Review: Amongst the Ruins

Amongst the Ruins
by Saewod Tice

Plot Summary:

In the year 2220, only about 15% of Earth's population have survived and thrived after the Nuclear Disaster of 2020.

With the collapse of modern society, the population has regressed into eight clans.

Amongst these clans, an unusual girl grows from child to adult.

Raised on the run and in hiding, Shilo wants to be free of the expectations of women. But in a ruined world where anyone could be an enemy, only the radiation-twisted mutants are clearly identifiable. A fertile female is a precious treasure, and any lapse in caution can mean a loss of the freedom she longs for.

Training as hard as a soldier would, in order to free herself from social constraints, she finds herself faced with an offer from a new clan--an offer that provides her with what she desires. But her recently found independence brings discovery, and discovery brings two very different men from her past—and each of them is determined to claim her.

One is obsessed with owning her, the other desires her as the only person who can make him love again.

Review:

A great, fast-paced dystopian romance, with a strong female heroine who has to battle the expectations set on women's roles in society.  The author's vision of a post-apocalyptic society where repopulation is the major goal is especially vivid and detailed.  The story moves quickly as Shilo and her family go from one clan to another, in an effort to survive since the military state of society doesn't really give her many choices.  I loved how fierce and spiky Shilo is despite her feminine beauty, and how many times she gets to kick major butt in her sparrings and battles.  I also felt her confusion over her sexual attraction to men when she really wasn't interested in becoming a man's property was an intriguing angle to work the romance, especially with Kain who is interested in her, but has trouble showing that.

The story takes many twists and turns as Shilo learns to fight and realizes her need to be independent.  The author explores many different clans, and I was impressed by how well all the information was worked into the story - with a pace that never flagged.  The many different characters that Shilo met, that shaped her personality were well-delineated and believable.  The romance wasn't as strong - it really only kicks in during the last third of the book, and I would have liked it to have seen more of it.  But the story is more about Shilo's journey.  But the cliffhanger though!  I don't know what to think!

Although I felt at rare times, the writing had awkward moments and some typos, I really enjoyed this story for the action and the romance, and I hope to continue reading the series sometime.  This is highly recommended!

a review copy was kindly provided by the author

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