Upland Road — Thomas Moore

UPLAND ROAD is set both in a remote village in New Zealand, and suburban California. It is a story of internal and family conflict, about the cost of betrayal, the possibility of redemption, and the faith required to journey on. Dylan Hotta is plagued by the guilt of a secret that he is desperate to share but unwilling to face the inevitable consequences of. Dylan meets Lil while she is visiting New Zealand as an exchange student from the US. Dylan's relationship with the intriguing Lil is damaged when their pasts come back to haunt them. The story climaxes with an outcome that is radical in implication and emotional consequence, leaving the reader astounded and delighted. The character studies are revealing, especially the portraits of the sensitive Dylan, the complex and tragic Lil, and the multi-layered development of Ruth.