The Ninety-Two: Core Town True

by M.B. Swerdlow

It’s Annual Day for the beleaguered classfellows at Core Town Academy, the flagship school within the heart of the bleak, oppressive Empire. It’s a long, miserable day where each senior classfellow is callously reviewed and rated by the hard-hearted deans and icy Headmaster in a grim, intolerant prelude of their adult lives to come. Every senior walks into the Chamber of Consequence fearing how the deans will decide their futures and what paths they will be forced to follow. Some will enlist in the Garrison, some will be approved for university, but most will be denied their dreams with some sentenced to a lifetime of backbreaking manual labor. With the Empire’s strict speech laws, ever-watchful informants, and a cruel reliance on corporal punishment, those that risk defiance are labeled seditious churners. And that comes with serious consequences. In Core Town, there are ever consequences.

But for three master classfellows, there is another path. A way out. Mysterious emissaries from a secret organization come to recruit runner Michael Smolder, boatswoman Elizabeth Esprit, and Classmaster Samantha Florett into their clandestine militia, one that is committed to bringing balance back to the world. The visitors offer astounding powers to these chosen three. Incredible abilities unlocked by ancient rings. Michael, Elizabeth, and Samantha must decide if they will accept the rigid paths that Core Town demands, or choose treasonous desertion. They must ask themselves how far they are willing to go to become what they were meant to be.

As the three struggle to figure out the truths in Core Town and where their destinies lead, they will discover that what lies within them is truly elemental.

573 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2020

About the author

M.B. Swerdlow is the author of the award winning dystopian science-fiction novel The Ninety-Two: Core Town True, the first in the The Ninety-Two series. He's currently writing the sequel To The Dome coming later in 2021!

Awards for The Ninety-Two: Core Town True
- 2020 Incipere Award Winner - YA Science Fiction
- 2020 Wishing Shelf Book Award Finalist - Adult Fiction
- 2020 Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Finalist - Fantasy

M.B. has spent years in communications and marketing, telling digital video stories about amazing people all over the globe. He's written two screenplays and is now deep into the world of sci-fi dystopia. He currently lives in Rhode Island which is really convenient since he's a lifelong beach lover.

Speak true.

Reviews

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
13th January 2021
TITLE: The Ninety-Two: Core Town True
AUTHOR: M B Swerdlow

Star Rating: 4.5

‘A superbly-crafted dystopian novel packed full of complex and charismatic characters. Highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
My job is to tell you if this novel is any good or not. Simple. The problem is, I have to try and do it in 300 words and, trust me, that's almost impossible. Why? Well, to begin with, the book’s a sizable brick, over 700 pages long. Secondly, it's not only far-reaching in terms of a dystopian plot, but also in the complexity of the central and secondary characters. But I'll do my best.
To begin with I'd like to say, yes, it is very good. In fact, I’d go far as saying it’s excellent, particularly in terms of the setting, the oppressive Empire and the grim corridors of Core Town Academy. Also, the depth of the characters is remarkable; the author seems determined the reader knows them well and, as a result, begin caring for them. But it is the author's writing style which is particularly impressive. There is a wonderful flow to it, and his extensive vocabulary allows him to fully imagine this dark, almost tyrannical world.
Is there much to work on? Well, I suspect a good editor would cut it here and there improving the pacing. But, fantasy books of this nature often work best when the author’s allowed to forget the word count and simply - go for it! For example, the sci-fi classic, Dune. Personally, I found Dune to be slow and and unevenly paced but, hey, it’s sold over 12,000,000 copies, so what do I know.
So, to the important bit. Who is this book for? Well, if you enjoy novels like The Hunger Games and the grim reality of it all, you'll enjoy this book too. If you like novels like Dune where the emphasis is very much on creating a complex, all-encompassing world for the readers to get lost in, I'll think you'll find much to enjoy in Core Town True. This novel offers the reader a world of magical rings, superhuman powers and, most interesting of all, an evil empire that needs to be overthrown.
I suspect this novel is just the beginning of an amazing story. Enjoy!

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good character development & Storytelling. Enjoyable.

[Lisa W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ninety-Two: Core Town True by M.B. Swerdlow is a gripping and beautifully written dystopian novel with richly developed characters and a well developed plot that will draw you in from the beginning. This tale revolves around teenagers Michael, Elizabeth and Samantha who are facing their Annual Day with news from the Empire that will effect the rest of their lives. In their oppressive world, these heroes need to face a future in a tyrannical society. This tale is as though the Harry Potter characters were facing the despair of The Hunger Games. The Ninety-Two’s iconic characters will, similar to those in the similar genres, engage and elicit sympathy and inspire compassion from a mature audience due to the brilliant prose and dazzling depiction of their predicament. The characters' plight mirrors that of all who have ever questioned their own destiny, passion and predetermination. This fast-paced novel is a perfect escape and an engrossing page turner. I will be hungrily anticipating the next installment in the series.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but less than successful execution

The first two thirds of this novel drug out forever. I feel there was way too much detail, that I was bashed over the head with the idea that empire evil, stupid kids are good.

[Emily Sorensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started slow, but about half way through I was starting to become invested in the characters. Interested to see where the story goes in the next book!