For the second Dystopian giveaway this month, I’m very excited to be able to offer the winner’s choice of one book from the Safe Lands series by Jill Williamson. Excited because she is one incredible author, not to mention one of my first writing mentors and friends!
The Safe Lands series deals with some tough issues, so it’s not one for younger readers. But I love the story behind the story—imagined during a study on the book of Daniel as what it might look like for modern teenagers to be plucked from their homes and thrown into a Babylonian type society. Fascinating, right? Can you imagine the challenges and temptations they might face? Jill did.
Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter below! Jill was kind enough to provide a copy of her book for the giveaway and write up a guest post providing a little behind-the-scenes look at the Safe Lands.
In a dystopian future, eighteen-year-old Levi returns from Denver City with his latest scavenged treasures and finds his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many–including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?
Find out more about Outcasts (Book Two) and Rebels (Book Three)
Meet the Author
Jill Williamson is a chocolate-loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms and the award-winning author of several teen novels including By Darkness Hid (fantasy) and Captives (dystopian). She’s a Whovian, a Photoshop addict, and a recovering fashion design assistant, who grew up in Alaska without electricity. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Eastern Oregon, where there are more deer and cows than people. She blogs for teen writers at www.goteenwriters.com. You can also visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life.
Note: This article was originally published elsewhere online and is reproduced here with the author’s permission for your enjoyment!
My Safe Lands series is dystopian, like The Hunger Games or Divergent, so it takes place in the future. Regardless, there are things I see now and then that instantly remind me of my storyworld. Here are the five things I see most often that transport me to the Safe Lands.
1. Beth Moore
I came up with this story while in my ladies Bible study. We were working through Beth Moore’s study on Daniel. She asked us to think about some teenage boys we knew and how they might cope if they were taken from their homes and forced to live as captives in a modern-day Babylon. I couldn’t stop thinking about that scenario, and that’s where my book Captives came from. It tells the story of three brothers who’ve been taken prisoner in a city that is anything but safe. And every time I see Beth or one of her books, I think of those brothers!
2. Tattoos
In my dystopian city, there is a technology that allows virtual tattoos. This is done by getting chips injected under the skin that can display simulated artwork—or SimArt—on the outside of the skin. So every time I see tattoos, they remind me of the SimArt in my books.
3. Cigarettes
Everyone in the Safe Lands has a disease, and meds are given through personal vaporizers, also called PVs. These are similar to electronic cigarettes. In the Safe Lands, anything can be vaped: meds, candy, alcohol, drugs. So whenever I see someone smoking, I think of the PVs in the Safe Lands.
4. Doctor’s offices
Since everyone in the Safe Lands has a disease, several of the scenes in my books take place in an exam room. I can’t go to the doctor’s office myself or with my kids without getting an eerie feeling of being in the Safe Lands. Yikes!
5. Reporters
There are two reporters in the Safe Lands who communicate everything to the public. Finley Gray and Luella Flynn also host the Finley and Flynn Morning Show. These two are the people everyone looks to for fashion advice, celebrity gossip, and the truth. I get a little shudder when I see reporters on TV, wondering if what they’re telling me is true or false.
Thanks, Jill, for sharing a little bit about your story world and offering this giveaway copy!
Sarah says
Considering what I've heard of the Safe Lands trilogy, I feel like being reminded of it by so many commonplace things would be a bit freaky.
I would say that, in the upperclass rings of dystopian society, watch-phone-computers (just now coming out) would be the most common thing in the world. Unless you're the future equivalent of a hipster, of course, in which case you might own a wpc for practicality's sake, but your primary device will look like an old-style modem-and-monitor setup, but steampunked. (On that note, hipsters in the future dystopias will invariably tend towards steampunk style.) Just my thoughts.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Agreed! The Safe Lands is one place where I would definitely not want to live.
I loved how you envision the future equivalents of hipsters and the sort of technology they might use. It makes sense that they would exist, but you pretty much never run into them in books or movies. :)
Jill Williamson says
I love the idea of futuristic hipsters too, Sarah! Fun.
Jaime says
I can see a lot with microchips and communication devices. Combining phones and computers is probably the biggest thing. Microchips would be implanted to keep track of things/people/etc. like they do with animals today. More efficient ways to create energy. (not sure what, but I can see that happening)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I'd have to agree with you there. I feel like with any dystopian society, control is a very important aspect, so the ability to tag people to know where they are at all times would play a necessary role. Scary, isn't it?
