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Forgotten Lands #1
Dust and Shadow
Eleven years ago, my mother was murdered, and still, her killer lives in plain sight.
In Sagebrush Canyon, thirst rules, ignorance is power, and nothing is as it seems. It’s been two centuries since the boom of the Industrial Revolution sent the Victorian world into a devastating climatic shift. Now, chivalry is dead and the frills and frivolities of the romantic era are no more than a fading memory.
Jo has kept to the safety of her family’s farm, desperate to forget the horrific day that took her mother and left Jo battered and broken. But the marshal of Sagebrush is everywhere--he controls everything--and for years Jo has had to stomach the false pleasantries and knowing glint in the eyes of the man who killed her mother.
When Jo discovers how deep the marshal’s seedy dealings run she decides that fear will no longer keep her silent. But just when Jo plans to expose him for what he really is, the marshal plays a card of his own—his notoriously scandalous son, Clayton. As Jo and Clayton are thrust together, lines become blurred, truths are revealed, and Jo must decide what she is willing to sacrifice in exchange for retribution.
Dust and Shadow is a post-apocalyptic love story and Victorian adventure set in a devastated and forgotten world of the American wild west.
The Forgotten Lands is an alternative history series, exploring the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution that changed nineteenth-century life and created a world fraught with floods, droughts, sandstorms and toxic fog. The Forgotten Lands will traverse deserts, roam plains, cross oceans, and take you on a journey underground to discover life after The Shift.
In Sagebrush Canyon, thirst rules, ignorance is power, and nothing is as it seems. It’s been two centuries since the boom of the Industrial Revolution sent the Victorian world into a devastating climatic shift. Now, chivalry is dead and the frills and frivolities of the romantic era are no more than a fading memory.
Jo has kept to the safety of her family’s farm, desperate to forget the horrific day that took her mother and left Jo battered and broken. But the marshal of Sagebrush is everywhere--he controls everything--and for years Jo has had to stomach the false pleasantries and knowing glint in the eyes of the man who killed her mother.
When Jo discovers how deep the marshal’s seedy dealings run she decides that fear will no longer keep her silent. But just when Jo plans to expose him for what he really is, the marshal plays a card of his own—his notoriously scandalous son, Clayton. As Jo and Clayton are thrust together, lines become blurred, truths are revealed, and Jo must decide what she is willing to sacrifice in exchange for retribution.
Dust and Shadow is a post-apocalyptic love story and Victorian adventure set in a devastated and forgotten world of the American wild west.
The Forgotten Lands is an alternative history series, exploring the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution that changed nineteenth-century life and created a world fraught with floods, droughts, sandstorms and toxic fog. The Forgotten Lands will traverse deserts, roam plains, cross oceans, and take you on a journey underground to discover life after The Shift.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2021
374 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Pogue
58 books999 followers“[Lindsey] mastered what it is to be human, and the connections we build with one another.” - Goodreads Reviewer
Lindsey Pogue is a genre-bending survival romance author, best known for her soul-stirring Savage North Chronicles. With a master’s in history and her passion for apocalyptic landscapes, Lindsey weaves epic adventures where humanity shines brightest in the darkest of times. Her weather-ravaged worlds defy genre boundaries, inviting readers to escape the ordinary and discover the boundless strength of the human spirit.
When Lindsey's not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, she's wrapped in blankets, watching action flicks with her own leading man. She and her husband live in Northern California with their rescue cats, Beast and Blue.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “[Lindsey] mastered what it is to be human, and the connections we build with one another.” - Amazon (Author Unpublished)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue is a master storyteller!" -Tome Tender Book Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue does it again!! I absolutely love her writing style."
FOLLOW LINDSEY'S SHENANIGANS:
★ Follow Lindsey's Rogue Reader Community for free access to weekly bonus content and monthly giveaways! PogueGoneRogue.com
★ Join Lindsey Pogue's Rogue Reader BOOK CLUB on the Fable app!
★ TikTok: @authorlindseypogue
★ Instagram: @authorlindseypogue
★ BookBub: Lindsey Pogue
Lindsey Pogue is a genre-bending survival romance author, best known for her soul-stirring Savage North Chronicles. With a master’s in history and her passion for apocalyptic landscapes, Lindsey weaves epic adventures where humanity shines brightest in the darkest of times. Her weather-ravaged worlds defy genre boundaries, inviting readers to escape the ordinary and discover the boundless strength of the human spirit.
When Lindsey's not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, she's wrapped in blankets, watching action flicks with her own leading man. She and her husband live in Northern California with their rescue cats, Beast and Blue.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “[Lindsey] mastered what it is to be human, and the connections we build with one another.” - Amazon (Author Unpublished)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue is a master storyteller!" -Tome Tender Book Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Lindsey Pogue does it again!! I absolutely love her writing style."
FOLLOW LINDSEY'S SHENANIGANS:
★ Follow Lindsey's Rogue Reader Community for free access to weekly bonus content and monthly giveaways! PogueGoneRogue.com
★ Join Lindsey Pogue's Rogue Reader BOOK CLUB on the Fable app!
★ TikTok: @authorlindseypogue
★ Instagram: @authorlindseypogue
★ BookBub: Lindsey Pogue
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September 15, 2017
Dust and Shadow is the first book in the brand new series, Forgotten Lands, by Lindsey Pogue. I want to admit, firstly, that this book is a bit outside of my normal zone. It is classified as a post-apocalyptic alternate history set in the wild west. I would also classify this first book as young adult. I don’t read much historical romance but I am a huge fan of Lindsey’s writing so I decided to go for it. Wow! I am so glad that I did! This book was amazing. I would recommend it to just about everyone. This world is so well thought out, so well written. I felt like I was there. There is romance but more than that, the suspense was nerve racking. I literally could not put this book down. Since it’s a pretty lengthy book, needless to say, I was useless around the house until I finished it.
It’s been about two hundred years since the shift. The damage from the industrial revolution did something to the atmosphere to cause everything to shift. Sagebrush Canyon is a small town which is currently suffering from a severe drought which forces them to ration their water. At the same time, they experience frequent horrendous sand storms. Every dwelling is forced to have metal shutters that close when a storm is approaching. If a human or an animal is caught in such a storm, they would most likely perish. The towns people live as an old western town would, with no electricity, horses and carriages as their only transportation, and their clothing is as it was in the old west.
The town is run by one man, Marshal Cunningham. The Marshal claims that everything he does is for the protection and betterment of his town. But underneath his false smile lies an evil man, a man who has done things that have blackened his soul. A man that lies, keep secrets, and manipulates lives.
Josephine Mason lives outside of town on her family’s farm with her father and sister. Jo doesn’t venture into town much, preferring to stay on the farm. I loved how close this family is. Jo and her sister, Scarlet, are more like best friends. Jo and Scarlet lost their mother nearly twelve years ago at the hands of the Marshal. And Jo suffered at his hands as well. She can barely stand to be anywhere near him, knowing what was behind that smirk he wears.
“The price we pay to survive is high, and this is our price.”
The Mason’s are very important to the survival of this town. Their farm produces most of the meat and produce that supports the towns people. The Marshal’s men also work at the farm which enables them to keep tabs on them and feed the information back to the Marshal. The Marshal isn’t done with Jo. He has plans for her which include his only son, Clayton.
Clayton Cunningham is about a year older than Jo. The Marshal plans for his only male heir to take over in his place when he’s gone as Marshal. Clayton, though, chooses to turn a blind eye to the goings on of his father and the deputies. Instead spending time in the town saloon with the women who sell themselves for money. But when his father reveals his big surprise, his plans for Clayton and Jo, he is forced to finally sober up and open his eyes.
As Jo and Clayton spend time together, try as she does, she can’t quite force herself to hate Clayton as she does his father. But as they both continue to uncover more secrets, lies and deceit, would it ever be possible for Jo to look at Clayton and not see his father and all that he has done?
This book was amazing. Jo was I think about twenty years old and she was so strong. She wanted to reveal the Marshal to the town for what he really was. But she knew one young woman couldn’t stand against him on her own. Even in the face of all that she uncovered, she still held strong. She was amazing. And Clayton was such a surprise. In the beginning, you might want to dislike him. But he is nothing like his father. He is kind and good.
I just want everyone to read this book. If I had one complaint, it was that I wasn’t ready for it to end. I kind of felt like the ending was a little abrupt. I would have enjoyed an epilogue. So I will be waiting for more in hopes of finding out what the future holds for Jo and Clayton. In the mean time, a prequel is set to come out in October, Borne of Sand and Scorn, which will explain more about the actual Shift and how it all happened. So put this book on your must read lists. I so hope you love it as much as I did.
It’s been about two hundred years since the shift. The damage from the industrial revolution did something to the atmosphere to cause everything to shift. Sagebrush Canyon is a small town which is currently suffering from a severe drought which forces them to ration their water. At the same time, they experience frequent horrendous sand storms. Every dwelling is forced to have metal shutters that close when a storm is approaching. If a human or an animal is caught in such a storm, they would most likely perish. The towns people live as an old western town would, with no electricity, horses and carriages as their only transportation, and their clothing is as it was in the old west.
The town is run by one man, Marshal Cunningham. The Marshal claims that everything he does is for the protection and betterment of his town. But underneath his false smile lies an evil man, a man who has done things that have blackened his soul. A man that lies, keep secrets, and manipulates lives.
Josephine Mason lives outside of town on her family’s farm with her father and sister. Jo doesn’t venture into town much, preferring to stay on the farm. I loved how close this family is. Jo and her sister, Scarlet, are more like best friends. Jo and Scarlet lost their mother nearly twelve years ago at the hands of the Marshal. And Jo suffered at his hands as well. She can barely stand to be anywhere near him, knowing what was behind that smirk he wears.
“The price we pay to survive is high, and this is our price.”
The Mason’s are very important to the survival of this town. Their farm produces most of the meat and produce that supports the towns people. The Marshal’s men also work at the farm which enables them to keep tabs on them and feed the information back to the Marshal. The Marshal isn’t done with Jo. He has plans for her which include his only son, Clayton.
Clayton Cunningham is about a year older than Jo. The Marshal plans for his only male heir to take over in his place when he’s gone as Marshal. Clayton, though, chooses to turn a blind eye to the goings on of his father and the deputies. Instead spending time in the town saloon with the women who sell themselves for money. But when his father reveals his big surprise, his plans for Clayton and Jo, he is forced to finally sober up and open his eyes.
As Jo and Clayton spend time together, try as she does, she can’t quite force herself to hate Clayton as she does his father. But as they both continue to uncover more secrets, lies and deceit, would it ever be possible for Jo to look at Clayton and not see his father and all that he has done?
This book was amazing. Jo was I think about twenty years old and she was so strong. She wanted to reveal the Marshal to the town for what he really was. But she knew one young woman couldn’t stand against him on her own. Even in the face of all that she uncovered, she still held strong. She was amazing. And Clayton was such a surprise. In the beginning, you might want to dislike him. But he is nothing like his father. He is kind and good.
I just want everyone to read this book. If I had one complaint, it was that I wasn’t ready for it to end. I kind of felt like the ending was a little abrupt. I would have enjoyed an epilogue. So I will be waiting for more in hopes of finding out what the future holds for Jo and Clayton. In the mean time, a prequel is set to come out in October, Borne of Sand and Scorn, which will explain more about the actual Shift and how it all happened. So put this book on your must read lists. I so hope you love it as much as I did.
September 17, 2017
In a world reminiscent of the old Wild, Wild West, the small and isolated town of Sagebrush Canyon struggles to survive amidst water and food rationing, a controlling marshal and the onslaught of killer sandstorms. It’s been two hundred years since Industry has created a deadly climate shift and the human world has gathered in isolated pockets and in some, like Sagebrush Canyon, the very essence of humanity is tested.
Jo has lived with the horrors of her mother’s murder for more than a decade, wearing the façade of pretense every time she looks into the eyes of the murderer, because he holds an iron grip on the very survival of her small town, but enough is enough and just as she conjures the nerve to call him out on his crime, the marshal makes a play of his own, one she never saw coming.
Clayton is the marshal’s wastrel son and now he and Jo will be forced into a union that will change the face of their town and the future of life after the shift as they become unlikely allies uncovering the sins of the past and the lies told for far too long. Vengeance comes at a price and Jo must decide if she is willing to pay what may be the ultimate sacrifice, or will she see that justice has its own way of being served?
Are Jo and Clayton actually two sides of the same coin? Do they have more in common than she could have imagined? Sometimes the strength you need comes from the least expected places and the truth can set an entire free, but then what?
Lindsey Pogue’s DUST AND SHADOW has the grit of a desperate battle between good and evil, as a small town girl takes on the well-oiled political machine that rides roughshod over her world. Feel the scrape of the sand, the raw power of the deadly winds and the strength of determination awakening from the misery of cowering in fear! Ms. Pogue has blended the feel of the old West, the devastation of a post-apocalyptic world and given it hope with an unlikely romance that evolves in the bleakest of times! Wonderful characters, brilliant dialogue and razor-taut tension in a read that can leave you white-knuckling through its pages! Can't wait for more!
I received this copy from Lindsey Pogue!
Series: Forgotten Lands - Book 1
Publication Date: September 15, 2017
Publisher: Lindsey Pogue
Genre: Dystopian | Post Apocalyptic
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Jo has lived with the horrors of her mother’s murder for more than a decade, wearing the façade of pretense every time she looks into the eyes of the murderer, because he holds an iron grip on the very survival of her small town, but enough is enough and just as she conjures the nerve to call him out on his crime, the marshal makes a play of his own, one she never saw coming.
Clayton is the marshal’s wastrel son and now he and Jo will be forced into a union that will change the face of their town and the future of life after the shift as they become unlikely allies uncovering the sins of the past and the lies told for far too long. Vengeance comes at a price and Jo must decide if she is willing to pay what may be the ultimate sacrifice, or will she see that justice has its own way of being served?
Are Jo and Clayton actually two sides of the same coin? Do they have more in common than she could have imagined? Sometimes the strength you need comes from the least expected places and the truth can set an entire free, but then what?
Lindsey Pogue’s DUST AND SHADOW has the grit of a desperate battle between good and evil, as a small town girl takes on the well-oiled political machine that rides roughshod over her world. Feel the scrape of the sand, the raw power of the deadly winds and the strength of determination awakening from the misery of cowering in fear! Ms. Pogue has blended the feel of the old West, the devastation of a post-apocalyptic world and given it hope with an unlikely romance that evolves in the bleakest of times! Wonderful characters, brilliant dialogue and razor-taut tension in a read that can leave you white-knuckling through its pages! Can't wait for more!
I received this copy from Lindsey Pogue!
Series: Forgotten Lands - Book 1
Publication Date: September 15, 2017
Publisher: Lindsey Pogue
Genre: Dystopian | Post Apocalyptic
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 17, 2017
The world hasn’t exactly ended yet, but it’s getting close in Lindsey Pogue’s intriguing new book, Dust and Shadow. The dust of the title refers to the bleached soil and the ravaging sandstorms that blot out the sun and threaten all unfortunate enough to find themselves without shelter. The shadows…well, the shadows are everywhere in the town.
Josephine Mason is determined to shed some sunlight on those shadows, but to do that, she’ll have to reach back into her own painful past and go toe-to-toe with the town’s marshal, the man Jo believes murdered her mother. The marshal also happens to control the flow of water, which makes him the most powerful and dangerous man around. Can Jo discover the truth without putting her family in danger, and is the marshal’s womanizing, heavy-drinking, and handsome son, Clayton an ally or just a dangerous distraction?
Dust and Shadow is a provocative novel that flirts with a variety of sub-genres: alternative reality, steampunk, western, new adult, and romance as well. Jo’s world is very different from our own, but readers will recognize her unbridled spirit and the steamy sexual tension she tries to ignore between herself and Clayton.
Pogue takes us on another great adventure, this time with an alternative reality twist. She fills her thirsty town with a variety of colorful personalities and ties it all together with lots of love, desperation, and a bold heroine. The world of Dust and Shadow seems dry and barren, but Jo and Clayton may just prove that love can grow in even the most desolate of places, and with love comes another life-giving crop – hope.
If you love tales of the west, stories of the human spirit overcoming, or just a plain good ‘ole romance, don’t miss Dust and Shadow.
Josephine Mason is determined to shed some sunlight on those shadows, but to do that, she’ll have to reach back into her own painful past and go toe-to-toe with the town’s marshal, the man Jo believes murdered her mother. The marshal also happens to control the flow of water, which makes him the most powerful and dangerous man around. Can Jo discover the truth without putting her family in danger, and is the marshal’s womanizing, heavy-drinking, and handsome son, Clayton an ally or just a dangerous distraction?
Dust and Shadow is a provocative novel that flirts with a variety of sub-genres: alternative reality, steampunk, western, new adult, and romance as well. Jo’s world is very different from our own, but readers will recognize her unbridled spirit and the steamy sexual tension she tries to ignore between herself and Clayton.
Pogue takes us on another great adventure, this time with an alternative reality twist. She fills her thirsty town with a variety of colorful personalities and ties it all together with lots of love, desperation, and a bold heroine. The world of Dust and Shadow seems dry and barren, but Jo and Clayton may just prove that love can grow in even the most desolate of places, and with love comes another life-giving crop – hope.
If you love tales of the west, stories of the human spirit overcoming, or just a plain good ‘ole romance, don’t miss Dust and Shadow.
September 11, 2017
Wow. Just, wow! I've always been a fan of PA book, and Ms. Pogue in fact, but this was awesome!!
At first I was a bit nervous as this did not 'fit' into the typical PA books that I read. However, Ms. Pogue did not disappoint! There was romance, drama and suspense. Yet again, I loved the strong female characters that find their way into Ms. Pogue's books. Here's my breakdown:
- I was a bit leary of Jo in the beginning as I was worried that she would never get over her past. Granted, how could someone forget the terrors that her and her family went through at the hands of one man? She's a tough woman who has had to take on a lot to keep her family running.
- Scarlett did in fact annoy me a bit in the beginning but she grew of me and her sense of maturity did develop. Her character hides her smarts behind trying to be the perfect lady.
- Oh Clayton. I loved him from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a bad guy wanting to do the right things. He tried his best to not be his father.
- Mr. Mason. Well, I'm not sure how I feel about him. It seems like he's just let his daughters down and left everything to Jo to handle. I can't imagine having to lose someone the way he did, but he has two girls to think of.
- The marshal is a sad excuse of a human. Period.
- I did not find any grammatical errors (or in my haste to find out what was happening I missed them).
- I loved the length of the book and the time it allowed for characters to grow and for us to have a descriptive back story. It did not feel rushed at all.
- The twists and turns were aplenty, but not in a way that confuses us. The writing was brilliant!
All in all, I'm hooked and cannot wait for book 2!
*I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
At first I was a bit nervous as this did not 'fit' into the typical PA books that I read. However, Ms. Pogue did not disappoint! There was romance, drama and suspense. Yet again, I loved the strong female characters that find their way into Ms. Pogue's books. Here's my breakdown:
- I was a bit leary of Jo in the beginning as I was worried that she would never get over her past. Granted, how could someone forget the terrors that her and her family went through at the hands of one man? She's a tough woman who has had to take on a lot to keep her family running.
- Scarlett did in fact annoy me a bit in the beginning but she grew of me and her sense of maturity did develop. Her character hides her smarts behind trying to be the perfect lady.
- Oh Clayton. I loved him from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a bad guy wanting to do the right things. He tried his best to not be his father.
- Mr. Mason. Well, I'm not sure how I feel about him. It seems like he's just let his daughters down and left everything to Jo to handle. I can't imagine having to lose someone the way he did, but he has two girls to think of.
- The marshal is a sad excuse of a human. Period.
- I did not find any grammatical errors (or in my haste to find out what was happening I missed them).
- I loved the length of the book and the time it allowed for characters to grow and for us to have a descriptive back story. It did not feel rushed at all.
- The twists and turns were aplenty, but not in a way that confuses us. The writing was brilliant!
All in all, I'm hooked and cannot wait for book 2!
*I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
September 11, 2017
I have eagerly anticipated this book since hearing about it!
I mean, come on.... a post-apocalyptic love story and Victorian adventure, set in a forgotten world in the American Wild West!! Awesomeness!!
I was so excited to receive an ARC copy, it took me 3 evenings to get through it, and man did I enjoy it. I couldn't get the kids to bed quickly enough, grab a large mug of steaming tea and settle down for an evening of reading.... little did I know that my eyeballs would not play the same game!! Otherwise I'd of definitely devoured it in one night!
Lindsey gave so much depth to these wonderful characters, surprising me throughout. Jo, one of the main characters had been through so much, it broke my heart, she had my crying a fair few times. My mixed emotions gave me the "feels" for these life like characters.
As Lindsey builds the picture of this beautiful world she has created, I surprised myself with my feelings for certain characters. The plot was perfectly written with suspense around every corner. Drip feeding me some fabulous oooo's and ahhh's!! The detail written about Sagebrush made it all the more interesting, and had me grinding at the bit to know more about the forgotten lands! I simply can't wait for Borne of Sand and Scorn!
I mean, come on.... a post-apocalyptic love story and Victorian adventure, set in a forgotten world in the American Wild West!! Awesomeness!!
I was so excited to receive an ARC copy, it took me 3 evenings to get through it, and man did I enjoy it. I couldn't get the kids to bed quickly enough, grab a large mug of steaming tea and settle down for an evening of reading.... little did I know that my eyeballs would not play the same game!! Otherwise I'd of definitely devoured it in one night!
Lindsey gave so much depth to these wonderful characters, surprising me throughout. Jo, one of the main characters had been through so much, it broke my heart, she had my crying a fair few times. My mixed emotions gave me the "feels" for these life like characters.
As Lindsey builds the picture of this beautiful world she has created, I surprised myself with my feelings for certain characters. The plot was perfectly written with suspense around every corner. Drip feeding me some fabulous oooo's and ahhh's!! The detail written about Sagebrush made it all the more interesting, and had me grinding at the bit to know more about the forgotten lands! I simply can't wait for Borne of Sand and Scorn!
Read
January 4, 2024"Truly AMAZING!" The Victorian era has perished, the land is dying, and Josephine is hell-bent on revenge. But she hadn't foreseen an arranged marriage to her enemy's son—the town rake, Clayton. A forced proximity romance in a richly imagined, weather-ravaged world with adventure, courage, love, and survival.
Book of Eli meets the wild west in this dystopian, western romance and adventure.
⚜️First love
⚜️Arranged marriage
⚜️Forced proximity
⚜️Scandalous rake in love
⚜️Emotional Scars
⚜️Physical scars
⚜️Morally gray characters
⚜️Gaslamp/Victorian vibes
⚜️Dual POV
⚜️Dystopian/historical fantasy
⚜️Reformed rake
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I want everyone to read this book!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Romance, adventure, sci-fi, mystery...great twists and turns throughout!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ " Lindsey Pogue never fails to deliver."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The writing itself was stunning - the narrative flowed effortlessly."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The Dystopian genre is not one I would choose to read but I became a fan of the way Lindsey Pogue writes."
An interconnected, standalone installment in the Forgotten Lands series
Support the author! You can buy signed paperbacks, ebooks, exclusive swag, and audiobooks in Lindsey’s bookshop! www.payhip.com/lindseypogue
**Bonus Ruined Lands stories and content are available in Lindsey’s Exclusive Reader Membership: www.reamstories.com/lindseypogue
Book of Eli meets the wild west in this dystopian, western romance and adventure.
⚜️First love
⚜️Arranged marriage
⚜️Forced proximity
⚜️Scandalous rake in love
⚜️Emotional Scars
⚜️Physical scars
⚜️Morally gray characters
⚜️Gaslamp/Victorian vibes
⚜️Dual POV
⚜️Dystopian/historical fantasy
⚜️Reformed rake
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I want everyone to read this book!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Romance, adventure, sci-fi, mystery...great twists and turns throughout!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ " Lindsey Pogue never fails to deliver."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The writing itself was stunning - the narrative flowed effortlessly."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The Dystopian genre is not one I would choose to read but I became a fan of the way Lindsey Pogue writes."
An interconnected, standalone installment in the Forgotten Lands series
Support the author! You can buy signed paperbacks, ebooks, exclusive swag, and audiobooks in Lindsey’s bookshop! www.payhip.com/lindseypogue
**Bonus Ruined Lands stories and content are available in Lindsey’s Exclusive Reader Membership: www.reamstories.com/lindseypogue
September 4, 2023
"Dust and Shadow" by Lindsey Pogue is a post-apocalyptic love story with both Victorian and Wild West vibes. It is an adventure set in a vividly imagined world where the Industrial Revolution has dramatically altered nineteenth-century life, leading to a climatic shift that reshapes society entirely.
The story follows Jo, a young woman living outside a harsh and unforgiving town. Her life has been marked by tragedy, as her mother was brutally murdered years ago, and Jo has since kept to her family's farm, trying to forget the traumatic event. However, the marshal of Sagebrush, who was responsible, remains a constant presence in her life, a constant reminder of her mother's death.
The strength of this novel lies in its world-building. Pogue skillfully constructs a post-apocalyptic Wild West setting, complete with a society struggling to adapt to the harsh new reality. The setting immerses the reader in this dusty and unforgiving world, where water is scarce, and danger lurks around every corner.
The arranged marriage between Jo and Clayton, the marshal's rakish son, is a central focus of the story. Their complex relationship and their evolving connection are both believable and engaging. As secrets are revealed, the tension between them grows, and readers will find themselves rooting for their love to overcome the obstacles in their path.
While the world-building and romance are strong aspects of the novel, the antagonist, the marshal, may leave readers wanting more in terms of consequences and resolution. Additionally, some readers may be uncomfortable with the portrayal of sex workers in the story. Overall, "Dust and Shadow" is an enjoyable read that combines elements of romance, adventure, and post-apocalyptic fantasy.
The story follows Jo, a young woman living outside a harsh and unforgiving town. Her life has been marked by tragedy, as her mother was brutally murdered years ago, and Jo has since kept to her family's farm, trying to forget the traumatic event. However, the marshal of Sagebrush, who was responsible, remains a constant presence in her life, a constant reminder of her mother's death.
The strength of this novel lies in its world-building. Pogue skillfully constructs a post-apocalyptic Wild West setting, complete with a society struggling to adapt to the harsh new reality. The setting immerses the reader in this dusty and unforgiving world, where water is scarce, and danger lurks around every corner.
The arranged marriage between Jo and Clayton, the marshal's rakish son, is a central focus of the story. Their complex relationship and their evolving connection are both believable and engaging. As secrets are revealed, the tension between them grows, and readers will find themselves rooting for their love to overcome the obstacles in their path.
While the world-building and romance are strong aspects of the novel, the antagonist, the marshal, may leave readers wanting more in terms of consequences and resolution. Additionally, some readers may be uncomfortable with the portrayal of sex workers in the story. Overall, "Dust and Shadow" is an enjoyable read that combines elements of romance, adventure, and post-apocalyptic fantasy.
March 10, 2022
Global warming, Victorian style
This story takes as its premise, that global warming began in the late 19th century and that life has changed little since then aside from the struggle to survive. Now, 150+ years later, Jo Mason is faced with being married off to a man she doesn't really know. It's a good story; the author conveys the claustrophobic atmosphere of living with hardly any water and frequent sand storms well. I would wish for a little more care in the editing stage (typos and auto corrects abound) and the dates are awry (158 years is described as being almost 200), both of which slightly impaired my enjoyment.
This story takes as its premise, that global warming began in the late 19th century and that life has changed little since then aside from the struggle to survive. Now, 150+ years later, Jo Mason is faced with being married off to a man she doesn't really know. It's a good story; the author conveys the claustrophobic atmosphere of living with hardly any water and frequent sand storms well. I would wish for a little more care in the editing stage (typos and auto corrects abound) and the dates are awry (158 years is described as being almost 200), both of which slightly impaired my enjoyment.
November 2, 2017
Dust and Shadow is the fantastic new book by Lindsey Pogue of the world after 'the shift'. It's a dystopian world that's a clever blend of old west and dust bowl era, a land ruined by drought and lightning. It's a book of deceits and revenge, evils and deprivation, but ultimately it's a story of survival, new beginnings, and love.
Sagebrush Canyon is an unforgiving town. Water is a scarcity, the town is ruled by fear, the good, strong people are defeated. This is the world that Josephine (Jo) Mason lives in. "Never ever go outside during a storm." Something everyone knew. Yet Jo lost her mother during a sandstorm when she was only 9 years old. When the Marshall brought her body home, the family was told that her mother died at the hands of drifters while out in the storm. But that's not what Papa believed happened.... That night Jo not only lost her mama, but paid the price for being her daughter. Since then she has lived in fear of the hated Marshal Cunningham. When she accidentally stumbles upon her family's secrets, the Marshal's secrets, the town's secrets, Jo thinks that she can finally put an end to his cruel reign. Instead she puts herself and her family in danger and is being forced to marry his son Clayton. Something has to give in this harsh land, but who will be left standing? Excuses have been made for generations, secrets kept, justifications for wrongdoing. Now is the time for a new day.
Lindsey Pogue crafted an exceptional backdrop for this story. The world-building is exceptional. You can feel the grit against your skin as you read. The town feels authentic and it's citizens tangible. Jo is an outstanding lead female; strong, smart, stubborn, loving, feisty, and not at all like the other ladies. Even as a semi-recluse, she seemed to stand brighter than the others. She did come off a bit too abrasive at times, so I was glad when she let her guard down. Clayton does not start off at his best. He's a gambling, drunken, whoring waste of a man. Even when he cleaned up his act, he drank too much. He was blind to many of his father's sins and hid from the truth. He was also the perfect example of how a man can change for the better, how he can grow up when he discovers true love. Jo and Clayton together are a perfect match. The side characters were a rich sampling of society from the sweet Scarlet and lonely Kitty, to the ruined Marshal and the evil Doyle to the wonderful older women and the beautiful young children.
I truly enjoyed this book. I liked everything from it's clever title to it's beautiful cover. (I want a charm with the butterfly/key). The story was well-written, a perfect blend of suspense and romance. I look forward to more of this world in the next book.
Merged review:
Dust and Shadow is the fantastic new book by Lindsey Pogue of the world after 'the shift'. It's a dystopian world that's a clever blend of old west and dust bowl era, a land ruined by drought and lightning. It's a book of deceits and revenge, evils, and deprivation, but ultimately it's a story of survival, new beginnings, and love.
Sagebrush Canyon is an unforgiving town. Water is a scarcity, the town is ruled by fear, the good, strong people are defeated. This is the world that Josephine (Jo) Mason lives in. "Never ever go outside during a storm." Something everyone knew. Yet Jo lost her mother during a sandstorm when she was only 9 years old. When the Marshall brought her body home, the family was told that her mother died at the hands of drifters while out in the storm. But that's not what Papa believed happened.... That night Jo not only lost her mama but paid the price for being her daughter. Since then she has lived in fear of the hated Marshal Cunningham. When she accidentally stumbles upon her family's secrets, the Marshal's secrets, the town's secrets, Jo thinks that she can finally put an end to his cruel reign. Instead, she puts herself and her family in danger and is being forced to marry his son Clayton. Something has to give in this harsh land, but who will be left standing? Excuses have been made for generations, secrets kept, justifications for wrongdoing. Now is the time for a new day.
Lindsey Pogue crafted an exceptional backdrop for this story. The world-building is exceptional. You can feel the grit against your skin as you read. The town feels authentic and it's citizens tangible. Jo is an outstanding lead female; strong, smart, stubborn, loving, feisty, and not at all like the other ladies. Even as a semi-recluse, she seemed to stand brighter than the others. She did come off a bit too abrasive at times, so I was glad when she let her guard down. Clayton does not start off at his best. He's a gambling, drunken, whoring waste of a man. Even when he cleaned up his act, he drank too much. He was blind to many of his father's sins and hid from the truth. He was also the perfect example of how a man can change for the better, how he can grow up when he discovers true love. Jo and Clayton together are a perfect match. The side characters were a rich sampling of society from the sweet Scarlet and lonely Kitty, to the ruined Marshal and the evil Doyle to the wonderful older women and the beautiful young children.
I truly enjoyed this book. I liked everything from it's clever title to its beautiful cover. (I want a charm with the butterfly/key). The story was well-written, a perfect blend of suspense and romance. I look forward to more of this world in the next book.
Sagebrush Canyon is an unforgiving town. Water is a scarcity, the town is ruled by fear, the good, strong people are defeated. This is the world that Josephine (Jo) Mason lives in. "Never ever go outside during a storm." Something everyone knew. Yet Jo lost her mother during a sandstorm when she was only 9 years old. When the Marshall brought her body home, the family was told that her mother died at the hands of drifters while out in the storm. But that's not what Papa believed happened.... That night Jo not only lost her mama, but paid the price for being her daughter. Since then she has lived in fear of the hated Marshal Cunningham. When she accidentally stumbles upon her family's secrets, the Marshal's secrets, the town's secrets, Jo thinks that she can finally put an end to his cruel reign. Instead she puts herself and her family in danger and is being forced to marry his son Clayton. Something has to give in this harsh land, but who will be left standing? Excuses have been made for generations, secrets kept, justifications for wrongdoing. Now is the time for a new day.
Lindsey Pogue crafted an exceptional backdrop for this story. The world-building is exceptional. You can feel the grit against your skin as you read. The town feels authentic and it's citizens tangible. Jo is an outstanding lead female; strong, smart, stubborn, loving, feisty, and not at all like the other ladies. Even as a semi-recluse, she seemed to stand brighter than the others. She did come off a bit too abrasive at times, so I was glad when she let her guard down. Clayton does not start off at his best. He's a gambling, drunken, whoring waste of a man. Even when he cleaned up his act, he drank too much. He was blind to many of his father's sins and hid from the truth. He was also the perfect example of how a man can change for the better, how he can grow up when he discovers true love. Jo and Clayton together are a perfect match. The side characters were a rich sampling of society from the sweet Scarlet and lonely Kitty, to the ruined Marshal and the evil Doyle to the wonderful older women and the beautiful young children.
I truly enjoyed this book. I liked everything from it's clever title to it's beautiful cover. (I want a charm with the butterfly/key). The story was well-written, a perfect blend of suspense and romance. I look forward to more of this world in the next book.
Merged review:
Dust and Shadow is the fantastic new book by Lindsey Pogue of the world after 'the shift'. It's a dystopian world that's a clever blend of old west and dust bowl era, a land ruined by drought and lightning. It's a book of deceits and revenge, evils, and deprivation, but ultimately it's a story of survival, new beginnings, and love.
Sagebrush Canyon is an unforgiving town. Water is a scarcity, the town is ruled by fear, the good, strong people are defeated. This is the world that Josephine (Jo) Mason lives in. "Never ever go outside during a storm." Something everyone knew. Yet Jo lost her mother during a sandstorm when she was only 9 years old. When the Marshall brought her body home, the family was told that her mother died at the hands of drifters while out in the storm. But that's not what Papa believed happened.... That night Jo not only lost her mama but paid the price for being her daughter. Since then she has lived in fear of the hated Marshal Cunningham. When she accidentally stumbles upon her family's secrets, the Marshal's secrets, the town's secrets, Jo thinks that she can finally put an end to his cruel reign. Instead, she puts herself and her family in danger and is being forced to marry his son Clayton. Something has to give in this harsh land, but who will be left standing? Excuses have been made for generations, secrets kept, justifications for wrongdoing. Now is the time for a new day.
