CELESTE ASHBURY

Shattered Earth

Shattered Earth: A Botanical Hope in a Dying World

In the aftermath of a cataclysmic event known only as the Withering, the world has been ravaged. The once-thriving cities now stand as skeletal ruins, choked by a persistent grey haze and haunted by the echoes of a lost civilization. Toxic dust storms, relentless scavengers, and mutated beasts roam the wastelands, making survival a daily, brutal struggle. Amidst this desolate landscape, within the crumbling walls of Sanctuary – a fortified hydro-dam – lies the fragile hope of rebuilding: the seeds.

Protected within a small metal box, nestled beneath the ruins, these seeds represent the culmination of years of research, years of hope. But they are also a target. In a world where resources are scarce and trust is a luxury, keeping these seeds viable means navigating treacherous landscapes, facing off against ruthless factions, and forming precarious alliances. Maya must use her knowledge of the natural world, her skills of survival, and her fierce determination to protect the seeds from the encroaching devastation.

Her solitary existence is shattered when a devastating dust storm forces her to seek shelter within Sanctuary, a fortified hydro-dam ruled by a pragmatic, hard-bitten Commander. Suddenly, her autonomy vanishes. The Commander values skills, data, and results—and nothing else. Maya is assessed, her purpose questioned, and her every move monitored. This fortress is not a haven, it's a prison, a carefully calibrated machine designed to ensure survival, a world of strict rules and severe consequences. Now, she is to prove herself, and these are no longer Maya's seeds, but a resource to be managed.

Within Sanctuary, Maya finds herself entangled in complex relationships, forced to rely on individuals whose motives are often unclear and whose loyalties are tested by hardship. These are not the only voices of a community that are also on display, and readers will see that everything inside of Sanctuary is not what it seems.

While trying to survive the dangers of this fractured world and earn the trust of the community she must live in, Maya fights a battle in the only arena she knows: With her expertise, she navigates the treacherous, internal politics of Sanctuary. As resources dwindle and tensions rise, the very foundations of her new sanctuary crumble. But her knowledge of the earth, her understanding of plants, and her fierce determination to protect her precious seeds give her a fighting chance.

Prepare to be swept away by a tale of desperate survival, unexpected alliances, and the unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.