Fleeing an Earth inferno, thirty thousand humans landed on a terrifying yet beautiful planet, they named Eden, hoping to find a new start. Ten years later three hundred and sixty-seven survive; staving off the brutal, carnivorous creatures that prey on them, holding out against a formidable humanoid species known, initially, only as them, while facing insidious deceit and betrayal from within their own ranks.
Wrestling through his own inner turmoil; plagued by the gory memories of Earth’s final days, the death of his parents, and awakened feelings for a girl his best friend loves, shy seventeen-year-old Ristan Abel finds himself plunged into a cauldron of turmoil, treachery and treason. In trying to rescue a clan in chaos, he discovers the truth about his mortal enemies, and the human traitor allying with them to exterminate what’s left of mankind. And in the crucible, he finds himself and becomes a reluctant answer to mankind’s predicament.
Welcome to planet Zika, named such by the planet’s native species, the Zikalic. A planet of stunning contrasts—unspeakable wonder and matchless horror—ruled by the monstrous Xakanic. Bent on annihilating the human race, the Head Chief of the Zikalic serves his own twisted agenda: to strengthen his rule over the bejewelled City of Zika.
This is your invitation to a new planet, a new species, a new hero and a brand-new adventure. Eden, Dawn is the first book in The Chronicles of Paradise trilogy.
My love for all things sci-fi and weakness for coming-of-age dramas combined in a moment of inspiration. In a wild thirty minutes late one night, I scribbled down the first chapter, and a week later the first draft was complete. Two weeks later, I had the entire trilogy mapped out (not written, but conceptualized in a thousand-odd post-it notes). Then routine kicked in: sweat, hard work, and tears from red-rimmed eyes. Fourteen months(!) later the first book, Dawn, was complete, and I'm presently working through the final draft of book two, Noon. (Due: end of 2014). Inspiration and routine -- necessary partners in crime.
From the opening scene, I fell in love with this story. Although it's set in a dark and menacing context, a merciless planet post-Earth where all sorts of creatures prey on the dwindling human population, this book is written with a clean spirit. That is to say, the message of this story (and all stories contain a message) isn't dark or sinister. Rather, anchored in the human condition, it's a story pregnant with hope and one that is deeply inspirational. For all the battles our protagonist faces, his greatest battleground lies within. And while the setting is distinctly otherworldly, the emotions that are brought to the surface are grounded in this world, making them acutely relevant. This is a core triumph of the book. Despite the outlandish horrors the author inflicts on his characters, he avoids drifting into the proverbial gutter of narcissism, cultural sordidness, and abject despondency so prevalent in YA-lit today. He holds on to that flicker of indefatigable hope.
The drama is fast-paced, almost relentless at times, yet Archer bleeds in backstory and description with carefully chosen flashbacks and by crafting an intense, deep-thinking protagonist, who is both likeable and real. Unassuming and shy, Ristan Abel's reluctant courage is endearing and will have every reader cheering him on.
And finally, like all good YA novels, Eden, Dawn has an interesting love quadrangle. However, unlike too many young-adult books, the unfolding love story is subtle yet substantial, and adds to rather than detracts from the book. This is not gush to spice up a weak storyline; this is awakened feelings born out of desperation, survival and friendship woven into character development and a robust plot.
Readers with an eye to see will also enjoy Archer’s light-versus-dark symbolism that often seeps into his description of the planet, times of the day, and the weather, giving the tale a high-strung edge. Through each chapter, you’re left with a sharp sense of the protagonist’s daily struggle for life and sanity. In short, Eden, Dawn is brooding, poignant and full of feeling, a must-read for fans of young-adult lit and science-fiction thrillers.
-- Susan Collins
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