Kenechi Udogu’s Augmented is a thrilling and thought-provoking journey set in a near-future London grappling with the devastating consequences of climate change. This novel masterfully blends speculative science fiction with a gripping coming-of-age story, all while exploring themes of power, control, and the essence of humanity.

The story centers on Akaego, a compelling sixteen-year-old protagonist whose rare ability to project a vocal frequency that accelerates plant growth positions her uniquely in a society desperate to survive. Udogu’s vision of a world where teenagers must undergo surgical augmentation to help restore the environment feels urgent and plausible, grounding the futuristic elements in relatable human experience.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its rich character development. Akaego’s journey—from a dedicated coder to a music academy student navigating her newfound power—feels authentic and deeply engaging. Her internal struggle to control her ability and the external pressure from a corrupt regime eager to weaponize it creates a powerful tension that drives the narrative forward. The inclusion of the Mayor’s son, Joon, adds a nuanced layer of youthful romance and personal stakes that enrich the story without detracting from its central themes.

Udogu also excels at world-building, painting a vivid picture of a London transformed by extreme weather and social upheaval. The conflict between those who embrace augmentation and the Freestakers, an anti-enhancement group, introduces ethical dilemmas that challenge readers to think critically about technology’s role in shaping our future.

If there is any area for improvement, it might be a deeper exploration of the Freestakers’ perspective to fully flesh out the moral complexity of enhancement versus natural evolution. However, this minor critique does not diminish the overall impact of the novel.

In conclusion, Augmented is a captivating read that combines action, emotion, and timely social commentary. Kenechi Udogu’s storytelling prowess shines through in this expertly crafted narrative, making it a must-read for fans of science fiction and young adult literature alike. This book not only entertains but also invites reflection on the delicate balance between human advancement and ethical responsibility.

Five stars without hesitation.

Augmented by Kenechi Udogu was the near future sci-fi dystopian I didn’t know I needed, but enjoyed. With great world building, good pacing, fleshed out themes, and a compelling protagonist, it’s a book that I won’t forget for a while.

To start, the world building was well done. This takes place in a near future London where the Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere has destabilized severely, often being too warn to sustain life. Humans have to wear special suits to go outside very often, and the flora and fauna have been decimated to where certain foods have become rare and/or extinct. There are bio domes, yes, but it’s only available to certain people, and it’s not enough to keep things up. The small details add up to a real world that feels like it’s lived in and while in decline, doesn’t seem like it’s going to collapse in the near future, but trying to rebuild before it’s too late. With the changes society has undergone, like travel restrictions and a tiered society. Technology is explored in the ways it can be used to better lives and to oppress others. Augmentation is critical to society, with a surgery that a teen goes through to enhance a needed trait, exploring the ideas of humanity and identity. The government is also critiqued in both how they are handling their ever changing world and if their methods are the best and correct ones to take. An interesting blend of futurism not often seen in Young Adult fiction, and leaves a lot to ponder in our own world. It’s odd to say I wish the government was clarified in some aspects, as I was a bit lost on some of the minor details.

For the most part, it has a nice, fast pace, where we advance through several months and explore more of the world and while it’s not super fast, it doesn’t stay in one spot for a long time. The prose was also good, placing me in the world, which is amazing in a standalone. The climax and ending were good, but I wished it was fleshed out a bit more as there were aspects I didn’t understand, like the protagonists role in the climax and reasonings for it.

The cover was perfect, showing our protagonist, Akaego, in a garden with a city in the background, and was one of the reasons that drew me into the book. In the book, Akaego herself has just discovered she has the ability to use her voice to accelerate plant growth, which is highly valued in a world where flora is dying out. She’s in a new school and she will be vaulted into a higher class in her society with her augmentation coming fast, and she’s looking forward to it. However, some digging reveals that her ability might not be as great as she first thought, opening up old family secrets and having to sort out between what she’s been told her whole life and finding her own voice in between the madness. I enjoyed her journey, as she’s not immediately dismissing what she’s taught, but a slow burn to find her voice as she interacts with others. In the end, figures out what she wants, and she needs to do it fast, otherwise, much more will be in danger. I do appreciate the emotional depth of the story from Akaego as she goes through each challenge.

I did enjoy the supporting cast, especially Akaego’s family. Her parents were supportive and have their own fleshed out characters and arcs. I also liked most of Akaego’s friends, especially Joon, who had some fleshing out and had a bit of a cute romance. My only big issue is that I felt that some of the supporting characters weren’t balanced as well as I hoped, mainly Akaego’s other friends. I had trouble tracking some of the characters and their groups, and that some of the characters could have been combined.

I’m looking forward to more books from Udogu, and highly recommend this one to ones looking for a near-future Sci-Fi book, which is a hard find in the YA space especially.

This book had me hooked from page one, claustrophobic in the best way.
Imagine an Earth so ravaged by climate change that even stepping outside requires a full-body suit and an airlock. That’s the terrifyingly immersive backdrop of this dystopian sci-fi, and it felt disturbingly plausible. The world-building was airtight (pun not intended?), and it hit me hard how close we might be to living in a world like this.
What really struck me, though, was how the story explored the idea of power and potential in a system built to sort, surveil, and suppress. The society here is meticulously structured, privilege is doled out in teaspoons, and individuality gets run through an aptitude scanner. So when our main character, Akaego, a skilled coder already, suddenly develops a rare and highly prized ability, the system grabs hold of her with both hands. She’s fast-tracked, spotlighted, and practically handed to the mayor on a silver platter. But... at what cost?
There’s this simmering question throughout the story: Is she being elevated or exploited? It made me think about the way we value people based on their "usefulness," and how easily gifts can become cages.
💡 What I loved:
• The sharp, necessary commentary on technology, how it can be both a weapon and a lifeline, depending on who’s holding the controls.
• The pacing! It struck that perfect balance between action and emotion, tension and tenderness. The final act? Nail-biting.
• Akaego felt real. So did her relationships, even in a high-stakes, unfamiliar world. Her fears, doubts, and soft moments were handled with care.
• And yes, there's a touch of romance, and it is so sweet, like a beam of sunlight breaking through a thick smog.
• Also, whoever designed the cover deserves a medal. The art, the edges, it’s the kind of book that looks as good as it reads.
This isn’t just a cool sci-fi. It’s a story about identity, resilience, and choosing who you are in a world that’s constantly trying to define it for you. And I’ll be thinking about Akaego’s journey for a long time.