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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I absolutely loved every moment of this book! A dystopian romantasy with elemental powers, well developed loveable characters, and hints of Celtic lore? I am glad this book looks like it might be a series, based on the cover, because I devoured every moment of it!
This book takes a look at what Earth could look like with water drying up and plants dying off. While scientifically, I don't think it would be possible for humanity to survive without plants, given that they create the oxygen humanity needs to survive, this didn't bother me because at a certain point you just have to assume magic since that also exists in the world.
Each character has their own motivations, struggles, and vulnerabilities, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. What they've had to go through is awful and yet there's this beautiful message of hope underlying it all. I loved Willow's character and her love of books and plants. She was a quiet badass throughout the story. I enjoyed the romance between her and Liam and thought they were well paired. I also loved Olivia's humor and snark and thought her character brought some lightheartedness to the rather bleak world and situations they all go through.
Favorite quote: "Books are dangerous. They give you ideas. They give you possibilities. They open doors. They allow you to see what the world could be. And most dangerous of all, they give you hope. Unrelenting hope. That is why they don't want us to have them."
My many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this as an ARC! While I received this as an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own. <3
This book takes a look at what Earth could look like with water drying up and plants dying off. While scientifically, I don't think it would be possible for humanity to survive without plants, given that they create the oxygen humanity needs to survive, this didn't bother me because at a certain point you just have to assume magic since that also exists in the world.
Each character has their own motivations, struggles, and vulnerabilities, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. What they've had to go through is awful and yet there's this beautiful message of hope underlying it all. I loved Willow's character and her love of books and plants. She was a quiet badass throughout the story. I enjoyed the romance between her and Liam and thought they were well paired. I also loved Olivia's humor and snark and thought her character brought some lightheartedness to the rather bleak world and situations they all go through.
Favorite quote: "Books are dangerous. They give you ideas. They give you possibilities. They open doors. They allow you to see what the world could be. And most dangerous of all, they give you hope. Unrelenting hope. That is why they don't want us to have them."
My many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this as an ARC! While I received this as an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own. <3
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
This book just wow!! It’s all the fantasy a girl could want! I feel the subjects touched in this are very close to what could happen in this world . Found family, unexpected magic ( very unique magic system) Forbidden knowledge, beyond smart fmc and a morally grey Mac. Just a little bit of spice sprinkled in that was perfection!!
Favored line in the book for me :
“Books are dangerous.They give ideas. They give you possibilities. They allow you to see what the world could be. And most dangerous of all, they give you hope. Unrelenting hope. That is why they don’t forget any us to have them.”
Favored line in the book for me :
“Books are dangerous.They give ideas. They give you possibilities. They allow you to see what the world could be. And most dangerous of all, they give you hope. Unrelenting hope. That is why they don’t forget any us to have them.”
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Complicated
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In “The Forgotten Earth” , the known world is a desolate place where plants, water, and basic resources for survival are scarce and sought after to hoard by The Elites. The story combines this high stakes environment with a pervasive sense of hope and wonder. I’m a fan of dystopian books and movies, and so few lack that wonder. It kept me turning pages eager to learn more.
The FMC is Willow, bold and bookish, with an innate hunger for gaining and spreading knowledge in a time when it could get her killed. Obsessed with stealing books from those who hoarded the knowledge in them and motivated by a deep sense of purpose, you can’t help but root for her. She has a generous heart, a few allies, and a sense of personal responsibility to help the world heal. She shoulders quite a bit of loss as many she has shared either books or knowledge with have died. Mid-story, she discovers that her talent for botany is actually bigger than that, she holds unique magic. It thrills and motivates her but knows it makes her a target.
The MMC, Liam, is a soldier. He’s an enforcer for the Elites, but reluctantly as he has real moral conflict inside. He’s very good at what he does, and suppressing and masking his emotions has helped to rise through the ranks. He has a difficult time coping with the cognitive dissonance and makes a decision to go against the Elites when confronted with the need to arrest Willow. As he aligns himself with Willow and her friend, he learns that he too has a gift to offer this barren world.
There is both attraction and suspicion in the relationship between Willow and Liam from the beginning. I loved the tension and emotional angst! They survive in the wasteland through a combination of both of their skills, and trust slowly evolves. The magic system in this book is really unique. The elemental aspect reacting to objects as well as the way the magic behaves between people. It has implications for Willow’s survival as well as that of the rest of the world. I’m really interested to see what happens as this series evolves.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you so much for the ARC copy of this book!
When I found this blurb from a reel on Instagram, I knew I had to read it. I love nothing more than a good dystopia society with some magic elemental powers. I really enjoyed getting to know this characters and finding them to be relatable in the way that they see themselves differently from others and how they are always willing to protect those who need and and those who mean something to them.
I will say that the last couple of chapters felt a little rushed towards the end. Especially the epilogue. I felt that it was such a build-up, and then it kinda plateaued. Besides that, I really enjoyed the book and I hope to read more in the future!
When I found this blurb from a reel on Instagram, I knew I had to read it. I love nothing more than a good dystopia society with some magic elemental powers. I really enjoyed getting to know this characters and finding them to be relatable in the way that they see themselves differently from others and how they are always willing to protect those who need and and those who mean something to them.
I will say that the last couple of chapters felt a little rushed towards the end. Especially the epilogue. I felt that it was such a build-up, and then it kinda plateaued. Besides that, I really enjoyed the book and I hope to read more in the future!
This started off really well, but then suddenly took a turn where the slow burn just escalated within a few pages in an unreasonable and awkward way, and I just could not continue.