A New Union: A Novella, Paperback

By the mid-twenty-first century, the polar ice caps have melted, a few major corporations rule the global economy, and there is now a one-world government known as the Union. Public information in the Union is strictly controlled, travel is restricted, and the world's population is manipulated by the hierarchy. For Macsen Van Brocklin, however, the most pressing concern is how quickly he can start his weekend getaway with his best friend, Ryan, and their respective girlfriends--a romantic escape to a far sector of the new Union, with an ocean view and unlimited alcohol. A New Union is a dystopian coming-of-age story set in a futuristic society. Despite the high-tech vehicles, "smarthomes," and implanted chips used for making purchases and obtaining permission to travel, Macsen and his friends face the same timeless issues that young people have ever faced--loyalty to one's friends, having sex, and lost love. Author Mickey Brown uses flashbacks to reveal Macsen's past in the lower class of this society, underscoring the importance of his friendships and former love interests, and in this way the author creates a protagonist for whom readers will feel genuine empathy. Through clever dialogue and intriguing situations, Brown also deftly captures the essence of navigating adolescence, an enduring conundrum, even as the characters experience a powerful need for change and social justice. A New Union is sure to resonate with readers.