On the Edge of Gone, by Corinne Duyvis

On January 29, 2035, the comet is going to hit the earth. They’ve been preparing for it for a year and a half now. Of course, not everyone can be saved. It’s irrational to believe so. The most skilled, or wealthy, were selected to depart before impact, leaving on generation ships headed for distant planets capable of sustaining human life. 

Some were lucky enough to win the lottery and secure passage. Others might consider themselves lucky enough for a spot in a permanent shelter. Many more find their ways into temporary shelters, designed to endure the initial impact, but little more than that. Its occupants will have to venture out into the dark, dust covered planet and survive on mere hope. 

Denise is a beautiful young girl from just outside Amsterdam. She is seventeen. She loves animals, particularly cats. And she has autism. Denise’s mother is a drug addict. Her sister, Iris, is a transgender event organizer and social activist. Her estranged father has secured a place in a permanent shelter a world away, but for her and her mother and sister, they must seek out a temporary shelter in the area. Despite the lack of confidence in herself, it will fall on Denise to save her family. It is a race against time to survive.

This story deals with many current and relevant issues. Most importantly, it is a lesson in what we are capable of doing. This is a lesson, not only for those who might struggle with autism or some other disability, but for anyone who has ever doubted themselves, for anyone who has ever felt the weight of the world upon their back. It is a story about the triumph of the human spirit and the struggle of good over evil that is within us all.

This is a well-told story with uncharacteristic heroes, antiheroes, and villains. Both plot and characters were sufficiently developed, but I was not entirely engaged, nor was I completely satisfied with the conclusion, which sought to save nearly everyone from doom. However, I imagine a younger audience may find this story exciting. It is a dystopian adventure of unique proportions. I would rate it 3 out of 5 on my review scale, but one must consider my overall indifference to the fantasy/science fiction genre. 

Corinne Duyvis is a renowned, award-winning fantasy/science fiction author. On the Edge of Gone has won the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award for Speculative Fiction. Like Denise, in the novel, Duyvis lives in Amsterdam and has autism. She is also co-founder and editor of Disability in Kidlit as well as the originator of the #ownvoices hashtag.

Author's Website