Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon"My name is Andrea Christensen. I'm one of the oldest oldest people in the world."
SCHISM is the first book in a new dystopian trilogy that tells a tale of survival, of good versus evil, and of constructing a future with only memories of childhood.
A government-created virus is accidentally released before testing is complete and within weeks it kills six billion people, children are the only survivors. Andy Christensen and her two friends travel across the country searching for a safe place to live, but nowhere, it seems, is capable of resurrection.
Reviews for SCHISM:
“SCHISM is an engrossing page turner that skillfully deals with dark subject matter in a compelling, through-provoking manner.” -IndieReader.com
“This apocalyptic teen drama’s character interactions may draw readers in, but its vigorous story will keep them hooked.” - Kirkus Reviews
“The author includes detailed character backgrounds that lend depth and believability. Below the surface of the story is a much deeper examination of human nature...and this makes the book truly fascinating. 5 Stars” ~ Foreword Reviews
Schism by Britt Holewinski is a dystopian coming of age novel that pushes the boundaries of what individuals faced with the worst day of their lives can do. It is an interesting tale of the schism that can occur when the world falls down.
Andy’s father, a doctor on the mainland, decides to move the family to an island when the virus first starts to spread. His hope was that the virus would not get to the island and they would be safe. Sadly the virus made it ashore, killing all island adults. With her good friends with her, they not only survived but thrived on the island until the residents of the “city”, being out of food and supplies began to encroach on their piece of land. After a brutal assault, Andy and her friends decided that a rickety boat was better than dying on the island and they set off for the Mainland. Think Lord of the Flies.
Once on the mainland things got better until they met two young men who were running from their own secrets. Although happenstance, the meeting brought strangers together. It also taught them valuable lessons that they would need during the “age of the virus”. The goal was to make it somewhere safe. Safe during this time is different to everyone and to Andy it means keeping herself and her family safe. When the truth begins to unravel, it is up to Andy and those she can trust.
The book ends on a cliff-hanger of sorts. The book ends, but there is a revelation at the end makes me want to throw the book. Obviously I didn’t, but I wanted to. It is like when things can’t get any worse and then you have something happen to you. It throws what you felt was your tipping point out the window and sets a whole new line. Yeah that is what happens.
A schism can mean many things, and this book has instances where the schism can make or break the characters. It is a combination of Children of the Corn, Lord of Flies, and the Walking dead all in one. There were a couple of things that pushed it from a 5 star to a 4.5 star. The aforementioned cliff-hanger did bother me some. The other element was the showing v. telling aspect. There are instances in the book were more description would have been nice versus the character saying “this place looks great with it’s [blank]. Detail the blank. Oh one thing that I forgot to mention. The cover is hauntingly beautiful. It shows the beauty of rebirth. It also shows the juxtaposition of childhood with survival.
All in all this is a good book, and I hate that it took me so long to read. That’s what you get for trying to do serious DIY in our house.
About Britt Holewinski
Born in Boston, Britt Holewinski lived in six different houses across the United States during her childhood, sparking her interest to write about characters who must continually adapt to new situations and locations.
Early on, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut; however, shortly after completing her graduate degree, she was offered a job with the CIA. Her years working for the Agency opened her eyes to the world we live in and gave her rare glimpses of what living in a crumbling, post-apocalyptic world might be like.
In her spare time, Britt loves to go hiking anywhere with a view, learn French, and visit historical Revolutionary and Civil War sites along the East Coast.
After residing in the Washington DC area for fourteen years, she is currently living and writing full-time in Michigan. Schism is her debut novel.
