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Park Service Trilogy #3
State of Nature
From New York Times bestselling author Ryan Winfield, a thrilling tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure.
The final chapter...
After leaving the Isle of Man, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II only to find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Don’t miss the epic conclusion you’ll have to read yourself to believe.
Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire and delight readers of all ages.
The final chapter...
After leaving the Isle of Man, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II only to find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Don’t miss the epic conclusion you’ll have to read yourself to believe.
Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire and delight readers of all ages.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2013
43 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Winfield
14 books1,007 followers
New York Times
bestselling author. Recreational pilot and provider of foodstuffs to one very hungry Maine Coon. Cultivator of roses, apparently to feed a mob of blacktail deer.
Find me on Substack.
If your book club or organization would like to arrange an appearance from me, either in person or via Skype, please send me a private message at Facebook with your request.
I've been asked why I write. I write because I remember.
I remember waking up to snow. I remember racing to dress, struggling with my boots – “Here, don't forget your mittens.” I remember the soft thump of that first footstep, the tracks looking back, and everything new and blanketed in quiet white. Foghorns blowing on the mist-covered bay. I feel the canvas newspaper bag on my shoulders, the weight of Sunday's headlines heavy on my mind. I remember rubber bands and ink stained hands. A car spun sideways in a ditch. Always a car. Then barking dogs, a distant chainsaw. I remember snowmen and igloos and icy trails through the white and wondrous woods. And I remember sweet Mrs. Johnson waiting at her door; the smell of Avon powder, her smile as she pressed an envelope into my palm—ten dollars and a peppermint candy cane thank you!
Evening now, running downtown. Everything passes in an excited blur. Salvation Army bells, white lights strung in sidewalk trees, bundled shoppers, hunched and hurrying, kicking up little snowdrifts scattered by the wind. And now I’m here. The heavy door, the warmth, the light, the old wood floors—the bookstore! Smells of paper and leather and ink. Walls of worlds bound and waiting for me.
Nothing has affected me as much as reading has. Dickens, Tolkien, and Lewis raised me. And while I've walked through my own hell, made my own mistakes, and found my own redemption, always there have been books. Books to help me escape, books for courage when I needed to stay and fight. Books that taught without preaching the difference between wrong and right. Books upon books to feed a boy’s feverish dreams; and the boy now grown, it’s still books that kindle the memories of those dreams on these long winter nights.
And so, I remember. And I write.
Find me on Substack.
If your book club or organization would like to arrange an appearance from me, either in person or via Skype, please send me a private message at Facebook with your request.
I've been asked why I write. I write because I remember.
I remember waking up to snow. I remember racing to dress, struggling with my boots – “Here, don't forget your mittens.” I remember the soft thump of that first footstep, the tracks looking back, and everything new and blanketed in quiet white. Foghorns blowing on the mist-covered bay. I feel the canvas newspaper bag on my shoulders, the weight of Sunday's headlines heavy on my mind. I remember rubber bands and ink stained hands. A car spun sideways in a ditch. Always a car. Then barking dogs, a distant chainsaw. I remember snowmen and igloos and icy trails through the white and wondrous woods. And I remember sweet Mrs. Johnson waiting at her door; the smell of Avon powder, her smile as she pressed an envelope into my palm—ten dollars and a peppermint candy cane thank you!
Evening now, running downtown. Everything passes in an excited blur. Salvation Army bells, white lights strung in sidewalk trees, bundled shoppers, hunched and hurrying, kicking up little snowdrifts scattered by the wind. And now I’m here. The heavy door, the warmth, the light, the old wood floors—the bookstore! Smells of paper and leather and ink. Walls of worlds bound and waiting for me.
Nothing has affected me as much as reading has. Dickens, Tolkien, and Lewis raised me. And while I've walked through my own hell, made my own mistakes, and found my own redemption, always there have been books. Books to help me escape, books for courage when I needed to stay and fight. Books that taught without preaching the difference between wrong and right. Books upon books to feed a boy’s feverish dreams; and the boy now grown, it’s still books that kindle the memories of those dreams on these long winter nights.
And so, I remember. And I write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 29, 2013
Oh hell, how can I find the right words to review this book, the third and final part of a trilogy that took my breath away from the very beginning? A series about two 15 years old boys who stole my heart and never gave it back?
It all started in October 2012 when Ryan Winfield published the first book of The Park Service series. I nearly didn’t read it because of the strange book title and the genre. Science Fiction/Dystopia/Young Adult. Ughhh… not a book I was going to like. So I thought.
The rest is history. The Park Service and the adventures of Aubrey and Jimmy blew me away and I couldn’t wait for Isle of Man and this final book State of Nature. What can I say? I’m in awe. Still are and always will be...
In the final installment of the Park Service series Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II. They find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems…
It’s a new roller coaster ride full of plot twists, secrets, betrayals and emotions. Like always Ryan’s writing style is vivid and powerful. He does a wonderful job creating this world and using descriptions that brings the story to life. The characters of Aubrey and Jimmy are real and believable. Following their journey I fell in love with them, feared for them, and cried for them. OMG… how much I cried for them. Their adventures kept me on the edge of my seat for so long dreading the outcome...
Jimmy… down to earth, skillful, clever, undemanding Jimmy.
“Hey, Jimmy.”
“Yeah.”
“You ever think about how long we’re going to live?”
“No,” he says. “Not really.”
“Well, why not?”
“I dunno. Guess I’m too busy livin’ it to think about it.”
So full of love for Aubrey, he would give his life in an instant for him.
“I love you.”
The words come out almost in a panic, as if there’s no time. As if he’s about to walk into Eden again, and I’ve got to say it before he disappears behind the door.
“I love you too.”
Jimmy’ response startles me back to the room, the tobacco tin forgotten in my hand. I close it and set it on the counter, afraid of whatever drug it is inside that has me hallucinating.
“I must be losing my mind,” I say, shaking my head. “I thought I just heard you say that you loved me.”
“I did,” Jimmy replies.
“You did?”
“Of course. You said it to me first. It woulda been rude to leave ya hangin’ there, wouldn’t it?”
Poor Aubrey has to fight against a lunatic Hannah (OMG, how I hate this woman). The fate of the whole mankind seems to weigh like a millstone on his small shoulders. Where would he be without Jimmy?
We drop our cloths on the ground and hug each other. The path and the mountains and the entire world seem to slip away beneath us until only he and I remain. Then the sun rises over the peaks and warms my naked back. Of all the birthday gifts ever given in the history of the world, I can’t imagine one better than an embrace like this from your best friend.
At the end of the book I was definitely left with a hunger for more. More of Aubrey and Jimmy and their life together. How could I ever forget those boys and the feelings they unleashed in me? It left me sobbing and crying buckets of tears . It’s beyond my imagination how Ryan will be able to top that.
