I saw reviewers raving about this book on Goodreads and a few blogs. Being a sci-fi fan, I had to request it.

While this cover is beautiful, it doesn’t scream sci-fi/dystopia. I honestly assumed it was YA contemporary until I read the description, and I’m afraid it may be targeting the wrong group of readers. The worldbuilding is the big standout for me in this novel. Earth is overpolluted and nearly uninhabitable, and citizens have taken to living in ecocities in the sky. If you rank high enough, that is. Most people don’t and have little chance of getting in. Oceans are poisoned and natural disasters occur frequently, killing millions. Time is running out.

Told in alternating POVs between Cee and Kasey, discrepancies in their stories arise early in the book. By Cee’s count, she’s been on the island three years. Kasey says she’s been missing only months. The mystery about what exactly is going on will keep readers turning the pages, but I have to admit I guessed it early. I’ve probably read too many sci-fi books, but I came across a similar premise in another novel a few years ago that clued me in.

If contemporary fans pick this up, I suspect the strong bond between the sisters will be the draw for them, and it’s a driving force in the plot. Cee loves life and is carefree, while Kasey is more at home in a science lab working alone. With me being more a fan of sci-fi than contemporary, the relationship aspect didn’t appeal to me as much.

It’s a grim story, but comes with stunning plot twists that have surprised most readers and complex worldbuilding. If you’re a fan of sci-fi/dystopia who enjoys mysterious puzzles or like reading novels with strong sibling bonds, this book may captivate you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I liked the descriptions in beginning. I liked he characters and dialogue . I couldn't quite get hooked in beginning.

This is one of those books that will definitely divide opinion. I realise that a lot of people are very excited about this book and let's face it the beautiful cover just adds to the anticipation. Two sisters estranged and yet desperately seeking each other is the main drive of this story and yet there are so many messages woven into it concerning our planet and the dangerous way we constantly have disregarded it.
We meet Cee the eldest sister alone on an island with just a robot as company. She remembers her sister Kasey but nothing else and is determined to escape and find her sister. I loved Cee and her boundless energy within what felt very much like a Robinson Crusoe/Castaway feel and yet even then it just felt almost surreal.
Kasey is cold, detached and because every scene about her featured lots of technical details at times if blunt it didn't always immediately make sense. She's in a privileged position and desperate for answers about her sister who is believed dead but is she just missing ? Kasey takes matters into her own hands and starts to track down Cee but the answers she finds change her and her perception of the world around her.
This is sci fi with a strong dystopian feel as its about a world that is virtually uninhabitable. Science and technology dominate and if you fear the advance of AI this will certainly make you think. I cannot lie and will state that I didn't really enjoy Kaseys part in this story although without it there wouldn't have been answers to the mystery surrounding Cee. This book left me feeling hollow and yes the author does try to put a positive spin as it winds up but unfortunately I am just left feeling sad. A unique idea but the execution particularly when it came to Kaseys scenes just didn't work for this reader.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

The cover caught my attention immediately. The description left me curious as to how it would all play out. After the first chapter I was confused, but by the second chapter things became more clear and I became invested in figuring what happened to these two sisters. The writing style does take some getting used to but eventually you become used to the flow and the story keeps you wanting more. It was a perfect blend of science fiction and soul searching that worked well for the story.

The story introduces you to Cee and Kasey. Cee is stuck on an island while Kasey is left behind missing her. The question of their separation lingers throughout the book and keeps you glued to the story. Readers slowly learn not everything is as it appears as more of the truth comes to light. I really enjoyed this story and the ideas presented. This novel is a creative and interesting story that I would recommend to others who enjoy science fiction and unique perspectives.

4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The Ones We're Meant to Find really caught me by surprise. It's rather slow pace, conflicting POVs and long setup certainly wouldn't be to everyones taste, but I absolutely adored it.

At its core, this book is about what it means to be human, about the responsibility we hold to be true to ourselves while still somehow balancing this with our responsibilities towards society as a whole. It's about loss, identity, deciding your own fate, building meaningful connections and the joy and pain they come with. It really resonated deeply with me, and I appreciate these issues being addressed in YA literature.

The concept is very intriguing as well - a science-heavy dystopia that could easily come to be. If you're looking into a read that explores the consequences that humanity's actions have on this planet, this one might be for you.

If you're into slow, introspective books where your initial confusion is rewarded by everything coming together in the end, definitely go and check this one out!

The cover for this book is goals...its contents not so much. I found this novel to be an odd melange of confusing and simple. The characters came across as flat (little more than names on a page), the world-building, although at first promising, ultimately struck me as patchy, and the storyline and twists were just not up my street. Still, I know that quite a lot of people are looking forward to this novel so I encourage prospective readers to check out some more positive reviews, as this may as well be one of those 'it's not it's me' cases.

The novel follows two sisters, the older one, Cee, has been stranded on an island for the past three years, while the younger one, Kasey, lives in one of the few existing eco-cities and is trying to make sense of Cee's disappearance. Climate and environmental disasters have made eco-cities refuges for humanity. Of course, not everyone is allowed entrance in eco-cities, and in spite of their utopian promises, eco-cities' such as Kasey's are incredibly classists (people are 'ranked, the cities themselves have stratified structure and those who live in the lower stratums lead less privileged lifestyles than those on 'top'). Although much of Kasey and Cee's world remains largely unexplored we do get some details about life in their eco-city. For example, we learn that 'holoing' is a green alternative which allows the citizens of the eco-city to conduct 'nonessential activities' in the holographic mode. There is also Intraface which allows its users to capture their memories as well as apps which can 'adjust' a person's serotonin levels. Kasey, who is a very logical person and who makes sense of the world around her through a scientific lens, finds herself, somewhat uncharacteristically one could say, trying to find what happened to her sister, even if she's convinced that Cee is dead.
Meanwhile, Cee has been trying to leave the island she woke up on. She desperately wants to be reunited with Kasey, and is prepared to risk her life in her attempt to build a raft/boat that will allow her to set forth into the ocean. Cee recollects very little about her former life and seems to have entirely forgotten about the existence of the eco-city or the rest of the world. All she knows is that she has to find her sister.

Here are the problems that I had with this novel (minor-spoilers below):

→the writing itself. Cee's sections are narrated in the 1st person, Kasey's in the 3rd. Something switching between perspectives can enhance a story (as with Red at the Bone, Everything Here is Beautiful, The Travelers, or anything by N. K. Jemisin), but, more often than not, is unnecessary. Kasey remains remote, which is perhaps intentional, after all, the author goes above and beyond in order to emphasise how 'cold' and 'detached' and 'Not Like Other People' she is (it seemed weird that the possibility of her being neurodivergent was never raised or discussed considering how technologically advanced these eco-cities are—for example, if someone feels upset they can locate the source of that feeling, be it a memory or whatnot). Yet, on the other hand, being in Cee's head didn't do all that much for her character either. She doesn't know a lot, her inner monologue consists mostly of what she observes (the island, the ocean, the rocks, the sand, her shack, her robot helper). When the boy arrives her mind is mostly occupied with thoughts of him. Cee's sections also included some really purply phrases (her thoughts 'jellify', she feels the 'muchness' and 'littleness'). Although the writing was for the most part okay, there were a few too many clichéd phrases ("Sometimes [she] felt like a stranger in her own skin", "[she] did not belong–here or anywhere") and even the dialogues were full of platitudes and done to death lines such as "What could we achieve, if we worked together?"
→the world-building left too much unexplored. There was so much that did not make sense or did not convince me and yet, I was supposed to just buy into it? The few half-delivered explanations we get did little in terms of answering my questions or making sense.
→the characters....Cee and Kasey are the classic YA sisters. One is attractive, charming, everyone loves her. The other is quiet, logical, not driven by her feelings but by FACTS, and she just does not 'fit in'. I felt nothing for them, which sounds harsh, but it is the truth. They were painfully one-dimensional, and, the longer I read, the less I believed in them.
→insta-love, of the worst kind. The whole love storyline did not work for me.
→plot...it has its twists, I will give it that. But I just could not bring myself to believe in Kasey's arc (that they would just let her do what she wanted)
→we never learn much about the sisters' relationship to their parents

Sadly, the novel had very little to offer me. By the end of the novel (around the 80% mark) I was so bored and irritated by what I was reading that I ended up skim-reading the rest. There were too many lacunae (in both the world-building and storyline) and I never felt engaged by the characters or the author's style. I was hoping for something more compelling, and yes, the comparison to Ghibli definitely feels misleading.

I remember reading the author's debut novel, Descendant of the Crane, and being absolutely blown away. With The Ones We're Meant to Find author Joan He proves she can write, and that she can create complex and truly creative YA stories. I really hope she'll become one of the bigger names in the genre soon, because she deserves it.

This is a story about two sisters, separated by the ocean, and yet it's also so much more. There are elements of dystopia, science fiction and mystery, and it blends these in a way that I believe will connect with many readers who aren't necessary fans of these genres.

The Ones We're Meant to Find follows Cee, who has been living on an abandoned for three years, with only an old android to keep her company. She has a single memory: she has a sister, and she must find her.
We also follow Kasey, a STEM prodigy living on one of the few eco-cities left on a dying Earth, who's investigating what happened to her presumed dead sister, Celia.

I think the author did a great job at giving each sister their own, distinct voice. They are very opposite characters, and I loved the thought and detail that was put in their perspectives.

The worldbuilding was very interesting, and especially the way eco-cities were incoroporated into the story was extremely well done. I loved the exploration of how rank and numbers based on the damage you or your ancestors have done to the planet, determine whether you're allowed to live in one, or whether you're left in the territories and exposed to natural disasters. It allowed a lot of commentary on climate change and consumerism, which also made it feel like a realistic interpretation of a possible future.

I only saw while writing this review this book was pitched as having elements of Studio Ghibli, and I wholeheartedly agree. This book would make a great Studio Ghibli movie, at is has all the whimsy and heart set in a strange and enchanting world.

All in all, I loved how this story reading puzzled together, with all its nuance and moral ambiguity. It's very thought-provoking must-read for anyone who wants something different within the YA genre. Once this books hooks you, you're in for a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with layered characters weaving together a heart-wrenching tale of love and survival and humanity.

This book was interesting in that sometimes it felt like fantasy and other times like a dystopian. This brings the two genres together in a way that makes this book something everyone may enjoy. This story approaches several different concepts that truly bring in the Black Mirror comparison. Are humans a danger to themselves and the planet? Do they deserve the right to choose how to live if it diminishes the ability for others to live? I don’t always enjoy being placed in a think-piece situation with Sci-Fi. However, this book wrapped it up in lush writing and a fantastic plot, which made it an enjoyable process.
Part of me still has questions about the ending, wanting to know what happens to everyone. I’m a little sad this is a standalone, as I still have questions. Joan He has crafted a beautiful plot, with an interesting world and a thought-provoking ending. This was truly a fantastic book.

My full review will be posted on my blog on May 7th, 2021.

*An eARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Text Publishing and NetGalley!

What began as a tale about two sisters, separated by the sea and desperate to find each other, beautifully evolved into a striking and thought-provoking story; full of intrigue and mystery from start to finish.

The Ones We're Meant to Find follows two sisters. Cee awoke, alone, on an abandoned island three years ago with no idea of how she was marooned. All Cee has is a rickety house, and old android and a single memory: she has a sister, and Cee needs to find her. The other sister, Kasey, is a STEM prodigy who longs to escape from the science and home she once trusted. Living on Earth's last unpolluted place - The Eco-city - Kasey is forced to decide whether she's ready to use science to help humanity, even though it failed the people who mattered most.

This book is pitched as We Were Liars meets Black Mirror, with elements of Studio Ghibli. I can completely see and agree with the comparisons and would recommend this book to fans of the aforementioned. As a slight side note, I could totally see this book as a Studio Ghibli film. It was simultaneously whimsical and somber, and I hope that one day this book can get adapted - it has so much potential! This book definitely stands out on its own and is unique in its own way. The story is filled with mystery and plot twists that are so beautifully and subtly foreshadowed throughout the story, so that when the missing piece of the puzzle this book presents slides into place it is so satisfactory and rewarding.

The Ones We're Meant to Find is deeply emotional and touching in its exploration of sisterhood and the bonds that keep us rooted to ourselves and each other. The author writes so melodically and did such a good job at creating solid characters that were distinct from each other. I really appreciated the stylistic and narrative choices the author made when it came to presented Cee and Kasey's individual perspectives.

During the first part of the book I did find myself feeling a little overwhelmed by the world-building. This book is very much a sci-fi novel, so it took time to understand the concept of Kasey's world and to get into the flow of the book. However, as more of the truth was revealed it became easier to become absorbed in the world-building and I felt that a lot of my initial questions was answered.

This book was heartbreaking, poetic, hopeful and philosophical. There are so many conversations that could be had about this book, and whilst it's set in a dystopian word there is so many discussions - such as those about climate change and human mortality - that are relevant to the times we live in. The author has definitely become a new auto-buy author for me, and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time. What a beautiful and mysterious book.

(Side note: I have to say that the cover of this book is breathtaking. It might even be one of my favourite book covers of all time.)

I wanted to like this very badly. tHE COVER, The summary. PERFECTION.

This book is lyrical yes, structurally gorgeous, but confusing - purposely being vague and chaotic whenever possible. I simply could not finish it.

I will not be posting my review elsewhere since I did not finish this book.

4.5 stars

Haunting, melodic prose sets the backdrop for an ecological, dystopian thiller which is a masterpiece of writing craft, character work and climate activism. This is a book that I think would benefit a lot of people to read, the themes of climate change, preserving the world for future generations and human selfishness causing the downfall of humanity hit very hard, especially given our current world.

We are following two main perspectives, Kasey whom we get in 3rd person and Cee (or Celia) who is in 1st person and is Kasey's presumed dead sister, at the start of the book she seems to have been on a deserted island for the past 3 years and trying to escape to find her sister. From Kasey's POV we see events 3 months after Celia's presumed death, with the world on the brink of catastophe due to radioactive air and other pollutants, and Kasey investigating what happened to Celia.

The world building and imagery are fantastic. I loved the focus on the sea, there is something so magical and enchanting about the sea and I feel like it fit the tone of the book so well, this book would make such an excellent studio ghibli film. Also the idea of the world with the eco-cities in the sky was such a cool concept and being ranked by how eco-friendly you are and this determining your standing in society and whether you can live in the eco-cities or the terriorties which are what is left of the earth, with toxic air and rising sea levels, is a fascinating concept and I think reflects almost on eco-terrorism and scientists becoming almost god-like in determining peoples worth, but you can also see how it is so necessary for the survival of the human race. Some of the quotes hit so hard, I don't think I can share them because it's an ARC copy but the writing is impeccable.

The characters are also great, Kasey was probably my favourite and I'm not sure if the author intended it or not but she read to me as autistic, or at least had autistic traits and this was an interesting insight into her character. Also I think the choice to have her parts in 3rd person POV added to the mystery and distance she presents to the world. Also her genius and relentless pursual of science and saving the human race was really great to read about, and something I don't think we see a lot of, especially in women in YA (not the saving the world part, but the slightly low empathy women in STEM aspect). Celia was also another really interesting character, SPOILER I think it was really interesting to explore the idea of AI gaining agency and self awareness, and defying their programming. The relationship between the two sisters was also really well written, and done in a very nuanced way, especially with regard to grief and reconcilliation.

The only negative I have is sometimes I got a little lost, and it felt like there where holes in the story, this could have been intentional to fit the slightly meandering tone of the book, but I feel like it could have benefited form being a tiny bit longer to get some of the scenes that felt missing.

Some of the plot twists were absolutely fantastic, I honestly didn't see them coming but once you knew you could see the seeds and those are the best kind in my opinion. All the themes explored were just immpeccable and while I enjoyed descendant of the crane, Joan He's first book, this book was such a step up and something I think will appeal to a lot of people, whether regular readers of YA or not, this book transcends genres and is a great contemplation on the future of our world, it's climate, and the inherent humanity of saving it.

-`ˏ 5 stars ˎ´˗

Storyline -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
The news of her sister being lost at sea has left Kasey emotionless. Many assumed that she’s dead, but how can that be possible? Cee is lively and loved by everyone, there’s no way her life can simply end like this. . Meanwhile on an abandoned island Cee woke up confused about her current situation. The vast sea, a shabby little house, and a not so useful android are the only thing around her. Her mind is fuzzy and her vision is blurry but one thing is certain, she knows she has to find her way off this island and back home to her sister.

Characters -`ˏ 8/10 ˎ´˗
Kasey is a highly intelligent individual. Her mind can create things beyond people’s belief, which at one point caused her to be feared by others. It didn’t exactly affect her however as she prefers the non-interactions, understanding people’s emotions seems to be more complex than numbers. On the other hand, Cee is the polar opposite, she’s the center of everyone's attention as they get drawn into her energy. Cee loves to have fun and embark on risky adventures. They have their differences but once together all that doesn’t matter. Only thing that fails between them is proper communication when it's needed. They both conceal things to protect the other person, but that only ends up hurting them more once revealed.

Atmosphere -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
A world where life comfortability is based on ranks. Numbers determine whether you should live in the eco-city where everything is provided to you easily, or in territories where millions of people still die from natural disasters.
Trigger warning: terminal illness, depression, abuse (emotional and physical), death (mention), and loss of loved one.
*Excessive use of scientific terminology, you may have to google their definition.

Language -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
A labyrinth. Best way to describe the structure of this writing. The story timeline is not definitive, uncertain whether we are progressing forward or backward, only thing you’re assured of is reaching an end. Even the finest details such as Kasey's chapters being numerical and Cee’s shown as tallies has a tremendous impact.

Enjoyment -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
This was such a catastrophic experience. Kasey's perspective was very enlightening and opened up your eyes to the damage humanity has done to the planet and each other, this may be what we face in the future. Cee’s perspective however truly had my distress. She went beyond trying to survive, she had hope and determination, many people would have given up a long time. This is the kind of story I would have liked a part two, but I know it's better to leave it as it is. Still trying to process the ending because wow. Just wow.

*sidenote: My kitchen from this day forward should be known as the Fuel-Bar.
**sidenote: The idea of a gravitational device that lets you place furniture and walk on the roof sounds incredible. Just imagine all that extra space you can get in a tiny New York apartment.

“Everyone lived at the expense of someone else”

Let me just start off by saying that this book blew me away. It’s pitched as Black Mirror AND Studio Ghibli and I 100% agree.

What is this book about?

It starts with the tragic story of Cee, who woke up on an abandoned island, with only a (very) sweet android, a house, and a single memory: her sister, and Cee needs to find her.
Then we meet STEM prodigy, Kasey, who lives in the skydome, safe from the polluted Earth. Years have passed since the disappearance of her sister, and Kasey doesn't believe that she's dead, as everyone seems to think.

My opinions

*minor spoilers ahead*

Characters

Cee: I loved her point of view so much, and I quickly became attached to her. What amazed me is the sheer amount of ambition she has, continuing to do whatever she needs to find her sister( even though we find out later why she's like this, it still impressed me). She's also a very refreshing character to read about, putting a smile on your face and also breaking your heart at times.

Kasey: I also enjoyed reading from her perspective, even though she's unlikeable. She's questioning her morality which makes the story even better for me, and she's clearly a gray character. I loved loved lovedddddd her relationship with her sister, it was sweet and heart-rending at the same time.

Actinium: Not my favorite character.Dark-haired boy, tragic and mysterious past. Sure, he was interesting to read about, but also frustrating.

Hero: Golden Retriever boy!! I loved him lots, he was wholesome and like a ray of sunshine. He's not the smartest, made some very dumb decisions, and I enjoyed his relationship with Cee even though it was insta-lovey.

U-me: MY FAV CHARACTER!! A little bot that I cared so much for, not problematic, didn't do anything wrong!!

Plot

The first half of the book:

I was immediately immersed in the story, wanting to find out more about the mystery surrounding the sisters and about how the world worked there, but I felt overwhelmed with the world-building.

The second half of the book:

Better than the first, with so so many twists that felt like I was piecing together a puzzle. My favorite thing about these “puzzles” is that you couldn't guess the twists from the get-go because you didn't have enough information, and later on, these pieces of information were revealed along with the plot twists.

If you like :

-the ocean( there is a lot of it, so beware)
-close sisters
-deserted islands
-the-world-is-almost-ending-but-we-can't-do-anything-to-save-it-because-we-destroyed-it-ourselves trope
-insta-love
-a lot of science involved
-mysterious dark-haired boys with a tragic past trope
-gray characters
-very sweet bots

THEN READ THIS BOOK!!

Rating: 3.75/5💫

Amazing concept! The storyline was very engaging and unputdownable. The characters and the world-building are well-developed. Love that it addresses climate change and how you should choose the way to want to live.

Many thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to Netgalley for allowing me to read and give my honest opinion of the book.

⟾ 4.5 stars / 5 stars

⟾ cw: death of loved ones, parent death, violence, chocking, suicide, terminal illness, gore, large scale natural disasters and mass casualties.

the ones we're meant to find is a heartbreaking story set in a world on the verge of destruction. it's an exploration of family, especially sisterhood, but it also follows humanity and the loss of morals when faced with disaster.

i loved both sisters, but i resonated more with kacey. she's highly logical and very, very smart, but struggles with both her emotions and the emotions of others. i did, however, enjoy celia's story. her setting, the island that she was stranded on, created a very nice atmosphere and i liked the descriptions of it. i also lived how the sea was incorporated in the story. the two sisters had different voices and you can clearly tell who is who.

the other two important characters, hero and actinium, were well thought out, but i liked hero more. he's so endearing and soft. i felt like actinium's actions weren't explained well enough, but i can definitely see why he's the way he is.

the pacing was slow at first, but it picks up after the first 50ish pages. nonetheless, it works with the whole story. it's a nice set-up to the twists and turns that come next. i definitely didn't see the plot twists coming and the ending left me speechless.

overall, this is one of those novels that will stay with me for a long time, because it's an unforgettable story.

thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Set in a not-so-unrealistic future, rife with global disasters and a world that has been near destroyed, life goes on. Two sisters are working hard to find each other after, with Celia living on an isolated island with no memories of her past life besides the existence of her sister, and Kasey investigating the mystery behind Celia's disappearance.

The world-building was easy to digest while informative and interesting, with a lot of social commentary on things such as climate change and green consumerism while still remaining engaging and unique. I thought the world that the Author had created was a very realistic interpretation of a possible future, while still remaining modern enough to be relatable.

Everything you learn as the story goes on, is there for a reason, and the stories of the characters are woven together to perfectly that I couldn't help but be in awe of how everything came together. Without spoling it I will just say that for the first 50% of the book, I was very much enjoying it as a mystery sci-fi moment. Then from the half way point onwards I became obsessed with this story.

The character & relationship development was done beautifully, you feel like you really get to know the characters in the context of the present and the future.

Not to mention - The cover?? Stunning.

I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley. Although the premise of this book is clever, the dual point of view in this futuristic novel about sisters was at times confusing. Not sure I would have finished it if it had not been an ARC.

I will preface this by saying that if it wasn’t for this being an arc I would have dnfed it around 25%.

I haven’t read a book by this author before so I can’t compare this book to her other. For me, her writing style isn’t for me. It felt very fragmented and not enjoyable to read. This made it harder for me to get into the book and unfortunately, that never happened.

Another issue I had with this book is that the world-building or the way things were explained could be very confusing. I would have to reread sentences a few times to try and understand. It would also happen where something was said and I would think it meant one thing but then it would be further explained that what I thought that thing was actually wasn’t what that thing was. Maybe this is just a me thing. 🤷‍♀️

The plot deals with a lot of futuristic aspects such as what happens when climate change has changed the earth and everyone lives in ecocities, unless you have a low ranking then you are screwed. I do wish that there was more talk about the ecocities or even the way those still on land survived. Some parts of the plot and world-building just felt glossed over.

When it came to the characters, the book is told in the perspective of two who are sisters: Kasey and Cee. I definitely preferred Cee’s point-of-view over Kasey’s as Cee felt more emotional about things where as Kasey’s point-of-view felt bogged down by all of the technical stuff. Because of that, I just didn’t care for her and felt her emotions to be lacking as well.

There are other characters but honestly I didn’t care for any of them. I also never felt attached to either of the sisters. One was just more entertaining to read.

I think my big issue with this book is that I didn’t feel anything because the more emotional part of the plot was bogged down by everything else. It is an interesting setting and idea but to me it just wasn’t executed right.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me and that’s okay. I still love the cover and I am sure others will like this book.

The overall idea of this story is incredibly creative and compelling. A future where the Earth is so polluted that people have moved into Ecocities and have developed incredible technology is a really cool idea. However, there was so much info dumping about said technology and the way the system worked that I often had a hard time concentrating and understanding what was going on. Mostly this was when I was reading in Kasey's POV. I also seriously didn't enjoy Kasey's side of the story at all. She's dull and near emotionless and I couldn't find myself to like her. I really did enjoy Cee's parts of the book though. I loved her character, her strength, her determination and how alive she really was. I loved the little lost island in the middle of nowhere with U-me the bot and MM's house. I also really came to enjoy Hero and his relationship with Cee. This definitely was a 4 star read for me from Cee's perspective but a 3 from Kasey's. I just didn't like the way these two stories meshed together. I think science fiction fans are going to love this book though. It really was a creative and cool idea!

Two sisters, a futuristic world, and a mystery that haunts them both. Celia and Kasey are sisters, Celia- a fun extrovert who mysteriously disappears one day, and Kasey- a more detached introvert who is obsessed with science and trying to find where her sister went. They both live in eco-city, a place floating above earth that is meant to be a sanctuary for people. Cee wakes up one day on the shores of an abandoned island with barely any memories and a little robot to keep her company until a mysterious boy shows up and tries to kill her, i.e. meet Hero. He also has no memories and blacks out when he tries to kill her. Kasey is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to her sister and where she went, all the while a mysterious boy named Actinium shows up and seems to be the missing piece to finding where her sister went. Throw in a whole lot of future tech, eco-planet stuff, and a big mystery with a little bit of romance and this is what you get. The overall story is interesting and the world setting is definitely unique. I found myself getting confused at some parts but in the end it made sense, sort of haha. Overall, a interesting read and great for anyone who is interested in a futuristic mystery.

*Thanks Netgalley and Text Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*