Brief

After a devastating virus eliminated 2/3 of the world's population and survivors are enduring terrifying consequences, a community led by the young Rosa Wells decides to risk it all to reach Better Lands, a place that is supposed to be virus free.

What We Liked

This narrative is interesting because the main theme is up-to-date and portrays a catastrophic short-term future for humanity; and other elements in this saga were proven to be a success in productions such as Stranger Things (young adults leading action) and Game of Thrones (apparently vulnerable but fierce female leader/protagonist).

Film: It would be a great adaptation for Film and a movie franchise because it is a captivating saga that is easy for the audience to relate with, and the protagonist arc is well built in order to hold other storylines together.

TV: This would make for a great adaptation for TV as numerous passages unfold through the saga and characters bring a complex storyline, some of them with character arcs that are surprisingly changing throughout the narrative.

Key points: Fierce female protagonist; Young adults leading action; Relatable pandemics narrative; Catastrophic near future; Complex and well built characters.

Synopsis

Chaos reigned all over the world as a deadly 4-year pandemic took hold of it. Continued variants had only made things worse and a threat of a third strain was looming.

In this scenario, Jean-Pierre, and Darcy, both 17, are orphans trying to escape Canada after losing their entire families and homes due to this deadly virus that has eliminated 2/3 of the population.

At the age of 15, Rosa Wells also becomes a young orphan. Originally born to a rich family but was thrown out into the chaotic world, alone, after her father and mother's death.

Rosa was able to escape from the violent Mr. Chuso, owner of the house she lived with her mother after her father's death. It was then she found shelter at the North Beach Community, in Burlington, Vermont.

Rosa then became a leader for that community after organizing, leading, and protecting the tent community. She quickly grew into this position due to her charisma, leadership, and protecting her followers by shooting to death a couple of thugs that threatened them. Rosa also believed there were better lands they could live in and eventually shared her research with the group.

The three young orphans - Rosa, Jean-Pierre, and Darcy meet later that year and unite and in 2024, lead groups of people on a journey, migrating to Kentucky, where they believe there might be a place where the virus has no power, in the 'better lands'.

Rosa kills a third thug and surprisingly forgives Blitz, the fourth one, who eventually redeems himself and becomes a protector, helping Rosa and Jean-Pierre lead Team 1 to their destination. Team 2 is led by Bill & Patti; Team 3 is led by Jeff & Trap and Team 4 is led by Sam. In the first part of the journey, Team 1 arrives in Lake Placid, NY but encounters an issue with a couple in the group, Chad and Dora, as he falls sick and they are left behind. The team continues their route and during the journey, Blitz falls in love with a local waitress, Miss Lily, who later joins Team 4.

Each subsequent team leaves Vermont a week behind the others and is faced with different struggles, the worst being with Team 3. As Trap & Jeff, Team 3 leaders, don't seem to get along, the shenanigans created by Grey along with Jeff contribute to the fragmentation of the group.

The story temporarily concludes when Team 1 is about to arrive in Cleveland and picks up in book 2.

About The Author

Susan Clawson grew up in the Burlington, Vermont area and for the past 14 years, resides in a rural town in northern Massachusetts, with her husband. They plan to move to the Kentucky area when they retire. Their children are all grown and living throughout the U.S. Susan has worked in sales, marketing, and training for most of her career. She is excited to present book 1 of a 5-book suspense pandemic series to her readers.