What do you think?
Rate this book
Displaced
Society is rebuilding upon the ruins of the old world, hundreds of years after climactic events. To the east remains a vast lifeless wasteland, off-bounds to the world, plagued by a toxic haze... and rumours of something unnatural within it.
Tensions heighten between two of the largest settlements when the border is violated and blood is spilt. Luther, Head of Security in Carbon City, must investigate to lessen the risk of a war breaking out, while Zara, one of those involved in the conflict, finds herself lost in the wasteland. Believed to be an uninhabitable place, she quickly realises she is not alone.
Elsewhere, Shelby is kidnapped and forced to take part in a dangerous mission in the heart of the wasteland.
Displaced by events beyond their control, will Luther, Zara and Shelby find what they need before it's too late?
Tensions heighten between two of the largest settlements when the border is violated and blood is spilt. Luther, Head of Security in Carbon City, must investigate to lessen the risk of a war breaking out, while Zara, one of those involved in the conflict, finds herself lost in the wasteland. Believed to be an uninhabitable place, she quickly realises she is not alone.
Elsewhere, Shelby is kidnapped and forced to take part in a dangerous mission in the heart of the wasteland.
Displaced by events beyond their control, will Luther, Zara and Shelby find what they need before it's too late?
294 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 14, 2020
Got this book from the author Dan Hook in return for honest review, thank you so much Dan for sending me your book
Displaced is the Dystopian / Post apocalyptic story, we got 3 POVs here: Luther, Shelby and Zara
Let’s start with this I love from this book! The idea about half world is in modern setting and the other half is completely destroyed filled with Toxic yellow haze is really unique… I think I never read anything like this, the pace is really fast… you can see danger and mystery luring in every POV make this book is such a fast read
Now things I wish I can see more in this book: Character development! I love multiple Point Of Views but I also need to feel emotional connection to these characters and the problem I usually got in multiple POVs book is the lack of character development and I felt that too in this book. I also want to know more about this post apocalyptic world, there were just very vague explainations about what happened and why there were 2 different places .. why these places divided and where is this yellow toxic haze come, but I try to understand this is just the first book and kinda more like foundation for the grander story
It’s all around such a great start of a series
3.5 STAR round up to 4
Displaced is the Dystopian / Post apocalyptic story, we got 3 POVs here: Luther, Shelby and Zara
Let’s start with this I love from this book! The idea about half world is in modern setting and the other half is completely destroyed filled with Toxic yellow haze is really unique… I think I never read anything like this, the pace is really fast… you can see danger and mystery luring in every POV make this book is such a fast read
Now things I wish I can see more in this book: Character development! I love multiple Point Of Views but I also need to feel emotional connection to these characters and the problem I usually got in multiple POVs book is the lack of character development and I felt that too in this book. I also want to know more about this post apocalyptic world, there were just very vague explainations about what happened and why there were 2 different places .. why these places divided and where is this yellow toxic haze come, but I try to understand this is just the first book and kinda more like foundation for the grander story
It’s all around such a great start of a series
3.5 STAR round up to 4
November 8, 2021
My thanks to Book's Go Social, Dan Hook and Netgalley. Crikey! Fact is that I really, really liked this book and it's characters more than I wanted too! I knew going in, that this was part of a series. I am so freaking tired of serial books! But...Ugh! I really loved this one! I cannot lie though, "of course I can!" I'm only human! I have will be honest though and tell you that I would only spend money on this as a complete series. This is a great start. But, I'm extremely worn out with stories that continue on and on. Unless it's Fantasy or some totally awesome Science fiction, then piss off!
August 31, 2020
I was provided with an ARC of this work by Reedsy
I enjoyed the way that this book didn't give away too much up front. It kept my guessing and made me want to keep reading. The three main characters each had their own unique flair and I liked following along with them to get to know them better. The post-apocalyptic aspects of the world were very intriguing and getting to see how the world had changed was exciting for me. Reading about how the world had changed, and how people were living after society broke down has always been fascinating to me. I also enjoyed the fact that there were plenty of loose plot threads to lead into the second book in this series. Seeing how Shelby, Zara and Luther's stories all connected was exciting, as were the action scenes. The prologue had me hooked, and there were plenty of moments that kept me reading.
I struggled a lot with the pacing of this book. The three separate plot lines took a while to come together, or even appear to be connected. The plot itself started strongly and kicked off quickly, but after that, things moved at a very slow pace and it was hard for me to stay invested in the story. As a result, this book is fine, but I wouldn't say it's amazing. Parts of it were a little boring to me. While I liked the action scenes, I wasn't a fan of the writer's overall writing style. I didn't quite connect with it and I thought the prose was fine, but not very noteworthy. This book had quite a bit of filler, and since the book isn't very long to begin with, I wish some of that filler wasn't there.
All in all, I'd say that some readers will enjoy this book, but it simply wasn't to my taste.
I enjoyed the way that this book didn't give away too much up front. It kept my guessing and made me want to keep reading. The three main characters each had their own unique flair and I liked following along with them to get to know them better. The post-apocalyptic aspects of the world were very intriguing and getting to see how the world had changed was exciting for me. Reading about how the world had changed, and how people were living after society broke down has always been fascinating to me. I also enjoyed the fact that there were plenty of loose plot threads to lead into the second book in this series. Seeing how Shelby, Zara and Luther's stories all connected was exciting, as were the action scenes. The prologue had me hooked, and there were plenty of moments that kept me reading.
I struggled a lot with the pacing of this book. The three separate plot lines took a while to come together, or even appear to be connected. The plot itself started strongly and kicked off quickly, but after that, things moved at a very slow pace and it was hard for me to stay invested in the story. As a result, this book is fine, but I wouldn't say it's amazing. Parts of it were a little boring to me. While I liked the action scenes, I wasn't a fan of the writer's overall writing style. I didn't quite connect with it and I thought the prose was fine, but not very noteworthy. This book had quite a bit of filler, and since the book isn't very long to begin with, I wish some of that filler wasn't there.
All in all, I'd say that some readers will enjoy this book, but it simply wasn't to my taste.
November 5, 2025
I don't usually pick up dystopian fiction but I really enjoyed this novel by Dan Hook, which is the first in his Dark Array series. As an indie author myself, I totally understand the love, the work, and the tears that can go into releasing a self-published novel, so well done Dan for doing it so beautifully.
I really enjoyed all the three main characters, Zara, Shelby, and Luther, they have three very different stories and motivations and I'm super excited for book two so we can see them together!
Overall I loved Luther's voice, it's great to have mixed feelings towards an MC, he certainly had the most interesting story. But I equally loved Shelby and Zara. Shelby, I identified with mainly because he is a parent and that was his main motivation, getting home so I would love to see him on the road with Zara!
The pace was good, the action scenes were exciting, I'd just have loved to see these three meet in this one but I'm prepared to be patient for the next! Loved it!
I really enjoyed all the three main characters, Zara, Shelby, and Luther, they have three very different stories and motivations and I'm super excited for book two so we can see them together!
Overall I loved Luther's voice, it's great to have mixed feelings towards an MC, he certainly had the most interesting story. But I equally loved Shelby and Zara. Shelby, I identified with mainly because he is a parent and that was his main motivation, getting home so I would love to see him on the road with Zara!
The pace was good, the action scenes were exciting, I'd just have loved to see these three meet in this one but I'm prepared to be patient for the next! Loved it!
September 17, 2020
Thank you BookSirens for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was initially pulled into Displaced by the idea of a world that was described as trying to rebuild itself after catastrophic climatic events. The synopsis talked about a toxic haze that roamed part of the world that was deadly. Unfortunately I didn’t feel like I got enough of that. Yes the world is vastly different and it’s clear it’s a post apocalyptic world, but we really only got to see a small part of this world that was rebuilding and it unfortunately all took part in Luthers chapters and I absolutely loathed this man and dreaded his chapters. Also I thought the toxic haze was going to be more important, and while it was, I felt like it wasn’t present as much I was hoping, maybe future installments will have it more and this was just an introduction to the haze.
The prologue was very catching and I was immediately pulled in, I become very invested in the characters in the prologue and the way it ended, it made me want more. Unfortunately I didn’t get that. The story ended up following 3 other characters, and what I am assuming was years after the events in the prologue.
