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FloodWorld #2
DustRoad
The sequel to FloodWorld, this equally cinematic book tells the story of Kara and Joe's adventures in the US, as they travel with a band of ideological outlaws, hell-bent on destroying the Mariners and stealing their world. Can the kids come up with a plan to stop the seemingly inevitable destruction?
- GenresMiddle GradeAdventure
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
About the author
Tom Huddleston
37 books45 followersI'm Tom Huddleston, author of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. I've written books on famous creatives including DAVID LYNCH: HIS WORK, HIS WORLD; THE WORLDS OF GEORGE RR MARTIN and THE WORLDS OF DUNE, all about the inspirations behind the greatest SF novel of all time.
For younger readers, I've written original adventure stories like the FLOODWORLD trilogy (FLOODWORLD, DUSTROAD and STORMTIDE), along with several episodes in the WARHAMMER ADVENTURES and STAR WARS: ADVENTURES IN WILD SPACE series.
I also write about film and TV for publications including Time Out, the BFI and The Guardian, and I sing in a folk-rock band called The No Sorrows.
I was born in Kendal and raised in North Yorkshire, though I now live in London. I realise that I almost have the same name as Loki, but rest assured I'm not him: I'm slightly rounder and a lot less famous. However, I have managed to make him admit that it's his family who spell their name wrong, not mine.
If you have any questions, please get in touch!
For younger readers, I've written original adventure stories like the FLOODWORLD trilogy (FLOODWORLD, DUSTROAD and STORMTIDE), along with several episodes in the WARHAMMER ADVENTURES and STAR WARS: ADVENTURES IN WILD SPACE series.
I also write about film and TV for publications including Time Out, the BFI and The Guardian, and I sing in a folk-rock band called The No Sorrows.
I was born in Kendal and raised in North Yorkshire, though I now live in London. I realise that I almost have the same name as Loki, but rest assured I'm not him: I'm slightly rounder and a lot less famous. However, I have managed to make him admit that it's his family who spell their name wrong, not mine.
If you have any questions, please get in touch!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2022
Ooof, what a rollercoaster!!!! I absolutely loved the first book in this series and all the muppets be damned, this one was even better!!! Reading this book felt like watching Mad Max mixed with 1995 Waterworld, so if you like either or both of these movies then this book is your MUST READ!!!
The plot is great, insanely engaging and addictive, especially for a children’s book. Honestly, if you’re a quick reader, once you’ll start this book, you’ll get through it within hours, that’s how crazy it is! The characters are well-written and lovable, even the bad… good… meh? ones… although that’s kinda the whole point of this series-to show that everyone has their dark side and people are not one-dimensional blobs. Many of the bad guys we met as readers in the Floodworld went through a character development and are really surprising personalities in this book.
Ehhh, one thing I hate about good books is that I never know what to say about them. So, because I’m speechless, I’ll just scream:
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL CAPYBARAS: READ THIS SERIES OR I’M GONNA FIND YOU AND STEAL THE LAST 50 PAGES FROM ALL OF YOUR BOOKS !!!!!!!!!
The plot is great, insanely engaging and addictive, especially for a children’s book. Honestly, if you’re a quick reader, once you’ll start this book, you’ll get through it within hours, that’s how crazy it is! The characters are well-written and lovable, even the bad… good… meh? ones… although that’s kinda the whole point of this series-to show that everyone has their dark side and people are not one-dimensional blobs. Many of the bad guys we met as readers in the Floodworld went through a character development and are really surprising personalities in this book.
Ehhh, one thing I hate about good books is that I never know what to say about them. So, because I’m speechless, I’ll just scream:
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL CAPYBARAS: READ THIS SERIES OR I’M GONNA FIND YOU AND STEAL THE LAST 50 PAGES FROM ALL OF YOUR BOOKS !!!!!!!!!
April 2, 2020
This book is so cinematic I ate popcorn as I read it, I kid you not. Every page sees the reader's retinas seared with images so lucid, if not a little hazy from desert dust, that it is impossible not to feel like you are living the action.
And in 'DustRoad', action there is a-plenty. Huddleston, it appears, is a master of the set-piece - something that not many authors these days seem to even deem necessary. In that sense it harks back to the old days of serialised children's stories - the ones that were published a chapter a week and that probably would have been cut if readers lost interest. Whether it's a Mad Max-style car chase, a bull ring event (albeit without any livestock, only crazy cars) or a pirate attack on an ark, within a page or two the action is taken to boiling point by way of razor-sharp writing.
