Sahara’s Review of The Burning Tree: Book 1: Salvation by Christopher Artinian

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 

The bunkers were built for the apocalypse. Just not the one they expected.

Life was bad and getting worse in the depths of Salvation. It did not take the people of Level Three long to realise that the only reason they had been spared from the cataclysm was to become a slave class.

Now, a single accident has changed everything. Fear is spreading like a virus. Rumours become facts the moment they’re spoken. Neighbour is turning against neighbour. And time is running out fast.

For most, this signals the end. For Callie and her friends, there is just one hope, but to find it, they’re going to have to fight through the most terror-filled night of their lives.

Can they escape the horror that awaits them? Or will these next few hours be their last?

MY REVIEW:

This is the first book by this author I’ve read and it was recommended to me by a friend. 

The story doesn’t take place on some far-off -planet but it might as well have with all the world building needed.  Artinan’s description of the bunker with the different levels and living conditions makes the reader feel like they’re right there.  He also has a grasp of human nature and the human condition.  How most people are so willing to follow anyone that makes choices for them so they’re not responsible for their own actions. Sounds like our society today.

I felt the first part of the book was slow as there was excessive repeating of the same events as new characters got involved.  And too much describing of ordinary routines, like making tea or getting ready in the morning.  Not necessary and just makes the reader want to skip over those parts.  The author also had a tendency to get on a Liberal/socialist soap box and those parts did get flipped over. 

Then everything went to hell in a handbag.  From that point on pages were turned faster and the tension built.  I found myself holding my breath, waiting to see what happened.  Please don’t let them die.

There were a few characters I related to more than others.  One is Michelle ad the other Susan.  I can’t wait to see what happens to them in book two.  Which I will be reading.  As for Greenslade, not sure how I feel about him.  Is he good or bad?  Did he get his just desserts?  We shall see.   

If you’re a fan of dystopian YA novels like Hunger Games, action and adventure, and family drama, you’ll enjoy this story.  I give it 4 stars.