The Road to Winter

May 1, 2017
Several years after a devastating virus caused the collapse of civilization, 15-year-old Finn survives on his own by living off the land and relying on the supplies his father stockpiled before his death. When Finn’s solitary existence is upset by the arrival of Rose, a wounded young woman fleeing a ruthless gang of marauders and slavers, Finn has to decide how much he wants to get involved. Eventually, he agrees to venture out and find Rose’s younger sister, Kas, who was separated from her in their escape attempt. As Finn encounters other survivors, both peaceful and dangerous, he discovers his true place in his altered world and learns what’s worth fighting for. The setting and worldbuilding are fairly standard for this subset of the postapocalyptic genre, but complex and sympathetic characters help compensate for the more generic elements, and there’s a measure of hope in Finn’s story that isn’t always present in similar tales. First in a planned series, it’s a solid debut for Australian author Smith, and future installments may yet find ways to further establish its identity. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from March 15, 2017
A deadly virus has devastated the population of Australia, leaving pockets of humanity to survive as best as they can.Fifteen-year-old Finn has been surviving on his own for two years. With only his dog, Rowdy, for company, the white boy seeks relief from the effort of survival by surfing on the ocean. But when brown-skinned Rose arrives, chased by a dangerous band of Wilders, Finn must choose between survival and risking everything to help the mysterious girl. The situation is complicated as Rose is a Siley, one of the enslaved asylum-seekers kept in offshore detention centers. Rose is desperate to reunite with her missing sister, but when she becomes ill, it falls to Finn to find Kas. Smith's debut, opening a series, is a riveting story of survival that questions the prices of freedom and safety as well as the value of an individual life. While Rose and her sister are strong and fierce, their Afghani heritage marks them as worthless. Finn is similarly hobbled by difficulty speaking. But in a world turned upside down, maybe the least can become the greatest by relying on their wits, their kindness, and their integrity. A breakout new series full of romance, danger, and a surprisingly engaging world. (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 14-adult)

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April 1, 2017
Gr 9 Up-Finn has learned to survive in an unforgiving new world. A virus has spread rapidly and killed most of the population. Using his resourcefulness, Finn has managed to keep himself and his dog Rowdy alive. When a young girl crosses their path, Finn and Rowdy's world is rocked, and they must decide if the secrets she carries are too much to bear. This narrative touches on many issues while still remaining a postapocalyptic story at its heart. Smith ventures into refugee, slave trade, and gender issues in threads interwoven throughout. At times, these plotlines can overshadow any sci-fi aspects. Teens graduating from adventure novels, such as Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, will be drawn into the main characters' everyday lives and survival strategies. Smith has crafted an exciting, heartfelt tale that will leave readers wanting more. Those who enjoyed Virginia Bergin's H2O will also appreciate this title. VERDICT A solid choice for dystopian and science fiction collections.-Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 5, 2016
Since the virus, Finn lives alone in his small coastal town with just his dog for company. He keeps his head down and lives off the supplies his father stored away, filling his days by setting rabbit traps and going for the occasional surf. But everything changes when Rose arrives in town, fleeing from the thuggish men who kept her and her missing sister captive. Set in a future where a virus has destroyed the world as we know it, The Road to Winter introduces a dark landscape where gangs control the land and asylum seekers—Sileys, like Rose—are sold at auction to be used as slave labour. This exploration of the treatment of asylum seekers is chilling and easily one of the strongest features of the novel, but it is undermined by a vague set-up and a plot that doesn’t quite live up to the strong tradition of Australian YA dystopia. However, there is plenty to like here: it is engaging, even if it does leave quite a few things unanswered, and Finn’s strong voice carries the story and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. This is a slightly problematic but solidly entertaining read for readers aged 14 and up. Meg Whelan is the children’s and young adult book buyer at the Hill of Content bookshop in Melbourne