I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two immigrants feel drawn together towards the crater that once was Manhattan in author Lawrence P. O’Brien’s “Hard Worked Days.”
The Synopsis
Two recent immigrants, who are trying to escape from boring routines meet at a park in Brooklyn. The pair gets sprayed by a bug that came from deep within a crater that used to be Manhattan. Something keeps drawing them together and draws them towards the crater.
Everyone is convinced that this is the first stage of preparation for an alien invasion.
In a world that is devolving and everyone seems to be against them, the pair come to learn that they have true friends.
The Review
This was a richly developed, compelling sci-fi read. The author did a marvelous job of world-building, not only for the events on Earth over many years, but also for the Ovidians and their world. The unique physiology of the aliens and the way it changes the two protagonists are a great jumpstart into this narrative, and the vivid imagery in the author’s writing style made both the modern-day and futuristic versions of Earth stand out as settings as well, capturing the chaos and profound changes the planet undergoes after this major event.
The exploration of immigration through a sci-fi lens, along with the dynamic character development, made this a compelling read. The thought-provoking ways in which the author was able to capture the suspicion and worry so many in the United States have towards immigrants, while also showcasing the quiet strength and determination of immigrants in the face of untold scrutiny and hardship, was powerful and moving, and the use of this sci-fi narrative to tell this particular story was inspiring. The bond between Fares and Ionna, as well as the family that comes later, and how the politics, both within the family and with the alien race they become ingrained with, will keep readers enthralled.
The Verdict
Memorable, compelling, and thrilling, author Lawrence P. O’Brien’s “Hard Worked Days” is a fantastic speculative science fiction-meets-family drama narrative that readers will thoroughly enjoy. A story filled with a wealth of dynamic characters, harrowing twists and turns, and shocking narrative moments that will leave readers eager for more, this is one book that feels both original and profoundly moving. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Lawrence was raised across from a hill shadowing Black Rapids Creek in Ottawa, Canada. The towering toboggan hill fed an early appetite for challenge, tall tales and doing the impossible. The black forested river valley set his dreams.
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