Lindsey Pogue crafted an exceptional backdrop for this story. The world-building is exceptional. You can feel the grit against your skin as you read. The town feels authentic and it's citizens tangible. Jo is an outstanding lead female; strong, smart, stubborn, loving, feisty, and not at all like the other ladies. Even as a semi-recluse, she seemed to stand brighter than the others. She did come off a bit too abrasive at times, so I was glad when she let her guard down. Clayton does not start off at his best. He's a gambling, drunken, whoring waste of a man. Even when he cleaned up his act, he drank too much. He was blind to many of his father's sins and hid from the truth. He was also the perfect example of how a man can change for the better, how he can grow up when he discovers true love. Jo and Clayton together are a perfect match. The side characters were a rich sampling of society from the sweet Scarlet and lonely Kitty, to the ruined Marshal and the evil Doyle to the wonderful older women and the beautiful young children.
I truly enjoyed this book. I liked everything from it's clever title to its beautiful cover. (I want a charm with the butterfly/key). The story was well-written, a perfect blend of suspense and romance. I look forward to more of this world in the next book.
December 7, 2023
It was pretty good, especially for a free book. But I was a bit annoyed at all the characters continually making vague and ominous statements and then leaving the room as a device to increase the mystery.
August 11, 2021
This dystopia is incredible. It's the first book I read from Lindsey Pogue that consists on the POV of 2 different characters: Jo and Clayton. At the beginning they hate each other and are forced to marry but after they know each other they start falling in love, slowly.
This is a very good ETL (Enemies To Lovers) and I recommend people to read this book.
This is a very good ETL (Enemies To Lovers) and I recommend people to read this book.
July 25, 2021
A spell binding apocalyptic story with non stop action and a surprise ending. A great read.
Great sci-fi story with an apocalyptic twist, warring families and an ending that surprises. Very well written. An enjoyable read.
Great sci-fi story with an apocalyptic twist, warring families and an ending that surprises. Very well written. An enjoyable read.
October 3, 2017
I love a good post apocalypse drama, even better when there are romantic elements and intrigue, and Dust and Shadow delivers on all fronts. Set in the dystopian presentish (!), the advent of the Industrial Revolution brought about climate storms called the Shift. As a result, the small desert town that Jo lives in has depended on her family's farm to survive for generations. The Marshal, the leader of the town, and his cronies keep law and order in the town, but Jo is certain that the evil Marshal killer her mother 11 years ago, and she wants revenge.
There are so many secrets and lies and twists and turns, this was a delight to read. Sometimes things aren't as they seem, and sometimes they are, and figuring out which is which was so much fun. Jo defied convention as a woman still living in Victorianesque times. She wore pants and tinkered with machines and had tons of ideas about everything - and wasn't shy about sharing them. Coming from a family of healers on her mother's side, she was also a huge reader and healer herself. Jo's life was turned upside down when she discovers a huge secret and when the Marshal decided that she should marry his son, Clayton, then things were never the same again.
Despite his lineage, Jo is drawn to Clayton but she won't allow herself to act on her feelings to anyone in that heinous family, which means Clayton has lots of work to do, and as he moves from a free-wheeling playboy to a young man with a Marshal title to inheret from his father, he discovers that the town he knew is full of many secrets.
The chemistry between Jo and Clayton is a yearning thing; you root for Clayton and Jo and want them to give in to each other despite the distance, the secrets, and the lies that push them apart. Lindsey Pogue does an amazong job of weaving fantastic storytelling full of twists and turns and romance in a post-apocalyptic landscape. I can't wait for the next installment!
There are so many secrets and lies and twists and turns, this was a delight to read. Sometimes things aren't as they seem, and sometimes they are, and figuring out which is which was so much fun. Jo defied convention as a woman still living in Victorianesque times. She wore pants and tinkered with machines and had tons of ideas about everything - and wasn't shy about sharing them. Coming from a family of healers on her mother's side, she was also a huge reader and healer herself. Jo's life was turned upside down when she discovers a huge secret and when the Marshal decided that she should marry his son, Clayton, then things were never the same again.
Despite his lineage, Jo is drawn to Clayton but she won't allow herself to act on her feelings to anyone in that heinous family, which means Clayton has lots of work to do, and as he moves from a free-wheeling playboy to a young man with a Marshal title to inheret from his father, he discovers that the town he knew is full of many secrets.
The chemistry between Jo and Clayton is a yearning thing; you root for Clayton and Jo and want them to give in to each other despite the distance, the secrets, and the lies that push them apart. Lindsey Pogue does an amazong job of weaving fantastic storytelling full of twists and turns and romance in a post-apocalyptic landscape. I can't wait for the next installment!
October 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this post-apocalyptic story in a future world that is much like the wild west of the 1800's. I found it helpful to have read the prequel, Born of Sand and Scorn, prior to this book to get a glimpse into the family histories of the main characters and understand the significance of the blue butterfly brooch.
Jo has lived with the horrors of her mother’s murder and her own encounter with the Marshall of Sagebrush Canyon for more than a decade. She's happiest away from town on the family's ranch and isn't happy when she, her sister Scarlett and her father are expected to attend a party at the Marshall's house as the guests of honour. At the party, Jo and the Marshall's son, Clayton, are both blindsided when their engagement is announced. She has to find a way to take some control away from the Marshall and uncover his terrible deeds without endangering her family while figuring out where Clayton's loyalties lie.
I loved the chemistry between Jo and Clayton and really wanted them to give the other a chance despite the secrets and lies that push them apart. Lots of twists, turns and romance in this story. I can't wait to see what comes next!
Jo has lived with the horrors of her mother’s murder and her own encounter with the Marshall of Sagebrush Canyon for more than a decade. She's happiest away from town on the family's ranch and isn't happy when she, her sister Scarlett and her father are expected to attend a party at the Marshall's house as the guests of honour. At the party, Jo and the Marshall's son, Clayton, are both blindsided when their engagement is announced. She has to find a way to take some control away from the Marshall and uncover his terrible deeds without endangering her family while figuring out where Clayton's loyalties lie.
I loved the chemistry between Jo and Clayton and really wanted them to give the other a chance despite the secrets and lies that push them apart. Lots of twists, turns and romance in this story. I can't wait to see what comes next!
September 21, 2017
I wish I could say I enjoyed this book. I mean, the plot line was really good. So much potential. But I felt like the pace of the book dragged on. I kept thinking, "Move along, already." I guess, it wasn’t that bad, but that’s how I felt.
The characters were definitely well written. But the whole setup didn’t feel explained adequately enough. Often, I felt lost regarding the surroundings of the characters. Also, I thought that the story could have unfurled better.
Despite all that, I couldn’t give it less than four stars. I really liked Jo and Clayton. And the way they were brought together was rather good. Took their time, still I liked it. I liked Clayton’s character better than Jo’s. A reformed rake.
The characters were definitely well written. But the whole setup didn’t feel explained adequately enough. Often, I felt lost regarding the surroundings of the characters. Also, I thought that the story could have unfurled better.
Despite all that, I couldn’t give it less than four stars. I really liked Jo and Clayton. And the way they were brought together was rather good. Took their time, still I liked it. I liked Clayton’s character better than Jo’s. A reformed rake.
February 26, 2018
Amazing!!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book! I read the prequel (Borne of Sand and Scorn) which drew me in; this story then lives out what was set in place centuries ago. The characters lives have been ruled and judged by circumstances and events that may be outright lies, or misperceptions, or some combination of the two. Are the "bad" guys really bad and are the "good" guys truly good? While the romance component is relatively predictable, the story along the way is wonderful. I hope Ms Pogue comes out with the next book soon;I can't wait to see what comes next!
I absolutely LOVED this book! I read the prequel (Borne of Sand and Scorn) which drew me in; this story then lives out what was set in place centuries ago. The characters lives have been ruled and judged by circumstances and events that may be outright lies, or misperceptions, or some combination of the two. Are the "bad" guys really bad and are the "good" guys truly good? While the romance component is relatively predictable, the story along the way is wonderful. I hope Ms Pogue comes out with the next book soon;I can't wait to see what comes next!
December 20, 2017
Oh my goodness!! I couldn't put it down. It was great and I am so thankful I have part two! Ha! I don't even know where to begin. It was absolutely awesome from beginning to end. The story line was one point. No stone left unturned. I'm so seriously in reading love with this author. So worth the read. A little upset with myself it took me some time to get to it, but better late than never!! READ IT !!
May 16, 2021
Wow!!!
Really really good!! I didn’t know what to expect!! Very different from what I usually read but I loved it!! It’s a western themed apocalypse story with exciting romance!! Very exciting!!
Really really good!! I didn’t know what to expect!! Very different from what I usually read but I loved it!! It’s a western themed apocalypse story with exciting romance!! Very exciting!!
July 2, 2019
Could not put it down
It is captivating. I read it in one day! I enjoyed how the characters matured, with much learning and soul searching.
It is captivating. I read it in one day! I enjoyed how the characters matured, with much learning and soul searching.
May 26, 2021
Great
Post-apocalyptic . . . or is it? Great story about a failing community and the dreamers who might be able to save it. I am awaiting the next one in the series!
Post-apocalyptic . . . or is it? Great story about a failing community and the dreamers who might be able to save it. I am awaiting the next one in the series!
November 23, 2022
A big yes
An excellent read. Great story. Very original in several ways. I really did enjoy it. Descriptive enough to create the mind pictures without over doing it.
An excellent read. Great story. Very original in several ways. I really did enjoy it. Descriptive enough to create the mind pictures without over doing it.
June 12, 2021
Ms Pogue bring us another great story
You’ve heard of Romeo and Juliet. Well, this book is that in reverse. Here the parents think that pairing a couple together will help bring the town together while the kids don’t want to have anything to do with each other. This romance, dystopian, western has great world building and detail. Sometimes the amount of detail was too much and I skipped a few pages. It was either that or the fact that I really wanted to know what was going to happen next and wanted to get there. This is a great reason that I like Ms Pogue’s writing. That being the case, Ms Pogue included a lot of detail that allowed you to feel that you were there witnessing the action yourself. I am not usually a reader of romance fiction but, since I really like Ms Pogue’s other books, I decided to give it a try. I have so many books on my to-read list that I usually filter them out. The book did not disappoint me, though, with regard to the writing and story building. I was totally captivated and, like I mentioned above, I couldn’t wait to get to the next part of the book. I will not get into the details of the story. I will leave that to others. For me that kind of ruins the suspense of the story. The story takes you through the development of Jo’s and Clayton’s romance and ultimate love that results in some exiting results.
This a great story by Ms Pogue , if you are a fan of her writing, you will not be disappointed. You will be anxious to get the next book and see how this new world develops. I highly recommend this book if you like dystopian fiction with a little bit of romance in it.
You’ve heard of Romeo and Juliet. Well, this book is that in reverse. Here the parents think that pairing a couple together will help bring the town together while the kids don’t want to have anything to do with each other. This romance, dystopian, western has great world building and detail. Sometimes the amount of detail was too much and I skipped a few pages. It was either that or the fact that I really wanted to know what was going to happen next and wanted to get there. This is a great reason that I like Ms Pogue’s writing. That being the case, Ms Pogue included a lot of detail that allowed you to feel that you were there witnessing the action yourself. I am not usually a reader of romance fiction but, since I really like Ms Pogue’s other books, I decided to give it a try. I have so many books on my to-read list that I usually filter them out. The book did not disappoint me, though, with regard to the writing and story building. I was totally captivated and, like I mentioned above, I couldn’t wait to get to the next part of the book. I will not get into the details of the story. I will leave that to others. For me that kind of ruins the suspense of the story. The story takes you through the development of Jo’s and Clayton’s romance and ultimate love that results in some exiting results.
This a great story by Ms Pogue , if you are a fan of her writing, you will not be disappointed. You will be anxious to get the next book and see how this new world develops. I highly recommend this book if you like dystopian fiction with a little bit of romance in it.
November 27, 2020
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I've read several books by Lindsey Pogue, and I have to say, Dust and Shadow is by far my favorite to date. There's something about the mix of the historical Victorian era and post-apocalyptic world-building that drew me in.
The writing itself was stunning - the narrative flowed effortlessly, and there weren't any major grammar or punctuation errors. The dialogue felt real the characters were complex.
I adored the romance between Clayton and Jo. Though both of them were terribly flawed in a lot of ways, both Clayton and Jo were trying to do the best with the lives they were given. It wasn't an easy task for either of them, and there were a lot of ups and downs as they figured things out.
The book is filled with deception, murder, past events that are having consequences in the current time - and tiny bits of hope sprinkled throughout. The world-building was by far my favorite part of this book. There was something so compelling about the dust-blasted landscape of this small Victorian town, dealing with massive storms and a lack of water. It was this fantastic mix of Victorian-era clothing and Etiquette, post-apocalyptic scenery, and a very old-west drama feel.
I would highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys westerns, historical romances, or post-apocalyptic settings.
I've read several books by Lindsey Pogue, and I have to say, Dust and Shadow is by far my favorite to date. There's something about the mix of the historical Victorian era and post-apocalyptic world-building that drew me in.
The writing itself was stunning - the narrative flowed effortlessly, and there weren't any major grammar or punctuation errors. The dialogue felt real the characters were complex.
I adored the romance between Clayton and Jo. Though both of them were terribly flawed in a lot of ways, both Clayton and Jo were trying to do the best with the lives they were given. It wasn't an easy task for either of them, and there were a lot of ups and downs as they figured things out.
The book is filled with deception, murder, past events that are having consequences in the current time - and tiny bits of hope sprinkled throughout. The world-building was by far my favorite part of this book. There was something so compelling about the dust-blasted landscape of this small Victorian town, dealing with massive storms and a lack of water. It was this fantastic mix of Victorian-era clothing and Etiquette, post-apocalyptic scenery, and a very old-west drama feel.
I would highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys westerns, historical romances, or post-apocalyptic settings.
November 1, 2021
Wild west + Dystopia + Romance = fun!
This review contains spoilers.
The year is 2042. Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has been drastically changed. A terrible sickness plagues people. The weather has changed, bringing long droughts. This story focuses on a town named Sagebrush.
One main character is Jo Mason, the unconventional daughter of a farmer who prefers reading and machinery to more feminine pursuits. She's hated the town marshal all her life, blaming him for the death of her mother and an attack that literally scarred her for life.
Another is the Marshal's heir, Clayton Cunningham; who has shirked responsibility his whole life and wasted his potential on wine, gambling and women.
When the marshal abruptly announces their engagement, neither wants the match. Jo wants to expose the Marshal's lies, how he's kept the town in fear and on the verge of dehydration.
Clayton doesn't want it either, yet finds himself increasingly drawn to Jo. They draw closer as they find more in common and why things have gotten so bad, eventually falling in love.
The story ends with a showdown between the marshal and a corrupt deputy who has been responsible for many crimes with Jo's family in danger. The marshal dies, Clayton and Jo marry, and they try to guide the town to a better future.
This was far better even than I anticipated based on the intriguing premise.
This review contains spoilers.
The year is 2042. Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has been drastically changed. A terrible sickness plagues people. The weather has changed, bringing long droughts. This story focuses on a town named Sagebrush.
One main character is Jo Mason, the unconventional daughter of a farmer who prefers reading and machinery to more feminine pursuits. She's hated the town marshal all her life, blaming him for the death of her mother and an attack that literally scarred her for life.
Another is the Marshal's heir, Clayton Cunningham; who has shirked responsibility his whole life and wasted his potential on wine, gambling and women.
When the marshal abruptly announces their engagement, neither wants the match. Jo wants to expose the Marshal's lies, how he's kept the town in fear and on the verge of dehydration.
Clayton doesn't want it either, yet finds himself increasingly drawn to Jo. They draw closer as they find more in common and why things have gotten so bad, eventually falling in love.
The story ends with a showdown between the marshal and a corrupt deputy who has been responsible for many crimes with Jo's family in danger. The marshal dies, Clayton and Jo marry, and they try to guide the town to a better future.
This was far better even than I anticipated based on the intriguing premise.
July 25, 2021
I am not sure how I selected this book. I think I just saw "post apocalypse" and thought I would give it a shot. This is really much more of a Romance novel in my eyes. I don't read a lot of romance novels.
But with that said, a very vivid and real corner of the world has managed to survive "The Shift". It was a very good set up. And it had a good climax, even if the gunfight outside the hideout was way to glossed over. I question some of the female/male stereotypes, but that may be an expectation for a romance novel.
I liked the story telling, but I am becoming more critical as I read more books. The narrative jumps between the two lead characters' perspectives. One female and one male. I did get the feel that the female was written by a female, but I wanted the male narratives to feel more like they were written by a male. There was just not enough contrast in writing style between the two perspectives for my expectation.
This was a GoodReads.
But with that said, a very vivid and real corner of the world has managed to survive "The Shift". It was a very good set up. And it had a good climax, even if the gunfight outside the hideout was way to glossed over. I question some of the female/male stereotypes, but that may be an expectation for a romance novel.
I liked the story telling, but I am becoming more critical as I read more books. The narrative jumps between the two lead characters' perspectives. One female and one male. I did get the feel that the female was written by a female, but I wanted the male narratives to feel more like they were written by a male. There was just not enough contrast in writing style between the two perspectives for my expectation.
This was a GoodReads.
October 29, 2023
Overall well written, capturing well the Sherlock/Watson formula. Still, connecting the fictional sleuths with the real Ripper killings felt odd, and by resolving the murders felt demeaning to victims whose murders remain unsolved.
Add to that Sherlock's elitist tendency to withhold evidence and analysis until he was ready to show off in revelatory flourishes. Perhaps he has done this in previous stories, but here it felt particularly selfish, endangering others. Yes, having Sherlock as a suspect, and self-defamation was interesting, but again I disliked his involvement in and modification of historic events .
I guess one could write it all off to alternate timeline creativity, but I prefer Devil in the White City's creative authenticity and The Alienist's historical fictionalizing to this strange hybrid of both genres.
And fwiw The Tower Bridge of London on the cover wasn't finished until 1894, 3 years after the last of the Whitechapel murders.
Add to that Sherlock's elitist tendency to withhold evidence and analysis until he was ready to show off in revelatory flourishes. Perhaps he has done this in previous stories, but here it felt particularly selfish, endangering others. Yes, having Sherlock as a suspect, and self-defamation was interesting, but again I disliked his involvement in and modification of historic events .
I guess one could write it all off to alternate timeline creativity, but I prefer Devil in the White City's creative authenticity and The Alienist's historical fictionalizing to this strange hybrid of both genres.
And fwiw The Tower Bridge of London on the cover wasn't finished until 1894, 3 years after the last of the Whitechapel murders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2021
Quit at 7%
I now have a better understanding of why it’s so important to let the reader know what the stakes are for the protagonist within the first few pages. This book starts off with the narrator/protagonist at eight years old but using the vocabulary of a much older adult. We meet a bad guy who’s bad just because we’re told he’s bad. For some reason the father is being physically assaulted when he’s told about the death of the mother. Then the story jumps 16 years, and still there’s no clear plot point to incite the protagonist forward. I am not compelled to read this. There are enough red flags indicating the story is poorly constructed that I don’t want to read further.
I now have a better understanding of why it’s so important to let the reader know what the stakes are for the protagonist within the first few pages. This book starts off with the narrator/protagonist at eight years old but using the vocabulary of a much older adult. We meet a bad guy who’s bad just because we’re told he’s bad. For some reason the father is being physically assaulted when he’s told about the death of the mother. Then the story jumps 16 years, and still there’s no clear plot point to incite the protagonist forward. I am not compelled to read this. There are enough red flags indicating the story is poorly constructed that I don’t want to read further.
July 18, 2021
An alternate timeline diverging sometime in the late Victorian era (1884 is mentioned in a journal entry) with the Shift (not detailed) that results in (presumed) global catastrophe. In the 2040s the town of Sagebrush is ruled with an iron hand by the marshal, following his father - barely surviving with limited water and resources in a world of sandstorms and dust... The Mason family, farmers who supply much of the town's food, is critical in uncovering the truth, spearheaded by the eldest daughter Josephine...
I enjoyed tis a lot - and in fact was surprised by how quickly I finished the book. At least two more to be read.
I enjoyed tis a lot - and in fact was surprised by how quickly I finished the book. At least two more to be read.
April 25, 2022
This first book in this series is described as “a post-apocalyptic love story and Victorian adventure set in a devastated and forgotten world of the American wild west.” Uh, what the what?! 🤯 I. Am. In.
More importantly, Ms. Pogue has not let me down yet in any of the other books I’ve read by her, so I have no concerns jumping into this world of outlaws, marshals, and misfits.
I don’t want to give away too much, but it is definitely a western, it is definitely post-apoc, and it is a love story. So, there are no lies. Curious to learn more? Me, too, and I will be checking out the rest of the series for sure.
More importantly, Ms. Pogue has not let me down yet in any of the other books I’ve read by her, so I have no concerns jumping into this world of outlaws, marshals, and misfits.
I don’t want to give away too much, but it is definitely a western, it is definitely post-apoc, and it is a love story. So, there are no lies. Curious to learn more? Me, too, and I will be checking out the rest of the series for sure.
July 15, 2021
Good story, fantastic narration.
This was an intriguing story with a few unexpected moments. Well written with a fantastic ending, however it left some unanswered questions that I’m hoping the author has plans for in at least a second book. It was a little slow IMO but very compelling. The narration was absolutely wonderful. Both Aven Shore & Andrew Gibson really got into character for this one. They both fit very well together. Outstanding performance from them both.
This is a standalone with an HEA. (But I’m secretly hoping for book 2). I recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
This was an intriguing story with a few unexpected moments. Well written with a fantastic ending, however it left some unanswered questions that I’m hoping the author has plans for in at least a second book. It was a little slow IMO but very compelling. The narration was absolutely wonderful. Both Aven Shore & Andrew Gibson really got into character for this one. They both fit very well together. Outstanding performance from them both.
This is a standalone with an HEA. (But I’m secretly hoping for book 2). I recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
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