Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
Nuclear weapons set off along San Andres Fault in California. Triggers massive earthquakse around the world but especially devastates the US. New Volcanoes block the gulf stream from normal path. Northeast US goes into massive winter. The story is about a team that works to restore the gulf stream and the efforts of one family to survive the extremely harsh winter in the US northeast. Other parts describe how the US copes with the situation internally and externally.
Is Fault Lines appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This 1970s disaster novel depicts a catastrophic earthquake and climate crisis with implied mass casualties and harsh survival conditions. Violence is discussed rather than graphically shown, focusing on the scientific and human response to global catastrophe.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include mass death, death, and natural disaster (see the full list above).
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Readers who enjoy survival stories and scientific problem-solving will appreciate the dual narrative of a family enduring extreme winter and a team working to fix the climate crisis.