Travel Documents 77: The Dandelion Insurrection
Dandelion Trilogy Book 1
Genre: Far Future, Adventure
The Dust Cover Copy
In a time that looms around the corner of today, in a place on the edge of our nation, it is a crime to dissent, a crime to assemble, a crime to stand up for one's life. Despite all this - or perhaps because of it - the Dandelion Insurrection appeared . . .
Under a gathering storm of tyranny, Zadie Byrd Gray whirls into the life of Charlie Rider and asks him to become the voice of the Dandelion Insurrection. With the rallying cry of life, liberty, and love, Zadie and Charlie fly across America leaving a wake of revolution in their path. Passion erupts. Danger abounds. The lives of millions hang by a thread. The golden soul of humanity blossoms . . . and wonders start to unfold!
Author Rivera Sun creates mythic characters from everyday people. She infuses the story of our times with practical solutions and visionary perspectives, drawing the reader into a world both terrifying and inspiring . . . a world that could be our own!
Reviewers have enthusiastically called The Dandelion Insurrection..."The handbook of the coming revolution". Part fact, part fiction and part prophecy, you will enjoy The Dandelion Insurrection.
The Scene
Worldbuilding
I’ll caution you at the outset, readers: don’t try to read this work as a mainstream novel. If you do, you’ll surely call it out for on the nose dialogue and a hatful of other things. Start by seeing this as a modern-day folktale: a dream of what could be. A fervent cry for a different time, sung in the heart and captured by a pen.
In this case, there isn’t so much world to ‘build’, as this is our world…just the day after tomorrow. The day when they stop pretending to care about the poor in Washington. The day when they pass something called the ‘Freedom of Defense’ act. The day when indefinite detention camps aren’t just at the border.
No, what there is to do is paint us a picture with words. The solemn eyes of a hungry child. The sight of a community putting together offering tables to those they love, dead and missing. The wings of starlings in flight, and the bright burst of a dandelion that insists on blooming in the middle of the sidewalk. Undaunted. Unafraid.
The Crowd
Characterization
These are some of the most human, most alive and most humane characters you’ll read this side of folklore: Inez, with calloused hands and shining eyes. The people of Acadia, all oblique wit and French witticisms. Charley Rider, who is lionized as the Man From the North, but is really just a man with a pen who loves a girl and a country enough to always be there, writing for them both. And Zadie, a woman with the joy and the anger to midwife a nation. All of them will join your host of archetypes as fierce dreamers and heart-healers.
The Lingo
Writing Style
This isn’t a prose book. It’s a long poem with dialogue. I almost could have sung it. And I adore that.
The Moves
Plot
More folk-tale than classic story, this book is all about symbols. About moments. About dreams and powerful times when everything hangs on the next breath, the next word.
For a taste, see here:
The scent of showdown laced the air. The trial began in one week. Rumors marched in great strides over the hills and farmlands. Legend stepped over suburbs and city rooftops. The love poem of the Man From the North murmured in people’s minds. The King of Rock ‘n’ Rebel’s folksong rendition echoed in their ears.
“In the heart of darkness,
dead of night,
heat of danger,
burning bright,
I’ll meet you,
love at the break of day.
Say where, my love, say when, say now,
I’m already on my way.”
They said he was coming from the north. They whispered that she was coming from the south. It was thought that an army of insurrectionists marched with them.
Overall Rating
This is the book we need. It is a song, a prayer, a rising shout for another day to dawn. This book put tears in my eyes and made me punch the air in triumph. This book relit the fire in my belly and let the bird in my heart sing. Here, take my copy. Hide it quick, under your coat. Protect it like a seed. You’re going to need it today.