"The Vessel? It must've been sent from God. It's the answer, the key to the peace I seek. Something to save or damn us." – The Father, leader of the Twilight Cult
Remember Us is a thrilling journey through a post-apocalyptic world where every decision could lead to freedom or ruin, perfect for fans of The Road and Station Eleven.
Meet Simon, a former revolutionary from the space station Arcadis, now a reluctant Earthling in a world stitching itself back together with a blend of Wild West grit and forgotten technology. A haunting dream and a sky-shattering explosion propel him on a quest to uncover the fate of his old home, Arcadis, now a fallen star burning in the Earth's atmosphere.
Joined by Anna, a tough-as-nails wastelander and ex-soldier, Simon treks through a world where mysticism meets machinery. They race against the Twilight Cult and their enigmatic leader, The Father, who are convinced that the fallen meteorite is a divine vessel sent by God. The stakes are colossal as they journey through unforgiving landscapes and crumbling cities. Throughout it all, Simon finds himself navigating through a journey full of shamanistic visions and ancient monsters.
If Simon is correct, the Arcadis’ technology will enable the Twilight cult to release a new age of tyranny upon the world. The countdown to oppression or salvation has begun.
Take advantage of this heart-stopping adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Grab your copy and plunge into the great unknown.
Gunnarsson transports readers at a leisurely pace through Simon’s travels, as he and Anna join a wagon train heading west to find the ship and any survivors, hoping to use the ship’s technology and medicine to help Earth’s remnant populations. There, Simon discovers a world vastly different than the claustrophobic, sterile, and oppressive life he knew aboard the Arcadis. But trouble begins when the violent Twilight Cult, led by the maniacal Father, attacks the caravan and vows to find the Arcadis first, so they can steal the technology and conquer other outposts of civilization. Simon and Anna get help from Ignis, a member of the kindly Ember Cult, who also wants to find the Arcadis—his people believe it’s a gift that was sent by their Mother goddess.
The chase that ensues plays out over Earth’s devastated landscape of wasteland villages, wise men and women, hallucinogenic plants, and sand so visceral readers will feel the grit in their throats; even the future Earth’s animal inhabitants are powerfully rendered, like the hairless scab boars that have developed “iron lungs” allowing them to filter out the polluted air. This coarse and atmospheric apocalypse—with hardy, resilient characters and mutated horrors—is a perfect fit for B movie fun.
Takeaway: Richly detailed, post-apocalyptic world brimming with magical realism.
Comparable Titles: Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, Demitria Lunetta’s In the After.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: NA
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
I found E.T. Gunnarsson’s vision of life on earth, several hundred years after the collapse of civilization, to be fascinating and imaginative. It’s a mixture of a wild west frontier and the desert-like planet from Star Wars.
Remember Us has a strong group of protagonists, each with a unique personality. Some are heroic and good, some are downright evil, while others are just plain quirky. I especially enjoyed Anna’s odd personality. She and Simon make a good team and are easy to cheer on as they journey through the story.
The plot moves at an agreeably fast pace, keeping readers on their toes and eager to see what will happen next. I recommend this book to fans of exciting science fiction with lots of heart.
E. T. Gunnarsson is spot on with this story!
Remember Us starts with a bang, and I was hooked. I felt bad for Simon and how he ends up on Earth. The story is categorized as science fiction, but I would call it dystopian, with science fiction as a subcategory.
Simon is the perfect character to lead the story. He is confused and struggling at first. Looking at the desolate Earth from afar, and living on the brown Earth is completely different.
Anna is the perfect companion and provides a sense of comfort for Simon. She is his rock; in turn, he is the driving force for the duo.
The narrative is powerful. Seeing Earth from the eyes of a character who lived away from it for a long time felt strange. Gunnarsson portrays the planet's desperation, emotions, and absolute mess well. I cannot praise it enough.
