Keeper of Soles

A parent would reach for this book when their older teenager is beginning to grapple with heavy questions about societal collapse, the nature of good and evil, and the weight of individual choice in times of crisis. It is a profound exploration of how humanity reacts when the structures we rely on disappear overnight, leaving only the core of our character behind. The story follows the aftermath of a devastating global pandemic that wipes out most of the population. The survivors are drawn by dreams to two opposing leaders: Mother Abagail, representing faith and light, and Randall Flagg, a dark and malevolent force. While the scale is epic, the book focuses on the intimate emotional journeys of its diverse cast as they struggle with fear, loneliness, and the resilience required to build a new world. Parents should note this is a mature work with intense themes, suitable for late teens who are ready for a complex, philosophical, and often frightening look at human nature.