Bully Nation: The Remains: Part One

by Mark T. Sneed

The world as we know it is in ruins. The rich and powerful have gone into space. Those that live in the shambles of what was once the Bay Area find themselves behind two twenty-foot walls. In the walled city there are rumors of monsters roaming in the dead zones. Inside of the walled city the seven lines that make up the Remains work to make their community perfect. There is little to no crime in the Remains. Annually, there is a no holds barred life and death televised contest for the residents needed bloodlust. Ralphie Reynolds, 15, learns that he likes a girl and he and his friends sign up for the challenge. Ralphie prepares for the upcoming battle. Many will watch contestants battle while one boy comes to grips with his new crush at a very awkward time, indeed.

ebook

Published April 24, 2020

About the author

Born. Living. Learning. Writing. Southern memories, raised in Chicago and there I began writing. I moved west and was educated at the University of California, at Berkeley. Played collegiate football and rugby. First fell in love with comics. Have always read. Always writing. Became an English major. Took that major to Los Angeles and began teaching. Taught English to middle school and high school and junior college. Was a debate and chess coach. Continue to challenge myself.
Love Shakespeare. Wish to further the amazing writing experiences of those that I have read and read through an African American male lens. My desire is to write with passion and desire a varied style of genres with the hopes of being one of the heralded African American authors that others read and enjoy.

Reviews

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bully Nation" is a dystopian science-fiction novel that takes place in a world that has been reduced to ruins. The story follows Ralphie Reynolds, a 15-year-old boy living inside a walled city that is divided into seven lines, each working to create a perfect community. Ralphie finds himself drawn to a girl and signs up for an annual televised life and death bloodletting challenge along with his friends. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and survival amidst the brutal reality of a society that encourages violence and bloodshed. Sneed's writing is engaging and the plot is well-paced, with enough action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. The characters are well-developed and the reader can easily relate to Ralphie's struggles and conflicts. The world-building is also done well, creating a vivid and believable dystopian society that feels both futuristic and familiar. Overall, it is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of a society that glorifies violence. Fans of dystopian fiction and young adult novels will find this book to be a compelling and entertaining read.

[Ian Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bully Nation is a really good book. Mark T. Sneed provides tons of details throughout the book, that allows the reader to feel like they are there. Sneed’s intricate nuggets of information provide such a finite level of description that you are simply fascinated by the surroundings of this unique world which enhances the story.

Sneed does a phenomenal job in his writings regarding the emotions of the characters. The characters are developed well and you find yourself quickly rooting for them. Sneed masterfully builds an uncomfortable dilemma for Ralphie that leaves you hanging on to every word in excitement begging for the outcome to be revealed.

Bully Nation has me hooked and longing for more. Great book and couldn’t put it down.

[Mark Sneed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world has been forever changed by politics and a biological agent. The rich, the powerful have deserted the planet and escaped to the stars leaving the poor, the disenfranchised to eke out a living among the biological monsters and creations left behind. In The Remains, a walled in community that stretches as far north to the edge of the fallen Carquinez Bridge to as far south in what was Fremont exist and survive a close-knit community. Annually, the Utopian community, has a contest to allow the most aggressive and blood thirsty to compete. This year Ralphie competes against a girl he has been crushing on for most of his life.

[Mark Sneed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won the CYGNUS Award for Science Fiction. 'Nuf said. Well, it is a dystopian tale set in the remains of the Bay Area with an Acid Bay, two walls to protect the citizens hunkering down against the continual threat of monsters. An Afrocentric story challenging the idea of futurism. Think about a Hunger Games meets Divergent with a little Kindred tossed in and you will have a hint of what is found in Bully Nation.