The Dustland Outlaws

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2023

Author

~Rusty~

• The Scientist
  Dec 12, 2023
• Junction
  Dec 9, 2023
• Carful Consideration
  Dec 3, 2023
• Before the Storm
  Nov 30, 2023
• The Spy
  Nov 29, 2023
• Sandstorm
  Nov 29, 2023
• The Striders
  Nov 29, 2023
• Organic Components
  Nov 29, 2023
• The Soulless City
  Nov 29, 2023
• Prologue
  Dec 9, 2023

Reviews

Community Reviews(4)

• Ink & TomeRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Disclaimer: this review is based off of everything I've read so far, up through the end of "Carful Consideration." Do with that information as you will.
  The Dustland Outlaws is a great Sci-Fi story with a lot to love, despite a few flaws in the mix. Let's get into the details.
  Style: While the author's writing style is very, very far from bad - hence this section still receiving a four star rating from me - the biggest issue I had as I was reading was in this section, so I wanted to touch on that right away.
  As I was reading The Dustland Outlaws, there were times where I was following along and just felt lost in the way the writing 'moved,' so-to-speak. It felt overwhelming trying to wrap my brain around what was going on during these moments, which jarred me out of my focus on reading because of the distraction it caused me. I wound up having to reread sections a couple of times to make sure I actually understood what was happening properly.
  I think that this is an issue that is more than balanced out by the strength of the author's cast of characters and the interest the plot itself generates. However, I still believed it to be something I should mention in my review. Ultimately though, the author's writing style fits the story very well and added more to my reading experience than it took away, which I believe to be the most important thing.
  Story: I have really, really enjoyed the plot as far as it has unfolded - plenty of mystery and action combine to really drive the fic forward while keeping me as a reader entertained and plugged in to what was going on. Minor spoiler here, but I was hooked from near the very start when our first protagonist suddenly awoke to find himself alone. I eat that kind of thing up and I love the way that the author is using that as possibly the most intriguing anchor for the story as a whole. I'm definitely eager to seeing what comes next!
  Grammar: There weren't any major issues to go over here, but I will say that there were multipl
• JiodomRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  The Dustland Outlaws falls into the dystopian science fiction genre, immersing us in a well-defined post-apocalyptic world created by the author. So far, I've delved into the first four chapters and discovered an intense narrative that effectively alternates between vividly descriptive moments and darker, more mysterious phases.
  Story: The plot stands out for its intriguing subject matter, combining classic elements of dystopian science fiction with original twists and turns. The story unfolds through scenes rich in action and suspense, keeping the reader's interest high. The author's ability to alternate "colored" moments, full of vivid details and intense descriptions, with "non-colored," more sober and mysterious moments contributes to creating an engaging and dynamic narrative rhythm.
  Style: The narrative style is robust and immersive. The author shows considerable skill in constructing detailed settings and engaging atmospheres. However, there is a certain irregularity in the fluidity of the storytelling, with some passages that could benefit from more polish. Despite this, the descriptive ability and careful choice of vocabulary make the reading enjoyable and stimulating.
  Character: The characters are well-developed and carefully characterized. Aeolus, in particular, emerges as a complex and multifaceted figure, whose path of growth and personal discovery is well portrayed. The secondary characters are interesting and promise further developments in the course of the narrative. The interaction between characters is well orchestrated, although at times the dialogues could benefit from greater emotional depth.
  Grammar: The grammar is solid, with a few scattered errors that do not compromise the understanding of the text. Correct use of punctuation and sentence structure facilitates smooth reading. A further review could perfect those small details that occasionally distract the reader.
  In conclusion, The Dustland Outlaws is a promising work that captures attenti
• L.E. FrenchRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  The Dustland Outlaws is a compelling read and I recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling, well-plotted story. I really enjoyed act 1, especially when it comes to the worldbuilding and action sequences. These were two of the author's strongest points. The writing is skilled as well and it was easy to imagine the setting and descriptions. The author clearly has a command of prose.
  I would have appreciated more of the character's voice and emotions coming through the writing. The reactions implied emotion, but explicitly exploring emotional beats and exposition would elevate the experience. I felt like there were emotions beneath the surface waiting to be brought forward.
  I also would have liked to see some of the worldbuilding from chapter 1 moved to the following chapters. I think it is more meaningful to the reader after the initial introduction. I did, however, greatly enjoy the worldbuilding. The details made everything come to life. I just felt it would have helped to smooth out the introduction and let the story hook readers better if it was sprinkled into the following chapters more.
  Overall, a great read. I'm excited to see where the story goes next and to discover the secrets of Vol.
• CobaltWolfRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  This is part of a review swap, although I imagine I'd be fine reviewing this piece on its own because I want to engage with this piece. Sci-Fi is generally not the type of web novel I read, so it was fun getting out of my comfort zone. I like sci-fi dystopia, although I rarely enjoy it through literature. And I am happy to say that this is an enjoyable story, with a few caveats.
  The best place to start with this story is world and how it is delivered. I think that the world is interesting, albeit doing nothing I've never seen before, specifically because of how it is delivered to our Protagonist Aeolus. I have an enjoyment of having characters with perspectives which limit the world view on some much larger world, where you can only really get glimpses of it through their very narrow mind. Aeolus is a freed mining slave who is only just starting to overcome brainwashing, a type of story which I do enjoy. FEA, the villain, has done some heinous shit to the people it uses as workers to keep them obedient, and it's very clearly only a small slice of their sins. The world is dark and dystopian, but grounded in a sense of knowledge for the genre. It's only the start of the story, so we haven't learned everything, which is why I'm reserving much grander judgement. I do appreciate the slowness the author is taking with the world building, matching at the pace that Aeolus would need to be introduced to the world to not completely break down. This is a personal nitpick of mine, but a part of me pushes back against how quickly he joined up with the rebel forces. Even if the brainwashing chip is gone, some stuff would be ingrained. It's a tad bit early in the story, so if that comes up in conflict, we'll talk about that.
  Speaking of that, the cast. It's... probably the weakest part. Aeolus is a good protagonist, but everyone feels rather one note and samey in their dialogue and speech patterns. Differentiating speech patterns and characters can be hard, especially with the siz