Extinction

September 5, 2022
Somer (Fishbowl) paints an unsettling picture of a future in which Earth is all but abandoned to the ravages of climate change in this vivid but uneven cli-fi survival tale. Ranger Ben is an anomaly, one of only a few humans choosing to stay on Earth instead of emigrating to a lunar colony. In vibrant, lyrical prose, Somer depicts Ben’s struggles with loneliness and the approaching winter as he watches over the last living grizzly bear in an unnamed North American forest. Details of Ben’s involvement in the three-member Ursa Project come to light organically as he discovers poachers in the valley set on killing the bear. To find the bear, the men will need to get their hands on Ben’s tracker, sending Ben on the run. Sometimes hunter and sometimes hunted, Ben traverses a wilderness largely devoid of animals. His hardships are keenly felt due to Somer’s masterful characterization, but the plot itself feels predictable, following familiar thriller beats that readers will easily anticipate. Thankfully, a resurgence of the literary, introspective element brings Ben’s story to a poignant close. Readers will be impressed by Somer’s prose but long for more surprises along the way. Agent: Andrea Blatt, WME.

October 1, 2022
A park ranger struggles with an ethical dilemma on a near-future Earth. Somer's new novel is a pared-down story about one man's desperate attempt to maintain order in the face of corruption. It's also a story set on an environmentally devastated Earth in the near future. And while each of these aspects has plenty to offer, their juxtaposition isn't as seamless as one might hope. Protagonist Ben works as a ranger, part of a pared-down group working to protect a bear, the last of its kind on the planet. Early on, Somer neatly establishes Ben's routines and worldview through an emotionally charged exchange with his colleague Emma. But soon enough, trouble arises in the form of a wealthy father and son who have come to the valley where he works to hunt the bear Ben watches over. Complicating things more is the fact that they have hired Ben's estranged mentor as their guide--and soon, what began as a moral standoff escalates into a violent confrontation. Ben's desperation to protect the bear, even as he becomes aware of the corruption that surrounds him, makes for a powerful and even primal engine for the story. But it also has the effect of making some of this novel's speculative elements feel superfluous--including references to lunar colonies and a discussion of the psychological effects of space travel. Ben's refusal to compromise and dedication to his job--which borders on the quixotic at times--make him a memorable protagonist. But it's also easy to imagine this conflict between two people--one scrupulously ethical and one so wealthy he can essentially buy his way past most people's ethics--playing out at nearly any moment in time. An adventure novel whose timelessness sometimes works against it.

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