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Shards
When you’ve lost everything, what’s left to lose?
In a post-pandemic world stripped bare of people, ten-year-old Dallin Smith wanders the vast red-rock desert of Utah searching for signs of life.
Haunted by loss, the unexpected return of his childhood friend Taylor Nielsen brings him comfort, guidance, and something darker he can’t quite name.
But as their relationship slowly unravels, Dallin must face the most harrowing truth of the real battle for survival must be fought within his own mind.
Shards is a disturbing, morally complex story of hope and horror, of joy and heartbreak from Bob Palmer, writing as Jack Wakefield. Perfect for fans of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, and Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend.
In a post-pandemic world stripped bare of people, ten-year-old Dallin Smith wanders the vast red-rock desert of Utah searching for signs of life.
Haunted by loss, the unexpected return of his childhood friend Taylor Nielsen brings him comfort, guidance, and something darker he can’t quite name.
But as their relationship slowly unravels, Dallin must face the most harrowing truth of the real battle for survival must be fought within his own mind.
Shards is a disturbing, morally complex story of hope and horror, of joy and heartbreak from Bob Palmer, writing as Jack Wakefield. Perfect for fans of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, and Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2026
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Jack Wakefield
1 bookJack Wakefield is a pen name of Bob Palmer.
In a past life, he's been, in chronological order, a construction worker, town planner, rock drummer, graphic designer, adman, entrepreneur, scriptwriter and film producer. He now writes full time.
His favourite theme is the absurdity of life – nothing on the planet is more fascinating than human behaviour. And even after decades creating ads, he still loves a great concept.
In his spare time, he's been caught in a desert flash flood, set off the sirens at Area 51, and hikes canyons in the US Southwest searching for ancient ruins and rock art. To share his passion, he created the popular hiking website Red Dirt Blue Skies. He is never bored.
Home is a creaky cottage on the fringe of London which he shares with a black and white cat, rampant woodworm, and his infinitely patient author and cover-designer wife Berni Stevens.
In a past life, he's been, in chronological order, a construction worker, town planner, rock drummer, graphic designer, adman, entrepreneur, scriptwriter and film producer. He now writes full time.
His favourite theme is the absurdity of life – nothing on the planet is more fascinating than human behaviour. And even after decades creating ads, he still loves a great concept.
In his spare time, he's been caught in a desert flash flood, set off the sirens at Area 51, and hikes canyons in the US Southwest searching for ancient ruins and rock art. To share his passion, he created the popular hiking website Red Dirt Blue Skies. He is never bored.
Home is a creaky cottage on the fringe of London which he shares with a black and white cat, rampant woodworm, and his infinitely patient author and cover-designer wife Berni Stevens.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2026
Shards is the third novel by British author, Bob Palmer, this one quite a departure from his usual genre, so written as Jack Wakefield. At almost eleven years old, the very last thing Dallin Smith expects to be doing is walking along the highway with his best friend, Taylor, looking for food, and living adults. A wholesome upbringing as a Mormon boy in the cave his father blasted out of Utah rock, and the complete absence of any media, has not prepared him for the effects of a highly lethal global pandemic. Lockdowns and looting were heard about on his father’s CB radio, but seemed remote, unlike the massacre of his whole family.
Dallin’s motivation is filling his stomach, and finding someone who can take charge, look after him and Taylor. The slightly older boy turned up out of the blue at the hospital where Dallin was recovering from bacterial meningitis, claiming to be distant family. He lived for some two years with Dallin’s family: moms, dad and siblings before suddenly, inexplicably leaving. And now, here he is, just when Dallin needs him; they seem, at first, to have the same agenda.
The boys head to Moab, checking farmhouses on the way, scavenging for food, clothing and other necessities, with little success, until they reach the town proper. What they do find, to their dismay, is many bodies. They seek out a safe place to stay, explore the town and uncover hidden caches that will see them through for a while. But if Taylor is content with, even prefers, their solitary existence, Dallin still longs for the company of an adult who can teach them what they need to know, and care for them if anything happens.
With Taylor reluctantly in tow, they head south on purloined bicycles, finding much the same in Monticello: no food and not a living soul until, just before turning back for Moab, Dallin scans the hills with appropriated binoculars and spots washing flapping on a line near a cabin, and a person. Jacko, when they finally reach him, turns out to be a crusty old recluse, but is the answer to Dal’s prayer, even if Taylor doesn’t agree.
He later observes “I reckoned my dad would have liked him because they had a lot in common – the dislike of authority, the wariness of strangers and the importance of learning practical skills.” In Taylor, he eventually recognises “his cruel streak, his bullying instinct, his ability to push me in directions I’d rather not have gone”, using emotional blackmail on Dal’s insecurity and fear of abandonment.
Palmer gives the reader some solid, likeable characters whose reaction to the challenges they face is credible and realistic. It’s virtually impossible not to hope for Dallin’s survival, not to be grateful that Jacko is the sort of man he needs. On the spectrum between the COVID-ravaged world with which we are now all too familiar, and Stephen King’s The Stand, Palmer’s setting sits closer to the latter. A powerful and moving read, this is Palmer’s best yet.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by the author.
Dallin’s motivation is filling his stomach, and finding someone who can take charge, look after him and Taylor. The slightly older boy turned up out of the blue at the hospital where Dallin was recovering from bacterial meningitis, claiming to be distant family. He lived for some two years with Dallin’s family: moms, dad and siblings before suddenly, inexplicably leaving. And now, here he is, just when Dallin needs him; they seem, at first, to have the same agenda.
The boys head to Moab, checking farmhouses on the way, scavenging for food, clothing and other necessities, with little success, until they reach the town proper. What they do find, to their dismay, is many bodies. They seek out a safe place to stay, explore the town and uncover hidden caches that will see them through for a while. But if Taylor is content with, even prefers, their solitary existence, Dallin still longs for the company of an adult who can teach them what they need to know, and care for them if anything happens.
With Taylor reluctantly in tow, they head south on purloined bicycles, finding much the same in Monticello: no food and not a living soul until, just before turning back for Moab, Dallin scans the hills with appropriated binoculars and spots washing flapping on a line near a cabin, and a person. Jacko, when they finally reach him, turns out to be a crusty old recluse, but is the answer to Dal’s prayer, even if Taylor doesn’t agree.
He later observes “I reckoned my dad would have liked him because they had a lot in common – the dislike of authority, the wariness of strangers and the importance of learning practical skills.” In Taylor, he eventually recognises “his cruel streak, his bullying instinct, his ability to push me in directions I’d rather not have gone”, using emotional blackmail on Dal’s insecurity and fear of abandonment.
Palmer gives the reader some solid, likeable characters whose reaction to the challenges they face is credible and realistic. It’s virtually impossible not to hope for Dallin’s survival, not to be grateful that Jacko is the sort of man he needs. On the spectrum between the COVID-ravaged world with which we are now all too familiar, and Stephen King’s The Stand, Palmer’s setting sits closer to the latter. A powerful and moving read, this is Palmer’s best yet.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by the author.
January 15, 2026
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book prior to its release.
An eleven-year-old boy is forced to fight for survival after a virus devastates the world. Alongside his best friend, Taylor, Dal sets out with two goals: stay alive and find adults who can take care of them. Dal can be frustrating at times, often swinging between moments of surprising common sense and impulsive decisions driven by immediate gratification. Still, given his age, those inconsistencies feel realistic, even if he occasionally underestimates himself.
Taylor’s introduction is a bit abrupt. He’s simply there, with little explanation, and I found myself flipping back to see if I’d missed something. This is partially addressed later, though a clearer introduction would have helped. The pacing is generally strong, but some time jumps pulled me out of the story. While they add context, a bit more mystery might have worked just as well.
Where the book truly shines is its world-building. The setting is immersive, and a constant undercurrent of tension keeps the story moving. Dal is a well-written character overall, even when he’s exasperating. I was less enthusiastic about what happens to Rocky, as I have a soft spot for animals, and I would’ve loved to see Dal grow alongside a loyal dog.
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted read, and I’d happily recommend it. I’d also be very interested in a follow-up.
An eleven-year-old boy is forced to fight for survival after a virus devastates the world. Alongside his best friend, Taylor, Dal sets out with two goals: stay alive and find adults who can take care of them. Dal can be frustrating at times, often swinging between moments of surprising common sense and impulsive decisions driven by immediate gratification. Still, given his age, those inconsistencies feel realistic, even if he occasionally underestimates himself.
Taylor’s introduction is a bit abrupt. He’s simply there, with little explanation, and I found myself flipping back to see if I’d missed something. This is partially addressed later, though a clearer introduction would have helped. The pacing is generally strong, but some time jumps pulled me out of the story. While they add context, a bit more mystery might have worked just as well.
Where the book truly shines is its world-building. The setting is immersive, and a constant undercurrent of tension keeps the story moving. Dal is a well-written character overall, even when he’s exasperating. I was less enthusiastic about what happens to Rocky, as I have a soft spot for animals, and I would’ve loved to see Dal grow alongside a loyal dog.
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted read, and I’d happily recommend it. I’d also be very interested in a follow-up.
January 19, 2026
Shards by Jack Wakefield, Dallon Smith lives with his parents who live off the grid with two other families and has a happy life his dad is a polygamist but that is all Dal knows and his other mothers are very nice. At the age of 8 he gets really sick and has to stay in the hospital with meningitis where he almost dies and where he meets Tyler. When he gets ready to leave the hospital Tyler asked if he could come home with him and when Dal ask his mom Christie she gives him a generic answer and so Tyler goes to live with the family. At first everything is hunky-dory and Tyler really enjoyed himself but soon they start fighting like real brothers and Tyler decides to leave. It isn’t long before Dal‘s dad Al learns on his ham radio that there is a disease called the Armageddon flu that is taking people out but because they live off the grid they decide to pull their provisions with the other families and hold tight until everything is over. The only problem is soon they have gangs of people searching for food and they come up on else compound. despite a good fight the men are outnumbered and when it’s all said and done everyone is dead except for Dal. he is devastated to see his whole family dead and threw the shock he passes out but when he wakes up his friend Tyler is back and wants to partner up to try and survive this apocalypse. Dal was raised to be very polite he’s smart and a kind boy but Tyler isn’t so polite and can be very aggressive this is why all Dal wants to do is find a grown-up because he’s only 10 and Tyler is 11 this takes them on a journey through the seasons although Dal appreciate having Tyler at times he scares him and even has missing time when Tyler has done things he doesn’t agree with. they’re living off the land finding no people alive at all and despite seemingly alone Tyler can still be very possessive but when they find Jacko this is when things immediately get better but slowly takes a turn for the worse. The author’s real name is Bob Palmer and he has this way of glueing me to the pages to where I don’t want to sleep or put the book down until I am finished so when I started this book I was prepared for that, because this book was so good so compelling so absolutely readable I love a book that starts in one place and turns into something absolutely different by the end and trust me when I say this story is a journey I felt so bad for Dow and soon Jacko and despite there’s no happy ending there is a very satisfying one. I love this book love this author and absolutely recommend it.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview
January 19, 2026
A pandemic destroys a kid's life who quite literally has been living under a rock up until now. Now the almost 11 year old Dal must navigate the empty streets in search of food with his best friend Taylor. There seems to be no one else left alive, but Dal is adamant about finding a grown up to help them survive.
What I liked
‣ world building
‣ well paced
‣ The Stand vibes (Stephen King)
What I disliked
‣ the ending
Review
Overall well written book, although a little confusing at times. I especially liked Jacko as a character.
The ending took me out a little. I think the story would've been better without that aspect, but it also explains some things that didn't maybe add up completely. Or it could've leaned more into it, it was kind of awkward like this.
What I liked
‣ world building
‣ well paced
‣ The Stand vibes (Stephen King)
What I disliked
‣ the ending
Review
Overall well written book, although a little confusing at times. I especially liked Jacko as a character.
The ending took me out a little. I think the story would've been better without that aspect, but it also explains some things that didn't maybe add up completely. Or it could've leaned more into it, it was kind of awkward like this.
January 18, 2026
I liked this as a fan of post apocalyptic fiction. this was a unique story from the perspective of a child living through a world changing pandemic. it was very fresh and included plenty of aspects you dont normally see in the genre which I liked. the character voice was very strong and we see so much growth as he comes to terms with a new reality.
thanks netgalley for ARC access!
thanks netgalley for ARC access!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews