The Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price
Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Adult Services, Reference Assistant, YA Program Coordinator
[box type=”note” border=”full” icon=”none”]NOTE: Chat with the author and discuss this book 7 p.m. July 7 at Fondulac District Library. Everyone is welcome to attend the library’s Skype conversation.[/box] Genre: Science fiction, alternate reality
Suggested Age: Adult, but with YA crossover appeal
What is the book about?: This book focuses on six very different people whose lives are spared as the world comes to a very literal crashing end. They don’t know why they were chosen to survive, but each was given an otherworldly silver bracelet that protected them and transferred them to Alt-America, where cigarettes are illegal, money is blue, and people have the ability to manipulate time. These six strangers band together to find out why they were saved, who saved them, and how to use the time manipulation powers they seem to have gained with their salvation.
My review: This book starts with the end of the world. How do you even move forward from there? Price spins an amazing story from the ultimate worst case scenario. Alt-America is a fully realized place with floating restaurants and common household appliances capable of freshening rotten fruit by rewinding it in time. His characters are also fully realized, complete with flaws that make you want to slap them on occasion even as you root for them. I love this book, because it’s straight up adventure, but will also bend your brain in ways you never thought it could bend. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
While this is an adult book, mature YA readers could potentially identify with the teen characters Mia and David. I would limit this to mature YA readers however, due to violence, some gore, non-explicit sex, and strong language.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!