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clancepat's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Rape
rshute95's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was kind of sci-fi meets dystopia with a mix of cultiness that was never fully named. I kept waiting for some kind of lesson but none came in book 1. For parts of the book I definitely had nooooo idea what was going on but it became more and more lovable as I read and I'm interested to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Lots of swearing and descriptions of sex/orgasms so just FYI for young readers or readers who just aren't into that! Not smut thoughbugsybugs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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? No
3.0
A fantasy-sci fi book with lots of strange cult like groups, creatures in the woods, gods or almost gods, and questions that go unanswered.
I liked the technology of the integrated AI intelligence and the weird world of flooding and woods.
I liked the technology of the integrated AI intelligence and the weird world of flooding and woods.
sandylewis's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
el_wheel's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'll start by saying I won this book in a giveaway and am grateful for the opportunity but unfortunately, this is a book I have some very mixed feelings on. The idea is a very interesting one and I like the concept but I found I always had more questions than answers. It could be argued this is due to it being assumedly the first of a series, but it was frustrating at times and made it hard to get into the book. I just wanted more explanation than was usually provided, mostly about the supernatural elements of the story and on the goddess worshippers which were intriguing, especially as a fully male group, but who I feel never get proper attention in the story due to a focus on the story's relationships.
On that note, I also am not sure how to feel about one particular romance in the book. Firstly, I think this book has much more romance and is much more of a romance novel than it's description leads one to believe, and while I like romance novels that's not what I expected of this book which effects my feelings on it as well. Additionally, while Will and Xenia are sweet, I don't understand the need for the secondary "romance" in the book, if you can even call it that. It was creepy and felt very coerced and non-consensual frequently which was uncomfortable. I would compare it to a Stockholm Sydrome situation more than an "enemies-to-lovers" concept.
My other big note on the story is with the actual writing. While the content of the book itself was interesting and the writing was well done, there were a few structural elements that broke my flow of reading. For example, grammatical errors left me rereading passages multiple times to understand them, and inconvenient footnote locations meant I had to flip between pages to get further context. This second issue was especially noticeable in the digital format I read the book in, but would likely be less of an issue with a physical copy.
On that note, I also am not sure how to feel about one particular romance in the book. Firstly, I think this book has much more romance and is much more of a romance novel than it's description leads one to believe, and while I like romance novels that's not what I expected of this book which effects my feelings on it as well. Additionally, while Will and Xenia are sweet, I don't understand the need for the secondary "romance" in the book, if you can even call it that. It was creepy and felt very coerced and non-consensual frequently which was uncomfortable. I would compare it to a Stockholm Sydrome situation more than an "enemies-to-lovers" concept.
My other big note on the story is with the actual writing. While the content of the book itself was interesting and the writing was well done, there were a few structural elements that broke my flow of reading. For example, grammatical errors left me rereading passages multiple times to understand them, and inconvenient footnote locations meant I had to flip between pages to get further context. This second issue was especially noticeable in the digital format I read the book in, but would likely be less of an issue with a physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Dysphoria, and Kidnapping
Minor: Medical content, Drug use, and Sexual assault
teamwombat's review
1.0
Won this in a giveaway, it was pitched as a futurist sci fi thing (which was why I entered) but it wasn’t - it was a creepy romance novel with glorified sex robots and far too much grooming. It even got a bit rapey and I almost gave up on it. I dislike leaving books unfinished but I regret finishing this! The back and forth with the plot was tedious and so much went unexplained. I won’t be reading the rest.
faloneran's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
redlotus_andjoy's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I won a digital copy of this book in the give away.
This is romance and should be tagged as such, otherwise it’s going to miss its market. Had I known it was primarily romance, I would not have entered the give away. Romance is not a genre I care for. Also, the story is not complete, you are left with a cliffhanger.
That said, the writing is very good, the descriptions evocative, and probably the strongest feature of the book. The intimacy is not graphic, but definitely erotic.
There are two timelines, one in the future after climate apocalypse, the other in the early 1800’s. Other than a shimmering luminous pool, and some names that recur in the two timelines, I don’t know what the connection between the two are. The sci fi/fantasy element are pretty peripheral to the story. The fantastical elements are neither investigated, nor explained, just minor incidents that are then ignored as the romance advances. Might satisfy a romance reader, but left this SFF reader annoyed.
I came very close to DNFing the book, but I enjoyed the writing enough to continue reading, hoping that somehow the two timelines would have some relationship beyond taking place in the same town. But at this point they don’t appear to; I assume there’s going to be at least a second book.
Also, there are footnotes scattered through the text, but they were not hot in my digital copy, nor are they listed in the contents, so I wasn’t able to refer to them easily. Weirdly, they are hot in the footnote collection at the end of the book, but by that time I didn’t care.
This is romance and should be tagged as such, otherwise it’s going to miss its market. Had I known it was primarily romance, I would not have entered the give away. Romance is not a genre I care for. Also, the story is not complete, you are left with a cliffhanger.
That said, the writing is very good, the descriptions evocative, and probably the strongest feature of the book. The intimacy is not graphic, but definitely erotic.
There are two timelines, one in the future after climate apocalypse, the other in the early 1800’s. Other than a shimmering luminous pool, and some names that recur in the two timelines, I don’t know what the connection between the two are. The sci fi/fantasy element are pretty peripheral to the story. The fantastical elements are neither investigated, nor explained, just minor incidents that are then ignored as the romance advances. Might satisfy a romance reader, but left this SFF reader annoyed.
I came very close to DNFing the book, but I enjoyed the writing enough to continue reading, hoping that somehow the two timelines would have some relationship beyond taking place in the same town. But at this point they don’t appear to; I assume there’s going to be at least a second book.
Also, there are footnotes scattered through the text, but they were not hot in my digital copy, nor are they listed in the contents, so I wasn’t able to refer to them easily. Weirdly, they are hot in the footnote collection at the end of the book, but by that time I didn’t care.
eleanor_r's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
I love how this book weaves together stories of two women, one traversing the post-climate-change wilds of a near-future Midwestern America, one covering similar ground on the early 19th century frontier.
The near-future story follows Xenia, a prickly, no-nonsense character who's challenged and changed by her experiences in the Flood Zone. The historical story follows Camilla, a woman seeking creative fulfillment and purpose beyond the confined society of early America. Both of them are surprised by what they find in Harmonie, and I can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next!
If you like spice in your SFF, you won't be disappointed here. But I also really appreciate that Xenia and Cam's stories aren't totally driven by their relationships- they have other goals and dreams beyond hooking up.
I've been to some of the places the novel is set in, like New Harmony, Indiana, and I love the strong sense of place in the book. Even though set in different times, this book captures the people and places I know and love.
Disclaimer: I know the author and was a beta reader, but I'm not being compensated for this review+
The near-future story follows Xenia, a prickly, no-nonsense character who's challenged and changed by her experiences in the Flood Zone. The historical story follows Camilla, a woman seeking creative fulfillment and purpose beyond the confined society of early America. Both of them are surprised by what they find in Harmonie, and I can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next!
If you like spice in your SFF, you won't be disappointed here. But I also really appreciate that Xenia and Cam's stories aren't totally driven by their relationships- they have other goals and dreams beyond hooking up.
I've been to some of the places the novel is set in, like New Harmony, Indiana, and I love the strong sense of place in the book. Even though set in different times, this book captures the people and places I know and love.
Disclaimer: I know the author and was a beta reader, but I'm not being compensated for this review+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content and Dysphoria
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