Dystopian Duology
A Review of Scavenger by Bradley Caffee
Scavenger by Bradley Caffee
It only took three years for the virus to exterminate ninety percent of the world’s population.
In a world decimated by the lethal virus, Jimmy Hunter is a scavenger. Using his skills as a drone pilot, he searches his nearly vacant city for tradable goods to help him and his two friends, Elena and Wyatt, survive each day. With criminals and violent militia roaming the streets, each trip away from the hideout is fraught with peril.
When his drone veers off-course, Jimmy discovers lost information about underground bunkers where civilization and resources are being preserved--kept secret by a group known as the Keepers. Knowledge is dangerous in his world, especially with the leader of the Brotherhood, Mr. Quinn, out to claim any resources as his own and lock down his iron grip on the city.
With the Brotherhood on his heels and the pressure to provide for his companions, can Jimmy uncover the truth about the bunkers? Or now that he’s become a Keeper, will he surrender his knowledge to save the lives of his friends?
GENRE: Dystopian, Young Adult
AVAILABILITY: Amazon (ebook, paperback), Barnes & Noble (paperback)
OPENING THOUGHTS: Bradley Caffee launches readers into a tense, vivid dystopia with Scavenger. With limited resources and deadly enemies surrounding them, three young adults must learn to work together to continue to survive. The stakes are raised as tension escalates between Jimmy and Wyatt for the role of leader. However, as new variables are introduced into their situation, who will be willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of the group?
ACTION/ADVENTURE: Dynamic character interactions and high-stakes scenarios make this book hard to put down. The group decides daily which buildings to search for goods and if the risk is worthwhile. Close calls with hostile survivors lead to violence and hand-to-hand combat. Guns and improvised weapons create fear and order, with occasional on-page deaths. Suspense keeps the reader guessing, while the group explores new territories, seeks to understand The Brotherhood, and searches for the truth about the yet-to-be-discovered bunkers.
ROMANCE: Survival is Jimmy, Wyatt, and Elena’s priority, but a love triangle develops. Both young men care for Elena, but only one earns her affection. Their dire situation limits deeper feelings, leaving the group to wonder if romance could grow once peace is found or established. As Elena’s choice becomes clear, betrayal and rejection drive unexpected actions. When romance can finally blossom, chaste kisses and hugs provide tender moments.
FAITH: The faith thread throughout this novel stems from the theme “greater love has no one than this…” Sacrificial love and its definition are explored through the unfolding story as leadership shifts hands and as control is lost. What does it mean to have worth and value when the world is falling apart? What would you be willing to give to others in the darkest moment? Would you have what it takes to give your life for another? These are just a few questions to ponder while reading this thought-provoking story.
FINAL THOUGHTS: If you’re looking for an emotionally driven, fast-paced read, you’ll want to check out Scavenger. This book features suspense, found family, sacrificial love, a terrifying villain, and a riveting conclusion. The dystopian environment opens the door to a few moments that will likely make readers gasp–namely, the scenes where guns are used to terminate people–but these scenes are presented with minimally graphic descriptions as the plot continues to move forward. The book concludes with a satisfying resolution and a new objective to keep you hooked for the next book. I know I can’t wait for the sequel and look forward to enjoying the completed series.
This review is featured in the Winter 2025 Edition of Clean Fiction Magazine
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