This one is heartbreaking and horrifying, and it was so well done. It reminded me of Station Eleven, but it also has shades of Parable of the Sower inThis one is heartbreaking and horrifying, and it was so well done. It reminded me of Station Eleven, but it also has shades of Parable of the Sower in how it tackles survival and resilience.
Nonie is such a sympathetic main character, and her voice really carried the story for me. The flashbacks were seamless and added depth—they never felt like interruptions but instead enriched what was happening in the present.
I also appreciated how the book didn’t sugarcoat anything. The dangers of a flooded world and the breakdown of authority are portrayed in a way that feels terrifyingly plausible. At the same time, the group’s dedication to preserving knowledge and finding a purpose beyond survival kept the story from being too bleak.
This is one of the best cli-fi books I’ve read in a while. It’s not just about the big, apocalyptic changes but also the small, human moments of connection and perseverance. It’s definitely a heavy read, but there’s just enough hope to make it feel worth it. A solid five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press!...more
I absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The intI absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The interwoven stories of survival and hope kept me hooked from start to finish.
None of the characters were purely likable, but they were all compelling in their own ways, forcing me to stay invested in their struggles.
I loved the messages about sustainability and hope in such a bleak future. My only minor gripe was how neatly everything wrapped up in the end, which felt a little too tidy given the harshness of the story. That said, it didn’t take away from how incredible this book was overall—highly recommend!
If Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought exIf Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought experiment, and the writing is so good I was hooked the whole way through.
The premise is wild: one day, all the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water and disappear. A year later, Charlie Brunton, a Black professor and ex-convict, gets a call from his daughter Sidney, who’s been isolating herself in Wisconsin ever since the event. The two of them—estranged and carrying plenty of baggage—set off on a road trip through a world that’s completely changed. Along the way, they face what it means to be Black in this "post-racial" America while trying to figure out their own complicated relationship. It’s equal parts heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and totally unique.
I know some reviews have slammed the ending, but I liked it. I’m all for open-ended stories that make you think, and this one felt like it ended exactly where it should. That said, my one gripe is Sidney. She felt a little flat at the beginning, more like a caricature than a real person, and that made some of the more emotional parts of the book miss a beat for me. But it’s a small thing in an otherwise great book.
And a note: some of the reviews I’ve seen are just baffling. Did we read the same book? People saying the author is spewing hate or calling for genocide: no. That’s not what this is. This book is about race, identity, and what happens when power structures are flipped on their heads. It’s supposed to make you uncomfortable. That’s the point.
In the end, Sky Full of Elephants is a book that sticks with you. It’s sharp, original, and packed with heart. I’m looking forward to whatever Cebo Campbell writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster!...more
Post-apocalyptic climate fiction reminiscent of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Sil, our young protagonist, lives in The Morningside with her mothPost-apocalyptic climate fiction reminiscent of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Sil, our young protagonist, lives in The Morningside with her mother, the super. They are outsiders, and her mother will not talk about their past and will not let Sil discuss their history with anyone. This is a world ravaged by climate change, and there is hope that things are getting better.
In lots of ways, the book is bleak, but it’s also about the wonder of childhood, what parents do to protect their children, and human resilience. The book tackles big topics but through an engaging narrative.
I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House!...more
I was sold on this one by the title alone; it's just fantastic. I hadn't read anything by Christy before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I love I was sold on this one by the title alone; it's just fantastic. I hadn't read anything by Christy before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I love time loop books, and I love apocalypse books, so I figured this would be a good one to try.
The world has stopped and is now filled with loopers: people who are stuck in time loops, reliving the same seconds, minutes or hours over and over again. The world has ended, and Coco is alone in NYC among the loopers until she discovers others like her who are not subject to loops.
This novel spans decades, tackles some big questions, but also dives deeply into the lives of Coco and others. It was really fast-paced except for a small section around the 2/3 part, but then it picked up again. I'd highly recommend this. It's innovative but also heart-wrenching.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jackson Dickert!...more
December 2024: Apparently the author is reworking this for traditional publishing and thinks the new work is much improved, so I think I’ll shelf it fDecember 2024: Apparently the author is reworking this for traditional publishing and thinks the new work is much improved, so I think I’ll shelf it for now and pick it back up then. Really enjoyed what I’ve read so far!
Update, May 2025: I only got through the first couple of chapters prior to putting this down (to wait for publication), so I'm not sure what changed from the self-published version. This was great, though! The ideas are big, and I've never read anything quite like this before. There are complex science fiction ideas and deep character studies. Some chapters are paced like thrillers, some are more introspective.
The whole book is compelling, but the first half is easier to follow and really engaging. I'll definitely need to re-read the second half because I'm sure I missed things.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books!...more
Some authors subtly recap the last book so you don't have to remember exactly what happened. Johnson absolutely does not do that. Maybe that's becauseSome authors subtly recap the last book so you don't have to remember exactly what happened. Johnson absolutely does not do that. Maybe that's because this isn't a direct sequel (it takes place years later and with a focus on new characters), but you are left struggling a bit if you don't remember The Space Between Worlds.
Do I wish I had reread The Space Between Worlds before starting this? 100%. Did I still love it? Also 100%.
I loved the sweeping scope of this book and how it dealt with such big, meaningful themes. Johnson makes a statement with this book: it says important things. I loved revisiting this world and these characters. I loved the politics, but I also loved all the small relationships between people.
I'd never read one of Robinson's books before, so I read a lot of reviews before choosing this one. I'm kind of shocked at how bad I thought this was.I'd never read one of Robinson's books before, so I read a lot of reviews before choosing this one. I'm kind of shocked at how bad I thought this was. This is pretty much a modern retelling of Abraham's story from the Bible in the setting of a kaiju apocalypse. (Kaiju are those giant monsters found in movies like Godzilla.) Sounds pretty great, right?
Well, our protagonist is a total Mary Sue, and it is amazingly annoying. (This review sums up how I felt about him.) And the plot relies on so many coincidences to work.
There are some glimmers of genius here, hence the two stars rather than one, and I do appreciate how fast-paced it was....more
Not the best start to a Hugh Howey series I've ever read, and I have some serious doubts about the technology described actually being feasible in thiNot the best start to a Hugh Howey series I've ever read, and I have some serious doubts about the technology described actually being feasible in this post-apocalyptic world. My inability to suspend my disbelief really cut into my ability to enjoy this book....more