Discidium: The Wall: Welcome to a new kind of segregation.

by Megan K. Olsen

This is Discidium: the separation of men and women as the final solution to the global population crisis that nearly destroyed humankind. To ensure this division, an impenetrable wall was constructed, dividing the two sexes into isolated provinces with little outside contact, ensuring fathers and daughters and mothers and sons would never know one another. Nearly one hundred years after its inception, Braedon Walker, devastated by the mysterious death of his father, defies the laws of Discidium and risks his life to meet a mother he’s never known. At the same time, on the other side of the wall, Dr. Bo Granger, the daughter of ambitious and ruthless Governess Leda McCready, crosses a prohibited border into the integrated province of Conexus to investigate a series of inexplicable deaths in land of impoverished citizens. Aiding the two along the way are a series of eccentric and resourceful characters, including two criminal smugglers who prove to be much more than what they first appear. Braedon and Bo soon learn their individual journeys into the same forbidden territory are on a collision course, either towards complete disaster or profound revelation

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2013

About the author

Megan K. Olsen was born in Grants, New Mexico to a metallurgical engineer and a math professor. By the age of eighteen, she had already lived in six different states, and had developed a taste for travel and experiencing a variety of cultures and peoples. In her early twenties, she received a B.A. in English and a Master's degree in Education, and taught as a professor of English literature for fifteen years. She is currently living in the beautiful state of Colorado and is working on her fifth novel and third screenplay.

Reviews

[Mark Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a dystopian novel made for readers of all ages, one that treats its audience like adults. No silly love triangles; no watered-down politics; no one-dimensional villains with tunnel vision directed to generic world domination. This first book in the series lays the groundwork for what I anticipate to be a fully-formed world with relatable characters (even the antagonists), each with their own motivations and reasons for believing their actions are correct. Strong women leads (5 or 6 so far) are by far the most interesting characters in the book, a real treat.

I am starting Book 2 soon; I am excited to see what's to come.