Sunspots, Al-Qaeda, North Korea—no one knows why the power goes out in sleepy little Harpursville, how much of the world is affected, or how long it will last. In one instant virtually every modern convenience stops working, leaving the townspeople scrambling.
For Kevin Barton, the problem is compounded by the presence of his sixteen-year-old daughter's best friend, Dina, who's been stranded at the house after yet another sleepover. When Kevin's attempt to escort Dina home ends in robbery and humiliation, their "second daughter's" overnight visit becomes a permanent stay. Kevin doesn't really mind. Dina helps with everything from hauling water to digging a garden, and she does it with a smile. But with food scarce and hunger eating away at reason, her large appetite and constant presence sets the household on edge, causing a rift between Kevin and his wife, Monica.
Help is offered by the man who stops Harpursville from sliding into everyone-for-themselves chaos but then he gives Kevin an unthinkable ultimatum. With the peace of the town and Kevin's own family hanging in the balance, he faces a two-front war. Can Kevin find the power in himself to protect everything he holds dear?
Reading this, it kind of feels like Jeff is trying to be Stephen King. Disaster in a small town, several characters who share narration (quite abruptly in some cases), and a lot of obsessing over women's breasts.
Jeff's not Stephen, but this is still an interesting read. I saw the very ending coming a mile off, but the middle bits were interesting. It's a good look at how something like this might play out - and apparently we're overdue for a really good solar storm! It makes you aware how fragile things really are.
I know it's very accurate, but reading some of the male gaze parts made me feel grimy. I'd have liked to skip them. Again, though, it's very accurate to how things would likely play out in this kind of situation.
A good read overall, just watch out for those spots if you're sensative to that kind of thing.
Powerless publishes on the 24th of August, 2022. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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