What do you think?
Rate this book
Under Vanishing Skies
Hell is Different for Everyone
For Aron Atherton, hell is a small tropical island with white sand beaches surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Trapped in Maldives after a massive solar event kills his family and nearly wipes out the human race, Aron plans to fish and drink until the apocalypse finally catches up with him. But when his best friend is murdered and he becomes the guardian of a ten year old boy, Aron’s plans fizzle away like the vanishing skies above him.
Drawn into a struggle that will decide who leaves the dying planet and who stays behind, Aron tries to escape the vortex of political corruption that has engulfed him. But when he uncovers a plot that threatens mankind’s last hope for survival, Aron must stay alive long enough to stop them.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2013
32 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
G.S. Fields
1 book5 followersG.S. Fields’ debut novel, Under Vanishing Skies, is a masterfully crafted balance of action, drama, and science. He offers his readers a heart stopping tale of humanity at its worst and best in a world on the edge of destruction.
G.S. Fields served in the United States Air Force for over twenty three years before retiring to California. He rose through the enlisted ranks and was eventually commissioned an officer. He graduated from the University of Akron where he studied Computer Science and went on to earn a master’s degree in Information Resource Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. G.S. Fields lived in Europe for over eleven years and was stationed in numerous other places around the globe including the Middle East.
During his travels, he gathered together a rich arsenal of stories and characters that he expertly weaves together in new, fresh ways. It was on one such trip to the Maldives that the spark for Under Vanishing Skies was ignited in his head by a cold beer under a thatched umbrella on a pristine white stand beach.
G.S. Fields served in the United States Air Force for over twenty three years before retiring to California. He rose through the enlisted ranks and was eventually commissioned an officer. He graduated from the University of Akron where he studied Computer Science and went on to earn a master’s degree in Information Resource Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. G.S. Fields lived in Europe for over eleven years and was stationed in numerous other places around the globe including the Middle East.
During his travels, he gathered together a rich arsenal of stories and characters that he expertly weaves together in new, fresh ways. It was on one such trip to the Maldives that the spark for Under Vanishing Skies was ignited in his head by a cold beer under a thatched umbrella on a pristine white stand beach.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 28, 2013
I recived a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book starts out with the main character "Aron Atherton",who is out fishing in one of the most beautiful places on the planet,but,almost everybody on the planet earth is dead,because of a solar flare "The storm",as it is called, .It will only be a few more years,and the atmosphere about the islands will be gone.Aron's happy place was back home in California with his wife and children.That was sooo many years ago now.
The Mars colony was getting a cargo ship together to send down to Earth ,but would be ready in a years time.A thousand 'lucky" passengers would be able to start a new life on the Mars colony.But,who was lucky enough to go?Hence.."The Council" of all the islands got together to vote on certain issues and of course there are the bad guys against the good guys.And of course there are some council members who had to leave because of the bully tactics,of some.There is "the List" of passengers that make this story very unique.I would very much recommend this book.I enjoyed it:)Its got all the other exciting stuff we all love to read about..romance,fighting for your rights,fighting for who you lost in this battle.And hope.
This book starts out with the main character "Aron Atherton",who is out fishing in one of the most beautiful places on the planet,but,almost everybody on the planet earth is dead,because of a solar flare "The storm",as it is called, .It will only be a few more years,and the atmosphere about the islands will be gone.Aron's happy place was back home in California with his wife and children.That was sooo many years ago now.
The Mars colony was getting a cargo ship together to send down to Earth ,but would be ready in a years time.A thousand 'lucky" passengers would be able to start a new life on the Mars colony.But,who was lucky enough to go?Hence.."The Council" of all the islands got together to vote on certain issues and of course there are the bad guys against the good guys.And of course there are some council members who had to leave because of the bully tactics,of some.There is "the List" of passengers that make this story very unique.I would very much recommend this book.I enjoyed it:)Its got all the other exciting stuff we all love to read about..romance,fighting for your rights,fighting for who you lost in this battle.And hope.
October 28, 2013
I've known the author for 10yrs, his storytelling ability rivals other authors. Sometimes alcohol accelerated while sitting in front of a fireplace sharing with friends during a frigid Thanksgiving Eve in Tuscany, but always very detailed and highly entertaining!
January 4, 2014
Great read
I recommend this book for all you end of earth survivalists. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I recommend this book for all you end of earth survivalists. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 9, 2018
Loved it
On vacation and the world as you know it ends. These people are in luck in the tropics, or are they?
On vacation and the world as you know it ends. These people are in luck in the tropics, or are they?
June 22, 2014
A wonderful storyline with deep characters.
I wasn't sure if I would like the story. Some stories in this genre tend to develop storylines that become less and less believable by the end.
Not so with this one. The characters all had incredible depth to them. So even if it wasn't a major character that died you still felt some pain. There were so many twists and turns and just when I thought I had it figured out, something would happen that changed what I believed.
I would recommend this story to anyone. I wish there was a sequel so I could learn what happens to all the people I've become close to. I want to know how their "new beginning" turnes out.
Everyone WONDERS what will happen when the world, as we know it, comes to an end. For decades there have been significant discoveries about Mars and other planets. That Mars once had life on it was huge and it wasn't just the book and movie industry that found this to be fantastic and provided them with fodder for more stories and movies etc.
The scientific community was given a boost when this discovery was made. It changed the belief system of many who didn't believe there was life anywhere but here on this Earth where they believe we were created. It opened up new doors, windows and peepholes into World's that might possibly have existed before us or yet may still exist in some other galaxy. The possibilities became endless.
I believe everyone who has ever wondered about life on other planets saw these new possibilities, some were scared others energized and the Sciences got a real boost with those possibility. It wasn't long before people wondered if it's possible to create colonies in space or on a planet such as Mars and made u t their goal to find out.
Many scientists believe that Earth, like everything, has a life cycle and that we are headed toward an era when the only way for human beings to survive is to establish colonies in space or possibly even on on other planet. But just as this book suggests...not everyone will get to go.
So who goes and who stays? And worse...what happens if the people who make that decision are corrupted. What if most of the people who were "chosen" we're pirates, murderers or thieves. Would you still feel safe sending your child to this new world with these people? Even knowing that if you keep them here their chances of reaching adulthood are miniscule? What would you do in this scenario? This is just one of the decisions the characters in this book will need to make.
I can't even imagine how hard it would be to send my child away to a new world without me there to protect them. G.S Fields brings all that emotion into his story through his characters and you can feel their pain, joy, fear, confusion and suffering up to the point where they finally come to peace with their decision and feel hope.
Because this story takes place hundreds of yrs from now everything that happens is totally scary and believable. I stayed up all night to finish. In the end I wanted more. Not because of poor writing or storylines left with open gaps but because I am now invested in these characters. I truly want to know how the people who were chosen to go to Mars are doing now and what itis like for them to have left their home to go to this new world and if they've found love and happiness. I also would like to know about their loved ones, more characters I became involved with, that were left behind on Earth.
Maybe that's why it ended like it does. All those big questions were answered and now it is up to each of us to decide how, we want or believe, their story continues.
Great book; suspenseful, humorous, intriguing, happy, sad, angry, amused, All those descriptions and many more still don't describe the book in its totality. Read it yourself. I promise you will enjoy it as much as I did.
HAPPY READING! :)
I wasn't sure if I would like the story. Some stories in this genre tend to develop storylines that become less and less believable by the end.
Not so with this one. The characters all had incredible depth to them. So even if it wasn't a major character that died you still felt some pain. There were so many twists and turns and just when I thought I had it figured out, something would happen that changed what I believed.
I would recommend this story to anyone. I wish there was a sequel so I could learn what happens to all the people I've become close to. I want to know how their "new beginning" turnes out.
Everyone WONDERS what will happen when the world, as we know it, comes to an end. For decades there have been significant discoveries about Mars and other planets. That Mars once had life on it was huge and it wasn't just the book and movie industry that found this to be fantastic and provided them with fodder for more stories and movies etc.
The scientific community was given a boost when this discovery was made. It changed the belief system of many who didn't believe there was life anywhere but here on this Earth where they believe we were created. It opened up new doors, windows and peepholes into World's that might possibly have existed before us or yet may still exist in some other galaxy. The possibilities became endless.
I believe everyone who has ever wondered about life on other planets saw these new possibilities, some were scared others energized and the Sciences got a real boost with those possibility. It wasn't long before people wondered if it's possible to create colonies in space or on a planet such as Mars and made u t their goal to find out.
Many scientists believe that Earth, like everything, has a life cycle and that we are headed toward an era when the only way for human beings to survive is to establish colonies in space or possibly even on on other planet. But just as this book suggests...not everyone will get to go.
So who goes and who stays? And worse...what happens if the people who make that decision are corrupted. What if most of the people who were "chosen" we're pirates, murderers or thieves. Would you still feel safe sending your child to this new world with these people? Even knowing that if you keep them here their chances of reaching adulthood are miniscule? What would you do in this scenario? This is just one of the decisions the characters in this book will need to make.
I can't even imagine how hard it would be to send my child away to a new world without me there to protect them. G.S Fields brings all that emotion into his story through his characters and you can feel their pain, joy, fear, confusion and suffering up to the point where they finally come to peace with their decision and feel hope.
Because this story takes place hundreds of yrs from now everything that happens is totally scary and believable. I stayed up all night to finish. In the end I wanted more. Not because of poor writing or storylines left with open gaps but because I am now invested in these characters. I truly want to know how the people who were chosen to go to Mars are doing now and what itis like for them to have left their home to go to this new world and if they've found love and happiness. I also would like to know about their loved ones, more characters I became involved with, that were left behind on Earth.
Maybe that's why it ended like it does. All those big questions were answered and now it is up to each of us to decide how, we want or believe, their story continues.
Great book; suspenseful, humorous, intriguing, happy, sad, angry, amused, All those descriptions and many more still don't describe the book in its totality. Read it yourself. I promise you will enjoy it as much as I did.
HAPPY READING! :)
May 17, 2014
One of the better EOW Books
Typically at the end of the world you get zombies, a killer virus, or vampires, but Fields went with a pedestrian solar flare, which boiled off some of the Earth's atmosphere and fried most of the electronic devices. It was a truly refreshing plot that contained no undead people at all. It all takes place in the Maldives with the people stranded there, as it is one of the few places on Earth that can still support life. The flare happened in the 22nd century, so there are many new technologies that still work that are solar powered and battery powered. The biggest issues facing the islands together are bloodthirsty pirates and who will be on the list to go on the rescue ship to Mars.
The characters were really well done. The Aron is a programmer from California, who was in the Maldives fishing when the flare occurred. His wife and two daughters were still back home, which descended into pure hell after the flare. He is a loner, but with a heart of gold. Doesn't want to get involved, but once he is, there is no stopping him from doing the right thing. There are days when he can't decide if he wants to live or die, because of the guilt and sadness he feels over the loss of his family, but he keeps on living. Mohammed is another character I really like. Always willing to help others with their health and personal issues, he is a giving and happy person, no matter what is going on around him. He is a ray of sunshine in a world that is slowly dying. Helen is the quintessential grandmother watching over all the kids on her island. Between her Australian upbringing, and the fact that she raised six boys, she can handle anyone, including grown men. She's a kick in the pants. William is a ten year old who loses both of his parents in a short time period. When he moves in with our Aron, he begins to act like he's eighteen, not ten, and starts writing code, and correcting our hero's code like an expert.
Ten year old kids just don't do that. Not with TCP/IP header strings and quantum computer code. He was hacking together programs like he had years of experience doing it. This is the only negative thing I found in the entire book, and I used to be write code myself, so I am probably more sensitive to these issues than a majority of readers, so I took a star off for credibility, since it became a big part of the story. It brought the two of them closer together, and shook William out of his grief over his parent's demise. There were also many bonding moments over the technology projects, including an all nighter. None of this would have happened if the ten year old couldn't write code like an genius.
As the story takes place, it has been twelve years since the flare. People are murdered by pirates. The Council of the Maldives islands must approve a list of 1000 people to take to Mars. Many exciting and tragic things occur. The ending is classic. If you want to read an EOW novel where people have been resourceful and made a life for themselves, but deal with threats to their lives and their futures, then I highly recommend reading this book.
Great characters, great plot twists ( I didn't see the last one or two coming at all ), fantastic setting, classic ending, and cinematic imagery. What more could a girl ask for? And there were a few typos, but they were easy to over look due to the quality of the story. Just read it!
Typically at the end of the world you get zombies, a killer virus, or vampires, but Fields went with a pedestrian solar flare, which boiled off some of the Earth's atmosphere and fried most of the electronic devices. It was a truly refreshing plot that contained no undead people at all. It all takes place in the Maldives with the people stranded there, as it is one of the few places on Earth that can still support life. The flare happened in the 22nd century, so there are many new technologies that still work that are solar powered and battery powered. The biggest issues facing the islands together are bloodthirsty pirates and who will be on the list to go on the rescue ship to Mars.
The characters were really well done. The Aron is a programmer from California, who was in the Maldives fishing when the flare occurred. His wife and two daughters were still back home, which descended into pure hell after the flare. He is a loner, but with a heart of gold. Doesn't want to get involved, but once he is, there is no stopping him from doing the right thing. There are days when he can't decide if he wants to live or die, because of the guilt and sadness he feels over the loss of his family, but he keeps on living. Mohammed is another character I really like. Always willing to help others with their health and personal issues, he is a giving and happy person, no matter what is going on around him. He is a ray of sunshine in a world that is slowly dying. Helen is the quintessential grandmother watching over all the kids on her island. Between her Australian upbringing, and the fact that she raised six boys, she can handle anyone, including grown men. She's a kick in the pants. William is a ten year old who loses both of his parents in a short time period. When he moves in with our Aron, he begins to act like he's eighteen, not ten, and starts writing code, and correcting our hero's code like an expert.
Ten year old kids just don't do that. Not with TCP/IP header strings and quantum computer code. He was hacking together programs like he had years of experience doing it. This is the only negative thing I found in the entire book, and I used to be write code myself, so I am probably more sensitive to these issues than a majority of readers, so I took a star off for credibility, since it became a big part of the story. It brought the two of them closer together, and shook William out of his grief over his parent's demise. There were also many bonding moments over the technology projects, including an all nighter. None of this would have happened if the ten year old couldn't write code like an genius.
As the story takes place, it has been twelve years since the flare. People are murdered by pirates. The Council of the Maldives islands must approve a list of 1000 people to take to Mars. Many exciting and tragic things occur. The ending is classic. If you want to read an EOW novel where people have been resourceful and made a life for themselves, but deal with threats to their lives and their futures, then I highly recommend reading this book.
Great characters, great plot twists ( I didn't see the last one or two coming at all ), fantastic setting, classic ending, and cinematic imagery. What more could a girl ask for? And there were a few typos, but they were easy to over look due to the quality of the story. Just read it!
October 26, 2013
Under Vanishing Skies' by GS Fields
Review by Javier 'Jarv' Ramos
Full disclosure: In exchange for an honest review, I received a pre-release copy from the author. I have also been promised a bottle of Mohammed's Moonshine. I feel compelled to share that information with because I really want to tell someone I got a free book in exchange for my writing. It also compels me to write more than a simple 'Great book, please read!'
Under Vanishing Skies (UVS) is a welcome addition to the science fiction/post apocalyptic/end of the world/dystopian genre. With pirates! You would think with such a spread spectrum of genres that this story would be doomed to fail, but it works in the same way as a good fusion meal: you're not sure you should be eating Indian curry with a Mexican tortilla but it tastes so good...
UVS is set in the near future with the Earth falling victim to a solar temper tantrum. Fields easily avoids the mistake of dragging the reader through an overly descriptive account of the disaster. Instead, he casually refers to the catastrophic event making it a fantastic stage. I think a great measure of a book is its ability to not only place you in the scene, but make you want to be there. UVS delivers here and I find myself longing to use a datamat, tour the Maldives in a heliojumper, and watch the glow of what's left of the atmosphere while sipping moonshine.
If you're looking for a relaxing read about sparkling, angst-filled, teenage vampires, look elsewhere. Fields is scientifically accurate, graphically violent, and naturally profane. I suspect he has drawn on first hand experiences to build this storyline which adds to its believability. It's a stretch to mention Tom Clancy here as Fields never attempts that level of technical detail. But from my own military experience it is fair to say that his descriptions of military hardware, overseas settings, and interactions with foreign nationals were strikingly familiar. He may be criticized for his graphic violence, but I found it extremely effective to make me care about the characters and their ultimate fate.
Fields' simple and straightforward writing style tempts you to underestimate UVS as a guilty pleasure. But much like Hugh Howey's 'Wool', I found myself awake far past my bedtime after indulging in 'just one more chapter'. Although the pace is quick, the story is never simplistic and there is plenty of plot to keep you interested.
I gave UVS 5 stars. I really wanted to take away points for a few small reasons but since I've been promised moonshine so I couldn't bring myself to do it. First, the hot, Irish, love interest wasn't a redhead. Yeah, it's cliché, but he left the Irish woman with a firery temper and an affection for alcohol but made her blonde? Luckily, Fields can't control my mind so she's a redhead to me. Second, there wasn't a sniper. All action novels need sniper - preferably Mexican. And the Mexican sniper should live happily ever after with the hot redhead. Third...well, there really isn't a third, so I guess 5 stars is fair.
The bottom line is UVS is a great read and worth your time. I feel fortunate to be one of the first to read what is sure to be a successful novel. I hope that GS Fields has more novels in the queue!
Review by Javier 'Jarv' Ramos
Full disclosure: In exchange for an honest review, I received a pre-release copy from the author. I have also been promised a bottle of Mohammed's Moonshine. I feel compelled to share that information with because I really want to tell someone I got a free book in exchange for my writing. It also compels me to write more than a simple 'Great book, please read!'
Under Vanishing Skies (UVS) is a welcome addition to the science fiction/post apocalyptic/end of the world/dystopian genre. With pirates! You would think with such a spread spectrum of genres that this story would be doomed to fail, but it works in the same way as a good fusion meal: you're not sure you should be eating Indian curry with a Mexican tortilla but it tastes so good...
UVS is set in the near future with the Earth falling victim to a solar temper tantrum. Fields easily avoids the mistake of dragging the reader through an overly descriptive account of the disaster. Instead, he casually refers to the catastrophic event making it a fantastic stage. I think a great measure of a book is its ability to not only place you in the scene, but make you want to be there. UVS delivers here and I find myself longing to use a datamat, tour the Maldives in a heliojumper, and watch the glow of what's left of the atmosphere while sipping moonshine.
If you're looking for a relaxing read about sparkling, angst-filled, teenage vampires, look elsewhere. Fields is scientifically accurate, graphically violent, and naturally profane. I suspect he has drawn on first hand experiences to build this storyline which adds to its believability. It's a stretch to mention Tom Clancy here as Fields never attempts that level of technical detail. But from my own military experience it is fair to say that his descriptions of military hardware, overseas settings, and interactions with foreign nationals were strikingly familiar. He may be criticized for his graphic violence, but I found it extremely effective to make me care about the characters and their ultimate fate.
Fields' simple and straightforward writing style tempts you to underestimate UVS as a guilty pleasure. But much like Hugh Howey's 'Wool', I found myself awake far past my bedtime after indulging in 'just one more chapter'. Although the pace is quick, the story is never simplistic and there is plenty of plot to keep you interested.
I gave UVS 5 stars. I really wanted to take away points for a few small reasons but since I've been promised moonshine so I couldn't bring myself to do it. First, the hot, Irish, love interest wasn't a redhead. Yeah, it's cliché, but he left the Irish woman with a firery temper and an affection for alcohol but made her blonde? Luckily, Fields can't control my mind so she's a redhead to me. Second, there wasn't a sniper. All action novels need sniper - preferably Mexican. And the Mexican sniper should live happily ever after with the hot redhead. Third...well, there really isn't a third, so I guess 5 stars is fair.
The bottom line is UVS is a great read and worth your time. I feel fortunate to be one of the first to read what is sure to be a successful novel. I hope that GS Fields has more novels in the queue!
October 16, 2013
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Follow Aron Atherton as he tries to forget the horror of a dying world. Under Vanishing Skies shows the darker side of humanity without law. With a small fraction of the population remaining, Aron and his mates try to survive changing weather conditions and pirates with rebuilt technology and the expanse of the Maldives. A chance arises for some to be rescued to the new Mars colony - who will make the cut? Will they want to leave the only home they've ever known?
Characters: Aron Atherton swears like a sailor, but is a big softie at heart. The only problem is a tough world that eats nice guys for breakfast. His ragtag companions each have great supporting capabilities. The enemies are realistic and terrifying.
World-Building: I appreciated the realistic idea of rebuilding technology after an apocalypse. There are a few futuristic technologies that are certainly plausible from what we have today. The author does a great job describing the Maldives - the reader can really paint the scene..."Each island looked like a fried egg with a green yolk." I enjoy the proposed aerial view...these random analogies thrown in throughout.
Writing Style: I didn't appreciate the extensive use of cuss words, but they seemed to lessen as the book went forward. Otherwise, I only found a handful of grammatical or spelling errors. G.S. Fields definitely understands how to make you want to read to the last page! Impressive as a debut.
What I liked: I enjoyed that this was not just a survival story. Mystery-suspense-intrigue-apocalyptic-scifi-with a hint of romance. I was satisfied with the well-rounded elements, and especially found the Mars colony idea a wonderful way out.
Deal Benders: Again, I could have done without all the swearing - not the best way to make a point about how crude a character is. There are also a few graphically described scenes in the aftermath of pirate attacks, and I feel they could have been handled a bit softer to appeal to a greater audience.
Overall Rating: I gave this book three stars because I liked it. Without all the 'deal benders', I would have given it four stars.
FOR FANS OF: Paolo Bacigalupi's "Ship Breaker" books.
Synopsis: Follow Aron Atherton as he tries to forget the horror of a dying world. Under Vanishing Skies shows the darker side of humanity without law. With a small fraction of the population remaining, Aron and his mates try to survive changing weather conditions and pirates with rebuilt technology and the expanse of the Maldives. A chance arises for some to be rescued to the new Mars colony - who will make the cut? Will they want to leave the only home they've ever known?
Characters: Aron Atherton swears like a sailor, but is a big softie at heart. The only problem is a tough world that eats nice guys for breakfast. His ragtag companions each have great supporting capabilities. The enemies are realistic and terrifying.
World-Building: I appreciated the realistic idea of rebuilding technology after an apocalypse. There are a few futuristic technologies that are certainly plausible from what we have today. The author does a great job describing the Maldives - the reader can really paint the scene..."Each island looked like a fried egg with a green yolk." I enjoy the proposed aerial view...these random analogies thrown in throughout.
Writing Style: I didn't appreciate the extensive use of cuss words, but they seemed to lessen as the book went forward. Otherwise, I only found a handful of grammatical or spelling errors. G.S. Fields definitely understands how to make you want to read to the last page! Impressive as a debut.
What I liked: I enjoyed that this was not just a survival story. Mystery-suspense-intrigue-apocalyptic-scifi-with a hint of romance. I was satisfied with the well-rounded elements, and especially found the Mars colony idea a wonderful way out.
Deal Benders: Again, I could have done without all the swearing - not the best way to make a point about how crude a character is. There are also a few graphically described scenes in the aftermath of pirate attacks, and I feel they could have been handled a bit softer to appeal to a greater audience.
Overall Rating: I gave this book three stars because I liked it. Without all the 'deal benders', I would have given it four stars.
FOR FANS OF: Paolo Bacigalupi's "Ship Breaker" books.
January 6, 2014
Aron Atherton is determined to suffer through the end of days. A massive solar storm has killed his wife and daughters, along with many inhabitants of Earth, and Aron has no interest in joining other survivors on a rescue ship to Mars; he would rather drown himself in drink and dismal thoughts. But 12 years in dystopia have nevertheless led him to care for a few people, and when he sees that their chances to escape the apocalypse are threatened, he climbs out of his mental morass to fight for their survival, if not his own.
From the first page, Aron is a strong and layered character. His acerbic banter telegraphs his bitterness, but little cracks and holes give us inklings of a softer man inside, one whose personal wounds and guilt make him harder on himself than he is on anyone else. He is a fascinating person to follow: witty, resourceful, and cunning, yet not so hardened that he's an egotistical jerk.
The post-disaster world Fields depicts is beautiful and intriguing and frightening. He conjures an island paradise that has maintained its beauty but lost its tranquility; people who have lost everything but cling to their humanity—or abandon it completely. Interpersonal intrigue always underlies political scheming, and Fields offers convincing depictions of both: he outlines motivations and drops hints of machinations that simmer below the surface and then explode.
Fields portrays gripping scenes of Aron fighting corruption and terrorism, not because he thinks it matters that he is right, but because he cannot let the assholes beat his friends (as he might say). His elaborate descriptions of the communications system Aron and others create on the islands reads (to my unknowing eyes) like a how-to manual. The mystery of what exactly is rotten in this dystopian state starts early and increases steadily, driving full-throttle to an inevitable yet still surprising end.
Full disclosure: I knew the author in high school, and he sent me an advance of this book, after seeing I had published a book of my own. Being a professional copy editor, felt compelled to alert him to some errors I found in the ms. When I visited the Amazon page to refer friends to it, I see that Fields graciously credited me for my work. However this may appear, I do not receive any portion of sales. I do not typically read this genre, so I was surprised to be so engrossed in the story, and because I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share my informed opinion.
From the first page, Aron is a strong and layered character. His acerbic banter telegraphs his bitterness, but little cracks and holes give us inklings of a softer man inside, one whose personal wounds and guilt make him harder on himself than he is on anyone else. He is a fascinating person to follow: witty, resourceful, and cunning, yet not so hardened that he's an egotistical jerk.
The post-disaster world Fields depicts is beautiful and intriguing and frightening. He conjures an island paradise that has maintained its beauty but lost its tranquility; people who have lost everything but cling to their humanity—or abandon it completely. Interpersonal intrigue always underlies political scheming, and Fields offers convincing depictions of both: he outlines motivations and drops hints of machinations that simmer below the surface and then explode.
Fields portrays gripping scenes of Aron fighting corruption and terrorism, not because he thinks it matters that he is right, but because he cannot let the assholes beat his friends (as he might say). His elaborate descriptions of the communications system Aron and others create on the islands reads (to my unknowing eyes) like a how-to manual. The mystery of what exactly is rotten in this dystopian state starts early and increases steadily, driving full-throttle to an inevitable yet still surprising end.
Full disclosure: I knew the author in high school, and he sent me an advance of this book, after seeing I had published a book of my own. Being a professional copy editor, felt compelled to alert him to some errors I found in the ms. When I visited the Amazon page to refer friends to it, I see that Fields graciously credited me for my work. However this may appear, I do not receive any portion of sales. I do not typically read this genre, so I was surprised to be so engrossed in the story, and because I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share my informed opinion.
February 27, 2014
This is a brilliant book. The sci-fi elements are mostly in the background, with the story focusing on several inhabitants amongst the survivors on a chain of tropical islands.
Life isn't easy for the survivors, and it's made far worse by roving packs of pirates who try to prey upon those on the islands. The survivors are trying to both stay alive and decide which lucky few will get to leave on a transport for the fledgling Mars colony.
The characters in the story all feel real and I soon found myself caring about them and their community as a whole. This is a real page turner, and there's at least one twist in there that I didn't even begin to see coming. Highly recommended.
Life isn't easy for the survivors, and it's made far worse by roving packs of pirates who try to prey upon those on the islands. The survivors are trying to both stay alive and decide which lucky few will get to leave on a transport for the fledgling Mars colony.
The characters in the story all feel real and I soon found myself caring about them and their community as a whole. This is a real page turner, and there's at least one twist in there that I didn't even begin to see coming. Highly recommended.
September 28, 2014
Meh
I am not sure what they hype was all about. The story was extremely predictable and seriously lacking in originality.
So why three stars and not lower? because I have been reading some serious duds lately, this one didn't suck. It just wasn't great or outstanding.
The characters were flat. The plot was predictable. The twists were not surprising. The ending had a 'slapped together' feel to it.
I ended the book without much excitement or pleasure from my reading experience.
Do I recommend it? Depends on what else you have to read.
I am not sure what they hype was all about. The story was extremely predictable and seriously lacking in originality.
So why three stars and not lower? because I have been reading some serious duds lately, this one didn't suck. It just wasn't great or outstanding.
The characters were flat. The plot was predictable. The twists were not surprising. The ending had a 'slapped together' feel to it.
I ended the book without much excitement or pleasure from my reading experience.
Do I recommend it? Depends on what else you have to read.
March 22, 2014
This book starts off with the end of the world already in the past, ripped asunder by a killer solar storm. It focuses on the last remnants of civilisation living in the Maldives. We find our hero drowning in drink and self-pity waiting to die. This is where our story begins and from there we are catapulted into a story of intrigue, action, survival and a tad of Sci-Fi.
Yet again another début has impressed me and I find myself thanking the skies for the new indie author movement. If you are looking for an end of the world book that packs a punch then this is your book.
September 10, 2014
G.S. Fields gives us a thriller, wrapped in sci-fi, wrapped in post-apocalypse. And that thing you're not supposed to see coming... I totally didn't see it coming!
I would recommend this read to people who wonder, "Could a solar storm really do that?" I know I'm going to spend some time on Wikipedia.
I would recommend this read to people who wonder, "Could a solar storm really do that?" I know I'm going to spend some time on Wikipedia.
February 8, 2014
I normally don't read stuff this futuristic, but I did because this one hinted at the "END." I thought it was very interesting and liked how some things we use today, or not too long ago, were included, such as TCP/IP. People are people, so there were good people and bad people all over. A good read, and it wasn't "the END."
March 6, 2014
I have a sweet spot for post apocalyptic stories, that's why I chose to read it.
I certainly did not regret that.
The book is very well written, the characters wonderful and the story simply great.
You do not have to be a "sic-fi nerd" to appreciate this book, in my opinion.
I would strongly recommend this book and I hope G.S. Fields soon writes a new one.
I certainly did not regret that.
The book is very well written, the characters wonderful and the story simply great.
You do not have to be a "sic-fi nerd" to appreciate this book, in my opinion.
I would strongly recommend this book and I hope G.S. Fields soon writes a new one.
January 23, 2014
Very easy read in the first person, which I like. He made it seem as if he were with you every step of the way. Short and sweet, but well done. I enjoyed the action and backstory and future story. Well done for a first time. (And no, I do not know the author.)
February 6, 2014
This book did a great job of blending science and survival into an exciting read. It lacked detail in a lot of parts, which stopped me from becoming fully immersed in the story at times. If you're a fan of this genre then I'd recommend picking up this book.
June 20, 2015
Good read
Kept me interested and if there were any grammar problems I didn't notice them. Nice to read an EOW story that has people working together and living a halfway normal life.
Kept me interested and if there were any grammar problems I didn't notice them. Nice to read an EOW story that has people working together and living a halfway normal life.
January 11, 2014
Enjoyed this dystopian novel with a dash of sci-fi woven into it.
January 16, 2014
At first I was disappointed when i started reading it. It wasn't what I wanted to read, but it got so good I couldn't put it down!
November 9, 2014
Pretty good book but I didnt like the ending. I felt it left me hanging. Seemed more like a set up for a second novel than an ending.
September 3, 2015
Really great story. Loved the characters.
May 19, 2015
It's entertaining and somewhat flat.
January 15, 2016
Review to come!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews