Awake In Olaiya

by M.E. Duffield

Nat doesn’t know who she is or why she’s in Olaiya. This community in Territorial California seems pleasant enough, but the terrifying dreams she has every night tell a different story. Nat can’t remember anything about her life before a few days ago, although that’s more than other unit brothers seem to recall. She’s also figuring out that she has to be careful what she says—careless words can end with people going missing. Nat longs to leave this orderly but dangerous place. Is escape even possible? She’s becoming more aware, yet most of her time is wasted pretending to be clueless and trying to avoid the guards’ attention. The more alive she feels, the harder it is to blend in. Hoping to find answers about the community and her own lost memories, Nat joins a secret group called the Rebs. Still, Nat has difficulty knowing who in Building 8 is safe, and even the Rebs she trusts the most seem unwilling to tell her anything about her past. The cruel Olaiya Masters are trying to figure out who’s making noise at night and causing disruptions during the day, searching for the answer to one question. It’s the same question Nat is asking. Who is awake in Olaiya?

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Rose Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. To wake up with no memory of who Nat is, I was trying right along with her to figure out who she is and why she's there. Very good read. Definitely recommend this book!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book- the only thing I didn’t like is that I have to wait to find out what happens until the next book!

[Beth Brauneis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you hooked and wondering what’s next. Couldn’t put it down! If I could describe this book it would be like you start out blind and then suddenly you see something super clearly in front of you. But it’s just one thing but soon you see two and three things until a plot and story and characters start to emerge. Keeps you turning the pages to find out why the main character is where she is and who these people around her are and why they are all in this place. It ends on a cliff hanger where you haven’t gained all the “vision”, and although many questions are answered by the end of the book to where you feel satisfied with the knowledge you’ve gained, it ends with more questions to answered. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Lacey Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duffield takes you on a dystopian adventure with a refreshing take. As I was reading, it felt reminiscent of 1984, but not as dark while also having a bit of a divergent feel. A friend in my book club also said it felt a little like The Giver in the beginning.
All that to say, untwisting the complexities of Nat-5’s life and piecing together the connections from the old world to the new was a lot of fun! I am looking forward to book twos release at the end of August so I do t have to wait to find out what happens next for all my new friends in Olaiya.

[Cora Rattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awake in Olaiya was my book club’s selection for the month of June. I knew it was dystopian nature, the honestly knew nothing else going in. Many of the chapters left me on a cliff, wanting to turn the page and find out what happened next! The ending is definitely a cliff hanger of its own and I’m excited to know that the author is writing the second book in the series! There are so many questions I have that need answered!

[Kimily Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Nat and the other rebs ever escape, I hope they’ll come stay with me for a while. Oops, I forgot. It’s just a book! Well, that’s how real this stunning dystopian novel was to me. M. E. Duffield has given us the best of vulnerability, honesty, and dear relationships despite the diabolical society of Olaiya. I laughed, cried, and sometimes felt like M. E. was describing my heart's struggle to bravely overcome this world's harsh realities in the face of my own weaknesses.  
 
Kimily Kay
Author of soon-to-be-released "Samuri & Jewel, The Forbidden Friendship"