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The Runner #1-3
Silo Submerged
In the depths of Silo 35, water is pouring in at an unstoppable rate. Ace and a team of Divers are doing the best they can to avert this disaster, but it may not be enough.
When Ace proposes another, more drastic way of saving the silo's population, he is banished for his sin of toxic words. What happens during and after his cleaning is unprecedented and will greatly affect the future of the silos.
Originally published in three parts (The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher), Silo Submerged is a 75,000 word novel that takes the reader on a very personal journey through the vivid world Hugh Howey created with his Silo Saga (WOOL, SHIFT and DUST). This series was published with the full support of Mr. Howey and has gone on to sell over 15,000 copies.
When Ace proposes another, more drastic way of saving the silo's population, he is banished for his sin of toxic words. What happens during and after his cleaning is unprecedented and will greatly affect the future of the silos.
Originally published in three parts (The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher), Silo Submerged is a 75,000 word novel that takes the reader on a very personal journey through the vivid world Hugh Howey created with his Silo Saga (WOOL, SHIFT and DUST). This series was published with the full support of Mr. Howey and has gone on to sell over 15,000 copies.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2013
About the author
W.J. Davies
19 books56 followersHello everyone,
My name is Wes Davies and I write under the name WJ Davies.
I currently have three novellas set in the Silo universe available entitled The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher. These works are inspired by Hugh Howey's bestselling WOOL series and, unbelievably, have sold over 15,000 copies since January '13.
Living in Toronto, I work for a computer software company and write in my spare time, always dreaming up the next story idea while I write my current one. I take a lot of time to edit and was lucky enough to find an amazing group of beta readers who constantly keep me on my toes.
My all original work is a novel called Binary Cycle, the first part of which is available in the kindle store. This is the story that got me into writing, and I can't wait to release the next two installments. Look for Binary Cycle: Revelations in October.
I read a lot of Sci-Fi and am amazed at the quality work other authors are putting out there right now. Some recent favourites include The Martian, Voyage, Greatfall, and Atopia Chronicles.
This is truly an exciting time to be a writer or a reader. As long as we strive to produce our best quality work, the rising tide will lift all ships. I try to release a new work every 6-8 weeks, so come join the fun. Keep in touch on twitter @wjdaviesauthor or visit my website.
See you around.
My name is Wes Davies and I write under the name WJ Davies.
I currently have three novellas set in the Silo universe available entitled The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher. These works are inspired by Hugh Howey's bestselling WOOL series and, unbelievably, have sold over 15,000 copies since January '13.
Living in Toronto, I work for a computer software company and write in my spare time, always dreaming up the next story idea while I write my current one. I take a lot of time to edit and was lucky enough to find an amazing group of beta readers who constantly keep me on my toes.
My all original work is a novel called Binary Cycle, the first part of which is available in the kindle store. This is the story that got me into writing, and I can't wait to release the next two installments. Look for Binary Cycle: Revelations in October.
I read a lot of Sci-Fi and am amazed at the quality work other authors are putting out there right now. Some recent favourites include The Martian, Voyage, Greatfall, and Atopia Chronicles.
This is truly an exciting time to be a writer or a reader. As long as we strive to produce our best quality work, the rising tide will lift all ships. I try to release a new work every 6-8 weeks, so come join the fun. Keep in touch on twitter @wjdaviesauthor or visit my website.
See you around.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 25, 2025
More love of the silo world
Another adventure into the lives of dwellers in two silos. Can they save each other? Food for thought. These stories expand the silo world just a bit. Human nature doesn't seem to change much. Love it!
Another adventure into the lives of dwellers in two silos. Can they save each other? Food for thought. These stories expand the silo world just a bit. Human nature doesn't seem to change much. Love it!
January 18, 2015
th
The writing was decent, and the story was told well for the first half.
Mr. Davies might have stopped there.
The middle of the book starts beating us over the head with borderline-polemical morality plays about a right-wing ethic surrounding the modern culture war issues of abortion and homosexuality. Oh, everyone instinctively feels that a new pregnancy is a baby whose life is more important than that of the parents? is that reflected in the real world? Oh, a gay guy can just decide to turn straight from loneliness? Mr. Davies is artlessly trying to press a view on the reader, and it's not one that I think is right or that I wanted to have shoved on me while taking in some escapist reading.
The writing was decent, and the story was told well for the first half.
Mr. Davies might have stopped there.
The middle of the book starts beating us over the head with borderline-polemical morality plays about a right-wing ethic surrounding the modern culture war issues of abortion and homosexuality. Oh, everyone instinctively feels that a new pregnancy is a baby whose life is more important than that of the parents? is that reflected in the real world? Oh, a gay guy can just decide to turn straight from loneliness? Mr. Davies is artlessly trying to press a view on the reader, and it's not one that I think is right or that I wanted to have shoved on me while taking in some escapist reading.
April 3, 2018
2.5 stars. The first book and perhaps the second were better ... perhaps three stars, but then it went downhill. Nothing original added to Howrey’s universe and, although it’s been a while since I read the Wool books, the second half doesn’t even seem consistent therewith.
March 15, 2024
I grabbed a copy of this via Kindle Unlimited. This is a series of three short dystopian stories in a trilogy all in one book. This trilogy is very similar in ways to the world that Hugh Howey created in his Silo series and was published with the full support of him.
I read this book back in 2023, but my life didn't allow me to write the review of it at the time. I found this a thought provoking series of stories and it was right up my street as the dystopian genre is one that I do enjoy. It was a good edition to the dystopian genre set around the world that Hugh Howey created.
Can Ace and his team of Divers save the future of Silo 35 as it is beginning to fill with water and the disaster that this may cause will possibly see the end of the inhabitants of the Silo or will they fail at every turn? Ace has some ideas that may help, but can he be believed and allowed to do what he proposes. Not everyone will be behind him and may have other ideas themselves that may put his life at risk.
I read this book back in 2023, but my life didn't allow me to write the review of it at the time. I found this a thought provoking series of stories and it was right up my street as the dystopian genre is one that I do enjoy. It was a good edition to the dystopian genre set around the world that Hugh Howey created.
Can Ace and his team of Divers save the future of Silo 35 as it is beginning to fill with water and the disaster that this may cause will possibly see the end of the inhabitants of the Silo or will they fail at every turn? Ace has some ideas that may help, but can he be believed and allowed to do what he proposes. Not everyone will be behind him and may have other ideas themselves that may put his life at risk.
August 23, 2018
Intensely Wool
I was totally impressed by Ann Christy's fan fiction -Silo 49 and stunned by how easily it fit into The Wool universe. Davies wrote a miniseries that is just as good and fits into Wool as nicely. The characters and silos are written as well and in the same style as Howey.
The introduction of a same-sex long-term relationship was a welcome surprise to the Wool universe. It never occurred to me how the Silos would handle that. This book does it very well and the pressures that result on individuals are nestled into all the other pressures of a closed, failing environment built on lies and secrecy.
This book made it an easy decision to read more of his books.
I was totally impressed by Ann Christy's fan fiction -Silo 49 and stunned by how easily it fit into The Wool universe. Davies wrote a miniseries that is just as good and fits into Wool as nicely. The characters and silos are written as well and in the same style as Howey.
The introduction of a same-sex long-term relationship was a welcome surprise to the Wool universe. It never occurred to me how the Silos would handle that. This book does it very well and the pressures that result on individuals are nestled into all the other pressures of a closed, failing environment built on lies and secrecy.
This book made it an easy decision to read more of his books.
February 4, 2021
Dark and fascinating, another must-have for the entire Wool Universe experience.
The Runner: This story was both haunting and terrifying, but also beautiful and it made me sad. Poor Ace.
The Diver: This part of the story is full of new information, some of it dark and shocking.
The Watcher: A different type of society, and a different form of cleaning. This is a story of two silos, both with civilization ending issues.
Awesome addition to the Wool universe, definitely don't pass this one up.
The Runner: This story was both haunting and terrifying, but also beautiful and it made me sad. Poor Ace.
The Diver: This part of the story is full of new information, some of it dark and shocking.
The Watcher: A different type of society, and a different form of cleaning. This is a story of two silos, both with civilization ending issues.
Awesome addition to the Wool universe, definitely don't pass this one up.
March 15, 2018
A stellar entry in the Silo universe.
I've read Hugh Howey's originals, and Ann Chrisy's Silo 49 series as well.
Ann Christy's tales were enjoyable, but lacked a certain dark overtone that made Howey's originals so compelling.
W.J. Davies *nails it* on that front. Not only is he a great writer, but he applies those skills masterfully to this particular world. He captures the feel perfectly, and created a real page-turner here.
I've read Hugh Howey's originals, and Ann Chrisy's Silo 49 series as well.
Ann Christy's tales were enjoyable, but lacked a certain dark overtone that made Howey's originals so compelling.
W.J. Davies *nails it* on that front. Not only is he a great writer, but he applies those skills masterfully to this particular world. He captures the feel perfectly, and created a real page-turner here.
November 18, 2017
🌟🌟🌟⭐
The Silo stories are always troubling, yet show hope for humanity no matter how dire the circumstances.
I liked this, a nice read though I was expecting to see more about the actual flooding.
The Silo stories are always troubling, yet show hope for humanity no matter how dire the circumstances.
I liked this, a nice read though I was expecting to see more about the actual flooding.
April 19, 2019
Good plot but a bit heavy on the trendy love story
I thought the story concept was very interesting and we'll developed. The characters were moderately well developed, but most ink was spent on the main character and most of that on his inner turmoil regarding his love life.
I thought the story concept was very interesting and we'll developed. The characters were moderately well developed, but most ink was spent on the main character and most of that on his inner turmoil regarding his love life.
May 19, 2019
Absolutely loved it!!
Oh wow, another great silo read. Awesome characters, and yet another great idea coming about from Hugh Howey's original wool trilogy of his silo universe. Definitely give this one a read!
Oh wow, another great silo read. Awesome characters, and yet another great idea coming about from Hugh Howey's original wool trilogy of his silo universe. Definitely give this one a read!
August 25, 2019
Good read, if you liked the silo series.
Held my attention, wish there was more at the end so he definitely could have added more. I’m going to see if there is a next series from him.
Held my attention, wish there was more at the end so he definitely could have added more. I’m going to see if there is a next series from him.
April 24, 2018
Enjoyable series, great addition to the "Wool" stories!
Great addition to Hugh Howie's Wool series! Enjoyed the stories and the writing style. Will read more from this author.
Great addition to Hugh Howie's Wool series! Enjoyed the stories and the writing style. Will read more from this author.
May 22, 2018
I liked it. A new story in a familiar world. If you are a fan of the original Silo Trilogy, give this one a try.
July 14, 2018
I love the idea of new authors building on the collective Silo world's. this story is quick, fun, and holds true to the style and wimsy of it's foundational story.
November 29, 2019
Dnf after 10%. Sorry not what I was expecting, just couldn't get any further.
January 1, 2024
Average
Started off OK but then the story became a bit basic with too many mixed messages that didn't add any value. Good effort in completing the series of books.
Started off OK but then the story became a bit basic with too many mixed messages that didn't add any value. Good effort in completing the series of books.
September 27, 2024
fantastic story!!
Thank you WJ for writing this fantastic sequel to Wool series. This was so good and uplifting and I stayed up to early morning to finish it. Thanks again !
Thank you WJ for writing this fantastic sequel to Wool series. This was so good and uplifting and I stayed up to early morning to finish it. Thanks again !
September 8, 2016
A tale of two silos in one terrific trilogy!
This omnibus is a compilation of three parts, telling one larger tale.
In The Runner, we meet Ace and Mick in flashbacks, inhabitants of Silo 35. They are a gay couple who get into some trouble when Mick is inadvertently responsible for a catastrophic accident that causes the silo to start filling with water. Mick is punished for his actions, leaving Ace distraught. In the present, Ace becomes a diver, with the goal of trying to slow down the rising water in the silo. But he starts talking about taking drastic solutions, and the head of IT, Beety, feels this agitator will cause a lot of problems by continuing to espouse his views. Ace is sent to clean and in the process, embark on his true destiny.
In The Diver, we meet Ace's diving partner Tommy, in a story running concurrent with The Runner. Tommy and his girlfriend face a predicament with far-reaching consequences for them both. Beety sent Ace to clean for his dangerous and drastic opinions on how to save the silo, which in turn, actually caused more violent chaos in the silo than it tried to solve. Beety's shadow, Tony, receives advice from an unexpected source in order to clean up the mess and bring the uproar to a peaceful end. Taking the story beyond the finale of The Runner, these two parts of the story form one cohesive narrative with the central question of what to do about the rising water still unresolved.
In The Watcher, we see how Ace's fate in the finale is not what we expected. He encounters the silo next to his, learns that the residents of Silo 36 rescued him. Not only that, he learns about how it's culture is vastly different from all of the others silos because it is fully self-aware of all of the other silos around it!
There is a prophecy at work here and Silo 36 believes Ace is at the center of it. Ace's desire to save his own silo intertwines with that of the deep problems facing Silo 36. Ace comes to realize the role he is meant to play here, as having a foot in both silos and their problems gives him a unique worldview, helping him provide true hope and save two silos from their fates! It also makes him a target of those who look at his arrival as a threat to their status quo.
This finale to the Silo Submerged trilogy brings the storyline to a close and simultaneously presents a new beginning for the residents of Silo 35 and 36. I read the story in three installments over a span of months, but now that the Silo Submerged trilogy has been published in one volume, you can get the whole story in one complete package and see for yourself how the author weaves a suspenseful and captivating tale of two silos together.
This omnibus is a compilation of three parts, telling one larger tale.
In The Runner, we meet Ace and Mick in flashbacks, inhabitants of Silo 35. They are a gay couple who get into some trouble when Mick is inadvertently responsible for a catastrophic accident that causes the silo to start filling with water. Mick is punished for his actions, leaving Ace distraught. In the present, Ace becomes a diver, with the goal of trying to slow down the rising water in the silo. But he starts talking about taking drastic solutions, and the head of IT, Beety, feels this agitator will cause a lot of problems by continuing to espouse his views. Ace is sent to clean and in the process, embark on his true destiny.
In The Diver, we meet Ace's diving partner Tommy, in a story running concurrent with The Runner. Tommy and his girlfriend face a predicament with far-reaching consequences for them both. Beety sent Ace to clean for his dangerous and drastic opinions on how to save the silo, which in turn, actually caused more violent chaos in the silo than it tried to solve. Beety's shadow, Tony, receives advice from an unexpected source in order to clean up the mess and bring the uproar to a peaceful end. Taking the story beyond the finale of The Runner, these two parts of the story form one cohesive narrative with the central question of what to do about the rising water still unresolved.
In The Watcher, we see how Ace's fate in the finale is not what we expected. He encounters the silo next to his, learns that the residents of Silo 36 rescued him. Not only that, he learns about how it's culture is vastly different from all of the others silos because it is fully self-aware of all of the other silos around it!
There is a prophecy at work here and Silo 36 believes Ace is at the center of it. Ace's desire to save his own silo intertwines with that of the deep problems facing Silo 36. Ace comes to realize the role he is meant to play here, as having a foot in both silos and their problems gives him a unique worldview, helping him provide true hope and save two silos from their fates! It also makes him a target of those who look at his arrival as a threat to their status quo.
This finale to the Silo Submerged trilogy brings the storyline to a close and simultaneously presents a new beginning for the residents of Silo 35 and 36. I read the story in three installments over a span of months, but now that the Silo Submerged trilogy has been published in one volume, you can get the whole story in one complete package and see for yourself how the author weaves a suspenseful and captivating tale of two silos together.
March 26, 2014
Now you may have guessed from my review history that I am partial to anything Wool (that is the book not the ball of)related, having read the original story I have been overwhelmed by the continuation of the silo stories in such books as Karma of the Silo and now this brilliant book Silo Submerged by WJ Davies.
Now I am writing this hoping you have a little knowledge of what this world is about, no you don't? Okay quick recap!!
Bombs go off
People go underground to live in 144 floor deep silos
Population controlled by silo 1 and various drugs
All hell can potentially go off due to the various things that come with people living in close proximity underground
No knowledge of the world outside or other silos
I think that does it for my quick recap, read the books people they will fill you in!!
Anyway back to the main review, Silo Submerged in a word is fantastic, based in silo 35, we discover that this silo is flooding, many of the deep levels are totally gone.
We meet Ace who is a talented diver who goes down to try and lessen the water level. Ace has a secret which is frowned upon by the denizens of the silo in that he is in a relationship with another man Mick. A same sex relationship is frowned on in the silo as it means no children will be born which the powers that be do not like.
Mick unfortunately is sent for cleaning and Ace is devastated but he continues his life until one day he has a near death experience whilst diving and he realises that something must be done, help must be sent for, they should not be living like this. The Head of IT disagrees and because of his blasphemous opinions Ace must be sent to clean.
Now this were the story really kicks off, Ace does not clean and outside he comes across the remains of his lover and unfortunately the people watching also see him make this discovery. All hell breaks loose and people try to escape the silo which results in their death, whilst this happens Ace manages to get to silo 36 which is unheard of and that is where I will end my recap as I will end up spoiling the story for you!
This is story of love and a story of hope, the silo is such a formidable claustrophobic place how people manage to live there day after day is beyond me!
WJ Davies has done a fantastic job of expanding the WOOLiverse and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book.
Now I am writing this hoping you have a little knowledge of what this world is about, no you don't? Okay quick recap!!
Bombs go off
People go underground to live in 144 floor deep silos
Population controlled by silo 1 and various drugs
All hell can potentially go off due to the various things that come with people living in close proximity underground
No knowledge of the world outside or other silos
I think that does it for my quick recap, read the books people they will fill you in!!
Anyway back to the main review, Silo Submerged in a word is fantastic, based in silo 35, we discover that this silo is flooding, many of the deep levels are totally gone.
We meet Ace who is a talented diver who goes down to try and lessen the water level. Ace has a secret which is frowned upon by the denizens of the silo in that he is in a relationship with another man Mick. A same sex relationship is frowned on in the silo as it means no children will be born which the powers that be do not like.
Mick unfortunately is sent for cleaning and Ace is devastated but he continues his life until one day he has a near death experience whilst diving and he realises that something must be done, help must be sent for, they should not be living like this. The Head of IT disagrees and because of his blasphemous opinions Ace must be sent to clean.
Now this were the story really kicks off, Ace does not clean and outside he comes across the remains of his lover and unfortunately the people watching also see him make this discovery. All hell breaks loose and people try to escape the silo which results in their death, whilst this happens Ace manages to get to silo 36 which is unheard of and that is where I will end my recap as I will end up spoiling the story for you!
This is story of love and a story of hope, the silo is such a formidable claustrophobic place how people manage to live there day after day is beyond me!
WJ Davies has done a fantastic job of expanding the WOOLiverse and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book.
December 6, 2015
Some fan fiction STINKS, but this one - It was GREAT
Prior to reading a few "freebie promo books", I had steered clear of "Fan Fiction" because I felt as if it was not a TRUE BOOK - I thought, "How Could it be - the author 'borrowed' from someone else's original idea... Comparing in my mind fan fiction to, say, painting a painting OF another person's original art, changing a few details and calling it your own, or photo-shopping someone's original picture and calling it 'yours'... I thought of it as 'cheating', and I am very much against that sort of thing.
Now that I have a much better understanding of how FAN-FICTION works in the literary world (Thanks, mostly, to having first read Ann Christy's Silo Fan Fiction!!) I can read and appreciate each story as it's OWN piece of work, not a copied concept but rather putting pen to paper and detailing what "I WONDER WHAT IF" was going through the mind of the authors who read the books they write fan fiction about.
Some are good, some are so-so, some fan fiction STINKS, but this one - It was GREAT.
It's been a while since I completed this series so I can't leave a detailed review - but I DO remember I loved it.
