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Pale Bricks
They said it was for our own good. They lied.
From the number sewn into her sleeve to the scraps of food in her rations, Simone’s days in the run-down protection camp have been dictated by the harsh, restrictive demands of the Colonel. Unfortunately, Simone doesn’t like following rules. A defiant break from camp brings her face to face with the ivory tower and the festering secrets of their dark history.
Faced with a forgotten past, a rippling effect of consequences from her disobedience, and a bleak future of mind-numbing factory work, Simone must decide—how much she is willing to give up for protection?
Pale Bricks is a heart-rending novel that lovers of dark, post-apocalyptic dystopia won’t want to miss.
From the number sewn into her sleeve to the scraps of food in her rations, Simone’s days in the run-down protection camp have been dictated by the harsh, restrictive demands of the Colonel. Unfortunately, Simone doesn’t like following rules. A defiant break from camp brings her face to face with the ivory tower and the festering secrets of their dark history.
Faced with a forgotten past, a rippling effect of consequences from her disobedience, and a bleak future of mind-numbing factory work, Simone must decide—how much she is willing to give up for protection?
Pale Bricks is a heart-rending novel that lovers of dark, post-apocalyptic dystopia won’t want to miss.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2016
45 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Stein
3 books1 followerK. L. Stein is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in the foothills of Colorado. When she's not writing an adventure, she's busy living one.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 1, 2017
After a series of nuclear accidents, Earth is practically uninhabitable. The only places where people can live safely from contaminants are specially created protection camps that follow a strict hierarchy and set of rules.
Being number 677 in said hierarchy and an orphan, 16 year old Simone's life is as hard as can be. But instead of succumbing to apathy like most everyone else, she moves through life with her head held high and a healthy disregard for rules. When she discovers a decrepit stone tower, the Ivory Tower, deep in the forest and unwittingly attracts the attention of a malicious guard, the consequences are life-changing - leaving her with only two options: fight for her beliefs or surrender to a life of misery.
"We need to follow the rules. They're here for a reason."
"What sort of reason?" I rolled my eyes. "To glorify submission? To numb our lives into a routine of nothingness?"
K.L. Stein has created one hell of a grim and cruel dystopian setting. With the way she unapologetically depicts Simone's everyday struggles and the desolation surrounding her, it's hard not to become affected by it yourself.
Cool air crept in from a gap under the windowsill, freezing my face into an impression of wakefulness. I accepted the fantasy - illusions of life were all I could muster.
As for Simone, she was a spectacular protagonist. There weren't many characters to like, let alone root for in this novel, but with Simone, I connected on a level I haven't experienced many times before with a fictional character.
I admired her strength, felt her vulnerability and suffered right along with her when she was being mistreated by those who should have protected her and betrayed by those she loved.
"A simmering fire can be as dangerous as a wild flame. And you are both. That scares a lot of people."
This is a depressing and harsh future vision that doesn't feel the need to sugarcoat anything, and I'll be chewing on this one for quite a while yet.
[Trigger warning: ]
ARC provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2016
Dark, Disturbing, Haunting... the type of book that sticks with you.
November 28, 2016
This book was no joke.
Meaty, full of suspense. A dystopian page-turner. My favorite part of it was the rich setting. Some of the descriptions were downright stunning. Stein also isn't afraid to break your heart, hitting emotional highs and lows throughout the story.
Meaty, full of suspense. A dystopian page-turner. My favorite part of it was the rich setting. Some of the descriptions were downright stunning. Stein also isn't afraid to break your heart, hitting emotional highs and lows throughout the story.
February 6, 2017
Pale Bricks is a dark dystopia where the world has been ruined due to nuclear war and is set in one of the protection camps that have sprung up to safeguard the remaining humans. The survivors are each given numbers, how low your number is, delineates how important you are, with the highest numbers being the least important. Our main character Simone, is and orphan and since orphans can’t contribute to the camp until they become adults they’re mistreated, often go hungry and in general ignored.
Simone of course is a trouble maker. She isn’t happy with the status quo and tends to skip as many classes as possible to run around and play in the forest which is where she comes across the ivory tower and her already hard life gets a whole lot harder.
I liked Simone initially, she has a hard life but she’s still a kind person to the younger orphans, who all adore her. She’s headstrong, tough and tends to get in trouble a lot. But none of the main characters can be classified as completely good really, and Simone’s less nice half comes out later in the story. And the fact is that if the story went from her taking control of her life to actually helping make a change in everyone else’s life for the better I would have enjoyed this book.
