#Review: Survivor’s Eyes by Chris Ekral

Survivor’s Eyes
Author: Chris Ekral
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Rating: 4/5

In a world where humanity is teetering on the edge of extinction, the line between survival and savagery blurs. Survivor’s Eyes explores this unsettling reality through the eyes of a solitary man, who, amid the ruins of civilization, fights not only for his life but for the remnants of his humanity.

The story revolves around a protagonist who has withdrawn from all human contact, struggling to survive in a world that has collapsed. Starvation and mortal danger are constant companions, yet his most significant challenge is maintaining some semblance of the civilized man he once was. This conflict—between the primal need to survive and the deep-rooted desire to remain human—forms the core of the narrative.

The author’s writing style is as stark and haunting as the world they’ve created. The prose is unflinching, presenting a world where civilization is barely a thin veneer over our most basic instincts. Yet, despite the bleakness, there is a thread of hope woven into the story. The protagonist’s journey is not just about survival; it’s about clinging to the vestiges of humanity in a world that has forgotten what that even means.

One of the most striking sections of the book is the protagonist’s escape plan, as detailed in the final pages. The imagery is vivid, the tension palpable. You can almost feel the strain of the rowing boat against the current, mirroring the protagonist’s struggle to escape the clutches of despair. The narrative’s pace picks up as he gains a sense of direction, symbolizing the rekindling of hope. The writing here is particularly effective, with short, sharp sentences driving home the urgency and determination of the moment.

The dystopian landscape may feel familiar—crumbling cities, authoritarian regimes, and a society teetering on collapse—but it’s the writing that breathes new life into these seemingly clichéd elements. The author skillfully avoids the trap of overwrought descriptions, opting instead for a clean, crisp style that makes every word count. This brevity doesn’t detract from the world-building but enhances it, allowing readers to grasp the severity of the setting without becoming bogged down in excessive detail. The prose is sharp, almost surgical, cutting straight to the heart of the story. This economy of language injects the narrative with a sense of urgency, keeping the reader engaged while also heightening the emotional stakes. The familiar backdrop becomes a mirror, reflecting the novel’s deeper themes with a clarity that verbose passages often obscure.

Overall, Survivor’s Eyes is a compelling exploration of what it means to be human in the face of overwhelming odds. The author’s gritty, raw prose perfectly captures the desolation of a world on the brink, while still leaving room for the possibility of redemption. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page is turned, making you question just how thin the line between civilization and savagery is.

Best wishes to the author!

Find this book here.