Countdown

The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy #1

by Carol Fiore

The natural world is dying, and the animals of Earth know who to blame. Humans.

Eighteen-year-old Skye Van Bloem agrees, but she feels helpless to stop the biodiversity loss.

Then, an alien known as a Beholder tells her the animals are deciding on the fate of humanity and that she is the only one who can persuade them to vote against the release of a lethal virus. He gifts her with the ability to understand them.

Embarking on a journey across three continents with her two best friends, Skye discovers nothing is as it seemed—including what she thought she knew about herself. Can she convince the animals that humans can change and protect the planet when she doesn’t believe it herself?

There’s another problem. Skye suspects her Beholder guide is in love with her. She doesn’t know about the secret he’s hiding.

Who is she really?

Countdown was named to the 2019 Green Earth Book Award Long List. The author donates royalties to environmental nonprofits.

270 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2018

About the author

Carol Fiore is a climate activist with three university science degrees and is a licensed pilot.

Carol donates proceeds from The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy to environmental nonprofits and maintains a scholarship that sends kids to Space Camp, in her husband's memory; read about him in "Flight through Fire."

She loves to hear from readers and is happy to answer your questions. Visit her website at carolfiore.com and sign up to get her monthly newsletter.

The final book book in The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy is available for preorder now. The release date is November 7, 2020. Watch the video trailer on YouTube by searching for "The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy."

She's on Facebook@AuthorCarolFiore. Join her for memes of her puppy, Finnegan, every Monday; don't miss Word Choice Wednesday, and Book Suggestion Saturday.

Reviews

[Luis Oquendo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countdown by Carol Fiore is a fun, wide-ranging book aimed at teens and young adults. Filled with environmental themes, it does as many engaging fantasies do: dance from high-stakes but fantastic adventures to very human, painful episodes and back again. Beyond the adventures though, it does prod at deeper questions of how one lives. Laced with environmental themes, the protagonist must rise to the mortal thereat present by the plot while coming to terms the greater, real-world threats presented (similarly to the background theme or rising authoritarianism presented in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).

It is clear that great care has been put into the work. From the unforgettable characters of Rob and Coorain to the vivid scene of the animal conference and the attention to scientific accuracy, it is a very lovely read.

I strongly recommend the title. Even more so to the intended audience as we must learn to live with the unfolding climate catastrophe. The motifs of activism and environmental concern may galvanize readers as they mature.

[Marjorie Ullman]

I bought this book to give to a friend's teenage child. This book is very well written and has a timely message for both boys and girls. It is a page turner, focusing on our ecology and the interconnection of all living things. It is written as a mystery and even though I am older, always wanted to read what was on the next page. Although it is a fantasy, it is very real. A deadline for the survival of Humanity is involved. The animals are making that decision as we have interfered in their lives. I would recommend this book highly to anyone who wants a young person to understand and protect this beautiful planet of ours.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countdown is an excellent combination of science fiction, romance, and environmental activism wrapped in a YA adventure. Skye is a realistically portrayed, passionate heroine, and her friends are quirky, intelligent, and no less heroic. The last half of the novel is particularly good, packed with action, revelations, and uncertain loyalties. Woven throughout the book is a ton of information about the bewildering variety of the animal kingdom--and the destruction and dangers facing earth's varied ecosystems on a daily basis. A great read for tweens, teens, and adults!

[Karen]

She wanted to save the animals from mankind's cruelty, indifference, and destruction...instead she finds herself on a mission to save the human race. Can 18-year-old Skye Van Bloem convince the world's animals and interfering alien races that humans are worth saving? When high-school bullies spear and kill a toad for fun, Skye can only watch in silence and horror. And despite her many efforts at saving the prairie dogs living in burrows near her school, exterminators set their poison while she's in class, painfully eliminating the whole colony. So how is she the one chosen for this monumental task? Is there a reason that she feels such a connection to the animals around her?  What secrets has Oma been keeping from her about her parents? About herself? Though written for the young adult audience, readers of all ages can sympathize with our heroine's distress at these environmental injustices and those occurring throughout the world. And what Skye teaches us is that no matter the obstacles, we must speak up and speak out for those who don't have a voice. Author Carol Fiore has developed a timely and poignant sci-fi/cli-fi mashup that is full of heart, fun to read, and uplifting.

[Ryan Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I don’t often read young adult literature, but I found Countdown, and its many characters to be thoughtfully written (Starion was my favorite non-human character). I love that this book was made on this topic, in these times, for this audience. Young budding environmentalists (which, I feel is just about every kid) will definitely enjoy this book, but I think it speaks to a broader younger audience as well. I loved the camaraderie of the human characters, and I think their friendships and sense of duty will resonate with just about any middle schooler Or highschooler. And hey, parents will like it too! A lot of love, compassion, understanding and urgency of the issues around climate change and environmental catastrophe were put into this book, and it shows.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young girl I was introduced to the worlds of Tamora Pierce and from the first chapter of the first book I was hooked! Badass heroines, animals, magic...to this day, she is still one of my favorite authors. I’ve included this tidbit in my review because reading Countdown transported me right back to my middle school days in the best of ways. This is a book that I found my adult self loving and wishing I had read years ago! There is a great mix of action, romance, and mystery, but is still appropriate for younger audiences. Add in a strong lead female character surrounded by unique and fun supporting characters, and you have a wonderful journey that I easily found myself getting lost in. If you have a young environmentalist in your life, get them this book!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countdown by Carol Fiore is a book in a genre that I am not accustomed to reading, i.e. young adult with some fantasy. I say “some fantasy” as the amount of environmental information in it is valuable enough to nearly be nonfiction, but the story carries the information creatively for anyone to enjoy. I was caught up in the story among moments of looking up more information on New Zealand and its flora and fauna! I recommend it for young adults and for science and geography teachers to use as a vehicle to teach about the world and the climate challenges we face! Fun book!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember when I last enjoyed a teen fiction book so much. Perhaps because hidden among the adolescent and animal characters are important messages - about the environment, about animals at risk, and about the mess we've made of our Planet. And also about concrete ways we all can improve the world. Plus - who can resist an endangered polar bear named PBJ?! I am already looking forward to the second book in this fun trilogy.

[Xyza Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an exciting and thrilling book that talks about the environmental problems that the world is facing today. I really enjoyed the theme and the concept of the book, it made it really interesting to read. I would definitely recommend this book since it talks about the issues that are going on right now and it talks about how the animals would feel about the world’s current situation. I’m really looking forward to the next part of the trilogy!

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The main character, Skye, is someone we would all be lucky to have as a friend. The characters (human and non-human) are relatable and interesting. With a timely message and page turning plot I would recommend this as a fun read for anyone, young or old. I look forward to the next book in the series!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is great for teens and tweens (others). The author teaches about environmental crises without preaching. The characters are intelligent and caring. There is romance, adventure, intrigue, and more. I highly recommend this book, I am waiting for the second.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Quick Read for All

Loved that this book had more than just romance or aliens but included morals and values as well. Coming from a conservationist background it made my heart sing and I know my college age daughters will enjoy it just as much as I did.

[Susan Kraftschik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very enjoyable - well written, wonderful chatacters, and an unique plot make this a fun read. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one!

[Brian Goyette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reawakened my commitment to recycling and to be more thoughtful of my purchases. I also found the characters highly appealing and the read was very enjoyable. Will recommend to my friends.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Talking prairie dog? I had hoped for something I could teach regarding climate change.

[Candra Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

New take on science fiction

This book was great mainly because it is unlike one I have ever read before. It gives you a new kind of science fiction story .

[John Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read! I really enjoyed it.

[Yuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend's mom wrote this book and I'm a sucker for young adult fiction so I gave it a read! Countdown has a really unique premise and an unpredictable plot, which made it a page-turner. There were lots of conservation messages weaved in throughout the book and even a surprise romance! This is the first of a trilogy so I'm interested to see which direction the next book goes in.

[Sharon Sheridan]

Good for young adults. It illuminates the negatives of hunting and not begin good neighbors on earth to other species. It also demonstrates the effect of Greenhouse gases on the planet and environment.

[Ashley Boivin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students chose this book when given the task to find an Eco Fiction novel to study in class linking to their projects on the UN Sustainability Goals. They were engaged the whole way through and developed strong connections with the characters and the events they faced. It was great for tracking the movement of the characters around the world, giving us a chance to look at cultures and environments that were unknown to us! The science fiction and romance themes targeted a diverse group of students while learning about climate change and human effects on the environment. They are excited for the next novel in the series!