Finn is used to being alone. A virus has swept through humanity taking first his father, then his mother leaving Finn with only his loyal dog Rowdy. Finn’s father was savvy though, and when things began to go wrong, he put a plan into place, stocking up on essentials from his hardware store, just in case.

Finn also knows how to trap, fish and look after himself so he doesn’t have to rely on the supplies stockpiled by his forward thinking dad. He’s been on his own for two years already since his small Victorian coastal town was deserted, and he has no idea how long he will have to make his supplies last.

Speech has always been a problem for Finn, and he was taunted at school for his growling voice. Besides Rowdy, the only person he gets to speak to is an old man who he swaps rabbits for veggies with every now and then. Life is okay considering all he’s lost, and he escapes this new life by diving into the sea and surfing while Rowdy waits on the sand.

In a moment everything changes. A girl appears, she’s terrified and Finn soon sees why. She is being pursued by Wilders. These are men who have grouped together to take what they want when they find it, and will hurt or even kill anyone who gets in their way. They usually stay up north of Finn’s town, but Finn soon learns that they are determined to catch the girl.

With only moments to decide, Finn helps the girl escape. She is a Siley, an asylum seeker who has been purchased by the leader of the Wilders, and he wants his property back.

The girl’s name is Rose and her pursuer is called Ramage. Finn is shocked at how fast his life has changed when he takes Rose in, but he knows he doesn’t want to be alone again either. Rose brings more problems with her. She’s injured and in her escape from Ramage she was separated from her younger sister Kas, and is desperate to find her.

Finn’s life is turned upside down again as he fights for Rose’s freedom, searches for Kas and comes up against the brutal Ramage and his armed men again and again. Little does he know even more challenges are awaiting him.

Apocalypse books always draw me in because of the fascination at what can happen within our society / and the horror that it is so possible.

 Road to Winter was a Finalist in multiple Australian and US awards for Young Adult Fiction. I was quickly engaged then immersed in Finn’s world and held captive by the ever rising tension, building bursts of action amid fight and flight among the characters, and deep sorrow for when a life is lost, and another stolen.

Fabulous read. Looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy – Wilder Country and Land of Fences.

Author – Mark Smith

Age – 14+

Read Reviews for the rest of the Winter Trilogy (Click on a Cover)

(2017, Text Publishing, Australia, Apocalypse, Virus, Alone, Fear, Courage, Surfing, Animals, Dog, Horse, Slavery, Brutality, Murder, Crime, Hiding, Escape, Running, Fleeing, Food stocks, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Survival, Action, Grief, Loss, Kidnap, Series, Conflict)