There isn’t a large cast of characters which was nice, but out of the 3 main you follow, I really only cared for Shelby’s POV, I liked him as character and his story point was the most interesting. Zara’s was for the most part kind of boring, nothing too much really goes on, but you do get a glimpse of how the generations of the post apocalypse world view the “old world” and I did find that fascinating. Last and most definitely my least favorite was Luther. I will say though I have to give Hook credit, he was able to write Luther is such a manner that I absolutely loathed him. This character made me physically uncomfortable and dread his chapters, he was just a vile man, and if that was the goal it was certainly met.
I will say the biggest issue I had was that it took to long to feel any connection between the characters stories. They do connect and i will say I wasn’t expecting the how, so a few of those parts did come as surprise to me, but it just felt like it took too long for the length of the book.
As I progressed reading the story I just slowly started losing focus and drive, there really wasn’t anything calling me back and saying “oh I need to know more”. It has an interesting concept and I am willing to continue giving another shot at a follow up story since it was left open for more. It’s a decent start to a series, and I’m sure others will enjoy it, I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy it enough to finish it.
I was initially pulled into Displaced by the idea of a world that was described as trying to rebuild itself after catastrophic climatic events. The synopsis talked about a toxic haze that roamed part of the world that was deadly. Unfortunately I didn’t feel like I got enough of that. Yes the world is vastly different and it’s clear it’s a post apocalyptic world, but we really only got to see a small part of this world that was rebuilding and it unfortunately all took part in Luthers chapters and I absolutely loathed this man and dreaded his chapters. Also I thought the toxic haze was going to be more important, and while it was, I felt like it wasn’t present as much I was hoping, maybe future installments will have it more and this was just an introduction to the haze.
The prologue was very catching and I was immediately pulled in, I become very invested in the characters in the prologue and the way it ended, it made me want more. Unfortunately I didn’t get that. The story ended up following 3 other characters, and what I am assuming was years after the events in the prologue.
There isn’t a large cast of characters which was nice, but out of the 3 main you follow, I really only cared for Shelby’s POV, I liked him as character and his story point was the most interesting. Zara’s was for the most part kind of boring, nothing too much really goes on, but you do get a glimpse of how the generations of the post apocalypse world view the “old world” and I did find that fascinating. Last and most definitely my least favorite was Luther. I will say though I have to give Hook credit, he was able to write Luther is such a manner that I absolutely loathed him. This character made me physically uncomfortable and dread his chapters, he was just a vile man, and if that was the goal it was certainly met.
I will say the biggest issue I had was that it took to long to feel any connection between the characters stories. They do connect and i will say I wasn’t expecting the how, so a few of those parts did come as surprise to me, but it just felt like it took too long for the length of the book.
As I progressed reading the story I just slowly started losing focus and drive, there really wasn’t anything calling me back and saying “oh I need to know more”. It has an interesting concept and I am willing to continue giving another shot at a follow up story since it was left open for more. It’s a decent start to a series, and I’m sure others will enjoy it, I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy it enough to finish it.
August 9, 2020
"Displaced" by Dan Hook is a compelling, mysterious, thrilling tale that centers around a wasteland, plagued by a toxic haze and believed to contain something otherworldly within it. The first novel centers around three characters, all of them drawn to this toxic wasteland and inevitably caught up in a murderous, political war neither of them had expected.
Zara, drawn to an ocean she's never seen before leaves the safety of Carbon City, heads for the wasteland, and is labeled a traitor to her city for traveling out of bounds without permission. Now she is hunted by the Head of Security along with the people left to fend for themselves in the toxic wasteland.
Shelby is taken against his will, forced to take part in a raid on the Wasteland with a bunch of bandits and thieves, all of whom would be more than happy to put a bullet in the back of his head. Shelby only wants to escape with his life so he can return to his family, but quickly realizes a random raid for whatever remnants exist in the Wasteland, is a much more dangerous and deadly quest than he could have imagined.
Luther is the Head of Security in Carbon city, doing whatever it takes to find the woman who crossed into the Wasteland and created further tensions between two of the largest settlements. Fighting to gain control, Luther plays a dangerous and manipulative game to further his own goals.
