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Year one [DAPL book club kit]
2018
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Library Journal Review
No one fully understands how the illness started, or how it spread so fast. But now more than half of the world's population is gone. In the wake of science and technology's failure to stop the plague, survivors begin to use magic. For those like Lana Bingham and her lover Max, it brings a peace few have known in this postapocalyptic world; for others, it unlocks their darker nature. As governmental factions hunt down those responsible for applying these paranormal powers, Lana and Max leave New York and search for Max's brother and friends out west. Along the way, they meet other travelers, some seeking to thrive, others to destroy. But their ultimate purpose awaits as once the End arrives, the Beginning will follow. VERDICT Roberts's full step into a modern fantasy series is long overdue. Fascinating characters and a well-built dystopia combine with a riveting plot that will attract a whole new group of readers. [See Prepub Alert, 6/26/17.]-KC © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publishers Weekly Review
The entertaining latest from Roberts (Come Sundown), the first of a trilogy, concerns a magical blight that wipes out most of mankind and leaves some survivors with otherworldly powers. After what becomes known as the Doom is unwittingly unleashed by a hunter's bullet, Uncannys-people with magical inclinations, such as the witch Max Fallon and his lover, Lana Bingham-experience a surge in their abilities. Others discover newfound capabilities, like Little Fred, who realizes that she's a fairy. Then there are Uncannys like Max's bitter younger brother, Eric, who's long lived in Max's shadow and whose resentment darkens his inclinations. The world quickly divides into factions of good and evil as those immune to the Doom try to find one another and start over in communities. After dodging marauding gangs and evil Uncannys who want to kill her, Lana learns that she holds the key to saving this new world. Roberts knows how to write a page-turner, though her prose often relies on repetitive exposition and her attempts at depicting diversity can be cringeworthy ("I'm a good driver. No Asian driver cracks, black boy"). Characters are pretty much stock good or evil, but readers who are after a well-told apocalyptic story with magical touches will be satisfied. 1,000,000-copy announced first printing. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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