Paul Beatty (2)

I've been wanting to read more historical fiction. Most of what I've read has been World War II romance, so I've been keeping an eye out for anything that's from a different point in history. When I received the email from Rachel's Random Resources, I was immediately drawn in by the cover, then the synopsis. This was definitely one of the most interesting historical fiction novels I've read, and I loved that romance wasn't the main focus. I also really liked Paul's writing style, as it was show more informative and entertaining.

It took me a few chapters to properly get into this one, but once I was invested, I couldn't put it down. I was a bit lost at times, as I barely know anything about the time period, but I did learn a few interesting things. It was pretty informative, so even if you don't know much, you still may really enjoy the book. I would say that if you have any knowledge of the era, you'll absolutely enjoy the book a bit more than if you go into it blindly.

I really liked the characters and the development. This is the second book in the Josiah Ainscough mysteries, but you still get a pretty decent understanding of Josiah. I personally would like to read this again after reading the first book, just to see if there's more to Josiah than shown in this book, but it isn't necessary.

There's a second storyline about Rosemary and Ned, which was interesting, but I'm still not entirely sure what it was supposed to add to the story. I actually really liked the ending of the main plotline, and if Paul ends up writing another book, I'll absolutely be getting it as soon as I can. show less

Set about a hundred years from now, the climate of northwest Europe, and the British Isles in particular has undergone a violent reversal when the North Atlantic Conveyor (aka the Gulf Stream) has collapsed under the onslaught of the defrosting polar regions. One year, winter came strongly and never really left, leading to social collapse as the food ran out and the army units sent into the cities to maintain order became the forerunners of the Scavngers that would spend their time looting show more the cities for survival.

Meanwhile, a group of back to basic survivors have maanged to set up a community called Heron Fleet where everyone must work and gather the fruits of their toil. and while this may seem a rather idealistic society, the Powers in Heron Fleet have their own agendas; the Council is only interested in maintaining the Rule but the secretive Creche Mothers, who hold the power of birth over the society for man must not sleep with woman in order to bring children into the world but partner with a member of the same sex, hold the future generations of Heron Fleet to ransome.

When Tobias comes to the wharves of Heron Fleet after escaping from a particularly violent Scavenger ganglord, he's rescued by Francesca who'd learnt her partner had been unfaithful to her with a boy. As Francesca and Tobias recover from their ordeal the darkest secrets of Heron Fleet are revealed to th horrified members.

I quite liked the book overal though I felt the completeness of the collapse of society was rather too complete without any apparent attempt at succor from allies (or even enemies!) from less affected areas of the world and he was very cold blooded when it came to killing off the inhabitants of the fort in the City. show less