Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Books set in the dystopian genre are some of my favorites. I can’t resist stepping in to the future gone wrong. Dominic has this one well figured out. He gives the reader a protagonist who has balls and a no-nonsense attitude to match. The landscape of the world he has created is described with just the right amount of details. We are allowed to fill in most of the blanks, and I for one like this style of writing. The ‘Old-World’ as it was known is now gone, it’s been two hundred years since the Final War. The world of Stone Wall is harsh and unforgiving.
All though the world has moved, the problems of the old world haven’t changed. Only the way they are dealt with has. Cops look at everyone as guilty and no one is considered innocent. Even though Stone Wall is in the future, the social issues still remain. Dominic keeps the story moving with plenty of thrills and well fleshed out characters. The characters don’t feel hollow nor do their actions feel forced. As the plot unfolds there are more and more layers revealed in each character. The history of the Final War and the plans for humanity is very cool. The leaders had planned for androids to keep the ‘Old-World’ on track. They were programmed with values, ideals, etc and made to survive well in to the future.
I love the sci-fi/cyberpunk feel along with the plot and characters of Stone Work. Cyberpunk is quickly becoming my new favorite genre. It satisfies my love of a post-apocalyptic world and sci-fi future. Stone Wall really satisfied my love for the genre. I was glad to see our protagonist show just a hint of emotion in a world where you can’t afford too. It was also great to see him reconnect with his old partner. This along with the major plot twist sealed the deal for this reader. I loved this book as much as the first and hope another Stone book is being considered by the author.
Book Info
Length: 311 pages
Publisher: Sinister Grin Press
Release date: April 22, 2017
To Purchase Stone Wall Click Here
The Wall is the only thing standing between the people of City and the horrors of The Wastes. The prisoners who inhabit The Wall follow two simple rules: do whatever you have to do to survive, and when you are called for patrol, do your part to clear The Wastes of City’s enemies.
Stone is a ruthless mercenary, hired to break into The Wall and rescue a young boy who may very well be dead already. Stone knows what’s waiting for him out there. He was a prisoner years ago, and he earned his scars fighting for City. He has heard whispers regarding a “New Enemy” beyond The Wall. A war has broken out, and more and more of the prisoner patrols are going out into the desert never to be heard from again.
But five-hundred grand’s nothing to roll your eyes at, and Stone hasn’t had a decent payday since his techie, Megan, split on him six months ago. In desperate need of a number-two man to fill Megan’s spot, Stone reluctantly reunites with Kendrick, his old partner and current disco fanatic. Together, yet constantly at each other’s throats, they’ll break into The Wall and make their way through its deadly streets, doing their best to avoid unimaginable dangers. Stone broke out once. The question is, can he do it again?
Dominic Stabile, Biography-
Dominic Stabile’s bizarre fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, including The Horror Zine, Sanitarium Magazine, Atticus Review, and Fossil Lake III: Unicornado! He is a regular contributor to Manor House Productions’ horror podcast, which produces haunting audio dramas.
His bizarro-noir thriller, Stone Work, was released in 2016 by Mirror Matter Press and then re-released by Sinister Grin Press in 2017. The second book in the series, Stone Wall, was published by SGP in 2017. His Weird Western, “Full Moon in the West,” was released by Grinning Skull Press in 2016. The third installment in the Stone series, Stone Dead, is scheduled to be released in late 2017/early 2018.
Check out his blog here for updates on future projects and regular movie reviews.
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