What do you think?
Rate this book
Train Hoppers #1
Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash
Life in SoCal in 2195 is controlled by a corporatocracy.
Elsa scavenges twenty-first-century trash, living on the edge of starvation in this ruthless world through her grit and instincts.
When she unearths a metal tube containing maps to six Doomsday seed bunkers and a silver key, she dreams of renewable sources of food and a life based on more than subsistence, but GreenCorps will stop at nothing to acquire her find. Accused of theft and beaten half to death, she escapes with a handsome train hopper. They seek the long-lost bunkers, hoping to break GreenCorps' monopoly on food.
Along the way, they receive help from a teenage pickpocket, a solitary widow, and a rebel leader. If this rag-tag group of lonely misfits cannot reclaim the tube and find a way to distribute the seeds, GreenCorps will continue to choke out any chance of a better life.
Elsa scavenges twenty-first-century trash, living on the edge of starvation in this ruthless world through her grit and instincts.
When she unearths a metal tube containing maps to six Doomsday seed bunkers and a silver key, she dreams of renewable sources of food and a life based on more than subsistence, but GreenCorps will stop at nothing to acquire her find. Accused of theft and beaten half to death, she escapes with a handsome train hopper. They seek the long-lost bunkers, hoping to break GreenCorps' monopoly on food.
Along the way, they receive help from a teenage pickpocket, a solitary widow, and a rebel leader. If this rag-tag group of lonely misfits cannot reclaim the tube and find a way to distribute the seeds, GreenCorps will continue to choke out any chance of a better life.
Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
140 people are currently reading
4293 people want to read
About the author
Lena Gibson
8 books254 followersAward-winning author Lena Gibson is a storyteller as an elementary school teacher and keeper of the family lore. As someone with autism, she often creates characters that reflect this experience.
A voracious reader from childhood onward, Lena seeks wonderful books in which to escape. She loves interesting characters and fast-paced, emotional narratives, leading her to write genre-defying stories in multiple categories. While her books are disaster romance, time slip, dystopian adventure, and sports romance, all are about love, resilience, and hope.
When Lena isn't writing, she reads, practices karate, and drinks a ton of tea. She resides in New Westminster, Canada, with her family and their fuzzy overlord, Ash, the fluffiest of gray cats.
https://linktr.ee/LenaGibsonAuthor
A voracious reader from childhood onward, Lena seeks wonderful books in which to escape. She loves interesting characters and fast-paced, emotional narratives, leading her to write genre-defying stories in multiple categories. While her books are disaster romance, time slip, dystopian adventure, and sports romance, all are about love, resilience, and hope.
When Lena isn't writing, she reads, practices karate, and drinks a ton of tea. She resides in New Westminster, Canada, with her family and their fuzzy overlord, Ash, the fluffiest of gray cats.
https://linktr.ee/LenaGibsonAuthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Read
February 24, 2024DNF 30%. No rating.
I NEVER say this in a review but this time it’s really true: this book was not for me. I had trouble being interested in it because even though the blurb reassures us this is not YA, it had all the dystopian YA tropes heavily represented. I guess the sex and some of the brothel scenes are why YA readers are warned away, so yes some content is 18+ but it felt so Young Adult I almost wished it fit there better. The writing was great but I felt like the characters were quite derivative and cliched. The heroine; a scrappy, ‘doesn’t know she’s beautiful’ underdog with a heart of gold and the hero; a tall, handsome bad boy with hidden depth. It was hard to be invested in them. Also the bad guys were not nuanced, they were all bad and twisted and the evil corporation just substituted the normal bad/sociopathic government that’s usually in YA. All of these things made me feel too old for this book, it lacked complexity and reminded me of so many books my 13 year old loves <—- those are great books too, but not for someone looking for subtlety.
The above is mostly a preference thing because I realize that all the things I listed are extremely loved conventions of the genre. I picked this up because I loved the author’s first novel, and I will look out for more from her. This one just wasn’t a good fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.
I NEVER say this in a review but this time it’s really true: this book was not for me. I had trouble being interested in it because even though the blurb reassures us this is not YA, it had all the dystopian YA tropes heavily represented. I guess the sex and some of the brothel scenes are why YA readers are warned away, so yes some content is 18+ but it felt so Young Adult I almost wished it fit there better. The writing was great but I felt like the characters were quite derivative and cliched. The heroine; a scrappy, ‘doesn’t know she’s beautiful’ underdog with a heart of gold and the hero; a tall, handsome bad boy with hidden depth. It was hard to be invested in them. Also the bad guys were not nuanced, they were all bad and twisted and the evil corporation just substituted the normal bad/sociopathic government that’s usually in YA. All of these things made me feel too old for this book, it lacked complexity and reminded me of so many books my 13 year old loves <—- those are great books too, but not for someone looking for subtlety.
The above is mostly a preference thing because I realize that all the things I listed are extremely loved conventions of the genre. I picked this up because I loved the author’s first novel, and I will look out for more from her. This one just wasn’t a good fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.
September 20, 2024
An amazing read.
I love the title Switching Tracks, and I loved the cover.
This is one of those books that you know when you start reading the first page that it's going to be an incredible story, and it was.
Such a brilliant author, thank you for a great book that was a pleasure to read, and I would not hesitate to recommend it!
I love the title Switching Tracks, and I loved the cover.
This is one of those books that you know when you start reading the first page that it's going to be an incredible story, and it was.
Such a brilliant author, thank you for a great book that was a pleasure to read, and I would not hesitate to recommend it!
April 2, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.
I was very interested a story aimed at adults with a twist on classic YA tropes (older MC, evil corporation instead of government, etc.).
While the execution is good and the book delivers on its promises, it was just not for me.
As always, it's very personal and not a critic of the quality of the book.
I would have liked a trigger warning on the very heavy sexual assault scenes. I fell like when it's that graphic and almost a chapter long, it should be mentioned somewhere.
I also felt like the MC were your standard YA hero and heroin, with not much depth, but this might come come from the narrators, which I felt were suffering through it.
I was very interested a story aimed at adults with a twist on classic YA tropes (older MC, evil corporation instead of government, etc.).
While the execution is good and the book delivers on its promises, it was just not for me.
As always, it's very personal and not a critic of the quality of the book.
I would have liked a trigger warning on the very heavy sexual assault scenes. I fell like when it's that graphic and almost a chapter long, it should be mentioned somewhere.
I also felt like the MC were your standard YA hero and heroin, with not much depth, but this might come come from the narrators, which I felt were suffering through it.
January 14, 2024
Southern California—or I guess I should say SoCal—has become a barely livable prison camp for political prisoners in 2195. Everything is run by Green Corps, who maintains their power by keeping everyone who isn’t a part of that organization struggling and half-starving. Elsa scavenges for items to exchange for plastic tokens to buy food and water for herself and her grandmother. One day, she finds a mysterious metal cylinder that looks like it could bring in good money. But there is something about that cylinder that makes her reluctant to part with it, even though it could be even more dangerous to hang onto it.
“Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash” by Lena Gibson is the first in a series, and I will be counting the days until the next one is released. I was immediately hooked into the story. The dialog was sharp and the descriptive narrative was so realistic, it almost had me send warning messages to friends living in Los Angeles suggesting that they might want to consider selling their houses and moving away while they still had time. A strong five stars and a huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
“Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash” by Lena Gibson is the first in a series, and I will be counting the days until the next one is released. I was immediately hooked into the story. The dialog was sharp and the descriptive narrative was so realistic, it almost had me send warning messages to friends living in Los Angeles suggesting that they might want to consider selling their houses and moving away while they still had time. A strong five stars and a huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
December 12, 2023
It’s year 2195, and GreenCorps hold all the power in this ecologically devastated world. We find ourselves in SoCal – political prison disguised as a work camp. I love this dystopian setting, it’s vivid, but not overpowering, it feels very real. The cover was one of the first things that caught my eye, and it depicts the setting of a book very well! A huge plus for that.
I was happy to see one of the traditional dystopian themes explored in this book: environmental change, corporation that controls essential resources, divided society of powerful and powerless.
What I didn’t expect – dystopian romance subplot. However it was a nice surprise, I like the mix of these two genres! Elsa and Gran are my favorite characters, Walker seems to be a very simple-minded guy. More and more characters are added as the story progresses, and I liked this gradual introduction of characters.
On the down side, the plot seems to be very simple, it’s too predictable, and that took away big part of my reading enjoyment.
Different povs (Elsa and Walker) in the same chapter made it look like an easy popcorn lit, on the verge of a smutty romance. I found this in a dissonance with the cover and the main description of a book.
There is a lot of telling, and not so much showing... The tiny bit that was used as a showing for character build felt flat.
In my opinion, the setting is the strongest aspect of a book. Also, I love the cover. The book is a quite solid foundation for the series. A very solid 3 star read.
I would recommend this book as an easy read for wind-down time for dystopian setting lovers.
I received ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley.
I was happy to see one of the traditional dystopian themes explored in this book: environmental change, corporation that controls essential resources, divided society of powerful and powerless.
What I didn’t expect – dystopian romance subplot. However it was a nice surprise, I like the mix of these two genres! Elsa and Gran are my favorite characters, Walker seems to be a very simple-minded guy. More and more characters are added as the story progresses, and I liked this gradual introduction of characters.
On the down side, the plot seems to be very simple, it’s too predictable, and that took away big part of my reading enjoyment.
Different povs (Elsa and Walker) in the same chapter made it look like an easy popcorn lit, on the verge of a smutty romance. I found this in a dissonance with the cover and the main description of a book.
There is a lot of telling, and not so much showing... The tiny bit that was used as a showing for character build felt flat.
In my opinion, the setting is the strongest aspect of a book. Also, I love the cover. The book is a quite solid foundation for the series. A very solid 3 star read.
I would recommend this book as an easy read for wind-down time for dystopian setting lovers.
I received ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley.
October 26, 2023
Having received this ARC copy to read and review I was at first disappointed to find it was "yet another" dystopian/post-apocalyptic novel. Not being a fan of fantasy or sci-fi (yes, I'm one of those 'I've never seen Star Wars' folks) I was pleasantly surprised to find this was NOT a "yet another" anything! From the first page, Gibson grabbed my interest and attention with her 2195 Earth which, as an eco-activist, is pretty much how I've also imagined our poor world then, if it exists at all.
The reader doesn't FEEL they are centuries in the future, however. This skilled author's characters are instantly relatable, she doesn't bog one down immediately with explanations and descriptions of the setting/way of life, and she has a perfect balance of dialogue vs. narration, action vs. inner reflection. In fact, Gibson's writing is one of the tightest and best I've read in some years. Periodically, for variety, she even expertly switches her writing styles when presenting a different point of view by offering 'journal' points.
Her world creation is woven with the turbulence and richness of our history, the mundane worries and fears of our present everyday lives, and with just a touch of futuristic but easily-plausible customs and situations. And here's a shocker: in Gibson's 2195, we as humans are no more kind or wise, no less narcissistic and greedy, no more 'successful' or content. In point, we have once again learned nothing from our pasts.
The end of Switching Tracks ( btw, I'm a fan of multi-meaning novel titles and this is an excellent one!) is such that the reader is left imagining what might occur in an enjoyable sequel. I will be eagerly waiting to find out.
The reader doesn't FEEL they are centuries in the future, however. This skilled author's characters are instantly relatable, she doesn't bog one down immediately with explanations and descriptions of the setting/way of life, and she has a perfect balance of dialogue vs. narration, action vs. inner reflection. In fact, Gibson's writing is one of the tightest and best I've read in some years. Periodically, for variety, she even expertly switches her writing styles when presenting a different point of view by offering 'journal' points.
Her world creation is woven with the turbulence and richness of our history, the mundane worries and fears of our present everyday lives, and with just a touch of futuristic but easily-plausible customs and situations. And here's a shocker: in Gibson's 2195, we as humans are no more kind or wise, no less narcissistic and greedy, no more 'successful' or content. In point, we have once again learned nothing from our pasts.
The end of Switching Tracks ( btw, I'm a fan of multi-meaning novel titles and this is an excellent one!) is such that the reader is left imagining what might occur in an enjoyable sequel. I will be eagerly waiting to find out.
November 13, 2023
This was very good! Something a little different for a dystopian adventure! A really good story, really well told, made this a really great read! I liked all of it, the selections of characters & ideas. The situations they found themselves in & the over all energy of the book! I will look for more by this writer! I do recommend!
January 14, 2024
We find ourselves in the year 2195 in Southern California (SoCal). We follow a young, resilient, and strong girl as she works to survive with her Granny. The work in the Heap, a garbage mountain that is scavenged for anything of value to be sold to GreenCorps. GreenCorps controls almost everything in what was once the United States. They control all the food, water and money.
I didn’t know much about this book before getting the Arc copy, other then it is a dystopian book. I’m a sucker for a good dystopia, that being said this book is so much more then just another dystopian about a horrible future that we may or may not see. Our author Lena Gibson does a wonderful job of making this future seem so far away and unreachable while keeping it grounded in reality. There were also layers of subplot that genuinely caught me by surprise and was excited to learn more about. Like a romance plot? Hello? I’m not sure why, but I had not seen it coming, or at least to the extent it did!
I really enjoyed the world building and the mention of the environmental effects and the differences between areas. Thinking about what would happen to our infrastructure if people all of a sudden stopped caring for it is a thought that I’m sure many people have pondered.
In general this book was surprising and entertaining in all the right ways!
I didn’t know much about this book before getting the Arc copy, other then it is a dystopian book. I’m a sucker for a good dystopia, that being said this book is so much more then just another dystopian about a horrible future that we may or may not see. Our author Lena Gibson does a wonderful job of making this future seem so far away and unreachable while keeping it grounded in reality. There were also layers of subplot that genuinely caught me by surprise and was excited to learn more about. Like a romance plot? Hello? I’m not sure why, but I had not seen it coming, or at least to the extent it did!
I really enjoyed the world building and the mention of the environmental effects and the differences between areas. Thinking about what would happen to our infrastructure if people all of a sudden stopped caring for it is a thought that I’m sure many people have pondered.
In general this book was surprising and entertaining in all the right ways!
April 12, 2024
"Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" by Lena Gibson is Book 1 of Train Hoppers. This is set in dystopian 2195, following a pandemic and then a comet hitting the Earth. It's a thriller, too.
The main character, Elsa, lives with her 100 year old great grandmother. They work together to scavenge in trash heaps to find useful items from 2025 to exchange for food and water tokens. The US is controlled by the Green Corps, a corporation that acts like a government organization. They control the supply and demand of food and water and goods of all kinds.
One day, Elsa finds a locked metal tube in the heap. When she opens it, there are maps to underground bunkers with survival supplies and seeds of all kinds. She knows it is important. So does Green Corps. They want to get this from her by any means.
It's a good story, and the characters are well developed. I really enjoyed this story! I'll definitely read the rest of the series when it comes out! If you like future stories with thriller elements, try this one!
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 5/5
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore, and Lena Gibson for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The main character, Elsa, lives with her 100 year old great grandmother. They work together to scavenge in trash heaps to find useful items from 2025 to exchange for food and water tokens. The US is controlled by the Green Corps, a corporation that acts like a government organization. They control the supply and demand of food and water and goods of all kinds.
One day, Elsa finds a locked metal tube in the heap. When she opens it, there are maps to underground bunkers with survival supplies and seeds of all kinds. She knows it is important. So does Green Corps. They want to get this from her by any means.
It's a good story, and the characters are well developed. I really enjoyed this story! I'll definitely read the rest of the series when it comes out! If you like future stories with thriller elements, try this one!
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 5/5
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore, and Lena Gibson for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2023
Switching Tracks by Lena Gibson is one of those books that you keep reading even when you don't have the time. I received an advance reader copy and I loved it! It begins with the story of Elsa and her grandmother mining trash for money to survive in the remains of a horribly polluted Southern California town. Elsa goes from the trash heap to serving drinks in a brothel to an emergency escape from town by hopping a train with a sort of friend. She leaves to avoid a rich and powerful bully she injured when he tried to rape her. Intriguing survival story with lots of action, suspense and some romance make Switching Tracks a favorite. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
Switching Tracks by Lena Gibson
This book is set 172 years in the future where one corporation controls food, water, and basic necessities humans need to live. The items that we view as trash now, are valuable and can be traded in for tokens. Of course the corporation is the only one profiting.
I was loving this book so much and was so disappointed when it ended. The next book in the series comes out next year sometime.
I'll be sure to follow Lena Gibson and check out her other works.
I received a advance review copy and this is my honest review. A solid 5 stars
This book is set 172 years in the future where one corporation controls food, water, and basic necessities humans need to live. The items that we view as trash now, are valuable and can be traded in for tokens. Of course the corporation is the only one profiting.
I was loving this book so much and was so disappointed when it ended. The next book in the series comes out next year sometime.
I'll be sure to follow Lena Gibson and check out her other works.
I received a advance review copy and this is my honest review. A solid 5 stars
October 26, 2023
Lena Gibson’s Switching Tracks is a stunning series opener filled with majestic world-building, heart-grabbing characters, and a quest to redeem a fallen humanity. In Elsa, readers have an unlikely hero they can’t help but fall in love with. America in the 22nd century is a shadow of its former self, governed by a greedy corporation who sucks income from the poor who mine the trash heaps of the past. Gibson delivers a masterpiece of dystopian fiction with a plot reminiscent of a grown-up version of DePrau’s The City of Ember, and a journey like Cronin’s The Passage. Sign me up for the next book! 5 Stars!
December 14, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy of the book.
Switching tracks is a good start of a series in a dystopian world where all seems hopeless for those who aren't involved with the one major corporation. The world building is done well and can easily lend itself to multiple books.
The one thing that held back a 5 star rating for me was the evolution of the main character. Her growth felt like it was almost too fast considering her life before that silver canister entered her life.
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing how the characters introduced will work together
Switching tracks is a good start of a series in a dystopian world where all seems hopeless for those who aren't involved with the one major corporation. The world building is done well and can easily lend itself to multiple books.
The one thing that held back a 5 star rating for me was the evolution of the main character. Her growth felt like it was almost too fast considering her life before that silver canister entered her life.
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing how the characters introduced will work together
November 13, 2023
This was an interesting piece to read. The story jumps between the perspectives of multiple parties all of whom end up being connected to the larger storyline. Everyone and every detail mentioned has slowly started to become clear where their place in the larger puzzle are and its been refreshing to see Elsa and Walker start working on building their lives together while trying to accomplish such a lofty goal. I can't wait to read the next book and see how everything goes with this group.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 29, 2023
Genre: Dystopian
Review: Quite the rave reviews from published authors. I did not check to see if they were in the same publishing house to check and ultimately compare their claims to the work. This novel in no way reaches the heights of their lauding.
Elsa, from Frozen (lol) is our mainy heapster. She climbs through 20th century dumps in the far future to eake out a meager living under the Green Corporation. She can leave at any time but chooses to stay. She could take Mee-Maw with her, but that gets glossed over in the narrative.
Ever been on a train? It is more boring than a comprehensive essay on why Boris Pasternak trivialized history and rendererd opaque the pivotal junctions of Russian WWI involvement in Dr. Shivago. This novel does exactly that. The characters mope around the weasliy to hunky scale, generating insta-love connections through "Feelings that him/her/this is important". Huh? Elsa is hotter than a Baptist church on a Texas summer Sunday with topaz eyes like her mee-maw. I guess topaz is a sexy way of saying yellow. How they have yellow eyes is a head scratcher.
So hunky Walker Texas Ranger, whom can side-kick a fart back in your butt, takes an immediate interest in a starved, yellow-eyed waif because of a weird instinctual FEELING that she is important. Barf. Despite her starved body and angular boney features, Walker becomes infatuated while letting his brother lie, cheat and steal from her and Mee-Maw. Make sense? Nope.
Wrapping up dog shjt from the side walk is a bit more satisfying than this novel as there is some investment in the outcome (clean sidewalks, less disease etc.). Although not real bad, the characters just failed to resolve into anything interesting. It was like all these pre-set personas with no development. You do not get to see them evolve with the movement and grow into something that is either unexpected, repulsive or endearing.
Hitching breaths, fumbling touches, flushed faces, biting and licking of lips (40x) and winky winks is just more trash in the heap of YA garbage being cranked out. The idea that, once again, YAs have all the Solution Keys to everyones woes is just plain pedantic crap used to sell novels to hormonal idiots.
Rating: 1.1/5
Review: Quite the rave reviews from published authors. I did not check to see if they were in the same publishing house to check and ultimately compare their claims to the work. This novel in no way reaches the heights of their lauding.
Elsa, from Frozen (lol) is our mainy heapster. She climbs through 20th century dumps in the far future to eake out a meager living under the Green Corporation. She can leave at any time but chooses to stay. She could take Mee-Maw with her, but that gets glossed over in the narrative.
Ever been on a train? It is more boring than a comprehensive essay on why Boris Pasternak trivialized history and rendererd opaque the pivotal junctions of Russian WWI involvement in Dr. Shivago. This novel does exactly that. The characters mope around the weasliy to hunky scale, generating insta-love connections through "Feelings that him/her/this is important". Huh? Elsa is hotter than a Baptist church on a Texas summer Sunday with topaz eyes like her mee-maw. I guess topaz is a sexy way of saying yellow. How they have yellow eyes is a head scratcher.
So hunky Walker Texas Ranger, whom can side-kick a fart back in your butt, takes an immediate interest in a starved, yellow-eyed waif because of a weird instinctual FEELING that she is important. Barf. Despite her starved body and angular boney features, Walker becomes infatuated while letting his brother lie, cheat and steal from her and Mee-Maw. Make sense? Nope.
Wrapping up dog shjt from the side walk is a bit more satisfying than this novel as there is some investment in the outcome (clean sidewalks, less disease etc.). Although not real bad, the characters just failed to resolve into anything interesting. It was like all these pre-set personas with no development. You do not get to see them evolve with the movement and grow into something that is either unexpected, repulsive or endearing.
Hitching breaths, fumbling touches, flushed faces, biting and licking of lips (40x) and winky winks is just more trash in the heap of YA garbage being cranked out. The idea that, once again, YAs have all the Solution Keys to everyones woes is just plain pedantic crap used to sell novels to hormonal idiots.
Rating: 1.1/5
October 30, 2025
Switching Tracks breaks the mold of dystopian fiction by catering to a more mature audience, and it's a refreshing departure from the usual young adult focus. Finally, a dystopian story for those of us who've graduated from the young adult scene.
This book dives deep into familiar dystopian themes—environmental chaos, corporate power plays, societal divides— It hits close to home, making the story feel like an amplified reflection of today's struggles. The characters aren't just plot devices; they're relatable individuals grappling with challenges that mirror our own.
What struck me most is how the author brings the struggles down to earth. It's not about flashy gadgets or a distant future; it's about survival, connections, and messy, real-life journeys. The frozen-in-2024 technology backdrop makes it all eerily plausible, like a 'what if' scenario grounded in our present.
Switching Tracks isn't aiming for a distant, unreachable future. It's a mirror reflecting today's struggles, wrapped in a dystopian package.
This book dives deep into familiar dystopian themes—environmental chaos, corporate power plays, societal divides— It hits close to home, making the story feel like an amplified reflection of today's struggles. The characters aren't just plot devices; they're relatable individuals grappling with challenges that mirror our own.
What struck me most is how the author brings the struggles down to earth. It's not about flashy gadgets or a distant future; it's about survival, connections, and messy, real-life journeys. The frozen-in-2024 technology backdrop makes it all eerily plausible, like a 'what if' scenario grounded in our present.
Switching Tracks isn't aiming for a distant, unreachable future. It's a mirror reflecting today's struggles, wrapped in a dystopian package.
May 31, 2024
BOOK- SWITCHING TRACKS
RATING -🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" by Lena Gibson, you're thrown right into the post-apocalyptic mess of Southern Cali, circa 2195. Mate, it's a bloody mess, with the big corporates ruling the roost and the rest of us just trying to scrape by. Through the eyes of Elsa, a true blue scavenger with grit to spare, we're taken on a wild ride through a world where survival ain't guaranteed, especially when GreenCorps is calling the shots.
Gibson's got a knack for painting a vivid picture of a society on its knees, where every day's a battle for a feed and a shred of hope. When Elsa stumbles upon some maps to Doomsday bunkers and a dodgy-looking key, it's game on. This ain't just about making it through another day; it's about sticking it to the bigwigs and carving out a better tomorrow. Elsa's journey from a lone wolf to a beacon of hope is a real tear-jerker, showing us that even in the darkest times, there's still a flicker of hope to hold onto.
But Elsa's not flying solo in this epic saga. Nah, she's teamed up with a bunch of misfits – from a cheeky train hopper to a street-smart kid with fingers quicker than lightning. Together, they're a force to be reckoned with, taking on GreenCorps and their cronies with nothing but guts and determination.
"Switching Tracks" isn't just a ripper of a yarn; it's a fair dinkum exploration of what happens when the big end of town gets too big for its boots. Gibson's words draw you in like a magnet, weaving a tale of danger, mateship, and the fight for a fair go. So strap yourself in, cobber, 'cause this one's a real corker that'll have you on the edge of your seat 'til the bloody end. And when it's all said and done, you'll be left pondering the true cost of greed and the power of sticking together, even when the odds are stacked against you.
ABOUT AUTHOR ✍️💯- Lena Gibson's life story is as multifaceted as her storytelling. With a First-Class Honors degree in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University, complemented by minors in History, Biology, Geography, and Environmental Education, Lena's academic journey reflects her wide-ranging interests and thirst for knowledge. But her pursuits extend far beyond academia.
From her early years, Lena has been an avid reader, finding solace and adventure within the pages of books. This love for literature serves as both inspiration and refuge, allowing her to explore countless worlds and narratives. Drawing from her diverse literary palette, Lena blends elements from various genres, creating stories that are rich and immersive.
In addition to her academic and literary pursuits, Lena's personal experiences have profoundly shaped her writing. Recently diagnosed with autism, she brings a unique perspective to her storytelling, crafting characters and narratives that reflect the complexities of the human experience, particularly through the lens of neurodiversity.
Outside of her writing endeavors, Lena leads a dynamic life. As a practitioner of karate, she channels discipline and focus, honing both her mind and body. And amidst her busy schedule, she finds solace in the simple pleasures of life, indulging in her love for tea and cherishing moments spent with her family.
At the heart of Lena's world is her home in New Westminster, Canada, where she resides with her loved ones and their beloved feline companion, Ash. Ash, the "fuzzy overlord" of their household, adds warmth and companionship to Lena's life, reminding her of the importance of love and connection amidst the chaos of everyday existence.
RATING -🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" by Lena Gibson, you're thrown right into the post-apocalyptic mess of Southern Cali, circa 2195. Mate, it's a bloody mess, with the big corporates ruling the roost and the rest of us just trying to scrape by. Through the eyes of Elsa, a true blue scavenger with grit to spare, we're taken on a wild ride through a world where survival ain't guaranteed, especially when GreenCorps is calling the shots.
Gibson's got a knack for painting a vivid picture of a society on its knees, where every day's a battle for a feed and a shred of hope. When Elsa stumbles upon some maps to Doomsday bunkers and a dodgy-looking key, it's game on. This ain't just about making it through another day; it's about sticking it to the bigwigs and carving out a better tomorrow. Elsa's journey from a lone wolf to a beacon of hope is a real tear-jerker, showing us that even in the darkest times, there's still a flicker of hope to hold onto.
But Elsa's not flying solo in this epic saga. Nah, she's teamed up with a bunch of misfits – from a cheeky train hopper to a street-smart kid with fingers quicker than lightning. Together, they're a force to be reckoned with, taking on GreenCorps and their cronies with nothing but guts and determination.
"Switching Tracks" isn't just a ripper of a yarn; it's a fair dinkum exploration of what happens when the big end of town gets too big for its boots. Gibson's words draw you in like a magnet, weaving a tale of danger, mateship, and the fight for a fair go. So strap yourself in, cobber, 'cause this one's a real corker that'll have you on the edge of your seat 'til the bloody end. And when it's all said and done, you'll be left pondering the true cost of greed and the power of sticking together, even when the odds are stacked against you.
ABOUT AUTHOR ✍️💯- Lena Gibson's life story is as multifaceted as her storytelling. With a First-Class Honors degree in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University, complemented by minors in History, Biology, Geography, and Environmental Education, Lena's academic journey reflects her wide-ranging interests and thirst for knowledge. But her pursuits extend far beyond academia.
From her early years, Lena has been an avid reader, finding solace and adventure within the pages of books. This love for literature serves as both inspiration and refuge, allowing her to explore countless worlds and narratives. Drawing from her diverse literary palette, Lena blends elements from various genres, creating stories that are rich and immersive.
In addition to her academic and literary pursuits, Lena's personal experiences have profoundly shaped her writing. Recently diagnosed with autism, she brings a unique perspective to her storytelling, crafting characters and narratives that reflect the complexities of the human experience, particularly through the lens of neurodiversity.
Outside of her writing endeavors, Lena leads a dynamic life. As a practitioner of karate, she channels discipline and focus, honing both her mind and body. And amidst her busy schedule, she finds solace in the simple pleasures of life, indulging in her love for tea and cherishing moments spent with her family.
At the heart of Lena's world is her home in New Westminster, Canada, where she resides with her loved ones and their beloved feline companion, Ash. Ash, the "fuzzy overlord" of their household, adds warmth and companionship to Lena's life, reminding her of the importance of love and connection amidst the chaos of everyday existence.
April 2, 2024
Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash written by Lena Gibson and narrated by Rusty Mewha; Angelina Rocca is the speculative fiction/ dystopic/ post-apocalyptic series we have been looking forward to and it is utterly enthralling!
The performances by Rusty Mewha and Angelina Rocca are outstanding and add so many different dimensions to an already strong piece of literature
Can you imagine a post-apocalyptic world, with a brutal, unforgiving climate that is run by a corporatocracy? This is life in "SoCal" in 2195 where soceity is divided into two classes. Those in the Greencorps who deal in metal coins and controlling the monopoly on food and thos on the other side, who scavenge through "ancient" trash heaps for metals and things they can sell in exchange for their version of coins, plastic tokens which they exchange for food and water
Elsa lives with her grandmother, workingtogether to burrow down into the trash to the level to 21st century rubbish and on one fortuitous occasion, Elsa finds a steel tube whicch is essentially the most precious metal that will feed her and her gran for weeks if not months, however, this is no ordinary container, this one could change their world as they know it
This book had me rapt and I really enjoyed the dynamics and dialogue between the characters. The soceital construct was genius and I really liked how the world had a level of plausibility, especially due to the climate and having to wear UV goggles in sunlight and washing yourself with sand and not water (I really, really disliked Aiden)
Brilliant and highly recommended, I am really looking forward to book 2!
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media | Dreamscape Lore, the incredible author Lena Gibson and brilliant narrators Rusty Mewha and Angelina Rocca for this awesome ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
The performances by Rusty Mewha and Angelina Rocca are outstanding and add so many different dimensions to an already strong piece of literature
Can you imagine a post-apocalyptic world, with a brutal, unforgiving climate that is run by a corporatocracy? This is life in "SoCal" in 2195 where soceity is divided into two classes. Those in the Greencorps who deal in metal coins and controlling the monopoly on food and thos on the other side, who scavenge through "ancient" trash heaps for metals and things they can sell in exchange for their version of coins, plastic tokens which they exchange for food and water
Elsa lives with her grandmother, workingtogether to burrow down into the trash to the level to 21st century rubbish and on one fortuitous occasion, Elsa finds a steel tube whicch is essentially the most precious metal that will feed her and her gran for weeks if not months, however, this is no ordinary container, this one could change their world as they know it
This book had me rapt and I really enjoyed the dynamics and dialogue between the characters. The soceital construct was genius and I really liked how the world had a level of plausibility, especially due to the climate and having to wear UV goggles in sunlight and washing yourself with sand and not water (I really, really disliked Aiden)
Brilliant and highly recommended, I am really looking forward to book 2!
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media | Dreamscape Lore, the incredible author Lena Gibson and brilliant narrators Rusty Mewha and Angelina Rocca for this awesome ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
March 5, 2025
I’m not usually the dystopian/post apocalyptic story reader. They don’t seem believable to me. Wizards, dragons, laser swords? Sure, I can get behind that. This story actually caught my attention and held it. Maybe it was the after effects of a pandemic and societal collapse that grabbed me considering the recent pandemic and the current state of our “government”. Seems totally believable now.
In two separate events, there was a plague that wiped out vast swaths of people and some time after that the Collapse, as it’s called in the book, happened. People are scattered and eking out a living by what ever means they can. GreenCorps has a monopoly and the food and water supply and charges outrageous prices for both.
Elsa, our FMC, lives in what used to be Long Beach, Ca, and works on the huge garbage heap that is there scavenging whatever she can find to salvage to get food and water. She finds an object in the Heap one day and just knows in her gut it’s important and hangs on to it.
Walker, our MMC, has been on his own for a long time traveling with his brother, Hayden, over what used to be the western United States by hopping trains like the hobos of old.
Walker and Elsa eventually meet and help each other because the object she found in the Heap is worth a lot of money to GreenCorps and they send the meanest, nastiest person to get it from her. Thus, begins the adventure to figure out what the object is and why it’s so important to GreenCorps.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Like I said at the beginning, this isn’t usually what I like to read. I’ve been reading for 50 years so I know what I like and what I don’t. And I am considerably older than the characters, but still find them compelling and the story engrossing. I would recommend this book to others.
In two separate events, there was a plague that wiped out vast swaths of people and some time after that the Collapse, as it’s called in the book, happened. People are scattered and eking out a living by what ever means they can. GreenCorps has a monopoly and the food and water supply and charges outrageous prices for both.
Elsa, our FMC, lives in what used to be Long Beach, Ca, and works on the huge garbage heap that is there scavenging whatever she can find to salvage to get food and water. She finds an object in the Heap one day and just knows in her gut it’s important and hangs on to it.
Walker, our MMC, has been on his own for a long time traveling with his brother, Hayden, over what used to be the western United States by hopping trains like the hobos of old.
Walker and Elsa eventually meet and help each other because the object she found in the Heap is worth a lot of money to GreenCorps and they send the meanest, nastiest person to get it from her. Thus, begins the adventure to figure out what the object is and why it’s so important to GreenCorps.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Like I said at the beginning, this isn’t usually what I like to read. I’ve been reading for 50 years so I know what I like and what I don’t. And I am considerably older than the characters, but still find them compelling and the story engrossing. I would recommend this book to others.
May 3, 2024
"Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" by Lena Gibson takes readers on a gripping journey through a post-apocalyptic world controlled by corporate greed. Set in SoCal in 2195, the story follows Elsa, a resilient scavenger who unearths a valuable treasure: maps to Doomsday seed bunkers and a key that could change everything.
Gibson's vivid portrayal of a society on the brink of collapse, where survival hinges on scraps from the past, immerses readers in a world of desperation and determination. Elsa's journey from the edge of starvation to a beacon of hope is both inspiring and heart-wrenching, as she faces off against the oppressive forces of GreenCorps.
The author expertly weaves together elements of adventure, suspense, and camaraderie as Elsa teams up with a diverse cast of characters, including a charming train hopper and a teenage pickpocket, to defy GreenCorps' tyranny. Each encounter adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the power of unity in the face of adversity.
Gibson's prose is fast-paced and engaging, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. "Switching Tracks" is a thrilling dystopian tale that not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the consequences of unchecked corporate control and the resilience of the human spirit.
Overall, "Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction, offering a captivating blend of action, intrigue, and hope in a world teetering on the edge of oblivion. Lena Gibson's masterful storytelling leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Train Hoppers series.
Gibson's vivid portrayal of a society on the brink of collapse, where survival hinges on scraps from the past, immerses readers in a world of desperation and determination. Elsa's journey from the edge of starvation to a beacon of hope is both inspiring and heart-wrenching, as she faces off against the oppressive forces of GreenCorps.
The author expertly weaves together elements of adventure, suspense, and camaraderie as Elsa teams up with a diverse cast of characters, including a charming train hopper and a teenage pickpocket, to defy GreenCorps' tyranny. Each encounter adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the power of unity in the face of adversity.
Gibson's prose is fast-paced and engaging, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. "Switching Tracks" is a thrilling dystopian tale that not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the consequences of unchecked corporate control and the resilience of the human spirit.
Overall, "Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash" is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction, offering a captivating blend of action, intrigue, and hope in a world teetering on the edge of oblivion. Lena Gibson's masterful storytelling leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Train Hoppers series.
April 17, 2024
This book reminds me of divergent, which was the reason I wanted to read this in the first place. I would say that I didn’t disappoint me at all, and I am so excited for the second book in this series.
I will say that there probably should have been a trigger warning that was a bit more detailed for readers that can get trigger more easily. I usually don’t have problems with reading about stuff like this, but I do think it was a bit too much described for my taste. That is probably the reason I won’t give the book 5 stars.
But I choose to keep listening and I can assure you that as soon they hoped the first train the book only gets more and more interesting.
The way the chapters are made in multiple POV’s was a bit confusing in the beginning, but I got used to it pretty fast and ended up liking the different POV’s. I especially liked that walker was writing diary.
I have read a couple other Si-Fi books recently, and I was really happy to find this book because it was so different from the others I have read.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed this book and therefore I have chosen to give it 4,4 stars (. I only choose 4,4 because I usually round up and give 5 stars when I give a book 4,5)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I will say that there probably should have been a trigger warning that was a bit more detailed for readers that can get trigger more easily. I usually don’t have problems with reading about stuff like this, but I do think it was a bit too much described for my taste. That is probably the reason I won’t give the book 5 stars.
But I choose to keep listening and I can assure you that as soon they hoped the first train the book only gets more and more interesting.
The way the chapters are made in multiple POV’s was a bit confusing in the beginning, but I got used to it pretty fast and ended up liking the different POV’s. I especially liked that walker was writing diary.
I have read a couple other Si-Fi books recently, and I was really happy to find this book because it was so different from the others I have read.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed this book and therefore I have chosen to give it 4,4 stars (. I only choose 4,4 because I usually round up and give 5 stars when I give a book 4,5)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2024
So much here I loved! The plot was perfection. The primary struggle was prolonged with secondary plot points that would come up exactly when they were needed to reinforce my interest. While there is a strong romantic storyline, it isn’t the sole focus and that really worked for me.
There are multiple perspectives that help give the story dimension. I found it interesting how different the writing style felt between characters.
The characters themselves were a little basic, the male main character in particular, but they were used well in the narrative.
I can’t wait for the sequel and would recommend this highly to anyone interested in a futuristic dystopian story. Bonus: it doesn’t feel like a retelling of The Hunger Games as so many do.
Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 3
Narration - 4
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 4.2
Thank you Lena Gibson, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy! My opinions are my own.
There are multiple perspectives that help give the story dimension. I found it interesting how different the writing style felt between characters.
The characters themselves were a little basic, the male main character in particular, but they were used well in the narrative.
I can’t wait for the sequel and would recommend this highly to anyone interested in a futuristic dystopian story. Bonus: it doesn’t feel like a retelling of The Hunger Games as so many do.
Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 3
Narration - 4
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 4.2
Thank you Lena Gibson, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy! My opinions are my own.
May 1, 2024
treasure during an excursion into a self-made tunnel discarded clothes, household goods, and forgotten items. The map and key she discovers are items she believes she can sell in order to feed her Granny and herself, but instead of saving them, the silver tube and its contents attract unsavory characters who are dead set in stealing them from her—and if they have to kill her in the process, they will.
Elsa and Walker, her boyfriend, hightail it after being threatened by members of the GreenCorps, hitching rides on trains that still run down the West Coast of the country once known as the United States, gathering adversaries and allies along the way. Through complications that include addicted family members and violent bullies, the dystopian heroes race against time and the ever-present GreenCorps bad guys, Gibson builds the foundation for a series of novels that will expand with characters and conflict introduced in this first novel.
Elsa and Walker, her boyfriend, hightail it after being threatened by members of the GreenCorps, hitching rides on trains that still run down the West Coast of the country once known as the United States, gathering adversaries and allies along the way. Through complications that include addicted family members and violent bullies, the dystopian heroes race against time and the ever-present GreenCorps bad guys, Gibson builds the foundation for a series of novels that will expand with characters and conflict introduced in this first novel.
May 5, 2025
Another five star read by Gibson!! I couldn’t put this down, and I’m not surprised considering that is how I felt with the first title I read by her, too.
Elsa sifts through mounds of debri in a post apocalyptic world trying to find any treasures from before the collapse to sell and trade for barely enough to survive. When she has to turn to serving drinks at the local brothel, she ends up in a horrific situation which causes her to flee immediately, turning to train hopping to get out of town. Turns out something she found in the heap is worth more than her life according to a lot people who found out what she has. Elsa and some others picked up along the way try to find a way to make use of her treasure to change things for the poor, while trying to stay alive and keep the treasure out of the wrong hands.
This entire storyline kept me on my toes, wanting to keep turning pages to know what would happen next. The post apocalyptic world that Gibson created in this storyline is so well thought out and dare I say, realistic.
Strong trigger warning for sexual assault!
————
Once again, I'm up at 3 am still reading instead of sleeping!!!
Elsa sifts through mounds of debri in a post apocalyptic world trying to find any treasures from before the collapse to sell and trade for barely enough to survive. When she has to turn to serving drinks at the local brothel, she ends up in a horrific situation which causes her to flee immediately, turning to train hopping to get out of town. Turns out something she found in the heap is worth more than her life according to a lot people who found out what she has. Elsa and some others picked up along the way try to find a way to make use of her treasure to change things for the poor, while trying to stay alive and keep the treasure out of the wrong hands.
This entire storyline kept me on my toes, wanting to keep turning pages to know what would happen next. The post apocalyptic world that Gibson created in this storyline is so well thought out and dare I say, realistic.
Strong trigger warning for sexual assault!
————
Once again, I'm up at 3 am still reading instead of sleeping!!!
February 27, 2024
I didn't realize this was part of a series when I downloaded it, so I'm left with a story without an ending. By the time the next one comes out, I won't remember this one, and I didn't like it enough to reread it.
There are a lot of YA tropes here: girl doesn't realize how beautiful she is (she lived her whole life in a trash heap without access to nutritious food or water for hygiene, how attractive can she be?); guy who's totally infatuated with her (though only a few years older, he had way more life experience and made her seem kind of dim). I guess I'm just too old to appreciate those tropes!
There are too many sex scenes that made the story drag in the middle, and miraculously this girl never gets pregnant!
The best parts of the book were the rebels v. GreenCorps, and the secondary characters (Tatsuda, Granny and Caitlyn. I also wanted more of the bunker searching.
There are a lot of YA tropes here: girl doesn't realize how beautiful she is (she lived her whole life in a trash heap without access to nutritious food or water for hygiene, how attractive can she be?); guy who's totally infatuated with her (though only a few years older, he had way more life experience and made her seem kind of dim). I guess I'm just too old to appreciate those tropes!
There are too many sex scenes that made the story drag in the middle, and miraculously this girl never gets pregnant!
The best parts of the book were the rebels v. GreenCorps, and the secondary characters (Tatsuda, Granny and Caitlyn. I also wanted more of the bunker searching.
April 15, 2025
I sought this book out as a lover of train-hopping adventures, and got so much more than a good adventure out of it. The dystopian world-building was extremely believeable while being completely original at the same time. Greencorps, the ironically named corporation has a monopoly in the former United States, which is almost unrecognizeable due to extreme pollution and scarcity of resources. The corporation is a deadly foil to the innocent people being oppressed - think hard laborers getting paid in vouchers that only work at the company store. You will root for Elsa and Walker right out of the gate, and admire their toughness and tenacity in surviving a society designed to keep them down. The dystopian tale is balanced by moments of beauty, love and affection, and hope. I loved the ride and am ready for the sequel!
January 12, 2024
As a multi-genre novel, Switching Tracks successfully juggles the various genres- romance, dystopian, thriller, science fiction- and keeps readers on their toes. The thrilling and well-paced story, filled with unexpected twists and turns, makes it impossible to put the book down. The world building is excellent, and I loved the nod to the author’s other novels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 18, 2024
I won the sequal in Goodreads giveaways. I got this to read first and I'm so happy I did. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to start the next.
The characters and scenes are well written. You feel like you're there and you know them. Some of them aren't people I'd like to know. Elsa is so naive and innocent and beaten down for it. I hate how they met, for her, but I'm glad she met Walker.
The new characters at the end are people I hope to get to know more in the next book.
The characters and scenes are well written. You feel like you're there and you know them. Some of them aren't people I'd like to know. Elsa is so naive and innocent and beaten down for it. I hate how they met, for her, but I'm glad she met Walker.
The new characters at the end are people I hope to get to know more in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
Its 2195 and Elsa works as a scavenger in SoCal with her great-grandma, collecting rubbish from the past in order to earn money just to survive.
Greedy company Green Corps runs the area along with the water supply, and they keep the residents on a tight leash.
When Walker and his brother, arrive in town, it sets of a chain reaction that changes everything Elsa has ever known.
The world building takes up a lot of this book, but its facinating to see how our current world might end up, because it is definately a possibility. Just travelling from one town to the next showed how vastly different each had adapted.
There is an element of romance, although not until the second half, and there is also bits of fst-paced action thrown in the story. Once Elsa and Walker end up on a treasure hunt of sorts, it opens up many options, dangers and enemies.
I can see this series hooking me in as they discover more and more about their journey as they travel the country. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Greedy company Green Corps runs the area along with the water supply, and they keep the residents on a tight leash.
When Walker and his brother, arrive in town, it sets of a chain reaction that changes everything Elsa has ever known.
The world building takes up a lot of this book, but its facinating to see how our current world might end up, because it is definately a possibility. Just travelling from one town to the next showed how vastly different each had adapted.
There is an element of romance, although not until the second half, and there is also bits of fst-paced action thrown in the story. Once Elsa and Walker end up on a treasure hunt of sorts, it opens up many options, dangers and enemies.
I can see this series hooking me in as they discover more and more about their journey as they travel the country. I'm looking forward to the next book.
January 6, 2024
Great read really enjoyed this book. Post apocalyptic action adventure with great world building. Interesting political structures post disaster. Really looking forward to book 2. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the DRC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews