Today we are going to be mining for a very special element called cirium.Â
It is the only thing that can protect humanity from the curtainâs radioactive particles.
It is very rare and mining for it is dangerous but necessary for survival.Â
Today we are going to learn more about how cirium is mined and what steps we would need to ensure that we stay safe while digging for our prize!
Flashfall by Jenny Moyer
Published by Macmillan on November 15th 2016
Genres: Action & Adventure, General, Science Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
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Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased ciriumâthe only element that can shield humanity from the curtainâs radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.
But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, itâs up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.
Iâm glad youâre here. Our city-state is desperate for every gram of cirium, the only effective shield against the flash curtain. Hereâs your pickaxe, throw on this caverâs suitâletâs go!
You wonât be alone down the deadly tunnels of Outpost Five. Youâll be with a team of Subpars–miners able to sense the veins of cirium deep beneath the earth. And youâll have a caving partner, like Orionâs best friend, Dram.
Photo from FLASHFALL book trailer
Dramâs a âmarkerâ, and Orionâs an âore scoutâ. In order to mine down here, youâll have to decide which role youâll fulfill on your tunnel team. Dramâs in charge of marking all the routes with light bolts that warn other cavers away from danger. As a scout, Orionâs out front forging paths to the only element that buys freedom. So, which are you? Both require strength, courage, and a willingness to face your worst fears.
I hope the dark doesnât bother you. Or crawling through super tight crevices of rock. No? Good. As a claustrophobic person myself, these were fears I confronted when researching caving to develop the world of FLASHFALL.
Author research
Thereâs lots of climbing in FLASHFALL, so I worked with professional climbing experts and learned to ascend (my favorite) and repel to help me get over my fear of falling from heights.
Still, even in my scariest moments climbing and caving, I never had to face the kinds of creatures Orion and Dram have to battle down Tunnel Nine. Flash bats, tunnel gulls, and carnivorous bacteria.
As caving partners, theyâve got each otherâs backs. They also have double-bladed knives for splitting open the skulls of flash bats . . . but youâll only need that if youâre heading down the deepest, deadliest tunnelâNine. Itâs where the most cirium is buriedâpast boundary markers that Subpars are forbidden to cross. If youâre going to survive down here, youâll have to break some rules. Just donât get caughtâpunishment is exile to the deadly cordonsâmining camps closest to the flash curtainâwhere death is a promise on radiation winds.
So, more important than the gear that will help keep you alive, and a caving partner at your side, youâll need a bit of recklessness, and the ability to keep secrets. The cavers of Outpost Five are very good at keeping secrets.
This is how you mine cirium.
And, like Dram and Orion, if you mine 400 grams of it, you can earn safe passage through the flash curtain, to the protected city of Alara. At least, thatâs what the Subpars have always been told.
Whatever you do, mine quickly. Itâs dangerous down the tunnels, but itâs deadly in the flashfall.
About Jenny Moyer
enny Moyer is the author of the YA sci-fi/fantasy FLASHFALL (Holt/Macmillan, 11-15-16 ) She studied writing at Seattle Pacific University, and currently lives in Iowa with her filmmaker husband and three boys. She's currently at work on the sequel to FLASHFALL.
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I love all the behind the scenes photos. It makes me even more excited for this book. Knowing the author did so much research and hands on research.
I loved FLASHFALL so much, and the photos from the book trailer are amazing! The actors look exactly like how I pictured the characters, which is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I cannot wait to read this book! It sounds so unique!
I toured caves in KY with my parents and want to go back. Thanks for sending the photos on this post. I love adventure stories and this sounds so exciting!
Sounds like an exciting read! Love the photo trailer!
I really like the behind the scenes photos, but it looks SO dangerous! I would be terrified! I can’t wait to read this book!
This book sounds sooo good and original, November can’t come soon enough! Loved guest post!
I love the behind the scenes photos!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I haven’t really read about this book, lol ð But I have seen the cover a bunch. And it do look so pretty ð Lovely guest post sweetie. <3
This book sounds really interesting, I’m already intrigued about the story. I loved all the behind the scenes photos. Can’t wait to read this!
Sounds neat. Reminds me a little of Red RIsing.
I read the synopsis a while ago, and it looks so intriguing! I can’t wait to read this one!!
A little confusing but I find the concept very unique and intriguing! Great pictures as well!
Ahh I can’t wait to read Flashfall! Thank you for the chance<3