When I started reading Dust I didn't fully know what to expect. When we were first introduced to Thea and her family life in the Bloodless Valley I thought I was reading a far future dystopia where modern technology just doesn't exist anymore... until I realized that Thea's father just has an unreasonable obsession with simplicity and returning to the land. At that point, the book started to come together and make more sense to me with a more modern climate fiction setting in a new dust bowl.
The characters in Dust were extremely well written and complex. It was easy to grow attached to Thea and her younger sister Amelia as well as the multiple townspeople introduced throughout the novel. Even though many of the people in the Bloodless Valley were a bit eccentric by modern, city-dwelling standards Stine treated them all with care and never made anyone into a caricature. Thea's father, the one who wanted them to move out of Ohio and to the dust-choked Bloodless Valley, is an extremely realistic antagonist of sorts. We've all heard of this type of intense homesteader pulling their kids out of school, living off-grid, and returning to "simpler times." We've maybe seen their planning posts on Reddit and we've certainly heard stories of it all going awry. He's a scary character in an all-too-real way and I really felt for Thea and Amelia as they quietly rebelled against him.
Beyond the climate narrative of the story, Dust is also a coming of age novel as Thea finds Ray and learns that she's not alone in being hard of hearing. Through Ray, she learns about the Deaf community and about sign language, something her parents have never bothered to try to expose her to. She learns about belonging to a community with Ray and his great-uncle Sam and grows personally, eventually able to stand up for herself against her parents.
Part natural disaster climate fiction and part teen coming of age story, Dust weaves these two narratives together seamlessly into a layered and entertaining read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In “Dust,” Alison Stine crafts a haunting and evocative narrative that transports readers to the parched and desolate landscape of the Bloodless Valley in southern Colorado. This speculative coming-of-age novel is a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the search for belonging in an unforgiving world.

Thea, the novel’s protagonist, is a partially deaf teenager whose life is upended when her family relocates to the Bloodless Valley following her father’s ominous premonition. The valley, plagued by drought and black blizzards, mirrors Thea’s own sense of stagnation and isolation. Stine’s portrayal of Thea’s internal and external struggles is both tender and raw, capturing the essence of a young girl grappling with her place in a world that seems to have forgotten her.

One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is its exploration of communication and community. Thea, who has been pressured by her parents to pass as hearing, finds solace and connection in her friendship with Ray, a deaf boy who teaches her sign language. Through Ray, Thea discovers not just a new way to communicate, but a sense of belonging and a glimpse of love. Stine’s depiction of the deaf community is nuanced and respectful, highlighting the richness of a culture often overlooked. She also perfectly describes the father character, an inflexible cold man who decides what is "right" for his family, even when he is terribly wrong. The mother of the family is also painted deftly, a woman who loves both her husband and her children, and as she struggles in her role as she tries to accommodate everyone and bridge the huge chasm that exists between the wants of her spouse and the desires of her children.

Stine’s writing is lyrical and immersive, painting vivid pictures of the harsh yet beautiful landscape. The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to fully absorb the weight of Thea’s journey. The themes of environmental decay and familial tension are interwoven seamlessly, creating a narrative that is both timely and timeless.

“Dust” is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of finding one’s voice. Stine has crafted a novel that resonates deeply, leaving readers with much to ponder long after the final page is turned.

For those who appreciate well-crafted narratives with psychological depth and engaging storytelling, “Dust” is a must-read. It is a book that will stay with you, much like the dust that settles in the valley, persistent and unforgettable.

So good!

This follows Thea, a teenage girl in a family that has decided to go off the grid. She has a hearing impairment that no one in her family wants to acknowledge. School and friends have been a struggle for her. The family then decides to homeschool and take the only life she has ever known away. They move to a valley in Colorado and struggle on a daily basis. Loneliness sets in for all of them. They need to be self sufficient but learn quickly that the valley is unforgiving and harsh in every way. In the midst of trials she finds a community, a purpose and a voice.

There is also a dash of first love. She meets a boy that is like her and he opens up a whole new world of possibilities. His name is Ray and he begins to teach her ASL.

I loved being inside of Thea’s world. My favorite part is when Ray tells her “you listen.” Five stars for me!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Thea is a partially deaf teenager whose family moves from Ohio to the arid plains of eastern Colorado just Dust Bowl era storms are on the rise. With a family ruled by a domineering father who is a mix of back to the land/simple living/anti-technology, but interestingly not with a religious bent that one sees frequently in real life, they family struggle to make crops grow in a land without water. Thea has been raised to pass as hearing and never learned sign language. Possibilities open up when she tries, against her father's wishes, to become part of the community, and particularly when she meets Ray, who is also hard of hearing. Ray, in contrast, has a supportive family and access to ASL, which he tries to teach Thea. When the big dust storms roll in, can Thea and friends help the community? Can her father relax his hold on family so they can thrive? Is there a spark between Thea and Ray?

This book feels like it should be classified as YA and is set in the current time, but in a world that didn't change its farming practices in the 1930s. It was a quick read for me, and perhaps my favorite Alison Stine novel. Thea's character is informed by the author's life experience growing up partially deaf, without access to sign language, and struggling to pass. The novel does a good job of representing Thea's struggles with her disability and her feelings about her place in the world. With the omission of words in the dialogue Thea hears, the reader gets a better sense of what the hard of hearing experience is like.

I am always on the look out for books with disability representation and I’m so glad I picked this one up. This was a difficult read, beautifully written, but the conditions and trials these characters went through truly pulled on my heartstrings. I ultimately left this with the overwhelming message of growth and the power of friendship in even the hardest of times. Simply put, I loved this.

This was a hard book to read. Thea's family moved her to a very harsh environment, both physically and with her father's rigid rules. It is ultimately a story of hope and growth and community. It was very well written, the dust storms, the heat, the isolation, the losses are described very vividly and felt.

An important book for me students to read. Lots for them to think about, the poverty, isolation in this story is very different from what they deal with. What is happening to the land and to the farmers there and the story of the blossoming friendship between the heroine who is partly deaf and a boy, who is also deaf

This is a YA coming-of-age novel that features a girl who is partially deaf, which made this a bit different from other books of this genre I have read. I particularly like that she meets a boy who is also deaf. The story is well written, and you can almost feel the barren land around them. The storyline clearly portrays a world where every decision has important consequences. Cora is a strong, determined character who is easy to root for and connect with. Some Parts Were a Bit Slow, but it did balance out over all.

Dust by Alison Stine is a haunting coming-of-age tale set in a desolate, dust-choked world. Thea, a partially deaf teenager, finds herself isolated and stifled within her family's protective bubble. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the resilience of the human spirit as Thea seeks to find her voice and connect with the world around her.

Stine's vivid descriptions of the harsh environment and Thea's internal struggles create a compelling atmosphere. While the story's pace is deliberate, it allows for a deeper exploration of character and theme. However, some readers may find the novel's somber tone and slow burn pacing to be challenging.

Overall, Dust is a thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on isolation and the search for self.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

The book is geared towards young adults, but as a 63 year old Grandmother I really enjoyed the read.

It was an exciting read. I found myself totally engrossed and invested I the characters and their story. Thea was both strong and brave.

Recommend.

This was a really well done story. It had the coming of age atmosphere that I was looking for period the characters were realistic and I enjoyed that the main character felt like a real person. It had a great concept for family dynamics and the use of disability in it. Alison Stine does a great job in writing this and it left me wanting to read more.

“Dust” by Alison Stine is a hauntingly beautiful novel that grabbed me from the first page and never let go. Set in a world devastated by environmental collapse and economic ruin, the story follows Cora, a young woman who has lost almost everything but refuses to give up. I was immediately drawn to Cora’s strength and resilience as she navigates this harsh, dusty landscape, trying to survive while holding on to her sense of humanity.

The world Stine has created is eerily plausible, which made the story all the more gripping for me. The barren, dust-choked setting felt so real that I could almost feel the grit in my teeth as I read. Cora’s world is one where survival often comes at the cost of others, yet she remains a beacon of hope, clinging to small acts of kindness and community. Her journey is both physical and emotional, as she seeks out the remnants of a life she once knew, confronting the losses that have shaped her.

What I loved most about “Dust” was its raw, unflinching portrayal of a world on the brink, where every decision feels weighted with consequence. The characters are richly drawn, especially Cora, whose inner strength and determination really resonated with me. Her relationships with the people she meets along the way—some friends, some foes—are complex and layered, adding depth to the story. Stine’s writing is poetic yet stark, capturing the desolation of the landscape and the quiet resilience of those who still fight to live in it.

There were moments where the pacing slowed, but for me, this only added to the tension, making the bursts of action and revelation even more impactful. The ending left me both satisfied and reflective, thinking about the choices we make when the world crumbles around us. If you’re looking for a dystopian novel that’s both harrowing and hopeful, “Dust” is a must-read. It’s a story that lingers, reminding you of the fragile line between survival and surrender.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this free eARC in exchange for my personal and unbiased review.

Thank you for this eARC. Stine’s writing gave me insight into our character’s life with a disability. I really enjoyed the character development.

What an extremely deep read. As someone who does not have to deal with a disability I am always looking for insight and understanding of those who do. Alison Stine does this extremely well with her characters in Dust.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an eARC for an honest review.

This is a storyline that I could personally relate to in a small degree. The movement to go back to simpler, less technical times is central to this story. Thea is the central character, and her life experiences and social interactions begin to contract like shrink wrap as her family moves from an Ohio community to an isolated Colorado farm. As her father declares patriarchal law on the family and discourages contact outside the home, Thea finds ways to expand her world and knowledge. Her partial deafness further isolates her, but again, she is resilient. Stine expertly paints the barren landscape and struggles of farming in these conditions. All of the characters are authentic and you come to feel a part of this limited community. This story is full of heartache, fear, longing and hope. It is a story of accepting your limitations but still overcoming your fears and challenges. The story took a little bit to hook me, but it was a wonderful read!

I received a free copy of, Dust, by Alison Stine, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thea who is born hard of hearing does not have a very supportive family at all. Moved to a barren wasteland, Thea has to start over, but at least she gets to work, and meet people like herself. Thea is such a strong character, a survivor. being a teenager is hard enough without being hard of hearing and isolated. I savored this book, it is so good.

I requested this book due to the cover and title, so I went into it without knowing what it was about. I was thinking that a coming-of-age novel with a compelling title and cover might be good for my 10th graders, but as I started reading, I lost interest. I had too many questions, and the answers weren't satisfying.

A lot of readers have loved this book, so maybe this one is just me. I appreciate the advanced reading.

Dust is a terrific book about a young Deaf woman's resilience and ability to think critically, to grow and take risks. Thea's father, paranoid and desperate, moves the family to a new and horrific Dust Bowl, while her mother is frightened of her father and does whatever he says. Amid this apocalyptic setting, Thea takes a job in town, where she's exposed to the outside world--at least a bit of it--and meets the only other Deaf person she's eve known. He teaches her that Deaf folks can move through the world just as well as hearing ones, but her parents' beliefs that she's defective rather than disabled are hard to overcome. But Thea makes friends, and learns things, and, in the end, saves her family and other members of her community. Highly recommended.

Dust by Alison Stine

Summary:
"An immediate classic that holds its own alongside the greats of American Literature, Dust brings the haunting echoes of our past to a weather-beaten future. Every word of Dust is as familiar as a childhood friend. You understand—instantly—that you will carry it with you for the rest of your life." – K. Ancrum, award-winning author of The Wicker King

In this haunting, speculative coming-of-age novel about finding your place in an unforgiving environment, a partially deaf teen questions everything she knows about family, love, and her future.

After her father has a premonition, Thea and her family move to the Bloodless Valley of southern Colorado, hoping to make a fresh start. But the rivers are dry, the crops are dying, and the black blizzards of Colorado have returned. Much like the barren land, Thea feels her life has stopped growing. She is barely homeschooled, forbidden from going to the library, and has no way to contact her old friends—all due to her parents’ fear of the outside world’s dangerous influence.

But to make ends meet, Thea is allowed to work at the café in town. There, she meets Ray, who is deaf. Thea, who was born hard of hearing, has always been pushed by her parents to pass as someone who can hear. Now, with Ray secretly teaching Thea how to sign, she begins to learn what she’s been missing—not just a new language but a whole community and maybe even a chance at love.
Review: 4-Star
I gave this book a 4-star review because it wasn’t a page-turner. A page-turner is a book I can’t put down, this book I put down for over a week before picking it back up and finishing it. The story is very well written and the flow is perfect. I’m not sure what, it was that made me able to put it down.

Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others YES
Would I read other books by this Author YES

I live in Colorado on a dirt road and the grasshoppers have eaten every green thing. I can relate to the rough growing conditions. Moving to Colorado was a bad choice for these poor farmers. In a different year the outcome may have been different. Luckily the mother and daughter found jobs. This story hit a tad close to home for me. So I didn't find the book as interesting as I normally would.