”Leaves will fall, cold will creep in
A circle of life that ends where it begins
It may take a thousand years and a thousand poems penned
But my hair will someday gray and my back will bend—
Then my shadow will join my body in the earth once again.
I know not the way, or even the when
Or who chooses that day we’re called away to ascend
But you bathed me in your bravery and forgave me my sins
You made a home in your heart for mine to live in—
And in return, my friend, this poem is my oath that a river of love will run through it until the very end.”
Reading the series was like walking with Aubrey and Jimmy on a quest that is full of danger, bravery, hope and friendship. I was blessed to watch them going through their own metamorphosis from boyhood to manhood. Jimmy and Aubrey, forever…
And of course the little fox pup Junior will keep his own place in my heart. Forever...
I highly recommend the series to anyone who is willing to let his imagination fly...
Thanks Anja for the amazing buddy read.:)
August 10, 2016
Sigh...I did not want this series to end. Over the months that I have had the first two, I have visited Aubry and Jimmy often. I had very mixed emotions about the release of this, the final book in The Park Service. I was super excited because I adored the first two and could not wait to delve into the story and plot twists that Ryan does so well. BUT I was also apprehensive. I love Aubry and Jimmy and did not want the story to end.
This was my favorite of the three books. Why? Was it the finishing up of the plot lines that Ryan wove so well? Was it the fact that someone from Aubry's past got to make amends? Freedom? Discovery? It frustrates me that I cannot put my finger on exactly why. It is as well written, if not better than the first two. Ryan seemed to be hitting his stride with this book, or I was getting more comfortable with his writing. Aubry and Jimmy both continue to grow, to mature, to become the heroes they were destined to become. I watched them agonize over decisions that would resonate throughout the remainder of the book. We see more of the post apocalyptic world, we meet more people that, like Jimmy's people, had escaped the notice of the Park Service, at least for a while. Memorable people.
Was there anything I didn't like....simply- I would have to answer no, I liked everything about it. Dialogue, Characters, places, descriptions, plot...all stellar. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, but it was really the only possible outcome...and I knew it almost before I saw it- how it would end...I knew it, didn't like it, but it had to happen. I loved that Ryan would have the guts to end the book like that. He is one of those authors that invests blood, sweat and tears in his characters. You can tell by reading that he loves those kids. To have the courage to end it that way....it left me in tears for a while, every time I talked to someone about this book, I wanted to cry and shout out against the injustice of it all. And that, my dears, is the mark of a great book.
Would I recommend this series....heck yeah....my only caution...read slowly, savor each and every word. Revel in each discovery, each breath of the characters. Jump up and down with joy and sob with each heartbreak. This trilogy is a helluva ride, one that I will be re-reading again and again.....Goodbye Aubry and Jimmy. You both have a spot in my heart for the rest of my years.
This was my favorite of the three books. Why? Was it the finishing up of the plot lines that Ryan wove so well? Was it the fact that someone from Aubry's past got to make amends? Freedom? Discovery? It frustrates me that I cannot put my finger on exactly why. It is as well written, if not better than the first two. Ryan seemed to be hitting his stride with this book, or I was getting more comfortable with his writing. Aubry and Jimmy both continue to grow, to mature, to become the heroes they were destined to become. I watched them agonize over decisions that would resonate throughout the remainder of the book. We see more of the post apocalyptic world, we meet more people that, like Jimmy's people, had escaped the notice of the Park Service, at least for a while. Memorable people.
Was there anything I didn't like....simply- I would have to answer no, I liked everything about it. Dialogue, Characters, places, descriptions, plot...all stellar. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, but it was really the only possible outcome...and I knew it almost before I saw it- how it would end...I knew it, didn't like it, but it had to happen. I loved that Ryan would have the guts to end the book like that. He is one of those authors that invests blood, sweat and tears in his characters. You can tell by reading that he loves those kids. To have the courage to end it that way....it left me in tears for a while, every time I talked to someone about this book, I wanted to cry and shout out against the injustice of it all. And that, my dears, is the mark of a great book.
Would I recommend this series....heck yeah....my only caution...read slowly, savor each and every word. Revel in each discovery, each breath of the characters. Jump up and down with joy and sob with each heartbreak. This trilogy is a helluva ride, one that I will be re-reading again and again.....Goodbye Aubry and Jimmy. You both have a spot in my heart for the rest of my years.
May 2, 2015
I’m not even sure how to write a review for this final book in the trilogy. There’s really nothing I can say about the plot or the characters that wouldn’t spoil the fun of reading it for oneself. However, I’m not really feeling like “fun” is the right word at the moment. This series is probably a really bad choice for somebody who’s currently in search of something happy to read. The series has some happy and funny moments, but there is a lot of major tragedy throughout and some pretty gruesome depictions.
The ending could be considered happy… if you don’t read the epilogue, and if you can ignore the niggling knowledge in the back of your head that tells you what’s surely coming. From early on, I was pretty certain I knew what was coming. The events depicted in the epilogue were inevitable to anybody who remotely understood a certain character in the story. If nothing else, I suppose the author foreshadowed the epilogue when the main character muses, “I find myself hoping for a happy ending, but really it’s only a happy pause, because if you let any story play out long enough, they all end.” That bit stuck out to me when I read it because it’s something I’ve often thought myself, both about fictional stories and about real-life stories.
If things hadn’t turned out the way they did, it would have felt unrealistic and I probably would have complained about that. Still, I had become invested enough in the story and the characters that I hated the epilogue anyway. I like realism, but I also like it when a book or series ends on a happy note. In this case, it would have been impossible to have both. In any case, the ending wouldn’t have bothered me if I hadn’t really enjoyed the trilogy in the first place. It was very well-written and it sucked up way too much of my time over the past few days. I’m glad I started and finished it before my new university class started or else it would have been very hard to put it down and focus on my schoolwork.
The ending could be considered happy… if you don’t read the epilogue, and if you can ignore the niggling knowledge in the back of your head that tells you what’s surely coming. From early on, I was pretty certain I knew what was coming. The events depicted in the epilogue were inevitable to anybody who remotely understood a certain character in the story. If nothing else, I suppose the author foreshadowed the epilogue when the main character muses, “I find myself hoping for a happy ending, but really it’s only a happy pause, because if you let any story play out long enough, they all end.” That bit stuck out to me when I read it because it’s something I’ve often thought myself, both about fictional stories and about real-life stories.
If things hadn’t turned out the way they did, it would have felt unrealistic and I probably would have complained about that. Still, I had become invested enough in the story and the characters that I hated the epilogue anyway. I like realism, but I also like it when a book or series ends on a happy note. In this case, it would have been impossible to have both. In any case, the ending wouldn’t have bothered me if I hadn’t really enjoyed the trilogy in the first place. It was very well-written and it sucked up way too much of my time over the past few days. I’m glad I started and finished it before my new university class started or else it would have been very hard to put it down and focus on my schoolwork.
December 6, 2013
"Remarkable End of the Park Service Trilogy"
This final episode depicts three survivors as they leave the destroyed Isle of Man. Their submarine retraces their journey back through the Panama Canal and northward following the coast to the Foundation. Jimmy is still irate with the professor who is piloting the submarine; Aubrey wonders about meeting again with deceptive Hannah. Their goal is to return to Holocene II and free the people where they can return to Earth's surface to live. Upon arrival, Hannah is found in the control room where she's become a Queen empowered to rule those around her. The professor is joyous about giving her the information she's been seeking which gives her more power, but Aubrey and Jimmy are dragged away by tunnel rat slaves to a cold dark dungeon-like room. Hannah offers Aubrey and Jimmy freedom if they will go down to Holocene and convince the people to send up the train filled with supplies to the lab. Aubrey convinces them to do this by telling them lies. They believe retirement will be restored to them and they'll retire to Eden. Hannah has become the enforcer, or the dominate leader with the desire to accomplish what her father had envisioned before he died. Her goal is to enslave the common man working in the underground levels of production. Eventually she wishes to exterminate them all. This is a very revealing story of false beliefs, deception, and lies, but also trust and love, and faith. One feels the pain that Aubrey learns in his quest to free the mislead people of Holocene. A remarkably well written, intricately woven, fast moving story which ends the Park Service Trilogy. Great job, Ryan Winfield; an exciting read for adults as well as younger readers.
This final episode depicts three survivors as they leave the destroyed Isle of Man. Their submarine retraces their journey back through the Panama Canal and northward following the coast to the Foundation. Jimmy is still irate with the professor who is piloting the submarine; Aubrey wonders about meeting again with deceptive Hannah. Their goal is to return to Holocene II and free the people where they can return to Earth's surface to live. Upon arrival, Hannah is found in the control room where she's become a Queen empowered to rule those around her. The professor is joyous about giving her the information she's been seeking which gives her more power, but Aubrey and Jimmy are dragged away by tunnel rat slaves to a cold dark dungeon-like room. Hannah offers Aubrey and Jimmy freedom if they will go down to Holocene and convince the people to send up the train filled with supplies to the lab. Aubrey convinces them to do this by telling them lies. They believe retirement will be restored to them and they'll retire to Eden. Hannah has become the enforcer, or the dominate leader with the desire to accomplish what her father had envisioned before he died. Her goal is to enslave the common man working in the underground levels of production. Eventually she wishes to exterminate them all. This is a very revealing story of false beliefs, deception, and lies, but also trust and love, and faith. One feels the pain that Aubrey learns in his quest to free the mislead people of Holocene. A remarkably well written, intricately woven, fast moving story which ends the Park Service Trilogy. Great job, Ryan Winfield; an exciting read for adults as well as younger readers.
December 2, 2013
I cannot believe that this is the last book! I was so surprised when the book was released, it was a great surprise because I've been waiting for it since the second book came out!
I really should've re-read the first two books because I forgot about a lot of things that happened. I did remember a lot of stuff as I read. All three books are very good reads from beginning to end- there are no dull moments. The end of this book made me sad and angry at the same time but I think it was a good way to end the series.
Great job Ryan, I can't wait to read whatever you write next!
I really should've re-read the first two books because I forgot about a lot of things that happened. I did remember a lot of stuff as I read. All three books are very good reads from beginning to end- there are no dull moments. The end of this book made me sad and angry at the same time but I think it was a good way to end the series.
Great job Ryan, I can't wait to read whatever you write next!
April 22, 2014
I absolutely loved this trilogy, I read the Park Service last year and was waiting for the next books to come out. Once I realised that they had been released, I decided to read the 1st one again to refresh the characters. I've now read all 3 books in the last week. Thank you for a wonderful series of books. I loved Aubrey and Jimmy and their relationship with each other. Hannah is the most despicable character and the final twist in the epilogue made me cry and despise her completely.
January 10, 2025
Well that book ruined me. I don't know that a final book of any series has ever hurt me as much as State of Nature just did. No doubt, I am ready to be hurt again, 5 stars!
July 22, 2023
Loved the ending!
December 1, 2013
With the devastation at the Isle of Man behind them, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation with plans to demand answers from Hannah only to find themselves plunged deeper into her deception and betrayal. Threats and ultimatums drive Aubrey to become a pawn in the conniving scheme and land him back in Holocene II with an unconscionable task to perform. What more will Aubrey uncover when he returns and how much more will he have to sort through with all the cryptic messages he receives from the people he encounters?
Once again we are immersed with a constant emotional upheaval in Aubrey’s journey and are touched by his unwavering loyalty for Jimmy as they continue to fight for what is right. Each adventure they experience solidifies their bond of true friendship.
The three books of The Park Service make us think of the choices we make in our lives, who we believe in, trust and love, and most importantly, how we choose to live. This third and final chapter is filled with surprises at every turn. It is an exciting, emotional and thought-provoking read and well worth the wait. The captivating imagery that Ryan Winfield weaves and the intricate storytelling will stay with the reader for a long time after finishing the story. This is a truly satisfying conclusion to an incredible trilogy. Well done, Ryan!
Once again we are immersed with a constant emotional upheaval in Aubrey’s journey and are touched by his unwavering loyalty for Jimmy as they continue to fight for what is right. Each adventure they experience solidifies their bond of true friendship.
The three books of The Park Service make us think of the choices we make in our lives, who we believe in, trust and love, and most importantly, how we choose to live. This third and final chapter is filled with surprises at every turn. It is an exciting, emotional and thought-provoking read and well worth the wait. The captivating imagery that Ryan Winfield weaves and the intricate storytelling will stay with the reader for a long time after finishing the story. This is a truly satisfying conclusion to an incredible trilogy. Well done, Ryan!
July 4, 2017
Aubrey returns to the Foundation where Hannah has been busy rebuilding. He confronts her regarding her betrayal only to realize she has taken complete control with the professor as her assistant. Acting under Hannah’s command, Aubrey goes back down into Holocene II to save his friends. In a daring escape, he treks halfway around the world to China to meet with the mysterious Chief. Will they be able to take Hannah down or will mankind finally be destroyed?
Winfield’s third novel in The Park Service Trilogy, State of Nature, hits you with twist after twist. It’s almost like being slapped in the face. It also gives one pause to think about all the moral implications that are discussed.
::SPOILERS:: Does one punish a book’s rating because the reader doesn’t like the subject matter? No, I think that would be unfair. The discovery that Hannah is really 30 years old and has been making out with a 15-year-old creeps me out. But, what is even worse was to find out that they are half brother and sister. I feel that this subject matter is inappropriate in a young adult novel.
The book is very interesting and completes the trilogy well. The ending sucked.
4 out of 5 stars.
Winfield’s third novel in The Park Service Trilogy, State of Nature, hits you with twist after twist. It’s almost like being slapped in the face. It also gives one pause to think about all the moral implications that are discussed.