("There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation." William Paley
Something I Truly try not to do, but am guilty of having done as far as Fan Fiction goes. Kudos, to the authors who offered freebies to show me the error of my ways!)
Prior to reading a few "freebie promo books", I had steered clear of "Fan Fiction" because I felt as if it was not a TRUE BOOK - I thought, "How Could it be - the author 'borrowed' from someone else's original idea... Comparing in my mind fan fiction to, say, painting a painting OF another person's original art, changing a few details and calling it your own, or photo-shopping someone's original picture and calling it 'yours'... I thought of it as 'cheating', and I am very much against that sort of thing.
Now that I have a much better understanding of how FAN-FICTION works in the literary world (Thanks, mostly, to having first read Ann Christy's Silo Fan Fiction!!) I can read and appreciate each story as it's OWN piece of work, not a copied concept but rather putting pen to paper and detailing what "I WONDER WHAT IF" was going through the mind of the authors who read the books they write fan fiction about.
Some are good, some are so-so, some fan fiction STINKS, but this one - It was GREAT.
It's been a while since I completed this series so I can't leave a detailed review - but I DO remember I loved it.
("There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation." William Paley
Something I Truly try not to do, but am guilty of having done as far as Fan Fiction goes. Kudos, to the authors who offered freebies to show me the error of my ways!)
August 25, 2015
Silo Submerged is a great addition to the Wool series. When authors start writing in another authors world you always wonder if it will meet or exceed the original author. I will say now that W.J. Davies did a superb job with this book. It has been a while since I read Wool, but Silo Submerged felt just like Wool did, like meeting up with an old friend. It is an outstanding book and a must read for anyone who enjoys the world of Wool.
February 14, 2017
Silo 36 is flooding. They're losing floors one by one, the population getting cramped on the higher levels. Things are already on the verge of chaos, so an unsuccessful cleaning pushes things over the edge.
This story set in the Wool universe lets us into some more Silo's. However, unlike the original which introduced characters in order to follow their stories, this series introduced characters, followed their stories slightly, but failed to resolve them.
This story set in the Wool universe lets us into some more Silo's. However, unlike the original which introduced characters in order to follow their stories, this series introduced characters, followed their stories slightly, but failed to resolve them.
June 15, 2023
Well written and enjoyable
I enjoyed this book set in the Wool/Silo universe, but I did find it a bit off from the original series. Nothing majorly wrong just things like a single person having a multi room apartment in a overcrowded silo, when in others they were a whole family in a two room if lucky.
The story is a fun read if a bit implausible from the perspective of silo one not interfering.
I enjoyed this book set in the Wool/Silo universe, but I did find it a bit off from the original series. Nothing majorly wrong just things like a single person having a multi room apartment in a overcrowded silo, when in others they were a whole family in a two room if lucky.
The story is a fun read if a bit implausible from the perspective of silo one not interfering.
April 3, 2014
I have read many silo fan fiction and Silo Submerged was the best one or definitely one of the best. The first two parts were good read, but not amazing. The third part however was very good.I liked all the ideas and the ending. Must to read for all silo world fans!
August 5, 2016
I <3 love <3 when other authors pay respect to a series/worlds that they love by creating alternate plots in that world, with the original author's blessings of course!
This collection of 3 stories set in the world of WOOL is well written and simply gripping :)
This collection of 3 stories set in the world of WOOL is well written and simply gripping :)
April 12, 2014
Excellent book, I am caught up in the whole Silo story!
December 17, 2014
This book stays true to the Silo Series and has a few twists of its own. If you like the WOOL series, then you will like this book as well.
July 31, 2016
Great Silo story.
I liked this book, but it was a little predictable. Well developed characters and a nice style of writing made this story a good read.
I liked this book, but it was a little predictable. Well developed characters and a nice style of writing made this story a good read.
September 23, 2016
Very solid fan fiction set in the Wool universe.
December 21, 2016
Silo
From the inspiration of Hugh Howey the Silo saga continues with the imagination of WJ Davies. Excellent story. Thanks Mr Davies.
From the inspiration of Hugh Howey the Silo saga continues with the imagination of WJ Davies. Excellent story. Thanks Mr Davies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews