Living at the edge of the Empty, Noah has always navigated the dangers lurking across the wasters, sandstorms, and the constant struggle for survival in his small scrap town. But when a mysterious stranger arrives and rents a room in his family’s run-down shack, Noah’s curiosity is piqued. Drawn to dreams of armored suits and outlaw adventures, he becomes determined to uncover the stranger’s origins, even as whispers of danger and secrets swirl around them. As Noah delves deeper into the mystery, he soon realizes that the stranger’s past may make him more of a threat than anyone could have predicted. With each revelation comes new dangers, and Noah must navigate a treacherous path where allies may be enemies and his small town may never be the same.
I really enjoyed this novella that is connected to Viders novel "Old World Boys". Noah is a likeable character who comes from a tough environment. His abusive father was hard to read about. I love the unique relationship between Noah and his sister despite the harsh upbringing and world they live in. The introduction of The Stranger piques Noah's curiosity and thickens the plot as new twists surprise the reader at every corner. I really enjoyed this one!
I received an early copy of "Stranger from the Empty" for review, and it's pretty captivating. Vider's character development immerses readers in a very grim scifi world that's been left in ruins by past wars (I assume). Noah, the pov character is both relatable and engaging, with some very sad but grounded family dynamics. The pacing is excellent, blending action with some mystery. Overall, I highly recommend to fans of dystopian fiction.