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Trapped
Sir Andrew Brown is a futurologist. He has designed a post-covid society that can be self-sufficient in times of crisis. A society that respects human and nature. In 2041 his only child, Sam, opens the sixth Vertical Village, New Horizons, the epitome of Sir Andrew's designs.
Over the next few years, Sam faces numerous challenges but then a number of crises collide and Sam, as mayor of New Horizons, has to face the most dangerous challenge yet. A new virus variant. Mother Nature. Political and social turmoil. Can New Horizons survive the crises it was built to survive? More importantly, can Sam?
Over the next few years, Sam faces numerous challenges but then a number of crises collide and Sam, as mayor of New Horizons, has to face the most dangerous challenge yet. A new virus variant. Mother Nature. Political and social turmoil. Can New Horizons survive the crises it was built to survive? More importantly, can Sam?
316 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2022
About the author
AJ Stuart
1 book1 followerTwo questions the author finds difficult to answer - where are you from and what do you do? Unfortunately, these are common questions, and this is my attempt to answer them.
Where are you from? Born in London, moved to Kent, Somerset, Wales before being moved to France at age six, lived between France and England between ages six and nineteen, due to schooling. Portsmouth Polytechnic. Met a girl, married, children (two), ‘career' in insurance and pensions, lived in Worcestershire.
Then everything changed. Since the age of thirty-six the following things happened:
Separation, divorce, boyfriend, publican, hotel manager, bankruptcy, gay pride, global consultant, receptionist, amazing life partner, evicted.
What do you do? He describes himself as a flitter. Currently, he is an amateur writer, freelance trainer, life coach, and small-time property developer. He has a high tolerance for change. He recently counted his life; since leaving home he has had twenty addresses, twenty cars and twenty different jobs!
Where are you from? Born in London, moved to Kent, Somerset, Wales before being moved to France at age six, lived between France and England between ages six and nineteen, due to schooling. Portsmouth Polytechnic. Met a girl, married, children (two), ‘career' in insurance and pensions, lived in Worcestershire.
Then everything changed. Since the age of thirty-six the following things happened:
Separation, divorce, boyfriend, publican, hotel manager, bankruptcy, gay pride, global consultant, receptionist, amazing life partner, evicted.
What do you do? He describes himself as a flitter. Currently, he is an amateur writer, freelance trainer, life coach, and small-time property developer. He has a high tolerance for change. He recently counted his life; since leaving home he has had twenty addresses, twenty cars and twenty different jobs!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 16, 2025
The story is set in the near future where the stars align to curse the world with a pandemic, uncontrollable weather and a new world war. We follow characters navigating their way through.
I found the new pronouns a little tricky at first. The protagonist isn’t happy with male or female, so uses a new set of pronouns. Makes sense, it is the way the world is heading, but after reading thousands of books with he and she, I found it a little hard at first. But, after the first hundred pages, it became part of the story.
I’ve read previous books which used they and them, and found that a lot more complicated. I preferred ne, as they, when read literally, makes you think of a collective.
Hats off to the author who must have been wrestling with spell checkers the entire time with this novel.
Some well crafted scenes. Tension, and in my opinion horror, are woven through this novel to keep you on track.
Sam has a really tragic chapter ending about two thirds in. I read the chapter, then started weighing up how much of the book was left. I was stunned with what I had just read and didn’t know how the story was going to continue. The next chapter answers that question, but it was a cliff hanger I was not expecting. Points like that kept me intrigued.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next instalment.
I found the new pronouns a little tricky at first. The protagonist isn’t happy with male or female, so uses a new set of pronouns. Makes sense, it is the way the world is heading, but after reading thousands of books with he and she, I found it a little hard at first. But, after the first hundred pages, it became part of the story.
I’ve read previous books which used they and them, and found that a lot more complicated. I preferred ne, as they, when read literally, makes you think of a collective.
Hats off to the author who must have been wrestling with spell checkers the entire time with this novel.
Some well crafted scenes. Tension, and in my opinion horror, are woven through this novel to keep you on track.
Sam has a really tragic chapter ending about two thirds in. I read the chapter, then started weighing up how much of the book was left. I was stunned with what I had just read and didn’t know how the story was going to continue. The next chapter answers that question, but it was a cliff hanger I was not expecting. Points like that kept me intrigued.
I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
I do know AJ, but this hasn't influenced my review in any way. This is a very high-quality dystopian thriller with well-rounded 3- dimensional characters, the plot is easy to follow, and the story flows well. What is scary is how easily you could see the events in this book happening for real...
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next volume.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next volume.
May 14, 2025
An excellent dystopian thriller. It's not my usual genre but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the softer storyline of Sam and Susan that is weaved through too.
It takes a little while to get used to the pronouns but I soon settled into it.
It takes a little while to get used to the pronouns but I soon settled into it.
May 7, 2025
A thought provoking speculative/dystopian thriller. It was surprising how close to reality the storyline was. I could actually see this happening in the (near) future, I don't know whether to be frightened by that thought. The "Russian element" was particularly current given what is happening in the world.
The characters were well drawn and I felt emotionally involved in their stories, particularly Sam and Susan's story.
Looking forward to future output by the author and seeing how their writing develops.
Update May 2025: Just as good on the re-read for Worcester Worms book club.
The characters were well drawn and I felt emotionally involved in their stories, particularly Sam and Susan's story.
Looking forward to future output by the author and seeing how their writing develops.
Update May 2025: Just as good on the re-read for Worcester Worms book club.
April 1, 2025
Loved it. Manages to tie together lots of current fears including covid and global warming. Brilliantly written with some beautiful descriptions
June 8, 2025
Like some of the other readers, I found the pronouns confusing to start with, but it was OK once you got into the book. It's scary to think that A J Stuart's dystopian world, or something like it, could one day become a reality. But I like the idea of having my drink order delivered in 18 seconds!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews