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Dust #1
Dust: Before and After
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author returns with an emotionally charged fantasy adventure story filled with heart-pounding action and suspense for readers of all ages.
After fragments of a comet hit Earth, Dust wakes to discover the world as he knew it is gone. It isn't the only thing that has changed though; so has Dust. He now possesses powers that continue to grow, but they also come with a price.
A deadly encounter after Dust leaves his home leads to a new discovery--other survivors. Dust soon learns that another creature has risen from the ashes, one that is determined to possess the powers he now has. On a journey filled with danger, it will take the skills of not just Dust but those of his friends if they are to survive.
This time the race is not to the swift but to the deadliest in a world where a changed human boy and an odd assortment of friends must face their worst nightmares and accept that life on Earth will never be the same again.
Join Dust and his friends as they fight to overcome an evil force determined to create a new species unlike any the world has ever known.
After fragments of a comet hit Earth, Dust wakes to discover the world as he knew it is gone. It isn't the only thing that has changed though; so has Dust. He now possesses powers that continue to grow, but they also come with a price.
A deadly encounter after Dust leaves his home leads to a new discovery--other survivors. Dust soon learns that another creature has risen from the ashes, one that is determined to possess the powers he now has. On a journey filled with danger, it will take the skills of not just Dust but those of his friends if they are to survive.
This time the race is not to the swift but to the deadliest in a world where a changed human boy and an odd assortment of friends must face their worst nightmares and accept that life on Earth will never be the same again.
Join Dust and his friends as they fight to overcome an evil force determined to create a new species unlike any the world has ever known.
Audio CD
First published March 29, 2016
43 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Smith
259 books2,580 followersS.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 22, 2021
3.5 Stars
CW:
Well that was a fun YA post-apocalyptic survival story!
It has some cool originalish ideas and the characters are quite likeable. I liked the developing storyline of how the meteor has impacted animals with some truly menacing creatures evolving to terrorise our survivors. I am looking forward to reading book 2!
CW:
Well that was a fun YA post-apocalyptic survival story!
It has some cool originalish ideas and the characters are quite likeable. I liked the developing storyline of how the meteor has impacted animals with some truly menacing creatures evolving to terrorise our survivors. I am looking forward to reading book 2!
March 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. the ending was interesting. Can't wait to read book 2 coming. out in a few months.
May 12, 2023
Good apocalyptic and coming of age story. With the earth ravage and the few inhabitants and animals left suffering from the effects of a radiation blast, life evolves and fights to survive in the new world. Dust is one such changed inhabitant who tries to survive and understand the changes in himself, one year after the blast as he encounters two survivors and forms a bond and family with them. Stalked by malevolent forces that seem to have an uncanny connection to him, Dust is evolving, his powers growing, even as they encounter other survivors and others with powers similar to his own. Trekking across a ruined landscape to find if any family survived, these teen protagonist fight evolving animals, human animals, while creating found family along the way.
May 4, 2020
Let's start with the name. What kind of name is Dust? And why does no one ever wonder why he's has such a weird name?
That actually sums up the story pretty well. In the end, none of the details stand up to scrutiny. Virtually anything that happens doesn't quite make sense when you ask why.
And then, there is the most anticlimactic climax I have ever seen. When will fantasy authors just allow their stories to be standalone, rather than padding them out to make series?
That actually sums up the story pretty well. In the end, none of the details stand up to scrutiny. Virtually anything that happens doesn't quite make sense when you ask why.
And then, there is the most anticlimactic climax I have ever seen. When will fantasy authors just allow their stories to be standalone, rather than padding them out to make series?
August 28, 2017
The reader was solid, though I think his saying certain things in the same tone highlighted what I might've glossed over on a physical book. I felt like I needed to start a drinking game for every instance of "in a husky voice" with "in a quiet/soft voice" close second.
Apocalypse happened, some things got superpowers as a result, which is handy for the people but shitty for everyone who has to deal with super-powered animals. Super powers means eating a lot, which isn't easy in a wasteland. Said powers must also extend to great teeth, as sugar is extolled as awesome for powers and downed in quantity with nary a toothbrush in sight.
