Survival Colony 9

Debut author Bellin weaves a bleak postapocalyptic tale of survival against overwhelming odds, centering around an amnesiac teenager who plays a pivotal role in his colony’s attempt to stay alive. Fifty years after civilization is destroyed by war, humanity’s remnants wander the Earth, scrounging to survive while staying one step ahead of the Skaldi, predatory aliens who destroy their victims from within by stealing their bodies. Querry Genn, son of Survival Colony 9’s leader, can’t remember anything prior to a Skaldi attack six months ago, leaving him outcast and confused. When the colony is ripped apart by tragedy and betrayal, Querry must step up to act as leader and take the fight to the Skaldi. Bellin’s worldbuilding may be a little too effective: his setting is a blasted ruin, his antagonists are nebulously evil, and his characters are desperate and depressed (readers may begin to feel the same). The climax relies on a poorly explained deus ex machina, and it’s hard to find hope for the beleaguered survivors as they trudge through society’s ruins. Ages 14–up. Agent: Liza Fleissig, Liza Royce Agency. (Sept.)