Deadlands

A Novel

By: Victoria Miluch

Narrated by: Laura Jennings

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

From debut author Victoria Miluch comes the riveting story of a girl on the cusp of womanhood living in an arid wasteland and the encounter with two outsiders that upends her understanding of the world beyond it.

Only the most hardened survivalists can endure living in the scorched deadlands of the former state of Arizona. Among them is nineteen-year-old Georgia Reno, who lives in an isolated desert settlement with her father and younger brother. Roads don’t exist here; visitors are more dark fairy tale than reality.

But when two mysterious strangers arrive on their land, Georgia begins to question her sheltered existence. Soon, her tentative curiosity blooms into a fledgling desire to leave the settlement, even if it means venturing into a world her father has only ever warned against.

As their tenuous situation deteriorates, Georgia uncovers secrets about the visitors that could threaten her family’s fragile existence in the desert. But to leave the newcomers at the hands of her father could put everyone’s lives at risk—and force Georgia into an impossible decision.

Welcome to the deadlands, where survival is never guaranteed…and loyalty is put to the ultimate test.

©2023 Victoria Miluch. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Vividly narrated by Laura Jennings...will have a very special attraction for listeners with an interest in Dystopian Fiction.”—Midwest Book Review

“Atmospheric and enthralling, Deadlands is a gorgeously rendered portrait of young womanhood in a world inhospitable to young women. Miluch explores the delicate ecosystem of an isolated family against the backdrop of a dying planet riddled with unlivable deadlands. She expertly conjures up a sense of creeping, claustrophobic dread while also telling a story that feels as expansive and evocative as the desert itself. A beautiful, blazing debut.”—Alison Wisdom, author of The Burning Season

“I read this book in one sitting, totally gripped by the tense dance between family members and outsiders stranded together in a lethal landscape. The desert and the people in this novel are sources of both sustenance and threat in this suspenseful story where every character has their own voice, their own agenda, and their own secrets to keep.”—Caitlin Horrocks, author of Life Among the Terranauts

Didn’t love the story

Even the drama at the end seems in unexciting. Nothing seems to happen at all.

Meh

This book had potential, but sadly didn’t quite reach it. Too vague for such a huge promising premise.

sad to say it was boring

too much talking and very little action. skipped through most of the book after a couple of hours. the small sex scene should of been left out for it didn't add to the story. just not a book that I can recommend to people. hope for growth for the author should another book be written. did not care for the narrator voice.

Blah

This story will put you to sleep. It dredges along to a whole lot of nowhere with the most boring ending.

Was hoping for something better..

The narrator sounded like she was whispering the whole story with almost no emotion. The story lead you nowhere. Skip this one.

Was waiting for something interesting to happen

But it never did. There was so much potential, but it was just such a snoozer.

Very interesting story!

I enjoyed the story immensely! Great detail and colorful characters. I look forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

A beautiful tale.

The author has woven a classic story in a completely new and unique way. The prose is precise. The story unfolds slowly but always with an anticipation that draws you on. The narrator was excellent as well. I admit to starting the book on Kindle but enjoyed it more listening. Highly recommend.