Critical Habitat

by Terrence King

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Pub Date Nov 14 2023 | Archive Date Jan 01 2024

Penguins & Ducks Press

General Fiction (Adult) | New Adult | Sci Fi & Fantasy

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Description

What does it mean to be a rebel, a hero, or the destroyer of habitat and civilization?

As a devastated world recovers from war and plight, an unlikely heroine emerges and attempts to rescue distressed rebels from the government’s corruption controlling the rationed food supply and from a rogue general trying to steal the only known honeybees.

And Earth itself fights back.

Following the Great Uprising of the Millennium, the remaining human population in the Third Continent’s forty-four districts—starved and weakened—are dependent on the Authority. The new power structure that emerged after the war rules by fear and tyranny, confiscating property, and feeding the masses poisoned food.

Yet out of the rubble, rebellious clans who dream of a better future emerge, able to grow their own food because of their secret weapon—the last remaining nest of honeybees. Now a war wages between the rebels and the Authority. X and Y, children of the rebellion, have the key to the rebellion’s success: a download that can bring down the Authority once and for all.

Power hungry and corrupt, the Authority’s General Speer is intent on finding the download, along with the rebels’ bees and food stocks. And he will stop at nothing until he rules all the districts.

The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as X and Y join forces with an unlikely heroine and their allies in a race against time. But in a futurist world where survival is paramount and everyone has an agenda, who can they trust?

What does it mean to be a rebel, a hero, or the destroyer of habitat and civilization?

As a devastated world recovers from war and plight, an unlikely heroine emerges and attempts to rescue...

A Note From the Publisher

A Fantastical Sci-Fi & Dystopian Action-Adventure that bends sci-fi and The Hero’s Journey’s tropes & conventions in a stand-alone book in a planned series for fans of renegade heroines, engaging family dynamics, & diversity.

Book 1.

Advance Praise

"With side characters straight out of a heroic quest encyclopedia and an action-packed plot that just won't quit, Critical Habitat proves itself to be thoroughly entertaining and highly re-readable . . . both imaginative and wholly original. Unlike either the watered-down and formulaic apocalyptic fiction popular with teenage audiences or the seemingly never-ending bleak hopelessness geared toward adults, King manages to take the best of both approaches while adding a healthy dose of heroic science fiction flair that makes it difficult to compare with anything else in the genre. 5 STARS." —Beatrice Toothman, San Francisco Book Review

"Gripping, thought-provoking dystopian fiction exploring corruption and rebellion. The story balances edge-of-your-seat thrills with dynamic experiences, bolstered by King's intricate worldbuilding . . . the characters' diverse backgrounds add to the enjoyment, making Critical Habitat a thought-provoking triumph." —BookLife, Editor's Pick

"A powerful story of rebellion and power plays. Libraries and readers that choose Critical Habitat will find many intriguing discussion points, food for thought, and reflections in a dystopian novel that evolves in unexpected directions." —D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"King's worldbuilding is intriguing and fully realized, incorporating both utopian and dystopian elements along with relevant hot-button issues such as societal inequities, surveillance, and oppression. The overall premise . . . grows in scope as the stakes rise, and the novel beautifully examines the ways in which corrupt and oppressive systems work to control people's lives. An engrossing series starter. 5 STARS." —BookView

"Critical Habitat's prose is skillful and voice confident. Readers who enjoyed the Star Wars Universe stories will appreciate much of Critical Habitat." —Independent Book Review

"Merging a sci-fi adventure in a desolate futuristic world with blasters and advanced technology with a contemporary message about the importance of bees for our ecosystem and human impact on the climate, Critical Habitat manages to merge a relatable topic with a futuristic and engaging storyline." —LoveReading (UK)

"Critical Habitat is an immersive and intricately crafted dystopian narrative, featuring sophisticated language and a richly developed world. The author employs unique terminologies to create a distinct atmosphere within the story. The plot itself is refreshingly unique. 5 STARS." —Online Book Club

"King has a deliciously evocative writing style, conjuring up a vivid and haunting post-apocalyptic world that feels all too real in Critical Habitat. A superb dystopian drama. A must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and a remarkable addition to the genre." —Readers' Favorite

"A nuanced, smart, and exciting dystopian adventure . . . a complex, fast-paced, and moving story that readers will not want to put down. The characters in Critical Habitat are done to perfection. The author provides an abundance of complex, deep female lead characters . . . in a genre that is often lacking them." —BookLife Prize

"A fast-paced, exhilarating dystopian tale that hits all the right notes." —Prairies Book Review

"With side characters straight out of a heroic quest encyclopedia and an action-packed plot that just won't quit, Critical Habitat proves itself to be thoroughly entertaining and highly re-readable...