Overview

This book review is about The Bone Wall by D. Wallace Peach, a novel very different from others I’ve read by Ms Wallace Peach. It’s a dystopian, post-apocalyptic story set in the distant future after a human-made disaster has overtaken the world. Ms Wallace Peach doesn’t spell out exactly what the disaster was, instead leaving the reader to imagine the cause, which adds to the mystery and tension.

Blurb

Blue light ripples and crackles as the shield walls fracture. The remnants of a doomed civilization stand vigil outside, intent on plunder and slaves, desirous of untainted blood to strengthen their broken lives. With the poisons came deformities and powers, enhanced senses, and the ability to manipulate waves of energy—lightbenders and fire-wielders.

For those who thrived for generations within the walls, the broken world looms, strange and deadly, slowly dying. While the righteous pray for salvation, Rimma prepares for battle, fueled by rage and blinded by vengeance. Her twin, Angel, bound to her by unbreakable magic, seeks light in the darkness, hope in the future, and love in a broken world.

The Bone Wall foretells of a dystopic world where a poisoned planet no longer sustains its inhabitants. Who survives when there isn’t enough for all? Who decides?

Three hundred years in a post-apocalyptic future, precisely controlled communities, with forgotten histories, thrive beneath protective energy shields … until those shields begin to fail. What happens when the facades crumble and the past’s dark truth is unearthed?

Twins Rimma and Angel share this tale of a life unraveling and mending. They chose opposing paths when thrust into a strange and perilous world. The simplistic lines dividing good and evil blur, and beg the question: Can one survive without the other? What is the secret of their lives that even they can’t comprehend?

Award-winning author D. Wallace Peach combines elements of fantasy and science fiction, merging them with rich characters and desperate action. If grimdark tales of spiraling destruction and redemption crowd your bookshelf, this fantasy-science fiction adventure desires a place among them.

The Bone Wall contains scenes that some readers might find triggering.

Story

Rimma and Angel are identical twins living in a place they call Heaven, one of the strictly controlled communities set up by the ancestors who broke the world. They are among those considered saved.

Their world exists inside a hemisphere of protective energy created by the survivors. The people of Heaven believe they are God’s chosen because they were righteous and obedient when the world was broken.

Life inside Heaven is governed by strict religious rules. Women must wear skirts long enough to cover their ankles. Men and women are separated, although marriage is allowed. Sex is permitted only for procreation.

Despite the rigid rules, everything needed for physical comfort in Heaven is provided. The weather is always pleasant, crops grow reliably, and there is no hunger or obvious hardship.

Outside the shield, the world is very different. People still live there, but they’re wild, forced to scrape a living from a largely barren land. The people of Heaven call them Biters because they have a reputation—rightly or wrongly—for consuming human flesh. Many are deformed to varying degrees, and some possess strange magical abilities.

When the protective barrier fails, Rimma and Angel are captured by those outside. It then becomes clear that most people can only see one of the twins when they are together, with the exception of a few individuals who have magic.

There is a place called The Fortress, where people are trying to rebuild the world. To achieve their idea of perfection, they allow no deformities. Deformed children are killed, or their parents are expelled. Many of these outcasts make their way to another settlement called The Colony, where people try to live a more civilised life and accept everyone, with or without deformities.

Characters

There are many characters in this book, so I’ve picked out only a few of the ones who stood out to me in this 5-star book review of The Bone Wall by D. Wallace Peach.

Rimma is a strong personality and something of a rebel. She persuades her sister to go outside the protective sphere—something strictly forbidden. She feels deeply responsible for her twin and swears to protect her. Over the course of the book, Rimma’s more rebellious and violent side develops, largely because of how she is treated after she’s captured by the Biters.

Angel, on the other hand, is a gentler soul. She’s the one who isn’t seen when they are together. Although grateful for Rimma’s protection, she feels guilty about the risks her sister takes. Angel is willing to forgive where Rimma seeks vengeance, which creates a powerful emotional contrast between them.

Mag is a Biter with strong magic and the rare ability to see both girls. She wants to understand why only one of the twins can be seen at a time. She tells them they don’t have magic themselves, yet Rimma can burn things—and even people—with something very like magical power.

Greeb is also a Biter, and a thoroughly unpleasant one. He lusts after Rimma (he can’t see Angel at all). It’s only because Mag claims Rimma as hers that he restrains himself from raping her.

Priest appears later in the story. He has a withered arm and lives in The Colony. He is kind and compassionate, and he despises the cruelty and ruthless rules of The Fortress. I liked him a lot.

Writing

Ms Wallace Peach’s wonderful writing draws you straight into this dark fantasy world. Her descriptions make it easy to imagine the devastated landscape and the rigid life inside Heaven, and to feel with her characters as they struggle, suffer, and grow. Although this is a grim and often dark story, the prose is beautiful and immersive, which is one reason this is a 5-star book review from me.

I found no typos or grammatical errors, which made reading The Bone Wall by D. Wallace Peach smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

I give this book 5*.

My ranking of books.

In order to get a particular number of stars, it is not necessary to meet all the criteria. This is a guide only.

5* Exceptional. Wonderful story. Setting well drawn, and characters believable—not perfect, but with flaws. Will keep you up all night. No typos or grammatical errors.

4* A thoroughly enjoyable read. Great and original story. Believable setting and characters. Very few grammatical errors or typos.

3* I enjoyed it. Good story. Characters need some development. Some typos or grammatical errors.

2* Not for me. Story not very strong. Unbelievable and flat characters. Setting not clearly defined. Many typos or grammatical errors.

1* I hated it. Story almost non-existent. Setting poor. Possibly couldn’t finish it.

I really enjoy Ms Wallace Peach’s writing. Have you read any of her books? Do you enjoy her writing?