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The Cloud Seeders
Serve Your Country, Conserve Your Water, Observe Your Neighbor.
This is the slogan of the Sustainability Unit and of a country gone eco-hysterical. After nearly twelve months without rain and the hinges of the world barely still oiled, Thomas and his younger brother, Dustin, set out across a drought-ridden landscape in search of answers. What they discover along the way will change their lives, and their country, forever.
This is the slogan of the Sustainability Unit and of a country gone eco-hysterical. After nearly twelve months without rain and the hinges of the world barely still oiled, Thomas and his younger brother, Dustin, set out across a drought-ridden landscape in search of answers. What they discover along the way will change their lives, and their country, forever.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2012
105 people are currently reading
1869 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Zerndt
8 books109 followersJamie Zerndt is the author of THE CLOUD SEEDERS, THE KOREAN WORD FOR BUTTERFLY, THE ROADRUNNER CAFE, and JERKWATER. His short story, "THIS JERKWATER LIFE", was recently chosen as an Editor's Pick in Amazon's Kindle Singles store. He now lives in Portland, Oregon, with his son where he is probably trying to take a nap. And failing.
Follow him on the Bookbub here: bit.ly/3tU1EZP
Follow him on the Bookbub here: bit.ly/3tU1EZP
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 6, 2013
Every once in a while I read a book I will never forget. James Zerndt's THE CLOUD SEEDERS, a post-apocalyptic saga set in a drought-plagued future, is one of those books. It's the story of three young people who stand up against a world determined to keep them down. The narrator, eighteen-year-old Thomas, is eking out a living as a "Water Cop," handing out "tickets" to people who dare to break the government's restrictive laws. His nine-year-old brother Dustin works with him as a "cadet," and he takes doling out the tickets very seriously (the more tickets he and Thomas give out, the more water they earn as a bonus). Neither Thomas nor Dustin has seen their parents in over a year. Thomas's true love is Jerusha, who rebels against the system every chance she gets - she's running a bootleg water business in her basement, and she's a die-hard conspiracy theorist (the government, she says, is definitely out to get them). When Thomas decides to take Dustin on a cross-country road trip in search of their parents (who are supposedly doing meteorological research at a secret lab somewhere in California), Jerusha insists on going with them. They have a beat-up car, a map belonging to their father with government check-points marked in pencil, and the address of a repair shop called "Twink's Auto Repair." Thus begins a journey that will ultimately change all three characters, as well as the world in which they live.
This post-apocalyptic world is definitely depressing. For some reason, there has been little or no rain for years. Everything seems to be dead or dying, including the hordes of "Leftovers" (or homeless people, labeled the "Internally Displaced" by the government) that roam the streets or hide out in crude shelters. Water is worth its weight in gold, and desperate people take desperate measures (including using Recyclers to turn urine into usable water) to stay alive. The President makes periodic speeches encouraging everyone to "Stay Green," and citizens are bribed with water bonuses to turn in their neighbors for violations.
There are definitely shades of other post-apocalyptic horror stories here, including McCarthy's THE ROAD, Orwell's 1984, and the 1973 film SOYLENT GREEN. But Zerndt's story is distinctly original. Thomas is a wonderfully developed character whose words carry with them a truth that is instantly believable. This is a young man who has been put in the position of having to care for his younger brother in a world gone to hell. His love for Dustin is palpable, and so is the weight of the responsibility he shoulders. Dustin himself is a mixture of childish insecurities and adult rage - he misses his parents desperately, and he wants nothing more than to play a real part in finding them and solving the mysteries of the nightmare world in which he lives. Thomas and Dustin are two very young people forced to do things even adults would have difficulty coping with. Their story is remarkable.
Equally engaging is their relationship with Jerusha, who becomes a true mother to Dustin just as she becomes a lover for Thomas. She is a strong and self-willed woman, and her outspoken antagonism against the government becomes a focal point for the story. From the beginning, she wants to fight; it takes Thomas longer, but in the end the three of them will fight together. And the character Twink (who run's "Twink's Auto Repair") helps solidify the connection between Dustin, Thomas, and Jerusha, as well as give readers a little hope that not all adults are government stooges and sell-outs.
One of the most interesting parts of THE CLOUD SEEDERS is the poetry, written by Thomas's mother, that is interspersed between the chapters. The poems are funny and poignant and very, very important to the story Zerndt is telling. I found myself looking forward to the breaks between chapters when I'd get to read another of Thomas's mother's poems. The last one, called "Eat the Rich: A Recipe," was my favorite. Throughout their road trip, Dustin is reading these poems (from a book left behind by his mother) and talking to Thomas about them. They become almost a road map for the journey these characters have undertaken.
My only criticism - and it's a very minor quibble - is that it's never clear when THE CLOUD SEEDERS is taking place. Many of the pop culture references made by Thomas are from the `70's ("Star Wars," "Rambo," "Mr. T") or even earlier ("Tony the Tiger," Elvis, Woodstock). Would a future teen (even a near-future teen) really be familiar with such things? Additionally, Thomas seems to know an awful lot about an awful lot of things. Dustin has continuing questions about words and concepts he finds in his mother's poems, and Thomas is always able to provide the answers. He seems to be a bit more knowledgeable than would be expected for a teenager who never finished high school. But these things really are very minor complaints, and they in no way detract from what is a wonderful story.
The important thing is that THE CLOUD SEEDERS is a beautifully written and carefully plotted novel that is definitely worth reading. It has been billed as a Young Adult title, but I must warn parents that there are most definitely language and sexuality issues that might make it unsuitable for younger teens. That said, the YA market is a broad one, and the tone and style of Zerndt's story is reminiscent of M. T. Anderson's FEED, which also contains mature language and sexual situations. I found the language totally appropriate (and nothing today's teens aren't hearing on a daily basis). The sex, on the other hand, is probably more graphic than is found in most YA books today. But I would have had no problem with my sons reading this book when they were in high school.
Bottom line, read this book! It may start out as a depressing tale of government-gone-bad, but the ending offers real hope (and real potential for sequels). I love Thomas and Dustin and Jerusha. And I will never forget their story. Highly recommended.
[Please note: I was provided a copy of this book for review; the opinions expressed here are my own.]
This post-apocalyptic world is definitely depressing. For some reason, there has been little or no rain for years. Everything seems to be dead or dying, including the hordes of "Leftovers" (or homeless people, labeled the "Internally Displaced" by the government) that roam the streets or hide out in crude shelters. Water is worth its weight in gold, and desperate people take desperate measures (including using Recyclers to turn urine into usable water) to stay alive. The President makes periodic speeches encouraging everyone to "Stay Green," and citizens are bribed with water bonuses to turn in their neighbors for violations.
There are definitely shades of other post-apocalyptic horror stories here, including McCarthy's THE ROAD, Orwell's 1984, and the 1973 film SOYLENT GREEN. But Zerndt's story is distinctly original. Thomas is a wonderfully developed character whose words carry with them a truth that is instantly believable. This is a young man who has been put in the position of having to care for his younger brother in a world gone to hell. His love for Dustin is palpable, and so is the weight of the responsibility he shoulders. Dustin himself is a mixture of childish insecurities and adult rage - he misses his parents desperately, and he wants nothing more than to play a real part in finding them and solving the mysteries of the nightmare world in which he lives. Thomas and Dustin are two very young people forced to do things even adults would have difficulty coping with. Their story is remarkable.
Equally engaging is their relationship with Jerusha, who becomes a true mother to Dustin just as she becomes a lover for Thomas. She is a strong and self-willed woman, and her outspoken antagonism against the government becomes a focal point for the story. From the beginning, she wants to fight; it takes Thomas longer, but in the end the three of them will fight together. And the character Twink (who run's "Twink's Auto Repair") helps solidify the connection between Dustin, Thomas, and Jerusha, as well as give readers a little hope that not all adults are government stooges and sell-outs.
One of the most interesting parts of THE CLOUD SEEDERS is the poetry, written by Thomas's mother, that is interspersed between the chapters. The poems are funny and poignant and very, very important to the story Zerndt is telling. I found myself looking forward to the breaks between chapters when I'd get to read another of Thomas's mother's poems. The last one, called "Eat the Rich: A Recipe," was my favorite. Throughout their road trip, Dustin is reading these poems (from a book left behind by his mother) and talking to Thomas about them. They become almost a road map for the journey these characters have undertaken.
My only criticism - and it's a very minor quibble - is that it's never clear when THE CLOUD SEEDERS is taking place. Many of the pop culture references made by Thomas are from the `70's ("Star Wars," "Rambo," "Mr. T") or even earlier ("Tony the Tiger," Elvis, Woodstock). Would a future teen (even a near-future teen) really be familiar with such things? Additionally, Thomas seems to know an awful lot about an awful lot of things. Dustin has continuing questions about words and concepts he finds in his mother's poems, and Thomas is always able to provide the answers. He seems to be a bit more knowledgeable than would be expected for a teenager who never finished high school. But these things really are very minor complaints, and they in no way detract from what is a wonderful story.
The important thing is that THE CLOUD SEEDERS is a beautifully written and carefully plotted novel that is definitely worth reading. It has been billed as a Young Adult title, but I must warn parents that there are most definitely language and sexuality issues that might make it unsuitable for younger teens. That said, the YA market is a broad one, and the tone and style of Zerndt's story is reminiscent of M. T. Anderson's FEED, which also contains mature language and sexual situations. I found the language totally appropriate (and nothing today's teens aren't hearing on a daily basis). The sex, on the other hand, is probably more graphic than is found in most YA books today. But I would have had no problem with my sons reading this book when they were in high school.
Bottom line, read this book! It may start out as a depressing tale of government-gone-bad, but the ending offers real hope (and real potential for sequels). I love Thomas and Dustin and Jerusha. And I will never forget their story. Highly recommended.
[Please note: I was provided a copy of this book for review; the opinions expressed here are my own.]
September 13, 2014
A book about a massive drought in certainly a strange choice to read on a rainy day. But a good choice, this was a very enjoyable read, especially great from an unknown kindle find. Not just a drought, a near future dystopia of a thoroughly regulated, profoundly dehydrated world in which a young man, his girlfriend and his kid brother find their way across the devastated land and ultimately to the truth behind the situation. Sure toward the end it became a tad comically exaggerated as a paranoid political message maybe, but the ending worked and all the parts leading up to the ending worked as well. Very quick read, this was a well written, compelling story with some notably nonannoying young characters. For such a bleak scenario it was a pretty fun enjoyable read. Recommended.
January 8, 2014
About The Book:
This is the slogan of the Sustainability Unit and of a country gone eco-hysterical. After nearly twelve months without rain and the hinges of the world barely still oiled, Thomas and his younger brother, Dustin, set out across a drought-ridden landscape in search of answers. What they discover along the way will change their lives, and their country, forever.
What I Thought:
Thomas only wants whats best for for his little brother, Dustin. But that's kind of hard when it hasn't rained for a year and the government limited the use of many things. When Dustin seems to be coming down with something, Thomas decides it's time for a vacation, and a vacation it'll be. Together, Thomas and his girlfriend, Jerusha, take Dustin on a cross-country trip. Things soon start to get out of hand but at least they are having fun, well, that is until they are taken into custody by a couple of officers. But amazingly that turns into a small adventure as well, showing Thomas just how grown up Dustin is becoming. With a few bumps along the way, Thomas is left to make some life altering decisions. What will become of these crazy, fun-loving kids?
About The Author:
James Zerndt lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and son. His poetry has appeared in The Oregonian, and his fiction has most recently appeared in Gray's Sporting Journal and SWINK magazine. He recieved an MFA in Writing from Pacific University and rarely refers to himself in the third person.
This is the slogan of the Sustainability Unit and of a country gone eco-hysterical. After nearly twelve months without rain and the hinges of the world barely still oiled, Thomas and his younger brother, Dustin, set out across a drought-ridden landscape in search of answers. What they discover along the way will change their lives, and their country, forever.
What I Thought:
Thomas only wants whats best for for his little brother, Dustin. But that's kind of hard when it hasn't rained for a year and the government limited the use of many things. When Dustin seems to be coming down with something, Thomas decides it's time for a vacation, and a vacation it'll be. Together, Thomas and his girlfriend, Jerusha, take Dustin on a cross-country trip. Things soon start to get out of hand but at least they are having fun, well, that is until they are taken into custody by a couple of officers. But amazingly that turns into a small adventure as well, showing Thomas just how grown up Dustin is becoming. With a few bumps along the way, Thomas is left to make some life altering decisions. What will become of these crazy, fun-loving kids?
About The Author:
James Zerndt lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and son. His poetry has appeared in The Oregonian, and his fiction has most recently appeared in Gray's Sporting Journal and SWINK magazine. He recieved an MFA in Writing from Pacific University and rarely refers to himself in the third person.
January 15, 2014
First off I'd like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Young Adult/Teen/ Dystopian/ Science Fiction book about a futuristic society in the United States where water is at a premium and it never seems to rain. Normally I do not read YA books but after having read this book I may have to think about reading some more of this genre.
When Thomas is left to raise his younger brother Dustin he manages to get a job at the Sustainability Unit and is helping his brother to learn the ropes as well. They ultimately take off on vacation with a girl that Thomas knows to supposedly find their parents. Their adventures along the way are interesting to say the least and they meet up with a lot of interesting people who don't exactly agree with the government. Dustin finds out the truth about his parents (no, I can't tell you!!) and ultimately helps with the over turn of the government. This book does end on a happy note-actually a couple of happy notes. Yup-another 5!!
The Cloud Seeders
When Thomas is left to raise his younger brother Dustin he manages to get a job at the Sustainability Unit and is helping his brother to learn the ropes as well. They ultimately take off on vacation with a girl that Thomas knows to supposedly find their parents. Their adventures along the way are interesting to say the least and they meet up with a lot of interesting people who don't exactly agree with the government. Dustin finds out the truth about his parents (no, I can't tell you!!) and ultimately helps with the over turn of the government. This book does end on a happy note-actually a couple of happy notes. Yup-another 5!!
The Cloud Seeders
October 31, 2013
Thomas, his kid brother Dustin and Thomas’ no-nonsense girlfriend Jerusha are struggling to make sense of a world gone dry. When they decide to brave the dust storms and set out on a road trip, they discover a truth about the weather that changes everything.
The storyline was straightforward but fascinating and original. This well-written story falls into the dystopia genre (with a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in) but is for the most part lighter than the usual. The real strength of it lies in its characters, their interactions and the way they change over time. I thoroughly enjoyed their conversations, reactions and experiences, and I highly recommend the book. Rating: 4.5 stars
The storyline was straightforward but fascinating and original. This well-written story falls into the dystopia genre (with a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in) but is for the most part lighter than the usual. The real strength of it lies in its characters, their interactions and the way they change over time. I thoroughly enjoyed their conversations, reactions and experiences, and I highly recommend the book. Rating: 4.5 stars
September 6, 2013
Wow. I bought this book on Amazon for almost nothing, and got so much in return. I read it just after reading The 5th Wave, and although the plot isn't as deep or tragic, it's an amazing concept and quite a page-turner. The Cloud Seeders is 5th Wave meets Hunger Games, but Lite. Impressed.
December 30, 2013
I was so surprised at this book. it had me from page one. I couldn't put it down. I loved how there was a poem that the mom wrote at every chapter. very deep, Thought provoking book. I would give 5 stars if it wasn't for some bad language. however, it is mostly a clean book.
July 28, 2013
James Zerndt: Poet, Writer, Observer, Philosopher
For those who have had the privilege of reading Portland, Oregon writer James Zerndt's second novel THE KOREAN WORD FOR BUTTERFLY then the magic he weaves so successfully in his debut novel THE CLOUD SEEDERS will come as no surprise: it is every bit as satisfying a read as his other book. Though some critics and reviewers are referring to this as a post apocalyptic tale (think José Saramago's BLINDNESS, Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, Kurt Vonnegut's CAT'S CRADLE etc) - and Zerndt's story is up there with the best of those - this tale of the drying up of the skies and the resultant drought that must be fought by humans if they/we are to survive is a novel that could easily take place in the rather near future if we do not care for the environment more strongly.
But classifications or comparisons are also unfair because they detract from the inherent worth of the novel under discussion. Zerndt wisely places his characters in the form of young youths - the brothers Thomas, age 18, and Dustin, age 9, and their female friend Jerusha (`'a Bootlegger: someone who makes un-recycled water and sells it on the black market') who are coping with the fact that the skies have not produced rain for a year and the land and people of the Pacific Northwest, used to copious, almost daily, flooding rainfall, are barely coping. Zerndt prophecies what could happen if our eco-system (make the WHEN our eco-system) fails: we will by necessity become a near police state protected by a Sustainability Unit that polices people who abuse the scant water supply available.
Were that the only thread of the book it would still keep our inters because of the beauty of the way Zerndt writes, but he humanizes the story further by exploring new love, brotherly commitment, encountering the realities of growing in to adults, finding solutions to the catastrophe, etc. One fine addition to the layout of this novel is Zerndt's insertion of poems at the beginning of the chapters, poems such as the following:
EAT THE RICH: A RECIPE
Preheat the oven to 451 degrees,
the temperature at which money burns.
Next, take three SUV's,
crack them in two
and remove the whites.
Mix in a bowl with two peels
of self-satisfied laughter
from a soccer mom
and one tablespoon
of crushed summer-home spice.
Bake for a generation.
Garnishing options:
Diced debutante
Julienned CEO
Dash of trustfunder
Ladle of landlord
Pinch of politician
James Zerndt is making a significant appearance here, not only as a master craftsman and a man concerned with our environment, but also a writer with the skill to take a serious situation and weave a magical journey of love and comedy and warmth while keeping his finger pointed at issues to which we should all attend.
Grady Harp
For those who have had the privilege of reading Portland, Oregon writer James Zerndt's second novel THE KOREAN WORD FOR BUTTERFLY then the magic he weaves so successfully in his debut novel THE CLOUD SEEDERS will come as no surprise: it is every bit as satisfying a read as his other book. Though some critics and reviewers are referring to this as a post apocalyptic tale (think José Saramago's BLINDNESS, Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, Kurt Vonnegut's CAT'S CRADLE etc) - and Zerndt's story is up there with the best of those - this tale of the drying up of the skies and the resultant drought that must be fought by humans if they/we are to survive is a novel that could easily take place in the rather near future if we do not care for the environment more strongly.
But classifications or comparisons are also unfair because they detract from the inherent worth of the novel under discussion. Zerndt wisely places his characters in the form of young youths - the brothers Thomas, age 18, and Dustin, age 9, and their female friend Jerusha (`'a Bootlegger: someone who makes un-recycled water and sells it on the black market') who are coping with the fact that the skies have not produced rain for a year and the land and people of the Pacific Northwest, used to copious, almost daily, flooding rainfall, are barely coping. Zerndt prophecies what could happen if our eco-system (make the WHEN our eco-system) fails: we will by necessity become a near police state protected by a Sustainability Unit that polices people who abuse the scant water supply available.
Were that the only thread of the book it would still keep our inters because of the beauty of the way Zerndt writes, but he humanizes the story further by exploring new love, brotherly commitment, encountering the realities of growing in to adults, finding solutions to the catastrophe, etc. One fine addition to the layout of this novel is Zerndt's insertion of poems at the beginning of the chapters, poems such as the following:
EAT THE RICH: A RECIPE
Preheat the oven to 451 degrees,
the temperature at which money burns.
Next, take three SUV's,
crack them in two
and remove the whites.
Mix in a bowl with two peels
of self-satisfied laughter
from a soccer mom
and one tablespoon
of crushed summer-home spice.
Bake for a generation.
Garnishing options:
Diced debutante
Julienned CEO
Dash of trustfunder
Ladle of landlord
Pinch of politician
James Zerndt is making a significant appearance here, not only as a master craftsman and a man concerned with our environment, but also a writer with the skill to take a serious situation and weave a magical journey of love and comedy and warmth while keeping his finger pointed at issues to which we should all attend.
Grady Harp
July 26, 2016
I was immediately drawn into the story, which is always a great thing, and was fully expecting to love the book. However, several things made me not...but I'll get to those in a moment.
The world this author has built was fantastic! It was a very believable scenario and that made the story all the more terrifying.
The affection between the brothers was great, but at times it seemed that the younger brother's age changed drastically. He's 9 years old and when the story first starts out he treated like you would expect someone to treat a 9 year old. However by mid-story he acting and being treated like an adult, at one point his brother even calls him an adult (but he's still only 9!). I'm sorry but I found this hard to believe. I don't care how grownup or mature a child behaves they are still a child.
I don't believe there is going to be a sequel so I would have liked there to have been a little more to the story, as I felt the ending was kind of abrupt and left me hanging. If there's going to be a sequel I would have added another star to my rating as then the ending would have made me want to read the next book, but as it stands I feel like it was missing something. Just learned there's going to be a sequel so I've adjusted my rating and think that the ending is great - definitely makes me want to read the next book.
The poems between chapters were confusing, but that may be more because I don't care for poetry and honestly don't understand it the way a lot of others are able to.
There was more language than I expected there to be, as this is a young adult novel, and there were also quite a few sexual innuendos which were a little shocking - not what I was expecting. However, I guess since it's told from a young man's POV that's something I probably should have expected. This alone doesn't affect my rating and I'm just mentioning it if this is something that would bother you too.
All in all, it was a good read and one I would recommend if you enjoy Dystopian novels.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
The world this author has built was fantastic! It was a very believable scenario and that made the story all the more terrifying.
The affection between the brothers was great, but at times it seemed that the younger brother's age changed drastically. He's 9 years old and when the story first starts out he treated like you would expect someone to treat a 9 year old. However by mid-story he acting and being treated like an adult, at one point his brother even calls him an adult (but he's still only 9!). I'm sorry but I found this hard to believe. I don't care how grownup or mature a child behaves they are still a child.
The poems between chapters were confusing, but that may be more because I don't care for poetry and honestly don't understand it the way a lot of others are able to.
There was more language than I expected there to be, as this is a young adult novel, and there were also quite a few sexual innuendos which were a little shocking - not what I was expecting. However, I guess since it's told from a young man's POV that's something I probably should have expected. This alone doesn't affect my rating and I'm just mentioning it if this is something that would bother you too.
All in all, it was a good read and one I would recommend if you enjoy Dystopian novels.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
January 9, 2014
4.5 Rating....This new Science Fiction and Dystopia novel called The Cloud Seeders by James Zerndt!
After twelve months without rain, the world is barely surviving. Eighteen year old Thomas is forced by circumstances and the loss of his to shoulder a huge amount of responsibility. He struggles to fend for his little brother Dustin and do the right thing for the girl he loves.
Due to the huge lack of water the police are roaming for streets looking for people who are using water illegally due to its very low levels. People no longer look to the skies for rain. Thomas and Dustin are patrolling the neighborhood for anyone using water illegally as they will get water for turning them in. They set out across a drought landscape in hoping to find their parents and in search for answers.
I loved this new genre called Dystopia and how the author is so detailed in exploring this new and fascinating post-apocalyptic genre. I really enjoyed the relationship between the brothers as it was written so beautifully and how they interacted with each other, especially through tense situations. I liked how the political issues in the story and how they weren't thrown at the readers as they are in a lot of other pre and post-apocalyptic/dystopian books. The author placed the characters beyond the issues while ignoring all the political ramblings that can happen in this type of book.
Will Thomas and Dustin ever find their parents? Will they find the answers to their questions? Most importantly how will the boys survive this new world together? I recommend The Cloud Seeders to anyone who enjoys this new type of interesting and well written genre!
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Paul at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
After twelve months without rain, the world is barely surviving. Eighteen year old Thomas is forced by circumstances and the loss of his to shoulder a huge amount of responsibility. He struggles to fend for his little brother Dustin and do the right thing for the girl he loves.
Due to the huge lack of water the police are roaming for streets looking for people who are using water illegally due to its very low levels. People no longer look to the skies for rain. Thomas and Dustin are patrolling the neighborhood for anyone using water illegally as they will get water for turning them in. They set out across a drought landscape in hoping to find their parents and in search for answers.
I loved this new genre called Dystopia and how the author is so detailed in exploring this new and fascinating post-apocalyptic genre. I really enjoyed the relationship between the brothers as it was written so beautifully and how they interacted with each other, especially through tense situations. I liked how the political issues in the story and how they weren't thrown at the readers as they are in a lot of other pre and post-apocalyptic/dystopian books. The author placed the characters beyond the issues while ignoring all the political ramblings that can happen in this type of book.
Will Thomas and Dustin ever find their parents? Will they find the answers to their questions? Most importantly how will the boys survive this new world together? I recommend The Cloud Seeders to anyone who enjoys this new type of interesting and well written genre!
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Paul at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
December 30, 2013
Thomas and his little brother, Dustin are trying to survive. Their parents left them. They were suppose to come back but that was a long time ago. Thomas and Dustin now patrol their neighborhood for anyone illegally using water. If they turn in their neighbors then they get water for themselves. Dustin is starting to remember some of the things about life before the drought. Thomas decides now is the best time to take Dustin on a road trip to find their parents. They are joined by Jerusha.
The hottest genre I would have to say currently is the dystopia genre. Thus I am loving this genre. Books in this genre can be both pre and post apocalyptic. Which I like both ways. However my biggest concern about these books is the character development aspect of them. I do care about the world or background but it is not as important to me as the characters are. I mean the world is about to fall apart of has already been destroyed so there is nothing left but the people. So this is why I say it is very important that I feel a connection with the characters if I am going to go on a journey with them. Well I did feel a connection with Thomas and Dustin. However I was not feeling Jerusha so much. Let me clarify myself. I was not feeling Jerusha as a love interest for Thomas. They seemed more suited as good friends that should stay that way. The ending was a pretty good one, although I did feel like it just ended and I was let with some questions. Luckily the author wrote me and told me that there is a sequel in the works. So I do look forward to continuing the journey with Thomas, Dustin, and Jerusha. You don't really realize how precious water is until you no longer have it and are in need of it. I thought that Mr. Zerndt did a good showing with his first novel.
The hottest genre I would have to say currently is the dystopia genre. Thus I am loving this genre. Books in this genre can be both pre and post apocalyptic. Which I like both ways. However my biggest concern about these books is the character development aspect of them. I do care about the world or background but it is not as important to me as the characters are. I mean the world is about to fall apart of has already been destroyed so there is nothing left but the people. So this is why I say it is very important that I feel a connection with the characters if I am going to go on a journey with them. Well I did feel a connection with Thomas and Dustin. However I was not feeling Jerusha so much. Let me clarify myself. I was not feeling Jerusha as a love interest for Thomas. They seemed more suited as good friends that should stay that way. The ending was a pretty good one, although I did feel like it just ended and I was let with some questions. Luckily the author wrote me and told me that there is a sequel in the works. So I do look forward to continuing the journey with Thomas, Dustin, and Jerusha. You don't really realize how precious water is until you no longer have it and are in need of it. I thought that Mr. Zerndt did a good showing with his first novel.
January 21, 2014
The Cloud Seeders is a dystopian science fiction novel where the USA is in a severe drought and you can be punished for using water and energy. Two young brothers who have been surviving by working as water police, set off on a journey to find their parents - their father is a scientist who has been working to develop weather control technology.
This is what drew me to this book. I've recently been doing some research on weather control technology because I'm considering using it in some of my writing and to find this book with that as a plot device intrigued me.
I've read several reviews by others. Some were quite critical because the readers didn't like the profanity and the single sex scene in this book. I will say, in my view the sex scene was not extremely explicit, and I fully believe in writing a book to be as believabl as possible. In this story where you have two boys - one a teenager in charge of the younger, who've been on their own for over a year - I think the profanity adds realism.
However, despite the age of the protagonists and how it has been classified, this is really not a Young Adult (YA) book. It's listed on Amazon as a children's book. Nuh uh. It's not. New Adult? Maybe. The subject matter in this book is not suitable for children or young teens. At least not in my humble opinion.
I did, however enjoy this author's take on such a dystopian future and I didn't want to put it down. I found the ending a bit simplistic, but I was still satisfied with it. Overall I really liked it.
This is what drew me to this book. I've recently been doing some research on weather control technology because I'm considering using it in some of my writing and to find this book with that as a plot device intrigued me.
I've read several reviews by others. Some were quite critical because the readers didn't like the profanity and the single sex scene in this book. I will say, in my view the sex scene was not extremely explicit, and I fully believe in writing a book to be as believabl as possible. In this story where you have two boys - one a teenager in charge of the younger, who've been on their own for over a year - I think the profanity adds realism.
However, despite the age of the protagonists and how it has been classified, this is really not a Young Adult (YA) book. It's listed on Amazon as a children's book. Nuh uh. It's not. New Adult? Maybe. The subject matter in this book is not suitable for children or young teens. At least not in my humble opinion.
I did, however enjoy this author's take on such a dystopian future and I didn't want to put it down. I found the ending a bit simplistic, but I was still satisfied with it. Overall I really liked it.
February 26, 2014
This is more of a masculine dystopian YA than the books I usually read in the genre, which has pros and cons. The love story is much less intense, so there's room for more world-building, but at the same time, the emotions don't hold me as well.
I'm not sure I really buy the premise, either. From a scientific standpoint, it seems unlikely that water would be so scarce, but we'd continue to have plastics and other things that take a lot of water to produce. For example, the internet reports that it takes 39,000 gallons of water to make a car, but the book thinks vehicles are okay as long as they're hybrids. It's not entirely clear what body-wipes are, but they seem to be a bit like larger versions of the sanitized hand-wipes people currently buy, and I suspect it might take as much water to make a body-wipe as it would to just take a short shower with a water-efficient nozzle. And, honestly, if I was running a repressive government, I'd *want* people to watch TV rather than outlawing the passive form of entertainment.
Those caveats aside, the book was interesting and worth reading, especially since I got it free. If you're into poetry, you'll probably especially enjoy the poem linked to each chapter.
I'm not sure I really buy the premise, either. From a scientific standpoint, it seems unlikely that water would be so scarce, but we'd continue to have plastics and other things that take a lot of water to produce. For example, the internet reports that it takes 39,000 gallons of water to make a car, but the book thinks vehicles are okay as long as they're hybrids. It's not entirely clear what body-wipes are, but they seem to be a bit like larger versions of the sanitized hand-wipes people currently buy, and I suspect it might take as much water to make a body-wipe as it would to just take a short shower with a water-efficient nozzle. And, honestly, if I was running a repressive government, I'd *want* people to watch TV rather than outlawing the passive form of entertainment.
Those caveats aside, the book was interesting and worth reading, especially since I got it free. If you're into poetry, you'll probably especially enjoy the poem linked to each chapter.
January 18, 2015
So many dystopian future books out there right now have two flaws for me:
1) That the world is either unbelievable about how it came to be or how the inhabitants built and live in the world. Examples would be Hunger Games (the games themselves), Divergent (each only allowed to have one trait), or Maze Runner (really, end of the world and you spend all those resources to build a maze to do research?) These are the books in which the reader can pick apart the flaws of either human nature or technology itself.
2) Or that it is so believable that it is no longer capable of giving the reader a sense of hope. Example for me on this one is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. To say I was unsettled after reading that book and seeing that movie would be an understatement.
This book gives me a realistic reason why the dystopia happened, and a reasonable timeline of events. But most importantly, the book has hope. And the author I think sets this up early on with the game by asking, “Would you rather hope or pray?”
1) That the world is either unbelievable about how it came to be or how the inhabitants built and live in the world. Examples would be Hunger Games (the games themselves), Divergent (each only allowed to have one trait), or Maze Runner (really, end of the world and you spend all those resources to build a maze to do research?) These are the books in which the reader can pick apart the flaws of either human nature or technology itself.
2) Or that it is so believable that it is no longer capable of giving the reader a sense of hope. Example for me on this one is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. To say I was unsettled after reading that book and seeing that movie would be an understatement.
This book gives me a realistic reason why the dystopia happened, and a reasonable timeline of events. But most importantly, the book has hope. And the author I think sets this up early on with the game by asking, “Would you rather hope or pray?”
January 29, 2014
Did I enjoy this book: I liked it.
The resolutions felt a bit rushed, as though the author wanted to write a second volume, changed his mind, and then tried to fit everything into the last few chapters. I guess I just really wanted it to be longer.
At any rate, I’m enamored with Zerndt’s juxtaposition of dystopia and poetry. It’s unexpected, and it works.
Would I recommend it: Sure. It’s a quick little read, and if you can handle a bit of poetry with your doomsday forecast, I say go for it!
Will I read it again: Not until I shrink my to-do list a bit, but I’m pretty sure I could squeeze in some time for a sequel. Is there a sequel? Will you pretty please write a sequel, Mr. Zerndt? For me? =)
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/01/bl...
The resolutions felt a bit rushed, as though the author wanted to write a second volume, changed his mind, and then tried to fit everything into the last few chapters. I guess I just really wanted it to be longer.
At any rate, I’m enamored with Zerndt’s juxtaposition of dystopia and poetry. It’s unexpected, and it works.
Would I recommend it: Sure. It’s a quick little read, and if you can handle a bit of poetry with your doomsday forecast, I say go for it!
Will I read it again: Not until I shrink my to-do list a bit, but I’m pretty sure I could squeeze in some time for a sequel. Is there a sequel? Will you pretty please write a sequel, Mr. Zerndt? For me? =)
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/01/bl...
July 27, 2013
After losing this book for 2 or 3 months and vainly searching for it to no avail, I finally found it hiding in plain sight (Arrrgggh! Sorry Mr. Zerndt!). I have now finished it and must say “Great job!” to James Zerndt. I loved this book, I was able to really care about the characters, especially Dustin. Seeing them grow over the course of the story was very enjoyable, how Thomas came to realize it was time for Dustin to grow up and find his place in the world, and how Dustin had to face some hard things and learned to accept them. I liked the voice of Thomas as a narrator; he was sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, and always insightful. If I find people that are interested in dystopian fiction, I’ll definitely recommend this book first.
April 13, 2013
I downloaded this when it was a freebie, but I would gladly have paid for it, too. It was an engrossing tale of humanity post-terrible-drought, how two kids cope without their parents, how they both mature and grow up, how the world around them changes depending on the way they look at it. When I first started reading it, I thought it was a novella, because the pages just flew by! I'm used to reading lengthier books, I guess. It was at times depressing but also full of hope, and I liked that. I also liked the fact that the main character was a guy (I've read a bit too many girlie post-apocalyptic/dystopian tales lately, I guess). The poems in between chapters were good, too. And bonus points for the cover, which looks very professional. Will keep an eye on this author!
November 9, 2015
In the acknowledgements, the author says the major publishing houses passed on this one, and in my opinion, they made a mistake. I started reading this book last night and it immediately hooked me. Before I knew it, it was early in the morning, and I had to put it down and stagger to bed. When I woke up this morning, I sat down and finished it. I read the entire book directly on Goodreads before discovering that it is available currently for free for the Kindle, so I went and got a copy there as well. It was a fun and exciting read, and I think everyone should grab a copy and read it. I will be waiting to see more from this author.
June 29, 2013
I usually do not read this genre, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm pleased that I did. I really liked the story. The premise was quite realistic. The adventure of finding some sort of understanding and acceptance of what they knew as truth was a journey that resulted in questioning their future. When they final uncovered what the actual truth was, their role to reveal the deception to the world was an act of liberation. The characters were amazing in the fact that you actually saw each of them growing personal strength. Three young individuals, although scared and uncertain of the outcome, strove to aiding in the greater good of all. Definitely a must read. Recommended
September 8, 2016
What would you do if you had a secret that could tear apart the world you have so carefully tended to of your last family member? What would you do if you found out that secret was a lie and you had to live with it? The cloud seeders is a great read. This is a post-apocalyptic tale that you would have never thought about. The government is not what you think nor is anyone you once trusted, but when a man comes along and forces you to look at the way you have been living it makes you wonder where the truth is. Question is what will you do with the truth? This was a great read I would recommend this book to age 13 and up!!
October 13, 2012
This novel does what a good novel should do - it tells a great story, filled with characters a reader doesn't forget. Rather than distract, the writing seems effortless as it draws the reader into a world that is not our own, but is close enough, that the characters' plight feels dead-on. Once I started, I could not put the book down and want to see much more from this writer. It gets my highest recommendation. Do not hesitate. Purchase it now.
April 7, 2013
This book only took a day and a half of solid reading. According to my Kindle, about 5 1/2 hours. What an interesting read! Normally, I would not find myself so captivated by an apocalyptic type of story, but this played out very real and made me think about a few things, up to and including the concept of how others perceive us, how stories become rumours which may or may not be true, and how reality can play into your definition of hope. Good book from author James Zerndt.
February 13, 2013
I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Zerndt explores a somewhat disturbing concept of water as currency with great skill. The characters drew me into the story to the point I couldn't stop reading. I would have liked to read a lot more about the "Leftovers" secret camp and feel Zerndt missed an opportunity there, hence the 4 stars.
April 4, 2017
In my opinion this is a well written book. I was drawn in right away. I am 65 and many books I have read have been about the disasterous future. This one definately had some twists. I really liked the characters. I like that the main characters challenge the Powers That Be. With our future being as strained as it is, this seems like an appropriate tale to be read.
May 19, 2014
Really makes you stop and think
coming from an adult this was an excellent book. Really makes you thankful for what and who you have. Of course as a young adult book it would be great for older teens.
coming from an adult this was an excellent book. Really makes you thankful for what and who you have. Of course as a young adult book it would be great for older teens.
February 18, 2014
Wow
I'm signed up to receive emails about all the free books from websites. This was one of them. Good story, solid characters, and good pacing.
I'm signed up to receive emails about all the free books from websites. This was one of them. Good story, solid characters, and good pacing.
August 11, 2017
Brothers, 9 and 18, missing parents, post-apocalyptic story line, several awards, so what's not to like? The world is enduring a huge drought, and the brothers are water police - the job is basically to turn your cheating neighbors in, and, in exchange, get extra bottled water for yourself. The government controls everything; what's left of the oceans is protected by miles of barbed wire, urine is recycled, food is minimal, there are ration cards and checkpoints everywhere...yada yada yada. I was enjoying an interesting read and I did like it - however, it ends abruptly and rather annoyingly. For this reason, I would classify The Cloud Seekers as a "young adult" book. It's like the author was full of great ideas, then realized it was probably getting long for his audience, or he wasn't in the mood to develop the plot further, so he just stopped. At any rate, three stars for the premise, two off for execution.
December 18, 2017
I enjoyed this overall. The ending/resolution felt ... incomplete/too easy for me. It is nice that it's a stand alone novel, but I wish there had been a more satisfying conclusion. I also wish the characters had been fleshed out a bit more. I sort of feel like I never really got to know them or sympathize with them the way I wanted to. A little more worldbuilding would have been helpful as well.
January 17, 2014
This is a dark, almost depressing dystopian. Thomas, his little brother Dustin, and his almost girlfriend Jerusha head out on a journey across the country in the hopes of finding their parents. In a country of severe drought, the dangers and secrets are more than just threats.
The story is told in an alternating pattern between the narration starring Thomas and Dustin, and poems written by their mother. I found this a little disjointed since it kept pulling me out of the story. I’m not a big poetry fan, so this likely contributed to my experience, but I found the poems didn’t add anything to the story.
I found Thomas’ inner dialogue to be quite realistic. He struggles with guilt and self doubt, about what’s happened in the past, and his ability to look after his brother. It’s heartbreaking to hear how much Thomas worries, and how badly he wants things to be okay for Dustin. There is a definite love and parental feeling that comes through and resonates with me as a parent. I doubt most teens would understand his thoughts, but it does contribute something important to older readers.
Overall, this was an interesting and quick read. It has a serious feel to it, that echos through the landscape, people and situations. I wouldn’t suggest picking this up if you’re looking for light reading, but there is definitely a good story inside, even though it is on the darker side.
The story is told in an alternating pattern between the narration starring Thomas and Dustin, and poems written by their mother. I found this a little disjointed since it kept pulling me out of the story. I’m not a big poetry fan, so this likely contributed to my experience, but I found the poems didn’t add anything to the story.
I found Thomas’ inner dialogue to be quite realistic. He struggles with guilt and self doubt, about what’s happened in the past, and his ability to look after his brother. It’s heartbreaking to hear how much Thomas worries, and how badly he wants things to be okay for Dustin. There is a definite love and parental feeling that comes through and resonates with me as a parent. I doubt most teens would understand his thoughts, but it does contribute something important to older readers.
Overall, this was an interesting and quick read. It has a serious feel to it, that echos through the landscape, people and situations. I wouldn’t suggest picking this up if you’re looking for light reading, but there is definitely a good story inside, even though it is on the darker side.
August 22, 2015
Strong story, well-told. Two very important things and this author scored high on both. I'd like to thank him for the good read. I'll be looking for more from him.
By the way, in my mind, 3 stars is a REALLY good rating to give ANY book. 5 stars means it blew the top of your head off and you can't sleep thinking about how amazing it was. It made you forsake your religion, switch political affiliation, set off for Timbuktu ... you get the idea. End of rant.
Thanks, James, for sharing your really good book!
By the way, in my mind, 3 stars is a REALLY good rating to give ANY book. 5 stars means it blew the top of your head off and you can't sleep thinking about how amazing it was. It made you forsake your religion, switch political affiliation, set off for Timbuktu ... you get the idea. End of rant.
Thanks, James, for sharing your really good book!
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