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Road to Juneau
New two years after the Third World War. Humanity is rebuilding its cities brick by brick; the damage done to the people, however, is a lot harder to repair. Dan Hardacre is one of those people. An aspiring stage actor and experienced draft-dodger, Dan struggles to find his place within the Utopic rebuild of New York City. When he’s not caught up with the duties of work, Dan lives a quiet life in mourning for his mother, Dyani, who went missing when he was a teenager. One night, Dan experiences a vivid, terrifying nightmare that puts him right on the front lines of the war for which he dodged the draft; it ends with him facing Death itself in the form of a metallic, faceless humanoid creature that calls itself the Valkyrie. To investigate the reason behind his haunting experience, Dan seeks out a meeting with his estranged father, who reveals the startling truth about Dan’s it wasn’t a dream. With this newfound knowledge and the powers it brings, Dan makes it his mission to return to the scene of his nightmare. However, he soon comes to know that confronting the Valkyrie not only endangers him but the war-withstanding world he leaves behind.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
26 people want to read
About the author
Liam Quane
2 books7 followersFilmmaker
Author | SPSFC Quarter-finalist.
Sloth on the run
Author | SPSFC Quarter-finalist.
Sloth on the run
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 15, 2021
ROAD TO JUNEAU is author Liam Quane's genre-bending debut novel blending science fiction and humor in a way that's reminiscent of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett and in the spirit of absurdist literature. It’s a unique read and an unpredictable journey that subverts your expectations early out of the gates and keeps you guessing all the way.
Our main character is Dan Hardacre, a young man living in post-apocalyptic world war three New York City. The city is literally rebuilding itself from the ruins up using advanced technology and returning to a semblance of normalcy, even if there’s a lingering almost existential feeling of ennui and unrest. There’s a sort of running motif that the tech alone cannot save humanity from itself.
Without getting into major spoilers there’s a surprising plot twist and development that occurs rather early in the novel which reveals a secret about Dan’s heritage and also sets up the major conflicts for the rest of the story (with serious ramifications for everyone else). Some of this felt very Kafka-esque and surreal. It’s been said that with great power comes great responsibility, and also those of great means and potential can still suffer from very real and human anxieties and shortcomings. Road to Juneau is at the core very human and candid about our flaws and limitations. And even in a universe that seems chaotic and fluid, there are still rules and limitations.
One of the draws of the novel is the humor – which offsets some of the occasional heavy-handedness that comes from topics like war, loss, and grief. Also, the characterization of the charismatic protagonist and his associates as he navigates his way socially (sometimes awkwardly in a charming way) from his workplace to his social life with his roommates. His mother passed away at an early age which puts a bit of strain on his relationship with his father and it was touching to see the way that the latter tried to maintain a tie with the former despite some time apart that has chilled their bond.
One of the things that I appreciated about this story is that it feels reflective of our time. There were some places in the book where the narrator has moments of reflection and thoughtfulness that reminded me of some of Hunter S. Thompson's writing. They’re reactions to the current social and political milieu. The author has captured the spirit of America on the page, warts and all, and identifies some of the contemporary worries plaguing my generation and the generations after mine.
Road to Juneau is an unpredictable and unique read which will be hard to forget about. I hope that it’s the beginning of a fruitful writing career for Liam Quane and is worthy of consideration.
Our main character is Dan Hardacre, a young man living in post-apocalyptic world war three New York City. The city is literally rebuilding itself from the ruins up using advanced technology and returning to a semblance of normalcy, even if there’s a lingering almost existential feeling of ennui and unrest. There’s a sort of running motif that the tech alone cannot save humanity from itself.
Without getting into major spoilers there’s a surprising plot twist and development that occurs rather early in the novel which reveals a secret about Dan’s heritage and also sets up the major conflicts for the rest of the story (with serious ramifications for everyone else). Some of this felt very Kafka-esque and surreal. It’s been said that with great power comes great responsibility, and also those of great means and potential can still suffer from very real and human anxieties and shortcomings. Road to Juneau is at the core very human and candid about our flaws and limitations. And even in a universe that seems chaotic and fluid, there are still rules and limitations.
One of the draws of the novel is the humor – which offsets some of the occasional heavy-handedness that comes from topics like war, loss, and grief. Also, the characterization of the charismatic protagonist and his associates as he navigates his way socially (sometimes awkwardly in a charming way) from his workplace to his social life with his roommates. His mother passed away at an early age which puts a bit of strain on his relationship with his father and it was touching to see the way that the latter tried to maintain a tie with the former despite some time apart that has chilled their bond.
