Shaun Myandee

Post-apocalyptic dystopia.

A nuclear conflict has left the world as the protagonists know it largely uninhabitable. The survivors built an enclosed, multi-tiered city. Even in there contamination is still prevalent enough that their lives are heavily dependent on implants that leave the poorest indebted from birth.

The first protagonist is a young man raised among the outcasts who scrape a living in the surroundings of this city, noticed and brought in when he exhibits atypical abilities that lead to his involvement in the plans of one city faction to indirectly challenge their government.
The second protagonist is a scientist woman who unwittingly runs afoul of this same government as her research conflicts with the status quo and the all-powerful implant firms.

The writing is adequate though not stellar, the world fairly interesting. I wasn't too fond of the main protagonist* but the secondary one was quite engaging.

* In part because for most of the novel he functions as a special "Chosen one" which IMHO usually works better in Fantasy than in SciFi, and I'm not too fond of them even there. As the tale winds toward the end however the very erosion of this specialness (no longer so unique, and not as immune from some rules of the world as he may have been led to believe) makes for a quite satisfying undercurrent.… (more)

Post apocalyptic literature seem to be defined currently by the "Wool" series, well move over Howey there's a new boy in town. I am of the opinion that Myandee has given a sterling first performance and hope for others concurrence so that he will continue what easily can become a series. The story, post apocalyptic government in league with tech industry oppressing the masses, opposed by right-minded freedom fighters. You get to the good guys winning and the book ends. Lot's of potential and not as dark as the current genre leader.… (more)