Member Reviews
A recommended read for fans of YA fiction, futuristic dystopian fantasy, cyberpunk, climate and science-fiction. A unique novel combining a dystopian future, scientific hubris and angelology in high-stakes adventure that is not without serious but poignant social and climate realities.
Ferren and the Doomsday Mission follows from not long after the first instalment of Ferren and the Angel. Here, Harland ups the stakes in a race against time for Ferren and Miriael to unite the remaining scattered human clans against the revenant-like Humen, the warring Angels and the newest threat – Doctor Saniette- a giant welded with multiple intellects.
Harland again excels with action-packed storytelling with the dark design of ultimate hubris reflected in Doctor Saniette and nefarious plans for the warring Angels. In a departure from the first novel, there is more character development with Ferren growing in confidence but also the angel Miriael and her longing to return to Heaven. As we see Ferren grow in strength as a character and leader among the movement of the United Resilience, Miriael’s sense of necessity and purpose wanes. Although this feels like a weakening of her character it serves in her undoing. Here, Harland brings into play the Fallen Angels and some clever melding of politics with religion in the Luciferian angels – those rebellious warring angels and their subsequent exile from Heaven.
Ferren and the Doomsday Mission is the second book longed for in character development and further expansion of the futuristic dystopian world-building. Harland does not disappoint in delivering a story that is a dark but compelling young adult sequel.
Conclusion
A recommended read for fans of YA fiction, futuristic dystopian fantasy, cyberpunk, climate and science-fiction. A unique novel combining a dystopian future, scientific hubris and angelology in high-stakes adventure that is not without serious but poignant social and climate realities.
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **
Following up from last years Ferren and the Angel, Richard Harland has widened his story of Ferren's rebellion against the overlords in the post-apocalyptic Mad Max-like Australian based dystopian novel. When we left Ferren and Miriael in Volume One they had begun to work out what was going on - or so they thought.
Full of twists and turns, this follow up adventure places both Miriael and Ferren in danger. Moving between perspectives we learn that the overlords are far more powerful than we might have imagined and also that the scope for rebellion is wider that they both might have hoped. Having the benefit of having already explained and described the world, this new novel gets straight into the action and stays there - making this a much more exciting and fast-pased read that the initial volume - making volume two even better than volume one. Much more cinematic in its scope, this would make an excellent film and I hope that conversations are happening in this direction. It would be great to see this on the big or small screen some day.
I was given the opportunity to read this book via NetGalley. I was skeptical of this series when I read the first book since it not my usual genre. As I read the book, I began to like the characters and the action was fairly fast paced. The further I got in the book, the more I wanted to know more. As I read the second book, I was again, charmed by the characters. The predicaments that he characters found themselves in were relatable and matched the characters. The second book is even more engrossing than the first book. I am very interested to find out what happens with the angel Miriael, and Ferren and Kiet. I would recommend this book especially to those readers who like a more uplifting take on what happens after our current world/technology ceases to exist as we know it.
The Review
This was another fantastic entry into the author's rich, fantasy-driven dystopian world. The immense scope of the world-building the author took on in bringing this story to life was incredible to see expanded upon in this book. The threat of Dr. Saniette and the Humen in this story and the action-packed drama that unfolds as the battle rages on make this narrative genuinely memorable.
Yet the action and drama are so well balanced, thanks to the rich character dynamics. The friendship and the evolution of the relationship between the protagonists, Miriael and Ferren, is the core heart of the narrative. However, the exciting directions their journey takes them on as individuals, from the interesting romance/love triangle between Ferren, Kiet, and Zonda to the twist connection Miriael has to Asmodai, and the impact Miriael has on the growing alliance amongst the last of the tribes of humanity made this a remarkable narrative to get lost in.
The Verdict
Exhilarating, thrilling, and heartfelt, author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Doomsday Mission” is a brilliant sequel and a memorable fantasy-driven story that readers won’t put down. The twists and turns in the story will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the cliffhanger final moments will bring readers back for the third book of the Ferren trilogy.
Ferren has left his tribe, known as the People, and is moving through the decimated countryside trying to persuade others like him to join the Residual Alliance. At his side is Miriael, the angel who fell to Earth and, against all odds, survived. Because she ate human food she is now banished from Heaven and has instead joined the fight against the humen armies.
As they move from tribe to tribe trying to enlist their support they discover people who are, at the same time, both similar and different to Ferren’s own kinsmen.
While they speak at the home of the Nesters a young woman called Kiet listens spellbound to their presentation but tells the two visitors that her leaders don't make decisions quickly! It is soon clear that they could be staying for longer than they'd planned and as the days pass Miriael becomes distant and secretive while Ferren, in contrast, makes friends and even allows himself to relax slightly. Eventually however, the ever lurking danger arrives on their doorstep and Ferren finds himself, once again, in the thick of a fight not even he believes he can win.
The second in Richard Harland's trilogy is a fast paced, tense, and tightly written installment of this excellent series. I found it a harder read than the first as, having previously connected with Ferren and Miriael, it was clear from the start that their journey was going to get much more dangerous and, in some instances, fragmented. There are some seriously creepy things happening and some of the descriptions needed to be read twice to take in the vivid imagination of the author. I imagine that will happen even more in the final part!
There are serious moral issues tackled alongside the excitement of the main storyline and the new characters introduced worked well both alone and, as their stories merged, with those of the more familiar protagonists. With one part to go I can, I think, foresee at least one incident and am, from behind my fingers, even more invested in this trilogy than before.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers, IFWG Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent series, totally outside my comfort zone, but I am thoroughly enjoying it and will be sad to see it end.