A well written book with intersting characters and worldbuilding, an optimistic dystopia. Yes, the civilisation as we know it has perished. People have to face starvation, violence, insecurity. However, a small community, the shelter, gives an alternative, based on love, compassion, collaboration, respect and trust. Will their leader manage to stop a raid solely based on her principles and her wit? I loved the optimistic vision of a shattered world. The novel starts very strongly, with an enemy in front of their gates, two missing teenagers and a strorm coming, endangering the shelters crops. However those problems did not escalate as they should be, leaving a flat feeling.

I loved Meridel Newton's piece for GigaNotoSaurus Every Word a Play, so I knew that this was going to be a piece that, at least stylistically, was going to be right up my alley.

And I wasn't disappointed at all.

With an interesting framing device (cue Clocks by Coldplay), Meridel Newton fleshes out a post-apocalyptic setting, and pits against two different factions/communities, each with their own different worldview: a super manly warring warband encounters a thriving anarchist community, which serves as the setting point of a non-violent conflict resolution 101 that doesn't go as good as it should.

Instead of shedding the spotlight on the two visible leaders (Vasha and Drake), Newton offers a whole range of viewpoints and antagonistic opinions, giving a great taste of the two communities and the problems they face—Osto is a future community with care at the forefront an easy to root for, where as Esteben's Men are the typical dystopian-survival-is-the-priority-and-we-go-with-mad-max-attire guys. But even though the plot and cast are rather straightforward, Newton makes things interesting with a plot that unravels swiftly, and with a range of characters that are much more than an archetype. All ending up in a pretty satisfying read.

Thanks NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for an ARC in exchange of a honest review.

content warnings: violence, guns, death, domestic abuse, child abuse, physical injury

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The Future Second by Second by Meridel Newton is a short novella about a small dystopian village. Osto is a thriving community where everyone supports each other. Led by Vasha, an older woman who has been around for many years, this utopia has shared resources and an organized way of living. When raiders come looking to take advantage of the community’s success, a bargain is struck between the leaders of either group - a contest of sorts that will last one day and will determine the fate of Osto. What can happen in a single day? You would be surprised.

With a wide variety of characters thrust into unexpected situations, this novella is a quick and easy read with an uplifting message, different from other dystopian stories. The Future Second by Second shines hope and light on a bleak world, filled with violence, cruelty and death.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Note: I was given an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

First things first, the cover and title of this book are absolutely stunning. This is definitely one I would pick up for the cover alone. The actual book itself was quite good, although not what I was expecting from the synopsis! Time seems to play a really big role in the title and marketing for this book, but aside from the general references to clocks and the chapter titles, it did not matter much in the book itself and could have been easily omitted without me noticing.

This book takes place over the span of one day in a dystopian civilization that has created a small communal utopia in which everyone supports each other. This utopia is disrupted by a group of raiders looking to take advantage of their success which leads to a contest between the leaders of either group.

The setting and plot for this book are fairly sparse which is nice because it allows the characters to take centre stage. Many of the women in this book are deep, complex characters that really shine in different ways. They fill in the roles of medic, leader, dutiful wife and other archetypes in new and satisfying ways. The two central male figures, Jonathon Newsome and Drake, however, are one dimensional and typically evil. I had a hard time reconciling their motives with their actions and both are just downright irredeemable bad people. It would have been nice to see a little more depth to them, however I understand that is difficult to do with such a large cast in a novella.

Trigger warning: allusions to domestic abuse

I was offered this book as an ARC via NetGalley and do have a not-so-secret love of speculative fiction. This was a quick read but I did not find myself gripped by any of the characters. It was less bleak than much dystopian fiction and had a more hopeful outlook on human nature. Do not let that comment fool you into thinking that this is a novel written with rose-tinted glasses though!

I was not impressed by this novella. I was really interested in the beginning and the way that Osto was shaping itself, but the plot quickly turned into something a bit more simplistic and themed that I was hoping for. We see each character from each side of the conflict have a moment where they either a) reject the society and all that it is offering them or b) come together with someone different from them and learn something new and important along the way! I think I prefer my "lessons" to be a little less on the nose. Again, I loved the premise, I just could not completely enjoy the book as it was. Would have liked more detail. It's not even that I think the book should have been longer - I know it was meant to be novella length - I just don't think that what we spent time on in our short amount of pages was what would have made this story truly good.

Uplifting dystopian stories are rare, but much appreciated at this point in time. Compelling if a little heavy-handed with its message, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My thanks to Interstellar Flight Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Future Second by Second’ by Meridel Newton in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 1 in the Shelter Trilogy, a series of novellas that showcases a different kind of post-apocalyptic world; one that focuses on community and cooperative living rather than the more commonly used trope of an authoritarian dystopia.

Everything is ticking over nicely in the sanctuary community of Osto until a band of raiders arrives intent on violence. Osto is led by Vasha, who has led her people for years. Yet this new threat could destroy the community. She strikes a bargain with the leader of the raiders that plays out over the course of a single day to determine the fate of Osto.

I found this novella a thought provoking read and appreciated its timeline as well as the positive focus on community. Vasha was an inspiring lead.

I certainly will be interested in reading more of the Shelter Trilogy.

As a fan of character-driven stories, I instantly fell in love with this book. The story follows the people of Osta who have been set upon by raiders. In an attempt to avoid violent conflict, the villagers and raiders find themselves living together for a day. We get to see relationships formed, prejudices overcome, and people from different walks of life finding solidarity in one another. The characters are very well written and developed despite it being a short novella. Looking forward to future books in this series!

Thank you to net galley for the e-arc!

French review will be posted on my blog on May 10.

Thanks to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for offering this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

With her title, Meridel Newton presents us with a day that could change everything for the village of Osto. This community, which has rebuilt itself after a cataclysm, is invaded by raiders who threaten to destroy the village.
In barely 100 pages, the author manages to paint a magnificently credible portrait of the functioning of this community, of the social and political issues with which Vasha, the "leader" of the village, has to deal in order to lead and make it prosper. The relationships, friendships, rivalries and hostilities are described with real tenderness and finesse. Love, hatred and grief are also described.
What really stands out in this text, and this is the message that wants to be conveyed, is the power of collaboration, unity and the importance of each individual. The villagers work according to their skills and affinities, however, all products are gathered and redistributed to all, according to need. The notion of ownership does not exist. These are aspects that will become even more important as the story unfolds. The role of leader and the way in which it is exercised is also questioned
"Osto was an oasis, united by the understanding that together, all had a better chance of survival in a broken world.”
The rhythm chosen, a day, also allows for gentle contemplation, while remaining pleasantly rhythmic.
It's difficult to say more, as I think it's a title that must be experienced. But if I had to summarize, The Future Second by Second is a magnificent fresco of humanity. An excellent read that I recommend to you, and which I hope, although I have few hopes, will be translated one day to be accessible to more readers.

I sped through this story because it was such an easy fun read. It reminded me of bedtime stories with a moral but in the best way. I enjoyed the way the story was written even though I knew how it would end from the start.

The compelling cover and description immediately made me want to pick up and read this book, and for the most part I enjoyed what I found inside.

Newton paints a familiar picture of a post-apocalyptic world using tropes like the community against outsiders, raiders, and struggles to regain pre-apocalyptic technology. Fans of Octavia Butler's books, The Road, or many other post-apocalypse classics will immediately appreciate the sideways approach to these, as Newton's take on them hits at an angle that calls into question some of the things other books take for granted.

Newton's characters are also memorable and move through these spaces in unexpected and refreshing ways. Readers will enjoy getting to know Vasha and her townsfolk and the raiders--equal parts rough and tender--in equal measure.

While I did enjoy the interplay between the expectations and realities of each trope, and the characters, ultimately I found the plot unsatisfying and the conflict a little too easily resolved. I couldn't help comparing this book to Ursula LeGuin's "Always Coming Home," which treats on many of the same topics in a much more complex fashion, but I think that's an unfair comparison. I also think Newton's book is much more accessible, and more likely to be enjoyed my most genre readers than Le Guin's, which is more intellectual and playing with concepts from anthropological research.

Since this is only the first book, however, I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the last two parts of this series.

An entertaining community survival novella in a comfortably familiar post-apocalyptic setting.

"The Future Second by Second" tells the survival story of a community of individuals and families as they deal with challenges such as weather, injury, raiders, and a political battle for leadership (and survival!) of the community. This story is quite readable as it steadily pulls us into a world that no longer has any of technology we associate with modern civilization.

I look forward to reading more in this series. The setting, characters, and issues they deal with are engaging.

I thank Meridel Newton and Interstellar Flight Press for kindly providing a review copy of this work.

I really enjoyed this fast paced little post-apocalyptic book. At first it reminded me of The Walking Dead a little - a settled community has been thriving for generations under strong leadership, good organisation and shared resources. That is until the Men come across their little town, Osto and threaten to undo all this stability.

I loved the format - it’s all set in one day as they try to figure out how to move forward with this potential threat to leadership. Each chapter is another hour in the day and it moves quite quickly, but focuses on many of the characters just enough to pique your interest in them.

I can see this developing in a really interesting way as the trilogy moves on and I can’t wait to see what else the author does with this story.

In late 2021 I reviewed a book called Oil and Dust, which was about people in a post-apocalyptic, egalitarian-ish community that is threatened by violent outsiders. This book is very much like it; it's a parable set in a post-apocalyptic, egalitarian-ish community that is threatened by violent outsiders. But where Oil and Dust had finely detailed characters, social systems, and culture, Newton's book does not. In fact, it doesn't have much; a parable about learning that socialism can work, it's got stock characters, dialogue, and a plot from a bad middle-school play. So while it might be ok for young readers--I'd say it's pitched at about a 4th grade reading level--it lacks the depth of ideas, characters, and plot for others.

This book was a pleasant surprise. A post apocalyptic story about a utopian, communal society (well, not quite utopia) that is forced to deal with violent invaders. The unique strategy devised by their leader is one I’ve never seen before, and it made for a truly remarkable experience. I really had to tear myself away from the story to deal with real world issues and it was a relief to start reading again. I’m used to books in this genre being dark, violent and often bleak. There is some conflict and even violence, cruelty and sadness but also a consistent hope and light (without resorting to religious platitudes) that made this story stand apart from others I’ve read and enjoyed.

Absolutely the kind of survival story I'm always looking for and hardly ever find. Can't wait to read more in this universe.

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<p>Review copy provided by the publisher. Also I know the author through this here internets.</p>
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<p>Some of the fiction that gets labeled post-apocalyptic is actually during-apocalyptic. This is actually post-: the settlement in question, the town of Osto, has achieved a pretty stable state, farming and making clothes and trying to figure out how the people in the before times managed their weird materials and lives. They're not perfect--there's infighting and nastiness and domestic violence and disrespect. But they're managing.</p>
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<p>Until the infamous band of Esteben's raiders come to Osto, intent on stripping the town of all that makes it an oasis and leaving desolation in their wake. Vasha, an old woman who has led Osto for years, tries to strike a bargain: if their leader can lead the town for a day and win its people's support in a fair election, she'll give him power freely. That day...hour by hour, second by second...determines the future of Osto.</p>
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<p>There's not a lot that's earthshaking in the science fiction concepts here, but that's not what Newton is aiming for. She's focusing instead on character relationships--how understanding human relationships can be exactly the science that can save a way of life, a little at a time. How giving people their free choice is better than forcing them--no matter what the people holding the guns at your village keep would like you to think. This is a novella full of ideals (though not of sweetness and light), and this is a time when you might very well need some of that.</p>
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The Future Second by Second had a promising start, but by around the 30% I started to become vastly bored. The pacing, even though each chapter is set within an hour, does feel as though it sludges on. The characters feel one-dimensional, and although I put this book down fairly early, I felt as though there really wasn't much room for them to grow, as they also seemed like they were trapped in their own box. It felt to me that the writer, although the phrasing of sentences were nice, was writing for the book to become a film, and not to write a book.

DNF @ 30%

The Future Second By Second is a thought provoking dystopian novella exploring what life and strong leadership should look like in a post-apocalyptic world. Ideologies collide as the future of the Osto community is decided over 15 hours. I did not find anything too surprising in the overall plot, but the setting and use of multiple perspectives make this a rich experience. This book is a solid read if you are looking for an interesting thought experiment set in a dystopian world.

The first chills of winter have begun to set in as the village of Osto scrambles to bring in the last of the harvest. A storm is brewing and whatever is not brought in by the end of the day will almost certainly be lost in the onslaught. Meanwhile, two of the village teens have run off together in their own rendition of Romeo and Juliet. Just another demanding day for village leader Vasha, but nothing she can’t handle. Then the raiders show up. Not just any raiders, but “Esteben’s Men”; the most ruthless and well-armed group around. Vasha knows that they can outlast the raiders with the added protection of the village walls, but at what cost? And for how long? Then an idea hits her. Vasha approaches the leader of the raiders and offers to hand over the reins to the village for the day. At midnight, there will be a vote amongst the villagers and raiders to determine who will lead Osto into the future.

Even though this story only provides a snapshot, Newton has developed a robust world that creates high stakes for her social experiment and sets the stage for a shift in mindset. As life in Osto plays out hour by hour, we get snippets of the village’s three-generation history from survival shelter to vibrant community. Despite the calamity and Osto’s mission of peace, old prejudices still linger and old problems haunt this new age. Meanwhile, “Esteben’s Men” have their own problematic history of survival and violence that has shaped leader Drake and ultimately informed his decision to seek Osto out in the first place. Neither group has everything figured out and that allows the conflict to evolve in interesting ways.

The focus of this story is definitely on the journey to find an equilibrium between the raiders and the villagers of Osto. As a result, there is a little less focus on character development. There is a large cast of characters fit into a small story, so that should come as no surprise. Even though I wouldn’t call most characters unique, you still get a general sense of who they are and their varying perspectives help highlight just how complex a small community can be. That being said, there are a handful of key characters that are developed a little more and that you will still grow attached to as the story progresses.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC!