At Fault: The Fault Lines Series Book 1

by Jeri Shepherd, Stacy Lewerenz (Editor), Amy Oaks (Editor)

"Do you think it's true what they say? That we're at the start of another melting? Another century of quakes?" "I do. But we don't have a century this time." The fault lines are forming, not just in the earth, but between the people who live there; for the woman the world discarded and the one they chose to lead them. Zoe Baja is drowning . . . dying . . . a ghostland waiting to sink into the ocean while the Zoeans cling to a resolve to be gloriously human. The cityships are running out of room and reserves . . . can they stand in the storm? The violence of the fleet families grows as they struggle for power. The Global Union of the 2900s is losing people . . . and losing control. Follow the journeys of Linda in the year 2552 and Miriam in the year 2908 as they both deal with the consequences of the earth that man created and, each in their own way, try to make the best of their world for the people they love. "(Bestselling author Jeri Shepherd) is a bright light and fair, even-handed talent." ~ Howard Schlossberg, Columbia College Associate Professor "There is a lot of life in what Jeri has put together here. She has accomplished a unique world and human characters that feel real. You will truly enjoy what she has built." ~Douglas Beamer, Science Fiction Influencer, Creator of 7 Minutes or Less YouTube Series

345 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2022

Reviews

[Peter Mertka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really really did. But between the jumpy story, wooden dialogue, constant cliches, I just couldn’t do it. Maybe the sequels are better, but I’ll never know.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this future, post-apocalyptic world, we see an Earth that is drowning in oceans and vulnerable to frequent earthquakes. The story bounces between two women, one living in the 2500s, and one in the 2900s. We also find they have a connection to each other across the centuries.

The back cover says "The fault lines are forming, not just between the earth, but between the people who live there." And it does well to show the struggles not only for survival against nature, but also the betrayals and machinations of human factions.

The reader feels for the 2500s character, Linda, as she escapes from the government who has been controlling her whole life but enters an unknown world meager on resources. What at first is an attempt at survival turns into a chance to expand a new family. She doesn't know that her humble struggle will lay a foundation of change for centuries to come.

We are also sharing in the fears of the 2900s character, Miriam, as she must lead her people into a challenging future. Resources are dwindling, human factions still work to manipulate an advantage for themselves, and she also feels an attraction to a man who calls another place home.

It was a good story filled with twists and turns, downfalls and new hope, and though it had an ending I know there are more books in the series. I enjoyed it.

I bought my copy from the author at a convention in which she hosted panels and demo'd a game she's making.

[Jim Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my eye at a gaming convention in Wisconsin. I had the good fortune to spend a few minutes speaking with author Jeri Shepherd. Her enthusiasm for the book and the research she did on the "what if" nature of the world in these pages pulled me in. I am regularly looking for something outside of the typical sci-fi, fantasy, or action thrillers I regularly read. This was it. Or actually, this combined several aspects of many of those others. There are two distinct stories intertwined and I loved that part. Jeri's writing made me care about the characters as they learn to "Be Gloriously Human" and "Stand in the Storm". I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter to see what would happen next! I am hooked and I cannot wait for the next book (and the RPG)! This story quickly became a favorite of mine and I hope it becomes a favorite of yours!

[Code Kira Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while to get into the first couple chapters, but once I was about a 1/4 way through, I couldn't put the book down! It took me a while because I realized I've never read a book like Jeri's! I'd never read sy-fi/futuristic reads before and found myself really enjoying this book 💜
I met Jeri at Twin Cities Con and I'm very glad that she stopped me to tell me about her book. Her characters have a lot of life to them and she writes them so well! My favorite characters are Miriam, Linda, Uru, and Mik 🖤🖤.
If you enjoy female-led, widely diverse and futuristic like reads, this is the book for you!! I'm in desperate need of book 2!!