by Mariam Khan
First published 2021
Mariam Khan's "Dark Earth-2020" is a gripping tale of resilience in the face of environmental disaster. In a near-future where rising seas have submerged coastal cities, Amara, a skilled scavenger, scrapes by in the crumbling ruins of what was once a thriving metropolis. When a brutal gang threatens her makeshift home, Amara must embark on a perilous journey to find a rumored safe haven. Navigating treacherous terrain and fending off desperate survivors, she discovers that the true challenge lies not only in physical survival, but in preserving her humanity in a world on the brink of collapse. "Dark Earth-2020" is a visceral, character-driven exploration of the human spirit's capacity for hope in the darkest of times.
Genres: fiction, dystopia, adventure, 21st-century, post-apocalyptic, environmental-science, climate-change, apocalyptic
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, perilous-journey, resilience
Setting: Earth, Metropolis
Period: Near-Future
284 pages · Paperback · Independently published