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Dancing in the Dust
"God is a construct created by men, to control those they placed beneath them."
After surviving the plague that wiped out her family and most of the warm blooded life on Earth, Ayla has spent ten years in relative solitude surviving, and against all odds, thriving.
Ayla’s world gets a whole lot bigger when she finds a fascinating new canine companion. Along the way she picks herself up a nemesis, a needless distraction and a new approach to post-apocalyptic life.
Capable of devastating violence and deep compassion, our anti-heroine walks an almost invisible line, navigating her own morality in a world where the concept doesn’t exist anymore. An uniquely female perspective on the challenges of surviving in a world ruled by the violent and strong, this is not for the faint hearted or easily disturbed.
Please be aware this book contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence, and scenes that some readers may find disturbing.
Self Publishers Showcase called this novel, graphic but glorious, and readers worldwide have loved the bleak, brutal yet bolstering story of Ayla's fight to survive in a landscape that cares nothing for her.
"Easily the best book I've read this year. Difficult, gut wrenching, repulsive? Yes. Impossible to put down? Oh, yes. Many aspects of this brutal story are fascinating and thought provoking (amazing healing, origin of Ayla's companion) but the core plot of this woman and her survival is a lesson every reader should be required to try."
"This book is not for the faint of heart. The storyline is brutal but inspiring. I have never read anything like it! Disappointed when I was finished but only because I wanted to keep reading more. A hook at the end suggests a 2nd book to come in a possible series of this woman's struggle for survival in a ruthless new world. Huge fan!"
"Gwendolyn Pendraig’s Dancing in the Dust is a brutal, graphic take on a harsh post-apocalyptic future. A dust-born plague has wiped out the majority of the world’s population and just to survive is a battle very few can win. Be warned, Pendraig doesn’t hold back in describing the often gruesome nature of staying alive. But trust us, the experience is all the better for it."
After surviving the plague that wiped out her family and most of the warm blooded life on Earth, Ayla has spent ten years in relative solitude surviving, and against all odds, thriving.
Ayla’s world gets a whole lot bigger when she finds a fascinating new canine companion. Along the way she picks herself up a nemesis, a needless distraction and a new approach to post-apocalyptic life.
Capable of devastating violence and deep compassion, our anti-heroine walks an almost invisible line, navigating her own morality in a world where the concept doesn’t exist anymore. An uniquely female perspective on the challenges of surviving in a world ruled by the violent and strong, this is not for the faint hearted or easily disturbed.
Please be aware this book contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence, and scenes that some readers may find disturbing.
Self Publishers Showcase called this novel, graphic but glorious, and readers worldwide have loved the bleak, brutal yet bolstering story of Ayla's fight to survive in a landscape that cares nothing for her.
"Easily the best book I've read this year. Difficult, gut wrenching, repulsive? Yes. Impossible to put down? Oh, yes. Many aspects of this brutal story are fascinating and thought provoking (amazing healing, origin of Ayla's companion) but the core plot of this woman and her survival is a lesson every reader should be required to try."
"This book is not for the faint of heart. The storyline is brutal but inspiring. I have never read anything like it! Disappointed when I was finished but only because I wanted to keep reading more. A hook at the end suggests a 2nd book to come in a possible series of this woman's struggle for survival in a ruthless new world. Huge fan!"
"Gwendolyn Pendraig’s Dancing in the Dust is a brutal, graphic take on a harsh post-apocalyptic future. A dust-born plague has wiped out the majority of the world’s population and just to survive is a battle very few can win. Be warned, Pendraig doesn’t hold back in describing the often gruesome nature of staying alive. But trust us, the experience is all the better for it."
- GenresPost ApocalypticFantasy
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2017
29 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 3, 2018
We're done. A virus killed most of the human race. Those who survived behave more like feral animals than civilised humans. If you look closely you'll see mothers roasting their children over the fire, men raping women and abusing them in every imaginable way. Even if you're imagination is sick, you'll witness scenes of such cruelty that even Satan himself would turn his eyes in shame.
The story focuses on one of the survivors of Bubble Flu - a young woman named Alya. She fights for survival. Not an easy task given that every man in the book wants to rape and kill her. Alya became violent and brutal herself. She enjoys tearing violent men to pieces (sometimes quite literally). Alya lives alone until the day she rescues a strange, dog-like creature she names Hope.
As this world is a cruel place where bad things happen 24/7, Alya is brutally raped by two men. One of them runs away. Second is shredded to pieces by Hope. And that's basically it. The other guy, the one who runs away appears in some chapters and plans violent revenge on Alya who, in turn, wants to have her revenge on him. She's occupied by other things as well, but I won't get into details.
The story unveils in two timelines - in the present and in the past. Alya's life was terrible even before the virus wiped out most of the humanity. Raped and impregnated by her father, regularly beaten and threatened, she fought for survival for most of her life.
The plot is rather thin and simplistic. The writing, though, is very evocative and plunges the reader into the darkest corners of the human psyche. I'll be honest with you. I assume that Dancing in the Dust can be read as an analyse of the human condition in post-apocalyptic times. I appreciate strong sentences and evident mastery of the language. Unfortunately, I'm not able to see any vital message or beauty underneath massive amount of gratuitous violence. I admit - the book managed to get a visceral reaction from me. I wanted to puke at least few times.
Allow me to quote some of the passages:
Characterization is weak and apart from Alya other people are portrayed as one-dimensional vile creatures fueled by fear, lust and rage. The other guy appears in some chapters, and we observe the world through his eyes. He's mean, cruel and sadistic and it's the only thing that defines him as a character.
He hangs back a little, watching through the gaps in the trees as she falls to her hands and knees, and wonders if her panic will kill her before he has a chance to do it himself. The thought makes his cock leap.
Here you have it. Alya's voice is slightly more varied, and some humorous (?) moments may be considered as a safety valve for a reader. On the other hand, I'm not sure what to think about Alya's getting seemingly more pissed for having her whisky stolen/drank by her tormentors than for being brutally raped. Is it humorous? Or when she observes her devastated face in the mirror and says:
This novel is vile, gruesome and puts on display the very worst mankind has to offer. I can't say that I love nihilistic fiction, but if there's a cathartic quality to it, I'm usually able to appreciate it. At least a bit. Unfortunately, it's not the case here. For me Dancing in the Dust doesn't deliver any meaningful message; instead, it assaults the reader with ultra-violent, often disgusting scenes.
If you're in the mood to shower in blood, brain matter and other body fluids, buckle your seatbelts and go for it. I'll stay at home and water the garden instead.
The story focuses on one of the survivors of Bubble Flu - a young woman named Alya. She fights for survival. Not an easy task given that every man in the book wants to rape and kill her. Alya became violent and brutal herself. She enjoys tearing violent men to pieces (sometimes quite literally). Alya lives alone until the day she rescues a strange, dog-like creature she names Hope.
As this world is a cruel place where bad things happen 24/7, Alya is brutally raped by two men. One of them runs away. Second is shredded to pieces by Hope. And that's basically it. The other guy, the one who runs away appears in some chapters and plans violent revenge on Alya who, in turn, wants to have her revenge on him. She's occupied by other things as well, but I won't get into details.
The story unveils in two timelines - in the present and in the past. Alya's life was terrible even before the virus wiped out most of the humanity. Raped and impregnated by her father, regularly beaten and threatened, she fought for survival for most of her life.
The plot is rather thin and simplistic. The writing, though, is very evocative and plunges the reader into the darkest corners of the human psyche. I'll be honest with you. I assume that Dancing in the Dust can be read as an analyse of the human condition in post-apocalyptic times. I appreciate strong sentences and evident mastery of the language. Unfortunately, I'm not able to see any vital message or beauty underneath massive amount of gratuitous violence. I admit - the book managed to get a visceral reaction from me. I wanted to puke at least few times.
Allow me to quote some of the passages:
“You’ve got your bleeders you filthy bitch! Lucky for you I suppose, I wasn’t planning on using anything to lube you up. I wanted you to feel every inch of my cock tearing you apart!”
He gazes at her bloody genitals, the redness exciting him beyond belief and savours this moment, that has consumed him for these many days past since he first had the whore pinioned and at his mercy. He wasn't able to finish the job then, but nothing will interrupt him now. He pulls out his cock and starts stroking it, building his erection, preparing for the sweet moment of entry he has been dreaming about, dragging his head across her lips, feeling the shudder that rolls through her at the sensation. He recalls the glorious moment from before when she gagged at the sensation of him entering her, and he can no longer resist, lining himself up with her entrance and readying himself to push inside.
Characterization is weak and apart from Alya other people are portrayed as one-dimensional vile creatures fueled by fear, lust and rage. The other guy appears in some chapters, and we observe the world through his eyes. He's mean, cruel and sadistic and it's the only thing that defines him as a character.
He hangs back a little, watching through the gaps in the trees as she falls to her hands and knees, and wonders if her panic will kill her before he has a chance to do it himself. The thought makes his cock leap.
Here you have it. Alya's voice is slightly more varied, and some humorous (?) moments may be considered as a safety valve for a reader. On the other hand, I'm not sure what to think about Alya's getting seemingly more pissed for having her whisky stolen/drank by her tormentors than for being brutally raped. Is it humorous? Or when she observes her devastated face in the mirror and says:
Ooof. Yikes. Hmm. Well the other guy wasn’t exaggerating much about the raw meat. My face blooms with the most fantastic range of colours. My left cheekbone bears some resemblance to a large plum that’s swollen in the heat and been left to spoil. The skin has split over the most swollen point and the swelling appears to have pushed my left eye slightly out of place. I look as though I’m looking over my shoulder while also looking at myself in the mirror. I notice for the first time that my mouth feels different and open wide. Two teeth gone, on the left side of my jaw. I tongue the holes left in my jaw and don’t feel any shards remaining. Hopefully they came out piecemeal. Dentistry is another art that is lost to me now.
This novel is vile, gruesome and puts on display the very worst mankind has to offer. I can't say that I love nihilistic fiction, but if there's a cathartic quality to it, I'm usually able to appreciate it. At least a bit. Unfortunately, it's not the case here. For me Dancing in the Dust doesn't deliver any meaningful message; instead, it assaults the reader with ultra-violent, often disgusting scenes.
If you're in the mood to shower in blood, brain matter and other body fluids, buckle your seatbelts and go for it. I'll stay at home and water the garden instead.
June 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this! Although initially I found the narrator difficult - too deep and mature for the character plus I struggled with the accent. That did pass.
The protagonist is a young woman, Ayla, who is strong, independent and capable. It is written in first-person present although when we switch POV to the bad guy, it becomes third-person.
This is a true apocalyptic world. Set in our near-future after a world-wide event wipes out almost all mammals.
A group of men attack Ayla, seeing her as sex and food. It’s a vicious world and the book page is covered in warnings.
It ends with a hint of a second book - which I would buy. There is a most excellent side-kick!
The protagonist is a young woman, Ayla, who is strong, independent and capable. It is written in first-person present although when we switch POV to the bad guy, it becomes third-person.
This is a true apocalyptic world. Set in our near-future after a world-wide event wipes out almost all mammals.
A group of men attack Ayla, seeing her as sex and food. It’s a vicious world and the book page is covered in warnings.
It ends with a hint of a second book - which I would buy. There is a most excellent side-kick!
July 27, 2017
Gwendolyn Pendraig’s Dancing in the Dust is a brutal, graphic take on a harsh post-apocalyptic future. A dust-born plague has wiped out the majority of the world’s population and just to survive is a battle very few can win. Be warned, Pendraig doesn’t hold back in describing the often gruesome nature of staying alive. But trust us, the experience is all the better for it.
We first join our protagonist, a mid-twenties woman, ten years after a plague has decimated the population. For reasons that also come to light, her home nation was already on to the road to ruin well before the plague swept through, killing without discrimination. Armed with self-modified weaponry we first encounter her taking on a group of men that are fuelled with murderous intent. Immediately we associate her with fighting the good fight. She could hide away, content just to remain alive. But she wants to do all she can to prevent the brutal suffering of all who are unable to protect themselves. Never, though, losing sight of the fact that she is her number one priority. Given her backstory, you could understand her giving up – but she can’t, and she won’t.
The novel flips effortlessly between Ayla’s struggle to survive the present climate, with flashbacks to the days of the plague. Her backstory is harsh, and at times hard to read, but it certainly feels necessary to have made her the person she has now become. Elements of the supernatural are gradually woven in. In particular, Ayla’s relationship with a new-found canine companion. Filling a hole that she perhaps didn’t even realize she needed to fill.
The pace of the novel really has no let up. Coming in at just over 60,000 words, it really can’t afford to. It’s not all action, but there’s no filler. Each scene successfully moves the story forward at a natural pace. There is room, particularly in the second half, to expand a little. But it doesn’t take away from what is a very impressive story.
If the end is anything to go by, there is plenty more to come from Pendraig’s post-apocalyptic world. And I can’t wait!
We first join our protagonist, a mid-twenties woman, ten years after a plague has decimated the population. For reasons that also come to light, her home nation was already on to the road to ruin well before the plague swept through, killing without discrimination. Armed with self-modified weaponry we first encounter her taking on a group of men that are fuelled with murderous intent. Immediately we associate her with fighting the good fight. She could hide away, content just to remain alive. But she wants to do all she can to prevent the brutal suffering of all who are unable to protect themselves. Never, though, losing sight of the fact that she is her number one priority. Given her backstory, you could understand her giving up – but she can’t, and she won’t.
The novel flips effortlessly between Ayla’s struggle to survive the present climate, with flashbacks to the days of the plague. Her backstory is harsh, and at times hard to read, but it certainly feels necessary to have made her the person she has now become. Elements of the supernatural are gradually woven in. In particular, Ayla’s relationship with a new-found canine companion. Filling a hole that she perhaps didn’t even realize she needed to fill.
The pace of the novel really has no let up. Coming in at just over 60,000 words, it really can’t afford to. It’s not all action, but there’s no filler. Each scene successfully moves the story forward at a natural pace. There is room, particularly in the second half, to expand a little. But it doesn’t take away from what is a very impressive story.
If the end is anything to go by, there is plenty more to come from Pendraig’s post-apocalyptic world. And I can’t wait!
April 20, 2017
I'm very impressed. New author and new novel but eloquently written with a supremely capable female protagonist. The book is a dark, violent and wittily written journey through the eyes of a lone woman surviving in a menacing, post apocalyptic land.
Not for the faint of heart the novel pulls no punches and takes you on an emotional roller-coaster across a dust filled land.
Unputdownable, a fantastic debut and heartily recommended.
Not for the faint of heart the novel pulls no punches and takes you on an emotional roller-coaster across a dust filled land.
Unputdownable, a fantastic debut and heartily recommended.
August 12, 2017
A good fast read, with a slightly different take on the usual post Armageddon stories.
April 1, 2017
I started this book in anticipation of journeying into a new post apocalyptic wasteland with all the thrills and challenges that this usually brings. What greeted me was so much more. The world and its inhabitants are described with a gritty realism which both horrifies and captivates in equal measure. The feisty female protagonist is a revelation, providing a unique perspective on the trials of survival in a world dominated by aggression and brutality.
The story is elevated to greater heights with the addition of a companion who ushers in a new plot device which both enthrals and brings a depth to the narrative which surpasses any expectations I had when beginning this adventure.
In summary, this is a superb story which is beautifully written and expertly paced. I thoroughly recommend this book and cannot wait for a sequel!
The story is elevated to greater heights with the addition of a companion who ushers in a new plot device which both enthrals and brings a depth to the narrative which surpasses any expectations I had when beginning this adventure.
In summary, this is a superb story which is beautifully written and expertly paced. I thoroughly recommend this book and cannot wait for a sequel!
January 31, 2023
Wow! Just wow! Please, let there be a sequel!
Fellow bookworms, this book is NOT for everyone! It is as hard to read as it is to put down.
I raced through, wanting to know how the story ends...for about 70% of it. After that, seeing the number of pages left shrinking, all I wanted was to prolong it.
We follow Ayla, an extremely smart and capable woman in her mid-twenties who, though very well adjusted to her harsh post-apocalyptic environment (ex-USA mid 2030s), must struggle for survival in a brutal world where women are either property, prey or food. Yes, you read that right... So DO NOT READ IT if your tolerance for gore is anything but extremely high! Even if you enjoyed Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", this might still not be for you, as it ups the stakes a hundred times over.
Written in the first person for her POV and later in the third for another POV, the book is an emotional rollercoaster. Through Ayla's memories, we find out the story of her traumatic childhood as well as how the world descended, step by step, into darkness only to be then ended by a virus.
Darker than dark, more graphic in its descriptions of violence (mainly against women) than I ever imagined possible, it does not rely on brutality to drive the plot and gives us a rarely used twist that I enjoyed. Being quite short, I can't fault it the lack of other well-rounded characters except for the MC. My only critique is that Ayla is way more skilled and scientifically informed than her uneducated background would allow, but even that is no reason to give Gwendolyn Pendraig's debut anything less than 5 full ⭐. The end does set things up for a sequel, which I can't wait for.
Dark, gritty, heartbreaking more than once, it is a post-apocaliptic dystopia at its best. Did it turn my stomach to the point of nausea? Yes. But did I have this visceral reaction to it because most of it seems plausible? Unfortunately, YES. In the light of the recent loss of several women's rights all across the world (the basic right to make decisions regarding her own body in several democratic countries and the right to education in another part of our world), I must admit the future does not look all that bright anymore.
Fellow bookworms, this book is NOT for everyone! It is as hard to read as it is to put down.
I raced through, wanting to know how the story ends...for about 70% of it. After that, seeing the number of pages left shrinking, all I wanted was to prolong it.
We follow Ayla, an extremely smart and capable woman in her mid-twenties who, though very well adjusted to her harsh post-apocalyptic environment (ex-USA mid 2030s), must struggle for survival in a brutal world where women are either property, prey or food. Yes, you read that right... So DO NOT READ IT if your tolerance for gore is anything but extremely high! Even if you enjoyed Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", this might still not be for you, as it ups the stakes a hundred times over.
Written in the first person for her POV and later in the third for another POV, the book is an emotional rollercoaster. Through Ayla's memories, we find out the story of her traumatic childhood as well as how the world descended, step by step, into darkness only to be then ended by a virus.
Darker than dark, more graphic in its descriptions of violence (mainly against women) than I ever imagined possible, it does not rely on brutality to drive the plot and gives us a rarely used twist that I enjoyed. Being quite short, I can't fault it the lack of other well-rounded characters except for the MC. My only critique is that Ayla is way more skilled and scientifically informed than her uneducated background would allow, but even that is no reason to give Gwendolyn Pendraig's debut anything less than 5 full ⭐. The end does set things up for a sequel, which I can't wait for.
Dark, gritty, heartbreaking more than once, it is a post-apocaliptic dystopia at its best. Did it turn my stomach to the point of nausea? Yes. But did I have this visceral reaction to it because most of it seems plausible? Unfortunately, YES. In the light of the recent loss of several women's rights all across the world (the basic right to make decisions regarding her own body in several democratic countries and the right to education in another part of our world), I must admit the future does not look all that bright anymore.
July 30, 2017
Strong women...
This book takes place in the future. A future of killer viruses, corrupt presidents, and women's rights are kicked down all the way to the bottom of the food chain. She is at the mercy of a man who can do whatever he wants. She has no rights.
Ayla is a survivor. She survived her old life ( rape, pregnancy, beatings) and has made her home out of a series of caves. She is smart. Physically and mentally beautiful, but can kick butt with the best of them.
She is lonely. On an outing where she subdued some very evil men, she finds a puppy. She names her Hope and realizes there is something special about her dog.
I found this book to be tremendously captivating. Once I started it was hard to put down. The author has a nice storyline flow, and though some parts are hard to read, thankfully they're short.
Ayla is a strong woman. Lots of action, some things you don't see coming, and a character written well.😊
This book takes place in the future. A future of killer viruses, corrupt presidents, and women's rights are kicked down all the way to the bottom of the food chain. She is at the mercy of a man who can do whatever he wants. She has no rights.
Ayla is a survivor. She survived her old life ( rape, pregnancy, beatings) and has made her home out of a series of caves. She is smart. Physically and mentally beautiful, but can kick butt with the best of them.
She is lonely. On an outing where she subdued some very evil men, she finds a puppy. She names her Hope and realizes there is something special about her dog.
I found this book to be tremendously captivating. Once I started it was hard to put down. The author has a nice storyline flow, and though some parts are hard to read, thankfully they're short.
Ayla is a strong woman. Lots of action, some things you don't see coming, and a character written well.😊
October 26, 2018
I'm really torn on how to rate this book. The Ayla scenes are in first person which is not a style I particularly enjoy. The narrator, Karin Allers, has a deeper, more gravelly voice that didn't mesh with what I was expecting of Ayla. It was a good narration and the voice probably fits with the ruggedness of the environment, it just took me a while to get into the groove of the story because of it.
The story itself is bleak, violent and gut wrenching. I was totally enthralled listening to it and sometimes did not want to get out of my car (I listened while commuting). Every morning I was excited to head to work and find out what situation Ayla was in next and how she was going to overcome the next struggle. The writing is vivid and really drew me in. The ending left me a little confused so I hope there is a sequel coming out soon.
I received a copy of the audiobook for a review.
The story itself is bleak, violent and gut wrenching. I was totally enthralled listening to it and sometimes did not want to get out of my car (I listened while commuting). Every morning I was excited to head to work and find out what situation Ayla was in next and how she was going to overcome the next struggle. The writing is vivid and really drew me in. The ending left me a little confused so I hope there is a sequel coming out soon.
I received a copy of the audiobook for a review.
March 10, 2018
Very graphic, heart breaking, and shocking. This book is as hard to read, as it is to put down. From the very start you are pulled in to its nightmare and it doesn't let up. I won't be forgetting this book for some time, and I am not so sure that is a good thing. Very well written and very detailed. Definitely not for the faint of heart!
January 23, 2018
Assume there is a sequel
Odd different with much volience with rape gpre in spots! Yet people are mutating into what well as animals . I did enjoy this book and though it had several points of view the characters were plotted well. Read away if you enjoy this kind of a book
Odd different with much volience with rape gpre in spots! Yet people are mutating into what well as animals . I did enjoy this book and though it had several points of view the characters were plotted well. Read away if you enjoy this kind of a book
February 16, 2018
I loved this book! The heroine is fantastic and well written. Her adventures, and her past, are great. I wouldn't want to live in this time but wow. Can't wait for the next one!? Sure hope there is a next one? Definitely recommend this book!
February 27, 2018
Wow this was a dark, gritty, heartbreaking and at the same time thrilling read. I. Love the antihero aspect of this series and the ending holy crap. Looking forward to the next book sooo hard.
July 21, 2018
In a not too distant future that bears a resemblance to The Handmaid's Tale, religious fundamentalists have been voted in to power in the US, and quickly discard many of the freedoms Americans enjoy, especially cracking down on women's freedom. It basically looks like the worst of Saudi Arabia's suppression of women, where men rule over the women. This would have continued, except the Dust falls, and everything changes.
When the dust clouds come, almost all the humans get sick and die horribly of a plague like sickness. It happens so suddenly that the worlds governments are caught flat footed and have no chance to stop it. Society falls apart, becoming something Mad Max would be familiar with. This is the world Ayla grows up in, fending for herself, from a young teen to her mid 20's, when the story starts. She has trained herself to be able to hunt and defend herself against the lawless bandits that survived the plague like she did. While not huge in number, she is alone, so she is careful to keep hidden and build up supplies and weapons. She has even gained a new companion, a large dog that's much more than it seems. Unfortunately, things are about to change for the worse.
After being discovered by a group of men, Ayla is captured and is tortured sexually and physically. Keeping her cool in her worst case scenario, she manages to escape and What follows in a crazy conclusion that would make any post apocalyptic warrior proud, as she tries to defeat her new enemies while keeping herself alive and somewhat sane. This all leads to a surprising conclusion, as we see that the men were not some isolated scavengers, but a part of something larger and much more sinister. We also see that changes to the people of the world are coming, changing what it means to be human.
I have enjoyed the wide variety of Post Apoc stories that have made a resurgence lately, and Dancing in the Dust is no exception. In fact, it has some very creative settings and characters. Ayla is an excellent character. I've seen reviews saying she's an anti-hero. In a world with no heroes, where its every person for themselves, I'd say she's no hero or anti-hero, just a survivor. She is also not in any way the dreaded Mary Sue. She struggles, she makes mistakes, and while she is strong, its through years of training and surviving in the harshest crucible imaginable, life with no rules at all, to the strongest and quickest and most clever goes the spoils. Is it a perfect book? No. Occasionally Ayla does some things that are head scratchers, but that's probably to be expected in such tense conditions. The secondary characters aren't spectacularly rounded out, but that's more a function of the books length and their parts in it than anything else. Still, it is excellently plotted, paced and executed, and Ayla is in that group of Post Apoc warriors you'd want at your back if society ever fell apart.
The narration was handled by Karin Allers. She did a good job of using tone and inflection to differentiate the characters. Her voice is such that there was not a huge variety of male voices, but there are enough in any scene to be able to tell who is who. Her narration is steady, and she doesn't fall back into a monotone, keeping the action moving along. Overall, a solid effort, and I would definitely recommend this book whole heartedly.
Warning: The rape scenes in this book are fairly graphic, as is the violence. They really pull no punches, so fair warning.
When the dust clouds come, almost all the humans get sick and die horribly of a plague like sickness. It happens so suddenly that the worlds governments are caught flat footed and have no chance to stop it. Society falls apart, becoming something Mad Max would be familiar with. This is the world Ayla grows up in, fending for herself, from a young teen to her mid 20's, when the story starts. She has trained herself to be able to hunt and defend herself against the lawless bandits that survived the plague like she did. While not huge in number, she is alone, so she is careful to keep hidden and build up supplies and weapons. She has even gained a new companion, a large dog that's much more than it seems. Unfortunately, things are about to change for the worse.
After being discovered by a group of men, Ayla is captured and is tortured sexually and physically. Keeping her cool in her worst case scenario, she manages to escape and What follows in a crazy conclusion that would make any post apocalyptic warrior proud, as she tries to defeat her new enemies while keeping herself alive and somewhat sane. This all leads to a surprising conclusion, as we see that the men were not some isolated scavengers, but a part of something larger and much more sinister. We also see that changes to the people of the world are coming, changing what it means to be human.
I have enjoyed the wide variety of Post Apoc stories that have made a resurgence lately, and Dancing in the Dust is no exception. In fact, it has some very creative settings and characters. Ayla is an excellent character. I've seen reviews saying she's an anti-hero. In a world with no heroes, where its every person for themselves, I'd say she's no hero or anti-hero, just a survivor. She is also not in any way the dreaded Mary Sue. She struggles, she makes mistakes, and while she is strong, its through years of training and surviving in the harshest crucible imaginable, life with no rules at all, to the strongest and quickest and most clever goes the spoils. Is it a perfect book? No. Occasionally Ayla does some things that are head scratchers, but that's probably to be expected in such tense conditions. The secondary characters aren't spectacularly rounded out, but that's more a function of the books length and their parts in it than anything else. Still, it is excellently plotted, paced and executed, and Ayla is in that group of Post Apoc warriors you'd want at your back if society ever fell apart.
The narration was handled by Karin Allers. She did a good job of using tone and inflection to differentiate the characters. Her voice is such that there was not a huge variety of male voices, but there are enough in any scene to be able to tell who is who. Her narration is steady, and she doesn't fall back into a monotone, keeping the action moving along. Overall, a solid effort, and I would definitely recommend this book whole heartedly.
Warning: The rape scenes in this book are fairly graphic, as is the violence. They really pull no punches, so fair warning.
June 30, 2018
I’m writing this review immediately after finishing listening to the audio version, narrated expertly by Karin Allers. Dancing In The Dust by Gwendolyn Pendraig is a gruelling depiction of a post-apocalyptic world, a world in which humans are either predator or prey. Gwendolyn doesn’t just dance with violence and depravity, she takes them by the dainties and swings them in all directions. Dancing In The Dust is a portrait of extreme brutality by characters utterly lacking in morality.
With the author as the driver, and the narrator as the tour guide, I sat in the back seat as they took me on a break-neck safari through a wasteland coloured by the blood, bones and flesh of the slain. As my proverbial vehicle rattled through the dust, I was forced to witness the most sadistic rape, murder and cannibalism wrought by the vilest men – and, sometimes, women – as we followed the main character, Ayla, in her trek through this bleak world. In the midst of a desperate, deadly encounter, Ayla makes her first friend after a decade-long streak of survival, a four-legged friend with a secret. But she also makes a nemesis, one who wants to do much more than merely kill her.
With the author as the driver, and the narrator as the tour guide, I sat in the back seat as they took me on a break-neck safari through a wasteland coloured by the blood, bones and flesh of the slain. As my proverbial vehicle rattled through the dust, I was forced to witness the most sadistic rape, murder and cannibalism wrought by the vilest men – and, sometimes, women – as we followed the main character, Ayla, in her trek through this bleak world. In the midst of a desperate, deadly encounter, Ayla makes her first friend after a decade-long streak of survival, a four-legged friend with a secret. But she also makes a nemesis, one who wants to do much more than merely kill her.
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April 30, 2020Short audiobook about super-strong woman and her big cat (or feline-like phantasy companion).
Great universe, sadly without continuing.
Story:
After surviving the plague that wiped out her family and most of the warm-blooded life on Earth, Ayla has spent 10 years in solitude surviving and, against all odds, thriving in desolate patriarchal free-for-all remains of the USA.
Ayla’s world gets a whole lot bigger when she finds a fascinating and mysterious new canine (?) companion. Along the way, she picks herself up a nemesis, a needless distraction, and a new approach to postapocalyptic life.
Capable of devastating violence and deep compassion, our antiheroine walks an almost invisible line, navigating her own morality in a world where the concept doesn’t exist anymore.
A uniquely female perspective on the challenges of surviving in a world ruled by the violent and strong, this is not for the fainthearted or easily disturbed.
Please be aware this book contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence and scenes that some listeners may find disturbing.
Great universe, sadly without continuing.
Story:
After surviving the plague that wiped out her family and most of the warm-blooded life on Earth, Ayla has spent 10 years in solitude surviving and, against all odds, thriving in desolate patriarchal free-for-all remains of the USA.
Ayla’s world gets a whole lot bigger when she finds a fascinating and mysterious new canine (?) companion. Along the way, she picks herself up a nemesis, a needless distraction, and a new approach to postapocalyptic life.
Capable of devastating violence and deep compassion, our antiheroine walks an almost invisible line, navigating her own morality in a world where the concept doesn’t exist anymore.
A uniquely female perspective on the challenges of surviving in a world ruled by the violent and strong, this is not for the fainthearted or easily disturbed.
Please be aware this book contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence and scenes that some listeners may find disturbing.
February 18, 2019
I received this book in exchange for a review. While I've read gritty and violent books before, Dancing in the Dust tries too hard at being hardcore and instead falls face first into the dust.
First, I'm not sure what the goal of the main character was besides obliterating gangs (why put herself in danger needlessly?) There are many flashbacks to her childhood traumas when one would do, and the descriptions of violence and rape were more common than the world building.
Two things I can praise is the narrative which clearly has skill. The character voice was also strong.
However the plot was non-existent and there was a lot thrown at the reader for no clear reasons, and any story line power they had didn't appear relevant or interesting.
First, I'm not sure what the goal of the main character was besides obliterating gangs (why put herself in danger needlessly?) There are many flashbacks to her childhood traumas when one would do, and the descriptions of violence and rape were more common than the world building.
Two things I can praise is the narrative which clearly has skill. The character voice was also strong.
However the plot was non-existent and there was a lot thrown at the reader for no clear reasons, and any story line power they had didn't appear relevant or interesting.
January 28, 2018
Not good
I thought the story was poorly written, the heroine was ignorant and incapable idiot not taking her own security seriously enough and causing string of terrible events. Plus preaching tone of the novel about abortion clinics and contraceptives not being available and women reduced to slavery. Some magical idiotic stuff happening, not explaining what happened to the “other guy”, useless superpowers, paragraph with a greek chorus advancing and explaining the plot - a mishmash of half baked ideas, ineffective main character and poor plot.
I thought the story was poorly written, the heroine was ignorant and incapable idiot not taking her own security seriously enough and causing string of terrible events. Plus preaching tone of the novel about abortion clinics and contraceptives not being available and women reduced to slavery. Some magical idiotic stuff happening, not explaining what happened to the “other guy”, useless superpowers, paragraph with a greek chorus advancing and explaining the plot - a mishmash of half baked ideas, ineffective main character and poor plot.
June 17, 2018
Post apolacyptic fantasy book set in America in a time where men are dominant and women are nothing more than objects to rape or even in the case of this story, eat.
The story follows a lonely woman who has suffered many hardships in life and a man who is obsessed with her.
Not for the faint hearted.
There were too many disturbing scenes for me to enjoy the book much (a lot of rape, cannibalism, masterbation, C bomb, constant use of the word whore). However there was enough there to keep me listening (audio book) to see how it all unfolds.
The story follows a lonely woman who has suffered many hardships in life and a man who is obsessed with her.
Not for the faint hearted.
There were too many disturbing scenes for me to enjoy the book much (a lot of rape, cannibalism, masterbation, C bomb, constant use of the word whore). However there was enough there to keep me listening (audio book) to see how it all unfolds.
April 4, 2019
This is a 1-star, DNF review. Worthy of Dorothy Parker's best.
Utter wish-fulfillment fantasy. The protagonist has magical abilities to see, hear, move fast, and is super strong. Hyper-accurate with kill shots. Gets to kill the people...all the people. Or more accurately, all the men.
The sheer ridiculousness of the hyper-capable protagonist, the drifting plot, and the threadbare misandry caused me to lose interest.
Utter wish-fulfillment fantasy. The protagonist has magical abilities to see, hear, move fast, and is super strong. Hyper-accurate with kill shots. Gets to kill the people...all the people. Or more accurately, all the men.
The sheer ridiculousness of the hyper-capable protagonist, the drifting plot, and the threadbare misandry caused me to lose interest.
August 12, 2017
An intense read.
Quite the imagination. Some anger issues certainly. Not a complaint, yet it is the reason for the rating. I loved the premise of genetic enhancement due to environmental factors. I realize I cannot fully judge without experience and yet I do hope we not fall at all, much less as far as you outline.
Quite the imagination. Some anger issues certainly. Not a complaint, yet it is the reason for the rating. I loved the premise of genetic enhancement due to environmental factors. I realize I cannot fully judge without experience and yet I do hope we not fall at all, much less as far as you outline.
July 13, 2020
A very brutal and disturbing book in a post apocalyptic world. I enjoyed the friendship she made with the dog -like creature she names Hope. It was an interesting insight as to what mankind could potentially turn into without order. There wasn't much character growth and there wasn't evn a hint at an over arching story until the very end.
February 8, 2018
Wouldn't have been a bad read but...
the author had to throw in her own political agenda.
Ruined what could have been a 3.5 star entertaining book.
Sorry someone pissed in your Election Day cheerios but no one wants to read that bs in their fictional escape from reality.
the author had to throw in her own political agenda.
Ruined what could have been a 3.5 star entertaining book.
Sorry someone pissed in your Election Day cheerios but no one wants to read that bs in their fictional escape from reality.
August 12, 2017
Incredibly brutal and unsettling
January 31, 2018
Great great great
This book is awesome it caught my attention after a ratger boring slump of reading books. Deffinatly diffrwnt and an awesome story. Hope that a second is to come.
This book is awesome it caught my attention after a ratger boring slump of reading books. Deffinatly diffrwnt and an awesome story. Hope that a second is to come.
April 10, 2018
Great read
Different than all the rest. Ready for the story to continue. This story is rather graphic but a great story.
Different than all the rest. Ready for the story to continue. This story is rather graphic but a great story.
April 25, 2020
Terrible audio narrator
June 11, 2020
I liked the story. It was enjoyable to read.
July 13, 2020
Road meets King's Stand
January 27, 2018
Read this within a day! Very captivating story, vivid descriptions (including lots of violence, so not recommended for the faint-hearted). I thoroughly enjoyed it and am hoping for a sequel.
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