Fantasy Annotation
TITLE: The Breaking of Northwall
AUTHOR: Paul O. Williams
PUBLISHING: Bison Books, Lincoln NE (2005)
TOTAL PAGES: 281
ISBN: 080329851X
GOODREADS: https://tinyurl.com/vyrednh
SYNOPSIS: The Breaking of Northwall shares its genre type with science fiction seamlessly. A millennium has passed since the devastating drop of a nuclear bomb on the United States. No longer do states and cities and a national government exist, but warring tribes that fight for power. Wide-eyed Jestak takes up arms in order to defend his people and rescue the love of his life from a rival tribe that has stolen her. He must risk his life against a fantastical enemy wielding weapons of a world long forgotten. Several characters make their debut in a long-standing book series with the flair of 80s fiction, proudly adorned with the appeal of an alternate America while stimulating the wonder in its readers like a gruesome fairy tale.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT FIT INTO THIS GENRE:
"Titles are frequently part of a series, with a continuing story told over multiple books." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
The Breaking of Northwall is the first in the series The Pelbar Cycle. Each book follows the story of the Pelbar people in post-apocalyptic America.
"Tone ranges from humorous to dark." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
Williams uses dialogue between characters that often makes light of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding them. Looming undertones are juxtaposed by comedic moments of silly joy.
"Even good characters will find themselves challenged, both physically and ethically." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
"Titles are frequently part of a series, with a continuing story told over multiple books." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
The Breaking of Northwall is the first in the series The Pelbar Cycle. Each book follows the story of the Pelbar people in post-apocalyptic America.
"Tone ranges from humorous to dark." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
Williams uses dialogue between characters that often makes light of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding them. Looming undertones are juxtaposed by comedic moments of silly joy.
"Even good characters will find themselves challenged, both physically and ethically." (Saricks, 2019, p.124)
Characters are subjects to the hardships of living in a world no longer as tolerant or organized as it once was. Because of this, characters' manual labor and exposure to difficult decisions seem amplified by their living conditions.
READ-ALIKES:
One Second After - William R. Forstchen (fantasy, post-nuclear apocalypse, survival)
The Many-Coloured Land - Julian May (fantasy, science fiction, lost world)
Dreams Underfoot - Charles de Lint (fantasy, magical realism, lost world)
One Second After - William R. Forstchen (fantasy, post-nuclear apocalypse, survival)
The Many-Coloured Land - Julian May (fantasy, science fiction, lost world)
Dreams Underfoot - Charles de Lint (fantasy, magical realism, lost world)
REFERENCES
Saricks, J. G. (2019) The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. (3rd ed., p. 124) Chicago, IL. ALA Editions.
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