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Tomorrow
A misguided experiment. A devastated world. A chance for rebirth.
In a world decimated by a killer virus, an isolated mountain community is left more dysfunctional than dystopian.
Small town. Big secrets.
It's a place where...
...neighbors still look out for neighbors,
...a feisty senior sasses the man who controls the town,
...a doctor finds a unique use for local bullies.
and the lives of three strangers unexpectedly intertwine...
…Martha, a reclusive doctor seeking a solution to the mystery of the pandemic,
…Jake, a cab driver seeking his birth mother,
…Sophie, a young, desperate pregnant woman seeking safe haven from abuse.
Brought together by violence, these unlikely friends forge an alliance that may help reshape the world.
"Liddell describes her futuristic world as being “dysfunctional” rather than “dystopian,” because hope permeates her novel. ... Liddell’s great achievement is in describing a world catastrophe by narrating the lives and actions of just three people. Global issues are mirrored in smaller effects on her characters. Tomorrow is a quick, fun read, despite its dark setting. Liddell is a concise, clear writer and her characters are well drawn and quirky. I found it a compelling story and read it in a day." - Claire Allum, review
"It is a story that addresses racism and the danger of absolute power, and is beautifully written in clear and concise language. Its subtle message stays with you long after you’ve finished the novel. Tomorrow exemplifies the resolve of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. They are characters we care about. They are not super-heroes." - Joylene Nowell Butler. award-winning author of Broken But Not Dead and Dead Witness
"Merilyn Ruth Liddell creates bright, full, and rich characters against a dark future. | Written with clear and engaging language, it is a quick read that will leave you wondering. | I loved this book." - Monica Zwikstra, Author
"Excellent,interesting, thoroughly enjoyed it. Hoping for more books by this author." - Shirley Enzsol
- GenresScience Fiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2018
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 9, 2019
My first impressions of this book were a little rough, to be honest. I have to admit that I'm not the best at reading from multiple points of view and that, coupled with not having my footing in this dystopia at first, made the first few chapters a bit rocky. As I read on, however, I soon fell into step with the characters who lead us through this story. I understood that this was a future where survival was based on how important you were to the people in town. Where, although resources are limited, there are still good people who help others. Where, just like real life, there are those who take advantage of everyone else. Once I got my bearings, I was set. I knew this would be a book I'd devour.
Devour it, I did. I know that this book is technically classified as dystopian, but what I found on these pages had so much more hope than I'm used to in this kind of story. Jake, Sophie and Martha were each so different and yet they came together in a way that really made me smile. The setting for this story, an old historic mining town in Canada, felt perfect to me. Small, surrounded by nature, and the perfect way to really expose the damage that had been done to the world by the people who were now trying to survive in it. Like I mentioned above, so many people were still good people in this book. They fought for others, cared for others, and shared. It was lovely to read a story where, although it had dark undercurrents and violence, a little bit of love still shown through.
Martha, in particular, stood out to me. She has her own story arc, that winds through those of the others, and it really lets the reader further delve into the world that Liddell has built and where all the devastation came from. She was quirky, to be certain, but that made me love her more. Imagine knowing that your world was destroyed by someone close to you, and feeling like you were now the only one who could save it. Those are some big shoes, let me tell you what.
So why the three star rating? I think my biggest issue with this story was really the fact that it took so long for me to get enough information to finally feel invested. Although I appreciated the slow build up of facts, it also hindered my reading somewhat. I wanted to know why I should care about the people I was walking along with. That came eventually, but not quite fast enough. My other gripe was about the ending. After all the drama I'd gone through with my new friends, it felt like everything just wrapped up into a perfect forever after. Going from a tension filled, secret laden story into a place where suddenly everything is sunshine made me feel lost. It just didn't flow.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book. I powered through it, and I don't regret diving into Liddell's world at all! This story may have needed a bit more polish, but I'm definitely still a fan. I'll be back for more.
Devour it, I did. I know that this book is technically classified as dystopian, but what I found on these pages had so much more hope than I'm used to in this kind of story. Jake, Sophie and Martha were each so different and yet they came together in a way that really made me smile. The setting for this story, an old historic mining town in Canada, felt perfect to me. Small, surrounded by nature, and the perfect way to really expose the damage that had been done to the world by the people who were now trying to survive in it. Like I mentioned above, so many people were still good people in this book. They fought for others, cared for others, and shared. It was lovely to read a story where, although it had dark undercurrents and violence, a little bit of love still shown through.
Martha, in particular, stood out to me. She has her own story arc, that winds through those of the others, and it really lets the reader further delve into the world that Liddell has built and where all the devastation came from. She was quirky, to be certain, but that made me love her more. Imagine knowing that your world was destroyed by someone close to you, and feeling like you were now the only one who could save it. Those are some big shoes, let me tell you what.
So why the three star rating? I think my biggest issue with this story was really the fact that it took so long for me to get enough information to finally feel invested. Although I appreciated the slow build up of facts, it also hindered my reading somewhat. I wanted to know why I should care about the people I was walking along with. That came eventually, but not quite fast enough. My other gripe was about the ending. After all the drama I'd gone through with my new friends, it felt like everything just wrapped up into a perfect forever after. Going from a tension filled, secret laden story into a place where suddenly everything is sunshine made me feel lost. It just didn't flow.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book. I powered through it, and I don't regret diving into Liddell's world at all! This story may have needed a bit more polish, but I'm definitely still a fan. I'll be back for more.
August 22, 2018
Liddell describes her futuristic world as being “dysfunctional” rather than “dystopian,” because hope permeates her novel. The setting is a small mountain coal-mining town with toxic air, destroyed streets, a society regressed to mafia-style big man leadership, and a pervasive threat of personal violence. Martha, is a recluse, researching for what destroyed her world. Jake is a strong-minded young man taking risks to protect those he loves. They are drawn together by Sophie, a pregnant woman escaping abuse. Together they take on the town leadership, forging hope for the future.
The setting for the story is one of Canada’s old historic mining towns in the Rocky Mountains. Just as it is today, Liddell describes it as a place where people come to escape the city. Her extensive outdoor experience, her activism in environmental organizations, and love of bird-watching are detectable in her writing. It allows her to thread the hope that no matter how harshly humans treat their natural environment, it can recover. Her character, Martha, still goes for walks in the wild outside, despite its ruin.
That humanity is the root cause of what has happened to her futuristic world is an assumption that the book makes right from the beginning. Human accesses in pollution, consumption, and habitat destruction are not questioned. It is what this triggers that becomes an interesting plot line in the book. Again, Liddell uses her environmental background to flesh this out.
One of Liddell’s great achievements is to have described a world catastrophe and its effects by narrating the lives and actions of three people. Global issues are mirrored in smaller effects on her characters. The lack of energy sources results in only two working vehicles in town. Food shortages force people to grow their own food.
Tomorrow is a quick, fun read, despite its dark setting. Liddell is a concise, clear writer and her characters are well drawn and quirky. I found it a compelling story and read it in a day.
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book, but was under no obligation to write a positive review.
The setting for the story is one of Canada’s old historic mining towns in the Rocky Mountains. Just as it is today, Liddell describes it as a place where people come to escape the city. Her extensive outdoor experience, her activism in environmental organizations, and love of bird-watching are detectable in her writing. It allows her to thread the hope that no matter how harshly humans treat their natural environment, it can recover. Her character, Martha, still goes for walks in the wild outside, despite its ruin.
That humanity is the root cause of what has happened to her futuristic world is an assumption that the book makes right from the beginning. Human accesses in pollution, consumption, and habitat destruction are not questioned. It is what this triggers that becomes an interesting plot line in the book. Again, Liddell uses her environmental background to flesh this out.
One of Liddell’s great achievements is to have described a world catastrophe and its effects by narrating the lives and actions of three people. Global issues are mirrored in smaller effects on her characters. The lack of energy sources results in only two working vehicles in town. Food shortages force people to grow their own food.
Tomorrow is a quick, fun read, despite its dark setting. Liddell is a concise, clear writer and her characters are well drawn and quirky. I found it a compelling story and read it in a day.
