Yellow Locust

Yellow Locust #1

by Justin Joschko

Selena Flood is a fighter of preternatural talent. But not even her quick fists and nimble feet could save her parents from the forces of New Canaan, the most ruthless and powerful of the despotic kingdoms populating America-that-was.

Forced to flee the tyrannical state with her younger brother Simon in tow, Selena is now the last chance for peace in a continent on the verge of complete destruction.

In her pocket is a data stick, the contents of which cost her parents their lives. Selena must now ensure it reaches the Republic of California—a lone beacon of liberty shining across a vast and barren wasteland—before it’s too late.

Between New Canaan and California stretch the Middle Wastes: thousands of desolate miles home to murderers, thieves, and a virulent strain of grass called yellow locust that has made growing food all but impossible. So when Selena and Simon stagger into Fallowfield, an oasis of prosperity amidst the poisoned plains, everything seems too good to be true—including the warm welcome they receive from the town’s leader, a peculiar man known only as The Mayor.

As Selena delves deeper into the sinister secrets of this seemingly harmless refuge, she soon learns there is a much darker side to Fallowfield and the man who runs it. Before long, she must call upon the skills she honed in the fighting pits of New Canaan to ensure not only her own survival, but that of her brother, in whom the Mayor has taken far too keen an interest.

And she’d better act fast, for an all-out war inches ever closer, and New Canaan is never as far away as it seems.

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy

305 pages, Trade Paperback

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

Justin Joschko is an author from Niagara Falls, Ontario. His writing has appeared in newspapers and literary journals across Canada. Yellow Locust is his first novel. He currently lives in Ottawa with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Selena and her brother have to escape tyrannical New Canaan. They have to make sure that the information on data stick that got her parents killed makes it to the Republic of California, the only place left that stands for peace and freedom. The two siblings are the last hope for their mostly ruined continent before it's entirely too late. They've got thousands of miles on the road ahead of them through the Middle Wastes and they'll have to deal with everything from murderers and thieves to a poisonous grass called yellow locust which has made growing food next to impossible. Fallowfield is practically an oasis in the midst of the wasteland - everything seems far too good to be true. As Selena begins to uncover the secrets of the town and its leaders, she'll have to use the fighting skills that she was forced to hone back in New Canaan if she and her brother are going to make it. Whatever she does, it'll have to be soon because all-out war is imminent and New Canaan is never all that far away.

I'm so glad the publisher, Month9Books, approached me to try Yellow Locust by Justin Joschko. This novel doesn't release until May 8th, but it's a pretty great upcoming YA dystopian sci-fi story that definitely deserves attention. I've read quite a few dystopias, but it's been a little while since I've tried a new one that really stood out (the last being Want by Cindy Pon). Joschko's novel can also be considered cli-fi (climate fiction), a genre that I haven't read all that much of. If you're unfamiliar with it, it's a genre that explores environmental degradation and it's effects on human civilization due to climate change. It doesn't necessarily have be be speculative, but it is in this particular case.

Joschko's novel firmly held my attention throughout from beginning to end, particularly developing his world, which is almost beyond hope, and the journey his characters take across what was once America - as well as the mystery surrounding Fallowfield. As for our cast of characters, I could appreciate really appreciate Selena's attitude and drive in regards to her family and duties. Plus, I could certainly relate to Simon's sensitive, fair skin - been there, done that. I should also mention that the author is good at crafting action scenes. There are plenty of great showcases of Selena's formidable talents. My only real issue is that Selena doesn't feel all that unique in comparison to other YA dystopian leading ladies, in fact she reminds me of a combination of Saba from Blood Red Road and Katniss from The Hunger Games.

Overall, Yellow Locust by Justin Joschko is a great upcoming piece of YA sci-fi dystopian cli-fi. It's intense, fast-paced, and has an intriguing sibling bond at the heart of the story. I have a feeling you'd enjoy this novel as well if you like Blood Red Road by Moira Young and Want by Cindy Pon. I'm looking forward to trying future projects by this author.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I received an eBook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

Yellow Locust is definitely not the normal book I would pick up. I was pleasantly surprised that it kept my attention and was enjoyable. The writing is fantastic! The flow of the book is easy and the character development is nice. I felt like at times characters were brought it and focused on a lot, for no reason though.

This book is chemical warfare meets Fight Club plus the Civil War. Besides that, I really get Hunger Games, The Chemical Garden trilogy, and Maze Runner type vibes. This story definitely makes you think about what our country could turn in to if resources were scarce and monitored. It's a tad scary to think about.

Selena and Simon are brother and sister fleeing from one coast of the US to the other. New Canaan is a vicious place to live. The Archbishop is cruel and is no stranger to boiling people alive in oil for not aiding in his cause. Selena's mom and dad are sympathizers with the Republic of California and have information that is crucial for the Republic to survive and take on New Canaan. When things go wrong, Selena is entrusted with a data stick that holds the key to beating New Canaan and sets out with her little brother on a long and dangerous trek across the country. The data stick in question has the "solution" to a troublesome weapon called Yellow Locust. Yellow Locust is the deadliest type of weapon in the sense that it's a weed that will take over any and all crops. It can't be killed...or eaten...and destroys any healthy crop it touches.

There are many characters in this book, some better introduced than others. I really enjoyed Marcus. He was an interesting character and I wanted more of his back story.

This book definitely ends with a...cliffhanger? It may be more open ended than anything and I could definitely see how the author could continue with this series.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yellow Locust is an entertaining read taking place in the dystopian setting of America split into several small republics and city states fighting for control and fertile land after the biological weapon "Yellow Locust" has destroyed most regions' supplies and grounds. The book follows the journey of the two Flood siblings, Selena and Simon Flood, who are on the run from their extremist home state New Canaan after having obtained a data stick containing New Canaan's plans to conquer the free Republic of California - the only nation able to stand against New Canaan conquering the country and turning it into an extremist nightmare.

I did enjoy the setting of the novel a lot, and the author did a great job at world building and transporting the reader into the grim setting of the book. Fans of dystopian settings and strong female protagonists will enjoy this novel.
In that point however lies the small downside that kept me from giving this book a four-star rating: Selena and Simon are too one-dimensional in their characters. Selena is always ready to fight, always strong, and never leaves fight mode which is a missed opportunity for character building and progression. Simon on the other hand is portrayed as weak and gullible, even when confronted with hard facts, and only at the end magically snaps out of it for a moment. In that point I wish this book would have taken a less black and white approach and picked up some facets on the way because it ultimately kept me from forging a strong interest in the protagonists.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yellow Locust by Justin Joschko is a far future dystopia where famine and war have decimated the North American continent. Selena and Simon Flood live in the tyrannical country of New Canaan. Following the fall of the tiny, prosperous territory of Niagara, New Canaan sets sights on the Republic of California, far across the Middle Wastes. When Selena's parents acquire data on a terrifying new weapon they make plans to get it to the Republic, a last bastion of democracy. The elder Floods send their children away first, with a copy of the data, and plans to meet them within two weeks. Unfortunately, Selena learns her parents were captured and tortured. Taking Simon, she flees for California, to complete the mission herself. Unfortunately, they must pass through the Middle Wastes, the vast bulk of the continent covered in the inedible vile wheat known as Yellow Locust.

In the midst of desolation, the pair come to Fallowfield, an oasis of greenery kept free of the Yellow Locust by a chemical called Compound L. Selena tries to find passage to California, only to learn that winter snows blocked the mountains, and she'd be lucky to find a caravan til spring. Unable to earn decent money in the fields, she turns to pit fighting, a forbidden hobby of hers, and here she catches the eye of Marcus who proposes to take her on a fighting circuit to earn money, then take her to California. Before they can make proper plans, treachery forces Selena to flee Fallowfield without Simon. As she works to get back to him, things within the town begin heating up as the sharecroppers plot rebellion against the merchants who have grown fat from their labours whilst leaving them to starve.

I absolutely loved this story! Yes, it was similar to many other dystopic stories out there today. It's a current popular genre. Yet while they all share similar themes by necessity, I find most enjoyable. What can I say? I love the genre. This story has not only the war element, but the far more terrifying and implacable element of man Vs nature. The Yellow Locust wheat has taken over the continent (perhaps the world, we don't know). It is the ultimate invasive species, outgrowing and overgrowing everything, and it's completely inedible. It makes kudzu look like a darling houseplant. Despite the thoroughly decimated population, New Canaan wants to make war on far California. Like The Handmaid's Tale, New Canaan, situated in the current 'Bible Belt’ of the US, has utterly trampled everything Christianity is supposed to stand for, ripping outdated obscurities from the Old Testament alone to justify horrendous and close-minded behaviour. I love stories where such societies get thoroughly trounced, and I hope it's the case here, but we’ll have to wait til the next book to learn more.

I liked the interaction between Selena and Simon. He's only eleven, and they come to have very different beliefs about what they should do now that their parents are gone. Simon doesn't have the constitution to travel through the harsh landscape like Selena does. He's young, and he's been pampered in a way. He thinks they should stay in Fallowfield. The Mayor has even given him a job making paintings. Painting was considered folly in New Canaan, so this turn makes Simon feel useful and appreciated.

Fallowfield has its darkness too, as much as New Canaan. There's the stark class disparity, enforced by the brutal Bernard, captain of the Shepherds, the ‘lawkeepers’. Really, they are all a bunch of bullies. And there's the pit fighting, which serves as a social release valve among lower classes not just in Fallowfield, but New Canaan, and other settlements as well. That's where Marcus comes in. He's a fighter, but he recognises Selena’s talent and makes a deal with her. She helps him get the cash he needs to pay back a steep debt, and he will see her safe to California. He was my favourite character. He's quite the mercenary, but a great person to have by your side in a serious fight.

Overall, a great read, and I really want the next one now! It's definitely meant for older audiences with the graphicness of some scenes.

***Many thanks to Chapter by Chapter Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jeffrey Hatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting of what might be a post - ecological warfare America. Joschko could have taken that a little further - a 'prequel' could improve YL after the fact.

Some highly accomplished writer whose name escapes me has noted that adjectives can be an enemy of good writing. An author should cooperate with the reader, providing the plot and action, while the reader provides the fine details of scenery. Joschko slows the reader down excessively with adjective - laden descriptions of events. One need not "dodge and parry quickly". Such actions always take place quickly. One only needs to dodge and parry.

Joschko also can get carried away with metaphors, similes, and the like to no useful end, such as in the following:

"The farms were hard to tell apart in the dark, but Simon’s target was fairly easy to spot. The silo thrust skyward like some colossus’ skeletal finger, admonishing the gods for its premature burial. Its metal skin shone bone pale in the moonlight, the patches of rust like blood stains indifferently rinsed away. Simon gripped the ladder."

This text about a silo gets a bit over the top. Action and poetry do not always mesh well.

Stylistic criticisms aside, I liked the main character and would have liked to have seen into the head of her very introverted brother further. At this moment in American history, younger people need a lot of dystopian literature to help them better grasp the dystopian disunity in our post - Obama world. They also need strong female protagonists to stay inspired to achieve in a country where half of the population has endorsed misogyny. Yellow Locust helps in meeting these needs.

[Andrew Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought I knew this book immediately. Post Apocolyptic North America, female protagonist in her late teens...

I was glad to be proved wrong. This is a book about survival. About tough choices. Real tough choices. Not about whether the blonde haired boy or the Black-haired boy is her true love. People die. In grisly ways. Even success can lead down a path that results in a bad outcome. There are more than one enemy, and some seem almost impossible to overcome. A female protagonist in this setting felt more like an exploration of social perception, personal responsibility, and familial obligation, instead of an attempt to attract a demographic. It felt like a story choice instead of a marketing choice. It worked, obviously.

The language of the book is poetic and grandiose. It tells you this book is for a grown up audience. There were moments when the language overwhelmed me, and I would have preferred to know the colour of a room without a paragraph of comparative description. There were also moments when that language caught me, and I knew EXACTLY what the character was feeling in that moment. I felt it too. Good stuff.

For an honest opinion, you're going to feel like there could be areas of improvement, but, it is a really refreshing feeling to read a book that treats a female lead as more than a person fueled by romantic emotions, and provides internal conflict that matches the environment.

[Karinny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a futuristic dystopia this book tell the saga of a sister and brother trying to run away from tyranny and prosecution through the desolate landscape of North America. My favorite characters were the yellow locust itself and Marcus. Serena and Simon are the classic tough girl and genius boy, both with super-human abilities which made it harder to relate to them. While Marcus is the dark messed up underdog you hate to like. There is a lot of violence, blood, torture, tension, struggle, resilience and courage. I would like to see the characters mature and develop as they build new relationships while not being able to trust anyone besides each other. It is a lesson on survival and purpose when all the odds are against you.

[Mcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a riveting novel which held my attention from beginning to end.

The world building was well done and the hopelessness of the situation was nicely developed. The locust grass is definitely a formidable enemy, as is New Canaan.

I did think Selena and Simon were kinda flat characters but I still liked them. Marcus and Harvey were better developed and also likable.

My main issue is this regarding Marcus: what kind of warrior/assassin only carries one knife?? I know chefs who carry more knives than this dude. It’s a basic rule of thumb for everything from batteries to yarn: always carry extra!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the story but the flow of the book was a bit slow for me. Serena seemed to have unnatural speed and a gift for fighting but I really don't understand how she got so fast/good. The characters were likable. I just didn't get as involved with them as I would have liked. It was better a little after midway and ended on an opening for the next book. I received an ebook at no charge for which I voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Hannah Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing about this is that... it’s a good story. It gets a little grandiose in language throughout, so that could be toned down and maybe smoothed over a bit. It lacks character development and feels rushed and unexplained in some parts, but it’s a good beginning. Excited to see how the author progresses.

[Megan Shriner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. The characters are enticing and it details how a tyrannical state would act, perfectly.

Book makes you "fee like you are there" with it's enticing plot and flowery way of storytelling.

[Kimbolimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible but very cliche. Everyone writes dystopian novels where society is under the control of an evil "Christian" religion/sect/cult. Very annoying. Why can't anyone write a dystopian novel with a non-evil Christian/Religious society struggling to survive in whatever aftermath.

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started good, then it got incomprehensible as to who was who and went downhill from there.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF for me

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I couldn’t put it down!