In the near future, a group of girls survive by their own wits and follow the laws of the Manual on the Hill, a reclaimed garbage dump they call home. The cardinal rule? Men and boys spell danger.

After a Departure Ceremony releases the eleven oldest girls back to the Mainland, Wren becomes their new leader, and she's desperate to do a good job.So when one of the girls goes missing only a few hours into her new position, Wren makes the fateful decision to leave the Hill in search of the girl—only to encounter boys for the first time in her life. Is it a coincidence, then, that the Hill is attacked while she's gone?

In order to survive and lead her community, Wren must sort fact from fiction, ally from enemy, and opportunity from threat.The Hill is a feminist dystopian novel that explores gender, power, and the search for truth in a world defined by scarcity, distrust, and gender politics. Gritty and compassionate, Bryan's unforgettable novel shines a light on the consequences of consumerism and environmental neglect while reminding us what it takes to be a girl in this world.

Hits all the right apocalyptic notes. A great pick for forward-thinking feminist teens.—BOOKLISTLyrical writing and deep worldbuilding make for an immersive reading experience.—KIRKUS REVIEWS

Ali Bryan is a personal trainer who grew up in Halifax and attended high school in Sackville, New Brunswick. She is a graduate of St. Mary's University and completed a graduate certificate in creative writing from the Humber School for Writers under the tutelage of Paul Quarrington. She was a finalist in the 2010 CBC Canada Writes literary contest for her essay "Asshole Homemaker" and a bronze medalist in the 2012 Canada Writes literary triathlon. Ali lives in Calgary with her husband and three children. Her real name is Alexandra. Roost is her first novel.

Ali Bryan's profile page

• Long-listed, Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize
• Short-listed, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour
• Winner, Emerging Artist
• Short-listed, Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Prize
• Short-listed, Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Prize
• Winner, One Book Nova Scotia Pick
• Short-listed, Trade Fiction Book of the Year
• Long-listed, Alberta Readers' Choice Award
• Winner, Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction
• Long-listed, Creative Non-Fiction Award
• Long-listed, Creative Non-Fiction Award

The Hill is a quick and entertaining read, bursting with subtext for the times in which we live and warnings for where we might be headed: evermore toward a separation of genders and ideologies, cultural amnesia, fear of the other, and a reckoning for living an unnatural, narrow and obedient existence.—ATLANTIC BOOKSHits all the right apocalyptic notes. A great pick for forward-thinking feminist teens.—BOOKLISTLyrical writing and deep worldbuilding make for an immersive reading experience.—KIRKUS REVIEWS