Review: A wasted opportunity for action
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 02 5, 2014
I really wanted to like this book.Dystopian future? Check. Wilderness survival themes? Check. Native/tribal aspects? Check. Ice and snow and a gorgeously brutal winter? Check. Me, liking this book? Not a check.The story is set in remote Alaska in a not-too-distant future after a complete government collapse. The story is told through the varying perspectives of the townspeople, which was done pretty well. The winter themes were pervasive, and I felt like I really got a feeling for what that world would be like. So what was the problem? It was kind of, well, boring.The story moved slow and cold. Not that much actually happened.The people were working on some interpersonal issues, and there was a prisoner, and some wolves, and a bear fight, and a little bit of psychosis, but other than that, not that much happened.  I felt like the set up was there for some awesome action but it ended up feeling all psychological instead. Honestly, I don't care how some lady deals with it emotionally when her tribal chief husband gets a little drunk on his limited power. Now, if he's beheading people, then I'm listening. I don't care about the subtle political and philosophical aspects of forming a new government.Again, unless beheadings are involved.If you are looking to get to know people and think about the psychology of living in this setting, great. But I just don't think that's what most people (including me) who read dystopian fiction are into. To put it simply: More beheadings, please.