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Dark Republic #1
Soledad
A BROKEN-WORLD FUTURE YOU WON'T FORGET. A GRIPPING, FAST-PACED STORY YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN. WINNER OF THE INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD.
Soledad Paz is a slave, sold to a ruthless rebel leader by marauders who raided her home and murdered her parents. With her remarkable ability to see through any deception, she's become an invaluable--and unwilling--secret weapon in the war to control the Republic.
When a ghost from her former life unexpectedly appears, everything she thought she knew about her past shatters into oblivion and she resolves to find the truth...by any means necessary.
But in the dark republic, the truth is never simple...and it's never what you expect.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2016
159 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Young
24 books187 followersD.L. Young is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the Independent Press Award.
EMPIRE AND ASHES SERIES
War is coming...interstellar civil war
A conflict of unimaginable scale threatens to end ten thousand years of Realm primacy.
Desperate to avoid bloodshed across the Great Arm, the empire's top spymaster takes matters into his own hands, undertaking a secret high-risk gambit to save the peace.
Jeryn Lorsi, the spymaster's apprentice, is hardly ready for an operation of this importance. An ex-black marketeer turned spy, Jeryn's no hero.
But when tragedy strikes their peacekeeping mission, that's exactly what he'll have to become.
CYBERPUNK CITY SERIES
Sprawling megacities, rogue AIs, black market tech, modded mercenaries, and pulse-pounding stories filled with unexpected twists. If you love action-packed near-future thrillers, you won't want to miss this series!
DARK REPUBLIC SERIES
For fans of Mad Max-style futuristic thrillers. In the wastelands of the near-future, rival factions wage battles over territory and precious resources, killer drones fly overhead in search of prey, and everyday life is a desperate scramble for survival.
EMPIRE AND ASHES SERIES
War is coming...interstellar civil war
A conflict of unimaginable scale threatens to end ten thousand years of Realm primacy.
Desperate to avoid bloodshed across the Great Arm, the empire's top spymaster takes matters into his own hands, undertaking a secret high-risk gambit to save the peace.
Jeryn Lorsi, the spymaster's apprentice, is hardly ready for an operation of this importance. An ex-black marketeer turned spy, Jeryn's no hero.
But when tragedy strikes their peacekeeping mission, that's exactly what he'll have to become.
CYBERPUNK CITY SERIES
Sprawling megacities, rogue AIs, black market tech, modded mercenaries, and pulse-pounding stories filled with unexpected twists. If you love action-packed near-future thrillers, you won't want to miss this series!
DARK REPUBLIC SERIES
For fans of Mad Max-style futuristic thrillers. In the wastelands of the near-future, rival factions wage battles over territory and precious resources, killer drones fly overhead in search of prey, and everyday life is a desperate scramble for survival.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 6, 2016
Soledad, the main character, isn't exactly likeable, but she's very sympathetic. At the start of the book she is a slave to a revolutionary who uses her rare talent to expand his territory. As the story goes on, it becomes completely understandable why she is so prickly and close to despair. It's an accident that she sees someone from her past that starts her on a reckless, terrifying journey to find some answers to her past.
The action is pretty much non-stop, but that doesn't mean that the post-apocalyptic setting or character development gets short shrift. Soledad becomes stronger over the course of the book. She grows and makes smarter decisions as she endures one devastating loss after another. She also doesn't loss heart, which made me admire her very much by the end.
Many of the other characters are very well developed, even ones that only show up briefly. The cities and landscapes are also well done.
I'm looking forward to the next book!
The action is pretty much non-stop, but that doesn't mean that the post-apocalyptic setting or character development gets short shrift. Soledad becomes stronger over the course of the book. She grows and makes smarter decisions as she endures one devastating loss after another. She also doesn't loss heart, which made me admire her very much by the end.
Many of the other characters are very well developed, even ones that only show up briefly. The cities and landscapes are also well done.
I'm looking forward to the next book!
July 18, 2016
As a fan of Young's short fiction, I was a little apprehensive when this novel appeared on the market (I've seen terrible things happen when authors of short stories embark on novel writing before they're ready). My worries were forgotten as soon as I started reading. The pacing is tight and fast. Even the downbeats thrum with tension as various nefarious elements within the story bear down on the protagonist. The emotional stakes are relatable and dynamic. The plot structure is well-crafted, with each new reveal a callback to earlier elements, shedding harsh light on what were already bleak scenarios. And the world! One of the best things about Young's dystopian Southwest (the "Dark Republic") is that we see such a tightly focused sliver of it through Sol's eyes that we know there's a wealth of fresh material still to play with in subsequent novels. I'm definitely looking forward to further installments in this series!
September 3, 2017
Generally, I've gotten to the point of only reading something if it pleases me, and not cluttering up my brain with half-formed stories. So, that brings me to Soledad. I started it with no expectations, but was quickly caught up with the author's gift for description, and his design of the post apocalyptic world known as the late state of Texas. His innovative ideas about what becomes currency and permits for rises to power surprised me more than a few times. In his world, natural gas is the gold of tomorrow. His characters speak a mixture of English and Spanish, and the context is clear enough that I didn't need a crash course in a different language to understand and follow what was being expressed. I appreciated that very much. He created likeable and unlikeable people to fill the pages as Soledad sets off on a life-threatening escape in order to find out what really happened to her parents.
It's good. It's very good. I have no complaints, smooth editing, rich descriptions, memorable characters, this may not have zombies, but it certainly has monsters.
It's good. It's very good. I have no complaints, smooth editing, rich descriptions, memorable characters, this may not have zombies, but it certainly has monsters.
October 24, 2017
loved this book! Really connected with Sol the main character, once she makes her mind up she let's no one change it for her. I wish I could be like that sometimes. I can't wait to read the next book.
April 23, 2016
Soledad is book one of the Dark Republic series and is set in a post-apocalyptic world, due to the fall the oil industry. Soledad is the main character who is being held captive by a rebel outlaw, Guzman, who is using her as a human lie detector. With the help of an herb called hierba Soledad is able to tell if someone is lying or telling truth and that is a very useful tool in this new world. When Soledad sees someone important from her past, who she thought dead, she escapes to find him in hopes of seeking answers.
I rather enjoyed this book and the fact that is was really well written. It was a bit slow in the beginning but I have come to find that, in the first book of a series, it usually is due to the fact that it has a lot of explaining to do to build the story. It didn't take me long to finish it, which is saying something, because if the book doesn't engage me then it takes a while for me to finish because I'm constantly putting it down to find something else to do. All in all it was a pretty good story and if you are a post apocalyptic fan then you should definitely give this one a read.
I rather enjoyed this book and the fact that is was really well written. It was a bit slow in the beginning but I have come to find that, in the first book of a series, it usually is due to the fact that it has a lot of explaining to do to build the story. It didn't take me long to finish it, which is saying something, because if the book doesn't engage me then it takes a while for me to finish because I'm constantly putting it down to find something else to do. All in all it was a pretty good story and if you are a post apocalyptic fan then you should definitely give this one a read.
November 5, 2016
I've had mixed results from picking up books sold at Conventions. This was one of the best impulse purchases I've read.
Dark dystopian set in Texas, as promised. Fast read, but satisfying. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.
Dark dystopian set in Texas, as promised. Fast read, but satisfying. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.
April 10, 2017
Awesome book
Very engaging from the beginning. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to start the next one. Lots of action and great character development.
Very engaging from the beginning. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to start the next one. Lots of action and great character development.
April 21, 2016
Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair review.
First of all, I rounded up to four stars as I would have given it 3 and one half if it was possible. This is the first book in what is to be called the "Dark Republic" series. I cannot say it left me longing for book 2. It may be just an unfortunate turn of events, but the root cause of the apocalypse that preceded this novel was due to the failure of the oil industry. I say unfortunate because the oil and natural gas industries are experiencing their own troubles in the present with the failure of already installed pipelines and the refusal by various states and by the current POTUS to allow further construction of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. It makes the predicted apocalypse in the book unlikely, at best.
The "Dark Republic" is that of Texas, which has seceded from the United States. Wealth seems to come in the form of a new way of storing natural gas, in small pellets.
As the story opens, we meet Soledad, a slave/prisoner of an outlaw/rebel named Guzman, who is plundering his way across the land on the way to a confrontation with The Dark Republic. Soledad has a special talent. With the aid of an herb, she can perceive who is telling the truth and who is lying. From a hidden place, she listens/watches the presentations of various "freelancers" who come claiming to have something that will prove of great value to Guzman. With a simple nod from Soledad, the freelancer is either welcomed or met with a swift death. Somehow, he pictures himself as a hero along the lines of Pancho Villa; he considers himself fair and honest while actually being quite brutal.
Soledad came into his possession, so the story goes, after a raid in which she was captured and her mother and father and a close family friend were killed.
The story proceeds rapidly through Soledad's escape, capture by another band of "born again" rebels, another escape which sees her returned to Dallas, the capital of The Dark Republic. She is reunited with her mother, her father and is quickly aware that something is wrong with their story. I don't go into all the details of her escape from her parents and the Republic and how she realized that her mother and father were afraid of her and had actually sold her into slavery. Along the way, Soledad makes a friend of a former member of Guzman's army and while at the Born Again camp, she finds a girl who shares her power but doesn't realize it.
The action is well-written and the story is okay. None of the characters really grabbed me and peaked my interest to know what happens next. D.L. Young can write, but I fear this is not a series that will grab a group of loyal readers necessary to keep a series going.
First of all, I rounded up to four stars as I would have given it 3 and one half if it was possible. This is the first book in what is to be called the "Dark Republic" series. I cannot say it left me longing for book 2. It may be just an unfortunate turn of events, but the root cause of the apocalypse that preceded this novel was due to the failure of the oil industry. I say unfortunate because the oil and natural gas industries are experiencing their own troubles in the present with the failure of already installed pipelines and the refusal by various states and by the current POTUS to allow further construction of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. It makes the predicted apocalypse in the book unlikely, at best.
The "Dark Republic" is that of Texas, which has seceded from the United States. Wealth seems to come in the form of a new way of storing natural gas, in small pellets.
As the story opens, we meet Soledad, a slave/prisoner of an outlaw/rebel named Guzman, who is plundering his way across the land on the way to a confrontation with The Dark Republic. Soledad has a special talent. With the aid of an herb, she can perceive who is telling the truth and who is lying. From a hidden place, she listens/watches the presentations of various "freelancers" who come claiming to have something that will prove of great value to Guzman. With a simple nod from Soledad, the freelancer is either welcomed or met with a swift death. Somehow, he pictures himself as a hero along the lines of Pancho Villa; he considers himself fair and honest while actually being quite brutal.
Soledad came into his possession, so the story goes, after a raid in which she was captured and her mother and father and a close family friend were killed.
The story proceeds rapidly through Soledad's escape, capture by another band of "born again" rebels, another escape which sees her returned to Dallas, the capital of The Dark Republic. She is reunited with her mother, her father and is quickly aware that something is wrong with their story. I don't go into all the details of her escape from her parents and the Republic and how she realized that her mother and father were afraid of her and had actually sold her into slavery. Along the way, Soledad makes a friend of a former member of Guzman's army and while at the Born Again camp, she finds a girl who shares her power but doesn't realize it.
The action is well-written and the story is okay. None of the characters really grabbed me and peaked my interest to know what happens next. D.L. Young can write, but I fear this is not a series that will grab a group of loyal readers necessary to keep a series going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2016
This book is set in a dystopian future in what had once been the state of Texas.
Natgas is the currency of the day and Texas's Natgas fields are under the control and protection of three groups. The group with the most wealth and power are the Bullocks, then there are the fields controlled by Guzman and the smallest territory belongs to the Fundies.
