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Under Vanishing Skies (2013)

by G.S. Fields(Favorite Author)

3.63 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Tuscan Fields Publishing

review 1: This is a brilliant book. The sci-fi elements are mostly in the background, with the story focusing on several inhabitants amongst the survivors on a chain of tropical islands.Life isn't easy for the survivors, and it's made far worse by roving packs of pirates who try to prey upon those on the islands. The survivors are trying to both stay alive and decide which lucky few will get to leave on a transport for the fledgling Mars colony.The characters in the story all feel real and I soon found myself caring about them and their community as a whole. This is a real page turner, and there's at least one twist in there that I didn't even begin to see coming. Highly recommended.
review 2: Aron Atherton is determined to suffer through the end of days. A massive ... moresolar storm has killed his wife and daughters, along with many inhabitants of Earth, and Aron has no interest in joining other survivors on a rescue ship to Mars; he would rather drown himself in drink and dismal thoughts. But 12 years in dystopia have nevertheless led him to care for a few people, and when he sees that their chances to escape the apocalypse are threatened, he climbs out of his mental morass to fight for their survival, if not his own. From the first page, Aron is a strong and layered character. His acerbic banter telegraphs his bitterness, but little cracks and holes give us inklings of a softer man inside, one whose personal wounds and guilt make him harder on himself than he is on anyone else. He is a fascinating person to follow: witty, resourceful, and cunning, yet not so hardened that he's an egotistical jerk. The post-disaster world Fields depicts is beautiful and intriguing and frightening. He conjures an island paradise that has maintained its beauty but lost its tranquility; people who have lost everything but cling to their humanity—or abandon it completely. Interpersonal intrigue always underlies political scheming, and Fields offers convincing depictions of both: he outlines motivations and drops hints of machinations that simmer below the surface and then explode. Fields portrays gripping scenes of Aron fighting corruption and terrorism, not because he thinks it matters that he is right, but because he cannot let the assholes beat his friends (as he might say). His elaborate descriptions of the communications system Aron and others create on the islands reads (to my unknowing eyes) like a how-to manual. The mystery of what exactly is rotten in this dystopian state starts early and increases steadily, driving full-throttle to an inevitable yet still surprising end. Full disclosure: I knew the author in high school, and he sent me an advance of this book, after seeing I had published a book of my own. Being a professional copy editor, felt compelled to alert him to some errors I found in the ms. When I visited the Amazon page to refer friends to it, I see that Fields graciously credited me for my work. However this may appear, I do not receive any portion of sales. I do not typically read this genre, so I was surprised to be so engrossed in the story, and because I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share my informed opinion. less

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