The Road To Winter

'Engaging...Finn's strong voice carries the story and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next.' Books & Publishing 'Part dystopian-future novel and part survival story, this is a fast moving and enthralling page turner for young adults, set on the Victorian coast. I could not put it down.' -- Bev Jacobsen, Library Co-ordinator, Campion Education Perth 'A read-in-one-session novel. The recognisable coastal setting, a world catastrophically changed by a virus, asylum seekers used as slave labour, and the dangerous Wilders give rise to interesting issues for student discussion.' -- Jan May, Teacher & Education Consultant 'Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I finished it in a few hours...Such a thrilling read and fantastic characters.' -- Peggy Miedlar, NewsLink 'Loved it from beginning to end...Great characters...I can't wait to sell the pants off The Road to Winter!' -- Peter Ingram-Jones, Fullers Bookshop Hobart 'The Road to Winter is great. Fast-paced, relentless, poignant. What more could you want?' Written By Sime 'Mark Smith spins an enthralling tale of survival, the distinctly Australian backdrop of a coastal town setting it apart from other, generic post-apocalyptic titles. Finn was painted as intelligent, likable, and most importantly realistic.' YA Wonders '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...A brilliant debut from an author to watch.' BookMooch 'Terrifyingly real...A dark and gritty read.' Readings 'Fantastic...[Smith] clearly understands what makes young people want to read and this book certainly has many of these important attributes...It is a book they will gladly consume, discuss and remember.' Lamont Books 'Smith skilfully maintains an underlying tension. Whenever I put the book down, I felt as if I'd been holding my breath...The world Smith creates is convincing, perhaps because he takes real-world scenarios and kicks them up a notch.' New Zealand Listener 'Finn makes for an ideal protagonist because he always means to do the right thing; despite the horrors he has witnessed, he has no evil in him.' Australian 'The recognisably Australian setting and slant on socio-political issues will appeal to Australian teenaged readers. The economy of style, fast-moving plot and absence of intrusive explanations of issues will ensure that The Road to Winter is a thoroughly enjoyable experience though, like all the best speculative fiction, it leaves the reader with plenty to think about.' Magpies 'A beautiful and intimate story... Like the best YA fiction, The Road to Winter is sure to appeal just as much to an adult audience, and I can easily see it being discussed as passionately by a local book club as a high-school English class.' Otago Daily Times 'This is a wonderful book that kept me up until all hours... The coastal setting is vivid and Smith does a great job of conveying the desperation felt by survivors while also tapping into the current climate of fear surrounding asylum seekers.' Kids Bookshop 'A story that is as realistic as this one, is always more chilling than a story about something paranormal...The Road to Winter is a chilling post-apocalyptic story, but one with plenty of heart and hope. If you're a fan of The Sky So Heavy or Tomorrow, When the War Began, definitely pick this up, it won't disappoint.' Bookish Manicurist 'A fantastic addition to anyone's library. It's one of those novels that once you start reading, it is nearly impossible to put down again. The Road to Winter is an unforgettable novel about survival, honour, friendship and love...the storyline keeps you guessing until the very end.' South Coast Register 'A story that readers will love.' Book Kat 'A vivid landscape and a true Aussie feel.' Happy Indulgence