Soledad lives in Guzman's camp and works for him as a Reader, helping him determine who can and cannot be trusted.
Soledad sees the truth about people, and all she desires in life is to know if her parents still live or if she is truly alone in the world.
But, as Soledad learns more about herself and her world, she comes to realize that knowing the truth isn't always all it is cracked up to be. She comes to understand that life consists of a spiderweb of interconnecting threads that may not lead her where she had initially thought they would.
D.L. Young has an phenomenal ability for perfection in character development. His characters come to life on the pages of this book and readers will find themselves enthralled with their adventures.
The author's amazing gift for story telling and world building will make readers become instant fans. D.L. Young is a Master of unique dystopian fiction.
Soledad is the first book in "The Dark Republic" series and I will be eagerly awaiting book two. I am definitely a fan.
I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dystopian fiction just doesn't get better than this.
Natgas is the currency of the day and Texas's Natgas fields are under the control and protection of three groups. The group with the most wealth and power are the Bullocks, then there are the fields controlled by Guzman and the smallest territory belongs to the Fundies.
Soledad lives in Guzman's camp and works for him as a Reader, helping him determine who can and cannot be trusted.
Soledad sees the truth about people, and all she desires in life is to know if her parents still live or if she is truly alone in the world.
But, as Soledad learns more about herself and her world, she comes to realize that knowing the truth isn't always all it is cracked up to be. She comes to understand that life consists of a spiderweb of interconnecting threads that may not lead her where she had initially thought they would.
D.L. Young has an phenomenal ability for perfection in character development. His characters come to life on the pages of this book and readers will find themselves enthralled with their adventures.
The author's amazing gift for story telling and world building will make readers become instant fans. D.L. Young is a Master of unique dystopian fiction.
Soledad is the first book in "The Dark Republic" series and I will be eagerly awaiting book two. I am definitely a fan.
I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dystopian fiction just doesn't get better than this.
July 24, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more.
Soledad: Dark Republic Book by D.L. Young is well written and has a steady pace. The writing is clear and smooth, with characters that I could easily visualize in my head. There is a character in the movie Kill Bill, Esteban Vihaio, and I so saw him totally as Guzman. To me that's a well developed character, where I can "see" him/her in my mind. The characters turn out to be a bit different than you see them at first, which is like people in real life. The plot is interesting and not done before that I'm aware of. At least not exactly. Post-apocalyptic novels are quite popular, but this has a different take on it. The book has a lot of twists you just don't expect. The plot moves along steadily, but you don't feel like you've missed anything or are lost at any time. It uncovers linearly, but it all is circular, where the beginning of the book is revisited throughout the story, and becomes more clear. The action is visual, and the feelings are emotional.
I read this book each night before bed, and I found myself looking forward to that reading time each day. I look forward to reading more of D.L. Young's work.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Soledad: Dark Republic Book by D.L. Young is well written and has a steady pace. The writing is clear and smooth, with characters that I could easily visualize in my head. There is a character in the movie Kill Bill, Esteban Vihaio, and I so saw him totally as Guzman. To me that's a well developed character, where I can "see" him/her in my mind. The characters turn out to be a bit different than you see them at first, which is like people in real life. The plot is interesting and not done before that I'm aware of. At least not exactly. Post-apocalyptic novels are quite popular, but this has a different take on it. The book has a lot of twists you just don't expect. The plot moves along steadily, but you don't feel like you've missed anything or are lost at any time. It uncovers linearly, but it all is circular, where the beginning of the book is revisited throughout the story, and becomes more clear. The action is visual, and the feelings are emotional.
I read this book each night before bed, and I found myself looking forward to that reading time each day. I look forward to reading more of D.L. Young's work.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2016
Futuristic Weapons, Cults, & Mad Max-like Battles
Soledad Paz is a gifted reader of people. In post-apocalyptic Texas she has been sold for her abilities to one of the despots trying to control a large portion of the former state. Someone from Soledad’s past arrives and causes her to rethink everything she thought was true about her past. And, even the truth may not be what it seems.
