The Ark

The Ark

by J. Swift

When you know the world is ending, survival becomes second nature.

Alissa was raised on a world that was fated to burn. Each year drawing closer to their sun. There was only one chance for survival, The Ark.

Earning a place wasn’t impossible, but Alissa quickly learned, it wasn’t going to be easy. She failed the aptitude test and by right, lost her chance at survival.

Until she met him, the man with the Silver Glove.

Alissa was quickly whisked away from her life in the New Amerland Complex and forced to live in a dank cell. Tortured with intense and gruesome training methods in order to become the saviour of humanity. And all the while Silver Glove was by her side. Keeping her sane, holding her hand…falling in love.

Alissa will be released to stand against the forces of darkness and save humanity from extinction, and earn her ticket to freedom.

Genres: Science Fiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2014

About the author

The Ark is the beginning of the journey...

Since I started writing I knew that was going to be my passion in life. I have a hundred stories to share with the world so stick with me and I'll make sure you get to read them all.

Science Fiction has shaped my way of thinking for many years now and I'm hoping to make my mark in the genre and be remembered for good work.

Reviews

[William Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting dystopian sci fi novel that manages to build worlds and all the political intrigue within, but still breeze by with such effortless ease! I went into this one pretty blind to what it would offer, but I really enjoyed just living in this world (narratively speaking, I absolutely wouldn’t enjoy life on the Ark!) and I’m eager to jump into the sequels in future and see how the story unfolds! A story that grips from the beginning right down to its very final moments, without ever feeling exhausting.

[Julie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intresting

This is an interesting book to read. It has a little of everything. I am looking forward to reading more from this series and author.

[Molly Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book, it’s written incredibly well and couldn’t put it down xx

[Quill Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ark is an interesting read – set in a dystopian, post-nuclear war Earth, the planet and its surviving inhabitants are in a pretty sorry state – with the world now just an inhospitable wasteland, and most plant and animal species extinct; the survivors make do with what little remains. The fortunate citizens live in complexes, relatively safe refuges built into and underneath the ruins of cities from before the war. The unfortunate eke out an existence in the wastelands, and beneath the complexes, as feral, possibly mutated creatures – only shadows of the people they were before.

With life on Earth no longer sustainable, humankind’s only option for survival is the Arks, a series of interstellar vessels capable of traversing the stars in search of a new home for humanity. Built one after the other, the latest Ark is nearing completion and due to set out for the heavens. For those fortunate enough to live in the complexes, there are still those who are unfortunate: a place on the Ark is not guaranteed – humanities best and brightest are the lucky ones, chosen for their knowledge and skills, but for everyone else, your only way aboard is via a lottery or to pass an aptitude test.

But not all is as it seems, as the characters grapple with the fact that the promise of the Arks may not be all that it is advertised to be. Sides are drawn and redrawn as misinformation & truth battle for the characters’ loyalties, and all the while, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

I enjoyed The Ark, listening to the audiobook version of the story. The book is well-written, and the audiobook was narrated well too. The tale maintains a steady pace throughout, which, whilst fast enough to maintain interest, felt too slow, which I thought was a detriment to the overall experience – a little bit of variance in the pacing, and a faster pace in general, would’ve helped to elevate the story.

Still, it tells an exciting story set in a fascinating world, with characters that feel real and a world that feels lived in. If anything, I wanted more, as the story felt a little short; whilst all the right ingredients were there, it felt a little undercooked – some additional worldbuilding and character development would’ve made the story that much richer.

Several twists at the end of the book were unexpected, catching me by surprise, and really helped make the story. It opens some interesting avenues for the two sequels, and I’m interested to read the rest of the trilogy and see where this story goes. I recommend reading The Ark and look forward to exploring more of Swift’s dystopian sci-fi world!

[Kelsey McCluskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! What a concept. Honestly wowed me. Truly.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Another take on a dystopian future. I enjoyed this book. I like this dystopian genre. A nice quick read that moved quickly. I enjoyed the characters and the chemistry was well written. Other than the ending coming up really fast it was a good read that I would recommend.