I never heard of this author but picked the arc thru Netgalley just because of the cover of the book. It’s so whimsy with the closed eyed ladies, the waves and fluffy cotton candy looking clouds. Definitely the book doesn’t really fit with the novel - it’s more sci fi mix with a bit of thriller aspect. Not as warm and ‘happy’ as the novel cover. But the novel is definitely an interesting read. Two sisters that couldn’t be any more different - one is more social while the other one more factual minded. Both are equally smart and self reliant. By the 8th or so chapter, we know what happens to Cee. It was somewhat confusing to me how Joan He writes Kasey’s narrative as 3rd person while Cee’s was in first POV. The only conclusion I came up with was one perspective is current narrative and the other one is in past for the reader? Either way, it’s an interesting story also with underlining importance of how humans basically screw themselves in not persevering Earth’s resources. And how pollution, fossil fuel and our own greed kills the eco system. This book went a bit over my head but I can respect the author’s work. It’s beautifully written. Thank you Netgalley for my arc copy and this review is my own honest opinion.

3.5 Stars but rounding up to 4. I was given an e-arc in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. This was a unique piece from Joan He, a first foray into light science fiction. The writing was beautiful and the overall plot was alluring, but the execution wasn’t quite there for me. I was confused on many accounts because things were not directly said. More so insinuated and the reader had to make do with what they were given. I will always favor more concrete plot over abstract ideas, and this one was more abstract. I didn’t really feel the love the sisters had for each other mainly because there weren’t any events with them...together.

But overall, the world is a solid setting and would love to see it more fleshed out. Hence, the round up to 4 stars.

The Ones We're Meant to Find is powerful, beautiful, and a sense of confusion that morphs itself into wonder. It's been a good month since I've finished this story and my brain still struggles to fully comprehend all that Joan He has packed into this novel. For a story that's set in the future where humanity has destroyed the earth and must live in floating eco-cities, its themes are incredibly timeless. Cee woke up on an abandoned island with no memory except that she needed to find her sister whereas Kasey lives in the sky and the last clue she has to her sister's disappearance is a washed-up boat.

The ocean plays such a powerful role in its imagery throughout the novel and Joan He masterfully leaves these crumbs that slowly connect as the characters themselves are coming to their own conclusions. Reading this was one of the most immersive experiences ever because the characters' exploration of the world, the societal structure, the relationship dynamics around them, become part of your own.

The relationship between Kasey and Cee is so dynamic that I don't think words could quite capture it fully. While Kasey is reserved and analytical, Cee is friendly and full of hope, but they are both driven by a strong sense of determination to do what they think is the right next step. Cee's character fits the more likable YA protagonist and that makes her storyline more interesting to read about at first, but Kasey's personality reflects that rational and ambitious drive that is part of every individual. As you learn more about the sisters' relationship with each other, there's almost a sense of self-discovery as the reader because you cannot leave this novel without finding something new about yourself through either Kasey or Cee's journey.

It's truly best to go in knowing as little as possible because no expectations can quite prepare you for what happens in this novel. Just keep in mind that your ideas of climate change, the future of society, the definition of loyalty to one's family - it will all be challenged and expanded.

First and foremost I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an early copy to read and review. This book is about two sisters that are separated by the sea but the reality of this is much more intense. What also took me by surprise is that this is a sci-fi book, and I was not expecting that. I felt that the writing style of thrilling, exciting, and sucked me in. I truly felt like this was such a unique book.

Cee washes up on shore but she is alone. Her only memory is of a sister she needs to find. Kasey lives in a Skydome which is the last place on earth that is not polluted. Though they have been separated for years, they both are desperate to be together again despite the talk of the other being dead.

The writing style is actually unique. I've never read a book with two types of narration being told - so just fair warning for those who may be confused as I was. However, it comes together as to why it's told in this way and the ending is just *chefs kiss*. There is a little bit or romance which I enjoyed, the world building was completely captivating. The twists and the turns will leave you wanting more and more and more.

It has now been a few days since finishing this book and I’m still not sure exactly how to put the experience I just had into words. I normally like to write my reviews immediately upon finishing- when my emotions and feelings are still fresh so I can articulate myself best but that didn’t happen this time. I gave it a few days because sometimes I need the thoughts to simmer and marinate but they are still roiling. The sauce of my words have yet to thicken into full-bodied life but I think, in this case, I will simply try to do my best to convey the emotions this book gave me and invite you to go on your own journey.
Now is the point in the review where I would normally try to sum up the premise in a nice concise paragraph but this is a much more complex book than that and to try to do that will not only give away some of the mystery of the book but also steal part of the journey. The best I can do is say that this story is told in dual POVs of two sisters, Ceila and Kay, and part of the mystery is how exactly their separate storylines relate to each others or line up and take place.
The Ones We’re Meant to Find is moving and emotional, gripping and mysterious, yet haunting and lyrical all while telling a fascinating cli-fi story of a world in the grips of natural disasters of humankind’s own making as the human race tries to find ways to survive on a dying planet. I could not put this book down and it burrowed into my heart and stayed there. Joan was so clever in her choices and so striking and vivid in all the right places. I’ve never read a book quite like this one before and I honestly don’t think I ever will again. I love sci-fi stories and that element of this book really intrigued me but, at the end of the day, as a sister myself, I was most impacted by the tale of the sisters.
It will live with me for a while yet and if you are very lucky and if you choose to go on this journey, it will live with you too. Take the plunge, The Ones We’re Meant to Find is an experience worth taking for yourself.

This book is really good, and I mean, really, really good folks. The book follows Cee, a girl who awoke on an abandoned island with no idea of how she got there. The only things she has on this island is a house that is falling apart, and an old android and one singular memory: That Cee has a sister, and she needs to find her. It also follows Kasey, a STEM prodigy, who lives in The Metropolis, the last place on Earth that remains unpolluted. The Metropolis is meant to be a sanctuary for those that are committed to planetary protection, but it is filled with people willing to do anything for refuge from the elements outside. Now Kasey must decide if she's ready to use science to save humanity, even those who failed Earth.

The plot was unexpected and a breath of fresh air. I have not read much light sci-fi as I typically prefer space operas and harder sci-fi, but this one was very good. The pacing in the beginning was slow, but it really built up and sped up after the 25% point. It was unpredictable and left me screaming "What the fuuu" every 50 pages or so.

The worldbuilding and the way the world felt so real and believable made the story that much more enjoyable. The characters touched the world, not the other way around, and the bonds of sisterhood propelled the novel to the unexpected ending. There were twists and moments of intrigue that left me breathless and the mystery of it all left me wanting more and more. I just could not put this book down. It was easy to sit and read over 100 pages in one sitting because I just needed to know what Cee and Kasey were going to do next.

The novel also touched on the ever present and long lasting effects of climate change on our world and I think Joan He did a really great job weaving this very real and very hard-hitting issue into a story about sisters overcoming all to reunite. Climate change is something that we hear a lot about today. We hear plenty about the effects and what humans may have to go through in the next few decades, and this book is no different. It shows humanity on the brink of destruction and what they'll do to ensure their continued existence.

This book told the story of two sisters in a very near-future timeline that felt real and hard-hitting while also feeling fantastical. I don't want to give too much about the plot away, because if I do, it might give away some twists that had me sobbing and open mouthed, but what I will say is I loved the characters. They were flawed but so colorful and real, with their own unique voices.

Another thing that left me speechless, were the ever present bonds of sisterhood and the way that the characters would go to the ends of the earth to find each other. The writing was vivid and fresh, and Joan He does not spoon feed you anything. She presents the world and it's problems and lets you come to your own conclusions from there. The world and the issues the characters face in TOWMTF are real and complex are are their solutions.

I will say no more, because this book is one that you want to go into with very little prior knowledge. It's the way I went into it, and it's the way I recommend you go into it. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone and plan on getting myself a finished copy on release day!

Joan He's The Ones We're Meant to Find is a complex, beautiful story of love and constant questioning of what it means to be human. In a future destroyed by climate change (/by the choices of humans), two sisters, Cee and Kasey Mizuhara, are desperate to find one another after being separated.

The story is gripping -- it often felt as if you were reading from opposite ends that met in the middle, with constant surprises and twists. This is a book I'm sure to revisit (I have already preordered a hard copy!) and every piece of this feels intentional. The Ones We're Meant to Find had me reflecting on familial love and need and the balance of ethics. I questioned deeply the idea of what defines humanity and the balances of power and agency. Where does selfishness end and love begin?

This book isn't an easy read because it is so multilayered, but I believe this is an incredible strength of an intricately woven story.

This book was nothing like I expected and I really enjoyed this!! The storyline, character development, word-building everything is too good! There are so many plot twist that you'll forget your own existence! My head was spinning with the shock!

The story is about two sisters - Celia and Kasey, Celia had been surviving on an abandoned island to find her sister!
The story left me speechless! I couldn't gather my thoughts to describe it!

Definitely recommend this if you like thriller or sci-fi books with heart-rending twists!

A very enjoyable book! If you are a science fiction fan, looking for a book with plot twists and sisters’ bonds, then you should definitely pick up The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He, you won’t be disappointed.

Read the full review at our blog (link attached)

We would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing us a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated releases based on the cover alone. Now onto the book. This one started off a little confusing and I felt completely disoriented. Almost like you should know what was going on but didn't. I understand that was part of the uncovering of the mystery but it dragged and made the pacing very slow. Once the story hit around 42% in it started to pick up and you got a little bit of what was going on. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. The beginning was worth pushing through to get to the end and all the discoveries.

Characters - 9/10
I'm going to try to not sound like a blubbering fool, but OMG this book was beautiful. I related so hard to Kasey. I loved her character and her relationships with the people around her. Reading from her POV was a joy and she was just so easy to like. I need more STEM women in sci-fi and YA, please. Her relationship with Act was one of my favourite relationships. I need a follow-up that explores their relationship after the end of this book. Peak friends(lovers?)-to-enemies energy.

Cee gave me so many emotions. I loved her so much and she was just such a likable character. I will admit I didn't quite buy her relationship with Hero, but it wasn't bad. And I love that the main relationship in this book is the one between Cee and Kasey. I need more YA stories centered around siblings, thanks.

Atmosphere - 10/10
The worldbuilding was STELLAR. The design of the eco-cities just blew me away and I enjoyed the eco-disaster background. I loved the realistic problems the world faces and the class system is such a human thing to do.

The island and the mysteries surrounding the island had me hooked. It played such an important part in the story and He just used the surroundings and the world so well.

Writing - 9/10
The writing was superb. Joan He is a genius and I cannot even begin to grasp her brilliance. I could not stop reading. The start of the book is a little confusing, but as you go on the pieces fall into place and your mind is just blown.

Plot - 9/10
This was a pretty fast-paced book, but I felt like the big reveal could have been done a little later. This is also a standalone, but I wish we could have gotten more. The story is so good and I really need more of Kasey and Act. This is by far one of my favorite sci-fi books I have read to date.


Intrigue - 10/10
He is most definitely a genius writer. The way the conflicts in this story play out and intertwine was amazing. I don't have the vocabulary to even describe it properly. The conflicts between Act and Kasey, Hero and Cee, Cee and Kasey, and even Celia and Kasey were just so WELL DONE. I was hanging on every word.

Logic - 9/10
The way this book is structured just blew my mind. We get both a first-person and a third-person POV, but you're never confused about what is happening. The change happens so naturally and it reads so naturally. Both Cee and Kasey's POVs have different tones and different voices. Their chapters are structured in a way that the future mirrors the events in the past. It is BRILLIANT.

Enjoyment - 10/10
Read this book. Even if you don't like sci-fi. You will like it after this. There are so many layers to this book I cannot even begin to unpack them all. I will be rereading this for sure.

A huge thank you to TBR and Beyond and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review!!

CW: terminal illness, suicide, violence (including choking), death, death of parent (off page), vomiting, large scale natural disasters and mass casualties, some gore.

I absolutely loved this book! This was my first Joan He book and a part of me wished I read DOTC first just to see how she writes fantasy as opposed to this book which is more sci-fi.

This book started off as an intriguing story between sisters separated by the sea as they go on the journey of finding each other again to a more Black Mirror-esque, thriller sci-fi story about saving humanity.

The concept of eco-cities, intrafaces, antiskins and holographs was so interesting! This book is set in a possible future where the outside is deemed almost toxic and they’re forbidden to touch anything first hand without having to decontanimate themselves. Holo-ing is usually done instead so they can be in certain places to see and “experience” things without actually being there. It was fascinating reading about these people live in this circumstance and have it as their normal.

This book is told in two POVs. First with Cee during her experience of being stranded on this island and trying to get back while only having the memory of her name and her sister. At that point, it was already three years after she got lost at sea. Then we have Kay whose timeline is set months after Cee’s disappearance with some flashbacks of their time together before she disappeared. Though the timeline between their POVs jumps all throughout so it’s a bit difficult to determine exactly where they are at a certain point as you read through but once you finish, you get to see the bigger picture and how both POVs really come together so that was super interesting!

This was a fast-paced book to the point that I didn’t even realize I was more than halfway through. Amidst the world building and getting used to all these terms and the overall feel of the setting, it just didn’t feel as overwhelming or heavy as I thought. I found it easy to get into and found both POVs to be engaging.

Personally, I prefered Cee’s POV more especially with her eccentricity. I could feel the determination from Cee’s narration and her casual optimism which makes it more entertaining. I loved her relationship with U-Me and Hero!! I just loved the relationship and eventual romance between Cee and Hero! It’s perfectly told and I wouldn’t have it any other way 🥺

As for Kay’s POV, I felt so curious all throughout as she unravels the secrets Cee may have been keeping from her. Her relationship with Admiticum was so interesting to say the least especially towards the end. Another reason why I really love her narration is because of how I could relate so much to her. I felt for her anxiety and the way she reacts to people. Though, I felt that Kay’s narration had much more technicality to the point that I found myself lost on some of the terms and concepts they were talking about and I was just left feeling “what did I just read?” everytime. The heart stopping twists were so unexpected and that just goes to show how free flowing the writing was that I just didn’t see it coming until it was at my face.

Overall, this book was an unforgettable story between two lovable sisters, two interesting boys and an adorable robot companion set in a futuristic world that is both fascinating and terrifying. Joan He’s writing is so raw and captivating that I’m not surprise by how much of a page turner this book was! I highly recommend if you’ve loved her previous book or if you just want a heartfelt story to remember by for the rest of your days 🥺

Thank you to Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When two sisters are separated for unknown reasons, they are determined to find their way back in this sci-fi thriller that will have your head spinning at the plot twists and an ending that will stay with you long after you have finished. If you read anything this year make it this one!

This was such a twisty, mind-bending sci-fi written with thoughtful worldbuilding and a vivid setting; the beautiful, atmospheric language used to describe the ocean was just stunning. I highly enjoyed The Ones We're Meant To Find and I cannot wait for more of Joan He's books!

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He is a poetic work of eco-fiction that’s told from the alternating perspectives of two sisters trying to cross the ocean that divides them.

Cee:
It’s been three years since Cee washed ashore an island. She has no recollection of how got there or much of her life before. All she knows is that she has a sister named Kay and that she must get back to her.

Kay:
Kay is an antisocial STEM prodigy who lives in a high-tech eco-city—one of the last safe havens from the effects of climate change. Following her sister’s disappearance, she tries to retrace Cee’s footsteps and figure out what made her to leave in the first place.

Overall, asides from Cee’s struggle to survive on and leave the island, I found the technology aspects of the book to be the most interesting part of the story. Joan He introduces some really cool conceptual ideas here that remind me of Black Mirror. For instance, the citizens of eco-cities live out the non-essential parts of their lives in virtual reality to conserve resources by “holoing.” They also have Interfaces built into their brains that allows them to record and rewind memories, and it even offers dialogue suggestions for conversations with others.

The story started off so promising to me.

However, about 1/3 of the way in, a boy is introduced for each sister and romantic tension ensues. These romantic subplots felt awkward and more like a distraction to what could have been an incredible story. This might be more of a “me issue,” but I would have much preferred the story had further explored its environmental and familial love themes as opposed to relationship drama with strangers. The former I would have found much more compelling.

All in all, this book teases deep philosophical questions without giving satisfying answers, and the ending was so abrupt that I had to do a double take to see that I had indeed finished the novel and this was indeed a standalone. In the end, its story feels sadly half-baked and incomplete to me, which is a shame since this had been one of my most highly-anticipated novels of the year.

Cee is the only person alive on an island. She doesn’t remember how she got there or much of her life before the island. She has spent three years building a boat to sail away to find her sister Kay, who she only remembers in snatches. Far away, Kasey is trying to navigate her own isolated life. Her sister, Celia has gone missing. Kasey follows her sisters last steps to find out what happened to her, uncovering her sisters secrets as she goes.
Cee and Kasey are equally my favorite characters. I love the sisters. They both sparkle with personality. Cee on her island is hard working, sarcastic, and a bit fanciful. She named every watercraft she built. I especially loved her with Hero and with U-Me. That little robot was so cute! Kasey on the other hand was more reserved, realistic, introverted then Cee was. She was more science minded, analytical. She uses that mind of hers to trace her sisters last steps and find out what happened to her. Each of these characters is pulled towards their sister and it’s a pull they can’t let go.
The worldbuilding is so good. Joan creates two separate worlds and two separate story lines and yet manages to interweave them together so seamlessly. The island where Cee is stranded comes alive with Joan’s excellent prose. I could almost feel the water washing up the beach to pool around my feet as I stood on the sand.
This book was impossible to put down. There was so much packed into it. Romance, mystery, sisterly love, climate change, and more. All of it done masterfully. And that twist! I did not see it coming but it was good and everything made sense once it was revealed. This is a book anyone who is looking for a good dystopian, post-apocalyptic tale will want to dive right into immediately. 5/5

"None of us live without consequence. Our personal preferences are not truly personal. One person's needs will deny another's. Our privileges can harm ourselves and others."

Wow. This book was just wow 👏🏻 It has been a few days and I still can't stop thinking about the plot twist towards the end. This was a really beautiful story with so much depth. I couldn't put it down! If you're looking for a well-written gripping sci-fi novel, this is perfect for you! And it comes out in two days so you won't really have to wait that long to jump into Joan's latest masterpiece.

Rating: 4.5/5

Man, oh, man... I really wanted to like this book so much. From the description and the cover, everything about it seemed intriguing.

Right off the bat, this book is confusing. I thought it’d get better along the way, but I actually just ended up getting more confused. The wording and terminology of it made the world building more complex then it needed to be.

Something I really did like was Cee’s point of view. Kay’s chapters were a drag, when I felt even she had more potential to do more than what she was written as.

The story wasn't a complete bust, but the “plot twist”, was also very confusing to me and I still don’t fully understand it. Overall, I give this an average of 3 stars. Thank you to Joan He, NetGalley, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an ebook arc in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received the e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The ones We’re Meant to Find

Author: Joan He

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Asian main characters and side characters

Recommended For...: ya readers, sci-fi lovers, dystopian readers, thrill seekers

Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 16+ (suicide TW, grief, terminal illness, violence, gore, drowning, choking to death, sex mention)

Publisher: Roaring Book

Pages: 384

Synopsis: Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years without any recollection of how she arrived, or memories from her life prior. All she knows is that somewhere out there, beyond the horizon, she has a sister named Kay. Determined to find her, Cee devotes her days to building a boat from junk parts scavenged inland, doing everything in her power to survive until the day she gets off the island and reunites with her sister.

In a world apart, 16-year-old STEM prodigy Kasey Mizuhara is also living a life of isolation. The eco-city she calls home is one of eight levitating around the world, built for people who protected the planet―and now need protecting from it. With natural disasters on the rise due to climate change, eco-cities provide clean air, water, and shelter. Their residents, in exchange, must spend at least a third of their time in stasis pods, conducting business virtually whenever possible to reduce their environmental footprint. While Kasey, an introvert and loner, doesn’t mind the lifestyle, her sister Celia hated it. Popular and lovable, Celia much preferred the outside world. But no one could have predicted that Celia would take a boat out to sea, never to return.

Now it’s been three months since Celia’s disappearance, and Kasey has given up hope. Logic says that her sister must be dead. But as the public decries her stance, she starts to second guess herself and decides to retrace Celia’s last steps. Where they’ll lead her, she does not know. Her sister was full of secrets. But Kasey has a secret of her own.

Review: This book. Oh my goodness. This book is my favorite read of April! I absolutely loved the characters, the world building, and everything about this book. The book is a perfect mix of thriller and sci-fi and dystopian and it makes my heart so so happy! The characters were so well developed as was the world building. The book also had a great plot and it kept me reading the book until the very end.

The only issue I had (and I’m only saying this because I have to put one) is that some moments were a bit slowed down and I felt that the book focused too much on the sci-fi elements and not the thriller ones, but other than that it was absolutely perfect for me.

Verdict: Highly recommend!

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

The Ones We’re Meant to Find was an atmospheric and twisty read that brought together science fiction and climate fiction in a dystopian world– with Studio Ghibli vibes for extra spice.

Reading this book was a unique experience that had its ups and downs and at the end I felt a strange mix of awe, poignancy and bewilderment that left me mulling over the story for days afterwards. The Ones We’re Meant to Find is something special, the sort of book that stays with you, lingering in the corners of your mind. I don’t think I was as emotionally invested as I wanted to be but I appreciated the depth and scope of the story, the nuanced characters and subversion of the usual tropes.

At the beginning of the book I was very, very confused and had no idea what was going on but as I progressed I realised that was how I was supposed to feel. The book is structured in a way that confuses you in the start as you grapple to understand this ravaged dystopian world and the characters’ places in it and there is a distinct sense that something is not right but as a reader you lack the necessary information to know what that something is.

As the book progresses you are gradually given the puzzle pieces and there was a point where I had a giant OHH! moment because I finally had enough pieces to make sense of it all. If you don’t like books that have convoluted plots and never spell anything out explicitly to the reader then this is definitely not for you. But I would also say if you start reading and feel disheartened because you don’t understand what is happening I would advise you to keep going because it all comes together eventually and it does so beautifully.

“Alone is an island. It’s an uncrossable sea, being too far from another soul, whereas lonely is being too close, in the same house yet separated by walls because we choose to be”

The story focused on Cee and Kasey and switched between their vastly different perspectives. Cee was passionate, lively and determined and her chapters were full of hope and pain and longing. On the other hand, Kasey was a genius who was logical and very emotionally detached. She often wondered why she was different to everyone else, why she felt less, reacted less, became less attached to others… felt less human.

I loved how He emphasised the contrast between them by writing Cee’s perspective in the first person and Kasey’s in the third. Cee was likeable in a very conventional way that I think most people would relate to but Kasey’s character was refreshing and different to what we normally see in YA fiction. She wasn’t what anyone would usually describe as likeable but I think a lot of people will be able too see themselves in her too.

The book was set in an Earth poisoned by humans beyond repair and plagued with extreme weather and devastating natural disasters, the only refuge being eco cities that floated in the sky. The book questioned if humanity deserved to be saved if it had brought its own demise upon itself. If it was more important to live freely or live in a way that preserved our planet. If it was fair that innocent people had to suffer for the destructive, polluting acts of others. It served as a chilling reminder that our greed and unsustainable lifestyles are pushing the planet over the brink.

At a personal level, the book explored the bond between two sisters that not even the ocean or hundreds of years could sever. The relationship between Kasey and her sister was rocky at times and they had very different perspectives on life but I loved how their unconditional love for each other shone through with every decision they made.

There is so much more that I want to say about this book that I can’t in this review because it would spoil the most important parts. The best way to go into the book is with absolutely no idea what it’s about beyond the little information provided in the summary so that the plot twists and turns have the maximum impact. The Ones We’re Meant to Find is a story brimming with profound emotion that spills over the pages, straight into your heart. I definitely recommend it!