One of the things that I appreciated about this story is that it feels reflective of our time. There were some places in the book where the narrator has moments of reflection and thoughtfulness that reminded me of some of Hunter S. Thompson's writing. They’re reactions to the current social and political milieu. The author has captured the spirit of America on the page, warts and all, and identifies some of the contemporary worries plaguing my generation and the generations after mine.
Road to Juneau is an unpredictable and unique read which will be hard to forget about. I hope that it’s the beginning of a fruitful writing career for Liam Quane and is worthy of consideration.
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July 22, 2021gorgeous cover, sign me up \o/
May 24, 2021
Editor's Review
I have so much I want to say about this novel, but most of it would be spoilers. This is an incredible debut from Liam Quane - an author who has brought his scriptwriting and directing talents to the printed page, and his worlds translate very well into this format. It's helpful that the setting for much of Road to Juneau is a near-future/alternate post-apocalyptic New York City, so the reader has a frame of reference, albeit one slightly removed from the NYC we know. In that regard, the author does some light-touch world-building to set the scene, which in first-person present tense feels like Dan Hardacre - the main-character-sort-of-hero - is giving us a guided tour of his hometown, along with a brief history lesson.
So the scene is set. Now, I'm not a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, and it's important I make it clear that this isn't really post-apocalyptic in terms of themes, merely setting. The story, at its heart (for me) is about unchecked power and (ir)responsibility. Thus, to some extent, Road to Juneau is allegorical - a critical perspective on current affairs as much as the fictional future, and aside from the 'nature' of the central characters, it is a future that's potentially only a step or two from where we are now.
For all of that, the novel isn't hard-hitting political commentary, although there is plenty of politics in it. There's also lots of subtle diversity, wry humour, fantastic adventures on Earth and elsewhere, and a few tear-jerking moments. In short, it's a darned good read - one which I wouldn't usually select as a 'pleasure read' based on genre, but the cover...wow, the cover! That would definitely have captured my interest, so I'd have ended up reading the book even if I hadn't had the privilege of publishing it.
Road to Juneau is an intelligent, entertaining, beautifully written novel for young and not-so-young adults and is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats.
I have so much I want to say about this novel, but most of it would be spoilers. This is an incredible debut from Liam Quane - an author who has brought his scriptwriting and directing talents to the printed page, and his worlds translate very well into this format. It's helpful that the setting for much of Road to Juneau is a near-future/alternate post-apocalyptic New York City, so the reader has a frame of reference, albeit one slightly removed from the NYC we know. In that regard, the author does some light-touch world-building to set the scene, which in first-person present tense feels like Dan Hardacre - the main-character-sort-of-hero - is giving us a guided tour of his hometown, along with a brief history lesson.
So the scene is set. Now, I'm not a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, and it's important I make it clear that this isn't really post-apocalyptic in terms of themes, merely setting. The story, at its heart (for me) is about unchecked power and (ir)responsibility. Thus, to some extent, Road to Juneau is allegorical - a critical perspective on current affairs as much as the fictional future, and aside from the 'nature' of the central characters, it is a future that's potentially only a step or two from where we are now.
For all of that, the novel isn't hard-hitting political commentary, although there is plenty of politics in it. There's also lots of subtle diversity, wry humour, fantastic adventures on Earth and elsewhere, and a few tear-jerking moments. In short, it's a darned good read - one which I wouldn't usually select as a 'pleasure read' based on genre, but the cover...wow, the cover! That would definitely have captured my interest, so I'd have ended up reading the book even if I hadn't had the privilege of publishing it.
Road to Juneau is an intelligent, entertaining, beautifully written novel for young and not-so-young adults and is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats.
July 22, 2021
An incredible debut from Liam Quane
This is an incredible debut from Liam Quane - an author who has translated his scriptwriting and directing talents to the printed page extremely well.
The book is post-apocalyptic in it's setting, rather than it's theme. This is a story is about unchecked power and irresponsibility and to some extent, Road to Juneau is allegorical - a critical perspective on current affairs as much as the fictional future, a future that's not impossible to imagine, given the current state the world is in.
There is political content, but this is not a political book. The author has managed to find that great balance between storytelling and educating.
The author successfully and seamlessly incorporates real-life experience and emotion with subtle diversity, a very dry sense of humour, fantasy and throws in a few emotional moments. In short, it's a bloody good read.
The cover...yum yum, the cover is a delight! Feels brilliant, smooth and yes, you really can judge this book by the cover.
Road to Juneau is a beautifully written, intelligent, entertaining novel for the young and not-so-young. Enjoy
This is an incredible debut from Liam Quane - an author who has translated his scriptwriting and directing talents to the printed page extremely well.
The book is post-apocalyptic in it's setting, rather than it's theme. This is a story is about unchecked power and irresponsibility and to some extent, Road to Juneau is allegorical - a critical perspective on current affairs as much as the fictional future, a future that's not impossible to imagine, given the current state the world is in.
There is political content, but this is not a political book. The author has managed to find that great balance between storytelling and educating.
The author successfully and seamlessly incorporates real-life experience and emotion with subtle diversity, a very dry sense of humour, fantasy and throws in a few emotional moments. In short, it's a bloody good read.
The cover...yum yum, the cover is a delight! Feels brilliant, smooth and yes, you really can judge this book by the cover.
Road to Juneau is a beautifully written, intelligent, entertaining novel for the young and not-so-young. Enjoy
June 10, 2021
Excellent debut novel.
Dan discovers the full extent of his family's astral heritage while navigating grief and self-doubt--and the resulting family conflict could destroy the world. Great voice, engaging prose, high energy, hilarious similes, haunting imagery. Fell in love with Dan immediately, and the deep-space experiences are STILL with me weeks later--and I love it. Well-edited. Thoughtful ending. I look forward to this author's next effort.
Dan discovers the full extent of his family's astral heritage while navigating grief and self-doubt--and the resulting family conflict could destroy the world. Great voice, engaging prose, high energy, hilarious similes, haunting imagery. Fell in love with Dan immediately, and the deep-space experiences are STILL with me weeks later--and I love it. Well-edited. Thoughtful ending. I look forward to this author's next effort.
October 4, 2021
Wow who wrote that ?!? That is one amateur written book. Not impressed how do I get a refund
October 20, 2021
Ironically a bad read
January 12, 2022
The story is terrible…. Has a teen written this in school the amateur storytelling in this is terrible.
January 12, 2022
0/5 not 1/5 … worse book Iv ever read.
October 4, 2021
First, a disclosure: I received a free ARC for this review.
Dan is an ordinary human with a strained relationship with his father and a mother who died while he was a teen. Or so he thought. Everything gets turned on its head in this debut novel and we get a thoroughly fun exploration of planets, what they're made of, and a smattering of physics in the process, while exploring the deeper connection of family, friends, and just what you'd do if you had the power of a god.
I liked the theme of this book - family, sacrifice, and saving more than just yourself - and the myriad of ways the author chose to show it. It's not just one big save, but a bunch of smaller ones as well, that shows the protagonist, Dan's, character to the reader. It has also an unexpected bad guy, which I liked as well - but no spoilers from me.
The world he built around his world is interesting, different, and one I could see us humans heading down. It's a grim reminder of what dark emotions can fuel in our future. But the story itself isn't grim - it has it dips and lows - but it doesn't get mired in it. Instead, he used humor, quirky human faults, and the connections with the secondary characters to keep the readers' heads above the potentially murky waters he treads in this story.
It is a solid debut novel and one that superhero and sci-fi fans alike would enjoy reading.
Dan is an ordinary human with a strained relationship with his father and a mother who died while he was a teen. Or so he thought. Everything gets turned on its head in this debut novel and we get a thoroughly fun exploration of planets, what they're made of, and a smattering of physics in the process, while exploring the deeper connection of family, friends, and just what you'd do if you had the power of a god.
I liked the theme of this book - family, sacrifice, and saving more than just yourself - and the myriad of ways the author chose to show it. It's not just one big save, but a bunch of smaller ones as well, that shows the protagonist, Dan's, character to the reader. It has also an unexpected bad guy, which I liked as well - but no spoilers from me.
The world he built around his world is interesting, different, and one I could see us humans heading down. It's a grim reminder of what dark emotions can fuel in our future. But the story itself isn't grim - it has it dips and lows - but it doesn't get mired in it. Instead, he used humor, quirky human faults, and the connections with the secondary characters to keep the readers' heads above the potentially murky waters he treads in this story.
It is a solid debut novel and one that superhero and sci-fi fans alike would enjoy reading.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews