itsjennie 's review for:

The First Thousand Trees by Premee Mohamed

4.5

emotional reflective 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: Yes

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I loved this. Reading the trilogy was completely worth it to get to this installment. This novella follows Henryk instead of Reid, and as a result is much more introspective.

I loved Henryk as the protagonist. He is soft and capable but imperfect in ways many protagonists are not allowed to be. He's a really interesting foil to Reid, who is brave and principled despite the Cad that actively works against her. In Henryk we find a character whose actions have been dominated by a fear not imposed by disease like his friend, but inherent to himself and having led to disastrous consequences. Throughout the novella he deals with the shame and ostracization he experiences as the result of his mistakes and explores self worth and community when society places so much emphasis on pulling your own weight.

I felt much more emotionally invested in this story than the previous two, in part because of the way his failures subvert the expectations of the selfless hero we've come to expect. Premee Mohamed's writing is lovely and really shines in the interactions between Henryk and his cousin Dane. If you're a fan of climate or dystopian fiction, definitely give this series a shot.

Thanks to Netgalley and ECW Press for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.