Friday 11 November 2016

SCIENCE FICTION DYSTOPIAN REVIEW: Australia 2 and 3: Long Dark Dusk and Dark Made Dawb - James P Smythe

Release Date: 07/04/16
Publisher:  Hodder

SYNOPSIS:

***SEQUEL TO THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD SHORTLISTED NOVEL WAY DOWN DARK***

The moment she learned the horrible truth about her life on Australia, the derelict ship overrun with violent gangs, Chan Aitch made it her mission to save everyone she could from their fate worse than death. But her efforts were in vain. Now, everyone she cares about is dead or in prison, and Chan is more alone than ever before.

As the only person to have escaped Australia's terrible crash-landing back to Earth, Chan is now living in poverty on the fringes of a huge city. She believes Mae, the little girl she once rescued on the Australia, is still alive - but she has no idea where Mae is, or how to find her. Everything on Earth is strange and new, and Chan has never felt more lost.

But she'll do whatever it takes to find Mae, even if it means going to prison herself. She's broken out of prison before. How hard could it be to do it again?


REVIEW:

Having loved the original title in the Australia series, I couldn't wait to return to see what the author would do with the not only the world but the characters that inhabit it. I shouldn't have worried as the tale continues in its own way concentrating on the principle character of the original novel.

The prose is solid, the pace fast enough to get your blood up and with dialogue to keep you glued you really get to know the people of James' work pretty well. They're not just after thought, each feels fleshed out and for me, thats the sign of a good book. Back this up with an overall arc that continues to deliver and all round I was a more than happy reader.




Release Date: 06/10/16
Publisher: Hodder

SYNOPSIS:

THE EPIC SERIES BEGAN WITH WAY DOWN DARK, SHORTLISTED FOR THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD.

IT CONTINUED WITH LONG DARK DUSK.

IT CONCLUDES... NOW.

There was one truth on Australia, the derelict ship on which Chan was born and raised: you fight or you die. Usually both.

But everything on Australia was a lie. Abandoned and alone, Chan was forced to live a terrible existence on the fringes of society, Australia's only survivor after a terrible crash-landing on Earth.

But Chan discovered she was not alone. Together with the unlikeliest of allies, Chan carved out a place for herself on Earth. And now the time has come: she's finally found a reason to keep going. But friends have become enemies, and enemies have become something worse. It's time for Chan to create her own truths, and discover a life beyond fighting and death.

A life beyond Australia.


REVIEW:

The final part of the Australia series and having loved the previous titles I really couldn't wait to see how the series would end. After all in the final book all bets are off as to not only survivability but also as to how the author will round up a lot of the loose threads/

What James does well is keep the characters moving forward, the events of the past having not only shaped them but aided in them becoming friends of the reader. The dialogue is crisp, the prose a joy to read as they have been throughout the series and all round, for me, I was treated to a tale that made me more than pleased I read the others not so long ago in order to help keep events fresh. All round a great series and one I'd reommend for anyone looking for not only a dystopican title but one that centres around believable characters, something that can get lost when you step into the far future. Magic.



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