Overlord

Eric Fullilove's Overlord is one of the best books I have read that examines the dangers of climate change. In this narrative that is set in the near future, the drop in the North American tectonic plate is caused by the melting ice. What happens next is terrifying —the rising waters submerge the cities of New York and Miami. California is literally swallowed up by the ocean. Refugees are on the move and struggling to survive amidst dwindling resources. As if the devastation caused by the rising waters weren't enough threat to humanity's existence, a burning oil rig is about to make things even more complicated, sending humanity over the edge.

Former Miami police officer Madison Cervantes leads a ragtag crew that must put out the fire before it engulfs the entire Gulf. But they find themselves wedged between two dangerous situations when inclement weather ensues. Can they escape the flames and the predators that stand in their way of freedom? Readers encounter a resilient group that is faced with impossible odds in this novel that echoes strong dystopian themes. This is a cautionary tale that warns readers of what can happen if climate change is not handled with urgency. The writing is crisp, the sentences are well-measured, and the author offers descriptions that are terrific. The images of devastation render the writing cinematic. The action is pulsating, and readers can stop wondering about what is to come next in this engrossing tale. While the characters in this novel are finely drawn, it is the author's imaginative setting that will pull many readers in. This immersive tale is a page-turner with unstoppable action.