Blackthorn by Terry Tyler #NewRelease #BookReview #Post-apocalypse

 

The UK, year 2139.

One hundred and fifteen years ago, a mysterious virus wiped out ninety-five per cent of humanity.

Blackthorn, the largest settlement in England, rose from the ashes of the devastated old world. It is a troubled city, where the workers live in crude shacks, and make do with the worst of everything.

It is a city of violent divisions, crime, and an over-populated jail block, until a charismatic traveller has a miraculous vision, and promises to bring hope back to the people’s lives.

Blackthorn falls under Ryder Swift’s spell, and the most devoted of all is the governor’s loyal servant, Lieutenant August Hemsley.

Twenty-one-year-old Evie has lived her whole life in the shacks. She and disillusioned guard Byron Lewis are two of a minority who have doubts about Ryder’s message. Can they stand against the beliefs of an entire city?

My Review

It was with great excitement that I began to read Blackthorn about life in the largest settlement in England 115 years after ninety-five per cent of the population died as a result of a fatal virus.  The books of the Project Renova series had introduced us to several unforgettable characters, evil, conniving, honourable or delightful but there are many more permutations possible within the human race.  Here we meet Evie, a hard-working, kind young woman who doesn’t follow the crowd but is careful not to draw attention to her family or friends.  Living in a simple shack she is one step above her friend Jay in Stinky Bottom but definitely below the status of Byron and Hemsley, guards who can live in the East End near to Governor North with all the modern conveniences.

Into their lives comes Ryder Swift, a handsome, charming traveller whom everyone takes to. Soon he brings a vision of life after death and harmony amongst the people.  But when Jay gets into trouble, the unhappy lives of the poor and imprisoned cause Hemsley, Byron and Evie to question the new-found benevolence of their unpleasant governor.  They need to take dangerous, drastic action.

This is a great book to read as a stand-alone story, including love, friendship, deceit and cruelty in the fast moving tale, but if you have read books in the Project Renova series you will find some of the names are familiar and towards the end of the novel a connection to the original legacy is made.

 

Blackthorn on Amazon UK

My review of Tipping Point (Book 1 in the Project Renova series)