Green Corrosion

Green Corrosion by Costi Gurgu ticks all the points in a gripping dystopian novel. A planet has been devastated by the Black Rain. Now, clean water is scarce, something people will kill for, and those who cannot find clean water must drink ''gelled'' water, which disfigures them. Prince Boris lives in his Golden Tower that overlooks the derelict and dying city. Apart from the devastation caused by the Black Rain, the people on this planet must also face the corruption of their leaders. Meanwhile, Geo Woodman secretly leads the fight to save his clan and the people of Torono from the dangers of corrupt leaders and the hazardous climate. As Geo faces the mysterious Silkers, corrupt city officials, and shadowy figures from his past, he unravels a web of conspiracy surrounding a new ecological threat—another impending Black Rain—that could wipe out the last vestiges of liquid water and human civilization. What chances does he have to protect his clan?

Costi Gurgu’s novel presents a vividly drawn image of a dystopian world that is rapidly deteriorating. The struggles of the ordinary people are ingeniously captured in this narrative, and the pathos hits home strongly. The characters are fully developed, from Geo's conflicted sense of duty and desire for clan survival to Boris, the unpredictable prince who wields immense power through fear. Lady L, Lena, is the symbol of seduction and danger, while characters like Woodman the Elder and Rumi anchor the story in ancient tradition and ruthless ambition. The setting vividly depicts a world transformed—ruined cities, underground caves, and the ominous Golden Tower. I enjoyed how the author builds conflict around the scarce resources, especially clean water. Green Corrosion is well-plotted, and the unpredictability in the plot makes it a hard-to-put-down tale. It is action-packed and fast-paced, with characters that grab and keep the attention of readers.