Steve Augarde

The world has been destroyed by flood. With everyone’s livelihood buried under the dark and fetid water, the world surrenders to death and decay. Those that do survive wrest a meager existence from the “mainland.” Parents have only one hope for their children- X-Isle. This island, controlled by Preacher John Eck and his sons, reportedly has food, fresh water, and an easier life. Sometimes when the Eck brothers come to trade their salvage goods, they take a child or two back with them. Baz’s father buys his passage to X-Isle with two boxes of shotgun shells. A boy named Ray is selected for a box of Cornflakes. When Baz and Ray arrive on the island, they join a group of boys whose existence is anything but idyllic. Subject to cruel overseers, they work all day for the reward of one can of food. When the boys learn of Preacher John’s insane plot to clear the flood waters, they devise a plan to secure their freedom. They all know that the plan could cost them their lives.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com… (mais)

Have you ever read a book that you weren't sure you liked while reading, but then couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards? The Various, by Steve Augarde was one of those books for me. It took me a month to read it because I had several other books taking precedence, but once I gave it my undivided attention I did enjoy it.
The main character is a girl who's mother is a professional violinist. She goes to spend time with her uncle on his farm while her mother is on tour. She loves the farm and the woods and soon finds that there are ancient, mystical creatures inhabiting the old woods on the farm. She finds a magical tiny flying horse who's been injured and cares for him. It's not all fairy dust and laughter though, there are many of the Various (all the mystical creatures) who don't approve of her presence and some who even try to kill her. A tale of the strength of family, finding the beauty around us, the mystery of our earth, the frailty of parents, and the power of a little girl. I keep thinking about it now. It's the first in the Touchstone Trilogy, and I'll probably read the rest now.… (mais)

This is a dark book. Dark enough, in fact, that it's probably the darkest YA dystopian I've read once all of the factors are added up, and there were some moments when I wondered how likely I'd ever be to tell a teenager about it. That said, it's also a good read, and compelling once it gets going.

On one hand, this is a sort of elevated version of Lord of the Flies--though this is a far better book, and much better written, in my opinion. On the other hand, there's some injustice in even saying that because Augarde creates such a complete and horrific world here. Maybe if Charles Dickens had come forward to write a dystopian, having thought of something like Lord of the Flies... that may be the better description. Because as dark as the situation is, as dark as some of the characters and horrors are... it's all sort of frightfully believable, and the descriptions, threats, and twists are turned around in such a way as to feel more adult... just like teens put into this book would feel far more adult and tortured than would be desired.

All told, I'm not sure I'd hand this book to a young reader, although the tone and characters and situations are exactly what one might expect from a YA Dystopian. Instead, I'd say this is more in line for adult fans of the genre, and perhaps mature young adults who'll have the patience for a book that takes as many cues from adult science fiction as from YA. Still, this book unsettled me, and I sometimes didn't want to turn the page to see what was coming, compelling as the read was... and that rarely happens when I read YA anything, so there's something to be said for that.

Recommended, with the above warnings in mind. This is darker than expected for this genre, and sometimes difficult to read.… (mais)