There are three books in the Silo series by Hugh Howey. If you haven’t started reading the Silo books yet, here’s why you need to.
We’ve already recommended the Silo series as something to watch during Droughtlander. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the books. There are three books in Howey’s series, Wool, Shift, and Dust.
You don’t necessarily need to read them in that order. You could start with Shift, which brings us the story of the creation of the silos and some earlier events that happened in Silo 18 and Silo 17. However, it is best to read from the first book as it brings up a world of questions that Shift builds on.
What is Silo about?
The books start with Wool, which takes place in the 24th century. We initially follow Sheriff Holden, who is grieving the loss of his wife. He lives in a silo, which is thousands of levels underground. People can’t go outside of the creation because the air is toxic.
At least, that’s what they’re told. Holden’s wife believes otherwise and goes outside to “clean.” Those who break the law or ask to go outside are sent out there to clean the screen that shows the desolate wasteland to everyone else inside. Holden then decides to join his wife, leading to the silo needing to find a replacement sheriff.
This leads to Juliette, who works in Mechanical, getting the position. However, it’s clear that there is something bigger going on the silo, and when she is sent out to clean but doesn’t die like everyone else, the truth starts coming out. Oh, and that just gets us to the end of Silo Season 1 and the midpart of Wool!
Throughout the course of the books, we follow various characters as they get to the bottom of what’s going on in the world. What made it toxic? Is it still toxic? How did Juliette survive? And what happened in Silo 17?
Why the Silo books are a must during Droughtlander
Of course, the books are set in the future rather than in the past. It can leave you wondering why a site that focuses on a series in the past would recommend them. Well, it all comes down to the overall storyline focused on.
This isn’t really a sci-fi series, even though it seems it at first because it’s set in the future. It’s actually about survival and control. There are elements of the Revolutionary War going on in Outlander that you’ll see throughout the books. You’ll see stories of love and loss, of conspiracy theories and questioning what’s really right, and of the sacrifices families will make for each other.
On top of that is an interconnected story. We see people across thousands of years all connect in some sort of way. You can’t see how it will happen at first, but once you do, you’re sucked into this world that Howey has created.