Extinction

Plot: 5
Characters: 4.5
Writing Style: 5
Cover: 5!!! I want it as a poster!
Enjoyment: 5
Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes.

Having recently returned from Colorado, it honestly made reading this all the more enjoyable and special, as I pictured myself back there when envisioning the book’s setting. If I had had a chance to read it outside whilst there, I totally would have. Makes sense, too, since the author resides near the Rockies.

Somer has a most fantastic writing style, some things gorgeous, some fierce. There were a few *very* intense scenes that had me holding my breath or unconsciously tensing my muscles. Somer was able to evoke emotions (especially if one is empathetic towards animals and the like - if you view other living things as commodities, as items, then I can't guarantee you'll appreciate this novel to its fullest extent). I teared up, for sure. It drops you right into the story and doesn’t provide much background/past information, but what we are given is enough. Including the ending, I think. There's a neat as a heck concept he introduces in the post-apocalyptic setting, as well, called Earth Dreams. I'll let him and the main character, Ben, explain it -

"‘Some of the first migrants are suffering them, these vivid, completely immersive dreams of Earth. Where they’re in a jungle or a forest or on the plains, and there’re herds of animals, swarms of insects, and the sounds of birdsong on the breeze....(T)hey say that Earth Dreams are the brain’s way of coping with the fact it’ll never see Earth again.....(A) resurgence of two-hundred-thousand-year-old memories from the deepest folds of our brains, something to comfort those who go farther from home than anyone has ever been, knowing they won’t be returning.....(W)e know how our bodies can deal with it, we don’t have much a clue how our brains will. The primal brain is set up to react, not to think. It’s there to make us survive at all costs. Doesn’t seem out of the question that it would start taking over, fighting for us where our conscious brain has failed. Genetic memory they’re calling it. A manifest of evolution, buried deep in our heads.’"

Love it, believe it, insanely cool and unique.

There's also a scene towards the end of the amazing book where the main character performs such an intimate, loving, respectful act that had me nodding my head and thinking, 'Yep, I would do the exact same thing'.

For fans of post-apocalyptic, space travel (-ish, since we stay on Earth but it's discussed numerous times), animal protection/ranger duties.

This is a very well written and immersive story. There's a near future backstory with moon colonies, but really you're just along for a harrowing couple of days in the frigid woods with Ben, as he is pushed into deciding whether or not he should or can kill other humans to save the bear his job is to protect. This is a bleak dive into human greed and capacity for betrayal, but Ben is admirable and saving the bear very much feels like the right choice. It's dark and heavy, but not without some hope at the end.