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What Branches Grow
Top Five Category Finalist in the 2020 Kindle Book Awards!
Semi-Finalist in the 2021-2022 Self-Published Science Fiction Competition
A boldly imagined, exhilarating quest through post-apocalyptic America, where human nature is torn between the violent desperation to survive and the desire to forge connection.
Thirty-five years ago, the world was ravaged by war. Delia, driven from her home in Savannah by loss, travels North in search of a future. Gennero is tortured by his violent past and devotion to his hometown. Ordered to apprehend Delia, he follows her into the post-apocalyptic landscape. The wasteland is rife with dangers for those seeking to traverse it: homicidal raiders, dictatorial leaders, mutated humans, and increasingly violent and hungry wildlife.
What Branches Grow is an unflinching depiction of life after civilization, where, above all else, trust is the hardest thing to achieve and to give. The survivors have an audacious dream of a better life, but their quest may end up being a fruitless endeavour in a world openly hostile to hope.
What Reviewers Have Said:
"What Branches Grow is like Cormac McCarthy on steroids, with a healthy dose of 'Mad Max' thrown in for good measure. Beier navigates her characters through these troubled waters, providing readers with both an adventure and some lingering questions on which to reflect. This is far from your average dystopian novel – it is a humanistic quest into personal morality and the fortitude one can uncover when hope is all that remains, for a startlingly original debut in the genre." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
Semi-Finalist in the 2021-2022 Self-Published Science Fiction Competition
A boldly imagined, exhilarating quest through post-apocalyptic America, where human nature is torn between the violent desperation to survive and the desire to forge connection.
Thirty-five years ago, the world was ravaged by war. Delia, driven from her home in Savannah by loss, travels North in search of a future. Gennero is tortured by his violent past and devotion to his hometown. Ordered to apprehend Delia, he follows her into the post-apocalyptic landscape. The wasteland is rife with dangers for those seeking to traverse it: homicidal raiders, dictatorial leaders, mutated humans, and increasingly violent and hungry wildlife.
What Branches Grow is an unflinching depiction of life after civilization, where, above all else, trust is the hardest thing to achieve and to give. The survivors have an audacious dream of a better life, but their quest may end up being a fruitless endeavour in a world openly hostile to hope.
What Reviewers Have Said:
"What Branches Grow is like Cormac McCarthy on steroids, with a healthy dose of 'Mad Max' thrown in for good measure. Beier navigates her characters through these troubled waters, providing readers with both an adventure and some lingering questions on which to reflect. This is far from your average dystopian novel – it is a humanistic quest into personal morality and the fortitude one can uncover when hope is all that remains, for a startlingly original debut in the genre." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2020
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
T.S. Beier
4 books19 followersT.S. Beier is a science fiction aficionado. Her first published novel, What Branches Grow, is her love letter to the post-apocalyptic genre. It was also the focus of her Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing. On top of her grad certificate, T.S. has a B.A. in English, a Certificate in Publishing, and a Certificate in Interior Decorating.
Her second release, The Burnt Ship Trilogy, is a space opera featuring richly-detailed alien cultures, explosive action, and fun banter.
T.S. lives in Ontario, Canada, with her partner, feral children, and two dogs. She loves ghost towns and the ruins of industry.
Her second release, The Burnt Ship Trilogy, is a space opera featuring richly-detailed alien cultures, explosive action, and fun banter.
T.S. lives in Ontario, Canada, with her partner, feral children, and two dogs. She loves ghost towns and the ruins of industry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 23, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WHAT BRANCHES GROW by T.S. Beier is a post-apocalyptic dystopian character driven journey of two young protagonists through the wastelands of the United States thirty-five years after the Red War. This is a unique standalone novel which gives you action, adventure, quirky characters, humor, a slow burn romance and monsters.
Delia is hardened and trusts no one after surviving on her own in the wastelands. When she wonders into the wrong town for supplies and the leader of the town sends his second in command, Gennero to bring her to him. When his attempt to enslave her fails, Gennero follows her to not only join her on her search for the mythical city in the North, but to free himself from his past in his hometown.
This story is a hero’s journey through an apocalyptic landscape and all the emotional growth and changes that occur to Delia and Gennero. From hard, untrusting, and scarred, the main characters learn from other characters and trials and tribulations about trust, sacrifice and love. Their traveling companion for part of the story was an old Chinese hipster they called Perth, who lived through the war and with his pug companion was a great source of humor and flashes from the past in his irritating way of interacting with Delia and Gennero. The monsters were the usual post-apocalyptic genetic mutated animals and a few zombie-like creatures, but the real monsters were the humans who had lost their humanity just surviving without ethics or morals.
I highly recommend this dystopian story with action, adventure, and romance that is an engaging and entertaining read from start to finish.
WHAT BRANCHES GROW by T.S. Beier is a post-apocalyptic dystopian character driven journey of two young protagonists through the wastelands of the United States thirty-five years after the Red War. This is a unique standalone novel which gives you action, adventure, quirky characters, humor, a slow burn romance and monsters.
Delia is hardened and trusts no one after surviving on her own in the wastelands. When she wonders into the wrong town for supplies and the leader of the town sends his second in command, Gennero to bring her to him. When his attempt to enslave her fails, Gennero follows her to not only join her on her search for the mythical city in the North, but to free himself from his past in his hometown.
This story is a hero’s journey through an apocalyptic landscape and all the emotional growth and changes that occur to Delia and Gennero. From hard, untrusting, and scarred, the main characters learn from other characters and trials and tribulations about trust, sacrifice and love. Their traveling companion for part of the story was an old Chinese hipster they called Perth, who lived through the war and with his pug companion was a great source of humor and flashes from the past in his irritating way of interacting with Delia and Gennero. The monsters were the usual post-apocalyptic genetic mutated animals and a few zombie-like creatures, but the real monsters were the humans who had lost their humanity just surviving without ethics or morals.
I highly recommend this dystopian story with action, adventure, and romance that is an engaging and entertaining read from start to finish.
August 5, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
I understand that this is T.S. Beier’s first published novel and that it was written as part of her Creative Writing course. She obviously learned well because her text flows in an extremely easy to read manner, keeping the reader’s interest throughout.
The foreword explains that the title What Branches Grow is taken from T.S. Elliot’s 1922 poem The Waste Land.
