Society has turned on its head. The ‘free’ hide behind fortifications and the ‘imprisoned’ roam the wild, barren land beyond.

Finbarl-apcula guards the town of Athenia, an oasis in a parched, sparsely populated world. He keeps the citizens safe, ensures those who break the draconian laws lose their freedom, and protects what he prizes above all else: civilisation.

When Finbarl is made to lie to help convict a mother he once rescued from a bully, it delivers the first crack in his unquestionable faith in the system. As further lies and corruption are exposed, Finbarl’s world crumbles, allowing him to finally see that ‘prison walls’ exist everywhere, within himself, throughout society and in the very landscape he calls home.

No one is free and the civilisation he was willing to die for is at the root of the problem.

Finbarl begins a thrilling adventure of twists, rebellion, danger, discovery and tragedy to break the bonds imprisoning a world, himself and the future. Will he find what he really treasures most: true freedom?

In creating a dangerous but exciting ‘inverse’ world, where the true meaning of freedom is explored and challenged, Wrey invites the reader to consider how their own society, and the individuals within, are inhibited and restricted by ‘walls’ through fear and ignorance.

Speculative fiction to inspire you to think again about the world of today. A book for our time. A 2021 Readers' Favorite International Book Award winner. Finalist in the 2020 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for adult fiction. Winner of the International Review of Books Gold Award, a Readers' Favorites 5 Star Review Award, a HugeOrange Editor's Pick Winner Award, a Literary Titan Silver Award.

Hugh Kermode