Hook's novel is highly intriguing, immediately drawing readers into this dark and deceptive tale that centers around a wasteland unlike any other written before. While the plot could be centered into the novel a little more clearly, this is definitely a novel that fans of dystopian and apocalyptic literature will enjoy. It's gritty, it's suspenseful and full of non-stop action. Hook is a brilliantly talented writer and I'm very excited to see what the characters will be faced against in the next novel!
Check out the novel on it's expected publication date, September 8, 2020. Thank you BookSirens for providing me with a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.
Zara, drawn to an ocean she's never seen before leaves the safety of Carbon City, heads for the wasteland, and is labeled a traitor to her city for traveling out of bounds without permission. Now she is hunted by the Head of Security along with the people left to fend for themselves in the toxic wasteland.
Shelby is taken against his will, forced to take part in a raid on the Wasteland with a bunch of bandits and thieves, all of whom would be more than happy to put a bullet in the back of his head. Shelby only wants to escape with his life so he can return to his family, but quickly realizes a random raid for whatever remnants exist in the Wasteland, is a much more dangerous and deadly quest than he could have imagined.
Luther is the Head of Security in Carbon city, doing whatever it takes to find the woman who crossed into the Wasteland and created further tensions between two of the largest settlements. Fighting to gain control, Luther plays a dangerous and manipulative game to further his own goals.
Hook's novel is highly intriguing, immediately drawing readers into this dark and deceptive tale that centers around a wasteland unlike any other written before. While the plot could be centered into the novel a little more clearly, this is definitely a novel that fans of dystopian and apocalyptic literature will enjoy. It's gritty, it's suspenseful and full of non-stop action. Hook is a brilliantly talented writer and I'm very excited to see what the characters will be faced against in the next novel!
Check out the novel on it's expected publication date, September 8, 2020. Thank you BookSirens for providing me with a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.
November 17, 2022
NGL I have been burnt out on post-apocalyptic stories recently. The news in general makes these types of stories hit harder than they should.
However, this book was great escapism. Dan Hook wrote three simultaneous engaging stories that were interlinked more and more as the story went on. I cared about the characters he created and the world they inhabited. There was corruption, heroism, and "ancient weapons" as society needs to relearn what we currently know.
The plot threads were compelling and the characters were all unique. This is a powerful opening entry into the series that I cannot wait to return to. Dan Hook knows how to tell a story worth reading that never delves too far into the depressing aspects of the end of the world. Characters struggle to survive, but they continue to push forward, even when the easy thing to do is give up. That is a surprisingly hopeful message found in this post-apocalyptic story.
However, this book was great escapism. Dan Hook wrote three simultaneous engaging stories that were interlinked more and more as the story went on. I cared about the characters he created and the world they inhabited. There was corruption, heroism, and "ancient weapons" as society needs to relearn what we currently know.
The plot threads were compelling and the characters were all unique. This is a powerful opening entry into the series that I cannot wait to return to. Dan Hook knows how to tell a story worth reading that never delves too far into the depressing aspects of the end of the world. Characters struggle to survive, but they continue to push forward, even when the easy thing to do is give up. That is a surprisingly hopeful message found in this post-apocalyptic story.
January 7, 2024
Really enjoyed the pacing and story of Displaced. It’s nice to have a post-apocalyptic story where the main character isn’t a macho-army-man that has been stocking up on supplies for this exact situation and also “romances” or sexualises every woman he encounters. I thought the characters were evenly balanced and their own little side-characters were/are great for them, too. Shelby is a dad ripped from his family just doing his best to survive, Zara is a fish-out-of-water with a redemption-arc pseudo-mum, and Luther lol he’s Luther, isn’t he. I enjoyed the slight humour once in a while because even though things are shit, you can still have a little laugh to lighten the tension.
It’s a quality foundation for the series yet to come, built up the ominous situation with the haze while showing the different living situations of the areas. Feel like shits about to get real and can’t wait to read the next books!
It’s a quality foundation for the series yet to come, built up the ominous situation with the haze while showing the different living situations of the areas. Feel like shits about to get real and can’t wait to read the next books!
June 2, 2021
I've put this book down and I'm annoyed, because I badly want the sequel, now! The author has crafted a brilliant post-apocalyptic world that ticked every single box for me. There's a true sense of feeling displaced (pardon the pun) from our own reality, that grips you immediately.
We follow three perspectives through this novel and each one is packed with action and the characters are truly fleshed out. Naturally, I found myself gravitating towards one of them in particular, but all three are wonderfully written.
In summary, this is a must read book that has you begging for more by the end. I can't wait for more and this is a very impressive piece of work.
We follow three perspectives through this novel and each one is packed with action and the characters are truly fleshed out. Naturally, I found myself gravitating towards one of them in particular, but all three are wonderfully written.
In summary, this is a must read book that has you begging for more by the end. I can't wait for more and this is a very impressive piece of work.
August 27, 2020
Displaced is a fantastic dystopian fantasy set in the future after a great war.
Hook portrays characters very well, they feel alive and relatable. They are true to themselves and each one has a unique personality and motive that drives them.
Also, the plot is paced exceptionally well with me always wanting to read just one more page so I could find out what happens next!
If this is a genre you're interested in, I'd highly recommend adding Displaced to your bookshelf.
Hook portrays characters very well, they feel alive and relatable. They are true to themselves and each one has a unique personality and motive that drives them.
Also, the plot is paced exceptionally well with me always wanting to read just one more page so I could find out what happens next!
If this is a genre you're interested in, I'd highly recommend adding Displaced to your bookshelf.
September 18, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
This novel has its ups and downs. The world itself seems interesting, though I wish we saw more of it. There are dead zones, where a deadly "haze" of gas lurks, and then there are areas that are slowly returning to civilization, though they're struggling to understand old technology and acquire crucial materials, like gas. Our three main characters are different, but interesting enough. Luther was the most interesting to me, probably because he's the most morally bankrupt. He's pretty slimy and manipulative, but it was kinda fun. The other two are a lot more generic - typical bland female heroine, typical bland dad hero - but you can still root for them.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty meandering and doesn't really accomplish anything. Our female hero is trying to get home. Our male hero is trying to survive a jaunt into dangerous territory to also return home. And our semi villainous character is trying to get to the bottom of two engineers' disappearance. Only the last makes any real progress; the other two plotlines are still left dangling when the story ends. Overall, it just didn't feel that complete, and felt like there could have been a lot more progress in everyone's stories if they were a bit tighter.
I was also frustrated with the inclusion of what appears to be some sort of monster in the prologue that literally never comes up again. No one ever mentions them, no one ever sees them, they just kinda disappear from the narrative. I assume they'll reappear in future books, but I don't really understand why they were introduced so early; I can't imagine most people will even remember they exist by the time they do actually appear.
Still, if you enjoy post-apoc fiction, this is fine for what it is. Just keep in mind you'll have to follow the rest of the series to get any sort of resolution to any of the plotlines.
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
This novel has its ups and downs. The world itself seems interesting, though I wish we saw more of it. There are dead zones, where a deadly "haze" of gas lurks, and then there are areas that are slowly returning to civilization, though they're struggling to understand old technology and acquire crucial materials, like gas. Our three main characters are different, but interesting enough. Luther was the most interesting to me, probably because he's the most morally bankrupt. He's pretty slimy and manipulative, but it was kinda fun. The other two are a lot more generic - typical bland female heroine, typical bland dad hero - but you can still root for them.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty meandering and doesn't really accomplish anything. Our female hero is trying to get home. Our male hero is trying to survive a jaunt into dangerous territory to also return home. And our semi villainous character is trying to get to the bottom of two engineers' disappearance. Only the last makes any real progress; the other two plotlines are still left dangling when the story ends. Overall, it just didn't feel that complete, and felt like there could have been a lot more progress in everyone's stories if they were a bit tighter.
I was also frustrated with the inclusion of what appears to be some sort of monster in the prologue that literally never comes up again. No one ever mentions them, no one ever sees them, they just kinda disappear from the narrative. I assume they'll reappear in future books, but I don't really understand why they were introduced so early; I can't imagine most people will even remember they exist by the time they do actually appear.
Still, if you enjoy post-apoc fiction, this is fine for what it is. Just keep in mind you'll have to follow the rest of the series to get any sort of resolution to any of the plotlines.
August 27, 2020
Thank you BookSirens for providing me with a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.
Novel expected publication date 08 September 2020
Mysterious, compelling, original and interesting read. Hook’s novel immediately draws the reader into this suspenseful dark, dangerous and deadly wasteland.
