The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Hig lives on an abandoned airfield with his dog, Jasper, and an acquaintance - a prepper named Bangley. They have survived the flu epidemic that destroyed society and killed his wife, and the new dangers they have are other survivors. Hig flies his planes over the area, keeping overwatch and looking for potential other survivors, while Bangley protects the airfield. Hig hates the rigidity and ruthlessness they meet the survivors with, and when he sees a chance to find a life outside this tension, he takes it. Flying his small Cessna past the point of no return, he must figure out if whatever he finds is worth changing his rigid, but relatively secure life for.

I enjoyed reading this novel. The entire story was very good. Hig's character was believable and reading the world through his eyes was very intense. All of the characters were very well written and interesting. The story was also written in a slightly different prose, more reminiscent of The Road (Cormac McCarthy). I think people who liked The Road or post-apocalyptic fiction would enjoy this book. However, the book wasn't all about violence or survival - a lot of it was about Hig's emotions and memories of before society collapsed and how he dealt with this new reality. 

Reviewed by NK, Grade 10

Montrose Library