Kindle Edition Google Play Category:  Science Fiction Publisher: Joyce Dragon Publishing ISBN-10:  8416445751 Type: Fiction Pages: 278 Copyright: 11/5/21 ISBN-13: 9798416445751 Price: $4.99 (eBook) It's the distant future. The earth is scourged by warfare and natural resources are scarce. The country is overtaken by moguls who dominate the water supply and sell it back to the public at horrid prices. "Indigents" who can't afford water are violently forced out of town by an army of brutes. This divided city will soon face its fear - uprising! It's the distant future. The earth is scourged by nuclear warfare and natural resources have become scarce. The country is overtaken by wealthy moguls who dominate the water supply and sell it back to the public at ridiculous prices. After a drastic crime increase "indigents" who can't afford water are stripped of their belongings and forced out of town by an army of brutes called Purifiers. Life becomes harsh and ominous for the bright, ambitious Joshua Wyman and his group until they begin to occasionally receive food and other basic amenities after Joshua is deemed useful. When a blatant abuse of Purifier power during a routine visit leaves them reeling, Joshua and his friends reach their breaking point. They devise a plan to steal the Purifiers' vehicle during their next visit and escape their hell. Their journey across the uncharted wastelands filled with murderers and thieves proves to be far more than this civilized, benevolent crew bargained for. This tense, divided city will soon face its greatest fear-uprising! Excerpt “Give me a gun.” Maria dropped her water jug and held out her hand. Julio pulled a rifle from the burlap sack and tossed it to her. She ran in the direction of Paola’s screams. “Maria, wait!” Joshua called. She disappeared behind a mound of dirt and didn’t look back. “I’ll bet they have bullets this time.” Xiomara glanced around. “I don’t think their truck will make it down here.” Julio handed the other rifle to Joshua. “You’re right. There are way too many mounds and hills in this yard. The terrain would tear up their vehicle,” Joshua said. “They’ve got to be sneaking around on foot. Take Cassidy and Xiomara back to Clyde’s house. I’ll find Maria and the kids.” “Why are the Purifiers after you?” Cassidy demanded. “There’s no time to explain.” Julio took her hand and the three of them started running. “This way,” Paola whispered to Danisha. She darted past a small patch of cacti toward a mound. Danisha ran after her, tripped over the skeletal remains of an animal, and fell on her stomach. “Paola, don’t leave me,” she groaned. Paola ran back and helped her up. “All we have to do is run that way. It’ll take us straight to the house.” They hid behind the mound of rock and dirt. Paola tried to get her breathing under control. “But, that’s right out in the open. The Purifiers will see us,” Danisha hissed. “It’s the fastest way,” Paola replied.Anne Joyce • 102 “It’s also the craziest way,” Danisha retorted. “Don’t move.” A scary looking man marched over with his rifle in hand. The girls jumped back startled. “I said don’t move,” he snapped. “Hey Evans, come over here.” He radioed his comrade. Paola stared at the man and his gun. It felt like this moment was part of a movie script. Nothing seemed real. A scrawny bald man with bad teeth made his way over to them. “What is it, Weston?” “I found these children. What do you think we should we do with them?” “Shoot them,” Evans replied. “We haven’t done anything wrong,” Danisha cried. “Shut up!” Evans barked. “They’re just kids,” Weston retorted. “They’re indigent kids. Purifiers don’t take prisoners,” Evans said. “We take prisoners all the time. Your wife was indigent,” Weston replied. “That’s different. We’ve got no need for them. Get rid of them.” Weston pointed his rifle at Paola’s head. She and Danisha huddled against one another and covered their eyes. His finger hesitated on the trigger, almost as if he was having second thoughts. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. “Do it already,” Evans hissed. “Help us! Somebody, please help!” Danisha screamed. “Move, you coward. I’ll shut her up.” Evans shoved him out the way and stuck his gun in Danisha’s face. “No no no!” Paola cried.

Erica Robyn
Arid by Anne Joyce is a tense dystopian novel set in the US where water is scarce but dehydration isn’t the only thing to fear out in the wastelands.

Set in the United States after a nuclear war has occurred in 2040, this camp of people are desperately trying to survive. They are given rations from the people who hold power over them, called the Purifiers. But it’s not nearly enough. This group has ways of trying to gather water themselves and they hunt anything they can safely eat, but it’s still hardly enough to keep them all going.

After a visit from the Purifiers goes sideways, the turmoil begins to rise.

If you enjoy dystopian novels with a lot of terror and bloodshed, but also plenty of heart and sheer determination, then this is a great pick for you!

Anthony Avina
"This is a must read novel for anyone who enjoys a good post-apocalyptic story. An adult outlook on the dangers of global warming and the possibility of water becoming a commodity, the story is engaging and keeps the readers invested with every chapter, and will quickly make any casual reader a fan of this amazing author.

Red City
"A moving portrait of pain and endurance, Arid is as hopeful as it is unnerving. [Joyce's] colorful cast is used to great effect to show how honorable and selfish decisions alike will shape us into the people we strive to be--or the monsters we fear most.