ALL THAT GLOWS

The residents of an isolated town in the Mojave Desert survive a deadly virus.

Kyrie was 6 when a fine green dust rained down from the clouds. Those outside Peakin, California, died from a mysterious illness, but supplements have kept locals alive. Mayor Heathe is at the top of the community’s hierarchical structure, while Pastor Basil watches over people’s souls. Eighteen-year-old Kyrie spends much of her time journaling and working at the local mercantile, which helps her family afford the supplements they need to remain healthy. She resents her harsh, angry father, who often stumbles home drunk. After Kyrie’s friends, 21-year-old orphan Maple and Morgan, the son of town Council members, decide to marry, a violent event shatters the facade of their small-town life, introducing a more sinister storyline. The fallout prompts Kyrie to explore beyond Peakin’s borders, joining Thatch, a mysterious newcomer who shares uncomfortable truths. This action-packed dystopian novel offers attention-grabbing reveals and escapes along with a bit of romance amid the ensuing tensions. Unfortunately, the treatment of Kyrie’s father’s alcohol abuse, while empathetic, hinges upon a scientifically inaccurate plot point and is framed in a way that feels problematic. Snippets from Kyrie’s journal open each chapter, showing inner turmoil that supports the book’s themes, including criticism of power structures and their deceptive control over the public. The Christian faith-based messaging naturally interweaves an interrogation of the problem of evil.

An enjoyable, imaginative read with complex characters.