The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I went into this almost blind. The only thing I knew about it, strangely enough, was the movie trailer and the big letters saying, "based on novel", and the fact it was a post-apoc with some very recognizable peeps.

So, I thought, "Huh. I guess I better get on that."

I expected, and somewhat dreaded, a bleak future, but also dreaded a saccharine future, too. Neither was going to to me any good at this point.

Fortunately for me, this novel came out with just the right tone. Gritty, sure, but focused on competence and realism just enough hope and even curiosity to get not only the protagonist, but the reader, too, out of bed.

It isn't so much a novel about friendship and pinning your hope to a star, (or a dog), but a realization that all things can--and will--change.

I'm just glad this didn't come out bittersweet. Or sweet. Too much pain for that.

It's the writing that really came out on top, however. Beautifully imagined. Core, solid as hell.

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