It's not just the action that is written with such precision - descriptions of post-apocolyptic places pull on the memories and ideas we have of cities and landscapes that exist somewhere in the world. Despite being so distorted by a world ravaged by rising water levels and the fall out of humanity, the locations of this all thriller, no filler adventure are as clear as day. It doesn't matter that none of us have ever seen a half-subemerged plexglass globe that acts as a parliament building, you'll know exactly what it looks and feels like when you read about it.
Whilst the first novel in this series, FloodWorld, seemed very bleak and devoid of hope, there is something about this one that seems much more optmistic. Sure, the odds are more than stacked against Kara, Joe and Nate as they travel thousands of miles, often apart from each other, in their attempt to bring about a little more piece in the fractured world they inhabit, but their determined outlook and their wiliness brings them through. Yet, not all is well, not by a long stretch. The book is punctuated by stabs of realism - in such utter brokenness, how could a few kids really make a difference?
Yet difference they do make - a powerful message to the young readers of this book. Joe, Kara and Nate may not be able to save the world in 309 pages, but they can make a sizeable contribution to what this reader hopes will be eventual salvation. But for that, we willhave to wait for book 3... that's assuming this is a trilogy!
The cast our heroes encounter on their way is brilliant too - an unearthly quintumverate of rebellious leaders, a scary but kind dump-dwelling artist, a gang of teenage petrolheads and some seemingly back-from-the-dead meglomanics (not all of whom have retained a full desire for power) all feature in this blockbuster of a novel.
If there's one book I've read this year that needs the Steven Spielberg treatment, it's this one - the hardwork of making it screen-ready has already been done. Recommended for fans of Philip Reeves' Mortal Engines and Fever Crumb sequences as well as for fans of high octane blockbusters.
Give that at the time of writing cinemas are closing and the world seems as dystopian as some of us have ever known it, it's the perfect time to self-isolate with a book that at least reminds us that things could perhaps be worse!
And in 'DustRoad', action there is a-plenty. Huddleston, it appears, is a master of the set-piece - something that not many authors these days seem to even deem necessary. In that sense it harks back to the old days of serialised children's stories - the ones that were published a chapter a week and that probably would have been cut if readers lost interest. Whether it's a Mad Max-style car chase, a bull ring event (albeit without any livestock, only crazy cars) or a pirate attack on an ark, within a page or two the action is taken to boiling point by way of razor-sharp writing.
It's not just the action that is written with such precision - descriptions of post-apocolyptic places pull on the memories and ideas we have of cities and landscapes that exist somewhere in the world. Despite being so distorted by a world ravaged by rising water levels and the fall out of humanity, the locations of this all thriller, no filler adventure are as clear as day. It doesn't matter that none of us have ever seen a half-subemerged plexglass globe that acts as a parliament building, you'll know exactly what it looks and feels like when you read about it.
Whilst the first novel in this series, FloodWorld, seemed very bleak and devoid of hope, there is something about this one that seems much more optmistic. Sure, the odds are more than stacked against Kara, Joe and Nate as they travel thousands of miles, often apart from each other, in their attempt to bring about a little more piece in the fractured world they inhabit, but their determined outlook and their wiliness brings them through. Yet, not all is well, not by a long stretch. The book is punctuated by stabs of realism - in such utter brokenness, how could a few kids really make a difference?
Yet difference they do make - a powerful message to the young readers of this book. Joe, Kara and Nate may not be able to save the world in 309 pages, but they can make a sizeable contribution to what this reader hopes will be eventual salvation. But for that, we willhave to wait for book 3... that's assuming this is a trilogy!
The cast our heroes encounter on their way is brilliant too - an unearthly quintumverate of rebellious leaders, a scary but kind dump-dwelling artist, a gang of teenage petrolheads and some seemingly back-from-the-dead meglomanics (not all of whom have retained a full desire for power) all feature in this blockbuster of a novel.
If there's one book I've read this year that needs the Steven Spielberg treatment, it's this one - the hardwork of making it screen-ready has already been done. Recommended for fans of Philip Reeves' Mortal Engines and Fever Crumb sequences as well as for fans of high octane blockbusters.
Give that at the time of writing cinemas are closing and the world seems as dystopian as some of us have ever known it, it's the perfect time to self-isolate with a book that at least reminds us that things could perhaps be worse!
June 24, 2020
Realising that this, like FloodWorld before it, is targeted more for the 10+ readership, I was not in any hurry to read them with my 6 year old son as his books at bedtime.
However as he had greatly enjoyed the Star Wars Wild Space series by the same author, he was pretty insistent that I did and whilst I had some reservations about some of the more grown up content, I shouldn’t have worried.
This, like the previous title in the series had both of us gripped from the start until the last page.
Following on directly from FloodWorld, we are back in post-apocalyptic London with Joe and Kara, shortly before they begin their epic journey across the Atlantic and encounter the enigmatic ‘Five’.
Like FloodWorld, the writing is impeccable and incredibly cinematic. The author is able to put you right into the action and allow you to visualise the settings as easily and as detailed as if viewing them on the big screen. Surely it can’t be long before these adventures are dramatised.
I particularly like the use of real places and how they could be perceived by future generations. Although, even in the future, I’m sure the abbreviated name ‘Frisco’ would be frowned upon, but hey, it sounds good in context :-)
As mentioned at the start, my son is a few years younger than I would recommend for these, but he was totally entranced, so if you have a younger child who loves adventures and can get their heads around multi timeline concepts, then I thoroughly recommend it.
If you have already read and enjoyed FloodWorld, then what are you waiting for?
oh, Stanley’s (6yo) 1 line review is as follows: ‘I really enjoyed this book because some of the characters have loads of surprises’
There you go :-)
However as he had greatly enjoyed the Star Wars Wild Space series by the same author, he was pretty insistent that I did and whilst I had some reservations about some of the more grown up content, I shouldn’t have worried.
This, like the previous title in the series had both of us gripped from the start until the last page.
Following on directly from FloodWorld, we are back in post-apocalyptic London with Joe and Kara, shortly before they begin their epic journey across the Atlantic and encounter the enigmatic ‘Five’.
Like FloodWorld, the writing is impeccable and incredibly cinematic. The author is able to put you right into the action and allow you to visualise the settings as easily and as detailed as if viewing them on the big screen. Surely it can’t be long before these adventures are dramatised.
I particularly like the use of real places and how they could be perceived by future generations. Although, even in the future, I’m sure the abbreviated name ‘Frisco’ would be frowned upon, but hey, it sounds good in context :-)
As mentioned at the start, my son is a few years younger than I would recommend for these, but he was totally entranced, so if you have a younger child who loves adventures and can get their heads around multi timeline concepts, then I thoroughly recommend it.
If you have already read and enjoyed FloodWorld, then what are you waiting for?
oh, Stanley’s (6yo) 1 line review is as follows: ‘I really enjoyed this book because some of the characters have loads of surprises’
There you go :-)
March 31, 2020
I really enjoyed Floodworld and was excited that this one was coming out. I liked it just as much and hope there will be another one soon!
March 11, 2020
I loved FloodWorld, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this. It's every bit as good: gripping, clever and scarily believable. Amazing. Cool cover too! Bring on book three....
May 21, 2020
Following directly after the events in FloodWorld, Kara and Jim once again find themselves slap bang in the middle of war... will it ever end?
This is certainly shaping up to be one adventurous series.
Full review coming soon!
This is certainly shaping up to be one adventurous series.
Full review coming soon!
May 5, 2020
I bought this for my teenage grandchildren, they loved it (and so did I. A fast paced, tightly written, sea and road trip adventure which storms from a submerged London town to a besieged San Francisco in a series of bizarre and beautifully imagined futuristic vehicles. I loved imaginative pyrotechnics and the adventure but what my grandchildren liked most was the nuanced decisions the teenagers must face in a world sliding into chaos.
We are now halfway through the prequel Flood world and finding both a superb escape from these locked down times
Gpar
November 27, 2019
This action-packed sequel to FloodWorld carries on where the first book left off and moves from London across the Atlantic and across what would be the USA if the USA as a united country existed in this climate-changed world.
A good read with plenty of pace and some clever bits in it. (It's also a fun geography lesson!)
I enjoyed this even more than FloodWorld and the whole premise of what the world might be like if sea levels rise is rather scary and far too realistic! There's a bit of a cliffhanger ending, so look out for book three...
A good read with plenty of pace and some clever bits in it. (It's also a fun geography lesson!)
I enjoyed this even more than FloodWorld and the whole premise of what the world might be like if sea levels rise is rather scary and far too realistic! There's a bit of a cliffhanger ending, so look out for book three...
January 15, 2020
Lucky to get a preview copy of this!! Within a few pages, the world of Floodworld has blown up on an epic scale - throwing Kara and Joe into an even bigger adventure - this is definitely as pacy as the first book! Packed with ideas as well as action, with some really cool new villains as well as old friends from FloodWorld (no spoilers!) and blockbuster Mad Max style set pieces. I'm pretty sure young readers won't have read anything like this. I absolutely loved it.
February 1, 2021
This is on behalf of my son.
I'm a year six student in a primary school and the whole class ( including myself) have been reading Dustroad with our teacher. This has continued during lockdown, with us doing it by remote learning. Last year, we read Floodworld as part of our English lessons and as soon as we finished, our teacher started to read the book.
As the story continues on from Floodworld, we have Nate, Kara and Joe who were in the first book and play a main part in this story. Along the way, the characters find new enemies and friends including The Five, The Five's Father and the Wildcats. The story follows them as they travel to America.
After travelling over the ocean to America, they find themselves stranded in Florida when they were meant to be in Frisco. Through the book, they travel to lots of different places, which are all described so well that at times you think you are there. The settings are the opposite to those that were in Floodworld, making it exciting to read where they are going to next.
The goal in the book is for the characters to reach Frisco and as you get further into the book the action increases. It is a slow build up but it helps with the suspense of what is going to happen. When our teacher was reading the book to us, stopping at the end of each chapter, we all wanted him to read more as it was keeping us on the edge of our seats.
Overall, I have enjoyed this book more than Floodworld. I would recommend it for ages 10+ as there is a lot of violence, which could be a bit too much for younger children. I hope that Tom Huddleston releases book three soon because I would want to see what happens next.
I'm a year six student in a primary school and the whole class ( including myself) have been reading Dustroad with our teacher. This has continued during lockdown, with us doing it by remote learning. Last year, we read Floodworld as part of our English lessons and as soon as we finished, our teacher started to read the book.
As the story continues on from Floodworld, we have Nate, Kara and Joe who were in the first book and play a main part in this story. Along the way, the characters find new enemies and friends including The Five, The Five's Father and the Wildcats. The story follows them as they travel to America.
After travelling over the ocean to America, they find themselves stranded in Florida when they were meant to be in Frisco. Through the book, they travel to lots of different places, which are all described so well that at times you think you are there. The settings are the opposite to those that were in Floodworld, making it exciting to read where they are going to next.
The goal in the book is for the characters to reach Frisco and as you get further into the book the action increases. It is a slow build up but it helps with the suspense of what is going to happen. When our teacher was reading the book to us, stopping at the end of each chapter, we all wanted him to read more as it was keeping us on the edge of our seats.
Overall, I have enjoyed this book more than Floodworld. I would recommend it for ages 10+ as there is a lot of violence, which could be a bit too much for younger children. I hope that Tom Huddleston releases book three soon because I would want to see what happens next.
June 1, 2020
I loved Flood World - the idea of this very realistic dystopia and the desperate length people go to to survive (and dominate) the world was captivating throughout. Really well-written and exciting twists throughout.
As a result, I’d been looking forward to reading Dust Road and I’m delighted to say I enjoyed it just as much! I went on honeymoon through lots of the places mentioned, so that was nice, but the twists and action means anyone would love it (from a reading age of 9+). Kara is an awesome lead character - a hybrid of Greta Thunberg and Katniss Everdeen perhaps!
I’m already desperate to read book number three!
As a result, I’d been looking forward to reading Dust Road and I’m delighted to say I enjoyed it just as much! I went on honeymoon through lots of the places mentioned, so that was nice, but the twists and action means anyone would love it (from a reading age of 9+). Kara is an awesome lead character - a hybrid of Greta Thunberg and Katniss Everdeen perhaps!
I’m already desperate to read book number three!
April 23, 2020
I absolutely loved FloodWorld so when I heard DustRoad had been released I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. DustRoad did not disappoint!It was such an exciting fast paced book that never had a dull moment, I couldn’t put it down! would 100% recommend this book to anyone over the age of 8. I really liked the 5 and the way their story and characters develop through the book. Kara and Joes journey through America was full of twists and turns, I especially loved the bit where Lenny helps Joe in the rubbish dump, I could imagine it so well. This book would make such a great film!!!
October 2, 2023
I tried really hard, but I couldn't get along with this one. I struggled a bit with the first one and the only reason I really picked up the second book was because I already had it out from the library. It's a pity, because others' reviews are great, but it just fails to resonate with me. Pity.
May 20, 2020
Bought for my son alongside FloodWorld. Pacey, exciting post-apocalyptic adventure - my 9yo is loving this series.
June 19, 2021
Całkiem przyjemna rozrywka z przekazem. Myślę, że jest to ciekawa opcja dla młodszych czytelników choć mnie osobiście nieszczególnie urzekła
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews