Above the Fire by Michael O'Donnell is a haunting and poignant survival tale set against the stark backdrop of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Doug, a grieving widower, and his seven-year-old son, Tim, embark on a hiking trip meant to bring them closer. But their journey takes a harrowing turn when an inexplicable national catastrophe severs all communication and plunges the world below into chaos. Faced with an uncertain and hostile reality, Doug chooses to stay secluded in the mountains, seeking refuge in a ranger's cabin to protect his son and forge a path through an isolating winter.

This debut novel beautifully weaves themes of survival, resilience, and the evolving bond between a father and son. O'Donnell’s prose is captivating, creating vivid, atmospheric imagery that immerses readers in the icy desolation of the mountains. The relationship between Doug and Tim is the emotional heart of the story, unfolding tenderly as they navigate grief, fear, and hope. The author masterfully portrays their journey, showcasing how love and connection can grow even in the most trying circumstances.

Supporting characters, like the mysterious David, the Danish couple, and others they encounter along the way, are skillfully crafted, adding depth and nuance to the narrative. The story’s introspective nature shines, balancing the quiet, contemplative moments with the tension of survival and the mystery of what lies beyond the mountain.

Though the pace is intentionally slow, it draws you in, making every moment with these characters feel profound. The detailed knowledge of hiking and survival lends authenticity to the narrative, immersing readers in the harsh realities Doug and Tim face. The only disappointment lies in the brevity of the story—it leaves you yearning for more, both in understanding the larger catastrophe and in following the characters' journeys beyond the final page.

Above the Fire is more than a survival story; it’s a deeply moving exploration of loss, love, and what it means to protect those you cherish in a world turned upside down. Thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, this novel is perfect for fans of introspective dystopian fiction and character-driven narratives. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be great...until the end. The ending kept this from being a 5 star read with too many unanswered questions. I liked the overall plot and bond between father and son. I liked the writing style and found it easy to read.

Beautiful writing, loved the descriptions of the White Mountains and it felt close to home. Not my typical type of book, but kept me invested.

Really enjoyed the book from start to finish. Author wrote this with great pace. This book is now one of my top books of the year for sure. Loved every second of this book

In a world governed by the harsh laws of survival, Doug, an introverted widower, struggles to connect with his seven-year-old son Tim during a hiking trip in the White Mountains before harsh weather sets in. Despite their shared grief, an unforeseen national catastrophe severs all communication channels, forcing them to collaborate to endure. As the country is plunged into darkness by an unseen force, chaos ensues—riots, rampant fires, and unexplained calamities grip the nation. Opting to remain secluded in the mountains, Doug seeks refuge in a ranger's cabin with Tim. Throughout a desolate winter, they must rely solely on each other to survive.

"Above the Fire" is masterfully crafted, painting vivid portraits of characters whose essence leaps off the page. Debut author Michael O'Donnell skillfully transports readers into an atmospheric world of external desolation and internal solitude, showcasing the blossoming affection between Doug and Tim. Secondary characters like David, the Danish couple, and the man with the orange socks are also brought to life with remarkable clarity. This engrossing tale captivated me from start to finish—I found myself reluctant to part ways with its pages. Bravo, Michael O'Donnell, for a truly exceptional work. A deserving 5-star rating.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Michael O'Donnell for providing an advance copy of this captivating book.

Above the Fire is a survival story that takes place in New Hampshire on the Presidential Traverse. Doug is a widower that loves to hike and decides to take his young son Tim with him. They hike during the day and stay in remote cabins along the trail at night. During their journey they learn that something has happened down the mountain, all communications have been cut off. Now Doug is tasked with making life and death decisions for him and his son alone. While everyone else decides to trek back down the mountain and take their chances Doug chooses to wait it out in a cabin with his son. This story is more than just how they will survive, it's about the bond between a father and his son after dealing with loss and now a world full of unknowns. This was a very quick easy read that left me wanting to know more of the story.

Review: Above the Fire by Michael O’Donnell

This book is a simple premise and doesn’t have “exciting” things happening, but it is captivating. It’s an interesting and thought-provoking read - slow and meaningful. It’s obvious the author researched/is knowledgeable about the area & hiking & survival, to the point of my learning some things while reading. The relationship between the father and son is the focus of the book and it’s a beautiful thing seeing it develop and change as they navigate being together and surviving. The only thing you’ll be disappointed by is that there isn’t more and you don’t know what happened - both overall and to some of the characters.

I would recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from @netgalley & Blackstone Publishing in return for my honest review.

Doug is a widower and he takes his young son, Tim, for a trek into the mountains. Whilst staying at a mountain hut, they discover that the world far below has changed - in what way, is unknown.

It is all about survival for the people who have gathered in the huts. Do they stay or do they go? There is no phone reception, no internet and no-one comes up to the huts to let anyone know what is happening. So, in order to find out, they HAVE to get off the mountain.

Doug and Tim decide to stay, at least for a while, and so this story is about how they spend their time, their thoughts and moods as the days go by and the people they interact with along the way.

The book is a bit of a dystopian tale but it does make you think what your own choices might be under the same circumstances.

I really liked the relationship that Doug and Tim had, that Doug cherished the time they had together even though it was under the strangest of circumstances.

My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that it was too short. I liked the way it ended but I would have liked to have read on.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing.

The story had great promise, but the delivery didn't work for me. More telling vs. showing, and I found I wasn't invested in the characters or the outcome.

Thanks, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, for the digital review copy.

I really Enjoyed this portrayal of father and son’s quest for survival in the wilderness during what seems like a war. It’s not often I read Male/father pov but I really Think this book made me want to read more. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review

When i read a description of a book I usually can tell if I like or want to read some of it. This book caught me and kept me reading until the end. I think it does seem a little bit like The Road and other type books similar but I liked it better than the Road. Not saying I didn't like the Road, it was a great book but this one also is a good book. It makes you think what would you do if in the same situation. It makes you think really hard about what you would do. Just something we all think about in life. Most of us already have an idea of what we would do. I enjoyed this book, read it and see what you think. Thanks a lot for the privilege of reading it.

I wrote about this on The Storygraph and Goodreads. I posted about this on at least one social media site (bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Mastodon, X, Facebook, Raverly)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6070733616

I couldn’t stop reading this gem of a novel. It was beautifully written and the characters were well done. It continues to haunt me and the ending was superb. Hopefully there is a sequel. Highly recommend!!!

I read an advanced readers copy of Michael O'Donnell's debut novel Above the Fire, thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I absolutely loved this book, and did not want it to end. The story of a widowed father and his seven year old son on a multi-day hiking trip in the presidential range in New Hampshire. Hike by day, spend the night in the lodges in the mountains below Mt Washington. But things go wrong when all cell service and wi-fi ends, and it becomes apparent that there has been a cyber attack that has shut down all of the country's power grid and communications. In itself, a theme similar to Rumaan Alam's book (and Netflix film) Leave the World Behind., or one of many post-apocalyptic novels. But this book is different.

Doug decides that rather than head back down the mountain and take his chances "down below" - he would take advantage of the fully stocked lodge and hunker down for a few weeks, and ultimately the entire winter with his son Tim. The book is a story of a father and son, a story of survival, or dealing with an unknown future, but trying to find routines, help his son grow and mature. And in the same way for Doug to grow as well.

The book will disappoint those who want a political backstory to the cyberattack, or even a notion of what actually happened and how civilization appears to be falling apart. Instead, it is a story of how two people, a man and his son, learn how to deal with a new unknown future. The book will disappoint those who want zombies, or rogue terrorists. Doug has a rifle, but not a shot is fired in the entire book. In many ways the book reminded me of another post-apocalyptic book, which also took place partially in New Hampshire, Brad Manuel's The Last Tribe, and that is a good thing. Both books are powerful reads. And leave the reader wanting more.

O'Donnell's knowledge of the Appalachian trail through New Hampshire's Presidential range adds depth to the novel. His story-telling ability makes it a truly enjoyable ride. Hoping he continues the story someday.

I really loved the beginning of the story.. some nice atmospheric writing, an interesting premise.. but the end really didn't deliver. Way too much open ends.. what was the actual thing that happened? Was it all for nothing? How do they cope with the situation? Very unsatisfactory..

"Above the Fire" by Michael O'Donnell is a compelling and timely novel that explores the complexities of war, friendship, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, O'Donnell's narrative follows a group of young men serving in the conflict and the profound impact it has on their lives. The characters are vividly portrayed, and the storytelling is both poignant and suspenseful. O'Donnell's prose captures the emotional toll of war and the enduring bonds formed in its crucible. "Above the Fire" is a powerful and thought-provoking tribute to those who served, offering a nuanced perspective on the human cost of war.

Above the Fire is a quiet survival story about a father and a son attempting to make it out of the Appalachian mountains unscathed when chaos strikes in the world below. Doug and Tim have set out for a long hike, to get some distance from their grief, really, and to reconnect. Doug's wife and Tim's mom died not all that long ago, and Doug feels like they are just kind of stuck. Since hiking was something he and his wife enjoyed doing, he figured it would be a good bonding experience.

Things start out pretty normal for a hike with a seven year old. But pretty quickly into the hike, they receive word that something is amiss off-mountain. Word spreads that a fire is decimating a nearby town, and people are straight up vanishing. Some folks want to stay on the mountain, far away from the melee, while others want to get home as soon as possible. Doug falls into the former camp.

Survival! I really enjoyed the story, especially seeing Doug navigate his relationship with his son, all while trying to survive. There are some other characters introduced in the story, and I was glad for them. It made the story feel a bit more well rounded. There are quite a few loose ends that I just hated not knowing the answers to, but alas. You can definitely feel the bitter cold and the wild survival while being isolated from the rest of the world.

This book focused on family and survival and how a father and son strive to stay alive during unfavorable conditions.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Doug and Tim are a father & young son hiking alone in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, backpacking and staying at times at a trail “hut” (sort of a hostel on the trail where hikers can stay and enjoy amenities like beds, indoor plumbing, and food). They learn of impending unrest off the mountain by way of hikers and trail guides, and that some sort of cyber attack has led to electricity and communication outages. Doug decides that he and Tim will stay up in the mountains while the situation blows over, which leads to an extra long and solitary stay.

This book was so enjoyable. The writing was quiet and throughtful, with very simple prose featuring observations of both the internal and external world for Doug. This novel featured my favorite kind of “shit hits the fan” story - the type featuring the beginning of the breakdown of society. Where will we get food and shelter, how will we defend what we have, how will I keep us safe?

If I have any criticism, it’s that the style of writing (descriptive but simple, thoughtful yet straightforward) could become bulky at times, leading to long dense paragraphs of a lot of internal dialogue. There was an abundance of “telling” rather than “showing” via all of this inner monologue as Doug navigated this world with his kiddo.

Still a great read, and I would absolutely pick up anything by this author again!

Doug, a recent widower, takes his young son Tim on a backpack holiday along the Appalachian Trail. On their third day, worrisome information seeps through to their location and Doug can only conclude that civilization as we have always known it doesn't exist anymore. His main task is to keep his son safe, and Doug decides to spend the winter in a cabin in the woods, where both father and son depend on each other to survive in solitude.

The arduous life in a small cabin in winter with limited resources but surrounded by stunning nature made me think of the sublime novel The Wall by Marlene Haushofer, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Above the Fire isn't as poignant and kinder and leaves the reader hopeful at the end. But the characters of father and son are very well crafted and there is the continuous dilemma of returning to society or staying withing the relative security of the mountain hut. The description of the mountains and the life in the cabin surrounded by wildlife is beautifully done.

This debut is surprisingly expertly crafted, the writing is as crisp as mountain air on a spring morning. An author that needs to be watched, for sure !

A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In “Above the Fire” a father-son backpacking trip takes an unexpected turn when reports of social collapse start trickling into the wilderness. Trapped in a backcountry hut, the duo must use all their skills to survive a harsh winter in the White Mountains.

The narrative is character-driven, with a focus on the relationship between the father and his young son. The few moments of action are fleeting, leaving the book feeling more like a slice-of-life than a survival story. Still, the narrative is engaging, and I was very invested in what would happen to the characters.

In the end, the book left me feeling frustrated. The story ends abruptly, with many questions left unanswered. I would have appreciated a short epilogue to tie up some loose ends.

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for sending me this book for review consideration.