BOOK DETAILS:
Book Title: Come the Eventide by Chris Riker
Category: YA Fiction / Adult Fiction, 330 pages
Genre: YA Eco-Sci-Fiction / Fantasy
Publisher: Lanier Press
Release date: June, 2019
Tour Dates: October 14 to October 25, 2019
Content Rating: PG (There are mature themes, but nothing graphic or gratuitous)
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A century has passed since the fall of
humanity changed the natural landscape. The oceans are poison, and a
fraction of Earth’s magnificent creatures remain. The only surviving
humans squabble over limited resources as they cling to a fragile peace.
Yet in this bleak landscape hope lives on in Earth’s other intelligent
life. It all begins when Septielle, a seven-armed octopod, has a vision
of a world restored—a world she will not live to see. Inspired by her
vision, a dolphin named Muriel shoulders her mission and enlists any
humans who will listen—including Anadare, a young islander with an ax to
grind against the oppressive ruling class of tourists turned
bureaucrats. An invasion of cannibalistic pirates complicates things as
they declare war on a world that rejects them.
As tensions rise to a crescendo,
islanders, tourists, and pirates alike must put aside their differences
to send Muriel on her greatest journey yet—beyond the sea, beyond form,
beyond time itself.
In his first novel, Chris Riker
conducts an opus in voce giocoso that grins at the inevitable, but
reminds us of the heart that all life shares.
BUY THE BOOK:
journalist. He grew up in Rhode Island and now makes his home in Georgia
with his wife, Ping. He has always loved books, from science-fiction
and fantasy to historical novels and biographies. Building on a
background in broadcast news, including a stint at CNN, he is now
focused on telling stories with strong characters and moral resonance.
His premiere effort blends a love for our beautiful Earth and her myriad
life-forms with a sense of wonder at our shared purpose and fate.
Connect with the Author: website * facebook * instagram
Come the Eventide by Chris Riker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, for the most part the book is clean. Readers will find no sex nor gratuitous violence. There is some minimal profanity, but this is rare rather than the norm.
This is an unusual book that may be enjoyed by those who enjoy fantasy and even those who don’t typically read fantasy. I fall into the latter camp. I was concerned this may be a treatise on environmentalism and global warming and while that is a part of this story, that is not the focus.
I am a lover of animals. Dolphins are usually a favorite of mine, but octopi are not generally something that occupies my mind. This author had a way of humanizing these creatures that resonated with me on a genuine level. In fact, I became rather disgusted with most of the humans in the story. I found myself championing the take of the dolphins and octopi, and I believe anyone who can accomplish such an unusual task should be applauded.
‘Guest Post by Chris Riker
Hi, I’m Chris Riker and I’ve written ‘Come the Eventide,’ a book about the end of the world. So, you might wonder whether I believe that’s what’s definitely coming. Um… no. It can, if we’re all convinced of our own self-importance and refuse to respect our home world, but there is an alternative.
In ‘Come the Eventide,’ the principal villains are the salvors, essentially pirates who are trying to live as if it were still the consumer-driven world of 1983 where resources seemingly went on forever and existed only for our self-gratification. That was false then and is terrifyingly wrong now. Dolphins are trying to convince the remaining humans that there’s a better way.
I would love to get people to take a serious look at changing themselves. I think there are an overwhelming number of things threatening this beautiful world, so people shrug and quit before even trying. We can do so much: plant a tree, eat less red meat, or plan a small family. If a large number of us did something on this scale, the world WOULD change. Still too much? How about smiling? Seriously, smile at strangers instead of allowing the awfulness that is social media convince us that everyone is the enemy and each of us is alone. Like dolphins, humans are social creatures, right down to our DNA. If we remember that we are an amazing team and not seven-and-a-half selfish jerks trying to be top dog, we’ll recognize the challenges that are out there and take them on… together. You don’t need religion or government to get started. You are the one you’ve been waiting for. Who’s better than you?
Change begins from inside. If people take away anything from ‘Come the Eventide,’ I hope it’s the optimism to work small and build up. Think like a dolphin!
BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:
Oct 14 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 14 – Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
Oct 15 – Books for Books – book review
Oct 15 – To Thine Own Shelf – book review / guest post
Oct 16 – Fountain Of Books – book review /author interview / giveaway
Oct 17 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Oct 21 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book review
Oct 22 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 23 – My Devotional Thoughts – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 24 – Life as Leels – book review
Oct 25 – Just another reader – book review / giveaway
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3 Comments
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Great news! ‘Come the Eventide’ is now available on Audible, read by the wonderful Siobbhan Shaw. I hope you’ll check it out. Thanks!
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Ruth,
Thank you for your insights. Even though the book is done, I keep reading about dolphins and octopuses (hmm, calling them octopodes just sounds better, right?) and I am amazed that most attempts to communicate amount to us expecting them to speak English. Um — dolphins have neither lips nor vocal chords, so… I just wonder what it would take for us humans to actually LISTEN and try to understand without imposing our own viewpoint. What a great skill that would be for us to develop.
Chris Riker recently posted…Now and Then by Chris Riker
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Think like a dolphin. What a compelling message to take forward. Thank you for sharing.