Young’s first novel in the Dark Republic series, Soledad, is set in a dark, devastated world. The story is told from Soledad’s point of view. Her character is young and inexperienced, but her gift gives her an edge for survival. Futuristic weapons, cults, and Mad Max-like battles are vividly described in this dystopian novel.
The language and detailed violence are intended for mature, adult audiences.
I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
5 out of 5 stars.
Soledad Paz is a gifted reader of people. In post-apocalyptic Texas she has been sold for her abilities to one of the despots trying to control a large portion of the former state. Someone from Soledad’s past arrives and causes her to rethink everything she thought was true about her past. And, even the truth may not be what it seems.
Young’s first novel in the Dark Republic series, Soledad, is set in a dark, devastated world. The story is told from Soledad’s point of view. Her character is young and inexperienced, but her gift gives her an edge for survival. Futuristic weapons, cults, and Mad Max-like battles are vividly described in this dystopian novel.
The language and detailed violence are intended for mature, adult audiences.
I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
5 out of 5 stars.
July 7, 2016
No spoilers here because I hate reviews with spoilers.
Soledad offers an un-put-down-able tale of a dystopian future Texas and the people that live there. As a native Texan, I found myself saying, "that make sense," when introduced to new story elements, which is the truly frightening part.
D.L. Young crafts a unique story in a short space. It reads fast and is engaging. There is a definite character arc that showcases subtle and realistic character growth. The characters act in ways you would expect, except when they surprise you in the best and worst ways. Nothing pulled me out of the story, which I regard as a mark of excellent craftsmanship. There were some terrific lines that made me flinch or laugh out loud though.
The story ends in a satisfying non-cliff-hanger way that still makes me wonder what is next for Soledad. I'm looking forward to the next book; I have questions yet to be answered.
Soledad offers an un-put-down-able tale of a dystopian future Texas and the people that live there. As a native Texan, I found myself saying, "that make sense," when introduced to new story elements, which is the truly frightening part.
D.L. Young crafts a unique story in a short space. It reads fast and is engaging. There is a definite character arc that showcases subtle and realistic character growth. The characters act in ways you would expect, except when they surprise you in the best and worst ways. Nothing pulled me out of the story, which I regard as a mark of excellent craftsmanship. There were some terrific lines that made me flinch or laugh out loud though.
The story ends in a satisfying non-cliff-hanger way that still makes me wonder what is next for Soledad. I'm looking forward to the next book; I have questions yet to be answered.
May 17, 2016
Seriously unlike everything I've read this year. This is a new type of dystopian fiction where the characters really take center stage in their fight for survival. Highest possible recommendation.
December 31, 2017
Wrong religion
Can’t fault his writing, it’s a little slow and drags on forever in places but he is a decent writer. My problem is the religious fanatics he chose to make as an antagonist. I don’t think Christians have ever stoned people to death. That was the Israelites. The moslems are the only religion I know that still kill people by throwing rocks at them. Oh yeah, they still have slaves too. Also, you don’t know much about guns or cars. A little Google research would’ve made the book more plausible. If you can get past all the God hating, then it’s probably a good read. I couldn’t so didn’t finish it.
Can’t fault his writing, it’s a little slow and drags on forever in places but he is a decent writer. My problem is the religious fanatics he chose to make as an antagonist. I don’t think Christians have ever stoned people to death. That was the Israelites. The moslems are the only religion I know that still kill people by throwing rocks at them. Oh yeah, they still have slaves too. Also, you don’t know much about guns or cars. A little Google research would’ve made the book more plausible. If you can get past all the God hating, then it’s probably a good read. I couldn’t so didn’t finish it.
July 11, 2020
Excellent!
I loved it! You don't see much apocalyptic literature based in the independent Republic of Texas nowadays.There is lots of action, with twists and turns galore.
