A review by overleaf
Dustborn by Erin Bowman
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Readers who enjoy YA fiction in its survivalist, post-apocalyptic vein should enjoy this story, though it has some shortcomings.
I found the setting and world-building to be engaging enough but perhaps overly familiar. Bleak landscape, desperate people scratching out a living, vicious raiders, power-hungry warlords, and rumors of a far-off Sanctuary. Pretty standard stuff. Part of the fun of this type of story is seeing how the relics of the old world (both physical and intellectual) survive and fit into the grim new world, but in this book the "old" is almost gone, including literacy. Interesting, how could it have gotten so bad? Luckily the author throws a fine curve-ball later in the story, so all is not quite as it seems.
The hero, Delta, is everything you could want for this trying environment: tough, tenacious, an loyal to her family. She wants to stand for what is right, but in this harsh world making the right choice is not easy. Central to the story are themes of trust and faith (not overtly religious). The ending was mostly satisfying but, to offer a non-spoiling spoiler,.
-- purchased at Google Play
I found the setting and world-building to be engaging enough but perhaps overly familiar. Bleak landscape, desperate people scratching out a living, vicious raiders, power-hungry warlords, and rumors of a far-off Sanctuary. Pretty standard stuff. Part of the fun of this type of story is seeing how the relics of the old world (both physical and intellectual) survive and fit into the grim new world, but in this book the "old" is almost gone, including literacy. Interesting, how could it have gotten so bad? Luckily the author throws a fine curve-ball later in the story, so all is not quite as it seems.
The hero, Delta, is everything you could want for this trying environment: tough, tenacious, an loyal to her family. She wants to stand for what is right, but in this harsh world making the right choice is not easy. Central to the story are themes of trust and faith (not overtly religious). The ending was mostly satisfying but, to offer a non-spoiling spoiler,
Spoiler
the final conflict was a tad too easy and pat, given the rest of the story's dark trials-- purchased at Google Play
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death