the sun setting before it was over, just beyond the still and dismal outline of Downtown San Diego.

This novel is the first in Dawson's Find Me series which currently has two books.

Riley watched her two children die from the Red Plague.  Now she has to find a safe place to live.  As she prepares to leave San Diego, she leaves notes to help her friends and family find her.

She first finds Connor, a handsome man with a secret past.

She also finds that her notes lead dangerous people to find her as well.

There are very few people left alive.  There are also some apparently dead people who seem to be alive.  Can Riley, Connor, and their friends find a safe place to restart their lives?

In this novel, the author begins an interesting series.  We are introduced to the main characters, and to some interesting mysteries.  Even though this novel has more romance than my usual reading fare, I enjoyed it.  The plot was pretty believable, and the characters seemed realistic.  And the hints at the ghost/zombies piqued my interest.

Over all it was an enjoyable visit to a dystopian world.  I liked it.