It does seem unlikely that the entire natural gas extraction and processing structure could have been maintained for centuries. Someone or something would have had to have done it. It's too technical to have been done by a guild or even a series of them.
I loved it! You don't see much apocalyptic literature based in the independent Republic of Texas nowadays.There is lots of action, with twists and turns galore.
It does seem unlikely that the entire natural gas extraction and processing structure could have been maintained for centuries. Someone or something would have had to have done it. It's too technical to have been done by a guild or even a series of them.
March 16, 2018
Gritty and raw
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up. I knew it would be harsh, simply because of the genre. I expected grit, but this was much more brutal than I expected. It is well written and full of action, the story moving along nicely. Definitely for a mature reader simply because of the reality of a dystopian world. I enjoyed it.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up. I knew it would be harsh, simply because of the genre. I expected grit, but this was much more brutal than I expected. It is well written and full of action, the story moving along nicely. Definitely for a mature reader simply because of the reality of a dystopian world. I enjoyed it.
August 10, 2018
Good story with a good pace. Glad I read it!
I have never read any other books by this author, but I enjoyed this story very much. It was a very straightforward tale, but had a couple of twists to give it some punch. The characters were detailed and very well defined, so were easy to either relate to or despise right away.
I have never read any other books by this author, but I enjoyed this story very much. It was a very straightforward tale, but had a couple of twists to give it some punch. The characters were detailed and very well defined, so were easy to either relate to or despise right away.
May 24, 2017
This was a great book. It was one of those stories that pulled you in so that you could not put the book down. I can't wait to see the Republic of Texas develop and see more of the people who survive the struggles that is their everyday life in a hard land.
October 15, 2017
This one took awhile for me to get into, but as the characters developed and the story continued I was eager to see what was next. The writing, grammar, and editing were superb... earning this one 4 stars from me instead of 3.
February 7, 2018
Sooo good!! I can't believe it took me this long to finally read this book. I'm going to hold off a bit on reading the second book because the third book isn't yet out (April, I think?), but I'm definitely looking forward to it! 😻😻😻
November 21, 2017
Set in the Republic of Texas, this is a tight, suspenseful tale of the haves and have nots of a dark and not so distant future.
March 9, 2018
Awesome novel! Well-developed characters facing realistic challenges, set in a unique, post-apocalyptic world that's simultaneously near-future but easily relateable to today's world.
August 10, 2018
Book
It's a surprisingly good book, but I wished for more detail. I enjoyed the book and will read the series
It's a surprisingly good book, but I wished for more detail. I enjoyed the book and will read the series
March 17, 2017
Soledad is the first book in "The Dark Republic" series and I will be eagerly awaiting book two. I am definitely a fan. This is a great book that I had trouble putting down.
In this post-apocalyptic dystopian story, Texas has seceded from the United States and has become it's own country. Factions fight to gain power by controlling natural gas mines. Soledad was kidnapped as a young girl and her parents murdered. She was given to one of the men fighting for that power. Soledad has the unusual gift to be able to tell if people are lying, which makes her a useful slave. When a man Soledad thought was dead is seen leaving camp, she realizes that her parents might be alive. She escapes camp and starts a dangerous journey to find out the truth.
In this post-apocalyptic dystopian story, Texas has seceded from the United States and has become it's own country. Factions fight to gain power by controlling natural gas mines. Soledad was kidnapped as a young girl and her parents murdered. She was given to one of the men fighting for that power. Soledad has the unusual gift to be able to tell if people are lying, which makes her a useful slave. When a man Soledad thought was dead is seen leaving camp, she realizes that her parents might be alive. She escapes camp and starts a dangerous journey to find out the truth.
October 7, 2016
Honestly, it took me a while to really get into this book. The story felt like it could've been developed a bit more, with a bit more care and detail. There was too much Spanish for me, simply because I'm from Canada and took French rather than Spanish in school so I honestly couldn't decipher the comments.
That being said though, the ending still left me curious about what is going to happen next. I will more than likely give the second book a try, hopefully it helps to fill in some gaps in the character and world development so far.
That being said though, the ending still left me curious about what is going to happen next. I will more than likely give the second book a try, hopefully it helps to fill in some gaps in the character and world development so far.
December 22, 2016
With the next book coming out very soon, I felt that this was a good time to write a review about this book.
I finished reading this book mid last year and it has stuck with me. I really enjoyed it, and I think it was a fantastic introduction into a new series. It left me wanting more. The characters are well realized, and the setting is extremely interesting.
Let's talk about the setting first. Calling this book a post-apocalyptic story isn't entirely accurate, but it could fit. There was no apocalypse event, but where this story takes place, the state of Texas, exists a scarcity economy. It's difficult on the people that live there, difficult enough that 3 warlords have arisen and taken regional power. Each of them is extremely different, and each of them are equally scary for different reasons.
Our main character, Soledad, is a victim of this environment as much as anyone. Because of this, she's not exactly a good person... but the writer manages to make her sympathetic. I want her to win, even though she makes a few decisions that make her unlikable. The thing is, she's not really any more unlikable than the other people that live here. She has a quest to go on, a job to do, and she will do what is necessary to get there - even though it turns her own stomach.
As the story progresses, You begin to realize how dark this place really is... and it is very dark. This is not a story to read to your children, folks. The things that happen to Soledad and Co. are dark enough to make me set the book aside to think about them while I petted my dog. Pondering the motives or the ramifications of these people was something I truly enjoyed about this book. It gave me a chance to think about the deeper meanings of being a person, and what it would be like to live in this world. Because of this, the characters seemed much more real than so many other books I've read.
Speaking of the characters, they are what really make this story great. Each of them has been thoughtfully fleshed out and each of them has been given a back story that realistically explains their current situations. The characters felt like real people, and this was a big appeal to me. I liked the opportunity to get to know each of them, and I hope that they are in subsequent books.
Soledad is a great book. It left me wanting more. Even though this was a clear story with a beginning middle and end, there was a lot left to expand on the protagonist's adventure. This was a quick read for me, with not a lot of fat in the story. Personally, I enjoy a bit more fat, but it works for this story and especially this setting. In this kind of environment, there's not much room for extras - and I think it was a good choice by the author.
Overall, I give this book 4.5/5 stars, and it left me wanting to get the next book in the series.
I finished reading this book mid last year and it has stuck with me. I really enjoyed it, and I think it was a fantastic introduction into a new series. It left me wanting more. The characters are well realized, and the setting is extremely interesting.
Let's talk about the setting first. Calling this book a post-apocalyptic story isn't entirely accurate, but it could fit. There was no apocalypse event, but where this story takes place, the state of Texas, exists a scarcity economy. It's difficult on the people that live there, difficult enough that 3 warlords have arisen and taken regional power. Each of them is extremely different, and each of them are equally scary for different reasons.
Our main character, Soledad, is a victim of this environment as much as anyone. Because of this, she's not exactly a good person... but the writer manages to make her sympathetic. I want her to win, even though she makes a few decisions that make her unlikable. The thing is, she's not really any more unlikable than the other people that live here. She has a quest to go on, a job to do, and she will do what is necessary to get there - even though it turns her own stomach.
As the story progresses, You begin to realize how dark this place really is... and it is very dark. This is not a story to read to your children, folks. The things that happen to Soledad and Co. are dark enough to make me set the book aside to think about them while I petted my dog. Pondering the motives or the ramifications of these people was something I truly enjoyed about this book. It gave me a chance to think about the deeper meanings of being a person, and what it would be like to live in this world. Because of this, the characters seemed much more real than so many other books I've read.
Speaking of the characters, they are what really make this story great. Each of them has been thoughtfully fleshed out and each of them has been given a back story that realistically explains their current situations. The characters felt like real people, and this was a big appeal to me. I liked the opportunity to get to know each of them, and I hope that they are in subsequent books.
