Cloudwalkers

by Mark Wayne McGinnis

When a cluster of blazingly fast meteorites strikes Earth’s upper stratosphere in the year 2129, they release three destabilizing elements into the atmosphere—Strongzine, Stradamine, and Starlox—which encircle the Earth’s surface in a thick, partially solidified layer of cloud and begin to spew a constant stream of acid rain onto the surface below. Organic life forms are all but obliterated, and the human race is reduced to a tiny fraction of its population. This event is known as the Ruin. But five centuries later, humanity still survives. Cloudwalkers tells the story of Conn Brataich, a young man who lives a privileged life above the cloudbank, relying on his noble heritage—and the abilities it provides—to guide him through his beautiful but treacherous realm in the New York Skylands, and Misty Casper, a Grounder who lives an arduous and somber life hundreds of feet below in the former subway tunnels of crumbling midtown Manhattan. Their two cultures live in uneasy, segregated codependence, rarely interacting until late one fall evening when, mysteriously, an experienced Cloudwalker of noble blood falls five hundred feet to his death. Conn is sent to recover the body in secret, but he doesn’t expect to encounter Misty on the dangerous streets of the dying city. Their chance encounter triggers a domino effect that throws them both headlong into a struggle for their very survival. Conn and Misty soon discover that only by working together can they succeed, but first they’ll have to put aside their preconceived notions about one another. Dark forces, long thought to have been expunged, have returned and are threatening to destroy both their ways of life. Through love, loss, and the looming threat of war, Misty and Conn will be forced to face their greatest fears for the sake of their very world and each other.A Sci-Fi Adventure That Will Have Your Head in the CloudsA highly original concept that will redefine the term "stratified society." In the remnants of New York City, the privileged Cloudwalkers live in the tops of buildings above the clouds which are now dense enough to walk on; if you have the special sight required to see where the holes are. Below, humanity lives a more dire existence. But the two societies need each other.A great tale of unsanctioned love, Machiavellian intrigue, packed with excitement.- Joseph FergusonCloudwalker1Just finished Cloudwalkers book 1. One of your best works. Waiting patiently for book 2. Well, perhaps not so patiently, I was totally mesmerized by the entire concept and all characters. I have purchased many book 2 novels that totally deviated from the original and did not hold my interest or even try to continue the story from where it left off. I hope this book 2 continues from that point since there is so much potential to do so. Thanks for a very good read.- fred calladineAn excellent wordsmithFrom the first word, I was captured and transported into a world that was my own and yet so different. Wonderful wordsmithing created vivid inmates to match the enthralling storyline. I want more!!- Michelle WilburCloudwalkers by Mark Wayne McGinnis / Great ReadVery interesting twist a new adventure. Characters are super and really woven into the storyline. Plenty of surprises as the plot unfolds. The story keeps the reader coming back and wanting more. Looking forward to the next book.Great job Mr. McGinnis!- Charles C. GrimesLove all your books.I'm a big fan of MWM. Cloudwalkers was uniquely different, but I loved it as much as the others...

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2018

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't that bad of a book, but it certainly could have been better. It starts out slow, it took me quite a while to get past the 14 percent mark, (chapter 6 or 7), just because it moved so slowly to begin. After it got moving though, it turned out to be a decent story. I'm not sure I'll read more in the series, it just didn't interest me that much, and the way it ended seemed like someone just chose an arbitrary point, and just stopped the book, but I've sen this sort of thing a lot when there's a series involved, no attempt to bring the book to a close, just up and stop it, so the next book can pick up where this one left off, and off it goes as if it were two parts of a book that were split without consideration for how it reads. Kind of a shame really, but what can you do.
I'm not sure many scifi fans will enjoy this one, though I suspect many who read it will find interesting concepts in it's pages. Certainly some unique happenings here, and I liked that part, but the story as a whole just didn't grab me all that much.
Overall, I'd say 2.5 stars.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MWM. SYFY. Novel. (TCW. - 1)

MWM. has. penned a SYFY. novel that when read you must be able to see the same vision as the author. I do believe there is never a bad idea, but sometimes the presentation is lacking. In the novel that is not the case. In fact, the descriptions are very sterile. However, if you take the subject material it is presented in laymans terms. The materials are self explanatory, the characters walk on clouds. Now go back to the beginning and determine where you got lost. It's a fascinating trip when you realize where the author has placed you as the reader. Cloudwalkers is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

[Thomas C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tale with great possibilities

The tale flows out from a mysterious source then hits reality with two young loves. Political intrigue and war threats and plenty of villians! Young heros and then he throws in a surprise Cliff hanger ending! I have a love hate relationship with books like this. But I'll be on Book 2 the instant it is out! There is a reason I own every book he has done. It's worth it!

[Jason Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living among the clouds

Far off in the future, acid rain and constant cloud cover have changed Earth forever. However that same cloud cover is solid enough to walk on in many places. So lives our protagonist Conn, his friends and eventually a new friend. Cloudwalkers is an interesting book with hints of magic, post apocalypse and clan warfare. I’m eager to see where the story goes.

[Richard W. McCuistian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get acclimated to this Skyland's world but the story was very intense and engaging and I would have probably given it five stars if it hadn't left me hanging at the end with no sequel published yet. Lots of loose ends.

[K Saju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, book one stopped just when it was getting more interesting and riveting. Will definitely be ready for the next part.

[Donna Masters-Calis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfinished!

It was well written but ended in the middle of the story. I was shocked when I turned the page and it said "The End" . I thought I was turning to the next chapter.

[michael lemaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

good story line, good mystery, can't wait for the next book.

A mix between Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.

[Grant Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing book!

I liked the totally different setting of this world, a very cool concept. I’m looking forward to the next book!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the idea interesting, and am willing to continue the series.