While this was an interesting dystopian idea, I have a couple of problems with it. While I appreciate a dark ending I didn’t feel there was proper conflict resolution. How does Simone know what she’s actually missing when she doesn’t manage to actually do anything? We know that the camp was set up to protect survivors from contaminants due to nuclear fallout, we get bits and pieces from Simone and from things others tell her. What we don’t have a grasp on is exactly when this happened. The specially created camps also just seemed to be walled in places with barbed wire fences, so how are the supposed contaminants kept at bay? Why has no one questioned this for years? While there is a nod to this hole in the story by Simone there are no satisfactory explanations provided. Also maybe the ending would have been more of a twist if Simone actually got a look outside the camp to see what was really going on. As it stood, the ending felt abrupt because it was predictable.
For me it felt like a lot of effort for too little a prize and I’m left feeling disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Simone of course is a trouble maker. She isn’t happy with the status quo and tends to skip as many classes as possible to run around and play in the forest which is where she comes across the ivory tower and her already hard life gets a whole lot harder.
I liked Simone initially, she has a hard life but she’s still a kind person to the younger orphans, who all adore her. She’s headstrong, tough and tends to get in trouble a lot. But none of the main characters can be classified as completely good really, and Simone’s less nice half comes out later in the story. And the fact is that if the story went from her taking control of her life to actually helping make a change in everyone else’s life for the better I would have enjoyed this book.
While this was an interesting dystopian idea, I have a couple of problems with it. While I appreciate a dark ending I didn’t feel there was proper conflict resolution. How does Simone know what she’s actually missing when she doesn’t manage to actually do anything? We know that the camp was set up to protect survivors from contaminants due to nuclear fallout, we get bits and pieces from Simone and from things others tell her. What we don’t have a grasp on is exactly when this happened. The specially created camps also just seemed to be walled in places with barbed wire fences, so how are the supposed contaminants kept at bay? Why has no one questioned this for years? While there is a nod to this hole in the story by Simone there are no satisfactory explanations provided. Also maybe the ending would have been more of a twist if Simone actually got a look outside the camp to see what was really going on. As it stood, the ending felt abrupt because it was predictable.
For me it felt like a lot of effort for too little a prize and I’m left feeling disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 17, 2017
Awesome but cliff hanger ending
I was so wrapped up in this story . What a roller coaster ride. KL Stein is a true story teller. Pale Bricks starts out with a rush, kicks into high gear, and finishes with a high Octain charge. The only downfall is the reader is left hanging over the edge with one hand holding on. It ends in the worst possible place, and where is the next part? I'm not seeing it...... my mind is racing for closure and I can't see when it'll come. I'm praying it'll be soon. It's too good of a story to be unfinished
I was so wrapped up in this story . What a roller coaster ride. KL Stein is a true story teller. Pale Bricks starts out with a rush, kicks into high gear, and finishes with a high Octain charge. The only downfall is the reader is left hanging over the edge with one hand holding on. It ends in the worst possible place, and where is the next part? I'm not seeing it...... my mind is racing for closure and I can't see when it'll come. I'm praying it'll be soon. It's too good of a story to be unfinished
March 13, 2017
Complicated dystopian romance
This story is filled with characters that are difficult to like, all are rather critically flawed. It is far from a Feel Good read but one that lingers on the mind. This book could have a significant shelf life. Well Done!
This story is filled with characters that are difficult to like, all are rather critically flawed. It is far from a Feel Good read but one that lingers on the mind. This book could have a significant shelf life. Well Done!
March 10, 2017
Still thinking what did I just read?
A little monotony, frustration, and brainless actions from our heroine. This was all purposeful as it represented their lives and gave a glimpse how that might feel. Betrayal, brutality, sacrifice, risking everything for a chance to make their lives bearable.
A little monotony, frustration, and brainless actions from our heroine. This was all purposeful as it represented their lives and gave a glimpse how that might feel. Betrayal, brutality, sacrifice, risking everything for a chance to make their lives bearable.
September 2, 2017
‘I could smell his sweat—the stale, musty odor of cigars and grime. And in my mind, I smelled the memory of my burning flesh.’
Colorado author K. L. (Kirsten) Stein presents her third novel in PALE BRICKS. Her other novels are her debut work THE IVORY TOWER, and BOONE’S JOURNEY. Stein is a storyteller at heart who was born and raised in Southern California, moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management, and now lives in the foothills of Colorado where she creates her absorbing novels.
Stein’s genre is the dystopian/post-apocalyptic/fantasy/science fiction genre - a class of book that seems to growing more popular each year as we face the grim realities of how the globe is rotating now – full of rear, threats, racism and other forms of prejudice, senseless killings, terrorism, nuclear threats etc. We seem to need escape to other places and often those places are described for us in literature.
The synopsis prepares us for the story – ‘They said it was for our own good. They lied. From the number sewn into her sleeve to the scraps of food in her rations, Simone’s days in the run-down protection camp have been dictated by the harsh, restrictive demands of the Colonel. Unfortunately, Simone doesn’t like following rules. A defiant break from camp brings her face to face with the ivory tower and the festering secrets of their dark history. Faced with a forgotten past, a rippling effect of consequences from her disobedience, and a bleak future of mind-numbing factory work, Simone must decide—how much she is willing to give up for protection?
The flow of Stein’s writing holds the fears of the coming story at bay for a while in the opening chapter until ‘I’d never been this close to the edge of camp before. We had run the small stretch of woods in the back of the camp near the cabin for years but never ventured to the outer boundaries. I focused on the barbed wire camouflaged against stacked brambles and woody debris. Rust and moss grew around the sharp teeth of the corroded metal. Beyond it, what I’d taken for a white tree revealed itself as the brick base of a tower. The tidy stacks of bricks had worn down over the years. Above dilapidated mortar and piles of bricks at the base, white paint flecked off the sides, leaving exposed gaps in the facade. Tendrils of dried thorns and wilted roses clung to the crumbling walls. At the top, the tower widened. A row of shattered windows looked out toward the camp. Squinting, I glimpsed writing on the dangling threshold marker. Faded charcoal letters described the tower with one word. “Restricted,” I whispered, my breath clouding the air. Christine’s cold fingers pulled at my sweater as I moved closer. “Simone, this isn’t safe.” She grabbed my arm. “We shouldn’t be this close to the edge.” Her words fell on deaf ears. I was captivated.’
Plunging us into this strange world of restricted movement may for some brings shudders of prison camps we know – memories of the holocaust, the camps we see in Middle Eastern countries at war, Guantanamo Bay etc. But it is the manner in which Stein manipulates this opening concept that holds the readers attention with the growing hope of redemption or at least escape. Frightening tale and solid writing make this a novel sci-fi lovers will cherish
Colorado author K. L. (Kirsten) Stein presents her third novel in PALE BRICKS. Her other novels are her debut work THE IVORY TOWER, and BOONE’S JOURNEY. Stein is a storyteller at heart who was born and raised in Southern California, moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management, and now lives in the foothills of Colorado where she creates her absorbing novels.
Stein’s genre is the dystopian/post-apocalyptic/fantasy/science fiction genre - a class of book that seems to growing more popular each year as we face the grim realities of how the globe is rotating now – full of rear, threats, racism and other forms of prejudice, senseless killings, terrorism, nuclear threats etc. We seem to need escape to other places and often those places are described for us in literature.
The synopsis prepares us for the story – ‘They said it was for our own good. They lied. From the number sewn into her sleeve to the scraps of food in her rations, Simone’s days in the run-down protection camp have been dictated by the harsh, restrictive demands of the Colonel. Unfortunately, Simone doesn’t like following rules. A defiant break from camp brings her face to face with the ivory tower and the festering secrets of their dark history. Faced with a forgotten past, a rippling effect of consequences from her disobedience, and a bleak future of mind-numbing factory work, Simone must decide—how much she is willing to give up for protection?
The flow of Stein’s writing holds the fears of the coming story at bay for a while in the opening chapter until ‘I’d never been this close to the edge of camp before. We had run the small stretch of woods in the back of the camp near the cabin for years but never ventured to the outer boundaries. I focused on the barbed wire camouflaged against stacked brambles and woody debris. Rust and moss grew around the sharp teeth of the corroded metal. Beyond it, what I’d taken for a white tree revealed itself as the brick base of a tower. The tidy stacks of bricks had worn down over the years. Above dilapidated mortar and piles of bricks at the base, white paint flecked off the sides, leaving exposed gaps in the facade. Tendrils of dried thorns and wilted roses clung to the crumbling walls. At the top, the tower widened. A row of shattered windows looked out toward the camp. Squinting, I glimpsed writing on the dangling threshold marker. Faded charcoal letters described the tower with one word. “Restricted,” I whispered, my breath clouding the air. Christine’s cold fingers pulled at my sweater as I moved closer. “Simone, this isn’t safe.” She grabbed my arm. “We shouldn’t be this close to the edge.” Her words fell on deaf ears. I was captivated.’
Plunging us into this strange world of restricted movement may for some brings shudders of prison camps we know – memories of the holocaust, the camps we see in Middle Eastern countries at war, Guantanamo Bay etc. But it is the manner in which Stein manipulates this opening concept that holds the readers attention with the growing hope of redemption or at least escape. Frightening tale and solid writing make this a novel sci-fi lovers will cherish
September 7, 2017
Pale Bricks by K.L. Stein takes place in a camp for survivors of nuclear war. Here people are numbered according to their importance. Simone is an orphan and not terribly valuable because as a child, she can't contribute much. This is an interesting dystopian, dark story, that may not appeal to all readers, but will definitely pull you in if you like fantasy and grim realities. A touch of romance boosts the emotional factor with the characters, but the plot is somewhat confusing, as there is no real resolution. The characters are a bit frustrating, complex, and not altogether nice people, which makes them hard to relate to on some levels. Overall, a compelling and gripping read that is both scary and eerie, with a unique plot that features a dark, dystopian future that none of us can possibly imagine.
September 5, 2017
Great story dark action
This is a story of a teen aged named Simone who is in a camp for orphans trying to make the best of things. She discovers the tower and then her adventure really begins. The story takes a dark path and tends to keep along that dark course throughout the book. The main character is well developed and I found myself hoping she would survive and flourish in the nightmare world she lives in. The storyline is good and there is plenty of dark drama and suspense. I enjoyed this story and found myself intrigued by the prospect of what would happen to Simone. I was stuck in this journey and it was a very fun distraction from the everyday problems of life. KL Stein does a good job on this one. If you like apocalyptic type stories immersed in the grim reality of a hard life, this one is a good read for you.
This is a story of a teen aged named Simone who is in a camp for orphans trying to make the best of things. She discovers the tower and then her adventure really begins. The story takes a dark path and tends to keep along that dark course throughout the book. The main character is well developed and I found myself hoping she would survive and flourish in the nightmare world she lives in. The storyline is good and there is plenty of dark drama and suspense. I enjoyed this story and found myself intrigued by the prospect of what would happen to Simone. I was stuck in this journey and it was a very fun distraction from the everyday problems of life. KL Stein does a good job on this one. If you like apocalyptic type stories immersed in the grim reality of a hard life, this one is a good read for you.
February 14, 2017
This dark book is not for the faint of heart. If your scare easily DO NOT read it... The world is in ruins because of a war and its set in a camp, protection camp. They tell you how important you are by number. Orphans adult or not are so mistreated its sicking. It was a great book I will never read again.
May 23, 2017
Halfway through the book, I got bored with the repetitive content. Then it picked up a little and I decided to finish it up. The build up to the end was very interesting, but then the end spoiled everything. A complete roller coaster book not in a nice way.
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December 11, 2016This book is outside my normal genres, so it’s difficult for me to rate. Whether you’ll enjoy this totally depends on how you feel about dark, disturbing fiction. If you’re into it, this was well-done. A dystopian part-horror, part-mystery, it is woven with deep intrigue and heartbreak. It’s not for the faint of heart. I need to note: it contains disturbing instances of violence, rape, and torture, including against children, and even the protagonists live in a gray morality. But if dark, heavy material is your thing and you don’t need a positive resolution of all events, then you would enjoy.
January 3, 2017
Pale Bricks was a bit difficult to read in that it showed the ‘realities’ in a dystopian society (sexual assault, beatings, etc). The characters are frustrating and I was very unclear about the plot itself and wondered if it would eventually flow together naturally (not really). Overall, I’m a bit disappointed in the book but it may be only because it was darker and more depressing than I had thought it would be.
October 12, 2017
Well written
This is an incredibly talented writer. However if I should want to incredibly depress myself this is the book to read and this is not the reason I read.
This is an incredibly talented writer. However if I should want to incredibly depress myself this is the book to read and this is not the reason I read.
February 11, 2017
'Pale Bricks' is a dystopian novel set in the US of the not-too-distant future where the land has been ravaged by the mysterious 'contagion'. Humanity has reverted to a low-tech lifestyle, where the army rules over the scattered population who have been herded into labour camps. The tone of the writing is dark and relentless, and the author captures well the despair of people who have descended into lying and secrecy to preserve what remains of their self-respect. The main protagonist Simone, through whose eyes we see the world, is not your typical heroine. Emotionally scarred, and physically brutalised , she presents as a feisty but morally-flawed character - yet we cheer for her courage. One of the things I liked about K.L. Stein's latest offering is that she does not come up with pat, easy answers, and Simone's odyssey is a harsh one. This is a hard-hitting work, and not for the faint-hearted, but a worthwhile and thoughtful read for all that. Warning: contains sexual violence.
December 22, 2017
I had been enjoying this book but I had to stop reading it almost half way through. The repeated rape scenes, though "not all that graphic", triggered my PTSD and I started having nightmares. I gave The Ivory Tower 5 stars but I gave Pale Bricks only 2 stars because of the reasons I had to stop reading. If at some point in the future I feel that I can continue this book then I will change my rating and review accordingly.
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