The story follows Delia and Gennero as they travel through the former USA in search of an established northern city that may or may not exist. Both of them were born after the war but they meet various people along the way, including Perth, who remembered life before the war. The recollections of these older people help us to understand what has happened to the world and they do their best to show the youngsters what life as we know it was.
T.S. Beier’s vision of a post-apocalyptic world is extreme in that the earth is now scorched and mainly dust. There is no rain as we know it; few trees and only the toughest of wildlife can survive. There is no national government and the remaining humans are living in communities with a variety of organisational style and ethics. A general theme is the level of violence used in most of those settlements. Despite the length of time since the war, it was interesting to see how much they still rely on scavenging for tools and equipment in addition to canned food.
The lead characters of Delia and Gennero are believable. Given their backgrounds and current circumstances, it is understandable that they should be reluctant to become too close. Most readers will have a lot of empathy with Perch in that he is from our own era.
What Branches Grow is very much the story of a journey rather than the destination. I enjoyed the various different people and places they saw along the way but I found the final two chapters a little disappointing. T.S. Beier engineered some action towards the end and they reached their intended destination which gave potential for an interesting sequel setting.
In summary, What Branches Grow is an interesting vision of how life could be like in a post-apocalyptic world, well written and with a smattering of romance.
I understand that this is T.S. Beier’s first published novel and that it was written as part of her Creative Writing course. She obviously learned well because her text flows in an extremely easy to read manner, keeping the reader’s interest throughout.
The foreword explains that the title What Branches Grow is taken from T.S. Elliot’s 1922 poem The Waste Land.
The story follows Delia and Gennero as they travel through the former USA in search of an established northern city that may or may not exist. Both of them were born after the war but they meet various people along the way, including Perth, who remembered life before the war. The recollections of these older people help us to understand what has happened to the world and they do their best to show the youngsters what life as we know it was.
T.S. Beier’s vision of a post-apocalyptic world is extreme in that the earth is now scorched and mainly dust. There is no rain as we know it; few trees and only the toughest of wildlife can survive. There is no national government and the remaining humans are living in communities with a variety of organisational style and ethics. A general theme is the level of violence used in most of those settlements. Despite the length of time since the war, it was interesting to see how much they still rely on scavenging for tools and equipment in addition to canned food.
The lead characters of Delia and Gennero are believable. Given their backgrounds and current circumstances, it is understandable that they should be reluctant to become too close. Most readers will have a lot of empathy with Perch in that he is from our own era.
What Branches Grow is very much the story of a journey rather than the destination. I enjoyed the various different people and places they saw along the way but I found the final two chapters a little disappointing. T.S. Beier engineered some action towards the end and they reached their intended destination which gave potential for an interesting sequel setting.
In summary, What Branches Grow is an interesting vision of how life could be like in a post-apocalyptic world, well written and with a smattering of romance.
December 11, 2022
One of the greatest pleasures in a long life devoted to Reading is opening a book to discover a STRONG female protagonist, one molded through life and trauma, sorrow and pain, yet who is "more than," a persona not just a personality, one with ethics and Integrity, a character I'll be willing to trail into the desert; or in this case, into the all-but-deserted feral wasteland remaining after the Great Apocalypse. Unfortunately, that kind of character isn't common enough, and when paired with a self-analytical, hard-lived, male secondary character as a foil, in a well-thought-out and severely Dystopian [yet all too human] post-apocalypse, well I'm going to jump on that wagon train.
Thank you, T. S. Beier! You've brought me a Thinking Person's Post-Apocalypse, a terrifyingly bland but dangerous attempt at Society in which human frailties and missteps are all too well showcased, and provided hours of entertainment, adrenaline, and years of thought and philosophizing!
Thank you, T. S. Beier! You've brought me a Thinking Person's Post-Apocalypse, a terrifyingly bland but dangerous attempt at Society in which human frailties and missteps are all too well showcased, and provided hours of entertainment, adrenaline, and years of thought and philosophizing!
January 17, 2024
Ahh I was not coming in expecting a HEA romance set in a dystopia
I feel like I went in expecting dystopia and ended up with Shatter Me, but for adults, in the sense that the dystopia was a setting for the romance while not necessarily standing on its own
I was granted an audiobook code by the author in exchange for an honest review, so I'm going to focus my review and score on the performance and story, not the genre expectations. Thoughts to come!
I feel like I went in expecting dystopia and ended up with Shatter Me, but for adults, in the sense that the dystopia was a setting for the romance while not necessarily standing on its own
I was granted an audiobook code by the author in exchange for an honest review, so I'm going to focus my review and score on the performance and story, not the genre expectations. Thoughts to come!
May 28, 2020
I received an ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I'm so glad I decided to give T.S. Beier's debut novel What Branches Grow a try. If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic and dystopian stories it's a real must read. I couldn't put it down and I quite enjoyed her writing style. It's a real ride across what was once America as we know it. I don't know about you, but it's very strange to read post-apocalyptic or dystopian stories right now with everything that's been going on this year. I've read quite a bit of this genre, and it's always intriguing to see an author do something unique. While it doesn't always feel entirely new (it checks a lot of the standard elements of the genre), it still manages to feel refreshing and a lot of that comes down to her cast of characters and world-building. If you're a fan of The Road, Mad Max: Fury Road, or Blood Red Road by Moira Young, I have a feeling you'll want to try debut novel. I can't wait to see what Beier will do next. Thank you again for the opportunity!
I'm so glad I decided to give T.S. Beier's debut novel What Branches Grow a try. If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic and dystopian stories it's a real must read. I couldn't put it down and I quite enjoyed her writing style. It's a real ride across what was once America as we know it. I don't know about you, but it's very strange to read post-apocalyptic or dystopian stories right now with everything that's been going on this year. I've read quite a bit of this genre, and it's always intriguing to see an author do something unique. While it doesn't always feel entirely new (it checks a lot of the standard elements of the genre), it still manages to feel refreshing and a lot of that comes down to her cast of characters and world-building. If you're a fan of The Road, Mad Max: Fury Road, or Blood Red Road by Moira Young, I have a feeling you'll want to try debut novel. I can't wait to see what Beier will do next. Thank you again for the opportunity!
