B.A. Mackenzie’s Killing Timber is an eye-opening view into a dystopian world. The year is 2250. The earth that once was is forever gone. One world, two separate societies: the citizens of the sterile domes, full of plastic furniture and personas, and Outlanders who remain outside the domes. Two key leaders emerge. Raul, who wants to eliminate all Outlanders, and Hawkins, a young man whose focus is to save his family and his friends outside the domes. Raul’s plan is diabolical, while Hawkins is motivated by love and good will. Hawkins and his fellow Outlanders have “desire and belief” on their side, but will that be enough to escape Raul’s plan for their annihilation? The world has become an "us versus them" scenario. Hidden underground, watching, is a secret race of scientists who believe that their mission is to save humankind from extinction. With their hidden talents and bag full of tricks, a small group of scientists join the Outlanders in an all or nothing assault on the domes. However, one question remains: will it be enough to survive?

B.A. Mackenzie paints the aftermath of a world ravaged by disease and war in Killing Timber. The narrative portrays a split society. With good versus evil as its theme, the major conflict results in man against man. Propelling the plot is the age old clash of racial prejudice. Mackenzie does a good job depicting the differences of his characters. This element is clearly seen in the reactions during times of crisis, namely the battle scenes, where the strengths and weaknesses of the characters become evident. The narrative remains true to its sci-fi genre by depicting an advanced technical world, full of holographic images, hover buggies and hover-vators, genetically altered creatures and avatars. Although it is written in third person, the point of view changes from Raul’s view in the domes to Hawkins' view from the Outlands. At times, the transitions are abrupt and unexpected, forcing the reader to stay alert. Killing Timber is full of fast paced action, violent battles and a couple of unforeseen factors. All of the raging momentum stops cold, leaving the reader shivering in a cliffhanger ending.

Killing Timber is a dystopian adventure novel by B.A. MacKenzie with a strong political plot line. In a desolate Earth ravaged by war and disease, in the year 2250, readers are introduced to the young and somewhat naïve Hawkins, our reluctant hero. He is a member of the outlands, the people who live sparsely on the wasted plains of the Earth, as opposed to the sterile and staunch ways of the people living in dome cultures, led by the fearsome and loathsome Raul. These two tribes are the only choices for the humans that remain in this post-apocalyptic land, and the tension between them is ever rising. When Hawkins finds himself right at the epicentre of a huge political clash, the fate of civilisation itself may be at stake.

Author B.A. MacKenzie sets up a typical arrangement for dystopian fiction with the ‘us or them’ mentality, and presents a colourful and diverse cast of characters on both sides of the fight. Hawkins’s journey is one filled with action and interest in every chapter, as mysteries unfold and danger lurks at every turn. I particularly enjoyed the two different perceptions of human life between the more free spirited outlanders and the allegedly civilised dome-dwellers, which for me reflected the fractured peace between different cultures in real history, such as the colonialists and the Native Americans. Killing Timber was an interesting perspective on dystopian fiction that leaves you thinking deeply whilst also delivering the usual action, sacrifice, intrigue and warfare that readers expect from the genre.

Killing Timber by B.A. MacKenzie is a dystopian novel. In 2250, humans are virtually extinct. There are just two tribes left to continue the world and they come to a truce - but that all falls by the wayside when a nasty outbreak occurs and everyone is thrown into a fight for survival, a battle only the fittest can survive. Hawkins comes from the outlands and finds himself up against Raul, the Domes leader. As the bloody clash escalates, lives will be lost and blood will be spilt as the two sides fight to keep their lives and their way of life. Who will be victorious? Which side will win the fight to continue the human race? As the battles ensue, secrets are coming to the fore, old secrets that should have remained buried forever, secrets that may just change life as they know it.

Killing Timber by B.A. MacKenzie is set in the future, in a world that has been destroyed by war and by disease. The story shows the deep contrast between the leading characters – Raul and Hawkins. Their objectives seem to be to protect their own people but, as I read it, it becomes clear that there is more at stake here. This is the first in a series of novels and, as a starting book, it was good, full of action. The battle scenes were very descriptive and left me with the feeling of actually having been there. It also left me wanting to read Book 2 in the series and I look forward to its release.