Given hope in the form of a purple-hued crocus, Ben Tildon emerges from the safe haven of the underground colony meant to preserve his life from the harsh effects of a mini-ice age after eleven years. But what he doesn't know about the surface might kill him anyway.
I don't know what happened between book 3 and book 4. Books 1-3 seemed to be carefully planned and researched novels. With book 4, all science seems to go out the window, along with the writing. This book seems to be more YA fiction. Just because the protagonist is 17 years old doesn't mean that the writing quality has to go down as well. The son, Ben, says that he wants to see the old town, but gives no specific reason as to why he wants to go or what he wants to do. He sees one flower and declares by himself that the freeze is over. Then he just leaves on his own? With crazy animals and gangs still roaming around he decides to take a month long trip in the wilderness? It makes no sense.
Then the author describes all the wildlife being bigger than before. Wouldn't there be the opposite effect? Without the sun to help plants grow, wouldn't the amount of wildlife decrease? Now suddenly rabbits are the size of wolves? Again, it makes no sense.
Also a previous character who was reliable and a major player now is described as kind of loony and just wants to blow up bears. Why would you be wasting dynamite in a post-apocalyptic universe? I would think that would be a critical resource. Also, they mysteriously have items such as graduation gowns and other frivolous things. I know 11 years have passed, but were these scavenged from another city? Why would they send out a crew in the freezing cold just to find graduation gowns for the high school they somehow built underground? No sense.
This book was very disappointing. There continuation from the last book to this one was awful. I had continued reading the series to see what was going to happen to everyone, but this definitely was my last read from this author.
Can you go home? Would it be a dream or nightmare?
A little over a year ago I listened to the first three books in the Surrender the Sun series and got sidetracked from listening to the last two books in the series by competing obligations. Today I was offered a choice of an audiobook review copy by A.R. Shaw, and my first choice was the fourth book in the Surrender the Sun series. Luckily, a copy was available.
Once I loaded the book into my library I couldn’t resist listening and put everything else aside for the afternoon. I immersed myself in the post-apocalyptic frozen world where Ben, Bishop, Jax and the rest of the community exist. Even with the prolonged delay in following the story I found myself immediately drawn back into the Colorado community and each of the characters’ lives like there had been no delay. While this story is not wall-to-wall action, there is plenty of action and intrigue to keep the listener/reader engaged. There are also plenty of interpersonal stories going on that build a sense of anticipation and drive the story forward to its conclusion. Based on my enjoyment of my afternoon’s entertainment, I doubt it will be another year before I listen to or read Feral Earth or Rough Earth, the final books in the series. Along with an excellent storyline, Jordan Gibbs narration brought each character to life and made listening to the story an excellent experience. I will be looking at more stories Jordan has narrated once I finish this series.
This is the fourth book in the Surrender the Sun series and takes place 11 years after the migration to an underground facility that kept many alive during the mini ice age. In this book the Earth is starting to warm and a whole new set of challenges await.
AR Shaw has again shown great research and understanding of the human species. I believe many of the situations described are possible and I only hope I might be among the people who band together. I cannot wait to read book 5.
This is the fourth book in the Surrender the Sun series and takes place 11 years after the migration to an underground facility that kept many alive during the mini ice age. In this book the Earth is starting to warm and a whole new set of challenges await.
AR Shaw has again shown great research and understanding of the human species. I believe many of the situations described are possible and I only hope I might be among the people who band together. I cannot wait to read book 5.
A great continuation of A R Shaws earlier trio of books about an iceage. Taken from a slightly different angle, the young boy from the orginal story is now coming of age and is struggling to find himself in a world of bizarre imprisonment underground. The fact that his imprisonment was needed for survival, we do find out some humans did, in fact, survive on the surface. The ice age seems to be releasing its grip at last, and Ben decides to go on a journey to where he grew up. Thought provoking.