::SPOILERS:: Does one punish a book’s rating because the reader doesn’t like the subject matter? No, I think that would be unfair. The discovery that Hannah is really 30 years old and has been making out with a 15-year-old creeps me out. But, what is even worse was to find out that they are half brother and sister. I feel that this subject matter is inappropriate in a young adult novel.
The book is very interesting and completes the trilogy well. The ending sucked.
4 out of 5 stars.
April 18, 2014
I have been digesting for a day, now. I wasn't really sure how I felt at the end of this. Just like every other moving event in this trilogy, I didn't see this coming. I guess maybe that is why it is hard to love this. Real life is hard to love sometimes, and you definitely never see what's coming. So now as I reflect, I am in a five star mood. I give five stars for being brave enough to make a story real enough to not pan out the way you wanted. To not wrap it all up perfectly. I am choked for Aubrey and Jimmy, for Junior and Valor(who I was certain would be swooping in any minute), for the wolf, and for the foxes. And of course, everything in between. And while there is pain, I wonder if I could ever be that brave and strong of a friend, and would anyone ever be that brave and strong for me? So, thank you, for a story that was so much more than just a story for me.
May 2, 2023
I couldn't put it down, but then I didn't love the ending.
December 16, 2014
Ryan Winfield is a great writer and story teller. If your into post apocalypse stories, this series is very engaging. Book 1 hooked me, I couldn't put down book 2, and even though Book 3 was slower & I have mixed feelings about the ending, I highly recommend this trilogy. Winfield covers a lot of issues: love, friendship, family, relationships, betrayal, treachery, human nature, psychological conflict, resistance to changing one's beliefs, life, & death. He also brings up like can there be a an ethical use of nuclear weapons and is humankind a disease that is infecting the world. It certainly is not an optimistic view of humankind working out their differences.
January 24, 2014
I recommend this to those who like books such as The Hunger Games. This has quickly become one of my favorite trilogies, and although the ending was emotional for me, it was a great ending to a very intriguing trilogy.
October 20, 2014
I read this whole series in about 4 days I enjoyed it so much. My love for the characters had me wanting to change the end, but I understand why Winfield wrote it the way that he did. I was sad to see the ending with the loss of so many characters.
November 18, 2021
State of Nature (Book 3 of the Park Service Trilogy) -- Ryan Winfield
This was an absolutely fantastic trilogy. My son read them as well and loved them. We are both looking forward to the upcoming movies...that's the rumor anyway :) Jadyn and I both HIGHLY recommend!!
This was an absolutely fantastic trilogy. My son read them as well and loved them. We are both looking forward to the upcoming movies...that's the rumor anyway :) Jadyn and I both HIGHLY recommend!!
January 28, 2014
I really enjoyed the series.
December 1, 2013
Wonderful
again you keep the reader on the edge wondering what will happen. wonderful trilogy. wish it wasn't over. would recommend to everyone.
again you keep the reader on the edge wondering what will happen. wonderful trilogy. wish it wasn't over. would recommend to everyone.
October 3, 2014
Thank you for a great series. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
November 17, 2014
I loved this series. If you are a fan of Hunger Games, Divergent type books you will like this one.
November 24, 2014
The third book redeemed this series for me (after being a bit let down by the second book). Good trilogy. Nice flow, well written, great character development, and uniquely creative story.
February 11, 2015
The ending kept me guessing and definitely put a end note to the series. I found this to be an entertaining and intriguing series. Glad I discovered it.
August 29, 2020
A moving, touching ending to this YA trilogy.
July 8, 2017
In the final installment of the Park Service trilogy we learn that not only is Hannah a crazy bitch, she's also secretly a 30 year old lady and Aubrey's half-sister! Aubrey was born from Doctor Radcliffe's frozen sperm and sent down to Holocene II, where he was groomed to become Radcliffe's successor and Hannah's husband. As Hannah was significantly older than Aubrey, she was placed on hormone blockers that would leave her with the body and features of a teenager until Aubrey ascended from Holocene II. As if that wasn't creepy enough, Hannah has been starving and torturing Red since they departed for the Isle of Man.
The citizens of Holocene II aren't satisfied with the delay in retirements caused by the damage to Eden, and are on the verge of rioting. Aubrey and Jimmy are sent down to Level 3 to keep the peace, complete with ankle bracelets that will detonate if they try to escape. Fortunately they locate a resistance team headed by Bill the Lifeguard and Ms Hightower the teacher, who partner with the tunnelrats to unshackle them and get to the surface.
Aubrey and Jimmy board a drone that is programmed to take them to the Chief of the Resistance, who just so happens to be Aubrey's mother! Turns out Aubrey's mother used to be a member of the Foundation, moved down to Holocene II and tasked with carrying Radcliffe's child to term. She fell in love with Aubrey's father and began to realise that Radcliffe's work was vile and inhumane, and escaped to China. Turns out she's the mysterious individual who shot down a drone in China in the first book!
While Aubrey and Jimmy quickly acclimate to this revelation and living in the mountains of China, even befriending the local indigenous population, it's not long before Hannah finds them. While she initially asks for peace it doesn't go well, and it's not long before they find the bodies of Red and Ms Hightower at their feet. Hannah eventually bombs the Chinese mountainside and threatens to flood Holocene II.
Aubrey and his mother's only course of action is to retrieve the hydrogen bomb lodged in the glacier near the Foundation, which was mentioned briefly in the first novel. Aubrey's mother sacrifices herself to deploy the bomb and kill Hannah, leaving Aubrey lost and alone on the surface once again. Fortunately he's found by Bill and the Holocene II population, who have not only surfaced but are already moving toward building a new world.
Aubrey wants nothing to do with this new society, and chooses to run off with Jimmy into a nearby valley. The valley is designated as an off-limits Preserve where Jimmy and Aubrey will spend the remaining 900 years of their lives together under the serum. Unfortunately things aren't as they seem and Hannah continues to torment Aubrey from beyond the grave - turns out she never injected Jimmy with the serum, which they only learn as the years pass and Jimmy grows older.
Eventually Jimmy dies and Aubrey leaves the Preserve to bury Jimmy at sea. He runs into the new Park Service along the way, who believe Aubrey van Houten is only a legend and kill his new pet fox in the crossfire. Aubrey moves on and buries both bodies at sea, drowning himself too.
---
I wasn't the biggest fan of the previous two novels, but GOOD LORD I bawled my eyes out at the ending! Ryan Winfield saved us from witnessing Junior's death up close in the previous novel and in doing so lulled us into a false sense of security. In this novel he proceeded to rip my heart out, stuff it back in, then rip it out again with the death of not only Jimmy, but Junior 2.0, Aubrey's mother and Aubrey too! I had to put my Kindle down because my eyes were so blurry from tears, as I contemplated the heartbreak that Aubrey must have felt upon losing his only friend.
Hannah never got what she deserved, and it made me so mad that she continued to make the boys' lives hell from beyond the grave. If she had been strung up and tortured for several weeks I would've been okay with the situation, but it aggravated the hell out of me that she received such a quick and painless ending. At the very least I would have liked the bomb to hit a little off centre, burying Hannah in rubble but not killing her immediately. I would have liked to see a chapter from her perspective, witnessing her last thoughts as she lay dying beneath the rubble. I'd love to know if she would have still believed her actions to be justified, or if she would regret the pain she'd caused to Aubrey.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit bummed when Aubrey's mum was revealed to be alive. I had been hoping that China had this big resistance army hiding in the mountains, shooting down any drones that got too close. Instead we have a disillusioned scientist who abandoned her child and shot down a drone mostly by chance. The story technically checked out, but something about it just didn't satisfy me. The only aspect I enjoyed was Aubrey learning that he was Radcliffe's son, and him being so utterly repulsed by something he had no hope of changing: his own DNA.
Aubrey and his mum attempting to bomb the Foundation was also unsatisfying. They spent several days cutting the hydrogen bomb out of the glacier, and the technical descriptions were both so boring and hard to follow that I had to skip ahead. Part of me thinks that if their actions had been easier to follow then that part would have been more interesting, but then the other part of me is like "Nah man, that's boring no matter which way you look at it". TL;DR.
I wish we could have seen Holocene II's reaction to the bombing first hand. I wish we could've seen it dawning on them that the Foundation was gone, struggling to comprehend that the history they'd been told about the surface simply wasn't true. And I wish we could have seen those initial few days when people decided to venture to the surface. I always figured that there'd be those sections of the population who stubbornly refused to leave, but it would have been nice to witness it first hand. I actually wanted to experience the frustration at seeing these stubborn people stick to their artificial light and algae crisps when they could be reveling in sunlight and fresh air.
I'd also love to see how life was going several decades down the track, as we only get a small glimpse through Aubrey's interactions with the new Park Service. Are people still living underground and manufacturing food and machinery for the surface? If so, what happens to the future generations? Do kids get to decide whether they want to move to the surface when they turn 15? What kind of history are they now being taught about the planet? Also, what is the new Park Service like? Was that interaction with Aubrey just an isolated case of one ranger being an asshole, or has humanity returned to its old, arrogant ways?
And what became of the tunnelrats? Hell, what are the tunnelrats?
Finally, I wish we could've seen the exact moment when Aubrey realised Jimmy never had the serum and when Jimmy eventually passed away. While I bawled my eyes out at the ending, showing the heartbreak up close would have made it that much more tragic. Did Jimmy care that he would actually get to live the normal life he always wanted? Or did he share Aubrey's pain that he wouldn't get to spend eternity with his best friend? Was Jimmy at peace when he died, happy that he would get to see his family again in the afterlife? Or was he crying, devastated that he didn't have more time with his friend?
Overall: While its writing style is often flawed and we're stuck with a protagonist who wavers between tolerable and utterly unlikable, the Park Service trilogy was a fun dystopian read. It's a unique take on both the nuclear apocalypse and "Hollow Earth" storylines, and presents some great food for thought: do we really deserve to live on this planet, or is humanity simply just a plague?
We're treated to utterly evil antagonists, and while they don't meet the nasty ends they deserve, I can't deny that they're great villains as I found myself repeatedly wanting to put my fist through my Kindle! I'd love to know more about the state of the planet later down the track, but the trilogy is so open-ended that I find myself happily wondering and theorising, rather than pulling my hair out for lack of answers. I'd like to see the trilogy achieve more mainstream recognition with the popularity of young-adult dystopian series these days.
The citizens of Holocene II aren't satisfied with the delay in retirements caused by the damage to Eden, and are on the verge of rioting. Aubrey and Jimmy are sent down to Level 3 to keep the peace, complete with ankle bracelets that will detonate if they try to escape. Fortunately they locate a resistance team headed by Bill the Lifeguard and Ms Hightower the teacher, who partner with the tunnelrats to unshackle them and get to the surface.
Aubrey and Jimmy board a drone that is programmed to take them to the Chief of the Resistance, who just so happens to be Aubrey's mother! Turns out Aubrey's mother used to be a member of the Foundation, moved down to Holocene II and tasked with carrying Radcliffe's child to term. She fell in love with Aubrey's father and began to realise that Radcliffe's work was vile and inhumane, and escaped to China. Turns out she's the mysterious individual who shot down a drone in China in the first book!
While Aubrey and Jimmy quickly acclimate to this revelation and living in the mountains of China, even befriending the local indigenous population, it's not long before Hannah finds them. While she initially asks for peace it doesn't go well, and it's not long before they find the bodies of Red and Ms Hightower at their feet. Hannah eventually bombs the Chinese mountainside and threatens to flood Holocene II.
Aubrey and his mother's only course of action is to retrieve the hydrogen bomb lodged in the glacier near the Foundation, which was mentioned briefly in the first novel. Aubrey's mother sacrifices herself to deploy the bomb and kill Hannah, leaving Aubrey lost and alone on the surface once again. Fortunately he's found by Bill and the Holocene II population, who have not only surfaced but are already moving toward building a new world.
Aubrey wants nothing to do with this new society, and chooses to run off with Jimmy into a nearby valley. The valley is designated as an off-limits Preserve where Jimmy and Aubrey will spend the remaining 900 years of their lives together under the serum. Unfortunately things aren't as they seem and Hannah continues to torment Aubrey from beyond the grave - turns out she never injected Jimmy with the serum, which they only learn as the years pass and Jimmy grows older.
Eventually Jimmy dies and Aubrey leaves the Preserve to bury Jimmy at sea. He runs into the new Park Service along the way, who believe Aubrey van Houten is only a legend and kill his new pet fox in the crossfire. Aubrey moves on and buries both bodies at sea, drowning himself too.
---
I wasn't the biggest fan of the previous two novels, but GOOD LORD I bawled my eyes out at the ending! Ryan Winfield saved us from witnessing Junior's death up close in the previous novel and in doing so lulled us into a false sense of security. In this novel he proceeded to rip my heart out, stuff it back in, then rip it out again with the death of not only Jimmy, but Junior 2.0, Aubrey's mother and Aubrey too! I had to put my Kindle down because my eyes were so blurry from tears, as I contemplated the heartbreak that Aubrey must have felt upon losing his only friend.
Hannah never got what she deserved, and it made me so mad that she continued to make the boys' lives hell from beyond the grave. If she had been strung up and tortured for several weeks I would've been okay with the situation, but it aggravated the hell out of me that she received such a quick and painless ending. At the very least I would have liked the bomb to hit a little off centre, burying Hannah in rubble but not killing her immediately. I would have liked to see a chapter from her perspective, witnessing her last thoughts as she lay dying beneath the rubble. I'd love to know if she would have still believed her actions to be justified, or if she would regret the pain she'd caused to Aubrey.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit bummed when Aubrey's mum was revealed to be alive. I had been hoping that China had this big resistance army hiding in the mountains, shooting down any drones that got too close. Instead we have a disillusioned scientist who abandoned her child and shot down a drone mostly by chance. The story technically checked out, but something about it just didn't satisfy me. The only aspect I enjoyed was Aubrey learning that he was Radcliffe's son, and him being so utterly repulsed by something he had no hope of changing: his own DNA.
Aubrey and his mum attempting to bomb the Foundation was also unsatisfying. They spent several days cutting the hydrogen bomb out of the glacier, and the technical descriptions were both so boring and hard to follow that I had to skip ahead. Part of me thinks that if their actions had been easier to follow then that part would have been more interesting, but then the other part of me is like "Nah man, that's boring no matter which way you look at it". TL;DR.
I wish we could have seen Holocene II's reaction to the bombing first hand. I wish we could've seen it dawning on them that the Foundation was gone, struggling to comprehend that the history they'd been told about the surface simply wasn't true. And I wish we could have seen those initial few days when people decided to venture to the surface. I always figured that there'd be those sections of the population who stubbornly refused to leave, but it would have been nice to witness it first hand. I actually wanted to experience the frustration at seeing these stubborn people stick to their artificial light and algae crisps when they could be reveling in sunlight and fresh air.
I'd also love to see how life was going several decades down the track, as we only get a small glimpse through Aubrey's interactions with the new Park Service. Are people still living underground and manufacturing food and machinery for the surface? If so, what happens to the future generations? Do kids get to decide whether they want to move to the surface when they turn 15? What kind of history are they now being taught about the planet? Also, what is the new Park Service like? Was that interaction with Aubrey just an isolated case of one ranger being an asshole, or has humanity returned to its old, arrogant ways?
And what became of the tunnelrats? Hell, what are the tunnelrats?
Finally, I wish we could've seen the exact moment when Aubrey realised Jimmy never had the serum and when Jimmy eventually passed away. While I bawled my eyes out at the ending, showing the heartbreak up close would have made it that much more tragic. Did Jimmy care that he would actually get to live the normal life he always wanted? Or did he share Aubrey's pain that he wouldn't get to spend eternity with his best friend? Was Jimmy at peace when he died, happy that he would get to see his family again in the afterlife? Or was he crying, devastated that he didn't have more time with his friend?
Overall: While its writing style is often flawed and we're stuck with a protagonist who wavers between tolerable and utterly unlikable, the Park Service trilogy was a fun dystopian read. It's a unique take on both the nuclear apocalypse and "Hollow Earth" storylines, and presents some great food for thought: do we really deserve to live on this planet, or is humanity simply just a plague?
We're treated to utterly evil antagonists, and while they don't meet the nasty ends they deserve, I can't deny that they're great villains as I found myself repeatedly wanting to put my fist through my Kindle! I'd love to know more about the state of the planet later down the track, but the trilogy is so open-ended that I find myself happily wondering and theorising, rather than pulling my hair out for lack of answers. I'd like to see the trilogy achieve more mainstream recognition with the popularity of young-adult dystopian series these days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2013
Well...what can I say about this book? Not much without spoilers! I will see what I can do though...
So this book starts right where the last one left off. Aubrey, Jimmy and the Professor are in the sub on their way back to Hannah and Holocene II. Now, Jimmy and Aubrey are none too happy with Hannah and with good reason. What they find when they get there gives them even more reason to be furious with her. She is manipulating them all into doing what she wants. She wants to put Eden back online and she needs Aubrey to go down into Holocene II to let them all know that they will begin retirement again soon.
Aubrey ends up taking Jimmy with him and that's when things start to get really intense. They find literally an underground movement that is run by someone they call The Chief. Aubrey finds out more about himself throughout the course of this book. He also finds out things about Hannah that have him even more determined to put an end to her. She is trying to take over where her father left off and she's trying to blackmail Aubrey into helping her.
This book is full of twists and turns where Aubrey and Jimmy travel around the world again in an effort to once again attempt to save the people of Holocene II. They are trying to make it safe for them to finally come and live on the surface like man was intended to before The Foundation decided that man was a danger to the planet. There is a continuing theme of love and loss throughout this series, but this book was at times heart wrenching. Aubrey and Jimmy go through so much in this book and they are closer than ever. They even going so far as to put words to those feelings even though they are vague leaving the reader to decide just how they want to perceive the relationship. No matter how you look at it the relationship between these two is rock solid and gets more so as the story progresses.
It's so hard to say much more without spoiling anything. I was sad when the book came to an end. I will say that while I was sad, I was happy for the time I got to spend in this world and with these two characters. It was a joy to see how Aubrey went from the gangly boy in the first book to the man he became in this book even though he had to go through so much heartache to get there. I think this sums it all up pretty well for me and it's a beautiful sentiment at the end of the book.
Ryan has a way of pulling you into a story and keeping you there with the vivid description and characters that you can't help but fall in love with. I will miss this series but I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.
So this book starts right where the last one left off. Aubrey, Jimmy and the Professor are in the sub on their way back to Hannah and Holocene II. Now, Jimmy and Aubrey are none too happy with Hannah and with good reason. What they find when they get there gives them even more reason to be furious with her. She is manipulating them all into doing what she wants. She wants to put Eden back online and she needs Aubrey to go down into Holocene II to let them all know that they will begin retirement again soon.
Aubrey ends up taking Jimmy with him and that's when things start to get really intense. They find literally an underground movement that is run by someone they call The Chief. Aubrey finds out more about himself throughout the course of this book. He also finds out things about Hannah that have him even more determined to put an end to her. She is trying to take over where her father left off and she's trying to blackmail Aubrey into helping her.
This book is full of twists and turns where Aubrey and Jimmy travel around the world again in an effort to once again attempt to save the people of Holocene II. They are trying to make it safe for them to finally come and live on the surface like man was intended to before The Foundation decided that man was a danger to the planet. There is a continuing theme of love and loss throughout this series, but this book was at times heart wrenching. Aubrey and Jimmy go through so much in this book and they are closer than ever. They even going so far as to put words to those feelings even though they are vague leaving the reader to decide just how they want to perceive the relationship. No matter how you look at it the relationship between these two is rock solid and gets more so as the story progresses.
It's so hard to say much more without spoiling anything. I was sad when the book came to an end. I will say that while I was sad, I was happy for the time I got to spend in this world and with these two characters. It was a joy to see how Aubrey went from the gangly boy in the first book to the man he became in this book even though he had to go through so much heartache to get there. I think this sums it all up pretty well for me and it's a beautiful sentiment at the end of the book.
”Leaves will fall, cold will creep in
A circle of life that ends where it begins
It may take a thousand years and a thousand poems penned
But my hair will someday gray and my back will bend—
Then my shadow will join my body in the earth once again.
I know not the way, or even the when
Or who chooses that day we’re called away to ascend
But you bathed me in your bravery and forgave me my sins
You made a home in your heart for mine to live in—
And in return, my friend, this poem is my oath that a river of love will run through it until the very end.”
Ryan has a way of pulling you into a story and keeping you there with the vivid description and characters that you can't help but fall in love with. I will miss this series but I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.
March 15, 2014
If you are following my reviews of The Park Service Trilogy (or are reading this on my blog), you know that I sat down and read all 3 in less than 3 days. I knew going into State Of Nature that I was going to be saying goodbye to Aubrey and Jimmy because this is the final book in the series. I was sad going into it. I read the reviews, I watched Ryan Winfield on Facebook and Twitter sharing reactions of readers. I knew everything would culminate in this book. You don’t want to say goodbye to favorite characters ever, but alas, all good things must come to an end. I suppose.
It is really hard to write this last review. Just thinking back to this book makes me want to cry again.
I started State Of Nature right after I finished Isle Of Man. I had them all downloaded to my iPad Kindle App and I was ready to go, 1, 2, 3, all in a row. Why can’t I stretch my favorite books out so that I can enjoy them longer?
There is so much going on in this State of Nature. So many tough decisions for Aubrey to make, so many things that are happening to our main cast of characters and new ones that we are introduced to.
There was one scene in the book that just about killed me emotionally, the fear of loss that might be coming, the pain of what was seen through Aubrey’s eyes, the relief, then the sadness , but the hope, it tore me up.
None of the books in this series are what I would call light fluffy reading, you know that from the blurbs, but I think this one was the heaviest to read emotionally. Maybe it is because I knew this one would be the conclusion and I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t been able to pin point where Ryan was going to go in any of these books, he stayed one step ahead of me, and I wanted to know that my boys were going to be ok. That coupled with all of the heart wrenching scenes is what kept me holding my breath, blinking away tears. There was just so much anticipation for what was coming. Do not let me leave you thinking that there is no happiness in this book because there is. There were scenes that made me smile and kept my hope alive. More or less, I was all over the emotional grid with State of Nature and the entire Park Service Trilogy.
I was surprised by the ending and still am thinking back over it a couple of days later. I am not just left thinking about Aubrey and Jimmy, but about the rest of his people. What is their future going to hold?
I am so glad I bought this trilogy. It was a completely amazing, breath taking series that I could not imagine missing out on. I think I am going to gift all 3 books to my teenage son. He is going to love this one as much as I did.
It is really hard to write this last review. Just thinking back to this book makes me want to cry again.
I started State Of Nature right after I finished Isle Of Man. I had them all downloaded to my iPad Kindle App and I was ready to go, 1, 2, 3, all in a row. Why can’t I stretch my favorite books out so that I can enjoy them longer?
There is so much going on in this State of Nature. So many tough decisions for Aubrey to make, so many things that are happening to our main cast of characters and new ones that we are introduced to.
There was one scene in the book that just about killed me emotionally, the fear of loss that might be coming, the pain of what was seen through Aubrey’s eyes, the relief, then the sadness , but the hope, it tore me up.
None of the books in this series are what I would call light fluffy reading, you know that from the blurbs, but I think this one was the heaviest to read emotionally. Maybe it is because I knew this one would be the conclusion and I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t been able to pin point where Ryan was going to go in any of these books, he stayed one step ahead of me, and I wanted to know that my boys were going to be ok. That coupled with all of the heart wrenching scenes is what kept me holding my breath, blinking away tears. There was just so much anticipation for what was coming. Do not let me leave you thinking that there is no happiness in this book because there is. There were scenes that made me smile and kept my hope alive. More or less, I was all over the emotional grid with State of Nature and the entire Park Service Trilogy.
I was surprised by the ending and still am thinking back over it a couple of days later. I am not just left thinking about Aubrey and Jimmy, but about the rest of his people. What is their future going to hold?
I am so glad I bought this trilogy. It was a completely amazing, breath taking series that I could not imagine missing out on. I think I am going to gift all 3 books to my teenage son. He is going to love this one as much as I did.
October 14, 2014
Such a great read!!! This series has been such a journey. Warning - If you do not want to end up an ugly-crying- sobbing mess, DO NOT READ THE EPILOGUE!!!!! I was completely devastated by the epilogue!
I have always felt the heart of this story is the friendship between Aubrey and Jimmy. They are so loyal to each other, and sacrifice at every turn. Pretty much the whole time they stay at each other's side. The platonic "I Love You" scene is touching. It really shows the depth of their relationship.
The book is all from Aubrey's POV, again, and you get to see how he isn't trying to be a hero, just do the right thing. Hannah is as crazy as her father, such hatred for no reason.
With any Dystopian series, things are mostly grim, you see sparks of hope, only to have them stamped out. This journey breaks your heart more than one. The second book was tough, losing the people on the Isle of Man, Junior and a possible love interest for Jimmy. Reading the books all together, that wound is still fresh. This book rips those wounds open and throws a little salt in as well.
There are may twists and turns revealed, one I suspected, others were a shock. Truly engaging and dynamic story telling kept the story moving, even when the action was at a lull. I loved every minute of the journey, even the ones that had me in tears. This story highlights the worst of man and the best of us as well. One of my favorite quotes was "Would I give up innocence for wisdom", it is one of the key themes for Aubrey. It is a wonder he trusts anyone in the end.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Braun, who delivers a wonderful read. He has consistent and distinct voices throughout the read. My only real complaint is that the pace is very slow, even when I sped it up in the app. Fortunately that did not effect the energy of the story throughout the read. I love his tone, especially when he is reading for Jimmy. He adds just the perfect touches to bringing the tale to life. I am definitely looking for more of his reads.
This series has been such a delight and heartbreak at the same time. When I requested a copy from the author, I really did not know what I was in for. This is one of those stories and characters that will stay with me a long time. When I think of them, there will be tears and smiles. These kinds of books are made to make you stop and think. I can only how that the powerful message is delivered to many young people.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
I have always felt the heart of this story is the friendship between Aubrey and Jimmy. They are so loyal to each other, and sacrifice at every turn. Pretty much the whole time they stay at each other's side. The platonic "I Love You" scene is touching. It really shows the depth of their relationship.
The book is all from Aubrey's POV, again, and you get to see how he isn't trying to be a hero, just do the right thing. Hannah is as crazy as her father, such hatred for no reason.
With any Dystopian series, things are mostly grim, you see sparks of hope, only to have them stamped out. This journey breaks your heart more than one. The second book was tough, losing the people on the Isle of Man, Junior and a possible love interest for Jimmy. Reading the books all together, that wound is still fresh. This book rips those wounds open and throws a little salt in as well.
There are may twists and turns revealed, one I suspected, others were a shock. Truly engaging and dynamic story telling kept the story moving, even when the action was at a lull. I loved every minute of the journey, even the ones that had me in tears. This story highlights the worst of man and the best of us as well. One of my favorite quotes was "Would I give up innocence for wisdom", it is one of the key themes for Aubrey. It is a wonder he trusts anyone in the end.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Braun, who delivers a wonderful read. He has consistent and distinct voices throughout the read. My only real complaint is that the pace is very slow, even when I sped it up in the app. Fortunately that did not effect the energy of the story throughout the read. I love his tone, especially when he is reading for Jimmy. He adds just the perfect touches to bringing the tale to life. I am definitely looking for more of his reads.
This series has been such a delight and heartbreak at the same time. When I requested a copy from the author, I really did not know what I was in for. This is one of those stories and characters that will stay with me a long time. When I think of them, there will be tears and smiles. These kinds of books are made to make you stop and think. I can only how that the powerful message is delivered to many young people.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
January 19, 2014
Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 STARS
Ryan Winfield has captivated his audience from the beginning of the Park Service Trilogy. In his final installment, he again brings us to the future where Aubrey and Jimmy must fight for the freedom of the people of Holocene II. What they find when they return to the Foundation both amazes and angers them both. But, they have to face their fears, fight their anger and push forward.
Hannah is her father … determined to keep the world a vast wasteland and doing anything that she can to make sure their dreams of the perfect, untainted world are brought to life. She has enlisted the help of the tunnelrats and is rebuilding the Foundation. But, because of rumors in Holocene II, she cannot get the supplies she needs. She has a proposition for Aubrey and Jimmy which they feel compelled to take. It’s the only way to save his people.
Aubrey and Jimmy travel to Holocene II to deliver the lie that they must tell to save Red and ensure the safety of Holocene II. Hannah is threatening to flood them if Jimmy does not tell them that Eden is being rebuilt and they will all have their places there once it is completed. Aubrey is devastated that he has to lie to these people, not tell them of the fate awaiting them when they do go to Eden. What choice does he have – Jimmy and Red will be killed if he doesn’t.
What Aubrey meets with when he returns to Holocene II has placed him on the path to free his people, to help everyone and to find out the truth behind all the lies …. his mother is alive!
Battles are won and lost … Aubrey learns a lot about life … Jimmy grows into the man that we always knew that he would with the right guidance. We meet several new people that both intrigue and amaze us and are the key to defeating Hannah. When she is brought down, it’s with a cost … one that Aubrey hated to pay but knew that he had no choice. Alone again and not knowing what is really happening with Holocene II, he walks the forest, wants to die but keeps pushing on. Only to find that everyone is free and searching for him. Finally reunited with Jimmy, he has a decision to make. Either he destroys his love for Jimmy or he embraces it.
State of Nature brought to the conclusion a very powerful and soul-searching trilogy. Mr. Winfield’s writing has excelled and his story-telling capabilities are unbelievable. He leaves you breathless and excited waiting to see what the next twist or turn is going to be. Has you sitting on the edge of your seat as the story comes to an end. The final betrayal is one that will leave you in tears.
5 STARS
Ryan Winfield has captivated his audience from the beginning of the Park Service Trilogy. In his final installment, he again brings us to the future where Aubrey and Jimmy must fight for the freedom of the people of Holocene II. What they find when they return to the Foundation both amazes and angers them both. But, they have to face their fears, fight their anger and push forward.
Hannah is her father … determined to keep the world a vast wasteland and doing anything that she can to make sure their dreams of the perfect, untainted world are brought to life. She has enlisted the help of the tunnelrats and is rebuilding the Foundation. But, because of rumors in Holocene II, she cannot get the supplies she needs. She has a proposition for Aubrey and Jimmy which they feel compelled to take. It’s the only way to save his people.
Aubrey and Jimmy travel to Holocene II to deliver the lie that they must tell to save Red and ensure the safety of Holocene II. Hannah is threatening to flood them if Jimmy does not tell them that Eden is being rebuilt and they will all have their places there once it is completed. Aubrey is devastated that he has to lie to these people, not tell them of the fate awaiting them when they do go to Eden. What choice does he have – Jimmy and Red will be killed if he doesn’t.
What Aubrey meets with when he returns to Holocene II has placed him on the path to free his people, to help everyone and to find out the truth behind all the lies …. his mother is alive!
Battles are won and lost … Aubrey learns a lot about life … Jimmy grows into the man that we always knew that he would with the right guidance. We meet several new people that both intrigue and amaze us and are the key to defeating Hannah. When she is brought down, it’s with a cost … one that Aubrey hated to pay but knew that he had no choice. Alone again and not knowing what is really happening with Holocene II, he walks the forest, wants to die but keeps pushing on. Only to find that everyone is free and searching for him. Finally reunited with Jimmy, he has a decision to make. Either he destroys his love for Jimmy or he embraces it.
State of Nature brought to the conclusion a very powerful and soul-searching trilogy. Mr. Winfield’s writing has excelled and his story-telling capabilities are unbelievable. He leaves you breathless and excited waiting to see what the next twist or turn is going to be. Has you sitting on the edge of your seat as the story comes to an end. The final betrayal is one that will leave you in tears.
November 24, 2013
Read the official announcement HERE.
New Release
Dear Friends,
I'm proud to announce the release of STATE OF NATURE, the final chapter in my TPS trilogy – a tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure.
Buy on Kindle
Buy on Nook
Buy on Kobo
Paperback
The final chapter...
After leaving the Isle of Man, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II only to find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Don't miss the epic trilogy conclusion you'll have to read yourself to believe. Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire readers of all ages.
View the official announcement on the web
New Release
Dear Friends,
I'm proud to announce the release of STATE OF NATURE, the final chapter in my TPS trilogy – a tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure.
Buy on Kindle
Buy on Nook
Buy on Kobo
Paperback
The final chapter...
After leaving the Isle of Man, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II only to find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Don't miss the epic trilogy conclusion you'll have to read yourself to believe. Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire readers of all ages.
View the official announcement on the web
January 16, 2017
Honestly, I bought the first book in this series on a whim. I didn't bother to check the reviews, I only bothered to read the description. I thought to myself, what the heck if I don't like it no big deal. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with this book. The main characters were wonderful, in my opinion. I loved the clash of two people coming from entirely different lives becoming friends. Although this is a book that is quite sad at times, it is also a book that shows you many different sides of humanity.
I tried to take my time in reading this last book because I wanted to cherish it. I'm not one to reread many books but this is one that I will definitely reread. I have already recommended it to my bookworm friends.
Overall review: Give this book a chance. I am glad I did.
I tried to take my time in reading this last book because I wanted to cherish it. I'm not one to reread many books but this is one that I will definitely reread. I have already recommended it to my bookworm friends.
Overall review: Give this book a chance. I am glad I did.
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