January 20, 2022
I'm surprised that there aren't a lot of ratings on this, because it's one of the best novels I've read! ♥️♥️
December 31, 2022
This book was so far up my street that I practically encountered it smoking a cigarette outside the bar at the far side of that alley. Several readers have compared this setting to the Fallout universe, and it's a fair comparison. If you're a Fallout fan (as I am) you will find much that is familiar and easy to engage with. That said, it is its own self-contained universe, so if you're not familiar with Fallout, you will in no way feel excluded.
It plays out as an episodic story centering around Gennero and Delia, two characters thrown together under contentious circumstances - which is always a great start to a story! A sizeable cast of other characters are introduced as the story progresses, and the story never loses its momentum or sense of forward motion.
What Branches Grow is what I like to call a variety-pack novel, not because it doesn't present a coherent overarching story (it absolutely does) but because it's very easy to read in chunks, and each chunk feels like a little story in its own right.
I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic adventure.
It plays out as an episodic story centering around Gennero and Delia, two characters thrown together under contentious circumstances - which is always a great start to a story! A sizeable cast of other characters are introduced as the story progresses, and the story never loses its momentum or sense of forward motion.
What Branches Grow is what I like to call a variety-pack novel, not because it doesn't present a coherent overarching story (it absolutely does) but because it's very easy to read in chunks, and each chunk feels like a little story in its own right.
I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic adventure.
May 3, 2022
Read for SPSFC Semifinalists!
Overall Thoughts
If you like Fallout, Mad Max, and all things wasteland, this book is for you! Even if you don’t like that stuff, you still might enjoy this quite a bit. This journey across postapocalyptic America has a surprising amount of heart, great LGBTQIA rep, and interesting characters that tie together with each other in a fun and memorable tale. My main complaint was there was a large amount of authorial voice in this story, often telling us in omniscient monologue what could have been described by a few movements or expressions from a character. But all told, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like playing the best parts of the Fallout computer games.
Plot
This is largely a story of the journey to the fabled City That Has Survived The Apocalypse, a common trope in this genre. While it’s not always clear why our heroes choose to struggle through insurmountable odds for a place that might not even be real, the character struggles themselves are. They fuel the majority of this plot, showing how relationships build out in the waste through imperfect people doing what they must to survive. There was one connection near the end of the book that seemed a little too coincidental, but it served to tie up a promise from earlier in the story.
Setting
This is a large and well-crafted segment of this book. All the familiar tropes from the Fallout games are here including mindless irradiated people, sentient mutated people who have survived the apocalypse, creatures that have changed and become bigger or more deadly, and small towns fending for themselves against raiders. There are also a lot of influences from the Mad Max series, with fuel hoarding, old cars, and lots of dust. There’s nothing unexpected if you’re familiar with the genre, which makes reading this seem like taking a nice stroll down a well-remembered path.
Character
The characters are where this story builds on the apocalyptic genre, and I very much enjoyed the backstories of the two main characters, Delia and Gennero, as they come to terms with their violent pasts and how to deal with caring for another person. Also a big shoutout to having a bisexual male main character and good representation from minor characters! There was a little bit of “bury your gays” in the middle of the book, but I thought it was overall handled well. I also really enjoyed that there were backstories to all the minor characters encountered along the way. None of them seemed like cutouts, and even the mutants and raiders had aspirations and goals. There was a real question every time the group stopped over whether they would stay in this place or move on. Several had their advantages, shown through the people who lived there.
Ah yes, the group. I have to mention the last main-ish characters, Perth and his pug Mort. Perth is an older man who lived through the apocalypse, and through his eyes, we see how things have changed and what life is like now. He’s basically the player’s eyes in a Fallout game. Those are set so far in the future, no one remembers the present. I thought it was a nice touch here that some people remembered civilization and could make the contrast for those who hadn’t. Even if apocalyptic stories aren’t your thing, but you like a good journey and growing relationships, I’d give this one a try!
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
Like playing a new Fallout game, with even better dialogue and character stories. Surprising moments of tenderness, even if there is a bit much authorial voice. 8/10.
Overall Thoughts
If you like Fallout, Mad Max, and all things wasteland, this book is for you! Even if you don’t like that stuff, you still might enjoy this quite a bit. This journey across postapocalyptic America has a surprising amount of heart, great LGBTQIA rep, and interesting characters that tie together with each other in a fun and memorable tale. My main complaint was there was a large amount of authorial voice in this story, often telling us in omniscient monologue what could have been described by a few movements or expressions from a character. But all told, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like playing the best parts of the Fallout computer games.
Plot
This is largely a story of the journey to the fabled City That Has Survived The Apocalypse, a common trope in this genre. While it’s not always clear why our heroes choose to struggle through insurmountable odds for a place that might not even be real, the character struggles themselves are. They fuel the majority of this plot, showing how relationships build out in the waste through imperfect people doing what they must to survive. There was one connection near the end of the book that seemed a little too coincidental, but it served to tie up a promise from earlier in the story.
Setting
This is a large and well-crafted segment of this book. All the familiar tropes from the Fallout games are here including mindless irradiated people, sentient mutated people who have survived the apocalypse, creatures that have changed and become bigger or more deadly, and small towns fending for themselves against raiders. There are also a lot of influences from the Mad Max series, with fuel hoarding, old cars, and lots of dust. There’s nothing unexpected if you’re familiar with the genre, which makes reading this seem like taking a nice stroll down a well-remembered path.
Character
The characters are where this story builds on the apocalyptic genre, and I very much enjoyed the backstories of the two main characters, Delia and Gennero, as they come to terms with their violent pasts and how to deal with caring for another person. Also a big shoutout to having a bisexual male main character and good representation from minor characters! There was a little bit of “bury your gays” in the middle of the book, but I thought it was overall handled well. I also really enjoyed that there were backstories to all the minor characters encountered along the way. None of them seemed like cutouts, and even the mutants and raiders had aspirations and goals. There was a real question every time the group stopped over whether they would stay in this place or move on. Several had their advantages, shown through the people who lived there.
Ah yes, the group. I have to mention the last main-ish characters, Perth and his pug Mort. Perth is an older man who lived through the apocalypse, and through his eyes, we see how things have changed and what life is like now. He’s basically the player’s eyes in a Fallout game. Those are set so far in the future, no one remembers the present. I thought it was a nice touch here that some people remembered civilization and could make the contrast for those who hadn’t. Even if apocalyptic stories aren’t your thing, but you like a good journey and growing relationships, I’d give this one a try!
