Wow.   I mean, really, WOW.  I just finished reading Wool by Hugh Howey and it was (and cover your eyes and ears now if you don’t like profanity) abso-fucking-lutely amazing.  Hell yes.  There.  I got it out of my system.  I don’t normally swear on here but it just had to be said.

Really.  I love this book.  I’m not going to go too much into the plot because frankly I didn’t have the first notion what to expect when I picked it up so I think that’s the way everyone should go into it and I can keep a secret as well as the next person.

Basically this is post-apocaylptic – and don’t go getting all ‘oh I don’t read those types of books’.  I’m serious I really want you to read this book – in fact I’m just going to have to insist.  It’s gripping.  It’s compelling.  You won’t be able to put it down.  It’s thought provoking.  The writing is excellent.  There’s tension.  There’s fear.  The characters are great – even the baddies are good baddies!  Just get a copy right now and read it.  I defy anyone not to be drawn in within a few pages.

The strange thing is that it’s not like I’ve never read things along a similar vein and yet it feels completely original.  It’s destined to be a classic for sure.

Basically we have people living in a silo under ground – a high storey building in reverse.  At the centre a spiral staircase with different levels as you descend.    Starting at the top – the penthouse if you will – live the top bods – the Mayor the sheriff and probably other such officials.  We go through the layers going down to medical, tech, farming and eventually mechanical (but don’t quote me on the ordering).  Each level is distinct in that the colours they wear reflect their trade  There are nurseries and schools and close knit communities amongst certain areas.  But there are secrets too and as we all know secrets have a way of revealing themselves.  Now don’t be thinking that this is boring just because I’ve given you a bit of description there.  I’m just trying to give some information without actually giving any information!  I mean, there’s not like some sort of epic battle or something and yet there’s such a lot going on.  No info dumps and yet you feel like you completely know this world that Howey has created.  You are living and breathing with these characters.  You really like some of them and you really dislike others.

The outside is a hostile environment.  The sky is grey, the landscape colourless, the air unbreathable.  Occasionally at night as the clouds swirl and race across the sky a glimpse of a star can be seen.  But there is no life outside.  Nothing beyond the silo.  Just the remains of a past civilisation standing eerily on the horizon.  Or is there more?   Is there something out beyond the confines?  It’s difficult to say and it’s certainly deadly to try and find out.

The only way for the inhabitants to see outside are through cameras placed above ground – cameras that have to be cleaned – and there aren’t really many volunteers to undertake the task as it’s pretty much a one way ticket to becoming a permanent blot on the landscape.

This is such a difficult book to write a review for because I really loved it but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

It’s all about truth and untruth.  What do you tell people.  How much can they handle.  Are you protecting them or keeping them in the dark.  It’s a fine balance and one that when uncovered causes great anger.

So we have a tightrope being walked here.  Survival is the main aim and as the book cover states ‘if the lies don’t kill you the truth will’.

I can only say, again, and I realise I’m being boring now – this book is awesome.  I loved it and I want everyone to read it and tell me what you think.  Please.  And, if you don’t like it tell me why so that I can argue discuss the pros and cons with you all night.  You know you want to.

I don’t have any criticisms.  Yes, I had a few queries but they’re not even making the page.

Go away and get this book now.

Stop looking at this and get out of here!