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The Wrath of Mother Nature
The Cost of Living follows a grieving mother in a post-apocalyptic world as she grapples with loss, abuse, and the moral ambiguities of survival, forming tenuous alliances in an environment devoid of societal structure. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I dreamt of the scene where Sara and Sam reach his sisters-in-law’s house for three weeks straight. It only stopped when I wrote down everything I saw and all the emotions I felt during the dream. I honestly thought that was the end, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what would have had to happen for the world to be like that. I built the story around that scene.
The Cost of Living portrays a world turned upside down by catastrophic weather events – what inspired you to choose this particular kind of apocalypse for your story?
Weather is something most people can relate to. Whether it be horrendous thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, or hurricanes, mother nature’s wrath has been felt by many.
Can you share more about the process of creating Sara’s character arc, particularly the influences or experiences that led her from a grief-stricken mother to a resilient survivor in a dystopian world?
Grief can be all-consuming, if you allow it. It will pull you down into a pit of despair and longing. There are strong women in my life that have lost children. They could have let the grief drag them down, but they didn’t. We are not in a dystopian world, but they still persevere and continuously show the world how strong they are. I looked at them and saw them doing this with the world moving regularly, and this brought up the question, could Sara do it with the world collapsing? That strength is what shows through Sara and her actions.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a new book, not a sequel. It is about Leigh, who, after an accident, wakes up with empathic abilities. She is navigating the world, trying to figure out if these abilities are a gift or a curse. My goal is to have it available by the beginning of 2024.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
The Cost of Living, a heart-wrenching novel by Daisy DeMay, takes us on a journey of love and awakening amidst destruction, death, and loss. As Sarah navigates her way through the darkness of her past, she discovers a glimmer of hope in the form of two unexpected allies. Will they help her find the clarity and strength she needs to break free from the chains of her abusive past? Or will they be her ultimate demise, leading her down a path of destruction?
DeMay’s poignant and powerful writing will leave you breathless as you experience the highs and lows of Sarah’s journey towards healing and self-discovery. This is a story of resilience, courage, and the unbreakable human spirit, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
The Cost of Living
The Cost of Living by Daisy DeMay is an engaging work of fiction that delves into the lives of survivors grappling with a new and dystopian world, brought upon by a series of devastating tornadoes and catastrophic weather events. The protagonist, Sara, endures the heart-wrenching loss of her two young children during the initial tornado, leaving her to cope with grief amidst the chaos. Compounding her suffering is her husband’s persistently abusive behavior, which only ceases when he is permanently removed from her life. To ensure her survival, Sara forms an alliance with Sam Alperstein, a high school friend she had lost touch with after marrying, and Adam, a stranger who valiantly rescues her from an escaped convict. However, in a world where moral boundaries blur, Sara faces the daunting task of determining whom she can trust.
Throughout the narrative, The Cost of Living introduces captivating plot twists that effortlessly sustain the reader’s attention and curiosity. The author adeptly weaves unforeseen elements into the story, constantly challenging our perceptions of heroism and villainy. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of these unexpected elements, as they diverge from the conventional approach employed by most dystopian works. Moreover, the novel provides a thought-provoking exploration of how individuals navigate the aftermath of societal collapse. The characters’ struggle to adapt to a life devoid of emergency services, law enforcement, and functioning governance resonated deeply as they grappled with finding missing family members, seeking assistance, and seeking solace in this new reality.
While The Cost of Living succeeds in captivating its readers, it does leave some lingering questions unanswered by its conclusion. Personally, I yearned to discover the fate of Sara, Sam, and Adam once they connected with another group of survivors. However, this open-endedness also leaves room for further contemplation and imaginative speculation, inviting readers to ponder the characters’ futures beyond the pages of the book. This book delves into dark themes. The narrative confronts distressing subjects such as the loss of children, verbal and physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, and torture. So, a word of caution to those that are not comfortable with those subjects, but the novel does a good job of portraying them thoughtfully.
I encountered moments within the book where Sara’s reactions to certain situations demonstrated an intriguing unpredictability, adding a layer of complexity to her character. Additionally, her willingness to forge ahead despite clear warnings showcased a remarkable determination, enhancing the depth of her portrayal. The intentional absence of contractions in the dialogue contributed to a deliberate cadence, lending a distinct and unique quality to the overall conversation flow.
The Cost of Living by Daisy DeMay immerses readers in a compelling narrative that navigates the trials and tribulations of survivors in a dystopian world. The unexpected twists and moral ambiguities add depth to the story, ensuring a gripping reading experience.
Pages: 364 | ASIN: B0C41625WL
LITERARY TITAN 