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
Like playing a new Fallout game, with even better dialogue and character stories. Surprising moments of tenderness, even if there is a bit much authorial voice. 8/10.
July 10, 2020
The story begins well. Good characterisation throughout, which is Beier's principal strength. Yet the story eventually loses its grit and becomes a fun-loving mash up of a post-apocalyptic romance between the two central characters, and the comedy of an old man and his dog, and all the mutants, zombies and raiders they fight and meet. Enjoyable, especially if you like the Walking Dead, and play Fallout 4. It has that same feel of Fallout, and I was back in the game.
Did I enjoy What Branches Grow? Yes, in terms of characterisation. The action sequences were less skilfully woven, being unrealistic a, and long-winded at times. But that's just me. I'm peculiar. I genuinely believe that this is the food of many readers, and therefore written well for the majority.
The only real criticism is the constant backstory being told, not shown. You are constantly inside each character's life history, which even breaks up the action sequences at times... breaking the flow and atmosphere. But again, this kind of storytelling seems the norm, to be munched on by readers who like that sort of thing. So, I would definitely sample the book yourself.
Overall, Beier's got real talent, especially for generating atmosphere, and I would be glad to read more of her moodier, foreboding side. She casts a good shadow, and brightens the day with her narrative.
Did I enjoy What Branches Grow? Yes, in terms of characterisation. The action sequences were less skilfully woven, being unrealistic a, and long-winded at times. But that's just me. I'm peculiar. I genuinely believe that this is the food of many readers, and therefore written well for the majority.
The only real criticism is the constant backstory being told, not shown. You are constantly inside each character's life history, which even breaks up the action sequences at times... breaking the flow and atmosphere. But again, this kind of storytelling seems the norm, to be munched on by readers who like that sort of thing. So, I would definitely sample the book yourself.
Overall, Beier's got real talent, especially for generating atmosphere, and I would be glad to read more of her moodier, foreboding side. She casts a good shadow, and brightens the day with her narrative.
January 8, 2021
As a big science fiction fan, a fan of the subgenre of post-apocalyptic sci-fi, and a video gamer—I feel Beier’s book is like a ride-along with someone’s character in a “Fallout” game. She even captures that particular game world’s aesthetics. “What Branches Grow” is mostly a survival story set in the grim reality typical of the subgenre, but it also engages in the wackier flights of fancy and humor cruising just under the surface of the narrative—like “Fallout.” When the characters visit the town of sex-crazed “vampires,” who aren’t really undead, it reminds me of the same sort of absurdist high-concepts for post-apocalypse settlements that I’d expect to find in the capital wastes.
Our main characters of this novel are a likable bunch, and some of my favorite parts of the story were the slower bits. Don’t get me wrong, the action scenes are fun too, but I enjoyed the occasions when the group got to put up their feet and shoot the shit—that is until the arguments started up. My favorite downbeat moment, between advancements of the plot, was probably on the golf course. Delia, who is typically deathly serious, and Gennero, who generally is too nervous around Delia, let their collective guards drop a bit to go on a joy ride on a still working golf cart. They also use the golf cart to get into some mischief involving Perth.
Our main characters of this novel are a likable bunch, and some of my favorite parts of the story were the slower bits. Don’t get me wrong, the action scenes are fun too, but I enjoyed the occasions when the group got to put up their feet and shoot the shit—that is until the arguments started up. My favorite downbeat moment, between advancements of the plot, was probably on the golf course. Delia, who is typically deathly serious, and Gennero, who generally is too nervous around Delia, let their collective guards drop a bit to go on a joy ride on a still working golf cart. They also use the golf cart to get into some mischief involving Perth.
February 2, 2021
Truth is, I wasn't sure what I was going to think about a postapoc story that was also a romance tale. I don't read romance, but I enjoyed this one. It seemed to have "just the right amount" and flowed well into the story. I thought I might be rolling my eyes at times, but such wasn't the case.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was some very cool pop culture references, some being postapoc films. Very cool.
Characters were just great and I really did get sucked into the whole "are they going to get together?" thing. Again, I can't help but be surprised that I enjoyed it so much.
Nice twist at the end. I love twists, and this one didn't disappoint.
I'd read that Ms. Beier wrote this as an homage to her love for postapoc fiction. I'd say she did a great job at doing just that.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was some very cool pop culture references, some being postapoc films. Very cool.
Characters were just great and I really did get sucked into the whole "are they going to get together?" thing. Again, I can't help but be surprised that I enjoyed it so much.
Nice twist at the end. I love twists, and this one didn't disappoint.
I'd read that Ms. Beier wrote this as an homage to her love for postapoc fiction. I'd say she did a great job at doing just that.
February 23, 2021
What Branches Grow is a powerful post-apocalyptic tale. It follows the lives of an eclectic mix of characters that will make you shudder, close your eyes, laugh out loud, and cause you to keep reading well past your bedtime to learn their fates.
The author’s writing is poetically descriptive, with paragraphs I re-read several times in awe. It’s packed with adrenaline, passion, and examples of what the human spirit is capable of when tested to the limit.
If nothing else, What Branches Grow will make you deeply appreciate all of life’s mundane conveniences you take for granted.
I look forward with great excitement to the author’s next novel.
The author’s writing is poetically descriptive, with paragraphs I re-read several times in awe. It’s packed with adrenaline, passion, and examples of what the human spirit is capable of when tested to the limit.
If nothing else, What Branches Grow will make you deeply appreciate all of life’s mundane conveniences you take for granted.
I look forward with great excitement to the author’s next novel.
February 7, 2022
my personal score for this was 7.5 for SPSFC - final score affected by total of all team members
February 2, 2022
"What Branches Grow" is a well-written love story/ road trip set in a Fallout like universe. The characters tend to stick in your mind long after the story is over. Go for it.
December 14, 2022
As always I want to start by saying that I was given a copy of this to review as part of a @HenryRoiPR book tour. My review is honest and left voluntarily. #HenryRoiPR #Ad #Gifted #HenryRoiBookTour #WhatBranchesGrow #TSBeier
If you love The Road, The Walking Dead, The Fallout Games Series or Mad Max the chances are you will love What Branches Grow. T.S. Beier takes us on a quest through post-apocalyptic America where human nature is now torn between the desire to forge connection and the violent desperation to survive. A truly unflinching ‘what if’ of life after the end of civilsation as we know it where trust is the hardest thing to achieve and to give. Delia is driven from her home by loss and sets out to the North to find a future. Gennero is tortured by a violent past and a devotion to his hometown. Ordered to apprehend Delia he follows her into the new landscape of America. The wastes are full of dangers; raider, dictatorial leaders, mutated humans and increasingly hungry wildlife. A truly deep look into the human condition when pushed to the brink.
I have to say I adore good post-apocalyptic media. Sometimes just for the ‘what if’ stories, action and speculation but also for the way you can examine the human condition in such extreme circumstances. Beier does this with no holds barred. Their world is dark, bleak and dangerous where people would often rather kill than ask questions or risk being stabbed in the back. The main characters, Delia and Gennero, are perfect because they are imperfect. They are not truly morally good or bad but are doing what they must to survive in the new world order and that made me like them all the more.
I have to say that characterisation I think is Beier’s ultimate strong point and as someone who loves well rounded characters I adored this novel. While we focus mainly on Gennero and Delia we have a growing cast of other characters who are all well developed and add to the momentum of the story. While the genre is easy to fall into the trap of simple tropes Beier does manage to make it their own despite there being instances that may be familiar to fans of series such as Fallout and Mad Max, What Branches Grow keeps its own voice and story.
Not one to usually enjoy a ‘love story’ the one contained in What Branches Grow did get me hooked. I think it is the setting juxtaposed with the sometimes tenderness of them to each other. The ending, although I avoid, spoilers, was just perfection in my opinion. It highlighted that while the world was hostile they had each other and would face whatever came there way and I actually adored that.
If you love post-apocalyptic adventure fiction you can’t go wrong with this one.
If you love The Road, The Walking Dead, The Fallout Games Series or Mad Max the chances are you will love What Branches Grow. T.S. Beier takes us on a quest through post-apocalyptic America where human nature is now torn between the desire to forge connection and the violent desperation to survive. A truly unflinching ‘what if’ of life after the end of civilsation as we know it where trust is the hardest thing to achieve and to give. Delia is driven from her home by loss and sets out to the North to find a future. Gennero is tortured by a violent past and a devotion to his hometown. Ordered to apprehend Delia he follows her into the new landscape of America. The wastes are full of dangers; raider, dictatorial leaders, mutated humans and increasingly hungry wildlife. A truly deep look into the human condition when pushed to the brink.
I have to say I adore good post-apocalyptic media. Sometimes just for the ‘what if’ stories, action and speculation but also for the way you can examine the human condition in such extreme circumstances. Beier does this with no holds barred. Their world is dark, bleak and dangerous where people would often rather kill than ask questions or risk being stabbed in the back. The main characters, Delia and Gennero, are perfect because they are imperfect. They are not truly morally good or bad but are doing what they must to survive in the new world order and that made me like them all the more.
I have to say that characterisation I think is Beier’s ultimate strong point and as someone who loves well rounded characters I adored this novel. While we focus mainly on Gennero and Delia we have a growing cast of other characters who are all well developed and add to the momentum of the story. While the genre is easy to fall into the trap of simple tropes Beier does manage to make it their own despite there being instances that may be familiar to fans of series such as Fallout and Mad Max, What Branches Grow keeps its own voice and story.
Not one to usually enjoy a ‘love story’ the one contained in What Branches Grow did get me hooked. I think it is the setting juxtaposed with the sometimes tenderness of them to each other. The ending, although I avoid, spoilers, was just perfection in my opinion. It highlighted that while the world was hostile they had each other and would face whatever came there way and I actually adored that.
If you love post-apocalyptic adventure fiction you can’t go wrong with this one.
December 11, 2022
I’m a fan of dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, so I was excited to read this book. This book is a character driven story and not a plot driven one. It’s all about the journey and less about the destination.
This post-apocalyptic book also contains a slow burn romance, dark humor, and people trying to figure out who they are as a person.
This story takes place 35 years after world war 3. Most of the USA is nothing but barren dust lands with humans coping in different ways.
Delia is a woman hardened by this world and traveling across America to the north. She’s trying to reach a city that is said to be thriving and civilized. Along the way she meets Gennero. A man that was born post war like herself. They find themselves traveling together along with a old man and his dog. Perth is a man that was alive pre war.
This unlikely trio travel through the wastelands in hopes of finding the mythical city.
During the journey you get to know each one and their back story. It could be confusing at times as this author would head jump and sometimes in the same chapter.
I did become invested in the lives of these three (well more actually as the story progresses) and spent a few long nights reading. I’m not sure if she plans any sequels or side stories, but I’d love to read them if she does.
I want to know more about what happens to them after this story ends. Otherwise the ending seemed rushed and too tidy.
It was an excellent story overall and I enjoyed reading about the journey.
This post-apocalyptic book also contains a slow burn romance, dark humor, and people trying to figure out who they are as a person.
This story takes place 35 years after world war 3. Most of the USA is nothing but barren dust lands with humans coping in different ways.
Delia is a woman hardened by this world and traveling across America to the north. She’s trying to reach a city that is said to be thriving and civilized. Along the way she meets Gennero. A man that was born post war like herself. They find themselves traveling together along with a old man and his dog. Perth is a man that was alive pre war.
This unlikely trio travel through the wastelands in hopes of finding the mythical city.
During the journey you get to know each one and their back story. It could be confusing at times as this author would head jump and sometimes in the same chapter.
I did become invested in the lives of these three (well more actually as the story progresses) and spent a few long nights reading. I’m not sure if she plans any sequels or side stories, but I’d love to read them if she does.
I want to know more about what happens to them after this story ends. Otherwise the ending seemed rushed and too tidy.
It was an excellent story overall and I enjoyed reading about the journey.
May 24, 2020
The problem with genres that are overly specific in their tropes, such as crime procedurals or zombie actioners for two well-known examples, is that all the stories in those genres all tend to eventually blur into each other, until it's all sort of just one big collective story in our heads and with little difference between each title. That's the heart of the problem here with T.S. Beier's post-apocalyptic thriller What Branches Grow, her published debut through specialty press Nostromo; for while it's entirely well-written and a fine example of the genre, that genre itself (from Cormac McCarthy's The Road to Mel Gibson's The Road Warrior) relies on such a very specific combination of tropes that it feels more sometimes like Beier is filling in a puzzle, getting her Post Apocalyptic Bingo Card marked up one square at a time until she can finally turn it in and go home. That combination of competent but derivative usually gets 3 1/2 stars from me, bumped up to 4 here because of the unusual and interesting climax; but the majority of the book isn't anything different than The Walking Dead but with no zombies, so the main reason to read it is if you're a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre specifically, and enjoy reading a lot of different takes on the subject that are only slightly different from each other. It comes with a narrow recommendation to that specific fan base, who will like this a lot.
Read
December 10, 2022What Branches Grow is a fantastic piece of post apocalyptic literature. T.S. Bier reveals the ultimate fate of society through the eyes of wandering lost souls trying to find sanctuary while fighting off cannibals, religious zealots, and mutant creatures.
But what really makes this book stand out of the bunch is the heart and soul in the characters. No one is a one dimensional caricature of badassery or villainy. The inner conflict of each character is revealed through their actions and how the relationships grow over the course of the novel. I especially appreciate the love story. Every step of Gennaro and Delia growing closer together is earned and by the end of the book I wanted them to open up to each other more than anything else. These are emotionally scarred, hopeless people who lash out and make mistakes and their redemption is a gradual process instead of magically waking up one day and deciding to be a better person. I usually don’t care about romance stories but this one had me smiling and cheering on every small step towards real love.
The descriptions of the surroundings and suppositions of what might have happened put me in the moment and made me feel as gritty and tired as the traveling trio of companions. Every set piece added a new wrinkle to this post apocalyptic world and painted a more detailed picture of what might have brought society to this point.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants an excellent tale of wasteland wanderers trying to find the last scrap of human decency both inside and out.
But what really makes this book stand out of the bunch is the heart and soul in the characters. No one is a one dimensional caricature of badassery or villainy. The inner conflict of each character is revealed through their actions and how the relationships grow over the course of the novel. I especially appreciate the love story. Every step of Gennaro and Delia growing closer together is earned and by the end of the book I wanted them to open up to each other more than anything else. These are emotionally scarred, hopeless people who lash out and make mistakes and their redemption is a gradual process instead of magically waking up one day and deciding to be a better person. I usually don’t care about romance stories but this one had me smiling and cheering on every small step towards real love.
The descriptions of the surroundings and suppositions of what might have happened put me in the moment and made me feel as gritty and tired as the traveling trio of companions. Every set piece added a new wrinkle to this post apocalyptic world and painted a more detailed picture of what might have brought society to this point.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants an excellent tale of wasteland wanderers trying to find the last scrap of human decency both inside and out.
April 23, 2022
I read this as part of the SPSFC competition.
I enjoyed What Branches Grow, I love a post-apocalyptic novel so this sounded right up my street.
This is very much the story of a journey. Early on Delia and Gennero meet and Gennero ends up following Delia into the wastelands. Somewhere along that journey he decides he doesn't want to return to the town he lived in, and instead befriends her and joins her on her quest to reach a mythical city that isn't ravaged by the wastes. I enjoyed all of the nods to other post-apocalyptic worlds.
I particularly enjoyed the pug that joins them part way through the journey. Something about an animal companion in the book is always fun and this is no different. We see our ragtag group meet new friends, travel across barren wastelands and meet the types of characters you expect in this type of world. It's Fallout meets Mad Max in some respects and they're both franchises that really work, so What Branches Grow uses that springboard to create another interesting story in this type of world.
This is an easy read and book to follow. It didn't quite make me desperate to read a sequel and it doesn't quite manage to stand out against other post-apocalyptic books. But, if you're a fan of this genre it is worth picking up for the characters you meet along the way.
I enjoyed What Branches Grow, I love a post-apocalyptic novel so this sounded right up my street.
This is very much the story of a journey. Early on Delia and Gennero meet and Gennero ends up following Delia into the wastelands. Somewhere along that journey he decides he doesn't want to return to the town he lived in, and instead befriends her and joins her on her quest to reach a mythical city that isn't ravaged by the wastes. I enjoyed all of the nods to other post-apocalyptic worlds.
I particularly enjoyed the pug that joins them part way through the journey. Something about an animal companion in the book is always fun and this is no different. We see our ragtag group meet new friends, travel across barren wastelands and meet the types of characters you expect in this type of world. It's Fallout meets Mad Max in some respects and they're both franchises that really work, so What Branches Grow uses that springboard to create another interesting story in this type of world.
This is an easy read and book to follow. It didn't quite make me desperate to read a sequel and it doesn't quite manage to stand out against other post-apocalyptic books. But, if you're a fan of this genre it is worth picking up for the characters you meet along the way.
June 3, 2020
I wasn't sure what to expect as I don't often read adventure genres, but I like dystopian fiction and thought I would give this book a try after reading the reviews. It was really good! The author managed to create characters that were multi-dimensional and unique, flawed but likeable. I appreciated the diversity and queer representation. More than the adventure romp I thought it might be, this novel forced me to question the very world we live in today. It was super suspenseful and definitely a page turner - I think it was the fastest I've read a book in a long time because I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
December 4, 2022
It's more of the same, as far as post-apocalyptic America stories go, but super well done. I see why this book climbed high in the ranks of the Kindle Book Awards. It's a doozy, and worth grabbing the paperback!
June 28, 2020
I’m tempted to call this book a masterpiece of post apocalyptic literature. The writing is sophisticated, with wonderful allusions, but still very approachable. The plot is riveting and kept me interested the whole way through. The characters are well developed, with interesting back stories and a wide range of emotions. I truly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to new works by this author. I really think this would make an excellent novel to study in a grad course. There is so much going on and so much that could be analyzed. The themes are very relevant and the way they are presented invites critical reasoning and investigation. I think it would be great to read more about these characters and the world they live in too. If you are into video games, post apocalyptic anything, or just really good books, I highly recommended this novel!
December 13, 2022
Spoilers: Yes because in the joy of the holiday season when gifts are exchanged, family and friends are together, people open their hearts to give to the less fortunate, it's the time to curl up with a good book of barren wasteland and dictatorships of small pockets of survivalist civilizations. What better time than the cheerful holiday season to read a depressing angst ridden dystopian Science Fiction novel?
It's not like I'm a stranger to reading dark themed books in December. In years past, I read supernatural horror, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. I have also read plenty of dystopian Science Fiction over the past few years to the point that I thought that I was immune to the somber depressed feeling of this subgenre. However, T.S. Beier's What Branches Grow proves that there is some life in this subgenre to move and depress the Reader and to hope that the world does not end up like this.
What Branches Grow pulls out all the stops describing a world destroyed by war, illness, and environmental disaster and the desperate tactics that people have to do to survive.
Gennero is a guard in the settlement of Churchill. He was once close to the despot, Church, but the loss of some people close to Gennero and Church's increased paranoia and tyrannical behavior have put the guard at odds with his one time leader/friend.
The final straw occurs when Delia, an outsider from the wastelands, comes to Churchill to get supplies on her way north. Church wants to recruit her for the local brothel, but Delia is not at all willing. In fact, she escapes with Gennero following close behind.
What is particularly unforgettable is the lengths that Beier goes through to describe the Post-Apocalyptic world. In the Acknowledgements, she wrote that she was inspired by such works as Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Stephen King's The Stand, and the Mad Max movies to prepare for her work. Aside from probably giving her nightmares and anxiety, they also combined to give her a book that is a tribute to the subgenre but she also works to make it her own.
Some of most evocative passages involve the descriptions of the Wastelands that Gennero, Delia, and their new friends Perth and his dog, Mort travel through. Beier goes all out describing a world that is devoid of blue skies, no vegetation, and dust, dirt, and grit everywhere. If you are one of those types of Readers with heightened senses, especially tactile, you may feel the dirt and grit all around you and your throat might be parched because of the dryness. Afterwards, you may need to shower to remove the imaginary grit and chug a water bottle to quench your thirst. And of course be grateful that you don't live in that world.
Besides the full on sensory description, Beier does a great job of fleshing out her main characters. Delia and Gennero are part of the generation that was born after the end and this is the only life that they know. True, they heard about life before from the elders, but they have no personal experience with them.
An apartment in which you could come inside after work, turn on the lights, and sink into a comfortable couch and just relax is as unreal to them as a cavern full of dragons hoarding treasure to us.
Gennero and Delia were exposed to sexual assault, diminished rations, and fighting for survival since they were children. It's safe to say that they were never children. Their innocence was lost because of decisions that were made long before they were born.
Actually not too long before they were born. In fact, in What Branches Grow we find out through Perth that this world is set only a few decades away from ours. In fact even though Perth is in his 60's or 70's, he is revealed to have been a Millennial. (Feeling old yet?) In fact his memories of the past such as working on computers, watching the Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, and going to Starbucks are our memories. Typically, Gennero and Delia roll their eyes when he goes on about his past. But it's heart tugging all the same. These are the little things that we would cherish and long for when the world ends and all that's left is a land of dust.
Gennero, Delia, and Perth go through many changes and development during their travels. They don't trust each other but have suffered tremendous loss. Eventually, they bond after saving each other's lives and scavenging for food and warmth inside abandoned houses. The hardness of the times have not made them completely cold and unfeeling. They show affection towards each other and other good people who help them and vice versa.
They also have a goal in mind to reach: The City, a place that is still like it was. Another trope of Dystopian Science Fiction is a new better place that the characters long for, their version of Heaven. The City definitely invokes images of Tomorrow Morrow Land in Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome (actually Sydney).
The three main characters and many of the others wonder about The City. Does it exist? Is it as beautiful as they say? Is it ruined like the rest of the world? Is it worth going to when they are surrounded by feral animals, cannibals, fanatic survivalists, and an uncertain environment? The idea of The City being this imagined Paradise gives the characters hope and something to aspire towards in such a dark world.
What Branches Grow is a dark disturbing book, no question. But it still carries themes of perseverance and hope.
It's not like I'm a stranger to reading dark themed books in December. In years past, I read supernatural horror, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. I have also read plenty of dystopian Science Fiction over the past few years to the point that I thought that I was immune to the somber depressed feeling of this subgenre. However, T.S. Beier's What Branches Grow proves that there is some life in this subgenre to move and depress the Reader and to hope that the world does not end up like this.
What Branches Grow pulls out all the stops describing a world destroyed by war, illness, and environmental disaster and the desperate tactics that people have to do to survive.
Gennero is a guard in the settlement of Churchill. He was once close to the despot, Church, but the loss of some people close to Gennero and Church's increased paranoia and tyrannical behavior have put the guard at odds with his one time leader/friend.
The final straw occurs when Delia, an outsider from the wastelands, comes to Churchill to get supplies on her way north. Church wants to recruit her for the local brothel, but Delia is not at all willing. In fact, she escapes with Gennero following close behind.
What is particularly unforgettable is the lengths that Beier goes through to describe the Post-Apocalyptic world. In the Acknowledgements, she wrote that she was inspired by such works as Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Stephen King's The Stand, and the Mad Max movies to prepare for her work. Aside from probably giving her nightmares and anxiety, they also combined to give her a book that is a tribute to the subgenre but she also works to make it her own.
Some of most evocative passages involve the descriptions of the Wastelands that Gennero, Delia, and their new friends Perth and his dog, Mort travel through. Beier goes all out describing a world that is devoid of blue skies, no vegetation, and dust, dirt, and grit everywhere. If you are one of those types of Readers with heightened senses, especially tactile, you may feel the dirt and grit all around you and your throat might be parched because of the dryness. Afterwards, you may need to shower to remove the imaginary grit and chug a water bottle to quench your thirst. And of course be grateful that you don't live in that world.
Besides the full on sensory description, Beier does a great job of fleshing out her main characters. Delia and Gennero are part of the generation that was born after the end and this is the only life that they know. True, they heard about life before from the elders, but they have no personal experience with them.
An apartment in which you could come inside after work, turn on the lights, and sink into a comfortable couch and just relax is as unreal to them as a cavern full of dragons hoarding treasure to us.
Gennero and Delia were exposed to sexual assault, diminished rations, and fighting for survival since they were children. It's safe to say that they were never children. Their innocence was lost because of decisions that were made long before they were born.
Actually not too long before they were born. In fact, in What Branches Grow we find out through Perth that this world is set only a few decades away from ours. In fact even though Perth is in his 60's or 70's, he is revealed to have been a Millennial. (Feeling old yet?) In fact his memories of the past such as working on computers, watching the Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, and going to Starbucks are our memories. Typically, Gennero and Delia roll their eyes when he goes on about his past. But it's heart tugging all the same. These are the little things that we would cherish and long for when the world ends and all that's left is a land of dust.
Gennero, Delia, and Perth go through many changes and development during their travels. They don't trust each other but have suffered tremendous loss. Eventually, they bond after saving each other's lives and scavenging for food and warmth inside abandoned houses. The hardness of the times have not made them completely cold and unfeeling. They show affection towards each other and other good people who help them and vice versa.
They also have a goal in mind to reach: The City, a place that is still like it was. Another trope of Dystopian Science Fiction is a new better place that the characters long for, their version of Heaven. The City definitely invokes images of Tomorrow Morrow Land in Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome (actually Sydney).
The three main characters and many of the others wonder about The City. Does it exist? Is it as beautiful as they say? Is it ruined like the rest of the world? Is it worth going to when they are surrounded by feral animals, cannibals, fanatic survivalists, and an uncertain environment? The idea of The City being this imagined Paradise gives the characters hope and something to aspire towards in such a dark world.
What Branches Grow is a dark disturbing book, no question. But it still carries themes of perseverance and hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2022
This was interesting! A good story, had a few points that could have felt flat, but told those points in ways that gave a bit of uniqueness to them. At the heart of it you really find yourself caring deeply for the characters
September 30, 2020
What branches grow is a science fiction post-apocalyptic novel written about a world that has become wasteland due to a third world war. Gennero, who is second in command of a town named Churchill, does not get along with Church, his boss.
Delia, one of the survivalists, has an encounter with the Church as he attempts to force her into the sex trade. As she runs away into the wasteland, Gennero joins her company, traveling to the north, finding a rumored city unaffected by the war.
The dynamic between Gennero and Delia was fascinating. At first, she wanted nothing to do with him, and then she found him an asset for her purpose. The relationship was exceptional, and I think that’s what made the story stand out.
The author emphasized on the world-building and created a powerful female lead character. Her way of storytelling was descriptive and stimulating.
I believe anyone interested in reading about post-apocalyptic worlds enjoys female lead stories would enjoy this one.
Delia, one of the survivalists, has an encounter with the Church as he attempts to force her into the sex trade. As she runs away into the wasteland, Gennero joins her company, traveling to the north, finding a rumored city unaffected by the war.
The dynamic between Gennero and Delia was fascinating. At first, she wanted nothing to do with him, and then she found him an asset for her purpose. The relationship was exceptional, and I think that’s what made the story stand out.
The author emphasized on the world-building and created a powerful female lead character. Her way of storytelling was descriptive and stimulating.
I believe anyone interested in reading about post-apocalyptic worlds enjoys female lead stories would enjoy this one.
September 26, 2020
This book wow! Any time I pick up a book that can completely consume me is when I know I’ve found a winner. You’ll be laughing, crying, and feeling like you want to fight alongside the two heroes in this book. This book has characters that are flawed and humble mixed with badass traits that make them realistic and easy to root for. A post-apocalyptic read with pieces of the past that’s current for the reader makes it also super relatable. Highly recommend!
December 12, 2022
I love good sci-fi. And this is an amazing one! A strong female character, creativity that makes absolute sense in the dystopian post-apocalyptical world, and a great ramification of possibilities that the path taken constantly surprises you. How far could people go to survive? T. S. exploits the possibilities with mastery. Loved! Recommended!
December 12, 2022
A loquacious text with solid characters that is the best post-apocalyptical story I've read. What Branches Grow made me remember those complex civilization games mixed with Mad Max. Forget about the world as you know. Everything has changed.
Delia and Gennero are such well-built characters! The different communities also have their peculiar voices—five solid stars.
Delia and Gennero are such well-built characters! The different communities also have their peculiar voices—five solid stars.
December 15, 2022
This author did a great job on this well-written story about apocalyptic events that could happen. Of course, there also is the scifi part of it, but it perfectly shows how far people can go under challenging circumstances. The struggles that these characters have to face are scary. Vivid descriptions, but not in excess, make this story strong.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 30, 2020
A literary adrenaline rush!
What Branches Grow is the kind of book that right from the start, pulls you into its vortex of action, spins you around and around (in the best possible way), and does not release you until you have read its beautiful final lines.
T.S. Beier applies a deft hand to the crafting of this Post-Apocalyptic tale and showcases, again and again, a depth of perception when it comes to the human condition, human nature, and the human spirit. She manages to weave an elaborate plot brimming with tragedy but always offers just enough humour to balance the pathos.
As a dog lover myself, I particularly enjoyed Beier’s treatment of Mort, the pug, often the source of much-needed comic relief. I found myself often laughing out loud—then remembering lines throughout the day and giggling to myself. Characters Carn and Perth had the same effect.
Both Gennero and Delia are multi-faceted, layered, fleshed-out characters whose personal struggles, sorrows, and triumphs carry What Branches Grow to its stunning conclusion.
Her world-building is exceptional, making it easy to visualize the different towns, the barren landscapes, the night sky, the empty roads.
What Branches Grow is unflinching, exciting, and moving. You will tear up. You will laugh.
And you will hope for a sequel.
What Branches Grow is the kind of book that right from the start, pulls you into its vortex of action, spins you around and around (in the best possible way), and does not release you until you have read its beautiful final lines.
T.S. Beier applies a deft hand to the crafting of this Post-Apocalyptic tale and showcases, again and again, a depth of perception when it comes to the human condition, human nature, and the human spirit. She manages to weave an elaborate plot brimming with tragedy but always offers just enough humour to balance the pathos.
As a dog lover myself, I particularly enjoyed Beier’s treatment of Mort, the pug, often the source of much-needed comic relief. I found myself often laughing out loud—then remembering lines throughout the day and giggling to myself. Characters Carn and Perth had the same effect.
Both Gennero and Delia are multi-faceted, layered, fleshed-out characters whose personal struggles, sorrows, and triumphs carry What Branches Grow to its stunning conclusion.
Her world-building is exceptional, making it easy to visualize the different towns, the barren landscapes, the night sky, the empty roads.
What Branches Grow is unflinching, exciting, and moving. You will tear up. You will laugh.
And you will hope for a sequel.
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