It is often in literature and film that we experience the story of the fall. The war. The moments of valour and heroism. The moments that would be remembered for years to come, and that built up pride and nationalism. What we never get to see is what comes next. How did humanity rebuild its shattered infrastructure in 'Independence Day'? What were the steps that the people took to establish a better government after 'V for Vendetta'? These questions are always left to the audience to fill in the blanks and use their own limited imaginations to assume how it was accomplished. This is not the story with 'Day After Tomorrow' (the beautiful story woven by Mara and not the 2004 blockbuster film with Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid).
Set in a future where Humanity has already won the war against the Ta'al we follow Fury, a soldier home from the front lines, finding her place in this new peaceful world. Having only known war for so long, she struggles with the ideas posed by the civilian government that attempt to wash over the hate that the war fueled. War is hell, and returning to a quiet life can be worse for those who witnessed it. Luckily, Fury has help from a pair of unexpected neighbours.
DAT does an amazing job of showing the efforts of rebuilding society after conflict, healing both physical and mental wounds, and the struggle of acceptance (in ourselves, those we've hurt, and those who hurt us). The story does well to show how a drastic change of pace can make the world seem slow, allowing us to once again find beauty in it, while also showing that acceptance and understanding can move fast if we allow it.
Filled with rich characters who have deep backgrounds, the readers are drip-fed little bits of lore. There is never so much as to overwhelm the reader, but just enough to help them understand why it may be hard for Humanity and the Ta'al to understand each other. But, like a dove with an olive branch, the hope comes to us in the form of a little girl. And though the innocence of a child, we learn how hate can be washed away bit by bit with the smallest amount of kindness. Mara does a great job displaying this with subtle shifts in how characters are described, what wardrobes are worn, and how the world is explained.
I've given this story a 5/5 because I fell in love with DAT after the first chapter and found myself gripped through to the end. The way Mara writes is engaging and keeps you wanting to know more. And, like any good story, the end leaves you with a hunger for a second book...one that I hope we one day get. So I'd definitely recommend giving it a read, maybe recommending it to your partner, nuzzling a nose into their shoulder, and enjoying this heart-warming tale of healing the world and the soul, one flower at a time.
