When raiders sent by a man known as the General attack her village, Delta suspects he is searching for her. Delta sets out to rescue her family but quickly learns that in the Wastes no one can be trusted; perhaps not even her childhood friend, Asher, who has been missing for nearly a decade. If Delta can trust Asher, she just might decode the map and trade evidence of the Verdant to the General for her family. What Delta doesn't count on is what waits at the Verdant: a long-forgotten secret that will shake the foundation of her entire world.

I’m not generally a fan of westerns, but I do like post-apocalyptic fiction, and Bowman solidly combined the two genres in such a way that I was thoroughly engrossed in the story. Delta is a determined, focused protagonist. She knows what she wants, and will problem solve and take the steps necessary to reach her goals. The wasteland setting thoroughly immersed me, so be sure to have a glass of water on hand as you read. 

Blood Red Road (Dustlands, #1)
By Moira Young
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011. 459 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

In a distant future, 18-year-old Lugh is kidnapped. While his twin sister, Saba and, nine-year-old Emmi are trailing him across bleak Sandsea, they are capture and taken to brutal Hopetown, where Saba is forced to be a cage fighter until new friends help plan an escape. 

Killer of Enemies (Killer of Enemies, #1)
By Joseph Bruchac
Tu Books, 2013. 361 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

In a world that has barely survived an apocalypse that leaves it with pre-twentieth century technology, Lozen is a monster hunter for four tyrants who are holding her family hostage. 

 ACS