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book, but was under no obligation to write a positive review.
August 20, 2018
Tomorrow by Merilyn Ruth Liddell tells the story of three strangers in a small mountain community years after a virus almost wipes out the human race. It is a story that addresses racism and the danger of absolute power, and is beautifully written in clear and concise language. Its subtle message stays with you long after you’ve finished the novel. Tomorrow exemplifies the resolve of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. They are characters we care about. They are not super-heroes.
Jake, a cab driver, seeks to learn the identity of his biological mother so as to better understood where he comes from and who he is.
Martha, a geneticist, suspects her father is the creator of the virus that killed millions, and jeopardies her mental and physical health to reverse the damage.
Sophie, abused and pregnant, with a history of neglect, is braver than men twice her size and willing to do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child.
These three uniquely inspiring characters, coveting their secrets, come together with all their flaws, fears, and misconceptions to forge an alliance that will either destroy them or save them. While failing to trust people they can actually trust, their resiliency embodies what it means to rise above the horrors man can inflict upon man.
Liddell’s Tomorrow takes place in a dystopian world that is frightfully realistic. Her setting is dark and oppressive; her antagonists are ruthless and sinister. But the inhabitants of Tomorrow never lose their compassion.
I was drawn into the story immediately and compelled to read on because I wanted the protagonists to prevail. They could easily be my neighbours and friends. I wanted them to succeed, but I understood why they might not. If you’re looking for a story of depth and intelligence, where the characters surprise you, I highly recommend Tomorrow by Merilyn Ruth Liddell.
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book, but was under no obligation to write a positive review.
--
Joylene Nowell Butler
Jake, a cab driver, seeks to learn the identity of his biological mother so as to better understood where he comes from and who he is.
Martha, a geneticist, suspects her father is the creator of the virus that killed millions, and jeopardies her mental and physical health to reverse the damage.
Sophie, abused and pregnant, with a history of neglect, is braver than men twice her size and willing to do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child.
These three uniquely inspiring characters, coveting their secrets, come together with all their flaws, fears, and misconceptions to forge an alliance that will either destroy them or save them. While failing to trust people they can actually trust, their resiliency embodies what it means to rise above the horrors man can inflict upon man.
Liddell’s Tomorrow takes place in a dystopian world that is frightfully realistic. Her setting is dark and oppressive; her antagonists are ruthless and sinister. But the inhabitants of Tomorrow never lose their compassion.
I was drawn into the story immediately and compelled to read on because I wanted the protagonists to prevail. They could easily be my neighbours and friends. I wanted them to succeed, but I understood why they might not. If you’re looking for a story of depth and intelligence, where the characters surprise you, I highly recommend Tomorrow by Merilyn Ruth Liddell.
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book, but was under no obligation to write a positive review.
--
Joylene Nowell Butler
January 13, 2019
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Tomorrow is a novel that is fast paced, but slow-moving. The dystopian story follows three strangers who are connected by one experience. The story focuses on the multiple povs of Jake, Sophie, and Martha. Martha keeps to her self and lives in a home that is built like one giant science lab, she feels extreme guilt for what he dad did (revealed later in the story). Sophie, is a city girl who ended in a small town and is trapped in an abusive relationship and is desperately trying to escape. Jake, is a cab driver who is observant and curious. He’s trying to make a living, but struggles due to the power structure in the town.
From the beginning of the novel had so many questions in my mind: What happened to this town, Who are these people, and What does the future hold for them. The reader is given very little clues leaving them with a lot of focus. There is an overall aura of suspense due to the multilayered secrets and the added element of multiple povs keeps the reader engaged in the story. When one perspective starts to get interesting we cut to the next scene, which gives a cliffhanger feeling to many of the chapters.
Throughout the book lies a constant somber tone. You can really feel this in the characters minds and feelings. They are all grieving in some sort of way and with how desolate the town has become is gives them a heavy feeling. While Sophie and Jake are easy to open up Martha is a brick wall. She trusts them to provide a safe haven for her in her home but is reluctant to share her secrets and what the lab can do, what experiment is she trying to hide?
It’s hard to talk about the story without giving too much of the plot away, but I did think it had an interesting dystopian concept. My main problem with the book is that at many points in the story I had a very vague sense of what is happening. And even by the end of the book when everything was revealed, I still felt there were so many questions unanswered and I was puzzled. I liked the attention to detail and I felt the characters were very well-written. I was invested in their stories, and wanted them prosper in their difficult lives.
If you enjoy dystopian stories, this book might be for you!
*Trigger warnings: Physical Abuse, Violence (some graphic imagery)
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in a giveaway from Library Thing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Tomorrow is a novel that is fast paced, but slow-moving. The dystopian story follows three strangers who are connected by one experience. The story focuses on the multiple povs of Jake, Sophie, and Martha. Martha keeps to her self and lives in a home that is built like one giant science lab, she feels extreme guilt for what he dad did (revealed later in the story). Sophie, is a city girl who ended in a small town and is trapped in an abusive relationship and is desperately trying to escape. Jake, is a cab driver who is observant and curious. He’s trying to make a living, but struggles due to the power structure in the town.
From the beginning of the novel had so many questions in my mind: What happened to this town, Who are these people, and What does the future hold for them. The reader is given very little clues leaving them with a lot of focus. There is an overall aura of suspense due to the multilayered secrets and the added element of multiple povs keeps the reader engaged in the story. When one perspective starts to get interesting we cut to the next scene, which gives a cliffhanger feeling to many of the chapters.
Throughout the book lies a constant somber tone. You can really feel this in the characters minds and feelings. They are all grieving in some sort of way and with how desolate the town has become is gives them a heavy feeling. While Sophie and Jake are easy to open up Martha is a brick wall. She trusts them to provide a safe haven for her in her home but is reluctant to share her secrets and what the lab can do, what experiment is she trying to hide?
It’s hard to talk about the story without giving too much of the plot away, but I did think it had an interesting dystopian concept. My main problem with the book is that at many points in the story I had a very vague sense of what is happening. And even by the end of the book when everything was revealed, I still felt there were so many questions unanswered and I was puzzled. I liked the attention to detail and I felt the characters were very well-written. I was invested in their stories, and wanted them prosper in their difficult lives.
If you enjoy dystopian stories, this book might be for you!
*Trigger warnings: Physical Abuse, Violence (some graphic imagery)
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in a giveaway from Library Thing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 21, 2018
SENSUALITY RATING: YES, Profanity (nothing really stands out or takes away from the plot); NO Sexual Encounters; YES, I find it quite offensive to use Lord’s name in vain NO MATTER how little or often.
GENRE: Apocalyptic Science Fiction; Dysfunctional Earth; Mystery
SETTING: Small town away from the city.
SYNOPSIS: She masqueraded most of the time as an old woman with a cane, but no one knew where she lived. He did an honest day’s work driving 1 of 2 taxis that existed in the entire town. In a time when pregnancies were practically non-existent, a girlfriend with a large belly tries to find her way out of an abusive relationship but her pregnancy is a hot commodity for the greedy. This all happened when damage had been done to the earth and the cycle of life needed to be restored.
WHAT I LIKED: The home in hiding.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Many relationships between relatives and friends were horribly confusing. A true “Who’s Who?”.
OVERALL RATING: (4) stars because I really loved the plot. Mystery and danger. Many elements that kept me, the reader, on my toes. Not one that enjoys reading the slightest bit of profanity or the word “God” in the plot of any work of fiction hence 4/5 stars. However, this book is well worth the read.
GENRE: Apocalyptic Science Fiction; Dysfunctional Earth; Mystery
SETTING: Small town away from the city.
SYNOPSIS: She masqueraded most of the time as an old woman with a cane, but no one knew where she lived. He did an honest day’s work driving 1 of 2 taxis that existed in the entire town. In a time when pregnancies were practically non-existent, a girlfriend with a large belly tries to find her way out of an abusive relationship but her pregnancy is a hot commodity for the greedy. This all happened when damage had been done to the earth and the cycle of life needed to be restored.
WHAT I LIKED: The home in hiding.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Many relationships between relatives and friends were horribly confusing. A true “Who’s Who?”.
OVERALL RATING: (4) stars because I really loved the plot. Mystery and danger. Many elements that kept me, the reader, on my toes. Not one that enjoys reading the slightest bit of profanity or the word “God” in the plot of any work of fiction hence 4/5 stars. However, this book is well worth the read.
February 21, 2019
The earth's population was decimated by an epidemic, and life is nothing like it used to be. martha is desperate to continue her research to discover what happened. Jake just wants to run his cab business and maybe find his birth mother. Sophie is pregnant and trapped in an abusive relationship. Together, these three may save mankind.
This is probably one of the darkest dystopian (or dysfunctional, as the author terms it) story I have ever read, but it kept me intrigued from start to finish. I wanted to know Martha's secrets. I wanted to see if Jake found his family. I wanted Sophie to find safety.
The ending came a bit out of nowhere. I feel like so much was skipped over, there could have been a second book. A character mentioned briefly and who only appears in a few scenes at most suddenly had a major role in the ending.
There were some instances of strong words. I couldn't recommend this to anyone under eighteen. I received a free copy from the publisher for reviewing purposes.
This is probably one of the darkest dystopian (or dysfunctional, as the author terms it) story I have ever read, but it kept me intrigued from start to finish. I wanted to know Martha's secrets. I wanted to see if Jake found his family. I wanted Sophie to find safety.
The ending came a bit out of nowhere. I feel like so much was skipped over, there could have been a second book. A character mentioned briefly and who only appears in a few scenes at most suddenly had a major role in the ending.
There were some instances of strong words. I couldn't recommend this to anyone under eighteen. I received a free copy from the publisher for reviewing purposes.
February 2, 2023
In a small mountain community decimated by a mysterious virus, three strangers with little in common are brought together by their desire to see a better future. Engaging and suspenseful from start to finish, we are witness to a world where the rule of law has been thrown out the window, food supply and air quality have been compromised, and something strange has been unleashed jeopardizing humanity’s very survival. Told with a sharp eye for detail, the characters are each fully drawn, and the setting is both familiar and eerily unrecognizable.
As we watch these three unlikely friends struggle against all odds, we can’t help but cheer them on as they retain everything that’s good about mankind. Merilyn Liddell’s story is a captivating tale and one that offers hope, above all else, in uncertain times.
As we watch these three unlikely friends struggle against all odds, we can’t help but cheer them on as they retain everything that’s good about mankind. Merilyn Liddell’s story is a captivating tale and one that offers hope, above all else, in uncertain times.
October 24, 2018
It is extremely hard for a sci fi novel to entertain me, and this one totally did! A nice air of mystery carries on as the story line progresses and you begin to piece together what has happened to the world and how three seemingly random individuals fit together. I appreciate the fact that the scientific verbiage was kept to a minimum and was not presented in a confusing way. Most sci fi I put down because it goes over my head with the wording used. I was eager to pick this book back up every time and couldn't wait to see how everything resolved itself! The only thing a bit jarring was the epilogue, talking about characters not really introduced in the book.
January 30, 2019
This was different from my usual genre - I usually stay away from books set in an apocalyptic/dystopian future, so was not certain I would like it. But, I requested it when i saw the synopsis and was excited when i received an Early Reviewer's copy from LibraryThing.
I liked the 3 main characters, Martha, Jake and Sophie and for that matter, Nora. I started rooting for them, as I read along. Though I would have loved some more twists and turns (or may be it is the mystery/thriller lover in me talking :-) ), I enjoyed this book.
I liked the 3 main characters, Martha, Jake and Sophie and for that matter, Nora. I started rooting for them, as I read along. Though I would have loved some more twists and turns (or may be it is the mystery/thriller lover in me talking :-) ), I enjoyed this book.
February 8, 2019
A fantastic glimpse into apocalypse away from the urban sprawl.
This was such an interesting glimpse of a polluted, virus-stricken world from the eyes of a sleepy, little town where everyone still knows each other’s business, and life carries on at the crawling pace despite the state of the world surrounding. And yet the pace of the book is perfect. Merilyn weaves a family mystery, the urgency of a birth in an area with next to no medical care, and the evolution of small town politics, into a great read. Smart, relatable characters. Elegant prose. Loved it all!
This was such an interesting glimpse of a polluted, virus-stricken world from the eyes of a sleepy, little town where everyone still knows each other’s business, and life carries on at the crawling pace despite the state of the world surrounding. And yet the pace of the book is perfect. Merilyn weaves a family mystery, the urgency of a birth in an area with next to no medical care, and the evolution of small town politics, into a great read. Smart, relatable characters. Elegant prose. Loved it all!
October 16, 2018
Really well written. Good story and quite engaging despite more of the focus on living through the challenges day to day vs what actually caused the challenges in the first place. Good job revealing critical info on a pace to make you want to keep reading
December 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Set in a dystopian future Liddell tells the story of 3 different people after the outbreak of a virus. It was a great introduction to the author and I would definitely read additional books by the author.
July 27, 2019
I did not expect to enjoy this book, but it turned out very well. It was written very nicely, and although there were three POVs, they were organized in a very logical manner. I love dystopian themes and this book definitely had that touch. The details were very good, and the relationships very realistic. I liked the three main characters very much, and I also felt kindly towards Stan, the sassy old lady, and surprisingly, Mack. I liked the background story, and I was very pleased with the conclusion. I think the author did a very good job.
December 2, 2018
A Great Read! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to the next book by this author.
August 26, 2020
This was a really intriguing story. It really kept me interested.
*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
January 20, 2019
Tomorrow is the most engaging book I've read in some time. Written in the voices of three completely unrelated strangers - a mysterious woman living in an underground tech paradise, a local cab driver, and a pregnant girl from out of town hiding from several abusive relationships - these characters all find their lives intertwined. The main characters all have complicated backstories, which don't immediately come to light. But the way they act is understandable and relatable (even when the backstory is less relatable). In addition, the way these three characters are brought together felt surprising and original. Their stories made the different voicings of the chapters easy to follow.
Liddell also cast complicated moral issues in a different light - something necessary in her dystopian world. How should power be handled? What should be controlled and what should be left up to individual choice? How should a corrupt police force be dealt with? And while I can't say I agreed with all of the character choices, I understood them and they provoked further thinking long after I finished the book. I don't know if there will be another book in this world Liddell has imagined, but I would be intrigued to know how other cities functioned, similar to how Lois Lowry wrote about separate societies in the same world and era in her series, The Giver Quartet. It reminded me of Lowry's style of world building.
Content warning: There are a few near rape and violent situations, however they are tastefully written and necessary to paint an accurate picture of the local society.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and have reviewed it voluntarily.
Liddell also cast complicated moral issues in a different light - something necessary in her dystopian world. How should power be handled? What should be controlled and what should be left up to individual choice? How should a corrupt police force be dealt with? And while I can't say I agreed with all of the character choices, I understood them and they provoked further thinking long after I finished the book. I don't know if there will be another book in this world Liddell has imagined, but I would be intrigued to know how other cities functioned, similar to how Lois Lowry wrote about separate societies in the same world and era in her series, The Giver Quartet. It reminded me of Lowry's style of world building.
Content warning: There are a few near rape and violent situations, however they are tastefully written and necessary to paint an accurate picture of the local society.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and have reviewed it voluntarily.
April 28, 2022
Tomorrow, by Merilyn Ruth Liddell, is a book one needs to read when you have the time to invest yourself in reading thoroughly. This book is slow but well worth the read as Liddell has crafted a unique world, knitting together elements that many people experience in real life in a world that has created a disaster that may or may not be fixed with exciting characters. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about dystopian worlds and human experiences.
December 24, 2019
I received this book as an advanced reader copy through LibraryThing. A great character driven story, with a slow reveal that leaves the story both compelling and mysterious. I also thoroughly enjoyed Liddell's writing style - looking forward to reading more novels from her in the future. If you're a fan of dystopian novels, definitely add this to your TBR list.
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