Derelict: Terror on the Tidelands

by T.M. Brown

One thing is certain: blood attracts predators.


Mikaela's home settlement of Solstice finds its resources exhausted and her own life endangered by the relentless expansion of the nearby city of Beacon. Given the choice between a certain death or an impossible task, Mikaela and her comrades journey into the barren and monster-plagued Tidelands. Their destination, a derelict supertanker named ‘Colossus’, is rumored to contain the blood of the Earth itself-enough to power Beacon for a generation.


Will it be enough to save the people of Solstice? Will it even be enough to save herself?


*******************************************************************
AFTER: A POST APOCALYPTIC SURVIVOR SERIES

What happens after a worldwide cataclysmic event leaves the human population on the brink of extinction?

This post-apocalyptic series of eight short reads explores the grim possibilities of future civilisations rent asunder by disaster and changed forever. In the caves and on the roads, through transformation and violence, and in the empty spaces left by the vanishing sea, discover the fate of the humanity that remains, both familiar and alien.

This is not our world. This is the world AFTER.

An eight-part mini-series.

Genres: Horror

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2021

About the author

T.M. Brown is a new author of speculative fiction specializing in horror and dark fantasy. His first stand-alone novella, is now available on Amazon. He currently has short stories pending publication with a number of independent publishers including Burial Day Books, Black Hare Press, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Emerald Bay Books, Terror Tract, Nothing Ever Happens in Fox Hollow, and Sinister Smile Press.

Reviews

[Neen Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It took me a little to get into this world but still a good read and investigation into a world where the oceans receded and humans have had to find a way to survive with limited resources and a desperation to live. Some really nice turns of phrase.

[David Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

TM Brown is a descriptive and heart-felt writer whose words put me on the edge of my seat. A superb consume it in one sitting story not to be missed.

[Pan | Book Reviews and Recommendations · Rating 5 out of 5]

The awesome people of Eerie River Publishing were kind enough to send me T.M Brown's 'Derelict' for review.

'Derelict' is part of a post-apocalyptic series of eight short stories (soon to be released by Eerie River Publishing) that depict a tragic future for the human race, shattered by disaster and altered forever.

A worldwide cataclysmic event destroys the better part of the world as we know it and leaves the human population on the brink of extinction.

With survival instincts kicking in, the human race changes and transforms in order to survive one more day. But the transformation delivers ugly results as somewhere along the way humans lose their humanity.
Survival becomes a daily struggle and the future lives in the ruins of the past.

The `Solstice` home settlement finds its resources exhausted and its future endangered by the relentless expansion of the nearby city of 'Beacon', which is ruled by the ruthless Johanna.

Salvation lies in Mikaela's hands as she and her comrades are under the blade. Given the choice between a certain death or an impossible task, they must venture into the Tidelands, an area of plagued with death and monstrous creations and creatures.
Their task; 'Colossus’, a derelict supertanker rumored to contain the blood of the Earth itself-enough to power Beacon for a generation.

If they fail to come back, Solstice burns. If they return to Beacon empty handed , they all die and Solstice burns.

Will Mikaela succeed in saving the people of Solstice and ultimate herself and team or will they all meet their doom while trying.

This dystopian, post apocalyptic novella by T.M Brown is bleak, heartbreaking, terrific and terrifying. A solid, well written story that packs the action, intensity and complexity that others try to achieve in trilogies.

Keep an eye on this author. Definitely one of my new favorites.

Get it at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092327DRF

[Joel Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derelect is a fast, tight, claustrophobic story about a crew of unfortunate misfits coerced into retrieving something from a derelict ship. There's not a lot of time for world-building but we certainly get the flavor of the post-apocalyptic scene and what the characters are willing to do to survive.

It all makes for an enjoyable read. Streamlined but with characters that have enough personality that you care and plenty of turns in the path that make the trip anything but predictable.

Recommended. I'm looking forward to reading more of the After series.

[Holley]

I just finished Derelict by TM Brown. This is a short read (I think technically, a novelette?). I was seriously creeped out by the descriptions of "the Parched." In my mind, these were like bloated, water loving zombies.

I really love when authors take risks and invent their own monsters or villains, or at least give a creative take on ones that already exist. If you like post apocalyptic reads, this can be read in one sitting, and is worth your time.

Recommended.

[UmaKatherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derelict is a short story filled with lots of breath holding moments. I appreciated the subtlety of some of the details. At the end, my brain was scrambling to remember all those details for more clues about the cliffhanger ending. I normally don't like cliffhangers, but this one worked. The beginning was a bit slow, but it is a rollercoaster ride once it gets going. My only complaint, there was not more of the story to enjoy.

[Danielle Vandehaar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn’t a book so much as an outline of a book with some choice pieces of dialogue the author doesn’t want to forget for when they finally get around to turning their ideas into an actual story. The details were interesting enough to make me want to know more but not prevalent enough to give me any confidence the author had it in them to expand their thoughts to the level required. It felt like a bad elevator pitch for an incomplete book.

[Michelle River · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story to start this exciting new post-apocalyptic series.
You will not be able to put this novelette down until you have finished every nail-biting word. Really enjoyed the premise and world this author created.
Definitely worth the buy. 5 Stars

[Calla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came out of this story wishing it had been much longer. Well-rounded characters sit flush within a resounding world, creating a dense and satisfying tale that feels like a mere thread on a loom. Easy to complete in one sitting, but good enough to sit with you afterward.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting enjoyable short dystopian story! A dilemma for the main character, save herself & her village or die trying! I did like the idea & storyline & will look for more by this writer.