Intrepid teens meet survivalist tropes and there's some dick-waving and posturing, which is bleh, but eventually leads to an examination of the emotional messiness of a shitty family, which is more interesting.
Some bits felt like the made no sense in a post-apocalypse scenario--like trying to hide dead bodies from a kid who'd been surviving over a year; wouldn't they have run into enough corpses to be desensitized by then? I was ok with the instant love as two isolated teens meeting a viable love interest for the 1st time in a year made sense it'd accelerate feelings. Glad it narrowly avoided a love triangle.
Having a violent female incarnation of evil was interesting, until
The ending is anticlimatic and hokey.
For all its faults it was a decent read, but not one I'll follow up.
Apocalypse happened, some things got superpowers as a result, which is handy for the people but shitty for everyone who has to deal with super-powered animals. Super powers means eating a lot, which isn't easy in a wasteland. Said powers must also extend to great teeth, as sugar is extolled as awesome for powers and downed in quantity with nary a toothbrush in sight.
Intrepid teens meet survivalist tropes and there's some dick-waving and posturing, which is bleh, but eventually leads to an examination of the emotional messiness of a shitty family, which is more interesting.
Some bits felt like the made no sense in a post-apocalypse scenario--like trying to hide dead bodies from a kid who'd been surviving over a year; wouldn't they have run into enough corpses to be desensitized by then? I was ok with the instant love as two isolated teens meeting a viable love interest for the 1st time in a year made sense it'd accelerate feelings. Glad it narrowly avoided a love triangle.
Having a violent female incarnation of evil was interesting, until
The ending is anticlimatic and hokey.
For all its faults it was a decent read, but not one I'll follow up.
February 13, 2018
The Earth is devastated by a comet strike, and survivors are few. One is Dust, a sixteen-year-old boy, who finds himself alone in a ruined land. He starts out to find out if there are other survivors and he meets several- some human, some not, and some, like Dust, somewhere in between. His exposure to the comet strike left Dust with some extraordinary powers that attract the attention of one of the not-human survivors, who intends to use Dust and his new abilities to create a new species to rule the Earth. Among the human survivors he meets, Dust teams up with seventeen-year-old Sammi and her little brother, and Joise, the daughter of the leader of a survivalist group who also has enhanced powers. The four band together to cross the barren United States in the effort to outrun the beast chasing Dust, and perhaps find other survivors.
It wasn't a bad story. The post-apocalyptic world portrayed is grim and unfriendly, which is logical given the devastation of the comet strike. The main characters are decently developed, while some of the secondary ones are a bit stereotypical. The idea of some people and animals being changed by the comet (radiation? comet dust?) is interesting, but in the end it devolves into vampires versus werewolves which is the set-up for the second book, but also leaves the final battle a bit lacking. It's also been done before, a lot.
Despite some flaws, this is a decent story in the post-apocalyptic type. It moves along pretty quickly which is good. There are few info dumps, although I might have liked some more explanation on some points. To be fair, some of them were things that the characters themselves shouldn't know, so not a big problem. The narration was good. Overall, it was a decent story and I would recommend it if you like YA dystopia.
It wasn't a bad story. The post-apocalyptic world portrayed is grim and unfriendly, which is logical given the devastation of the comet strike. The main characters are decently developed, while some of the secondary ones are a bit stereotypical. The idea of some people and animals being changed by the comet (radiation? comet dust?) is interesting, but in the end it devolves into vampires versus werewolves which is the set-up for the second book, but also leaves the final battle a bit lacking. It's also been done before, a lot.
Despite some flaws, this is a decent story in the post-apocalyptic type. It moves along pretty quickly which is good. There are few info dumps, although I might have liked some more explanation on some points. To be fair, some of them were things that the characters themselves shouldn't know, so not a big problem. The narration was good. Overall, it was a decent story and I would recommend it if you like YA dystopia.
November 3, 2017
This book was entered and was a GOLD MEDAL WINNER in the 2016 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Dust: Before and After
Author: S E Smith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 28
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 28 readers:
28 would read another book by this author.
28 thought the cover was good or excellent.
28 felt it was easy to follow.
28 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
18 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
28 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
28 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Simply the best book in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards this year.’ Male reader, aged 14
‘This is such an interesting novel. The hero is amazing, and the plot is addictive. I also loved the cover. A wonderful start to a set of books. I hope there will be more.’ Female reader, aged 16
‘A really fascinating YA paranormal novel. This is very pacey with tons happening all the way through to the end. The dialogue is realistic, and the plot kept me guessing till the last page. Amazing cover too.’ Male reader, aged 15
‘When I finished this, all I wanted to do was to read the next book.’ Female reader, aged 13
‘A high-class, fast-paced paranormal adventure. Winner of the 2016 GOLD MEDAL!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Dust: Before and After
Author: S E Smith
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 28
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 28 readers:
28 would read another book by this author.
28 thought the cover was good or excellent.
28 felt it was easy to follow.
28 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
18 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
28 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
28 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Simply the best book in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards this year.’ Male reader, aged 14
‘This is such an interesting novel. The hero is amazing, and the plot is addictive. I also loved the cover. A wonderful start to a set of books. I hope there will be more.’ Female reader, aged 16
‘A really fascinating YA paranormal novel. This is very pacey with tons happening all the way through to the end. The dialogue is realistic, and the plot kept me guessing till the last page. Amazing cover too.’ Male reader, aged 15
‘When I finished this, all I wanted to do was to read the next book.’ Female reader, aged 13
‘A high-class, fast-paced paranormal adventure. Winner of the 2016 GOLD MEDAL!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
April 20, 2018
(SPOILER ALERT) Not into YA but I LOVE THIS BOOK! (SPOILER ALERT)
Normally I like adult, sexy, steamy, erotic books. Anything to do with vampires is a must read for me. Young Adult books are pretty tame and boring to me. HOWEVER, this story is exceptional. I was very surprised how the author drew me into the story. It is engaging and surprisingly different. I loved the main male and female characters. This is a very different take on Vampires and Lycans. How the author came up with this idea is truly amazing. The way the characters and the story develop is amazing and deeply surprising. The ending is unexpected and hang on to your seats exciting. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves to explore different and unique story lines. I have read all the series by this author and while I love all her books, this one is the BEST out of them all. I am very impatiently waiting on Dust 2.
Normally I like adult, sexy, steamy, erotic books. Anything to do with vampires is a must read for me. Young Adult books are pretty tame and boring to me. HOWEVER, this story is exceptional. I was very surprised how the author drew me into the story. It is engaging and surprisingly different. I loved the main male and female characters. This is a very different take on Vampires and Lycans. How the author came up with this idea is truly amazing. The way the characters and the story develop is amazing and deeply surprising. The ending is unexpected and hang on to your seats exciting. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves to explore different and unique story lines. I have read all the series by this author and while I love all her books, this one is the BEST out of them all. I am very impatiently waiting on Dust 2.
October 23, 2017
Meteor strike!
I have noticed that Susan Smith's YA novels are totally different to her other works. This post apocalyptic story follows a young teenager who comes through a meteor strike which kills his family and all his neighbours but leaves him changed. Unfortunately the adults that he meets are not good people. There are also mutated species that have to be dealt with. The picture of a country devoid of population is confronting but I have to wonder exactly how many people survived as all the stores appear to have been stripped of food. In this story it is the adults who become dependent on the teens who are the ones who have mutated to one degree or another.
This book is supposedly book one. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a book two. A pity as there are a lot of unanswered questions.
I have noticed that Susan Smith's YA novels are totally different to her other works. This post apocalyptic story follows a young teenager who comes through a meteor strike which kills his family and all his neighbours but leaves him changed. Unfortunately the adults that he meets are not good people. There are also mutated species that have to be dealt with. The picture of a country devoid of population is confronting but I have to wonder exactly how many people survived as all the stores appear to have been stripped of food. In this story it is the adults who become dependent on the teens who are the ones who have mutated to one degree or another.
This book is supposedly book one. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a book two. A pity as there are a lot of unanswered questions.
April 18, 2018
A World in Ruin and the Fight to Survive the Change
This was a great book. The action started right at the beginning and didn’t let up. The characters were wonderful.
The protagonist, Dust, is an almost 16 year old who has survived an event that has devastated Earth. This event has also imparted him with power. He runs into various characters including Sammy and her brother Todd. Sammy is a strong steadfast survivor who has spent the last two year keeping her little brother and herself alive. She and Dust have a budding romance which is really cute. They, along with Todd, end up carving out a new family from the survivors they meet. However, not everyone has good intentions in this new world. And not everyone with power uses it for good.
Read this book if you are looking for fast paced post-apocalyptic action with a side of humanity.
This was a great book. The action started right at the beginning and didn’t let up. The characters were wonderful.
The protagonist, Dust, is an almost 16 year old who has survived an event that has devastated Earth. This event has also imparted him with power. He runs into various characters including Sammy and her brother Todd. Sammy is a strong steadfast survivor who has spent the last two year keeping her little brother and herself alive. She and Dust have a budding romance which is really cute. They, along with Todd, end up carving out a new family from the survivors they meet. However, not everyone has good intentions in this new world. And not everyone with power uses it for good.
Read this book if you are looking for fast paced post-apocalyptic action with a side of humanity.
September 30, 2017
This book was given to me by S.E Smith at FYM 2017. I was there with my wife and not being a reader I never expected to walk away with a book. But she insisted that I would like it. I started reading it yesterday, I have just finished it now. I have never in my life been so drawn in by a book. I could not put it down. It was a great story that drags you in right from the first few pages. Fast paced and action packed, which I believe makes it a great book for those like me who are not big on reading. Thank You S.E Smith for convincing me take a copy, and signing it for me. Apparently I wasn't "just there for the After Party" after all.
May 21, 2018
S.E. Smith is a very interesting person and a very prolific writer. She's warm and friendly, and easy to talk to, and there's no surprise that her books have that same feel. A story you can pick up, get wrapped in and forget what time it is, until the story is over. Overall, the story is imaginative, and for a YA dystopian novel, it has quite a lot going on. The story is fast paced, for me, I was looking for a little more depth in the characters, but it was still an interesting story that moved me to the end.
October 9, 2016
Interesting and peculiar, in a good way. Lovely, relatable characters, good story and an interesting premise.
July 1, 2022
Intense, Post Apocalyptic, Coming of Age!
From beginning to end, this book just keeps on going. Lots of action. Be it fighting off mutant Devil-Dogs, or human survivors who don't always play fair. It's a journey. One of growth, both physical and emotional. At first Dust thinks he is the only human survivor, but when forced to leave his town to find food, he meets up with Sammie and Todd. a sixteen year old female and her younger brother Todd. They form a family and continue on in their quest for food, information, and other people. Unfortunately not everyone or thing they encounter is nice or helpful.
The story is well written, the characters engaging and unique and the world-building exceptional. It was very intense and powerfully emotional. I had to read a light hearted book after reading this. But I will return to this series to read the next book in the series.
I heartily recommend this book.
From beginning to end, this book just keeps on going. Lots of action. Be it fighting off mutant Devil-Dogs, or human survivors who don't always play fair. It's a journey. One of growth, both physical and emotional. At first Dust thinks he is the only human survivor, but when forced to leave his town to find food, he meets up with Sammie and Todd. a sixteen year old female and her younger brother Todd. They form a family and continue on in their quest for food, information, and other people. Unfortunately not everyone or thing they encounter is nice or helpful.
The story is well written, the characters engaging and unique and the world-building exceptional. It was very intense and powerfully emotional. I had to read a light hearted book after reading this. But I will return to this series to read the next book in the series.
I heartily recommend this book.
