Dread Chaser - by Lauren Thoman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Last of Us meets The Mandalorian in this post-apocalyptic speculative young adult novel about a teenage bounty hunter whose mission to catch the target of a lifetime begins to unravel everything he thought he knew about his world.

Over a century after a series of cataclysmic disasters wiped out most life on Earth, survival in the Expanse is a daily battle. No one knows that better than eighteen-year-old Diesel, who lost his family years ago and now earns his keep as a dust chaser--tracking down the people no one else can find, even when they'd rather stay hidden.

But when Diesel's assigned a mysterious and dangerous new target that comes with the largest bounty he's ever seen, he worries that this time he may be in over his head. Accompanied by his hulking dog, Gloom, Diesel sets out across the climate-ravaged Stormlands, determined to claim the bounty before anyone else can. But nothing about this job is business as usual: leads are few, competition is fierce, and every clue that he uncovers only raises more questions.

Worse, the monstrous Dreads that roam the Expanse are increasing in number, making each day more dangerous than the last. Pursued by old rivals and unsettled by whispers of secret organizations that challenge his understanding of the world, Diesel will have to decide which he'd rather chase: his mark or the truth.

Review Quotes

"A post-apocalyptic page-turner with heart--Thoman's YA debut had me reading all night, then begging for the rest of Diesel's story. Perfect for fans of Neil Shusterman and Suzanne Collins."-- "Erica Ivy Rodgers, author of Lady of Steel and Straw"

"A wild ride through twisting storms. Dread Chaser reads like cinema. I sprinted through the pages to find out what happened next." -- "John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author"

"High action, a dangerous world, and a race to find a mark before the competition gets there first: Dread Chaser is an intense and exciting read, perfect for experienced readers and reluctant readers alike. There's also a Very Good Dog."-- "Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Lady Jane"

"The story of a boy, his dog, and the end of the world, Lauren Thoman's first foray into young adult sci-fi is a propulsive adventure through a world transformed by cataclysmic storms that's equal parts Mad Max and The Mandalorian. Diesel's world is at once recognizable and alien, altered by catastrophic climate change yet prone to the same foibles of tribalism and suspicion that plague our own society. Yet equally familiar is Diesel's driving desire to find a place for himself in a hostile world, and to make a home with the family of his choice. It's a hard world out there, Dread Chaser tells us--but one we don't have to face alone."-- "Marshall J. Moore, author of The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing"

"Thoman cleverly delivers an adrenaline rush of a story set in a world as fascinating as it is terrifying. I did not want it to end. Sequel now, please!"-- "Jessica Khoury, author of Monster and Apprentice"

"When the hunter becomes the hunted in this novel, the biggest bounty is the truth. Each page turn felt like unlocking a new secret in this post apocalyptic masterpiece!"-- "Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Chaotic Orbits and Star Wars: Rebel Rising"

About the Author

Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults, including You Shouldn't Be Here and I'll Stop the World, which was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio. Lauren's pop culture writing has appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Lauren lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a house full of dogs and fish. When she's not writing, she's probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs. Learn more at LaurenThomanWrites.com.