The Dirt Walkers

The Surface's End #2

by David Joel Stevenson

[The sequel to 2015's The Surface's End.] The truth about the Deathlands is revealed as soon as Talitha arrives in Jonah's quiet town. Her presence is unsettling. Some are accepting, but others feel the need to prepare for an attack on their way of life from the people living beneath the desert. Deep underground, however, the facts about the surface are further censored and obscured. The Facility Leaders are doing everything within their power to keep their citizens - especially the Laborers - in the dark. But both worlds have been illuminated, and must face the reality of each other's existence.

Genres: Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2016

About the author

David Joel Stevenson lives outside of Nashville, TN with two dogs, several chickens, and thousands of honey bees. He is the singer in the band Manic Bloom (www.ManicBloom.com), a songwriter, a computer programmer, and is irregularly documenting his quests in homesteading on his blog, www.GeekOffGrid.com.

For more information, visit www.DavidJoelStevenson.com

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of a great story. I loved the epilogue! Thanks so much for writing this, it really wrapped up everything satisfactorily.

[Honeybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Futuristic Exodus

I bought this ebook because I read The Surface’s End and loved it so much I wanted to see how the author concluded his story of Talitha and Jonah after they escaped from the underground facility to Jonah’s home on the surface. Not only did the author masterfully tie up every loose end with the characters introduced in the first book, but he created an entirely new set of characters—the laborers of the Midlet— who were inspired by Talitha’s message that the surface was inhabitable and organized to escape. In this futuristic re-retelling of the Exodus, there’s no Red Sea crossing, but the leaders of the facility do all they can to keep the working class under their tyrannical control. Yet the heroism of Reana and her mentor inspire her people to retrace the steps of the young couple and tread the dirt of the surface to freedom.

This book has action, suspense, betrayal, courage, faith, forgiveness, romance, justice and just about every other element you could desire—all set in a dystopian future of the earth. The first book in the pair had young adult protagonists; this one focuses primarily on Talitha’s dad, Quilen Cumy, and the bereaved laborer, Reana. Regardless of the reader’s age, I think most people will find this a satisfying conclusion to the set!

[Rebecca Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this author's style of writing. Probably one of my favorite out of the local authors I've met. The book would have gotten five stars, but the book felt rushed especially when it came to romance. It felt unbelievable and stale when it went from a crush to suddenly being married. We had no chance to see the relationship develop and it felt like we were cheated in that way. Other than that, I adore the dystopian world setting and it's unique from most stories out there in the same genre.

[Charlotte Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently purchased this book at the author’s booth at Galaxy Con in Oklahoma City, the same location where I bought its predecessor last year, and I am thrilled to hear how the creative storyline concluded! I love the characters and look forward to reading more from David Joel Stevenson.

[Cameron Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a really good story here with simple characters that are easy to root for. The issue is the editing, or lack of it. I still enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of David's works. I hope he gets a good editor at some point, though, because it is a pervasive issue. Still, I recommend the book just as a quick and interesting read from a talented author.

[Marian Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just about a year ago, I reviewed David Joel Stevenson’s book The Surface’s End, a young-adult dystopian story. I gave it four stars. I’ve just finished the sequel, The Dirt Walkers.

Sequels are notoriously difficult, especially if the author did not plan a series from the beginning. (As I as a writer know, being nearly done the first draft of the sequel to my own book Empire’s Daughter.) The Dirt Walkers continues the story of Jonah, the boy from the wildlands, and Talitha, the girl from the underground city, as they move toward the consummation of their relationship; as well, the story considers the inevitable tensions created for the community and for Talitha as they adjust to each other, and especially the aftershocks and consequences of Talitha’s defection from the underground community.

For those readers wanting to know more about what happened to Jonah and Talitha, the book serves to tell that story. But in comparison with the first, which I described as ‘compulsively readable’, The Dirt Walkers pales. Too much of the story is told to us, rather than shown in the actions of characters, and some of what I saw as the more important aspects – Talitha’s culture shock, for one – are glossed over, mentioned but not really dealt with. Perhaps because more of the action of the story is concerned with what is happening underground, not enough attention is given to the people of the wildlands. Talitha and Jonah are almost minor characters in this book. I also found the final resolution a bit too easy, and bit too difficult to fully believe.

Overall, I’m giving The Dirt Walkers three stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sequel! It answered my questions about Jonah and Talitha and added many more twists. Good read!

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. It’s worth reading the 2 part series. Only gripe is that there are numerous times where there are words that are either omitted or added, and shouldn’t, and it messes up the flow of reading it.

[Heather Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the prequel because this one felt less predictable. There’s nothing wrong with predictability, but I like a good surprise too! I read this book in a single day, just like I did the previous one. It’s a good story with relatable characters.

[Fox Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really glad the author decided to write the sequel. When I finished the first book, it just felt incomplete somehow. I fell more in love with the characters in the sequel. Couldn't put it down once I started it.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first book, it has wonderful plot and character development with no unnecessary content. Perfectly wrapped up the story. I hated to put it down for even a second until I was finished!

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I had to read this sequel as I enjoyed the first book so much.I hope there are more to come.

[Reese Voliva · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think the ending could have been a lot better

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

all three books i’ve read by David Joel Stevenson have been great! i would recommend his books 😄

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very imaginative story. I was excited to have a sequel to the Surface’s End. It did not disappoint.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that I like a sequel more than the original book! Great job on this one!

[Charity Kelly]

This book tied it up nicely. I NEED A SEQUEL TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE MAIN CHARACTERS THOUGH!!!!!