The characters were beautiful written with backgrounds to help you understand the characters more.
The first novel centres around three characters. Shelby, Zara and Luther. All caught up in a murderous, political war neither of them expected to be in.
Luther is the Head of Security in Carbon City, using all his power to find the mysterious woman who crossed over into the wasteland. He plays a very dangerous and manipulative game to further his own goals
Zara, leaves the safety of Carbon City, who is drawn to the ocean that she has never seen before. Labeled as a traitor by her city, after traveling into the wasteland without permission. Hunted by the Head of Security along with the people left to fend for themselves in the dangerously toxic wasteland.
Shelby taken against his will and forced to take part in a raid on the wasteland after invading his hometown, with thieves who are more then happy to put a bullet I’m his head. Shelby wants nothing more than to escape with his life so he can return to his family. But soon release the random raid for whatever is needed exist in the deadly and dangerous wasteland.
I was personally waiting for the three characters to meet up and start their epic adventure to greatness, but it doesn’t happen. I understand that this is the first book of the series and that hopefully in the second one they do meet up. The book is a bit short for my liking, I felt like I’ve been left hanging. I can’t wait for the second part of the series.
Blog: https://sacfinalword.blogspot.com/?m=1
Instagram: sacfinalword
Novel expected publication date 08 September 2020
Mysterious, compelling, original and interesting read. Hook’s novel immediately draws the reader into this suspenseful dark, dangerous and deadly wasteland.
The characters were beautiful written with backgrounds to help you understand the characters more.
The first novel centres around three characters. Shelby, Zara and Luther. All caught up in a murderous, political war neither of them expected to be in.
Luther is the Head of Security in Carbon City, using all his power to find the mysterious woman who crossed over into the wasteland. He plays a very dangerous and manipulative game to further his own goals
Zara, leaves the safety of Carbon City, who is drawn to the ocean that she has never seen before. Labeled as a traitor by her city, after traveling into the wasteland without permission. Hunted by the Head of Security along with the people left to fend for themselves in the dangerously toxic wasteland.
Shelby taken against his will and forced to take part in a raid on the wasteland after invading his hometown, with thieves who are more then happy to put a bullet I’m his head. Shelby wants nothing more than to escape with his life so he can return to his family. But soon release the random raid for whatever is needed exist in the deadly and dangerous wasteland.
I was personally waiting for the three characters to meet up and start their epic adventure to greatness, but it doesn’t happen. I understand that this is the first book of the series and that hopefully in the second one they do meet up. The book is a bit short for my liking, I felt like I’ve been left hanging. I can’t wait for the second part of the series.
Blog: https://sacfinalword.blogspot.com/?m=1
Instagram: sacfinalword
October 28, 2020
What an amazing read! I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review from Book Sirens. This post apocalyptic book has so much going on in it! A war ravaged the world more than a century before this book takes place. Society struggles to survive and rebuild, scavenging for the last remaining resources, amid power struggles, mystery, toxic gases, and something even more terrifying.
This book is book one in the series and follows the events of three main charaters. Luther is the head of security in Carbon City. He is not a nice guy. He is power hungry, egotistical, and deceitful with lots of secrets and his own agenda. He has been tasked with investigating a conflict that involves the power plant between Carbon City and their neighboring towns. Zara, one of the two individuals who unknowingly started the conflict has literaly fallen into the forbidden zone. Now she is trapped with no way to return to her home, that she can see. Here, she meets Eve, an older woman who has survived in the wastelands for years.. She tries to protect Zara and help her to find a way to return home, as she knows that Zara is too soft to survive the horrors that await her there. Then there is Shelby, a father of two, who lives and tries to survive with his children and two elderly neighbors who he also watches after. He is abducted and forced onto a mission, taking him far from his children and into the forbiddwn zone. He faces the fear of being killed by the people he is with, the toxic haze, and more. But he is determine to get home to protect his family.
Dan Hooks has done an incredible job in his character development and you just sit there rooting for the good guys in this one. There are few Dystopian novels that can equal this one when it comes to world building. Quite a read! Can't wait to see what happens next!
This book is book one in the series and follows the events of three main charaters. Luther is the head of security in Carbon City. He is not a nice guy. He is power hungry, egotistical, and deceitful with lots of secrets and his own agenda. He has been tasked with investigating a conflict that involves the power plant between Carbon City and their neighboring towns. Zara, one of the two individuals who unknowingly started the conflict has literaly fallen into the forbidden zone. Now she is trapped with no way to return to her home, that she can see. Here, she meets Eve, an older woman who has survived in the wastelands for years.. She tries to protect Zara and help her to find a way to return home, as she knows that Zara is too soft to survive the horrors that await her there. Then there is Shelby, a father of two, who lives and tries to survive with his children and two elderly neighbors who he also watches after. He is abducted and forced onto a mission, taking him far from his children and into the forbiddwn zone. He faces the fear of being killed by the people he is with, the toxic haze, and more. But he is determine to get home to protect his family.
Dan Hooks has done an incredible job in his character development and you just sit there rooting for the good guys in this one. There are few Dystopian novels that can equal this one when it comes to world building. Quite a read! Can't wait to see what happens next!
September 3, 2020
Displaced is a gripping, interweaving tale of 3 characters each on their own separate journey through a mysterious wasteland. I hadn't read a book with this kind of multiple perspectives for a while, so it was a nice surprise since it allowed the author to cover much more ground around the world. Besides the main 3, the world itself actually become my favorite character, with a curious mix of what has transpired since the apocalypse took place and remnants of our previous world (making me nostalgic for a time I'm currently living through was a nice accomplishment).
Without giving anything away, the story kept me hooked throughout, with Shelby and Zara having my favorite plotlines as they traversed the wasteland. Luther is also a dark and interesting character, but I sometimes felt like I was missing something when it came to his motivations which didn't quite tie together by the end of the book. As I've already seen other reviewers mention, this would be my main critique - I was disappointed that the characters never actually met, which I was looking forward to throughout. However, I hope the author will now capitalize on this fleshed-out world to build on the intrigue book 1 has created and focus on a tighter plot and character development.
On a side note, I was surprised to find that Displaced is author Dan Hook's first ever book - Displaced reads like the work of a more established author, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he further develops his style in part 2.
Disclaimer: I received an early copy of the book for review purposes - my opinions are fully my own.
Without giving anything away, the story kept me hooked throughout, with Shelby and Zara having my favorite plotlines as they traversed the wasteland. Luther is also a dark and interesting character, but I sometimes felt like I was missing something when it came to his motivations which didn't quite tie together by the end of the book. As I've already seen other reviewers mention, this would be my main critique - I was disappointed that the characters never actually met, which I was looking forward to throughout. However, I hope the author will now capitalize on this fleshed-out world to build on the intrigue book 1 has created and focus on a tighter plot and character development.
On a side note, I was surprised to find that Displaced is author Dan Hook's first ever book - Displaced reads like the work of a more established author, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he further develops his style in part 2.
Disclaimer: I received an early copy of the book for review purposes - my opinions are fully my own.
August 14, 2020
This was a post-apocalyptic book like I have never read. I have short term-memory loss so I was constantly taking notes but I was still confused. There were 2 cities left on one side of a dam that didn’t work. There were also lots of broken down buildings that a few people would hide in for a while and s Ava gets what they could. It started out with Trent an older man and Kara a young woman trying to make it to Russet to see the coast. But there are groups of Legion who will kill anyone going to places they shoUld’t. There is also a Forbidden city that was only destroyed in the apocalypse like other cites, but it had a yellow haze that if you didn’t wear a mask, you would die. Kara ran into an older woman Eve who helped her instead of killing her. I think my favorite part of the book was when Eve took Kara to an old cinema that was in pretty good shape and Eve was able to run a movie on it. Kara had never saw anything like it.
Luther is head of security in the largest town, but I am not sure I trust him. Herman is a scavenger with a crew and he kidnaps Shelby who did accidentally kill one of his men with an axe. Herman takes him and others who work for him on a ship to do more searching but he doesn’t tell him where they are going. There is lots of action a few characters I liked, but the chapters jumped from one person to the next and different locations. It was hard for me to keep it straight, but I am sure others would love it.
Luther is head of security in the largest town, but I am not sure I trust him. Herman is a scavenger with a crew and he kidnaps Shelby who did accidentally kill one of his men with an axe. Herman takes him and others who work for him on a ship to do more searching but he doesn’t tell him where they are going. There is lots of action a few characters I liked, but the chapters jumped from one person to the next and different locations. It was hard for me to keep it straight, but I am sure others would love it.
August 1, 2020
Overall i think Displaced had a good set of building blocks for a long series with a lot of intrigue. The characters were interesting, and the general story theme was relatively unique. I think my biggest problem is nothing really happened. There was a lot of tension and build up, but the ending fell a little flat to me. It set up nice for a next book, but this felt more like a second book in the series (where you are trying to build storyline) than the first book which really reaches out and brings you in. This isn't to say i am not interested in the next book in the series, because i am, it's just that i was a little disappointed at times expecting more than i received.
Thank you to Dan Hook and Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced reading copy.
Thank you to Dan Hook and Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced reading copy.
August 2, 2020
So, I don’t know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, I liked the writing; the “world” was, I think, original and interesting; and the characters were good...but on the other hand, I felt like I was waiting the whole book for them to meet up, for the true adventure to start...and then it never did. I understand that this is intended to be the first book in a series, but in my opinion, it needed to be long enough for things to really come together, so that I’m desperate to read the next book to see what happens next. Instead I reached the end and thought “that’s it?” I felt like I’d been left hanging; it just stopped. Lots of potential, though!
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2020
Received as a review copy, this is an honest review. Long after a climactic disaster reeked havoc across the world, rendering some places absolutely off limits; those that survived as trying to rebuild. Dangers become heightened as war looms forcing Zara, Shelby and Luther, whose each person gives a unique perspective on the coming conflict. Together they band to solve the secrets they could claim a chance at peace. A very powerful written story that stands out with its strong characters a.d deep narrative. Highly recommended.
September 20, 2020
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange of a honest review.*
Boring, underdeveloped, surreptitiously misogynistic. The characters are barely sketched, we aren't being given a lot of needed details on the world-building, we don't understand the characters' motivations. why this book was published?
Boring, underdeveloped, surreptitiously misogynistic. The characters are barely sketched, we aren't being given a lot of needed details on the world-building, we don't understand the characters' motivations. why this book was published?
September 21, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trying to rebuild the world after a cataclysmic event, this post apocalyptic fiction offers up 3 points of view from 3 different characters trying to survive in a hostile world...looking forward to Book 2!
Trying to rebuild the world after a cataclysmic event, this post apocalyptic fiction offers up 3 points of view from 3 different characters trying to survive in a hostile world...looking forward to Book 2!
November 2, 2025
I did really enjoy this, a well written & interesting story with likeable characters & a well developed world that has fallen. I do hope to read the next in the series, it left me needing to know more!
August 1, 2020
I had trouble following the plot but the writing and the characters were good.
August 22, 2020
Not the genre I would usually go for but what a refreshing change and such a good addition to my library! Excited for book two.
December 27, 2020
Great book, I want to read the next one to see what happens to the characters xx
March 4, 2021
Was a great read!
December 28, 2022
Displaced is an assiduously-written post-apoc thriller that really draws you in to the new world that Dan has created and you're quickly immersed! The prose is crisp and well-written, easy to read and doesn't obstruct the story, but that isn't to say it isn't stylish. I was quickly drawn into the intrigue of the world the book takes place in by the excellent writing - quickly the three main plot threads that start off feeling so distant to each other begin to intertwine, and it's hard to put down for want of find out what happens next! We meet three distinct and diverse characters that are all displaced from the status quo they'd all been accustomed to. The narrative quickly gathers pace and I was left wondering what happens next to Luther, Shelby and Zara and I'm excited to find out!
That said I did feel that the book on its own lacked a bit of a distinct story arc, it definitely does a great job setting up the world to come in the rest of the series and the vivid characterisation and world-building more than makes up for this! Very worthy of 5 stars, would highly recommend.
Full review: https://richardholliday.co.uk/2020/08...
That said I did feel that the book on its own lacked a bit of a distinct story arc, it definitely does a great job setting up the world to come in the rest of the series and the vivid characterisation and world-building more than makes up for this! Very worthy of 5 stars, would highly recommend.
Full review: https://richardholliday.co.uk/2020/08...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews