The world is in chaos. War approaches. Oceans rise, volcanoes erupt, violent storms intensify. Fatalities from starvation; malnutrition and disease increase daily. But for most people, life appears normal enough since the changes are not yet interfering with their daily lives, and so they convince themselves there is nothing they have to do.
As the days, months and years pass it becomes a time of death. Those that survive walk around the broken streets, riddled with radiation sickness and increasing disease, with no homes, no schools, no families, and only makeshift hospitals.
With nowhere to go, no hope for a resolution, people panic, and many give up. Coastal land masses collapse into the oceans, thousands of houses disappearing daily while the world’s temperature continues to rise.
Many years later, Kyle and Imogen listen to what happened to their world. They are told of the storms that came and the damage caused, with spreading fires around the world. Forests vanished, while erupting volcanoes changed the world’s landscape, eradicating animal and plant life, and worst of all, depleting the protective ozone layer, making the sky appear to be bleeding.
The Rock and a Bleeding Sky is not just a book of doom, of what could happen. It is also a book of hope. At first Kyle and Imogen are crushed to learn what happened to Earth during their generation, but as they spend time in the future, wondering if they will ever return home to their families and friends, their determination strengthens. They collect evidence to prove that what is ahead for Earth is catastrophic and must be acted on immediately. They realise the enormous pressure put upon them, but they don’t buckle from it. They accept that this is what their destiny is as Earth’s future is put into their hands.
The Rock and a Bleeding Sky explores the themes of acceptance, of taking responsibility even as others can’t, and developing the will to change. It’s a story that explores friendship, loyalty, trust, the pointlessness of shame, and the complex nature of life, death, love and hope.
Available in Paperback and E-book from Amazon.com and most other online stores.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ROCK AND A BLEEDING SKY
“Marianne Curley has the uncanny ability to weave a masterful story filled with intrigue and mystery. Current in her assessment of what is happening in our world today and what is to come, and yet carrying the reader into a world where her characters are rich in quality and positioned in a way where they must overcome all that the author has them face. Brilliant author.” – Review by Shelley Sinclair
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ROCK AND A BLEEDING SKY
Tracy – I cannot tell to how much I enjoyed your new book, but that seems so formal. I loved every step I was able to take with Imogen and Kyle. I just can’t comprehend how you can put all the characters and geography of landscapes together so beautifully. How would it be to journey through your mind as you write, WOW!!!
Marianne – Thanks Tracy! I was holding my breath while you read it. Your opinion means so much to me. I’m so glad you loved it. Awesome!
Tracy – Finished it days ago but then had to get through missing Imogen and Kyle before I spoke to you. I always feel a bit ick when your characters leave me.
Marianne – Aww, that’s really sweet. Like withdrawals!
Tracy – Exactly!
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A ROCK AND A BLEEDING SKY
What a fabulous new novel from Marianne Curley!
It contains all the key features I’ve come to love from Marianne Curley’s young adult novels (think: time travel, romance, engaging and likeable characters) set in an ultra-relevant, post-apocalyptic future. She has a created a world from our nightmares, one where we fail to make the changes we need to keep the lives we enjoy.
The themes are fresh and exciting, and she flips the traditional, male-dominated patriarchal system on its head. That’s not to say everything runs smooth when women are in charge, and a driving message is one of everything in moderation.
If you are looking for a fresh take on YA post-apocalyptic drama that doesn’t involve zombies, this is the book for you!
Amanda Canham – 21st January, 2024
26th January, 2024
SAVE OUR PLANET – This drawing is from a girl named Zoe McDonald who is only 11, but who cares about our planet and is expressing her concerns through the painting below called Save Our Planet.
If you want to express your concern for our planet too, email me and tell me about your ideas.
Marianne Curley 