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shrikebait's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Intrigue, romance, and medical drama!
Earthflown was a great read.
I was so excited to open with well-written medical drama! Wren does a fantastic job emulating the chaos of the hospital. They also write physicians very well. Ethan's and Vegas's struggles and humor felt relatable to me as someone in medicine. Wren's characters in general are great, with complex thoughts and relationships.
I also enjoyed the mix of scifi, fantasy, and realism. Wren's worldbuilding flows seamlessly alongside the plot.
Plus the chapter art on the website is stunning! I hope it is included in the actual book in the future.
Thank you for the chance to read an advance copy of this book for free. I'm writing this review of my own accord.
Earthflown was a great read.
I was so excited to open with well-written medical drama! Wren does a fantastic job emulating the chaos of the hospital. They also write physicians very well. Ethan's and Vegas's struggles and humor felt relatable to me as someone in medicine. Wren's characters in general are great, with complex thoughts and relationships.
I also enjoyed the mix of scifi, fantasy, and realism. Wren's worldbuilding flows seamlessly alongside the plot.
Plus the chapter art on the website is stunning! I hope it is included in the actual book in the future.
Thank you for the chance to read an advance copy of this book for free. I'm writing this review of my own accord.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol
najmanasir's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The way I had to take a moment to gather my thoughts because of the rollercoaster I went through in those last few chapters. Earthflown takes place in a futuristic, post-flood London, where medicine meets a bit of magic during a water crisis. The book follows three POVs: Javier Arden (the son of a big pharma company with a secret), Ethan Faulkner (a cardiothoracic surgeon who may have found himself swimming with sharks bigger than his VM), and Oliver Roskopf (an investigative journalist who won't rest until he discovers the truth).
Firstly, I cannot express enough how Frances has such a talent for writing characters and forming their various personalities. There were many characters I adored, especially from the secondary cast. The banter between characters, their relationships (both platonic and romantic), and the intertwined character developments were refreshing and enjoyable to read. While some characters had their flaws, their actions were motivated by their own experiences, doubts, and fears. This not only made their flaws more realistic but made us think, "I understand where they're coming from," and empathize with their struggles. While that doesn't imply that every action is justifiable, it demonstrates the deliberate imperfections of the characters as humans, emphasizing that no character is 'perfect.' This allows readers to perceive both sides of every situation, fostering an understanding of the characters' complexities.
In addition to flaws, the author really makes us question who the true villain of the novel is. There seemed to be two groups where both sides could have wrongful intentions, making every character morally complex. Even the characters that seemed 'innocent' had actions that escalated the situation and further thickened the story's plot. Every decision challenged their moral compass, highlighting the high stakes involved in making even a single wrong move. I couldn't help but analyze each character's actions, uncovering hidden motives and past experiences that often paved the way for further poor decisions among the cast. Needless to say, Frances skillfully created a narrative where every character's involvement and actions lead to the outcome of the plot at the end of the novel.
Another aspect I truly admired was the medical accuracy in the novel. I could immediately tell the amount of dedication, research, and passion put into the writing to create such a vivid glimpse of the medical industry. From the high-risk procedures, the medical terminology, and the reality of burnout, I could almost imagine the scenes in my head and feel the same emotions a character would feel during such intense and emotional scenes. I also admired the world-building of a futuristic, post-flood London, with various vertical levels defining financial hierarchy and using flying cars to navigate through them.
However, one thing I wished was more elaborated on was the genetics behind aptitudes and the laws aptees are required to follow. While we learn that some laws are not favorable towards a specific aptitude, it would have been interesting to understand the rationale behind the differentiating treatments. Additionally, I really wanted the character backstories of Peter and Nick Holt! I have so many questions about them that go unanswered, leaving me eager for further insight into their backgrounds. Lastly, I wished we had witnessed a greater involvement of the Sixty-Fourthers in the water crisis, since they are a decentralized water-rights movement. Having their participation in the political sphere or encountering a prominent leader from their movement would have enriched the narrative's political dimensions.
Overall, Earthflown was such a refreshing read with characters I became very attached to and genuinely fond of. While I haven't read many sci-fi novels, integrating a water crisis, political uproars, and economic power imbalances within a futuristic setting created a complex world and narrative with so much to uncover.
My sincerest gratitude to the author and BookSirens for graciously providing me with an ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Firstly, I cannot express enough how Frances has such a talent for writing characters and forming their various personalities. There were many characters I adored, especially from the secondary cast. The banter between characters, their relationships (both platonic and romantic), and the intertwined character developments were refreshing and enjoyable to read. While some characters had their flaws, their actions were motivated by their own experiences, doubts, and fears. This not only made their flaws more realistic but made us think, "I understand where they're coming from," and empathize with their struggles. While that doesn't imply that every action is justifiable, it demonstrates the deliberate imperfections of the characters as humans, emphasizing that no character is 'perfect.' This allows readers to perceive both sides of every situation, fostering an understanding of the characters' complexities.
In addition to flaws, the author really makes us question who the true villain of the novel is. There seemed to be two groups where both sides could have wrongful intentions, making every character morally complex. Even the characters that seemed 'innocent' had actions that escalated the situation and further thickened the story's plot. Every decision challenged their moral compass, highlighting the high stakes involved in making even a single wrong move. I couldn't help but analyze each character's actions, uncovering hidden motives and past experiences that often paved the way for further poor decisions among the cast. Needless to say, Frances skillfully created a narrative where every character's involvement and actions lead to the outcome of the plot at the end of the novel.
Another aspect I truly admired was the medical accuracy in the novel. I could immediately tell the amount of dedication, research, and passion put into the writing to create such a vivid glimpse of the medical industry. From the high-risk procedures, the medical terminology, and the reality of burnout, I could almost imagine the scenes in my head and feel the same emotions a character would feel during such intense and emotional scenes. I also admired the world-building of a futuristic, post-flood London, with various vertical levels defining financial hierarchy and using flying cars to navigate through them.
However, one thing I wished was more elaborated on was the genetics behind aptitudes and the laws aptees are required to follow. While we learn that some laws are not favorable towards a specific aptitude, it would have been interesting to understand the rationale behind the differentiating treatments. Additionally, I really wanted the character backstories of Peter and Nick Holt! I have so many questions about them that go unanswered, leaving me eager for further insight into their backgrounds. Lastly, I wished we had witnessed a greater involvement of the Sixty-Fourthers in the water crisis, since they are a decentralized water-rights movement. Having their participation in the political sphere or encountering a prominent leader from their movement would have enriched the narrative's political dimensions.
Overall, Earthflown was such a refreshing read with characters I became very attached to and genuinely fond of. While I haven't read many sci-fi novels, integrating a water crisis, political uproars, and economic power imbalances within a futuristic setting created a complex world and narrative with so much to uncover.
My sincerest gratitude to the author and BookSirens for graciously providing me with an ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Car accident
thisnursereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️ 4.0
Working in medicine myself, I was immediately drawn to the plot (the main character works in a Level I Trauma Hospital & has healing powers) and was so excited when I received an advance review copy for free! I am leaving this review voluntarily-
"Where there's love, there will be vice; Where there's greed, there is a price.
Sow them desperate and afraid, You'll find there's profit to be made."
TLDR: Frances Wren does an amazing job at weaving together storylines of multiple complex characters to create an engaging sci-fi mystery romance novel (can I use all those genres in one sentence...yes I can).
Earthflown started slow and then dragged me under. As the plot thickened, I found myself chasing the words as my eyes flew across the page-I needed to find out where these characters were going and what would happen next! As much as this is a book about two men swept up in their own love story, I found myself leaning into the other relationships more heavily: a strained relationship btw. a single father and his son, the power dynamic between family members and siblings, best friends whose jobs are entangled and messy. The romance in Earthflown is multi-layered as well and done prudently, but the relationships that orbit around the romance are so well written. If there is a continuation of this story, which I hope there is, I am so excited to see if/how they learn to evolve with each other!
This didn't get a 5-star rating from me because I wanted the main romantic relationship to be intoxicating and it didn't have that pull. Also, the world building was so compelling but hard for me to truly envision and personally could've been more engaging by spending much longer exploring this sci-fi world.
Trigger Warning: Medical professional viewpoint
There are moments I can pull out so vividly in my career that made me wish I had the power to heal patient's the way that Ethan's healing powers allow him to. But to then see his character portrayed in such a raw way, mirrored with how I have felt at times. To understand that medicine in any form still has its limitations, even if briefly touched upon in this novel, was heavy. I deeply felt that undercurrent within Ethan's character and the pressure he put upon himself for what he could do and who he was.
Working in medicine myself, I was immediately drawn to the plot (the main character works in a Level I Trauma Hospital & has healing powers) and was so excited when I received an advance review copy for free! I am leaving this review voluntarily-
"Where there's love, there will be vice; Where there's greed, there is a price.
Sow them desperate and afraid, You'll find there's profit to be made."
TLDR: Frances Wren does an amazing job at weaving together storylines of multiple complex characters to create an engaging sci-fi mystery romance novel (can I use all those genres in one sentence...yes I can).
Earthflown started slow and then dragged me under. As the plot thickened, I found myself chasing the words as my eyes flew across the page-I needed to find out where these characters were going and what would happen next! As much as this is a book about two men swept up in their own love story, I found myself leaning into the other relationships more heavily: a strained relationship btw. a single father and his son, the power dynamic between family members and siblings, best friends whose jobs are entangled and messy. The romance in Earthflown is multi-layered as well and done prudently, but the relationships that orbit around the romance are so well written. If there is a continuation of this story, which I hope there is, I am so excited to see if/how they learn to evolve with each other!
This didn't get a 5-star rating from me because I wanted the main romantic relationship to be intoxicating and it didn't have that pull. Also, the world building was so compelling but hard for me to truly envision and personally could've been more engaging by spending much longer exploring this sci-fi world.
Trigger Warning: Medical professional viewpoint
There are moments I can pull out so vividly in my career that made me wish I had the power to heal patient's the way that Ethan's healing powers allow him to. But to then see his character portrayed in such a raw way, mirrored with how I have felt at times. To understand that medicine in any form still has its limitations, even if briefly touched upon in this novel, was heavy. I deeply felt that undercurrent within Ethan's character and the pressure he put upon himself for what he could do and who he was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
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