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 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.
This was another great novella from the author. It has connections with the previous novella Old World Boys taking place much later than the events of that book. This book continues the bleak but exciting look into the world and how its people live and survive in it. This is an emotional action packed ride from beginning to end. Definitely a must read if you enjoyed the first novella.