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Firelands
Eighty years in the future, America has devolved into a totalitarian theocracy. The ruling Josephites clone the only seeds that grow in the post-apocalyptic climate, allowing their Prophet to control who eats, who starves, and who burns in the ritual fires that atone for society.
Subsisting on the fringes, Archer risks violation and death each day as she scours the forest for game to feed her people. When a Josephite refugee seeks sanctuary in her home, Archer is driven to chance a desperate gamble—a gamble that will bring down the Prophet and deliver seeds and freedom, or end in a fiery death for herself and for everyone she loves.
Seeds are life . . . Seeds are power . . . Seeds are the only hope of a despairing people. What will Archer do for the seeds of freedom, and what will she justify in their name?
Subsisting on the fringes, Archer risks violation and death each day as she scours the forest for game to feed her people. When a Josephite refugee seeks sanctuary in her home, Archer is driven to chance a desperate gamble—a gamble that will bring down the Prophet and deliver seeds and freedom, or end in a fiery death for herself and for everyone she loves.
Seeds are life . . . Seeds are power . . . Seeds are the only hope of a despairing people. What will Archer do for the seeds of freedom, and what will she justify in their name?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2013
4 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Piper Bayard
5 books5 followersPiper Bayard is an author and a recovering attorney with a college degree or two. She is also a belly dancer and a former hospice volunteer. She has been working daily with her good friend Jay Holmes for the past decade, learning about foreign affairs, espionage history, and field techniques for the purpose of writing fiction and nonfiction. She currently pens espionage nonfiction and international spy thrillers with Jay Holmes, as well as post-apocalyptic fiction of her own.
Jay Holmes is a forty-five-year veteran of field espionage operations with experience spanning from the Cold War fight against the Soviets, the East Germans, and the various terrorist organizations they sponsored to the present Global War on Terror. He is unwilling to admit to much more than that. Piper is the public face of their partnership.
Together, Bayard & Holmes author non-fiction articles and books on espionage and foreign affairs, as well as fictional international spy thrillers. They are also the bestselling authors of The Spy Bride from the Risky Brides Bestsellers Collection and were featured contributors for Social In Worldwide, Inc.
When they aren’t writing or, in Jay’s case, busy with “other work,” Piper and Jay are enjoying time with their families, hiking, exploring back roads of America, talking foreign affairs, laughing at their own rude jokes until the wee hours, and questing for the perfect chocolate cake recipe. If you think you have that recipe, please share it with them at BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.
To keep in touch with Bayard & Holmes and to receive notices of their upcoming releases, subscribe to the Bayard & Holmes Covert Briefing at BayardandHolmes.com/covert-briefing.
You can contact Bayard & Holmes at their BayardandHolmes.com Contact page, on Twitter at @piperbayard, on Facebook at Piper Bayard, or at their email, BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.
Jay Holmes is a forty-five-year veteran of field espionage operations with experience spanning from the Cold War fight against the Soviets, the East Germans, and the various terrorist organizations they sponsored to the present Global War on Terror. He is unwilling to admit to much more than that. Piper is the public face of their partnership.
Together, Bayard & Holmes author non-fiction articles and books on espionage and foreign affairs, as well as fictional international spy thrillers. They are also the bestselling authors of The Spy Bride from the Risky Brides Bestsellers Collection and were featured contributors for Social In Worldwide, Inc.
When they aren’t writing or, in Jay’s case, busy with “other work,” Piper and Jay are enjoying time with their families, hiking, exploring back roads of America, talking foreign affairs, laughing at their own rude jokes until the wee hours, and questing for the perfect chocolate cake recipe. If you think you have that recipe, please share it with them at BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.
To keep in touch with Bayard & Holmes and to receive notices of their upcoming releases, subscribe to the Bayard & Holmes Covert Briefing at BayardandHolmes.com/covert-briefing.
You can contact Bayard & Holmes at their BayardandHolmes.com Contact page, on Twitter at @piperbayard, on Facebook at Piper Bayard, or at their email, BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 9, 2013
If I'm looking to buy a book, there are two places I would go (a book shop and Amazon), and one place I wouldn't (the Apocalyptic section). Why? Because I like stories set in modern day and not in the future where worlds are different. But, I must say, this book is so deliciously awesome, I cannot wait for its sequel to arrive. It's set some eighty years in the future and revolves around a young girl, Archer, who takes every chance with her life to bring the ruling Josephites crumbing to their knees, and thus securing the elusive 'seeds' so her village can eat again.
Now, I read this story before seeing the much talked about movie, 'The Hunger Games', and maybe I am being biased, but The Hunger Games isn't a patch on this story. I totally loved every page. It has a wonderful pace, witty dialogue, and fabulous characters.
Definitely one for your book shelf.
Now, I read this story before seeing the much talked about movie, 'The Hunger Games', and maybe I am being biased, but The Hunger Games isn't a patch on this story. I totally loved every page. It has a wonderful pace, witty dialogue, and fabulous characters.
Definitely one for your book shelf.
June 14, 2013
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. As a former editor for years, I pretty much have a hard time reading fiction without putting on my editor's hat. It's almost unheard of for me to get absolutely LOST in a story. Firelands with suck you in like the Death Star's tractor beam and there is no escaping until THE END.
WARNING: Do not start this book on a weekday evening if you have to get up early for a day job.
WARNING: Do not start this book on a weekday evening if you have to get up early for a day job.
July 3, 2013
I almost skipped this book because I don’t read science fiction. That would have been a minor tragedy because FIRELANDS is a worthwhile, gripping read. So if you’re unsure about this because of the science-fiction classification, don’t be. The science part is not overwhelming.
I’d classify this novel’s genre as New Adult Dystopian.
Set in the not so distant future, FIRELANDS takes place in a world where a natural disaster has messed up the earth’s ecosystem. A religious sect has come into power, using violent executions as a means for controlling the population. Women are the target for these executions. Burning them alive is part of the purification process for sinners. Spooky, huh?
The people who operate within the laws of this system are Josephites. The people who live outside it are the Secs (short for Secular). Though the Secs live outside Josephite society, they still fall under Josephite authority, living in a situation I can best describe as tenant farmers. The Secs are used, abused, and, occasionally, murdered on the whim of Josephite military types.
The book’s narrator is a twenty-one-year-old Sec who is her community’s hunter. She is called Archer because of her skill with a bow and arrow. Archer is a tomboy who maquerades as a man when the situation calls for it. She’s tough, resourceful, and confident…and courageous. These qualities get her into trouble as much as they help her out of trouble. She is a character I’d love to read about again.
The driving force of FIRELANDS is a plan Archer conceives to bring down the Josephite ruling system. The question is will she succeed? Or will she get everyone she knows and loves killed?
I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to know how things worked out for Archer. Her bravery and loyalty stole my heart, but the realistic consequences of her actions kept me turning pages. The pacing is fast. The secondary characters are well drawn. And I could really see the setting. Thumbs up!
I’d classify this novel’s genre as New Adult Dystopian.
Set in the not so distant future, FIRELANDS takes place in a world where a natural disaster has messed up the earth’s ecosystem. A religious sect has come into power, using violent executions as a means for controlling the population. Women are the target for these executions. Burning them alive is part of the purification process for sinners. Spooky, huh?
The people who operate within the laws of this system are Josephites. The people who live outside it are the Secs (short for Secular). Though the Secs live outside Josephite society, they still fall under Josephite authority, living in a situation I can best describe as tenant farmers. The Secs are used, abused, and, occasionally, murdered on the whim of Josephite military types.
The book’s narrator is a twenty-one-year-old Sec who is her community’s hunter. She is called Archer because of her skill with a bow and arrow. Archer is a tomboy who maquerades as a man when the situation calls for it. She’s tough, resourceful, and confident…and courageous. These qualities get her into trouble as much as they help her out of trouble. She is a character I’d love to read about again.
The driving force of FIRELANDS is a plan Archer conceives to bring down the Josephite ruling system. The question is will she succeed? Or will she get everyone she knows and loves killed?
I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to know how things worked out for Archer. Her bravery and loyalty stole my heart, but the realistic consequences of her actions kept me turning pages. The pacing is fast. The secondary characters are well drawn. And I could really see the setting. Thumbs up!
July 14, 2013
A cautionary tale, FIRELANDS is as unpredictable as the nature of human relationship for we are taken down paths that prove not to be what they seemed but like any master storyteller, Piper Bayard allows her characters to reveal themselves for all that they are and are not.
Although I am not a frequent reader of post-apocalyptic fiction, FIRELANDS is refreshingly realistic for Bayard's vision is not a pessimistic one. In the theocracy of FIRELANDS, we see what a faction-weary world can become for such a world, like ours today, “desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds” (Dalai Lama).
Storyteller Bayard affords us a glimpse into one possibility for our future and offers us the opportunity to look at ourselves now, in our present. But mostly, she takes us to the threshold of peace by reminding us that our story is one of relationship and always will be; to touch the peace within ourselves is to extend it in relationship in any world that comes to pass.
Although this is Piper Bayard’s first book with StoneGate Ink, we can look forward to more fine writing, including a seven-book series written with Jay Holmes. I am a constant reader of their blog, Bayard & Holmes (http://piperbayard.wordpress.com), for their posts are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Often, they reveal a perspective I had not considered.
FIRELANDS is a novel for all readers who love a well-written story that not only compels but offers us a thoughtful look at ourselves.
Although I am not a frequent reader of post-apocalyptic fiction, FIRELANDS is refreshingly realistic for Bayard's vision is not a pessimistic one. In the theocracy of FIRELANDS, we see what a faction-weary world can become for such a world, like ours today, “desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds” (Dalai Lama).
Storyteller Bayard affords us a glimpse into one possibility for our future and offers us the opportunity to look at ourselves now, in our present. But mostly, she takes us to the threshold of peace by reminding us that our story is one of relationship and always will be; to touch the peace within ourselves is to extend it in relationship in any world that comes to pass.
Although this is Piper Bayard’s first book with StoneGate Ink, we can look forward to more fine writing, including a seven-book series written with Jay Holmes. I am a constant reader of their blog, Bayard & Holmes (http://piperbayard.wordpress.com), for their posts are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Often, they reveal a perspective I had not considered.
FIRELANDS is a novel for all readers who love a well-written story that not only compels but offers us a thoughtful look at ourselves.
June 12, 2013
For some reason I'm drawn to dystopian novels. I'm a big fan of The Hunger Games and Hugh Howey's Silo series (Wool). When I read the reviews about Firelands, it sounded like my kind of book. It didn't disappoint. Drew me right in and I couldn't put it down! I love it when I find a book like that. It also has some great twists and I love the characters. Looking forward to more!
July 6, 2013
A terrific thriller. Great characters, a brilliantly thought out setting, and a satisfying ending. The emphasis is on suspense and the players, not on describing some fancy world which adds nothing to the story (as in many dystopians).
The motivations driving the Secs and the Joes are entirely believable, and lead to all the actions in the book. There's nothing forced or thrown in because the author wanted it.
The protag is constantly faced with decisions where there is no good answer, and we share in her struggle to find the best compromise. "Obvious" conclusions are overturned time and again as the characters, or events around the characters, reveal themselves.
Overall, a great read. Recommended.
The motivations driving the Secs and the Joes are entirely believable, and lead to all the actions in the book. There's nothing forced or thrown in because the author wanted it.
The protag is constantly faced with decisions where there is no good answer, and we share in her struggle to find the best compromise. "Obvious" conclusions are overturned time and again as the characters, or events around the characters, reveal themselves.
Overall, a great read. Recommended.
July 10, 2013
This dystopian thriller would appeal to YA readers as well as thriller and science fiction lovers. FIRELANDS turns 1984's "Big Brother" into a false prophet/Godhead set in a Hunger Games/Blade Runner kind of world. I especially enjoyed the fully drawn characters, and the socio-economic impact of the devastating changes wreaked by volcanic eruptions, and the interweaving of a "new religion" consciousness.
I had some problems with the first third of the book, which seemed to read a bit episodic and at one emotional level. But once the action began to escalate and problems had no neat solution, the story grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. Well done!
