METALTOWN

In her latest, Simmons paints a bleak picture of the future.

Famine has hit, contaminated corn has wiped out a portion of the population, and the world is in a constant state of war. At the center of it all is Metaltown, a factory town that produces many of the weapons powering the war. For many of Metaltown’s citizens, including fair-skinned best friends Colin and Ty, backbreaking factory work is one of the only means of survival. The only protection in town is provided by the Brotherhood, but even that comes at a price. Then there’s Lena, the spoiled, beautiful, olive-skinned daughter of the man who owns the factories. She is determined to prove to her ruthless father that she too can run the family company, but it is not long before she learns the dark side of the business. Meeting Colin further opens her eyes to the truth. And when Ty is hurt on the job, these three set off a series of events that will change Metaltown forever. While Simmons gives few hints of the world surrounding Metaltown, she creates multifaceted characters that are hard to dismiss. It is an unrelentingly grim place, such details as the rat meat Ty and Colin are too poor to buy bringing it to life.

In this gritty tale of intrigue, corruption, greed, and human rights, Simmons offers readers a savvy take on a post-apocalyptic society.