The Tear Collector

by

R.M. Romero

Intriguing middle-grade climate fiction, post-apocalyptic tale.

The Tear Collector by R.M. Romero is an intriguing post-apocalyptic tale for middle-grade readers, featuring an island community formed after a second great flood. Besides a mysterious story with young protagonists living on an isolated island where sadness can transform one into a monster, it is a cautionary tale about taking care of our world before it is too late. All is not lost, though; the story provides hope for the future by the tale’s end. 

Siblings Malka and Ezra were swept away during the civilization-ending flood, ending up with other survivors on an island formed by the rising water level. They are “adopted” by a medical doctor in the new community who has dedicated his life to finding a cure for a terrible new malady called “The Sorrows” that afflicts bereft, morose islanders and turns them into monstrous, animalistic creatures. Dr. Jonas Hollman is convinced that the answer to the horrifying illness lies in the tears of the people, and it becomes Malka’s job to collect samples. She follows through with determination because her beloved younger brother, Ezra, has started sprouting feathers. But when a small plane flown by a girl her own age, claiming to come from the mainland, crashes on the beach, everything changes. 

Malka and Ezra were close even before the flood. She saved his life when the water came, and continues in her role as his champion when other islanders shun him when the proof he’s got “The Sorrows” comes to light. Malka is quite aggressive in her dealings with others, sometimes getting in people’s faces so quickly that she borders on unlikable. She takes nothing from nobody, except Ezra. They have developed a found family with Jonas and some of the other residents of their hotel home, complete with all the quirks that come with one formed from blood ties. However, their relationship with Jonas takes an unfortunate (and all too tragically realistic) turn as the story progresses. 

The author does an amazing job creating her post-flood world, with the survival of random bits and pieces of life from before and the odd mix of buildings that literally weathered the storm. I really liked the pink hotel, where Jonas, Malka, Ezra, and others made their home as Jack’s efforts to normalize its current state continued. 

The horrifying effects of “The Sorrows” absolutely gripped me, not only because of the body horror but also the uncertain internal impact on the minds of those poor afflicted individuals. Jules Gray and his henchmen, Mikos and Lukus, are dastardly, evil villains. 

Due to the colorless, dreary, and always-raining setting, Olivia Diaz, the young pilot, stands out as a shockingly bright spot in the narrative from the very first. Still, it is a toss-up as to who I would name my favorite character among the three children. 

I recommend THE TEAR COLLECTOR to readers of middle-grade fantasy and horror. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.