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The Road to Winter (Wilder Trilogy) Paperback – June 13, 2017

by Mark Smith (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 209 ratings
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Since a deadly virus and the violence that followed wiped out his parents and most of his community, Finn has lived alone on the rugged coast with only his dog Rowdy for company.

He has stayed alive for two winters—hunting and fishing and trading food, and keeping out of sight of the Wilders, an armed and dangerous gang that controls the north, led by a ruthless man named Ramage.

But Finn’s isolation is shattered when a girl runs onto the beach. Rose is a Siley—an asylum seeker—and she has escaped from Ramage, who had enslaved her and her younger sister, Kas. Rose is desperate, sick, and needs Finn’s help. Kas is still missing somewhere out in the bush.

And Ramage wants the girls back—at any cost.

Finn, Rose and Kas try their hardest to look after each other in the harsh post-apocalyptic world. They suffer setbacks, difficulties brought on by adults but also sometimes as a consequence of their own poor decisions. They’re kids—they make mistakes. They stuff up but they find a way through. There are no superheroes, no magical powers to help them out of life-threatening situations.

A novel about honor, friendship and love, and a gripping realist teen survival narrative.

Mark Smith runs outdoor education programs for young adults. His writing has won a number of awards. The Road to Winter is his first book. He lives in coastal Victoria, Australia.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Wilder Trilogy
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Text Publishing Company
  5. Publication date
    June 13, 2017
  6. Grade level
    8 - 9
  7. Reading age
    14 years and up
  8. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  9. ISBN-10
    1925355128
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1925355123
  11. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Finn has learned to survive in an unforgiving new world. A virus has spread rapidly and killed most of the population. Using his resourcefulness, Finn has managed to keep himself and his dog Rowdy alive. When a young girl crosses their path, Finn and Rowdy's world is rocked, and they must decide if the secrets she carries are too much to bear. This narrative touches on many issues while still remaining a postapocalyptic story at its heart. Smith ventures into refugee, slave trade, and gender issues in threads interwoven throughout. At times, these plotlines can overshadow any sci-fi aspects. Teens graduating from adventure novels, such as Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, will be drawn into the main characters' everyday lives and survival strategies. Smith has crafted an exciting, heartfelt tale that will leave readers wanting more. Those who enjoyed Virginia Bergin's H2O will also appreciate this title. VERDICT A solid choice for dystopian and science fiction collections.—Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

Review

‘A riveting story of survival that questions the prices of freedom and safety as well as the value of an individual life…A breakout new series full of romance, danger, and a surprisingly engaging world.’ Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW ‘First in a planned series, it’s a solid debut for Australian author Smith, and future installments may yet find ways to further establish its identity.’ Publishers Weekly

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Text Publishing Company (June 13, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1925355128
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925355123
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 209 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
209 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rosalind Robb
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story - hope there is more to come.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book. I think it may be more geared toward YA, however I thoroughly enjoyed the premise and the storyline. The setting in Australia also gives it a bit of extra interest. I would recommend this book. I am looking forward to the next one (fingers crossed there is one).
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Cloggie Downunder
4.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant debut from an author to watch.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2016
The Road To Winter is the first book in the Winter series by Australian teacher and author, Mark Smith. Finn Morrison is fairly certain he is sixteen. Apart from his dog, Rowdy, he has been on his own since his mum succumbed to the virus about two years ago. His dad, Tom died earlier from injuries sustained while helping to defend the supermarket from looters.

Finn is the only one left in the coastal town of Angowrie, and he survives on the rabbits he traps, the seafood he catches, the vegetables he grows and the store of non-perishables and fuel that his dad cleverly stockpiled before things got bad. Finn stays sane by playing with Rowdy and by going surfing when he gets the chance.

When Rose runs onto his beach, injured and fleeing from a violent gang, Finn makes a split-second decision to help her. In hiding from the people he refers to as Wilders, Finn shares food and shelter with Rose. They also share their stories, although Rose is less forthcoming than she might be. But she is insistent that they must find her sister, Kas, who is on the run from Ramage and his Wilder band.

Smith’s portrayal of the post-virus coastal Victoria is utterly believable; his plot may seem predictable, but has enough twists to keep the reader engrossed; his characters have depth and appeal, despite their flaws. Finn appears resourceful and mature for a teenager, but occasionally his judgement belies his age. The ending is no cliff-hanger, but readers are bound to want to know what next will happen to Finn and his companions.

This post-apocalyptic tale has heroes and villains, humour and heartache, and plenty of excitement. It may be branded Young Adult, but it is certain to be enjoyed by older readers as well. Text give the reader a “Love it or your money back” guarantee on this one, and it is difficult to imagine they will need to pay out many refunds. A brilliant debut from an author to watch. 4.5 stars
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Jake
5.0 out of 5 stars A good start.
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have really enjoyed reading the story of Finn and Kas, I hope the author carries on with it, developing the characters more as I feel like the story did not end with a distinct conclusion.
Worth the price, a good read.
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Georgethegirl
4.0 out of 5 stars Hope there's more!
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2017
Oh gee. This is kind of a hard one to review. So many things to love about it, only a few things I didn't love, but they were kind of biggies.

First of all, it was a refreshing take on a post apocalyptic world. No zombies, no mutants... just a disease that ravaged the world and the people trying to deal with the aftermath. Some choosing to live queitly in their private and hoarded worlds. Others choosing to remain in groups and practice the lifestyle dictated to them. Others still who go crazy and controlling Mad Max style.

Finn and his lifestyle gave a reader a lot to thing about. He seemed so young in ways, yet was forced to mature almost to a breaking point in others. It fit nicely the mold of the world the author created, and gave the reader a relatable character. So strong and clever, yet still so young and immature.

The adventure he finds himself forced into was nerve wracking and heart breaking, as so many things were over complicated by those who were out to help, or out to simply survive, even at the cost of others.

It definitely ended on a note to imply that there was more story to be told, and if it's anything as entertaining as this first one, you can definitely sign me up!
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Percival E. Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. He seems to be setting it up ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2016
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Great book. He seems to be setting it up for a sequel. Looking forward to it.
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Gwenda Marshall
5.0 out of 5 stars The Road to Winter
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very good. When's the next one? Well written and the characters very believable.
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a helpful stranger
4.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed it. I always enjoy survival titles
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2018
I really enjoyed it. I always enjoy survival titles, and being set in Australia gave it a twist I haven't seen before. I want to know what happens next, though!

I received an ARC which did not affect my review in any way. I'll definitely be recommending it in my store.
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Sasha
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Bother
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2018
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I warn you, this is going to be a bad review. But not as bad as trying to read this book was (cause that was really really bad). I’m a huge fan of the genre but this book was awful. I hated the characters, found the whole story depressing, and didn’t make it past about 40 percent of the story. I’m of the strong view that there are some books out there that are just not worth wasting my life reading. This is one of them. Consider me the poor guineapig in this situation who tried to read this book so you could save yourself the torture. I will humbly accept anything in return (preferably a unicorn – so if you could make that happen my life would be infinitely better, thanks in advance). If you like this review, follow me on Instagram @girlybook.nerd for more!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kazza
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Australia on February 17, 2024
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Bought this for my 14 yr old daughter, she didn’t put the book down till she finished.
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R
4.0 out of 5 stars The Road to Winter
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
Really good story, full of action and suspense. I really liked the characters.
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Come in spinner
4.0 out of 5 stars A road quite well walked
Reviewed in Australia on May 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
A dystopian future book for YA readers that rattles along at a good pace. The characterisation is credible, the story convincing and the setting very much part of the reader's enjoyment. The author is a keen surfer & so is the main character, Finn; indeed his relationship with surfing is almost religious. Ramage, the villain of the novel, is perhaps not so well realised as he might be, functioning I suppose purely as the great evil against which our protagonists contest. Overall a quick and enjoyable read that offers us some provocative thought on what it means to be genuinely, bone-deep civilised in our dealings with others.
One person found this helpful
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Jane J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great service and product arrived quickly in excellent condition.
Reviewed in Australia on January 23, 2024
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Very quick service and in excellent condition
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S Currie
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing teens series
Reviewed in Australia on November 11, 2023
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My daughter loves this series.
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