REVIEW: By the Feet of Men

By the Feet of Men
Author: Grant Price

This book caught me by surprise. I enjoy dystopian stories, but they tend to follow a formula, especially if they deal with destruction of the planet by humanity's bad choices or climate change. But this story of the aftermath of the fall of civilization really grabbed my attention immediately and kept it until the final page. The story is well-written and not formulaic or melodramatic. The characters and world are well-developed and believable.

The world is completely different since The Change. Europe was decimated and what is left of humanity scrabbles for scraps in the dirt. Some even resort to murder and cannibalism to survive. A group called The Korporation has fortified walls that protect the largest sources of fresh water and supplies. Outside the walled border, runners drive up and down roads delivering supplies to settlements and taking what payment they can get -- water, supplies, food. It's a hard life. But, a settlement in Italy has been working to develop a machine that could reverse the damage to the planet and climate, but they need help and supplies to finish the project. The Koalition wants to seize the machine and prevent it from being used. A group of runners is willing to help....but they will face extreme odds. It's a long trip....and the forces of The Koalition want to stop them.

This story has a lot of action. It's definitely never boring. It paints a bleak picture of a planet and civilization destroyed by mismanagement and greed. Very enjoyable read! I will definitely be reading more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from John Hunt Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**