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Shell: Surface to Air
*This edition is discontinued and has been republished in full as Shell.
Imagine a world where fresh air and natural light are distant memories. Where a claustrophobic city lies along the seabed, built to protect humanity from disaster. For the last decade, this is what Red has called home.
In the first part of Chris Gill's debut novel, Shell, we get to know the fiery heroine who yearns for escape. We also meet the people she holds dear to her heart, and the people she doesn’t. We travel through the dark and dingy depths of the United Underworld, experiencing the claustrophobic dystopia that would have anyone yearning for escape, and for the warm rays of sunshine...
Are you ready to enter The Shell?
Imagine a world where fresh air and natural light are distant memories. Where a claustrophobic city lies along the seabed, built to protect humanity from disaster. For the last decade, this is what Red has called home.
In the first part of Chris Gill's debut novel, Shell, we get to know the fiery heroine who yearns for escape. We also meet the people she holds dear to her heart, and the people she doesn’t. We travel through the dark and dingy depths of the United Underworld, experiencing the claustrophobic dystopia that would have anyone yearning for escape, and for the warm rays of sunshine...
Are you ready to enter The Shell?
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2014
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 28, 2014
Shell: Surface to Air is a dystopian novella and the first part of the novel Surface to Air by the ever-eloquent Chris Gill. Featuring multiple points of view, Shell focuses on an ensemble cast who find themselves on the fringe of society as they question the government’s level transparency and motives. Given the setting (humanity was forced to evacuate into sub-ocean cities when an asteroid destroyed all surface life Earth), the reader can’t help but question whether these characters are growing paranoid or going stir crazy. On the other hand, Chris also plays on current socio-political trends, which feed into our natural distrust towards those in power and cause us to sympathize with the questions these characters pose.
Red is a woman who, in real life, few would probably get along with, and that’s just the way she’d like. This is not to say she is “unlikeable” but rather, Chris has shaped her to be an individual, not the reader’s avatar. Her strong will and free-thinking mind become a double-edged sword: You like her because she doesn’t take shit from anyone, but she also pushes the good people away. Her unyielding desire to uncover the truth is the driving force that sets the novel off.
Those with a taste for conspiracy theories, multiple points of view, prose that highlight concepts and topical points, and of course, fiery women with a penchant for leather jackets, should definitely check out Shell: Surface to Air. It’s a great introduction into what promises to be a breath of fresh air in the dystopian genre!
Just know, this is only one part of a full novel, so the ending will definitely leave you wanting more.
Red is a woman who, in real life, few would probably get along with, and that’s just the way she’d like. This is not to say she is “unlikeable” but rather, Chris has shaped her to be an individual, not the reader’s avatar. Her strong will and free-thinking mind become a double-edged sword: You like her because she doesn’t take shit from anyone, but she also pushes the good people away. Her unyielding desire to uncover the truth is the driving force that sets the novel off.
Those with a taste for conspiracy theories, multiple points of view, prose that highlight concepts and topical points, and of course, fiery women with a penchant for leather jackets, should definitely check out Shell: Surface to Air. It’s a great introduction into what promises to be a breath of fresh air in the dystopian genre!
Just know, this is only one part of a full novel, so the ending will definitely leave you wanting more.
June 18, 2014
This book is right up my alley. I have a tendency to lean towards dystopian/post apocalyptic books so when I read the synopsis I figured that I would be worth a read. I'm so glad I did! I love the main character Red, her attitude, her friendships/relationships with those around her. I thought the fact that they were underwater instead of on the surface was a fresh take on the post apocalyptic genre and that they are cut off from what is really going on above ground, being lead by an untrustworthy government . Lots of refreshing elements to this book.
The only part I didn't like...the cliffhanger ending! I'm impatient so I can't wait until part 2 comes out!!
This is a must read!
The only part I didn't like...the cliffhanger ending! I'm impatient so I can't wait until part 2 comes out!!
This is a must read!
December 7, 2015
This story kept moving and the main character, Red, had good development. Her motivations are believable. I like the intensity and pace of this story. The premise of the story was explained well and I can empathize with Red in her dislike of the antagonist. This is book one of the series. It leaves off well and leaves me wanting to grab the next book to find out what happens to Red and the other characters.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews