A review by abbie_
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

I’m starting my year off very well, I bloody loved this book. I’m not a massive sci fi person but when it focuses on the human aspect of it, I’m there for it. How High We Go in the Dark is vitally human, an exploration of how we respond to a global pandemic of catastrophic proportions. I loved the progression, so it starts with the virus being discovered in ice, dormant for millions of years, then initial stages, worsening, peak, looking for cures, tailing off, society adjusting, aftermath. It’s beautifully paced, a huge and vibrant cast of characters exploring how humans react to near extinction. It’s so creative, absolutely morbid (rollercoaster euthanasia anyone?). Every chapter offers something completely different, a gorgeous and heartbreaking kaleidoscope of humanity. But it exposes the corrupt side of society too - the way humans will capitalise on anything, even mass death.

Knocked it out of the park, and I can see myself revisiting.