First published 2012
Tom has lived under his father's iron grip for a decade, ever since his mother died and left them alone on their failing farm. The old man controls everything: the land, the workers, and Tom's future. Their uneasy truce shatters when Carine arrives. She creates a volatile triangle that pushes father and son toward a final confrontation. The colonial territory around them seethes with unrest, and when a massive volcanic eruption triggers nationwide revolution, their isolated world explodes too. Tom must choose between the woman he desires, the father who dominates him, and the only life he has ever known. As rebels advance and their farm becomes a battleground, Tom discovers that survival demands more than just picking sides. The eruption that ignited the country's fury also forces him to confront what he truly values and what he is willing to sacrifice.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, political-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, family-conflict, found-family
Setting: Africa, Colonial Territory
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
195 pages · Paperback · Free Press
Content warnings: colonialism, violence, war