Emma Marie says
I've got the first book on my Kindle, but haven't read it yet. Sounds really interesting!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
It is! Jill is always great at creating fascinating story-worlds and the Safe Lands is no exception.
Jill Williamson says
Thanks, Gillian! :-)
Sierra Faith says
I loved this book when I borrowed it from a friend! Would love to own it as my own! So excited to read the other books in the safe Land series!!!!!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Have you only read the first book so far, Sierra? I'm halfway through Outcasts right now and Rebels is next on my list, so I'm just curious!
Rachelle O'Neil says
What an awesome choice for your second giveaway, Gillian! I'm very excited for this giveaway! And I love Jill's post; as authors, there are invariably thing that remind us of our story, so it was interesting to see hers. :)
As someone else mentioned, I think microchips will be a big piece of the future technology puzzle. I also think mind control could be a bigger area of focus, though I'm not entirely sure how that would look. Eventually, I can definitely see flying cars, but I tend to think they would be used more by government agencies and restricted for use by others. Hard to know. This post not only got me excited, but it made me think as well! :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Mind control – now that's a scary thought. But I could totally get behind the flying cars! I mean, how cool would that be? :)
Jill Williamson says
Thanks, Rachelle! Ideas are everywhere, right?
Katie Grace says
I think technology would continue to progress quite a bit, though I don't have the imagination to think up ways in how it could. :p
And along with Rachelle's car topic, maybe someday we'll see some self-driving cars? That would be pretty cool and possibly prevent some accidents.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Haha, me either. I'm generally so far behind on current technology that I don't have much of a chance when it comes to thinking up something new!
Jill Williamson says
I got stuck on the technology one day, so I asked on my Facebook page. I got some great ideas from the masses. :-)
Elizabeth Anne D. says
I can definitely see the microchip being a thing in the future. I think that it will contain every bit of information about a person, including medical health records, bank account information, etc. and I think that it quite possibly will be a means of communication, a GPS, and a tracking device. But what do I know, I'm a writer, not a science major! One other thing that I can definitely imagine happening in the future would be a device that could make any kind of food out of fillers and flavorings. Kind of like fast food, just custom made fast food.(-:
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh custom made fast food! I could get behind that.
"I'm a writer, not a science major." Definitely read this sentence in a Dr. McCoy sort of voice. I just couldn't resist.
Jill Williamson says
I, too, am not a science major. I get into so much trouble writing science in my books. :-/
Emily Kopf says
For some reason, I thought this series was for younger readers! Well, I'm glad to know it is closer to my age group. I had already planned to read it, but that fact makes it a little more desirable.
As for technology, so many dystopian and science fiction books have come up with ideas for future technology already that it's hard to think of something new. Definitely microchips. I can see them being used for just about everything. Perhaps implanting them in someone's brain will take the place of phones and computers, meaning you could think or speak words like "google _______" and the information would be read or something inside your head. It would also take the place of cell phones and the wireless speakers you can use with your phone. Just speculation.
Thank you for the giveaway, Gillian and Jill.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Yes, it's definitely one for older readers. I agree with you as far as the technology goes. That is just one of many reasons why it's not my chosen genre to write in. Science isn't really my thing, so coming up with technology that works in a sci fi world? Eh, not so much.
I could totally see that happening … which then leads one to wonder, could you hack a microchip in someone's brain and use it to control them somehow? (Rachelle's comment above) Though I think I may have seen that in a TV show a while back …
Jill Williamson says
Oh yes. Older readers. The publisher says fourteen and up. :-)
Elizabeth says
This sounds awesome! Hmm…new technology….I think maybe things like genetic engineering, or bionic bodies (some people have bionic prosthetics already!). Great idea!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Yes, I could see those happening too, Elizabeth.
Clare says
Well there would definitely need to be hover scooters. According to back to the future they should already be common place this year! I have always wanted a hover scooter.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Haha, wait, you don't have one? I thought everyone had one nowadays. :)
Merenwen Inglorion says
"What are some pieces of technology that you could see popping up in a future dystopian society?"
Hmm…well, cell phones have always been a piece of technology that have a futuristic feel, despite the fact that they're nearly everywhere. :P
I can see those in a dystopian society (for the higher classes that can afford it), being closely regulated, connected to a special server that monitors and stores every bit of private and public information and cuts and pastes it to the pleasure of the ruling dictators. And they can double as tracking devices, providing that it's mandatory to carry one with you whenever you leave your designated building. For safety reasons, of course. ;)
For those in the lower classes, I can see food processors being a big hit…sharp blades, heavy bludgeoning piece, can drain the power of a small building, etc. :D (Okay, so I'm not sure what a dystopian lower class would have access to…maybe antiquated tech that has been hashed together with duct tape and urgency?)
I don't read dystopian very often, but that's just because I'm not a big fan of really, really dark tunnels. However, I have read a few good dystopian books recently, and they made me want to read more! Not because of the darkness, but because of the light offered at the end.
I haven't read Safe Lands yet, but it sounds amazing! In that creepy-familiar way, of course. :)
God bless,
-Merenwen
Gillian Bronte Adams says
"cell phones have always been a piece of technology that have a futuristic feel, despite the fact that they're nearly everywhere."
Gotta agree with you there! I feel like technology is starting to have more and more of a sci fi feel. Wrist watches that double as iphones. Thermometers that scan the forehead without even having to touch – totally Star Trekk!
TW Wright says
I am reading Captives right now, and yeah, everything Jill just said remind me of Captives. All five.
Like someone said above, microchips sounds like something that will be about in the future. And more pieces of mobile technology seems like they will be available in the future.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I think the creepiest thing about the Safe Lands series is that it is totally believable. You can definitely see how our world could become just like the Safe Lands given a bit of time and maybe a disaster or two.
Ryebrynn says
I love this series!
I actually made up a sci-fi object(thought I haven't used it yet). I called it a "MindMovie". Basically it scans your idea and then transforms it into a full-length movie–exactly how you imagined it. :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! :)
-Ryebrynn
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh, that sounds cool! I wish I could write books that way. Simply plug my mind into the computer (hopefully, not literally) and watch the story unfold the way it's supposed to. :)
Jill Williamson says
I want to use the MindMovie! I want a MindBookWriter too. ;-)
Christine Smith says
I have the first of this trilogy and absolutely love it! I've been dying to get my hands on the other two. Mrs. Williamson's stories always capture such an element of realism, no matter what setting they're in. So much talent!
Oh goodness, technology is moving so fast, the possibilities are endless! Cellphones are so immense in today's society, I suspect people are going to focus on them more and more. Maybe to the point that we have chips where our cellphones are in our minds. Basically computers in our brains. Bit of a creepy thought, but I wouldn't be surprised…
Thanks for hosting the giveaway, Gillian! And Mrs. Williamson for giving away a copy of one of your lovely books!
Jill Williamson says
You are very welcome. Thanks for the kind words. :-)
deborahocarroll says
Ooh, fun giveaway! I've read Captives and am curious about what's going to happen in the rest of the series! :) Jill's books are always AMAZING! :D
And… I'm not even sure. o.o I tend to find futuristic stuff creepy so I'm not in the habit of thinking up new technology. XD But everyone else has had some very interesting ideas in the comments. :)
Jill Williamson says
Thanks, Deborah! :-)
Robert T says
Future technology?
Google Glasses, but in the future it will be Google Contacts. XD I doubt hovercraft will ever become a thing, but I could logically imagine upper class individuals owning jetpacks (although the fatality rate would likely be so high that they would have a computer to drive the machine). And speaking of drones. Depending on the populations of a scenario, drones could be widespread or nearly extinct.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I could definitely see Google Contacts being a hit one day! And I would totally be down for owning a jetpack, especially if I could get Jarvis to fly it for me …
Jake says
These books are fantastic; my sister has the last book, but I haven't got around to reading it yet. Hopefully I'll have time soon!
I can easily see a more sophisticated system of technological tracking come about in the near future – and thus, technological cloaking. The ying and the yang, you might say.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Too many books … not enough time.
This is the story of my life…
Ingvild G says
Hmmm.. I am not quite sure, but I usally like any creative technoligcal devices. I really like discovering any sort of dystopian society, with another technology than today's.
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I really want to read this book, but the library doesn’t have a copy of it.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Dreaming up new and creative technology is not really my thing, but I do so love reading about other storyworlds with new and creative technology. :)
You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
Elisabeth Sullivan says
Cool giveaway!
I'm thinking of glasses that are basically like cell phones; you can scan items and it will pull up what it is, you can zoom in on faraway objects, you can message people just by thinking about it…
Wow. I could go on a long time with this. :)