Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In the post apocalyptic future, a group of survivors struggle to carry on across the ruined landscape. They only want to have a place to live, enough food to eat, and stay alive another day. Inevitably, they are divided into factions, each desperate to be supreme with their own set of rules. Thomas Fremont is one of them. He is a conscript forced into serving the occupation forces left over from the fall -- it mostly consists of useless military criminals of the government -- in the deserted land of southwestern America. Children of the Fall is a series by Nicholas J. Landon with The Wails of Mother Earth as Volume I.

I always try to make a note of the cover and although this one appears basic, it does suit the bleakness of the story well. Children of the Fall is undeniably thought provoking. Through the young Thomas Fermont's perspective, we learn about his harsh life as a slave to the soldiers and his yearning for a better fate. As I kept reading, I realized that this story is more than a science fiction tale. It is unquestionably multi-layered, with a strong, deep plot and dialogue. The characters also contribute to the captivating element of the story; able to evoke different emotions in the readers.

Landon ends it with a perfect twist that will make readers look forward to the second installment as I do. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no doubt that it will be the same for other readers.