I had some problems with the first third of the book, which seemed to read a bit episodic and at one emotional level. But once the action began to escalate and problems had no neat solution, the story grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. Well done!
October 10, 2014
After forcing myself to read a charming but tedious classic novel, I was excited for a more fun read. "Firelands", billed as a post-apocalyptic thriller with great reviews on both Goodreads and Amazon, seemed to fit perfectly, especially since the Kindle version was on sale.
Now, I am embarrassed that I wasted time reading the whole thing. Here's why.
- This book is a "Hunger Games" knockoff. It opens with a headstrong young woman who hunts in the woods with a bow and arrow, has a complicated relationship with a male friend, and struggles with hunger, sacrifice, and oppression in a strictly segregated post-apocalyptic America. If that doesn't sound like HG to you, you're off your rocker!
- The characters are two dimensional and not very compelling. If the main character's only modes are loving and murderous, and blindly fulfilling her promises is her moral compass, she's just not very complex. The naivete of another character, Bunny, ceaselessly annoys. Quinn is the stereotypical strong, silent type. Granny is a stereotypical matriarch.
- The book is riddled with typos that drove me absolutely insane. For example, one character's name is spelled two different ways multiple times. That's just sloppy. And many errors should have been caught by Spell Check but apparently weren't. Catching more and more errors detracted from my reading experience.
- The book's setting and history - like how society split into Josephites and "Secs" - aren't well-enough explained to give it a connection to our current world. It just doesn't seem like a hauntingly plausible scenario.
- To make the universe SEEM more post-apocalyptic, there are patched-on spooky elements like devastating fire weapons and robots that can read your thoughts, but none of these elements serves to create a cohesive or convincing setting.
- The book is definitely NOT thrilling. Even the most harrowing scenes left my heart at a steady pace.
- Bayard's substitute for thrills is cheesy cliffhangers at the end of almost every single chapter. For example, the characters start to fall off a cliff, or a scream is heard. It's a cheap way to try to be a page-turner.
- There's a revolving door of indistinguishable minor characters, some of whom are killed off before I even began to care about them.
- The dialog is written in a corny way in which no non-dork would speak. For example, the retort "Thank you, Captain Duh" when something obvious is spoken.
- Bayard has an unconvincing grasp of how children speak. One character, who is three or four, goes from describing a dog as "She my fluffy" to uttering, a few pages later, “I fell when it stung me. That’s why that lady tripped over me.” That doesn't make any sense.
- The villains just don't inspire hatred or fear. Okay, one is fairly loathsome, but the others aren't antagonistic enough to contribute to an engaging story of struggle.
- The writing is just NOT that great, people. Ever heard the writing advice, "Show, don't tell"? Bayard is the kind of author who would write "The scene was chaotic" rather than painting a picture that conveys chaos.
- "Firelands" contains the most pathetic, painful, stilted romantic scene I've ever had to read. "I mean I love you. As a woman."
- There's a recurring symbol that Bayard tries to make seem really meaningful, but she falls flat.
If I'm so critical of "Firelands", why did I keep reading it? The glowing online reviews maintained my hope that it would get really good or exciting. It never did. I'm frankly shocked by all the 5-stars. I can't wait to read a new good book, or even reread Hunger Games.
Now, I am embarrassed that I wasted time reading the whole thing. Here's why.
- This book is a "Hunger Games" knockoff. It opens with a headstrong young woman who hunts in the woods with a bow and arrow, has a complicated relationship with a male friend, and struggles with hunger, sacrifice, and oppression in a strictly segregated post-apocalyptic America. If that doesn't sound like HG to you, you're off your rocker!
- The characters are two dimensional and not very compelling. If the main character's only modes are loving and murderous, and blindly fulfilling her promises is her moral compass, she's just not very complex. The naivete of another character, Bunny, ceaselessly annoys. Quinn is the stereotypical strong, silent type. Granny is a stereotypical matriarch.
- The book is riddled with typos that drove me absolutely insane. For example, one character's name is spelled two different ways multiple times. That's just sloppy. And many errors should have been caught by Spell Check but apparently weren't. Catching more and more errors detracted from my reading experience.
- The book's setting and history - like how society split into Josephites and "Secs" - aren't well-enough explained to give it a connection to our current world. It just doesn't seem like a hauntingly plausible scenario.
- To make the universe SEEM more post-apocalyptic, there are patched-on spooky elements like devastating fire weapons and robots that can read your thoughts, but none of these elements serves to create a cohesive or convincing setting.
- The book is definitely NOT thrilling. Even the most harrowing scenes left my heart at a steady pace.
- Bayard's substitute for thrills is cheesy cliffhangers at the end of almost every single chapter. For example, the characters start to fall off a cliff, or a scream is heard. It's a cheap way to try to be a page-turner.
- There's a revolving door of indistinguishable minor characters, some of whom are killed off before I even began to care about them.
- The dialog is written in a corny way in which no non-dork would speak. For example, the retort "Thank you, Captain Duh" when something obvious is spoken.
- Bayard has an unconvincing grasp of how children speak. One character, who is three or four, goes from describing a dog as "She my fluffy" to uttering, a few pages later, “I fell when it stung me. That’s why that lady tripped over me.” That doesn't make any sense.
- The villains just don't inspire hatred or fear. Okay, one is fairly loathsome, but the others aren't antagonistic enough to contribute to an engaging story of struggle.
- The writing is just NOT that great, people. Ever heard the writing advice, "Show, don't tell"? Bayard is the kind of author who would write "The scene was chaotic" rather than painting a picture that conveys chaos.
- "Firelands" contains the most pathetic, painful, stilted romantic scene I've ever had to read. "I mean I love you. As a woman."
- There's a recurring symbol that Bayard tries to make seem really meaningful, but she falls flat.
If I'm so critical of "Firelands", why did I keep reading it? The glowing online reviews maintained my hope that it would get really good or exciting. It never did. I'm frankly shocked by all the 5-stars. I can't wait to read a new good book, or even reread Hunger Games.
May 15, 2015
As I read this book, I grew steadily angrier at myself for wasting my time reading it, and yet somehow still forced myself to finish. What can I say...this novel was unoriginal, over-long, and all-around irritating, with vaguely drawn characters and wild inconsistencies. I honestly cannot fathom how it has garnered such a strong Goodreads rating (which is why I decided to read it). Maybe I'd have liked it if I'd never read another book before...? Take my advice and skip this one.
September 26, 2013
Excellent! Masterful story-telling and characters that are lively and dynamic. Even the secondary characters are compelling. I feel as if I could walk into this world and meet them as friends. Looking forward to more like this!
July 21, 2013
Piper Bayard does it right with Firelands. The characters have depth and texture and the plot is nice and twisty. If you like dystopian fiction, don't miss Firelands.
Want to read
July 20, 2019DNF because of the language.
August 12, 2013
Genre: Dystopian
Firelands is The Hunger Games meets the Book of Mormon with a side of the Salem witch trials. It’s a serious page burner.
Premise: The apocalypse has come and gone and in its wake food is scarce. A despotic man, Joseph, creates his own religion to control the people by controlling their food. Archer, a girl who protects herself from the Josephites (who like to burn women to atone for the people’s sins) by dressing as a man, hunts game to supplement the meager rations provided to her village. The only thing her meadow is allowed to grow is hemp, and only enough to keep them from complete starvation. When Archer’s cousin, a Josephite, escapes the city, the Josephites are sent to hunt her down. Archer is forced to hide her cousin to prevent her whole village from being killed in the Josephites’ Godfire. But the secret Bunny escaped the city with might be the key to saving them all.
Theology: Mixed bag
This is one of the theologically most interesting books I have read in a while. Archer, the protagonist, is an atheist. She doesn’t believe in God because of the way the Josephites have perverted Christianty. Her friend Quinn prays to a goddess instead of God. I’m not sure how else goddess worship differs from God worship. Her cousin, Bunny, is part of the underground church and is a true Christian. She prays, she has faith, and she lives what she believes in a beautiful witness of Christ, complete with Bible knowledge and correct theology. The book is not labeled as Christian fiction, and for good reason. If it were Christian fiction, it would be the edgiest Christian fiction out there. (Keep reading).
Rating: PG-17
Language—the full spectrum of profanity lies in this book. It fits the characters, so it’s not out of place but it is there and it’s about what you’d expect if you watched an R-rated movie. Sex—before marriage, without qualms but not described. A bordello is one of the book’s settings and a broad range of deviant sex acts are implied. Violence—yes, lots of violence. It’s war and both sides fight dirty.
Writing:
Once you get past the first chapter which reads like a cheap Hunger Games knock-off, Firelands is magnificent for a debut book or any book. I couldn’t put it down and I can’t stop thinking about the story. Fantastic job, Piper Bayard!
Firelands is The Hunger Games meets the Book of Mormon with a side of the Salem witch trials. It’s a serious page burner.
Premise: The apocalypse has come and gone and in its wake food is scarce. A despotic man, Joseph, creates his own religion to control the people by controlling their food. Archer, a girl who protects herself from the Josephites (who like to burn women to atone for the people’s sins) by dressing as a man, hunts game to supplement the meager rations provided to her village. The only thing her meadow is allowed to grow is hemp, and only enough to keep them from complete starvation. When Archer’s cousin, a Josephite, escapes the city, the Josephites are sent to hunt her down. Archer is forced to hide her cousin to prevent her whole village from being killed in the Josephites’ Godfire. But the secret Bunny escaped the city with might be the key to saving them all.
Theology: Mixed bag
This is one of the theologically most interesting books I have read in a while. Archer, the protagonist, is an atheist. She doesn’t believe in God because of the way the Josephites have perverted Christianty. Her friend Quinn prays to a goddess instead of God. I’m not sure how else goddess worship differs from God worship. Her cousin, Bunny, is part of the underground church and is a true Christian. She prays, she has faith, and she lives what she believes in a beautiful witness of Christ, complete with Bible knowledge and correct theology. The book is not labeled as Christian fiction, and for good reason. If it were Christian fiction, it would be the edgiest Christian fiction out there. (Keep reading).
Rating: PG-17
Language—the full spectrum of profanity lies in this book. It fits the characters, so it’s not out of place but it is there and it’s about what you’d expect if you watched an R-rated movie. Sex—before marriage, without qualms but not described. A bordello is one of the book’s settings and a broad range of deviant sex acts are implied. Violence—yes, lots of violence. It’s war and both sides fight dirty.
Writing:
Once you get past the first chapter which reads like a cheap Hunger Games knock-off, Firelands is magnificent for a debut book or any book. I couldn’t put it down and I can’t stop thinking about the story. Fantastic job, Piper Bayard!
July 27, 2014
I promised myself I would abstain from future consumption of dystopian novels following the completion of Hunger Games and Divergent. Then after scouring social media and seeing promos for "Firelands", I couldn't resist. I'm glad I gave in.
Expectations were low from the onset; this was the THIRD dystopian story/series I would embark on within about a year's time. There are several comparisons to draw between this and its predecessors (many of which I will refrain from mentioning for time constraint purposes). The one I was most concerned about from chapter one was the blatant similarities between Katniss Everdeen and Archer, the female lead of "Firelands". Similar age, both wielding a bow and arrow, and both were kind of bitchy... but in a good way. Needless to say, I was fairly skeptical of how Archer's character would develop early on. Fortunately, Piper Bayard made Archer her own. "Firelands" in itself, was an original idea, so that was a bit of a relief. I love Katnis and Tris, but I also developed a special affinity for Archer. In a polygamist world, I'd marry all three of them. But alas, I didn't grow up with the Mormon teachings of Brigham Young.
The Secs and Joes are the two quarreling groups; not exactly the Sharks and the Jets. "Firelands" is essentially "The Hunger Games" with more of a religious back drop. The Joes, I must tell you, are borderline bat shit crazy. Josephite rituals and customs are downright terrifying... kind of like real Christians. Joking aside, burning innocent people alive for their "sins" isn't exactly my cup of tea. "Atonement Day" was set aside for this public display to cheer on the victim and hear their blood curdling screams; after the screaming, all was right in the Joe world. Atonement was complete. BUT, no screams, no atonement. That's how uprisings begin.
It took me 10 days to get through this book; not bad considering how long it's taken me to complete shorter books this year. I thoroughly enjoyed binge-reading the past two nights that got me through it. It's insanely cliche of me to say, but I couldn't put this down. This is one of those books that as the story drew to a close, I wanted it to continue. I was pretty content with the ending, but it seems likely another installment of "Firelands" is certain to follow in the foreseeable future. Hopefully, my prognostication is accurate.
Expectations were low from the onset; this was the THIRD dystopian story/series I would embark on within about a year's time. There are several comparisons to draw between this and its predecessors (many of which I will refrain from mentioning for time constraint purposes). The one I was most concerned about from chapter one was the blatant similarities between Katniss Everdeen and Archer, the female lead of "Firelands". Similar age, both wielding a bow and arrow, and both were kind of bitchy... but in a good way. Needless to say, I was fairly skeptical of how Archer's character would develop early on. Fortunately, Piper Bayard made Archer her own. "Firelands" in itself, was an original idea, so that was a bit of a relief. I love Katnis and Tris, but I also developed a special affinity for Archer. In a polygamist world, I'd marry all three of them. But alas, I didn't grow up with the Mormon teachings of Brigham Young.
The Secs and Joes are the two quarreling groups; not exactly the Sharks and the Jets. "Firelands" is essentially "The Hunger Games" with more of a religious back drop. The Joes, I must tell you, are borderline bat shit crazy. Josephite rituals and customs are downright terrifying... kind of like real Christians. Joking aside, burning innocent people alive for their "sins" isn't exactly my cup of tea. "Atonement Day" was set aside for this public display to cheer on the victim and hear their blood curdling screams; after the screaming, all was right in the Joe world. Atonement was complete. BUT, no screams, no atonement. That's how uprisings begin.
It took me 10 days to get through this book; not bad considering how long it's taken me to complete shorter books this year. I thoroughly enjoyed binge-reading the past two nights that got me through it. It's insanely cliche of me to say, but I couldn't put this down. This is one of those books that as the story drew to a close, I wanted it to continue. I was pretty content with the ending, but it seems likely another installment of "Firelands" is certain to follow in the foreseeable future. Hopefully, my prognostication is accurate.
October 19, 2013
Let me say right off the bat, I loved this book! I've followed Piper Bayard's blog for a while now (as much as I can follow anyone's blogs, with what little time I have for blog reading) and am always entertained by it. So when I saw that she had published this book, I decided to give it a read. I am very glad that I did. Firelands follows the adventures of Deena Sprague a young "Sec" girl in a world that is dominated by the "Josephites." Deena is known by her friends as "Archer." When she goes out away from her camp, she must dress like and pretend to be a male, because Josephites are not kind to Sec women.
I believe this book would fall into the "dystopian" category, and at first, I thought it was just going to be another Hunger Games. Boy was I wrong!! In my opinion, Firelands is much better than Hunger Games. I hope it gets as much recognition. The story is full of surprises, twists, and turns, adventure, a little romance, and there is even a little Bible stuff thrown in. I find it ironic that the people in charge are the religious fanatics, kind of like the Pharisees of the New Testament. In fact, everything changes for Deena when her grandmother's niece shows up. And it just so happens that she is wanted by the Josephites. AND, to further muddy the waters, she denies any affiliation with the Josephites, and calls herself a Christian!
I cannot over-emphasize how much I enjoyed this story! I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Bayard's work.
By the way, you can find her blog at http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/
I believe this book would fall into the "dystopian" category, and at first, I thought it was just going to be another Hunger Games. Boy was I wrong!! In my opinion, Firelands is much better than Hunger Games. I hope it gets as much recognition. The story is full of surprises, twists, and turns, adventure, a little romance, and there is even a little Bible stuff thrown in. I find it ironic that the people in charge are the religious fanatics, kind of like the Pharisees of the New Testament. In fact, everything changes for Deena when her grandmother's niece shows up. And it just so happens that she is wanted by the Josephites. AND, to further muddy the waters, she denies any affiliation with the Josephites, and calls herself a Christian!
I cannot over-emphasize how much I enjoyed this story! I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Bayard's work.
By the way, you can find her blog at http://piperbayard.wordpress.com/
January 27, 2015
I'm halfway through this story and don't think I'll complete it. It's been called "even better than The Hunger Games" (a book I enjoyed), but for me personally it doesn't live up to that comparison. For one, while the Hunger Games was a YA novel that could be enjoyed by adults too, Firelands is much more of an "adult" novel. At this, the halfway point, I'm finding myself turned off by the frequent use of the "F" word, and several other crude sexual references. It's realistic for the future time period, I suppose, but it's not necessary. The writing in Firelands isn't bad, but I really don't care about the characters, which is disappointing as I went into the story hoping I would. I could see fans of adult dystopian fiction enjoying it, but I don't recommend for teens due to the coarse language and situations.
March 4, 2014
Piper Bayard is a wonderful writer! She's weaved together a world so cool and full of such history and symbolism I'm in awe. I love love love the characters - especially the lead heroine - because she is real and stubborn, but not in an obnoxious Twilight-y kind of way, more so a Katniss (but more sociable) way.
I grew up on dystopian literature. I love 1984, Brave New World, Cat's Cradle - all those great other world books about what could happen if... I also dig the new young adult reads out there like The Hunger Games. Firelands incorporates the best of both genres with its world and peoples like the Josephites. It's the right amount of creepy meets action story with a strong female lead.
Just go read it. You won't regret it.
I grew up on dystopian literature. I love 1984, Brave New World, Cat's Cradle - all those great other world books about what could happen if... I also dig the new young adult reads out there like The Hunger Games. Firelands incorporates the best of both genres with its world and peoples like the Josephites. It's the right amount of creepy meets action story with a strong female lead.
Just go read it. You won't regret it.
October 30, 2013
The characters are well developed and the novel moves along at a fast pace. As others have noted, comparisons between Hunger Games and Firelands can't help but be made; however, I found Firelands to of much higher quality (both in character development and storyline). With today's worries concerning Genetically modified seeds and food insecurity, I found the story to be very timely and realistic. While the overall storyline is somewhat predictable (I had to put it down for a couple days because I knew something bad was about to happen in the story) Ms. Bayard keeps you guessing as to what is actually going to happen (you know something is going to happen, just not what it is). One of the most enjoyable novels I've read in recent years.
September 10, 2013
The book Firelands by Piper Bayard was great. I loved the characters and the setting was well drawn out and real considering the novel is the story of the aftermath of an Apocalypse in the United States. The story has it all suspense, drama, romance, thrills and chills. It's up to Archer, the protagonist and Quinn, the boy who holds her heart, to save a friend, protect their families and destroy a twisted government of greed and violence.
September 3, 2013
If you like dystopian thrillers, Firelands is a must-read. The strong female protagonist captivated me right from the start and the world-building was deftly accomplished and frighteningly plausible. This book had lots of plot twists and compelling characters, and the resolution was a surprise that left me far more satisfied than if the author had delivered the ending I'd expected. An excellent read from start to finish - don't miss it!
February 15, 2014
I REALLY enjoyed this. Firelands is a well-crafted first novel. Great pacing (moves without reading like a screenplay), the characters are authentic and this particular dystopian world was easy to enter into (not confusing, and not spoon-fed). It stuck with me too; I would think about it while I wasn't reading, and it hung around in my head days after I finished it. I look forward to more from Piper Bayard!
July 28, 2013
I found this post-apocalyptic dystopian refreshingly unique. No annoying love triangles, and an ending that I wasn't quite sure how was going to play out. With solid world building and a believable hero, this book was one that I couldn't put down.
August 4, 2013
What's not to like about a dystopia with a strong female protagonist? Fun and thought-provoking. See more at: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
November 16, 2013
Good writing style and character development. Interesting post apocalyptic story.
July 18, 2014
Very interesting premise, well-drawn characters ... I CARED. And read it in one day. Post-apocalyptic, with echoes of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale."
July 7, 2014
The writing and characters grabbed me and didn't let me go, a wonderful dystopian thriller!
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