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Freedom #1
Skyscraper
The boy on the gurney is dying. Held at gunpoint by a subterranean terrorist, Dr. Rayne Garcia fights to save his life. One false move will put everyone in danger. She’s seriously regretting volunteering at the third-floor free clinic when she usually works in one of the Eastern Coastal City skyscrapers.
Kaelyn Dark doesn’t like the label terrorist when all she wanted was to protect her people against the military units sent by the corrupt Celestial authorities. Kaelyn has brought the child, critically injured during a Celestial raid, into an enemy clinic. Attempting to save his life is reckless and desperate, but she’s unable to foresee how intertwined her and Rayne’s fates will become.
Meeting Kaelyn fuels Rayne’s suspicions about the propaganda fed to her and other Celestials. Once she takes a stand for what is right, she can never return to her opulent way of life—but can she survive the harsh conditions? A daring plan to migrate the subterranean population to live above ground—in peace, is underway. Kaelyn’s fought her entire life for this, and she can’t allow herself to fall for Rayne. If she loses focus and something goes wrong, it could mean the end for all of them.
Kaelyn Dark doesn’t like the label terrorist when all she wanted was to protect her people against the military units sent by the corrupt Celestial authorities. Kaelyn has brought the child, critically injured during a Celestial raid, into an enemy clinic. Attempting to save his life is reckless and desperate, but she’s unable to foresee how intertwined her and Rayne’s fates will become.
Meeting Kaelyn fuels Rayne’s suspicions about the propaganda fed to her and other Celestials. Once she takes a stand for what is right, she can never return to her opulent way of life—but can she survive the harsh conditions? A daring plan to migrate the subterranean population to live above ground—in peace, is underway. Kaelyn’s fought her entire life for this, and she can’t allow herself to fall for Rayne. If she loses focus and something goes wrong, it could mean the end for all of them.
- GenresLesbian
312 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2024
6 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Gun Brooke
44 books225 followersGun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full time, only rarely taking a break to create web sites for herself or others and to do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi. She is the recipient of the 2009 Alice B. Medal for "body of work."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
a futuristic view of how the world will look in the future
we have learnt nothing....
Dr. Rayne Garcia is a doctor that works and lives in one of the towers....but on occasion she volunteers at the third-floor free clinic mainly its the soldiers who guard the tower....
but on this day a bunch of subterranean terrorists arrive with a young boy dying in their arms... dr raynes training kicks and she fights to save the boy, as she is finishing and the terrorists leave rescue comes in gun blazing and though she is only doing what she was trained to do and uphold her vow she is accused of treason and the rescue team go guns blazing in... she has no choice but to follow the terrorists down the laundry chute
what follows next opens dr rayne eyes to how they live and survive.... could it be that dr raynes side are telling lies
as conditions undergr0und are realised and the boys conditions worsened a daring plan is hatched to save him but will it save dr rayne who has to go back and try and get in contact with her parents high up in the skyscraper....
wow i have to say i was pulled into this storyline and all the intrigued it bought in....all the characters are well written but man did it have to end that way.... looking forward to the next book in this series
a futuristic view of how the world will look in the future
we have learnt nothing....
Dr. Rayne Garcia is a doctor that works and lives in one of the towers....but on occasion she volunteers at the third-floor free clinic mainly its the soldiers who guard the tower....
but on this day a bunch of subterranean terrorists arrive with a young boy dying in their arms... dr raynes training kicks and she fights to save the boy, as she is finishing and the terrorists leave rescue comes in gun blazing and though she is only doing what she was trained to do and uphold her vow she is accused of treason and the rescue team go guns blazing in... she has no choice but to follow the terrorists down the laundry chute
what follows next opens dr rayne eyes to how they live and survive.... could it be that dr raynes side are telling lies
as conditions undergr0und are realised and the boys conditions worsened a daring plan is hatched to save him but will it save dr rayne who has to go back and try and get in contact with her parents high up in the skyscraper....
wow i have to say i was pulled into this storyline and all the intrigued it bought in....all the characters are well written but man did it have to end that way.... looking forward to the next book in this series
September 6, 2024
Thanks netgalley for the ARC!