Soledad is a great book. It left me wanting more. Even though this was a clear story with a beginning middle and end, there was a lot left to expand on the protagonist's adventure. This was a quick read for me, with not a lot of fat in the story. Personally, I enjoy a bit more fat, but it works for this story and especially this setting. In this kind of environment, there's not much room for extras - and I think it was a good choice by the author.
Overall, I give this book 4.5/5 stars, and it left me wanting to get the next book in the series.
February 26, 2017
Egghhh...okay I guess. Interesting PA world infested with quintessential Texans. Five star juvenile fiction, two stars for the rest of us, so I gave it three. It's worth reading, but too short. I would read the next book if it were free.
June 21, 2016
Soledad is an action packed post-apocalyptic dystopia and totally worth it. Even if you think this genre is overdone, Soledad is a fresh voice. It's gritty and full of dark moments, but the title character Sol herself is sometimes filled with hope in a way that hurts. It's like you know the odds are stacked against her, and every time she gets a leg up, something happens. AND I LOVE IT.
The story is set in a futuristic Republic of Texas that seceded from the states, and what's left is not a place you'd like to live. However, being in Texas myself, all the references to landmarks and places I know made it all the more enjoyable to read. Yeah, maybe those landmarks are wastelands now, but whatever. Still cool.
There's a lot going on and you're rooting for Sol the whole time. However, once she gets to Dallas, I couldn't put the book down. I just had to know. I highly recommend this read, and if you know me at all, you know I'm big into Dystiopias so yeah.
***NOTE**** This is an adult book, with adult content and no filter on the swearing. Just in case you follow my reviews from my Christian press editor side, this isn't the book for you.
The story is set in a futuristic Republic of Texas that seceded from the states, and what's left is not a place you'd like to live. However, being in Texas myself, all the references to landmarks and places I know made it all the more enjoyable to read. Yeah, maybe those landmarks are wastelands now, but whatever. Still cool.
There's a lot going on and you're rooting for Sol the whole time. However, once she gets to Dallas, I couldn't put the book down. I just had to know. I highly recommend this read, and if you know me at all, you know I'm big into Dystiopias so yeah.
***NOTE**** This is an adult book, with adult content and no filter on the swearing. Just in case you follow my reviews from my Christian press editor side, this isn't the book for you.
November 3, 2016
When I finished this book, I sat in the airport staring off into space with one word repeating through my mind. Incredible. Young has penned a world of intrigue that hooked me from the first sentence and refused to let me go. The characters were extremely well developed, and the main character effortlessly drew me in. I had no difficulty empathizing with her plights, terrors, confusions, and longings.
My favorite books are ones that leave you contemplating for hours after you've finished. Soledad is exactly that. Days after I turned the last page, I'm still mulling over the events, deceits, and implications from a wonderfully crafted story that has left me yearning for more.
My favorite books are ones that leave you contemplating for hours after you've finished. Soledad is exactly that. Days after I turned the last page, I'm still mulling over the events, deceits, and implications from a wonderfully crafted story that has left me yearning for more.
December 17, 2016
I will admit, I got a slow start to this one. I was having trouble being captivated... boy was I in for a ride! Even though I never thought I would quit reading it, I still have to say that I'm so happy I saw it all the way through.
Young is impressive in both his lexicon and imagery -- and I have to admit that, as a writer, a part of me is a bit jealous of his talents!
I really appreciated the integration of the Spanish, however I would have been much more lost if I had been reading the paper (as opposed to the electronic) copy and wasn't able to easily translate. The ending had me in literal tears.
Can't wait for the rest of the series.
Young is impressive in both his lexicon and imagery -- and I have to admit that, as a writer, a part of me is a bit jealous of his talents!
I really appreciated the integration of the Spanish, however I would have been much more lost if I had been reading the paper (as opposed to the electronic) copy and wasn't able to easily translate. The ending had me in literal tears.
Can't wait for the rest of the series.
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