September 1, 2022
Really, I'd give 3.5 stars but rounding up. A post-apocalyptic world where strange things happen to Earth's inhabitants after a comet strikes the planet. "Transformation" takes many forms, not many of them are conducive to humans surviving in the new world order. As the first in a series, this book has some good world building and character development. I liked that not everyone is all good or bad. Redemption might be out of reach in this new life where the struggle to survive often leads to picking the least bad choice. I'm not a huge fan of the demon dog's fixation on Dust, but I can see how it ties together the story and forces movement for the group which otherwise might grow somewhat complacent in places that have yet to be stripped of all food, gas, and other survival supplies. I'm excited to read the second book to see which main characters and supporting cast members survive and even thrive as they search for a safe place to lay down their heads each night.
September 30, 2024
looking forward to next book
Just discovered the authors series. Working my way through them.
This genre usually is not my favorite to read. Mainly because my brain keeps interrupting the story to add parts of what the characters should have done to improve survival. Like find a library, town halls for research and garden stores, colleges with agriculture centers, public gardens and farms. Because even with aftermath they missed total destruction so there would be edible plants growing wild. Some animals that were not changed. As well as many resources from past on how to live without electricity and prior to gas.
Just discovered the authors series. Working my way through them.
This genre usually is not my favorite to read. Mainly because my brain keeps interrupting the story to add parts of what the characters should have done to improve survival. Like find a library, town halls for research and garden stores, colleges with agriculture centers, public gardens and farms. Because even with aftermath they missed total destruction so there would be edible plants growing wild. Some animals that were not changed. As well as many resources from past on how to live without electricity and prior to gas.
January 16, 2018
Dust, Sammy & Todd. Family.
The storyline is unique and truly grabbed my attention. Just finished reading this book, and the connection between the characters and me, as the reader, is so strong. I need to read the next book. I need to know how the big fight ends, I need to know if boy gets girl. I need to know if there are other survivors!
Please don't keep me waiting for long, Ms. Smith!
The storyline is unique and truly grabbed my attention. Just finished reading this book, and the connection between the characters and me, as the reader, is so strong. I need to read the next book. I need to know how the big fight ends, I need to know if boy gets girl. I need to know if there are other survivors!
Please don't keep me waiting for long, Ms. Smith!
October 5, 2017
Enjoyed the story build but was surprised by its ending. Fairly good character build, especially between Dust and Sammy. The other characters seemed a little one dimensional, the She-Devil was really the best character evolution far better then the two main characters, she was in control the whole way.
October 24, 2018
Dust Before and After by SE Smith was a little slow to start. The storyline has great potential and the characters will eventually pull you into the world. I feel the pace could be a little faster in the beginning. Once the action really starts toward the middle of the book, you will catch yourself not wanting to put it down until the end.
December 4, 2019
Interesting story that was good until the end ruined everything. Although this is in the crowded genre of post apocalyptic fiction, it had a unique fantasy/sci-fi element that made it interesting. Situations and challenges faced by characters were good, though action sequences were a bit unrealistic at times. I enjoyed the book until the ending that turned it from something unique to a cliche.
December 13, 2022
A decent YA novel right up until the last few chapters. It just forces everything to go all "Twilight" at the last second with lots of "he just knew" as explanations. It's a little sloppy throughout the book, a few things just don't make sense weather that's poor editing or just lack of research on the authors part, it ruined some of the story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2017
This was a good read.
July 8, 2017
I liked this one. I would have given it a 5 except for the romance and the ending. I might read the next one, we'll see.
September 26, 2017
👍👍👍👍👍 More!
September 30, 2017
I enjoyed reading the book and I like Dust but I hope in the next book he's more take charge and quick witted.
December 6, 2017
This was quite an interesting book based upon, a teenage boy who wakes up after a disaster and discovers he has powers. Not too bad, the ending was a surprise.
January 10, 2018
I love reading this authors books. I do have to say I felt it was unfinished, or at least left a whole lot of questions unanswered. I will give it a 3.8, not quite a 4 star.
September 11, 2018
3.5 stars.
December 4, 2018
Predictable story line and stupid decisions by the characters in order to keep things going.
January 11, 2019
It was an amazing book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews