Scavenger

Author: Bradley Caffee
Genre: Sci/Fi Fantasy YA
Pages: 292
Series: The Keeper #1
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink

It only took three years for the virus to exterminate ninety percent of the world's population.

In a world decimated by the lethal virus, Jimmy Hunter is a scavenger. Using his skills as a drone pilot, he searches his nearly vacant city for tradeable goods to help him and his two friends, Elena and Wyatt, survive each day. With criminals and violent militia roaming the streets, each trip away from the hideout is fraught with peril.

When his drone veers off-course, Jimmy discovers lost information about underground bunkers where civilization and resources are being preserved--kept secret by a group known as the Keepers. Knowledge is dangerous in his world, especially with the leader of the Brotherhood, Mr. Quinn, out to claim any resources as his own and lock down his iron grip on the city.

With the Brotherhood on his heels and the pressure to provide for his companions, can Jimmy uncover the truth about the bunkers? Or now that he's become a Keeper, will he surrender his knowledge to save the lives of his friends?

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Reviewer: Rick Norris

Scavenger by Bradley Caffee is a fun read if you are into Christian post-apocalyptic (and dystopian) novels. In other words, “The Omega Man meets Left Behind.” It’s also a good Teen & Young Adult dystopian read.

In a world decimated by a lethal virus, Jimmy Hunter is a scavenger. Using his skills as a drone pilot, each day he searches his nearly vacant city for tradable goods to help him and his two friends, Elena and Wyatt, survive. With criminals and violent militias roaming the streets, each trip away from the hideout is fraught with peril.

When his drone veers off-course, Jimmy discovers information about underground bunkers where civilization and resources are being preserved—kept secret by a group known as the Keepers. But knowledge is dangerous in his world, especially with the leader of the Brotherhood, Mr. Quinn, out to claim any resources as his own and lock down his iron grip on the city.

I like the structure and movement of the story. Throughout the novel, the protagonist, Jimmy Hunter, gathers hope from an inscription his father gave him citing Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John 15:13. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We really don’t understand the full impact of this Scripture on Jimmy until later, during the story’s climax.

Jimmy describes his tragic existence in this line: “Ninety percent of the world’s population died, and I was left behind to survive. That’s what happened. Choosing to live among people who can keep me safe with the girl I want to be with doesn’t sound so crazy when you consider everything we’ve been through.”

The deceiving antagonist has a frame of mind that justifies his actions. It is summed up with this one sentence: “What I seek here is justice. A fair distribution of resources. To take back what was taken from us and share it with the rest of the population.”

However, his actions state otherwise. As the Bible states, we learn what’s in someone’s heart by their “fruits.” (Matthew 7)

The author does a great job of changing the tempo without sacrificing entertainment, inserting action-adventure with the tender hearts of young adults. I don’t recall a lull in the plot where I either felt lost or bored.

I highly recommend this reading. 

I received a review copy courtesy of the Mountain Brook Ink Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.

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Reviewer: Trinity Caver

Scavenger by Bradley Caffee is a sci-fi dystopian book that was an excellent first installment in the series, with Jimmy Hunter as the main male character. This story has a little bit of everything. Faith is present throughout the book, subtly, yet at the forefront. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a fairly quick read, so once you get a good start on it, it will be hard to put down until the end.

Jimmy and his two other friends are left behind when a pandemic breaks out and kills a huge portion of the world’s population. Jimmy, Wyatt and Elena have been on their own for three years, they must fend for themselves; hence they are called scavengers. They must hide where no one will find them to stay safe and to keep whatever they find to trade safe. As can be imagined, the world is not a nice place, with many people looking for food and a safe place to call home.

There are some areas that people know to stay away from. One is the military posts, and the other is what is known as the dark sector. The rumors about that place usually keep people out alone. Mr. Quinn is the big boss in the dark sector. He has under bosses, who tend to keep order on the outside of the dark sector. These bosses are sometimes in the trading areas. One day at the trading place, Jimmy and friends had an unusual encounter there. Later they meet Mr. Quinn up close and personal. This is where Jimmy, Wyatt and Elena’s adventures really take a turn and lines will be drawn. Will they cross them? Mr. Quinn is really not as bad as the rumors say, or is he?

The ending sets up the next book of the series nicely, not really a cliffhanger, but a segue. There seems to be no doubt as to what adventure they will take on, but how they go about it is sure to be a story that will captivate. I, for one, will be looking out for the next book in the series. I hope to get my hands on it as soon as possible. Pick this one up. I think you will enjoy it and be glad you did.

I received a complimentary copy from Mountain Brook Ink through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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