Book Review: Snowglobe (Snowglobe, #1) by Soyoung Park

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mesmerizing!

Snowglobe is a young adult dystopian tale by Korean author Soyoung Park, recently translated into English by Joungmin Lee Comfort. It is the first book of a duology, so readers need to be prepared to hold on when all their questions are not answered in this volume. But, with its intriguing premise, engagingly relatable main characters, and nimble execution, Snowglobe is pure entertainment.

The main character is Jeon Chobahm, a sixteen-year-old twin living in the frigid “open” world with her mother, twin brother, Ongi, and grandmother, who is firmly within the grasp of dementia. Since graduating from school ten months earlier, she and Ongi have been working 10-hour days at the power plant with their mother.

Chobahm’s dream is to become a director of reality show-styled programming in the domed city of Snowglobe, where it is all created and filmed. She is conflicted when her idol, director Cha Seol, offers her the opportunity to “help” her on her most famous show, Goh Around, by secretly replacing the star, an amazing lookalike named Haeri. With this harsh background and difficult bleakness looming, Chobahm is amazingly hopeful for her future, and it is easy to understand why she agreed to Director Cha’s scheme. Her innocent beliefs are quickly challenged.

While Chobahm struggles with the ethics of the impersonation, the unsettling dynamics in the Goh family, and the actions and agenda of the intimidating and dangerous Cha Seol, she sinks into her role as Haeri more easily than I would have expected. Her long attention to the show prepares her well. But what happens off-camera is tense and stressful, and Chobahm has no one she can trust. As her masquerade continues, she uncovers startling revelations that the viewers at home are completely unaware of.

The setting of the domed city of Snowglobe is one of the things that drew me to this story, but with Chobahm’s hectic, supervised life, we only get a narrow glimpse of what it’s like. She’s in a very restricted niche, and her life stays pretty much in that lane except for a couple of wrong moves on her part. We have a much more robust vision of the open world than the physical nature of Snowglobe proper.

The story is well-told and nicely paced, with some eye-opening twists and turns to keep me glued to its pages. I read almost the entirety of the book in one reading session without even a thought of a break.

I recommend SNOWGLOBE to readers of young adult fiction and dystopian stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.


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Book Tour & Giveaway: Upheaval (The Divided States, #1) by A.E. Faulkner

Some secrets were never meant to be uncovered

Upheaval

The Divided States Series Book 1

by A.E. Faulkner

Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy

The Divided States of America, 2121

A hundred years after the Great Infection Spread swept across countries and continents, barriers rose and borders closed. Nations isolated themselves in protective siloes as survivors faced starvation, disease and the daunting task of rebuilding. The United States was carved into three Territories, each ruled independently.

Today, the three Societal Order leaders ration everything – clothing, food, energy – because demand drowns supply. To conserve resources, citizens are declared either day dwellers or night dwellers, essentially limiting their existence to 12 hours each day.

Where you’re born is where you stay. Until now.

Everly Scott is preparing to graduate from her final year of schooling when she’s chosen to serve on an inter-Territory delegation. As one of twelve delegates, she will help assess and recommend updates to the Alliance Agreement, which outlines trade and peace relations between the Territories.

Everly embarks on the journey of a lifetime – crossing the Xone walls to learn about people and places that have always been well out of reach. It’s the greatest opportunity she’s ever had. And also the most dangerous one.

Secrets lurk within each Territory and Everly’s about to find out what happens to those who uncover them.

 

Amazon * BookBub * Goodreads

**Don’t miss Book 2 - Uprising!**

Find it on Amazon

A. E. Faulkner was born and raised in Pennsylvania. When she’s not lost in a book, she loves spending time with her husband and two sons, especially while hiking, biking, or exploring nature. She loves almost everything about nature—ticks excluded, and one of her biggest fears is the repercussions we will face when nature can no longer tolerate human destruction. As such, she never tires of reading dystopian-themed tales. Stories about the end of the world absolutely fascinate her.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * BookBub * Amazon * Goodreads

Coming soon!

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,

Ebook of book #2 – Uprising – 3 winners!

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Book Review: Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh

Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exciting YA dystopian tale with a sweet romance.

Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh is an exciting young adult dystopian tale of a horrifying future, where the human population has been decimated by deadly viruses while leaving an enhanced, winged human hybrid race untouched. The surviving humans hunt the Evol-humans almost to extinction for their blood, whose properties can reverse the virus, saving its victims.

Told from the alternating points of view of the last two Evol-humans, River and Delene, the story grabbed my attention from the start, with both protagonists in dire situations. As they struggle to escape their human captors, the author deftly inserts the backstories of the two and how the world came to its current state.

The romantic subplot develops slowly and sweetly, making it suitable for most ages. I was relieved that there were at least two of their kind left and rooted for this sweet relationship from the beginning. The harsh settings and evil characters are well-drawn, providing real struggles for the characters to overcome. The compelling yet easy-to-read story made this one of my favorites in this genre.

I recommend SHADOWED SKIES to readers of young adult dystopian stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Book Review: HappyHead by Josh Silver

HappyHead by Josh Silver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suspenseful young adult dystopian thriller where evil lurks behind a smiling face.

HappyHead by Josh Silver is a new young adult dystopian thriller about a mysterious residential treatment facility that claims its mission is to fight the rise of systemic unhappiness across society’s youth and its inaugural session of 100 hand-selected teen participants. From the outside, HappyHead appears to be a beautiful and luxurious spa-like opportunity for young adults who are seeking to improve personal growth or, for some, gain an advantage in their upcoming journey to achieve adult success. The reality may be something much, much different, and unexpectedly deadly.

The story unfolds from the point of view of the main character, Sebastian “Seb” Seaton, a young man struggling with feeling loved and accepted for who he is by his family, especially his parents, and they don’t even know that he’s gay. Seb seems like such a regular kid, working through understanding himself, his feelings and beliefs, and others, while developing a foundation for his true persona. His attraction to the dark, wounded Finneas is achingly meant to be. His narration reveals a humorous and clever personality, and the snark is strong and entertaining.

Nothing about the routine or treatment at the facility is what Seb expected, and, from the start, he feels unsettled and off-balance, like everyone is in on a joke except him (and so was I as a reader.) The smiling visages of the “Overalls” and HappyHead treatment staff are eerie and add to the constantly rising feeling of suspense. Several of the activities at HappyHead triggered my “AwHellNo” alarm and upped the terror of the story, such as the implanting of a ‘chip’ in the breast of the young participants. Each subsequent twist kept me glued to the story as the action and the fates of the characters careened forward.

Quickly a fan of Seb’s “voice,” I was completely absorbed into Seb’s story. The descriptions of the facility and grounds are vivid, starting even before setting foot on the actual property. Set somewhere in the Scottish countryside, Seb’s parents literally drop him off in the middle of nowhere on a dead-end road, surrounded by tall reeds and sunflower fields obscuring the sight of any buildings or landmarks nearby. Later, there are scenes of confusing, undistinguishable white interiors and dark, dense woods, all confined within tall, electrified fencing, enhancing the pervasive feelings of desperation, isolation, and lack of individual control.

With its sympathetic main characters and interesting range of intense secondary figures, suspense-filled atmosphere, and twisty plot, I recommend HAPPYHEAD to readers of young adult dystopian thrillers, especially those wanting complex but realistic LGBTQ representation.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Book Tour: Dissonance, Volume 1: Reality by Aaron Ryan

Dissonance

Volume 1: Reality

by

Aaron Ryan

YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian

Publication Date: January 1, 2024

Page Count: 326 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Plug your ears.  And whatever you do, don't look.  The war for humanity has begun.

Cameron “Jet” Shipley was there when they arrived in 2026. He, and everyone else, lived through the next decade and a half, learning to hide. Learning to never make a sound. Learning the most important rule of all:

You just..don’t…look.

The year is now 2042, and humanity is eking out an existence in the shadows.

Cameron and his team are sent out on a recon mission in Clarksville Tennessee, with events and developments that may alter the trajectory of Earth’s fate… and his own.

Joined by newcomers Bassett and Trudy, Cameron and his brother Rut will have to contend with a powerful force that has laid waste to the planet and annihilated over eighty-five percent of Earth’s civilization.

Will Jet’s expeditions lead him on a slippery slope of discovery that demands accountability and answers?

Or will it plunge the earth, and everything in it, into further dissonance? 

“Aliens” meets “A Quiet Place” in this dystopian sci-fi thriller series.

 CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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Review

Coming soon!

About the Author

Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches.

He is the author of the “Dissonance” series, several business books on multimedia production penned under a pseudonym, as well as a previous fictional novel, “The Omega Room.”

When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book. And thus, “The Electric Boy” was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron’s desire to write. From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.

He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy. In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more. The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.

Aaron’s favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Marie Lu, Madeleine L’Engle, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen King.

Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling.

Aaron is the admin of the Authors & Writers Only group on Facebook.

 

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Teaser Tuesday: The Cyclopes' Eye by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius

 

YA Dystopian, Soft Sci-Fi

Date to be Published:

 April 9, 2024

Publisher:

NineStar Press

 

First they came for his sister’s eye. Now they’re coming for his. And what’s even worse is he deserves it.

Henry has never had anything good happen to him, period. Full stop. That’s why, after school, he’s going to put on his big-boy pants and confess his love to his best friend—because the universe owes him one, dammit, and he needs a win.

But maybe doing it on Drill Day wasn't the best idea—the one day a month that healthcare conglomerate Axiom infiltrates schools across America to select a new candidate to give up one of their eyes, for... research? And if this Drill Day is anything like the last, Henry will never get a chance at a good life. Especially if his past keeps threatening to eat him alive, and especially if his old ways of keeping the darkness at bay refuse to work anymore.

 

Excerpt

I hate attention. I hate causing a scene. I hate being noticed. And I’m very, very aware that, right now, that is exactly what’s happening. I’m also noticing how sweaty I am. My face is either ghost white or bile green. Or beet red. All three?

A part of me knows they can’t be looking at me any worse than they usually do, though. Poor Henry with his one-eyed sister. Poor Henry with his drunk of a dad. Poor Henry with his convict of a mother.

I think about reaching down to my thigh to catapult me out of this moment, the tangle of cuts and scars I could squeeze and knead like dough so the jolt of hurt would replace this ache of embarrassment. But I can’t. Not here.

We take the third speed bump slower than the last two, but I still feel touch-and-go. At this point, the best option is to just get out of here as fast as I can. Since I’m already standing when we pull into the parking spot, I don’t wait for all the people in front of me to get off first. I march right on up to the front like I own this bus. And you know what? For right now, I do, fuckers.

“You in a hurry or something?” asks the driver. He removes his shades to reveal two very intact and very brown eyes. His fist is wrapped around the lever to open the door, but he’s not opening it.

I wasn’t expecting this, and with each second, my blood feels thicker and thicker, like sludge. I mumble something about a test I have to study for.

“One day you’ll realize life’s about more than school,” he says, believing, I’m sure, that he’s being very profound at six-thirty.

I just nod and smile, hoping my face doesn’t betray my anguish.

He smirks and finally pulls the lever, and the door squeaks and sighs as it opens. I jump down the stairs, and I must go a little too fast because there’s no way I can hold it in anymore. I’ve got to puke, and I’ve got to puke now.

I race around to the front of the bus, shielded on all sides by other buses that I really hope are empty, and let it go.

It’s so painful coming up, like someone is stabbing me. My eyes flutter open and closed as it comes pouring out, and it’s like I’m watching myself in stop motion. It forms puddles around my feet. Some of it gets on my shoes.

It’s hot and gross, and some of it sprays up into my nose, which might make me puke more. I try to be quiet so nobody will hear me, but the bus engine is so loud that it probably doesn’t matter. Or maybe that’s delirious thinking. Maybe the driver is watching from his window right now. But if anybody does come over to see, they don’t wait around long enough to say anything.

A minute later, when I’m sure it’s all out of me, I feel light, free. Empty. I think this might be the best I’ve ever felt in my life. Maybe I can read this poem today. Maybe Sam will respond the way I want. I should puke more often.

Everything in me goes still and quiet. It’s almost like I’m floating through fog as I wind my way through the maze of buses all parked in a cluster. I’m so light, it feels like a dream. Like I’m not real. Is this what it’s like to get high?

As soon as I round the last bus, I come down.

If getting sick was a dream, reality is not worth waking up for. The nightmare of my life is as bleak as it’s ever been.

Ah, yes, here we are. Drill Day.

Across the parking lot, a few hundred feet away, is the entire student body—two thousand of my peers. They’ve been rounded up like cattle in front of school, their incessant chatter like primal, god-fearing cries for help before being led to slaughter. And just like real cattle, they know there’s no escape.

But at least the cows get to die before their mutilation

 

About the Author

Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius works in healthcare by day and writes weird fiction and poetry by night. His shorter work has been featured in numerous literary journals and has been nominated for prizes, including Best of the Net. He currently lives in the Midwest with his unbelievably handsome and perfect dog, and also a human whom he loves. The Cyclopes’ Eye is his debut novel.

 

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