Showing results by narrator "J.W. Walker" in All Categories

At first, the job sounds easy: lead a small herd of horses across the Arkansas–Texas border to the Double-D ranch near Texarkana. No problem—at least not for a man like Perley Gates. In fact, he’s looking forward to the 150-mile journey with his old sidekick Possum Smith and young Sonny Rice, and doesn’t expect any trouble along the way. Unfortunately, trouble has a way of finding Perley Gates. This time, it’s a trigger-happy trio of horse thieves who take one look at old Possum, young Sonny, and the low-key Perley, and decide they’re three very easy targets.

He never wanted to become a Champion, but ambition changes everything. Modern society has fallen, but the people of the Naharaim Valley have learned to survive…barely. The Harvesters, peddling the promise of provision and supplies for the families of their chosen Champions, visit periodically through a Gate connecting Naharaim to a far more advanced society on the other side. Alexander has always been a survivor, solitary and able to take care of himself and his family.

After the disastrous end to the Culling, Talos demands Alexander’s absolute loyalty as penance for his attempt at rebellion. If he continues to fight back against Talos’ control, the Naharaim Valley will die. But if he gives in and helps Talos keep his stranglehold on Persepolis and its Champions, the carnage in the Coliseum will never end. Without a friend left in the Village, and with Samuel and his underground rebellion nowhere to be found, Alexander is alone under Talos' watchful eye, trapped in an impossible game where each day of indecision ends in more bodies.