Introducing Book 1 in
The New Dakota Series:
The Contaminants
About the Book
Title: The Contaminants (New Dakota Series, Volume 1) | Author: Devin K. Smyth | Publication Date: June 9, 2015 | Publisher: Firedrake Books, LLC (2nd Edition) | Pages: 230 | Recommended Ages: 12+Summary: When the American government's attempt to "purify" Earth causes a worldwide nuclear holocaust, teen friends Jessil and Soraj are among the few to escape the planet. Orbiting in a cruiser designed to help regenerate Earth's ecosystem, they assist Soraj's father, who leads the process to salvage a location for the cruiser's safe return. But when a mysterious distress signal arrives from Earth, Jessil is desperate to discover who sent it. She and Soraj join the reconnaissance team that descends to the planet, a world very different from the one they knew. In such a strange land, can their search-and-rescue effort succeed? And if it does, will it mean failure for Earth's recovery?
My Review
The Contaminants is the first book in an exciting new science-fiction series by Devin K. Smyth. The summary grabbed my attention as being something intriguingly different, and it is. The story moves swiftly from the very beginning. It's interesting reading as you switch from the perspective of the key female character, Jessil, to the key male character, Soraj.
This book is able to happily keep the attention of kids ages 12 and up, and adults too! There are some violent scenes and death in the story, so it might not be palatable for sensitive readers. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the New Dakota series!
More Buzz About the Book
"The Contaminants, a work of dystopian fantasy for teens from Devin K. Smyth (the pen name of Kevin Speth), serves as the first volume of his New Dakota series. Composed of two believable first-person narratives and based around two father-child relationships, this is a novel that prizes emotions as much as it does technology." ~ Rebecca, Foreward Reviews
"The Contaminants by Devin K. Smyth is a story of survival, friendship, loyalty, and hope set in the aftermath of planetary devastation. I loved this book... I didn't want to put the book down. I wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. This is a great start to what I hope will be a continuing series." ~ Ubiquitous Bubba, Amazon
"This story had me sucked in from the very beginning, and I had trouble putting it down. The science was thorough and awesome. The characters were portrayed at different ages and through different stages of their journey with skill and a perfect arc. " ~ Amie M., Amazon
"An exciting trek to a post-nuclear Earth! Tightly composed and never off tangent in its delivery, "The Contaminants" by Devin K. Smyth packs many punches" ~ Future Boy, Amazon
"There's enough drama and tension here to keep you riveted. Smyth's concept of a world intentionally destroyed in order to "improve" on it is fresh and provocative. The characters are well developed and engaging. I'm eager to read the next story in this chapter, and find out more about this new yet familiar world." ~ Nikki B., Amazon
About the Author:
Devin K. Smyth
Devin K. Smyth is the pen name of Kevin Speth, a part-time novelist and full-time marketing copywriter in the field of children’s entertainment. He resides in southern Wisconsin with his girlfriend and their herd of cats. The Contaminants is Devin K. Smyth’s first novel and is the first in the “New Dakota” series.
Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.
