Silo Series Books Review Breakdown DEALS
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the Silo series is a trilogy of novels by science fiction author Hugh Howey. The first book, Wool, started as a short story back in 2011 and quickly became a full-blown novel which spawned two more books: Shift and Dust.
The Earth as we know it has been ruined… and the last of the humans live in an underground silo with strict rules. Each of them must be followed or one will have to bear the consequences – the outside. This is something that is strictly forbidden to even say out loud; and believe me, it’s the last place you’d want to be sent.
Updated March 9th 2023:
This update includes the addition of new information regarding the 3 Silo books (Wool, Dust & Shift) being made into a TV Show by Apple TV. Additionally added and reformatted the article for easier reading and quick to get answers about the book and TV show.
Is Wool (the first book of the Silo series) being made into a film?
Wool, along with the stories from the other two books; Shift and Dust, are being made into a TV Series by Apple TV.
When is the Silo TV Show being released?
The Silo TV series is set to start on May 5th, 2023 on Apple TV. Additionally, Apple TV has confirmed that season 2 of Silo series will be released on November 15th 2024.
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Is Silo Worth Watching?
It is definitely worth watching the Silo series. So far the Apple TV show is staying very close to the books, therefore the story is true and has not changed much. Readers of the Silo book series will love the Silo TV Show.
Silo Series Summary
You follow the story of your main cast as they try to navigate the complex world of taboo, the old ways, and the new generation, who are seeking change. The older generation is set in their ways, believing that you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. Others, however, think that is it time to move things along and make a better life for themselves and the future members of the silo. A revolution might be brewing… But how can one accomplish a revolution from hundreds of stories deep? The hopeful people, the optimistic ones believe that their only escape is to venture outside of the silo.
One of the most interesting aspects of the series for me was its setting. You get a rundown of how the silo functions and how the people live there, which paints a clearer picture of the situation for the folks in the post-apocalyptic community.
… stared out at the dead world… low rolling hills stood, a pretty shade of brown like coffee mash with just the right amount of pig’s milk.
Such a simple phrase is loaded with information and instantly creates a detailed image of the juxtaposition between the forbidden outside world and life in the silo.
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The descriptive language offers detail enough of the setting, but Howey doesn’t run on with sentences a la Anne Rice if you know what I mean.
The tight confines of that long spiral [staircase], threading thought the buried silo like a straw in a glass, had not been built for such abuse.
Silo Series Characters
The characters, on the other hand, are very well fleshed out. Their jobs, daily tasks, and physical descriptions are wonderfully detailed. These are an important factor of the novels since the people in the silos deal with such desperation and longing for change.
This is a world where all characters, major or supporting, must have well-defined personality traits in order to add to their believability and to understand their backgrounds and the circumstances that lead them to start questioning things about the forbidden outside world.
… beneath the sweat and grime, she was beautiful. Her face was hard and lean, her eyes bright. She had a fierce intelligence you could measure from a distance.
What keeps the readers interested throughout the course of the series is that each book jumps to different silos, different time periods, and different characters, all living through this strange world of silos and a dystopian lifestyle. However, each novel, each story is interwoven like a spider’s web, flowing from character to character and taking them in brand new directions. However, not all is as it seems, and you eventually come to realize that times may not be as different as you originally were given to understand.
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This, for me, was possibly the best part of the series. Thinking or even referring back to previous stories and previous characters to form connections in my mind and find the patterns had me mesmerized with the series the whole way through. This sort of narrative is complex, but Hugh Howey navigates it seamlessly, and I found myself weaving storylines together to make something longer, more epic.
Is the Silo Series Good?
The Silo series is a gripping story for anyone who likes science fiction stories, but more importantly, those set in a post-apocalyptic world. There are no fancy sci-fi technology or references; it’s all about humans experiencing a confined space, and being shown the classic forbidden fruit, which is – as usual – oh so tempting.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking to jump into a great new sci-fi epic, and who wants to feel the characters’ liberation and the taste of human hope, optimism, and desperation to survive.
After reading this, you will probably want to explore some slightly more open space. I’d recommend diving into The Martian by Andy Weir. You’ve heard of it, trust me. Slide into your space suit and happy reading!
*Disclosure: We only recommend books that we love and would read ourselves. This post contains affiliate links, as we are part of the Amazon Services LCC Associate Program and others, which may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
The Review
Silo Series Books Review Breakdown
Gripping series of books over several events, characters and timelines which keep you guessing until the end.
PROS
- Great setting
- Interesting plot lines which span over decades and several characters
- Spiderweb of a story which come together perfectly
CONS
- Story line jumps from event to event and in different times
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