This story is speculative fiction at its best. It’s also these smaller things that you and I, as readers, can make an impact on. It’s the smallest things, like how tyres and plastics have survived whilst car parks have not, that struck me the most.
Griz’s story doesn’t so much as tell the story of the world, or how it ended, but it does tell us more about how our choices in the present day impacted Griz’s future world, or indeed, any future world. Being young in an old, old world, his childlike (note: not childish) curiosity allows the reader to see the world free of cynicism, though it’s not via rose tinted glasses either. The image of a boy and his dog at the end of the world is enough to tug on my heartstrings (though admittedly this might especially resonate with me as a father of a young son and as the owner of a young pup). The relationship between Griz and Jip is beautiful, and I believe it will resonate with readers whether they are dog lovers or not. Fletcher brings Jip bounding to life from the pages, with wagging tail and wet nose. When I started making notes about ‘characters and characterisation’ the first thing I put down was Jip the dog. But, this also being a story of humankind-the importance of kindness. This style allows for moments of reflection, insight and exploration of themes, such as: hope home loss loneliness determination discovery and, this being a dystopia, survival. The book follows Griz’s journey to save his stolen dog, told via a ‘journal’ of sorts, in which Griz records his story. Farming, fishing, hunter-gathering and scavenging (or as Griz puts it ‘ going a viking’) is how people survive. Much of the modern comforts and commodities have faded with time.
In the future, humanity is reduced to families and small communities who have little contact with one another unless circumstance requires it. Bear with me on this review, as there’s so MUCH I want to talk about but can’t because…*spoilers*. The ARC came with a request not to reveal any of this book’s ‘secrets’ (this is the first time I have ever seen a publisher emphasise this so much, but I commend them for it!) so I’ll keep the introduction short. It’s stayed with me, not just because of how heart-breaking it was at times, but also how heartfelt and warming it was. I’m still thinking about this book, weeks after finishing it. Seriously, it’s bloody amazing, both cover and contents (and the final cover for the release version is just as incredible).
The Full Review: First off, a HUGE thank you to Nazia at Orbit for sending me this STUNNING ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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