US DARK FEW

An orphan is sentenced to life in prison where she finds the strength to fight a totalitarian government in this work that was originally self-published in 2023.

Braderhelm Prison lies deep in the caves of Genesis, in an underground world that’s safe from the lethal radiation on the Earth’s surface. Banishment to the hostile aboveground environment is used as a threat to keep citizens in line as wealth disparities increase; prisoners at the bottom of the pecking order, like Khalani Kanes, who’s “of Hispanic descent,” are forced to do hard labor as punishment for even minor crimes. Takeshi Steele, whose “roots [appear] to be linked to East Asia,” is Captain of the Braderhelm guards and in charge of Khalani’s cellblock. He’s incredibly toned, has a permanent scowl, and promises that he could make Khalani’s tenure in prison a living hell: “The only reason I’m not breaking your wrist is because you need it for the next shift, and I don’t have patience for your pathetic screams.” Still, poetry-loving Khalani finds a community in prison that leads her to revelations about Genesis’ government and a quest to save herself and her newfound family. She’ll even find help—and a kink-coded romance—in unexpected places. This novel contains brutally graphic descriptions of gore, torture, and sexual assault that, while not gratuitous, are deserving of the book’s trigger warning. The steady pace, detailed but not overly elaborate worldbuilding, and clear, descriptive language are strengths.

A solidly written, violent, and lust-filled dystopian story.