Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep

by Michael Merriam

[Kim Deister]

Grace Kiske is a prisoner of her own body in the post-war community that is all that is left of the world she once knew. Her rebellious ways are all she has left in her control, all she has that is still all hers, and those ways make her an outsider. She is overly conscious of how much she depends on her family to help her and she refuses to run away with her love, David, because she doesn't want to be a burden to him, as well. Her only freedom from the prison that is her body comes in her dreams, when the loons call to her and she swims with them.

This novella was just released a week ago, and I snapped it up on that day. Honestly, it was the cover art that initially grabbed me, being an tattooed diva with pink hair myself! The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic America, society taken down to the basics of living of a time long since past. On top of which, Grace is limited physically by her injuries. Life as she once knew it was gone and being dependent on those she loves goes against everything the onc-rebellious Grace stands for. All of this could make for a very depressing story, but somehow the spirit of Grace shines through and there is hope among the despair. My only complaint was that it was far too short because I wanted more! I highly recommend this novella!