Praise
Where the Morning Star Fell is an electrifying and unique entry into the post-apocalyptic sci-fi genre. It ingeniously sets the end of the world not in a burned-out city or the desertified ruins of Earth, but aboard a luxury cruise ship. It follows the Becker family, an ordinary group thrust into extraordinary circumstances. They must navigate the immediate and chaotic aftermath of a nuclear war, turning their vacation liner, the Horizon Dawn, into a survival ark. Author David Boevers blends this high-stakes survivalism with a deeply unsettling sci-fi thriller mystery.
The book first covers the raw, frantic scramble for order among thousands of strangers which includes the introduction of some really compelling characters! This dramatic setup explores the emotional reality of mass tragedy, covering realistic and poignant details like the need for burials at sea and the moral struggle of creating a new society from the ashes of the old.
The second half of the book transitions beautifully as the survivors attempt to build a new, idealized nation on a remote island. Boevers boosts the story with fresh, optimistic concepts for a sustainable future, creating a compelling contrast between the chaos they left behind and the utopian vision they strive for.
The thing that gives this book punch is the sophisticated layer of science fiction that hints at a grander design. The entire journey of the Becker family is seemingly being guided by a mysterious hand, which is only revealed as you progress further into the book.
Where the Morning Star Fell is an excellent read for fans of character-driven survival books like The Road, movies like The Book of Eli, or games like The Last of Us. It asks what we will truly fight to protect when the world comes to an end.
My favorite part of this book was the incorporation of resetting the world without a total destruction of all resources. The author did a great job of then allowing the characters to consider better ways to run a community with better ideas towards useful education, participation of all according to abilities, and long-term sustainability. His ideas are novel, optimistic, and refreshing.
This first novel by David Boevers grabbed my attention with his realistic characters and unique twist on creating a new world. Where good triumphs over evil, and perseverance and ingenuity are everything, this book pulls you in. Warning.. it may make you rethink that family cruise!!