A Single Light

Set in an America devastated by a disease that causes dementia, Lee’s so-so sequel to 2018’s The Line Between finds cult escapee Wynter Roth, her love interest, her five-year-old niece, and 60 others living in an underground silo near Gurley, Nebr., prepared by a survivalist named Noah. Sealed off from the outside world, the silo is on a time lock and programmed to open after six months, when it’s expected to be safe aboveground. Since the device required setting from the outside, Noah remained behind to do so, and he periodically stays in contact via video message. Tensions inevitably arise among those in the silo after Noah stops communicating. A debate ensues whether to try to leave the silo early, and matters get even worse with a shocking act of violence. The earlier sections effectively convey the claustrophobia of the setup, but once Wynter and some of the others manage to leave the silo, the plot loses steam. Fans of apocalyptic fiction will be disappointed. Agent: Dan Raines, Creative Trust Ventures. (Sept.)