I liked how fast this book jumped into action, and the world was fairly well established right away. There were still some reveals later in the book on how society was functioning in this dystopia disguised as utopia. I also appreciated the older queer rep and the fact that we got main characters that weren't Scrappy teenagers and the kids were treated like kids. I do wish we got to see a little more of Wes he basically ends up just being a body they're trying to protect for most of the book.
I do think it slowed down a bit about 75% through and kind of bungled some of the big reveals of deeper shenanigans in their society. I also didn't really like the immediate cliffhanger ending that doesn't provide any positive promises for all the characters we just spent a whole book worrying about. Definitely set up for an explosive second book that I might pick up depending on who the main characters of that iteration are.
I liked how fast this book jumped into action, and the world was fairly well established right away. There were still some reveals later in the book on how society was functioning in this dystopia disguised as utopia. I also appreciated the older queer rep and the fact that we got main characters that weren't Scrappy teenagers and the kids were treated like kids. I do wish we got to see a little more of Wes he basically ends up just being a body they're trying to protect for most of the book.
I do think it slowed down a bit about 75% through and kind of bungled some of the big reveals of deeper shenanigans in their society. I also didn't really like the immediate cliffhanger ending that doesn't provide any positive promises for all the characters we just spent a whole book worrying about. Definitely set up for an explosive second book that I might pick up depending on who the main characters of that iteration are.
July 26, 2024
𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ᴅʏꜱᴛᴏᴘɪᴀ. ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄꜱ. ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱ-ᴅɪꜱᴘᴀʀɪᴛʏ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ-ɪꜱʜ -> ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ-ɪꜱʜ. ᴀɢᴇ-ɢᴀᴘ.
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️🌈
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 🌟🌟🌟
"𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙮𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨."
When I saw the word "celestials" I was sold because I was thinking it is going to be about Gods, like Rayne being a celestial for example because I still don't understand how that split between sky and below came about.
For me, the dystopian world can be really hard to understand that is why I rarely read these books but the synopsis/plot was really intriguing. The characters had a strong connection with one another and that made following the plot easier. Also there were only two POVs, so that was a plus.
There are moments that happened off-page and later mentioned in the chapters like how Rayne's parents knew of Kaelyn? also when Beth disappeared and whatever happened to Foster? and that doctor in the tunnels, I feel like these scenes would have been more solid if they happened in the actual story and not just in telling.
That cliffhanger deserves to be pushed off a cliff because really? It was a good one though, because I am interested in book 2.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️🌈
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 🌟🌟🌟
"𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙚𝙡𝙮𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨."
When I saw the word "celestials" I was sold because I was thinking it is going to be about Gods, like Rayne being a celestial for example because I still don't understand how that split between sky and below came about.
For me, the dystopian world can be really hard to understand that is why I rarely read these books but the synopsis/plot was really intriguing. The characters had a strong connection with one another and that made following the plot easier. Also there were only two POVs, so that was a plus.
There are moments that happened off-page and later mentioned in the chapters like how Rayne's parents knew of Kaelyn? also when Beth disappeared and whatever happened to Foster? and that doctor in the tunnels, I feel like these scenes would have been more solid if they happened in the actual story and not just in telling.
That cliffhanger deserves to be pushed off a cliff because really? It was a good one though, because I am interested in book 2.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.
August 2, 2024
Dystopian action thriller
Gun Brooke is back again with a dystopian action thriller which left me breathless at times - will they make it, will they survive, what is happening?
The future society after a severe turn of the climate is divided: people living in comfort in skyscrapers (the celestials) and those left behind living in caves beneath the skyscrapers (the cavers) - there is big politics at play from the get-go and an ongoing war between the two factions.
Both worlds collide when celestial doctor Rayne tries to help a caver child and meets Kaelyn, military leader of the cavers. This leads to great world-building where we are first transported into the harsh conditions of a dark world where all struggle to survive and then we get to experience the other, very opulent side. There is a lot of action, political intrigue and a budding attraction between Rayne and Kaelyn.
The only drawback: this is only the first part of a series. The wait starts and I look forward to finding out more of this intriguing world.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
Gun Brooke is back again with a dystopian action thriller which left me breathless at times - will they make it, will they survive, what is happening?
The future society after a severe turn of the climate is divided: people living in comfort in skyscrapers (the celestials) and those left behind living in caves beneath the skyscrapers (the cavers) - there is big politics at play from the get-go and an ongoing war between the two factions.
Both worlds collide when celestial doctor Rayne tries to help a caver child and meets Kaelyn, military leader of the cavers. This leads to great world-building where we are first transported into the harsh conditions of a dark world where all struggle to survive and then we get to experience the other, very opulent side. There is a lot of action, political intrigue and a budding attraction between Rayne and Kaelyn.
The only drawback: this is only the first part of a series. The wait starts and I look forward to finding out more of this intriguing world.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
November 1, 2025
I tried to finish this, but I just couldn’t. DNF.
The story itself seemed interesting. A bit of a twist to a new world/culture. The issue wasn’t the story, it was the writing. This reads like a draft. It wasn’t ready for publication by a long shot. I assumed it was an indie who skipped some steps, but I was shocked to see Bold Strokes published this. They usually have better standards.
All the characters had the same voice. The attraction seemed forced. A major plot device was never really explained. All of this could have been improved with good alpha/betas and editing. Fortunately, the author can improve on writing skills. What is Bold Stroke’s excuse for their editors letting this through? There is a lot of missing punctuation. Words are repeated or missing. I know commas are somewhat subjective, but they’re not a free-for-all. I felt like there were mistakes in every single paragraph, and I just gave up. I couldn’t stay in the story.
The story itself seemed interesting. A bit of a twist to a new world/culture. The issue wasn’t the story, it was the writing. This reads like a draft. It wasn’t ready for publication by a long shot. I assumed it was an indie who skipped some steps, but I was shocked to see Bold Strokes published this. They usually have better standards.
All the characters had the same voice. The attraction seemed forced. A major plot device was never really explained. All of this could have been improved with good alpha/betas and editing. Fortunately, the author can improve on writing skills. What is Bold Stroke’s excuse for their editors letting this through? There is a lot of missing punctuation. Words are repeated or missing. I know commas are somewhat subjective, but they’re not a free-for-all. I felt like there were mistakes in every single paragraph, and I just gave up. I couldn’t stay in the story.
August 23, 2024
We are in the future and there are people who live well in the huge skyscrapers with thousands of floors and other people who live a lot less well in underground labyrinthine tunnels. The high ups have a nice life thank you. The ground dwellers have nothing and live in fear and danger. The two never meet until a young boy is dying and Kaelyn takes a chance to get him proper medical help. Rayne is a wealthy doctor who just sees a patient needing help.
Immediately we are thrown into a complex, scary, twisty tale of subterfuge and pretence. Rayne learns a lot about herself and about what is important. Kae learns to trust and accept others making decisions.
The story is well paced and satisfying. The ending implies that there is another instalment and I will definitely be reading it.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
Immediately we are thrown into a complex, scary, twisty tale of subterfuge and pretence. Rayne learns a lot about herself and about what is important. Kae learns to trust and accept others making decisions.
The story is well paced and satisfying. The ending implies that there is another instalment and I will definitely be reading it.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
September 29, 2024
I received an ARC from NetGalley and writing this review voluntarily.
I would definitely suggest this book in the graduate courses just to highlight the social differences one is facing and would be a possibility in the future once everything falls.
The book is honest to god is well thought through. I kind of bummed when it abruptly end. But, it may continue in the second book. I hope.
The way Dr. Rayne Garcia lived her life and the kind of privileges she had before she opened her eyes to the opposite realm of her elite society. She has empathy and that was flowing even when she was thinking not bad but equally not good thoughts about the subterranean. She got to know the life of the 'enemies'. Nothing was the same after that.
Kaelyn Dark was not soft per se but an equally passionate rebel who wanted their people to have a life that could be at least livable. It was a struggle to scratch the bare minimum and put her team's life just to grab a few things that made their life tolerable. Even though those things were outdated but important for their survival. These things are just mere utilities for the skyscrapers. The social and class injustice was so huge that thinking of fighting was overwhelming. But, you know what, our MCs did.
I am not fully on board with the chemistry between the two MCs. I like them and would really like them to be with each other. But, something was missing whenever there was something romantic between them.
I loved the book. I would suggest everyone should read this if they are into a dystopian future kind of thing.
I would definitely suggest this book in the graduate courses just to highlight the social differences one is facing and would be a possibility in the future once everything falls.
The book is honest to god is well thought through. I kind of bummed when it abruptly end. But, it may continue in the second book. I hope.
The way Dr. Rayne Garcia lived her life and the kind of privileges she had before she opened her eyes to the opposite realm of her elite society. She has empathy and that was flowing even when she was thinking not bad but equally not good thoughts about the subterranean. She got to know the life of the 'enemies'. Nothing was the same after that.
Kaelyn Dark was not soft per se but an equally passionate rebel who wanted their people to have a life that could be at least livable. It was a struggle to scratch the bare minimum and put her team's life just to grab a few things that made their life tolerable. Even though those things were outdated but important for their survival. These things are just mere utilities for the skyscrapers. The social and class injustice was so huge that thinking of fighting was overwhelming. But, you know what, our MCs did.
I am not fully on board with the chemistry between the two MCs. I like them and would really like them to be with each other. But, something was missing whenever there was something romantic between them.
I loved the book. I would suggest everyone should read this if they are into a dystopian future kind of thing.
July 15, 2024
WOW. WHAT A STORY.
Dr Rayne is what in the future is called a cloud head. She lives far above ground in a skyscraper more then 3000 floor up.
Kaelyn is a subterranean dweller, she and her people live below ground. It’s a harsh life. But when a young boy close to her to seriously wounded she doesn’t hesitate to seek help above ground.
Now the two are caught by the skyscraper security and in order to help young Wes Rayne makes a life changing decision to follow Kae.
Soon Rayne contacts and meets with her parents and is about to learn everything about the corrupt government running life above ground. Can she and Kae do anything to stop what is happening and what wil the cost be?
You won’t believe the ending, don’t miss it.
Dr Rayne is what in the future is called a cloud head. She lives far above ground in a skyscraper more then 3000 floor up.
Kaelyn is a subterranean dweller, she and her people live below ground. It’s a harsh life. But when a young boy close to her to seriously wounded she doesn’t hesitate to seek help above ground.
Now the two are caught by the skyscraper security and in order to help young Wes Rayne makes a life changing decision to follow Kae.
Soon Rayne contacts and meets with her parents and is about to learn everything about the corrupt government running life above ground. Can she and Kae do anything to stop what is happening and what wil the cost be?
You won’t believe the ending, don’t miss it.
Read
August 13, 2024I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Dr. Rayne help save a boy who lives below ground she lives above which people called them cloud head. When Kaelyn who is a subterranean dweller brings the boy above for treatment because he is dear to someone but things gets complicated when she wants to take the boy back and Rayne are caught by skyscrapers security while trying to escape. As Ranye is in new territory she determined to help save the boy who is turning worse by trying to get to her parents who she believes will help but will Kaelyn and the people trust her and things get worst when they learn what really happening above. A good read.
Dr. Rayne help save a boy who lives below ground she lives above which people called them cloud head. When Kaelyn who is a subterranean dweller brings the boy above for treatment because he is dear to someone but things gets complicated when she wants to take the boy back and Rayne are caught by skyscrapers security while trying to escape. As Ranye is in new territory she determined to help save the boy who is turning worse by trying to get to her parents who she believes will help but will Kaelyn and the people trust her and things get worst when they learn what really happening above. A good read.
August 29, 2024
skyscraper!
Absolutely incredible! I’ve probably over 1000 science fiction novels and it always amazes me when they come up with something novel. Iv’e thought a lot about what the future might bring especially post apocalyptic situations but for people to live in skyscrapers that are 4000 Floor is high and most of them have never stepped foot outside is an amazing concept. They have Parks and just everything you could ever want but the inability to safely be outside. The plot, love story, and characters are awesome. I cannot wait to read book 2.!!
Absolutely incredible! I’ve probably over 1000 science fiction novels and it always amazes me when they come up with something novel. Iv’e thought a lot about what the future might bring especially post apocalyptic situations but for people to live in skyscrapers that are 4000 Floor is high and most of them have never stepped foot outside is an amazing concept. They have Parks and just everything you could ever want but the inability to safely be outside. The plot, love story, and characters are awesome. I cannot wait to read book 2.!!
July 31, 2024
I don’t read sci fi very often as it has to have a semi plausible storyline to it - this one has.
The subterraneans and the celestials conflict has a very plausible underlying premise to it but Gun Brooke has incorporated it into a really good story with some great characters set in the future.
I will certainly be reading Book 2 when it comes out.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a honest review.
The subterraneans and the celestials conflict has a very plausible underlying premise to it but Gun Brooke has incorporated it into a really good story with some great characters set in the future.
I will certainly be reading Book 2 when it comes out.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a honest review.
August 2, 2024
This was a great story that was a new take on the dystopia genre. The world building was something that intrigued you and wonder about the history. Kaelyn and Rayne were very complex characters that fully came off the page. Their chemistry was on point and didn't feel forced. Overall really great book.
August 14, 2024
Intriguing
A sci-fi story that pulls you right into it. You are right there rooting for young Wes to make it, along with Kae, Foster, Raine, and Beth. I really am looking forward to the next book.
A sci-fi story that pulls you right into it. You are right there rooting for young Wes to make it, along with Kae, Foster, Raine, and Beth. I really am looking forward to the next book.
October 22, 2024
A futuristic book that keeps you interested. I'm now waiting for book Nr2, to know how the free world will be established.
Yeah and more romance, too. Karlyn and Rayne. And why not LaSierra and Beth ?
Yeah and more romance, too. Karlyn and Rayne. And why not LaSierra and Beth ?
October 24, 2024
This Dystopian sci-fi novel has a fantastic start and is a gripping read up till the 80 percent mark.
Then it has a rushed ending that seems to be all about setting up for the next novel and ends on a cliffhanger.
Then it has a rushed ending that seems to be all about setting up for the next novel and ends on a cliffhanger.
August 13, 2024
“Skyscraper” by Gun Brooke will blow you away. It’s fast-paced, gritty, and loaded with lesbian longing. Perhaps that’s a stretch because the lesbian longing is between the two main characters, Dr. Rayne Garcia and Kaelyn Dark. Despite vast differences in age, social standing, background and outlook, these two practically fall in love at first sight. In addition, you get a dystopian world of haves and have-nots, persecution, misunderstandings, struggles, successes, intrigue, and a simmering slow burn. This is a science fiction, dystopian, age-gap, sapphic, thriller-romance. The author has created a unique universe and her premise is out of this world intense and fascinating. This is the first volume of the Freedom series, and I can’t wait for book two!
November 5, 2024
I read a lot of sci-fi and it's hard to find something new but once again Gun has created a unique world with wonderful characters and intriguing plot lines. can't recommend it enough.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews