Shift (2013)

Overview

"Shift" is a science fiction prequel novel by Hugh Howey, the second book in the "Silo" series. It tells about the early days of the creation of the underground silo vaults, going back to the events preceding the story in "Wool". The novel consists of three novellas: "First Shift: Legacy", "Second Shift: Order", and "Third Shift: Pact". The plot spans different time periods: in 2049, Senator Thurman asks Donald Keene to design an underground silo connected to a nuclear waste storage facility; in 2110, Troy wakes from cryosleep and realizes that everyone he knew is dead. The book explores the engineering challenges of building the silos, the lives of the engineers, and the reasons that led to humanity's decline.

Franchise chronology

• "Wool" (2011) — the first book in the series, introducing the world of the silos.
• "Shift" (2013) — a prequel showing the beginning of the silos' creation.
• "Dust" (2013) — the third book, concluding the main trilogy.