Above: 05/08/20

Above by Roland Smith is the sequel and conclusion to Beneath (2016). Brothers Pat and Coop, reunited, are fleeing the underground society, along with the grand-daughter of the founder. But it seems from the moment they meet up in Seattle, the society is on their trail and there's no escaping them.

In terms of the road narrative spectrum, the sequel is a slight nudge in a more realistic direction. While the first book was about a reunification of siblings, now it's a joint trip by siblings trying to find a safe place to be. It's a move from discovery to escape.

Like the first book, the travelers are the siblings (CC) — brothers Pat and Coop. They are separated very quickly from their traveling companion, so her involvement doesn't change the type of traveler.

The destination is once again utopia (FF). The society who loves living underground, expecting the world to end, is moving from their abandoned bits and bobs of Manhattan to a place they have carefully had built in California.

The route, though, is what changes the position on the spectrum (00). It is now the interstate / railroad. They travel by both before ultimately arriving at the new underground city.

All together, book two is the tale of siblings traveling again to utopia, this time, via the interstate and railroad (CCFF00).

Four stars

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