The Survivors by Dan Willis

I've had this book for 4 years now and I really wish I would have picked it up sooner. It's great! I haven't read the series but it was great that I could pick this book up and not be lost. I was able to follow the story easily. I loved the religious parts to it. I loved the characters. They were each unique and I grew quite attached to them and their distinct personalities.


This is an amazing story that gets off to a great start right away. The story was moving so fast at the beginning I thought to myself what more can they do. Yet, so much happened in the story after that. I was rooting for this group of survivors and groaned every time they wouldn't listen to Bradock. Their trip would have been much easier had they just listened to him more often! He was a great leader and it helped me think about what a leader is and how hard it is to be a leader with so much responsibility.

I totally recommend this book....if you can find it!  

Here are some characters to help me to remember the story a little:

Takes place in Ironroot (A dwarf city made underground)
Bradok Axeblade--Main Character, dwarf
Sapphire--Bradok's Mother
Mirshawn Axeblade--Bradok's father who passed away (leaving his seat on the council to his son Bradox)
Much Hollowblade--friend on the council
Mayor Arbuckle-- the mayor
Rose Steelspar--a red haired hill dwarf woman, Ends up being a huge part of the story.
Argus Deephammer--called repentance to the council
Reorx--A god
Jon Bladehook--on the council.  Cross him and you'll be sorry.  Huge influence in the council and not necessarily a good influence.
Silas Weatherstone--builds a boat...sort of like Noah's ark but, underground and everyone thinks he is crazy.
Chisul--Headstrong, impulsive son of Silas.
Kellik--helps build ship, good guy
Tal--a trained doctor, from Rose's village, a hill dwarf
Disir--huge, insects attracted to sound
Perin--Human living with the Dwarfs as an apprentice
Erus--gives Bradok a polished brass device
Lyra--pregnant dwarf
Teal--small child. adored by even the hardest of hearts.
Rhizomorph--mushroom people, give off golden clouds of spores.  They try to make others like them by infecting them.

Daergar--long ago separated their clan from normal society in favor of living in the deep places of Krynn.  They were evil, untrustworthy, and hated their higher dwelling cousins.
Omer--Daergar, ex-convict, hates Wizards.  A wizard kidnapped him when he was a baby. The wizard experimented on poor Ormer.  Killed twelve armed dwarves in a tavern brawl with his bare hands.  Not quite right in the head.  EXTREMELY strong and yet acts like a child.  Later in story, he likes Teal and protects.  Corin--(full name, Corinthar Darklight) Daergar, ex-convict, he swindled a corrupt politician out of a million steel.  It was revenge for the politician bankrupting his father..
Thurl Surepath----Daergar, He was the house assassin for  a wealthy family.  When they fell on hard times, they sold himn out to save their own lives.
Hurlic Sweetwater--he killed his wife when he caught her having an affair.  (He also killed her entire family.)
Xurces Firebrand--Daergar, ex-convict, Most notorious sex fiend in the history of Darkhold City.  It is said he has fathered over one hundred children.  (Was castrated by the guards at the prison)
Jeni--Daergar, ex-convict, can't bear to have crimes repeated.  Covers her ears.  Her husband beat her and tortured her mercilessly, She went mad and killed her children.  Thinks it was just a dream.