REVIEW: The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis
 |
| UK Cover |
Publishing information: Paperback; 393 pages
Publisher: Blue Door Fiction; 20 June 2016
ISBN: 9780008145460
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson
Amazon
Synopsis: "Trapper was my family even though I didn't know a sure thing about him... Trapper was the kind a' family you choose for yourself, the kind that gets closer'n blood.
He was what I chose and I chose wrong
Since the Damn Stupid turned the block back on civilization, the world has been a harsher place. But Elka has learned everything she needs to survive from the man she calls Trapper, the solitary hunter who took her in when she was just seven years old.
So when Elka sees the Wanted poster in town, her simple existence is shattered. Her Trapper - Kreagar Hallet - is wanted for murder. Even worse, Magistrate Lyon is hot on his trail, and she wants to talk to Elka.
Elka flees into the vast wilderness, determined to find her true parents. But Lyon is never far behind - and she's not the only one following Elka's every move. There will be a reckoning, one that will push friendships to the limit and force Elka to confront the dark memories of her past."
I don't recall how I came to find this book. No one I know had reviewed it and commented on it but one day I found myself clicking the buy button online. I guess the fact that it is a post-apocalyptic survival novel is what did it for me.
The Wolf Road takes place some time after a nuclear war between the US and Russia. Many of the nuclear detonations went to the wrong place and struck the wilds of British Columbia and the interior of Alaska where the tale is located. It has also created devastating storms that occasionally rip through. On one such storm leaves the main character alone. Her grandmother caught out in the tempest and never returned. It is here that she meets a hunter she names Trapper, who becomes a father figure to her. Giving her the name Elka. Over a decade passes without incident as she learns Trapper's trade craft, and becomes very good at it. It is a rare visit to town where she learns that the man who has cared for her isn't as he seems and that he is wanted by the law. This newly acquired information is what sets the real story in motion as Elka has to fend for herself while avoiding the man she trusted as he hunts her down.
Elka is an interesting character, she is strong-willed and likable. After learning that her adopted father
 |
| US Cover |
The world building is a little foggy. We know a nuclear war occurred not too long ago and while it decimated technology and major cities, it didn't effect much of the outlying areas of North America. It seems that if you weren't living in a major city, you didn't feel the full effect of the war. While the weather now is much more hazardous, you should be able to survive if you stay alert and have shelter. The war has sent mankind back to the technology of the late 1800s. Many people have taken to searching for gold in the Yukon in order to survive and find their fortunes. I was expecting to see mutants and other dangers but it appears that the fallout from multiple nuclear detonations was minimal.
As far as the story itself, the book starts at the end of the story and then recaps everything that lead up to the final event. I have never been a fan of this type of storytelling as it seems to remove some of the dramatic impact. The book could have started without the end being given away upfront. However, it is a minor complaint. Overall, the story is quite good and I look forward to seeing what Beth Lewis can come up with next. The Wolf Road is highly recommended.
Overall 8.5/10
Comments
Post a Comment