Review: A powerful piece of storytelling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 25, 2013
The Runner is a powerful post-apocalyptic dystopia that takes the reader down a dark path where people in power willmanipulate love and leave you questioning humanity in its darkest hours.In the future, the earth is no longer inhabitable, and people are forced to move into silos buried deep in the earth.Residents of the new world must abide by the "Pact," which requires them to continue the growth of the humanpopulation along with other mandates. For Ace and Mick, two residents of the silos, that task becomes a dauntingchore that will cost them dearly. When Mick is tried for gross violations of the "Pact" he is sentenced to clean thesensors above ground - essentially a death sentence. Overcome with grief over Mick's punishment, Ace makes adramatic change in his life and leaves his desk job for a dangerous job as a diver. When Ace almost drowns he revealshis secret desire to improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of the silo. The only problem is that people in poweraren't interested in improving their world and will stop at nothing to make sure that the status quo is maintained.Davies has created a compelling world that feels like it is not only a possible future for us but one that is right aroundthe corner. You feel the pain of Ace and Mick as they drudge along in a place that feels hopeless. Ace's emotions aretangible throughout the entire story, and your heart aches for him as he hides his feelings and strives to move forwardwithout Mick.This is a masterfully written short story that will leave you contemplating the future of our world and how we wouldsurvive in the conditions of the silo. I look forward to reading more from this author and further stories from the silos.(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads for review by the author.)