Dispoclypse

November 17, 2016 by JBronder

Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

Publisher: M & S Publishing, L.L.C. (June 1, 2016)
Category: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Epic Fantasy, Young Adult
Tour Date: Oct and Nov, 2016
ISBN: 978-0989089494
ASIN: B01GIIEDXW
Available in: Print & ebook, 406 Pages

In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a Governor who is both feared and worshipped, Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who is just trying to get through her last year of studies. But when her father dies, she experiences strange dreams that change everything about how she looks at the world and at herself.

Haunted by the tragedy, Willow begins pushing herself beyond anything she could have imagined she was capable of. It’s only when she catches the attention of some of the Governor’s minions that her world is turned upside-down.

“Michael Rothman is a writer with interests in many areas: from fantasy adventures to nail-biting science fiction thrillers. As a result, his stories are like a roller coaster that carry you away into imaginative worlds where surprises abound, and the only thing that you can expect, is the unexpected. So sit back and enjoy the ride!”-David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Author

Praise for Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

“The duality of worlds was very interesting and it hooked me completely especially with the way Willow was made out in those scenes. The presence of a world we are familiar with and then another which had totally different geography and races drew me in slowly but steadily.
The world building was unique and it was a blend of dystopia and fantasy. I believe that was my favourite part of the book. It’s not usual that fantasy elements are introduced into a dystopian/apocalyptic tale. And it has more of a feel of the events happening after apocalypse so it was appropriately named too.

Overall, the read was a great enjoyable one with ample fighting and adventures. I can recommend this to fantasy and dystopian lovers equally.”- Floryie, Travelogue Of a Book Addict

“I like how this book kept me guessing. It certainly didn’t expect the book to go to the places that it did. You think that one thing will happen, but the story surprises you and goes a totally different direction. The lack of predictability was quite refreshing.
The pacing in this was great! I was surprised how fast I was able to read this once I got started. Nothing seemed to drag. The flow was just perfect. I highly recommend this book! It is one of the most unique stories that I have had the pleasure of reading. The meshing of genres really makes this one stand out.”- Vanessa [Queen Alchemy ], The Alchemy of Ink

I loved reading it, and can truly say it’s unique! I love how it’s written, and the wording/tone really drew me in. The prologue is somewhat confusing, and it took me a chapter or so to really understand what was happening, but it was a quick read, and easy to follow after that. I also enjoyed the illustrations, an added bonus in any story!

“I loved the characters, and felt the plot was unique, and well thought out. I enjoyed the quick pace, and read a large portion of the book in one sitting!
For this time this is a stand along, still I still have some questions, but I would love another book to answer them! XD (OK so I really just want to visit Willow’s world again!)”-Stephanie, Adventures Thru Wonderland

“Dispocalypse is a Shannara-esque post-apocalyptic return of magic tale, rich with prophecy, redolent with the stink of evil, and vibrant with the undaunted clamors of a young woman who will not allow her will to be constrained. It walks a delightful line between science fiction and fantasy and delivers a tale sure to please readers looking for unusual adventure fiction.”- Big Dave, Amazon Reviewer

About Michael Rothman

Michael Rothman is an Army brat, a polyglot, and the first person in his family born in the United States. Given his first-born American status, hegrew up with English as his third language. As a child, he always had an active imagination and would continuously drive his family crazy with a myriad of “what if” questions.

After a while, they shoved him at the local public library and that’s when he was finally introduced to the world of books, and more specifically, science fiction and fantasy novels. His earliest influences were J.R.R. Tolkien’s classics as well as those of Isaac Asimov. Titles such as these tickled his imagination both as a child and into adulthood.

Website: http://www.michaelarothman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelARothman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelARothman

Buy Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

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My Review

4 stars

Five hundred years after a nuclear war we find ourselves in a world of The Forbidding and Dominion. The Forbidding is full of evil, nasty creatures and the Dominion is the human area where we meet Willow. Willow is in her last year at the Academy and is having strange dreams that leave her with some serious fighting skills from her ancestors. With her new skills she decides to start training to be a soldier. But she finds herself exiled to The Forbidding. It seems there is a prophecy for her to fulfill if she can survive.

This is a great combination of several different genera’s that worked really well together. I loved the dystopian destruction after the war and the fantasy twist of the dreamwalking. Willow was a strong lead character. I really like how she slowly discovered different abilities.

On the down side, this book was a bit scattered in the beginning and had some irrelevant tidbits that could have been left out or fleshed out more. I feel there were certain deaths that were just thrown out there for no reason.

So far this looks like a stand-alone book but I do think that it could easily be made into a series. There are some spots that I would love to see a second book about to wrap up some events.

I received Dispocalypse from Teddy at Virtual Author Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

Excerpt

As Melanie and Willow wandered through the market, Willow recognized the smell of manure and felt a pang of sadness. It reminded her of growing up on a farm. Already the memories felt more like remnants of a dream, and though she knew she should want that, it made her sad to lose her other life.

A crowd of people at the trapper’s stall drew Willow’s attention. He pulled a tarp off a huge collection of cages and the crowd murmured with approval as Melanie and Willow approached to take a look.

She couldn’t help but be reminded of a rabbit as she stared at one furry creature quivering in his cage. She even had a dim recollection of cuddling with baby rabbits when she was a kid in that dream of hers. These weren’t rabbits–far from it. Sitting in individual cages, the ferocious-looking creatures had gray fur, large emotion-filled eyes and a snarling maw full of sharp teeth. Definitely not the kind of thing you’d want to cuddle with.

Willow leaned closer to Melanie and motioned toward the cages on the merchant’s cart. “The werebits are staring at me.” Many of them had turned their faces toward her and stared with their soulful dark eyes. She gulped. “It looks like they want me to help them,” Willow murmured, struck for the first time by how intelligent they appeared.

“Just how sick were you?” Melanie laughed. “Werebits are nasty pieces of work. They’ll take a finger off, if you give them half a chance.” She pointed to a nearby cart that had strips of meat drying in the sun. “My mom buys them live and my dad butchers them himself. They make wonderful meat pies.”

Scanning the cages of trapped animals stacked under the canopy, Willow felt sorry for them. As she stared at one, it seemed as if he were looking back at her with an intelligence that completely unnerved her. She felt guilty for just standing there, leaving them to their fate. She should do something, but what?

“Come on,” Melanie pulled Willow by the arm. “My mom wants to say ‘Hi’ to you before we go off to school.”

Willow grudgingly tore her attention from the sad plight of the werebits, feeling sick that she’d actually eaten some of their meat that morning. She silently swore to herself that she’d never eat a shred of that animal again.