In “Nox: Ici-Bas,” Yves Grevet introduces readers to a thrilling new chapter in the dystopian genre following his earlier works, “Méto,” “Seuls dans la ville,” and “L’école est finie.” The story is set in a dim metropolis shrouded in a dense mist known as the nox, where inhabitants must endlessly pedal or walk to generate any light. The harsh realities of this world dictate that with a notably short life expectancy, young people are legally obligated to marry and bear children by the age of seventeen.
The protagonist, Lucen, grapples with the fear of losing his love, the defiant Firmie, who adamantly rejects the societal norms. As he watches his close friends drift away, he faces an uncertain future; one friend, Gerges, is on the verge of joining a militia that terrorizes their community, while another, Maurce, is being drawn into a terrorist faction. For Lucen, the time has come to make critical decisions that will shape his entire life.
Meanwhile, in regions not affected by the nox, Ludmilla, a young girl, refuses to accept the unjust dismissal of her beloved caretaker Martha, who was abruptly removed by Ludmilla’s father. In defiance of her circumstances, Ludmilla is determined to go to any lengths to find Martha and bring her back.
Through this adventure, “Nox: Ici-Bas” explores themes of resilience, love, and the quest for freedom against the backdrop of a chilling dystopia.
