The Remnants

In Peterson’s quirky postapocalyptic sequel to The Odds, two friends must outrun bounty hunters and navigate the underground remnants of long-ago America, now inhabited by weird humanoids, to attempt to save friends who have been transformed themselves. After Eldridge and Hagan escape imprisonment, they head first to rescue their friend Pell, but when they arrive, they find he’s been turned into a giant, grotesque pile of flesh. Hanna, his captor, will only release him if Eldridge and Hagan can win the mud races through underground tunnels and deliver a package at the finish line. Meanwhile, bounty hunter Quillig has 36 hours to recapture Eldridge for the mysterious man across the oceans; if he fails, he will die. The tale is often slowed by the meticulous description of every mutated or manipulated body, as well as of the many locales the friends visit during their quests. Reading the first book is necessary for understanding why these characters want to spend time together, but Peterson fans will enjoy this story of unusual creatures and harsh landscapes. (Oct.)