Thank you Karol Ross! (Posted on Goodreads from Advanced Reader Copy)

I have just finished the second book in Scott Cramer’s Toucan series, Colony East. So, what do I think of it? It is an amazing book of suspense, intrigue, and betrayal. Are these qualities in squabbling lovers? No! Emphatically! This book works on the premise that a particular natural disaster has killed all of the people over the age of puberty, who came into contact with a bacteria carrying dust. Thus the book is about the ‘kids’ left behind, the hardships they faced, and how they create a workable society from their limited experience, with varying degrees of intelligence, skill, leadership, and moral character. The compelling way they learned and solutions they developed produced a book I could not put down.

Though it does not quote any philosopher, I kept seeing The Allegory of the Cave, from Plato’s Republic in this work. As certain kids mature and grow, you can see them progress from those who were content to do what was expected, not ask questions, and believe what was ‘politically correct’, to the free thinking, clear sighted agenda weighing sleuths, who know what is best for their society instinctively, and are heroic enough to bring about that outcome. I love that the characters all have their own personalities, and each voice is consistent with age, IQ, ability, personality and character type. In my experience, this is a very tall order for an author. The main protagonist (and this is a society of many children and a few adults of both pro and antagonistic characters) is a common sense personality, who uses strong convictions to push for a society that will allow for individuality, freedom of choice, privacy, and most importantly, focus on each individual’s service to their society. It was very interesting to me to see how she, and the community that evolved with her, grew into these abilities. Her name is Abby, and to see how her moral standards, and unquestioning faith in humanity are sorely tested and worn down (to the point that she may be willing to do armed theft to benefit those in her world) and how she reacts to this is really quite amazing.

As for the writer; he has a distinctively easy style to read. Short sentences with missing connectives in some cases, to create a sense of immediacy, and dialogue one would expect of ‘kids’. He is a man’s man of a writer, yet he can cross and construct a wonderfully soft feminine character with both vulnerable and bold qualities. It is rare for me to say this, but I believe that with the unparalleled storytelling quality of this series, Cramer has propelled himself into a category that will earn him a notch in the best writing circles. This book obviously has a genre, but as you read it, you realize it will also appeal to those who wish to see the building and melding of hopes, dreams, practical solutions to problems, heroic actions, loyalties, and, paramount, living characters you simply cannot forget (or get out of your mind). This should be a really successful series if the work Cramer keeps churning out is the equal of Colony East