The Black Parade
About
As billions die from an apocalyptic cloud of polluted dust, David—a climate activist in a previous life—is holed up in an abandoned hospital in London offering a cure to anyone who needs it. Months earlier he escaped from a rogue government scientist whose illegal experimentation gave David two unasked for gifts: the ability to cure people with his blood and a locked collar around his neck. When Lysander, the sheltered son of an aristocrat, arrives and begs David to save his mother's life, David has to try. Together, the two young men begin a journey across the UK toward an island community they hope will provide food and shelter.
Lysander struggles, longing for the security he took for granted before society crashed. He despairs over David’s hero complex and tendency to lead them both into danger. David is torn between protecting Lysander and the guilt that drives him to use his power to save the dying. Their clashing personalities, values, and ideas of what safety looks like, are woven together with an irresistible attraction that grows into something deeper. As they face the elements, other survivors, and a government desperately trying to reassert control, David and Lysander’s greatest challenge becomes staying together while fate conspires to rip them apart.
Cover art by Jana Heidersdorf
Praise for this book
"a raw and vividly imagined tragic and romantic story..."
"It’s a powerful and timely love/adventure story full of great characters who have to navigate the tatters of a world destroyed by those in power."
"I loved these characters so much and was fully invested in their survival and in their blossoming romance. I really hope this novel gets the recognition it deserves. I haven't enjoyed a dystopian novel this much since The Stand and I cannot wait for the next book."
This is not my usual go-to genre, but a friend recommended The Black Parade and I'm so grateful, as Lindsey had me hooked from the all too plausible opening scene. I even missed my stop on the train, because I was so immersed in David and Lysanders' nightmarish, post-apocalyptic journey north from London.
Like watching a gripping TV series, I found myself almost not wanting to 'watch', aka read on, as they encounter certain characters along the way. The chapter at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre stayed with me. Lindsey's prose is so effortlessly compelling and she skilfully uses POV switches between the two protagonists to drive the plot forward. The growing intensity, both physically and emotionally, between them swept me up and I also enjoyed their dark humour bants. (Very British and entirely believable.)
My only complaint is when is the sequel coming? I WANT TO READ IT NOW!