Page Count 315
Publication date Nov 2019/ Publisher Little A
Synopsis;
Raised in a privileged community of wealthy survivalists on an idyllic, self-sustaining Oregon ranch, Marlo has always been insulated. The outside world, which the ranchers call “the Disaster,” is a casualty of ravaging climate change, a troubled landscape on the brink of catastrophe. For as long as Marlo can remember, the unknown that lies beyond the borders of her utopia has been a curious obsession. But just as she plans her escape into the chaos of the real world, a charismatic new resident gives her a compelling reason to stay. And, soon enough, a reason to doubt—and to fear—his intentions.
Now, feeling more and more trapped in a paradise that’s become a prison, Marlo has a choice: stay in the only home she’s ever known—or break away, taking its secrets of survival with her.
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Review;
Disasters Children follows the sheltered life of main character Marlo on the elitist ranch she’s grown up on. Marlo’s choices throughout are questionable, she swung between clear headed and ridiculously girlish for a woman of her age and intelligence, in a way that made her seem like two separate personalities rather than one coherent character.
The ranch wasn’t quite what I was expecting, I got the idea it would be a self sufficient, live off the earth style place. In actuality the residents have a quarter million buy-in, they are all rich or previously rich folk who regularly visit the town and take swanky hotel trips. They claim not to be a doomsday cult but yet are apparently preparing for the climate change that will end civilisation. The world outside of the ranch is referred to as ‘The Disaster’.
That premise is alarming in it’s feasibility. The depictions of the outside world and how the human race are ignoring it’s collapse chilled me. Yet a lot of the ranchers attribute this demise to wealth and greed whilst displaying those same flaws themselves. I found it hard to invest in their ideals for this reason, instead thinking them all hypocrites.
There are several side characters, I wont say who, that seemed to have their own story building but were suddenly chopped from the plot which I found disappointing.
At 50% into the book not much had happened. For those seeking character driven stories this may not be an issue, but for me it felt a little slow.
There are a few hooks that kept me reading at this point; What is in the mausoleum? Where has Wolf come from and why is he really here?
Unfortunately when I eventually got to the answers they weren’t worth the build up. All in all I found the revelations to be anticlimactic and the ending not worth the time invested.
Roxanne’s Reactions:
I received my copy of DISASTERS CHILDREN from Little A via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
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