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STORK: Sowing Season
Famine, Pestilence, Conquest, and Death have stormed the earth leaving it infertile for new human life. The people have surrendered their freedoms to the reign of a tyrannical technocracy. This is the story of a family, of extremists, and their duties to God or His enemy. What things are neglected boys capable of when sheltered by the wicked? To what lengths would dying traditions go to survive? Families are broken and blood of the innocent is spilled by force. The Stork has become a harbinger of life and death.
453 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2020
10 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Brian Patrick Edwards
2 books21 followersBrian Edwards is a newly published author, with his debut novel being STORK: Sowing Season. It's the first book of the STORK series regarding the future of religion in an automated world. The trilogy covers all topics from the replacement of God by AI, persecution of Christians, and pro-life issues that either exist today or will eventually in the not-so-distant future.
Brian runs an instagram page (@Cathoholicism) in his spare time, using memes and satire to teach Catholic apologetics, history, and catechism. He has a wife and child and lives in the Birmingham area. When he's not spending time doing his hobbies or feeding the baby, he works in IT.
Brian runs an instagram page (@Cathoholicism) in his spare time, using memes and satire to teach Catholic apologetics, history, and catechism. He has a wife and child and lives in the Birmingham area. When he's not spending time doing his hobbies or feeding the baby, he works in IT.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 28, 2020
Stork is grimy, gripping and binge-worthy. Set in Alabama in the year 2064, it tells the story of three groups of characters living in a Big Brother type environment.
The first group is an honest family facing persecution and poverty for their faith. They are salt of the earth people and even operate an underground church within their home. Among their ranks is a rebellious nephew (think Shawn from Boy Meets World), who leaves them to join a group intensely more reckless and dangerous than himself.
That group is the second set of characters: The Zealots. They're “religious” radicals, terrorists, with a plan to weaken the oppressive government and its suffocating, violent hold over the public. The Zealots often claim noble pursuits, but are motivated by rebellion and revenge. They are outlaws, pursued and hunted by the government; specifically, the husband of the third set of characters, a married couple.
Isaac and his wife are a family on the “inside” of the government. I imagine their lives to be a microcosm of the families who have submitted to the government’s desires for control and compliance. They go so far as to defer to the government’s propaganda on pregnancy and raising children.
The three sets of characters have lives that are braided together in a complicated plait. Risks escalate and compound throughout the book. Some characters make poor decisions, others face huge moral choices and have to decide the direction of their entire family. The drama is intense and stakes are high.
Sections of this book are quite violent and graphic. All of these events are things that have happened enough in real life, but Edwards’ description of them help the reader to live in them. This doesn’t, however, mean there aren’t any tender moments. Keen readers will notice the beautiful imagery Edwards uses when describing the art created by Cole.
There are some striking and captivating passages throughout this work. The only flaw with this novel was some editing that was overlooked. But is Ocean’s 11 any less gripping just because boom mikes made it into a few shots? I’d say no.
The first group is an honest family facing persecution and poverty for their faith. They are salt of the earth people and even operate an underground church within their home. Among their ranks is a rebellious nephew (think Shawn from Boy Meets World), who leaves them to join a group intensely more reckless and dangerous than himself.
That group is the second set of characters: The Zealots. They're “religious” radicals, terrorists, with a plan to weaken the oppressive government and its suffocating, violent hold over the public. The Zealots often claim noble pursuits, but are motivated by rebellion and revenge. They are outlaws, pursued and hunted by the government; specifically, the husband of the third set of characters, a married couple.
Isaac and his wife are a family on the “inside” of the government. I imagine their lives to be a microcosm of the families who have submitted to the government’s desires for control and compliance. They go so far as to defer to the government’s propaganda on pregnancy and raising children.
The three sets of characters have lives that are braided together in a complicated plait. Risks escalate and compound throughout the book. Some characters make poor decisions, others face huge moral choices and have to decide the direction of their entire family. The drama is intense and stakes are high.
Sections of this book are quite violent and graphic. All of these events are things that have happened enough in real life, but Edwards’ description of them help the reader to live in them. This doesn’t, however, mean there aren’t any tender moments. Keen readers will notice the beautiful imagery Edwards uses when describing the art created by Cole.
There are some striking and captivating passages throughout this work. The only flaw with this novel was some editing that was overlooked. But is Ocean’s 11 any less gripping just because boom mikes made it into a few shots? I’d say no.
May 2, 2020
It has taken me a little while to get around to writing a review on this book, I have even read two others now since finishing it, so please forgive the lack of detail. Additionally, I usually opt out of providing any sort of review for novels, as I fear I can never do a book justice. If you like the sound of this novel from the blurb, please read it!
Anticipating the release of this book, I was very interested but didn’t want to get my hopes up too much, or set the bar too high - knowing that this was the author’s first novel.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised as I began reading the book. The storyline was gripping and fast-paced enough that I easily finished it in the space of a week, despite the busyness of my life at the moment. The plot, though innovative in many ways, was eerily similar to our current social and political climate - and I felt this made the storyline even stronger. The writing was far better than I had hoped for a first book, and I honestly felt like I was reading a dystopian by a seasoned author.
I felt like I could draw so many important morals from the novel, too. I especially enjoyed the focus on the “Zealots” and it really made me see how easily, in my own life even, good Catholics can be tempted to fall into sin under the veil of “righteousness”. I found that the novel cultivated ideas about when religious extremism can become terrorism, and when terrorists cease to have any real foundation in the religion they proclaim. Many of the themes throughout the novel I found to be thought-provoking and even made me question my own actions and behaviours, reassessing my own motivations and calling into question times when faith can become riddled with pride and misdirected righteousness.
I recommend this book for any lovers of dystopian fiction, sci-fi, and especially for Catholics!
Anticipating the release of this book, I was very interested but didn’t want to get my hopes up too much, or set the bar too high - knowing that this was the author’s first novel.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised as I began reading the book. The storyline was gripping and fast-paced enough that I easily finished it in the space of a week, despite the busyness of my life at the moment. The plot, though innovative in many ways, was eerily similar to our current social and political climate - and I felt this made the storyline even stronger. The writing was far better than I had hoped for a first book, and I honestly felt like I was reading a dystopian by a seasoned author.
I felt like I could draw so many important morals from the novel, too. I especially enjoyed the focus on the “Zealots” and it really made me see how easily, in my own life even, good Catholics can be tempted to fall into sin under the veil of “righteousness”. I found that the novel cultivated ideas about when religious extremism can become terrorism, and when terrorists cease to have any real foundation in the religion they proclaim. Many of the themes throughout the novel I found to be thought-provoking and even made me question my own actions and behaviours, reassessing my own motivations and calling into question times when faith can become riddled with pride and misdirected righteousness.
I recommend this book for any lovers of dystopian fiction, sci-fi, and especially for Catholics!
February 18, 2021
Greatest novel I've ever written/read. ;)
May 12, 2020
NON SPOILER PART
First thing I’m going to say; this book is a quick read, I finished it in five days. Was going to be two- but I crave sleep too much.
Although you can get through it quickly, it’s not over-simplified. It’s a very heavy book with a lot of thought provoking themes, especially since what occurs in the book could very well happen in real life if we don’t do anything about it. But that’s exactly why I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stork to anyone (I’m already going to get my grandmother to read it. She says she’s excited). The thing I think I love most about fiction is that it has the ability to tell a great bit of truth. How many thoughts and ideas have come from fiction? How many people have been changed by a book? I know I have, and this book tells so much of a future that we could have, a future that is gross and bleak and sad. People need to see it.
I loved the pacing of the book, how it would jump from one point of view to another. It didn’t read awkward like some other books do. You can tell this is the author’s first book (hi Brian)- but it is far from bad. The characters are well written and the dialogue is great.
IT’S SPOILER TIME SO EXERCISE CAUTION
Aside from the heaviness of the book, the characters are just lovely. Cole and Stone are my favorites, obviously. They’re my children and deserve only love and happiness. I enjoyed Stone’s part of the book the most, the growing he did throughout the pages, his thought process. As a person, he was incredibly flawed and a lot of the time I found myself upset over how naive he was. You can bet I almost cried at the end, I was probably more invested in it than I should’ve been...that’s nothing new. But that is what makes him a great character. He’s relatable.
Isaac and Susan are my least favorite characters. She’s a monster and he’s utterly insane. But that didn’t mean that I dreaded their parts in the book, in fact I really enjoyed seeing this world through a non-christian’s perspective. And although I hated her, Susan’s death was heartbreaking. That’s how you know a story is written well, when you’re sad that the bad guy dies.
And as a Catholic, I really enjoyed the Mass. I can’t speak Latin to save my life but because I know the Mass so well, I was able to understand what Father Burns was saying which was super neat. He’s a cool dude, by the way. Love him.
I ALSO REALLY ADORE JOHN FOR SOME REASON AND I WANT TO SEE MORE OF HIM IN THE FUTURE. Amelia as well, she’s adorable.
I have a lot of emotions about Cole but I cannot translate my thoughts into English so I’ll just say that he’s my number one favorite and I love his paintings. He’s my son.
This review (if you could even call it that. I would prefer “Monica’s sleep deprived babblings”) was a wreck. I’m sorry, I did my best.
GOOD DAY.
First thing I’m going to say; this book is a quick read, I finished it in five days. Was going to be two- but I crave sleep too much.
Although you can get through it quickly, it’s not over-simplified. It’s a very heavy book with a lot of thought provoking themes, especially since what occurs in the book could very well happen in real life if we don’t do anything about it. But that’s exactly why I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stork to anyone (I’m already going to get my grandmother to read it. She says she’s excited). The thing I think I love most about fiction is that it has the ability to tell a great bit of truth. How many thoughts and ideas have come from fiction? How many people have been changed by a book? I know I have, and this book tells so much of a future that we could have, a future that is gross and bleak and sad. People need to see it.
I loved the pacing of the book, how it would jump from one point of view to another. It didn’t read awkward like some other books do. You can tell this is the author’s first book (hi Brian)- but it is far from bad. The characters are well written and the dialogue is great.
IT’S SPOILER TIME SO EXERCISE CAUTION
Aside from the heaviness of the book, the characters are just lovely. Cole and Stone are my favorites, obviously. They’re my children and deserve only love and happiness. I enjoyed Stone’s part of the book the most, the growing he did throughout the pages, his thought process. As a person, he was incredibly flawed and a lot of the time I found myself upset over how naive he was. You can bet I almost cried at the end, I was probably more invested in it than I should’ve been...that’s nothing new. But that is what makes him a great character. He’s relatable.
Isaac and Susan are my least favorite characters. She’s a monster and he’s utterly insane. But that didn’t mean that I dreaded their parts in the book, in fact I really enjoyed seeing this world through a non-christian’s perspective. And although I hated her, Susan’s death was heartbreaking. That’s how you know a story is written well, when you’re sad that the bad guy dies.
And as a Catholic, I really enjoyed the Mass. I can’t speak Latin to save my life but because I know the Mass so well, I was able to understand what Father Burns was saying which was super neat. He’s a cool dude, by the way. Love him.
I ALSO REALLY ADORE JOHN FOR SOME REASON AND I WANT TO SEE MORE OF HIM IN THE FUTURE. Amelia as well, she’s adorable.
I have a lot of emotions about Cole but I cannot translate my thoughts into English so I’ll just say that he’s my number one favorite and I love his paintings. He’s my son.
This review (if you could even call it that. I would prefer “Monica’s sleep deprived babblings”) was a wreck. I’m sorry, I did my best.
GOOD DAY.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2020
An absolutely amazing book! The characters are so relatable and the story is very interesting. It gives us a look of what the world could be. This book is incredible!
November 30, 2021
I finally finished this book. To be honest it took me a while and I read some others in between. I found it hard to get into. The writing was riddled with cliches. That being said the narrative and world building was excellent. And you could really see the writing style improve throughout. I’m looking forward to a sequel. Very promising.
June 8, 2020
My goodness. I finished this book today and I must say, for a first novel it is phenomenal. The author gets real gritty in this book and the character development is insane. Stone goes from a hard headed rebellious teen to a repentant sinner with no where to go, only his rosary and God is there to forgive him. I had the feeling that Susan was going to die after the STORK bombings, at first I was glad that the facilities were destroyed but it also hurt my heart knowing that so many innocent people died. They were robbed of repentance and it goes to show that sometimes righteous anger turns evil and makes people into monster terrorists. I also want to know what happens next with Michael, Amelia, Maria, and John with both couples expecting children I am really excited to see what happens. I also really want to see Unity fall! That bastard of a 'god' must die, I hate his guts so much. He manipulates Isaac even after the death of his wife. Overall what I'm saying is that this book is great and I cannot wait for the next novel. Please God, do not let this series end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2020
Please read it!! As a lover of science fiction, dystopian and apocalyptic books, I found this book amazing. The writing style is perfect, simple, descriptive and fast to read. It made me think a lot about the current situation of the world and how near we are to a future as such, and made me wonder if when the time comes, I will be strong enough to be on the good side... I can’t wait for the complete series to be published.
September 28, 2020
A wonderful book, truly an excellent read. From start to finish it has you frantically reading on to find out what happens next. As characters grow and change you cheer them on or weep as they fall. It is also a great take on the often overplayed “grim future” genre by focusing on religious values and the morality of fighting back against an oppressive government.
September 5, 2020
This story is relevant to our times and just plain fun to read. The Catholic theme running throughout takes it to a unique and mostly unexplored territory in fiction. I made both my parents read this and they both thought it was great as well.
December 6, 2020
The story was very enjoyable, but I think some characters could have a bit more depth to them (Amelia and Maria, for example). I cannot wait to see the conversion of Isaac in the next book, hopefully!
December 15, 2020
Really good book. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style. The author left some big things out. He didn’t show the cousins decent into darkness with the group he joins. Anyways I liked the plot. I liked the catholic storyline
June 1, 2020
3.5.
Good story. Some cringey dialogue tho.
Good story. Some cringey dialogue tho.
November 15, 2020
Beautiful!
Amazing! Beautifully written and very convicting to the heart. A must read and am looking forward to more from this author.
Amazing! Beautifully written and very convicting to the heart. A must read and am looking forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews