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.