Release Day Review: Disaster's Children by Emma Sloley
Publisher: Little A
As the world dies, a woman must choose between her own survival and that of humankind.
Raised in a privileged community of wealthy survivalists on an idyllic, self-sustaining Oregon ranch, Marlo has always been insulated. The outside world, which the ranchers call “the Disaster,” is a casualty of ravaging climate change, a troubled landscape on the brink of catastrophe. For as long as Marlo can remember, the unknown that lies beyond the borders of her utopia has been a curious obsession. But just as she plans her escape into the chaos of the real world, a charismatic new resident gives her a compelling reason to stay. And, soon enough, a reason to doubt—and to fear—his intentions.
Now, feeling more and more trapped in a paradise that’s become a prison, Marlo has a choice: stay in the only home she’s ever known—or break away, taking its secrets of survival with her.
Set in a chillingly possible, very near future, Disaster’s Children is a provocative debut novel about holding on to what we know and letting go of it for the unknown and the unknowable.
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
When I read the synopsis of this book I'd imagined a whole other story than the one I got. It unfortunately did not meet the expectations I set when I started this novel. I was expecting more suspense, action, and twists and turns. However, what I got was a monotone story with unrelatable characters. I didn't like that almost the whole story was set on the self-sustaining Oregon ranch. I would've loved for the main character to grow and explore the outside world, because the world the author had created was pretty intriguing, and I would've loved to see it brought more to life on paper. What I got at the end of this book is what I would've loved to have happened in the middle of story. It had a very slow pace, and the main character wasn't that interesting to be honest. I couldn't connect to her and I didn't like her that much. She was in her mid-twenties but acted way younger. This book didn't feel finished, it ended when the story was starting to get good. This story felt more like a first book in a series, and if that was the case I would've definitely gave it an extra star.
Emma Sloley began her career as an editor at Harper's BAZAAR Australia before moving to New York to become a freelance travel writer.
Her short fiction and creative non-fiction has appeared in literary journals such as Catapult, Yemassee Journal, The Masters Review Anthology, The Tishman Review, Structo, Cleaver, JMWW, and Barren magazine.
Her travel writing has been published in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Departures, Coastal Living, Gourmet Traveller, Virtuoso Life and New York magazine, among many others.
Emma is a MacDowell fellow and has been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize, and her debut novel, DISASTER'S CHILDREN, is forthcoming from Little A Books on November 5, 2019.
Born in Australia, Emma now divides her time between the US and the city of Mérida, Mexico. She lives with her husband, the writer Adam McCulloch.
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