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The Dawn #1
The Bombs Fall
Zachary Christian is Delta Tower resident 8652. He has been stuck inside his tower since the bombs destroyed the world he knew. The reason for the war is still a mystery, but ever since that day the world stands still, trapped by the nuclear winter and the Guardians who patrol the exits. Zachary should feel lucky to be alive, but he is haunted by past mistakes which he never got a chance to put right.
The only way out is the New Omega Lottery. The prize is a place in Omega, a giant glass tower in the centre of their barren world where the new government, The Conservators, rule. Nobody from Delta has ever won. But when Zachary meets Emily he knows she is not from Delta. Convinced there must be another way out, he vows that he will find it. But he doesn't realise that The Conservators have already found him.
The only way out is the New Omega Lottery. The prize is a place in Omega, a giant glass tower in the centre of their barren world where the new government, The Conservators, rule. Nobody from Delta has ever won. But when Zachary meets Emily he knows she is not from Delta. Convinced there must be another way out, he vows that he will find it. But he doesn't realise that The Conservators have already found him.
138 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2014
148 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Muckley
13 books62 followersI was born in the town of Warwick in 1981. It is a small historical town in the heart of England, and Ι was the fifth child born into a family of boys. I developed a huge interest in the written world from a young age, and with more than a little help from Roald Dahl found quite the taste for anything gross and gory. Book club at primary school only proved to increase my love of escaping into the world of a book. Whilst six years at secondary school did little to quell the romantic notion of one day sitting in my mountain cabin and smoking a celebratory cigarette as the first novel was born, somewhere within those six years the dream of becoming a writer got put on hold. Still resting quietly in the background were those long and lingering desires to once again rediscover those old aspirations to write.
About six years ago, with the smouldering embers of a childhood dream sparking uncomfortably underfoot there was what can only be called an epiphany. Who is it that actually becomes a writer? It's the people who write. It's the people who actually do more than say, 'I have a dream'. Whilst this may sound simplistic, it was the revelation I needed to sit down and type Chapter One. The first book, The Loss of Deference was no longer just a fantasy and slowly became a workable manuscript. It was then sent out in eagerness before it was properly edited and therefore it was duly returned, and along with it I collected a nice set of standard rejection letters. Six years later, having uprooted from England to settle on the southern Mediterranean shores of Cyprus, the dream to publish the book once deemed nothing more than a pipe dream is now a reality. I am still working as a part time scientist, but I am also writing daily. When I am not sat at the computer typing about the darker side of life, you will find me hiking in the mountains, drinking frappe at the beach, or talking to myself in the kitchen in the style of an American celebrity chef. Just think Ina Garten.
What people saying about The Loss of Deference.
"The final few chapters as the novel races to its finish is a white-knuckle ride, and more than once I wanted to close my eyes so that I might not see what I was sure was coming."
"Michelle Muckley created a believable dystopian world inhabited by intriguing characters"
"I can't wait to read more from this talented new writer."
"An imaginative, clever and thought provoking book which had me hooked from the first chapter."
About six years ago, with the smouldering embers of a childhood dream sparking uncomfortably underfoot there was what can only be called an epiphany. Who is it that actually becomes a writer? It's the people who write. It's the people who actually do more than say, 'I have a dream'. Whilst this may sound simplistic, it was the revelation I needed to sit down and type Chapter One. The first book, The Loss of Deference was no longer just a fantasy and slowly became a workable manuscript. It was then sent out in eagerness before it was properly edited and therefore it was duly returned, and along with it I collected a nice set of standard rejection letters. Six years later, having uprooted from England to settle on the southern Mediterranean shores of Cyprus, the dream to publish the book once deemed nothing more than a pipe dream is now a reality. I am still working as a part time scientist, but I am also writing daily. When I am not sat at the computer typing about the darker side of life, you will find me hiking in the mountains, drinking frappe at the beach, or talking to myself in the kitchen in the style of an American celebrity chef. Just think Ina Garten.
What people saying about The Loss of Deference.
"The final few chapters as the novel races to its finish is a white-knuckle ride, and more than once I wanted to close my eyes so that I might not see what I was sure was coming."
"Michelle Muckley created a believable dystopian world inhabited by intriguing characters"
"I can't wait to read more from this talented new writer."
"An imaginative, clever and thought provoking book which had me hooked from the first chapter."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 25, 2021
Unexpectedly good dystopian novel, that held my interest right the way through.
It gives the saying 'Live life to the full' a whole new meaning!
It gives the saying 'Live life to the full' a whole new meaning!
October 15, 2019
Time is Relative
I felt a rush to get on with the story, even as time became irrelevant to the characters. It reminded me of Animal Farm and 1984. The blaring hypocrisy was a physical feeling of discord. I had conflicting feelings about the castes and regulations. My fervent hope flares again to avoid such a catastrophe.
I felt a rush to get on with the story, even as time became irrelevant to the characters. It reminded me of Animal Farm and 1984. The blaring hypocrisy was a physical feeling of discord. I had conflicting feelings about the castes and regulations. My fervent hope flares again to avoid such a catastrophe.
September 22, 2021
I wont lie, I read this fast because it's quite good. I'm only knocking off a star because it seeems to be (only read book 1!) very similar to THX-1138, Tower of Glass, The Body Electric, Silo, etc.
Still, I welcome a new and engaging take!
Still, I welcome a new and engaging take!
September 25, 2018
Started a little slow for me good story though
A lot of questions never answered I can only hope they will be in the next are the rest of the stories
A lot of questions never answered I can only hope they will be in the next are the rest of the stories
December 7, 2018
Interesting storyline
Not a bad book to read and what a terrible place to live in. Hope his life gets better now
Not a bad book to read and what a terrible place to live in. Hope his life gets better now
August 15, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
So let me be honest, I went into this book not expecting much. That is not a complaint. I just never know what to expect with this type of book and I have learned never to expect anything. You just never know where you will end up with these books.
There were some issues for me and this book. The characters just weren't developed for me. The back stories were just not enough for me. I really had a hard time relating to any of them. When I read a book I want to be able to relate to at least one character. They were ok, but I just couldn't find myself connecting with any of them.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let me say that the idea behind the book is a great one. The way we get an idea of what life is like for these people in Delta Tower was great. We get a real vision of how life for those who were not in control after the world is destroyed. I just wish we got more about how they ended up there.
Now all of these issues might be cleared up in the later books. I am willing to wait and see how things work out for the characters. I am hopeful with the next book we will get more of a back story and really I want more from the other towers. I want to see if we get a chance for Zach to see Emily again. I want to see what the rest of the world looks like now, not just what they see from the windows in Delta Tower.
Pros: Great story idea
Cons: Characters were not easy to relate to and the story was hard to get into at the beginning.
Overall rating: I am torn about recommending it.
So let me be honest, I went into this book not expecting much. That is not a complaint. I just never know what to expect with this type of book and I have learned never to expect anything. You just never know where you will end up with these books.
There were some issues for me and this book. The characters just weren't developed for me. The back stories were just not enough for me. I really had a hard time relating to any of them. When I read a book I want to be able to relate to at least one character. They were ok, but I just couldn't find myself connecting with any of them.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let me say that the idea behind the book is a great one. The way we get an idea of what life is like for these people in Delta Tower was great. We get a real vision of how life for those who were not in control after the world is destroyed. I just wish we got more about how they ended up there.
Now all of these issues might be cleared up in the later books. I am willing to wait and see how things work out for the characters. I am hopeful with the next book we will get more of a back story and really I want more from the other towers. I want to see if we get a chance for Zach to see Emily again. I want to see what the rest of the world looks like now, not just what they see from the windows in Delta Tower.
Pros: Great story idea
Cons: Characters were not easy to relate to and the story was hard to get into at the beginning.
Overall rating: I am torn about recommending it.
October 19, 2014
The Bombs Fall is the first part in a multi-book series all telling one story. It takes place at some point after a nuclear war in London (although I didn't realize it was London right away). Zach is a resident of Delta Tower, and has been since the day that he told his girlfriend that he wasn't ready to be a father and stepped back inside his office tower. The bombs fell, and his building stood while everything around them crumbled. Now there is a new society - the republic of New Omega.
The Guardians enforce the rules in Delta tower, and the government is situated in Omega tower - the best possible place to live in this never ending nuclear winter. Delta tower provides water to all the towers, life is hard, food and water are rationed and never enough, scabies spreads like wildfire.
In the sub levels of Delta, there is another world, even worse off than Delta. But in a sublevel bar Zach finds comfort in moonshine and pills, and makes trades to help his friends. In this bar he meets Emily, who is cleaner than anyone he's met. He discovers that she's not from Delta tower at all...is there a way out? We learn that Emily is the daughter of someone who was important in the pre-war government. Someone who knew the bombs would fall, and moved his family to the safety of Omega tower.
This installment draws to a close as the New Omega lottery occurs. Once lucky resident from another tower will be selected to move to Omega where life is so much better. Zach wins...
The Guardians enforce the rules in Delta tower, and the government is situated in Omega tower - the best possible place to live in this never ending nuclear winter. Delta tower provides water to all the towers, life is hard, food and water are rationed and never enough, scabies spreads like wildfire.
In the sub levels of Delta, there is another world, even worse off than Delta. But in a sublevel bar Zach finds comfort in moonshine and pills, and makes trades to help his friends. In this bar he meets Emily, who is cleaner than anyone he's met. He discovers that she's not from Delta tower at all...is there a way out? We learn that Emily is the daughter of someone who was important in the pre-war government. Someone who knew the bombs would fall, and moved his family to the safety of Omega tower.
This installment draws to a close as the New Omega lottery occurs. Once lucky resident from another tower will be selected to move to Omega where life is so much better. Zach wins...
September 11, 2015
4.5
To be honest, the book kicked in a bit too slow for me, as I found there was too much information written at once for me to be able to properly perceive it, especially not in my native language. Also, as much as it had a really tense cliffhanger, I didn't mind if more plotlines ended... I also found a hundred and something pages a little too short for an adult novel in my book.
Yet, the mysterious world building and the tension made up for it. It was really unique for a dystopian novel, without a visible strict government and the towers. I also liked the structure: it was causally coherent, and I loved how we caught glimpses of how the towers system is working, and how citizens can question the regime, from little signs. There was a really cool twist in the book, too, which was really surprising, but at the same time, really lifelike.
I also cared about Zach a lot. I liked how he had real flaws (like he wasn't a perfect hero type). His personal history was really realistic and "human", and also his reflection upon his sins was really credible, too.
To be honest, the book kicked in a bit too slow for me, as I found there was too much information written at once for me to be able to properly perceive it, especially not in my native language. Also, as much as it had a really tense cliffhanger, I didn't mind if more plotlines ended... I also found a hundred and something pages a little too short for an adult novel in my book.
Yet, the mysterious world building and the tension made up for it. It was really unique for a dystopian novel, without a visible strict government and the towers. I also liked the structure: it was causally coherent, and I loved how we caught glimpses of how the towers system is working, and how citizens can question the regime, from little signs. There was a really cool twist in the book, too, which was really surprising, but at the same time, really lifelike.
I also cared about Zach a lot. I liked how he had real flaws (like he wasn't a perfect hero type). His personal history was really realistic and "human", and also his reflection upon his sins was really credible, too.
November 23, 2015
Zachary Christian has been stuck in Delta Tower ever since the bombs destroyed the world he knew. Life in Delta Tower is barren, and the only way out is to win the New Omega lottery. The odds of winning, however, are long, and no one from Delta has ever won. Then, Zachary meets Emily, and he knows that she’s not from Delta Tower, which means there is a way out. When he wins the lottery and is given a chance to move to Omega Tower and meet the Conservators, his life changes—but, not necessarily for the better.
The Dawn by Michelle Muckley is intriguing post-apocalyptic fiction, putting believable and compelling characters in a grotesquely realistic environment, and then putting impassable obstacles—physical and emotional—in their way.
Loved this book.
The Dawn by Michelle Muckley is intriguing post-apocalyptic fiction, putting believable and compelling characters in a grotesquely realistic environment, and then putting impassable obstacles—physical and emotional—in their way.
Loved this book.
January 20, 2015
Michelle's characterization and imagery while detailed is not overwhelming. She has done a wonderful job in describing the emotional turmoil of post apocalyptic life and the physical results of starvation and dehydration. Zach survived the bombing and is living in Delta tower doing what is necessary to make it day to day. He carries a heavy amount of emotional guilt from pre-bomb decisions and does what he can to help those around him to amend for his perceived wrongs. On the verge of giving up he meets Emily. His world begins to change drastically. I loved this book and look forward to finishing this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2015
I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but it caught me by surprise. The descriptions of the towers are very realistic. I thought the pacing was very good and the flashbacks were done well. Instead of starting off right before the bombs fell and moving forward, we get these glimpses of what life used to be like for the citizens. It's very nice. I had a bit of trouble believing Emily's characterization. I get that her father is overbearing, but she is an adult and should act like one, no matter the circumstance. I liked Zach's character and his flaws, although I saw the "twist" coming a mile away. I wish it had been a bit longer to really get into the meat of the story.
June 25, 2016
Too quick of a read resulting in under developed characters, less than relatable back stories, and drawn out scenes (second half of the novel is just them announcing a lottery winner, the ENTIRE second half). What was done well was the intermittence of a second character which allowed us to see how the dystopian world came into being. There is no explanation for how the towers got to being there or anything. Too many loose ends that could've been clarified had the author simple added another 100 or so pages to the book.
Book was short enough for me to finish in 2 hours.
Book was short enough for me to finish in 2 hours.
December 6, 2014
In the beginning the book didn't pull me in that much. It was just another dystopian story, however the idea of people living in towers and not going out of them was new.
Then I read on and began liking the book more. I liked the relationships, chapter 6 made me cry, the characters were great and the backstories were very important. I just wish that the book was longer...
It's okay though, because I already have the second book on my kindle and I can happily read it as soon as I get more time.
Then I read on and began liking the book more. I liked the relationships, chapter 6 made me cry, the characters were great and the backstories were very important. I just wish that the book was longer...
It's okay though, because I already have the second book on my kindle and I can happily read it as soon as I get more time.
December 30, 2014
A short free book that was an unexpected delight in this genre. Whilst on one hand it's not original and it leave some big and basic survival questions unanswered - it's a very dark version of 'living'. The character development was very good, as was the descriptiveness. I found the style of writing good and in spite of the cliffhanger ending - I'll give the next one a go.
September 30, 2014
Wow, so not what I expected. The hardship was so sad, yet they still held out hope. Trying to forget the things they left behind and the mistakes that were made. It puts 'live each day to the fullest' into a new prospective.
March 3, 2015
Dystopian Existence
I really enjoyed reading The Dawn: The Bombs Fall. I found myself rooting for Leonard and Zack, hoping that their lives, their existence in Delta, would improve. I am excited to begin reading the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed reading The Dawn: The Bombs Fall. I found myself rooting for Leonard and Zack, hoping that their lives, their existence in Delta, would improve. I am excited to begin reading the next book in the series.
September 15, 2015
Readable
Believable situation and characters, nicely laid out and described. Unfortunately, a few typos have escaped the editorial process, but on the whole, looking forward to book 2.
Believable situation and characters, nicely laid out and described. Unfortunately, a few typos have escaped the editorial process, but on the whole, looking forward to book 2.
September 21, 2014
5 stars!!
nice to see a post apocalyptic book that really catches me! I have read a few lately that weren't that great but I can't wait to see what happens next!
nice to see a post apocalyptic book that really catches me! I have read a few lately that weren't that great but I can't wait to see what happens next!
October 23, 2014
Dr c.f.
grungy
figure
thuggish
Geffen
g chat crucify. hedged ugghxhgcbgct brought McHugh fistfight guff Griffiths d d d d d d d d d d d
grungy
figure
thuggish
Geffen
g chat crucify. hedged ugghxhgcbgct brought McHugh fistfight guff Griffiths d d d d d d d d d d d
December 2, 2014
Post-apocalyptic (or is it?!!?) series story. Engaging characters and good plot build.
June 8, 2015
Reminded me of the book "Wool".
Read
January 29, 2018Intriguing. Book #1 was free and I enjoyed it enough to purchase book #2, which was only £1.15.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews