The Rain Artist

by Claire Rudy Foster

In a future where rain is a luxury enjoyed exclusively by the ultra-rich, the world's only umbrella-maker is framed for the high-profile murder of the quadrillionaire patriarch who controls the earth's last natural resources.

Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, LGBT, Queer, Dystopia, Adult, Fantasy

ebook

First published February 24, 2024

About the author

Claire Rudy Foster's debut short story collection, Shine of the Ever, was named as one of the best LGBTQ books of the year by O: The Oprah Magazine and was a finalist for the Foreword INDIE Awards. The book was selected for the ALA 2021 Over the Rainbow Fiction and Poetry Longlist.

Foster's essays and fiction have appeared in many places, including The New York Times, Lit Hub, The Guardian, Mic, McSweeney's, and Catapult. Their writing has been recognized with four Pushcart Prize nominations. Foster is the co-writer of the bestselling nonfiction book Unsettled: How the Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Failed the Victims of the American Overdose Crisis, which was named the "best bankruptcy book in the world" and one of Ralph Nader’s top picks of the year.

Reviews

[Becky Spratford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in the 1 & 15 2024 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2024/01...


Three Words That Describe This Book: unnerving, strong world building, cli-fi-thriller

A great option for readers looking for Cli-Fi like The Last Storm by Lebbon and The Water Knife by Bacigalupi but also for fans of near future dystopian thrillers with a strong Weird Fiction vibe such as The City and The City by Mieville.

First appeared as a short story published in O: The Oprah Magazine and was included as a notable story in the Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2022 anthology by editors Rebecca Roanhorse and John Joseph Adams. The novel is the first in a series set in the immediate future of our mutating planet.

Also Foster’s collection Shine of the Ever was on the 2021 ALA Over the Rainbow Fiction Longlist

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read anything quite like this before. A gruesome yet beautiful; a loud yet quiet look at a future that could very well be ours and what it would take to reclaim that future for ourselves.

This futuristic social-horror novel makes you always feel uneasy, with just splashes of hope to keep you going. And I think that’s the most beautiful thing about this book.

As always, Foster’s writing is lyrical and all-encompassing.

This is an incredible story of horror, greed, corruption, and hope.

[Tiffany Meuret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Rudy Foster knows how to write. The prose is exceptional, world building is a masterclass. Just when you thought you've seen the depths of billionaire depravity, Foster brings it to another level in The Rain Artist, but not without a hopeful dose of humanity with our protagonists, Celine, Yochanna, and Paul. I can't wait to see what Foster brings to the table next!

[rose ☾₊ ⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Firstly, I’d like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for giving me a free e-ARC of The Rain Artist.

If there’s something, this novel proves that maybe you do have to judge a book by its cover.

I have never read something as gruesome, yet beautiful perception of our future up until now. This novel was almost borderline horror, because it is scary to think about how we need to buy absolutely everything for our future only for corrupt people to take advantage of our money… Well, to be fair, it does happen already, but the novel tackles it in a very gut wrenching manner.

Honestly, I don’t really like books set in the future, but this really did it for me. The Rain Artist critics capitalism in a way where it’s easy to break down yet so detailed while also being metaphorical.

However, I do think that the novel is too short to cover such heavy topics, so I do wonder if there are going to be following novels after this to build a series.

[Primo S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Full review here
Beautifully written, compelling and distinct main characters, a very vividly-described world, and yet another scathing critique of capitalism in a time of ever changing climate. The plot meanders at times, and sometimes things happen without any foreshadowing whatsoever, but still a pretty decent read.

Thanks to the author/publisher for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Muncy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Moonstruck Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 20%. First negative review of the year. We are less than a week into 2024.

The Rain Artist is an attempt at a beautiful and horrifying depiction of a world where rain only exists for the wealthy — a future that’s much more present than we might think. The whole book reminded me of the things Nestle does.

0: The Cover (AKA Strike 1: AI Art)

I don’t usually dedicate an entire section to the covers of books I review. I just put a mention of the artist in my opening to credit and praise them. Unfortunately, in doing some digging on who the cover artist was for this book, I discovered that this cover’s illustration was done by AI “artist,” niceaunties in collaboration with cover designer JP Painter. So, while I’ll judge the book separately, I have to criticize the publisher for working with someone who uses AI to make “art.”

I’m going to quote the very book this cover belongs to in order to show the irony of this design choice.

"Technology was as inescapable as the dust that filled the city streets. You could see anything you wanted at any time, buy anything, sync with anyone within your open source. But, in all of it, something was lost. Where had wonder gone? Yochanna watched the failed paper swirl in the throat of the drain. It seemed impossible to make something entirely by hand; machines interceded in the holy process at every stage. For her whole life, it seemed that she had been born at the wrong time."

— Claire Rudy Foster, The Rain Artist, Page 33

One of the reasons I always look into the cover artists is because of the possibility of AI usage in publishing, something we need to be wary of and critique the moment we see it. Publishers need to understand that it is anti-art to work with AI in any capacity.

1: The Plot (AKA Strike 2: Lukewarm Premise)

Celine Broussard is the world’s only umbrella maker, creating umbrellas exclusively for the ultra wealthy to use at their rain parties. At one such party, Celine is framed for the murder of one of her wealthy clients.

So, I already mentioned Nestle, right? Well, the part of The Rain Artist that I found shallow (pardon my pun) was its core idea. That in this future, access to real water is only for the wealthy.

This book’s take on water in the future didn’t feel very aware of our current issues. A more realistic take on water would be to take into account our rising seas. Write about how there’s an overabundance of sea water and a lack of freshwater. Or make natural disasters like hurricanes and droughts big issues in your future. These are things that are real results of our changing climate.

2: Triggers (AKA Strike 3: Explicit SA)

My personal thoughts on trigger warnings are mixed, but I do feel it’s necessary for me to inform anyone thinking about reading this that SA is explicitly depicted.

The unpleasant subject matter is pretty common for horror, but I still think we’ve moved past the need for explicit descriptions of sexual assault (if there ever was one). It often just results in torture porn. It’s one thing for a character to experience something and go through trauma related to it, for me to see them experience the introspective part. It’s another for me to have a clear image of the actual assault.

"You’re out but you kept swinging so let’s see what else you came up with."

— Julia Cudney, i read nine bridgerton novels in seven days as an act of self loathing

3: Narrative, Prose, and Story

I liked the prose and the author’s style of writing, which is why it was a shame I hated the book so much.

The pacing was too slow for me. The first four chapters (AKA the first 15% of the book) were all character exposition with no plot. I wasn’t uninterested in the characters, but I’d rather the plot teach me things about them gradually, instead of the author front loading the book with information about them. Nothing in the first few chapters grabbed me and kept me wanting more.

The characters were fine, but I don’t think they were anything special. I wasn’t overly invested in any of them.

4: Conclusion

Overall, I didn’t like this book, nor could I recommend it to anyone. At risk of sounding harsh, It read like the author came up with the title, then had to create a book around it. Negative reviews are my least favorite to write, especially for arcs, but there wasn’t a world where I could give this book a positive review.

★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

[celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Moonstruck Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review!

THE RAIN ARTIST has ambitions it isn't quite ready to pull off just yet—unfortunately I found its roots in a short story to be a bit too obvious. It's is a bummer, because there are so many delicious aspects that I really enjoyed, but none of them seem to be given the room to breathe and become fully realized.

The prose is beautiful, but the pacing is uneven from chapter to chapter, and it seems like the characters aren't given the same amount of depth throughout either. I found the first few chapters to be really interesting: I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Paul's incarceration because the writing was evocative and the visceral details painted a horrifying picture of the world he was in. Similarly, the introduction to Yochanna was discomfitting but well-written. It gave readers a vivid sense of how Yochanna is surviving in a capitalist hellscape; how autonomy is stripped from her, and how she closes herself off from the world in an attempt to protect herself further. But as the chapters went on, characters seemed to be acting out of alignment with what has been revealed to us as the reader, and it doesn't seem like much work was put into making those actions make sense...

It seems like there were a lot of possible stories that could have been told, and that wanted to be told, and that unfortunately drowned each other out in the end. I'm curious to see what Foster does next, because it's clear to me that they have a strong vision for their stories!

[Sarah (more.books.than.days) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rain Artist, by Clare Judy Foster, holds strong commentary on the runaway train of capitalism, alongside prose so sensory-sweet it pinches your cheeks and turns your stomach.

Pulled in first by its stunning cover art, this novel shifted like an oncoming storm. Starting slowly, building into a wild torrent, I was swept along with characters who both intrigued and repulsed, through a world just an off-step from ours. Unsettling dystopian-horror was tempered by two central female characters; artists whose fingers cling to life, reach for more than existence, but come back covered in blood. Their story an illustration of humanity's instinct both to survive and create.

The Rain Artist is a world painted with words that I still see when I close my eyes.

[Killua · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of i wanted to thank netgalley for this ARC

And here is my review.

"The Rain Artist" is a beautifully written novel that immerses readers into a world filled with vivid imagery and introspection. The story follows the life of a young artist who finds solace and inspiration in the melancholy beauty of rain. The writing style is eloquent and poetic, and the characters are well-developed and compelling. While I found the pacing a bit slow at times, the book's exploration of emotions and the power of art make it a captivating read for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. Overall, "The Rain Artist" is a solid three-star book that offers a unique and thought-provoking reading experience.

[Haunna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was equal parts weird and bad. Also high key there is antisemitism and concerning racial bias.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Compelling imagery, even more compelling characters and story. The pacing in this book is masterful. So glad it's one in a series!

[Opal Edgar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted writing for a very bleak outlook and world.
This book deserved a very long trigger warning list at the beginning.
This is not at all what I expected. From the cover and title, I imagined more wonder and maybe even a little whimsy. I knew this was going to address the place of beauty and art in our current and future world and I was looking forward to that... not a bucket-load of sexual assault, and enough depravity to make me gag.
The first 10% of the book nothing happens, we are just seeing the every day of the multiple point of views, very well written characterisation, with a hint that things are not as they seem...
13% in and the awfulness starts, 20% in and it just hasn't stopped. The inciting incident is on the horizon, which is another something bad we can guess, but at that stage, I really couldn't take it anymore.
This was not for me, and while the writing craft is impeccable, you might need a shower or two to feel less tainted. I hate hyper-realism preaching how the world is a cesspool and people are monsters. I don't need anyone to hammer that into my face, I have the news. Don't know what the author was trying to achieve but I can certify it was very unpleasant. Will not pick it up again.

[Ailey | Bisexual Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌧️☂️ Welcome to a world where rain is no longer a natural occurrence but a luxury reserved for the ultra-rich. In "The Rain Artist," Claire Rudy Foster paints a dystopian landscape where scarcity reigns, capitalism consumes, and the line between art and survival blurs.

Celine Broussard, the last of the umbrella-makers, becomes embroiled in a high-stakes conspiracy when framed for the murder of the planet's wealthiest man. As she navigates a treacherous landscape of power and privilege, Foster masterfully explores themes of hierarchy, power dynamics, and the commodification of nature.

Foster's prose deftly navigates the complexities of a world ravaged by environmental degradation, where the absence of rain has reshaped every facet of life. Through the lens of protagonist Celine Broussard, descended from a lineage of umbrella-makers, this book explores themes of tradition, ancestry, and the relentless march of capitalism. From the first page, issues of anti-capitalism and class consciousness echo, weaving through the intricate narrative like a delicate thread.

At the heart of this book lies a scathing critique of capitalism and its insidious grip on society. Foster doesn't shy away from delving into the unequal distribution of resources, the exploitative nature of wealth accumulation, and the consequences of unchecked greed. Through nuanced character dynamics and marvelously descriptive diction, "The Rain Artist" paints a vivid portrait of a society teetering on the brink of collapse.

This debut novel serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of complacency in the face of impending disaster. Foster's meticulous attention to detail and evocative imagery create an atmosphere of unease, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we inhabit. "The Rain Artist" does not require much world-building because it is our world, simply sped up, significantly increasing the foreboding experienced while reading this. I think this book is meant to discomfit, though, because as long as we remain comfortable, we are unlikely to agitate against capitalism.

Central to the narrative is the concept of solidarity and collective action in the face of oppression. As Celine navigates a treacherous landscape fraught with danger, she forms unexpected alliances and discovers the power of community in the fight against injustice. Amidst the chaos, moments of beauty and resilience emerge, embodied by the unlikely found family of Celine, Paul, and Yochanna.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its ability to seamlessly weave together themes of environmentalism, anti-capitalism, and social justice. Foster's narrative is both thought-provoking and deeply affecting, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after the final page is turned. In addition, as a queer, nonbinary trans writer, Foster brings a unique perspective to the genre, infusing the novel with authenticity and compassion. This book both entertains and challenges readers to question societal norms and imagine a more just future.

In "The Rain Artist," Claire Rudy Foster has crafted a masterful work of speculative fiction that transcends genre boundaries. With its timely themes, compelling characters, and immersive world, this novel is a powerful testament to the enduring power of storytelling in challenging times, reminding us of how much capitalism takes from us when we fall for its lies and the freedom that awaits if we can learn to resist.

📖 Recommend For: Environmental & Queer Activists, Dystopian Lit Lovers, Anticapitalist Advocates, Fans of NK Jemisin's "Broken Earth" Trilogy and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale.”
🔑 Key Themes: Anticapitalism, Environmental Degradation, Class Consciousness, Found Family, Reproductive Justice, Surveillance Culture, The Commodification Of Nature.
💧 Content / Trigger Warnings: cannibalism (minor), drug use (moderate), gore (moderate), suicide (minor), torture (moderate) classphobia (minor), sexual harassment (minor), self-harm (minor), sexual assault (severe - page 48)

🌈 My Favorite Quotes:
“Wealth diffused stress the way umbrellas shed rain, showering it on the people beneath them, whose job it was to support the canopy at all costs, at any cost, for life.”
“The truth was like everything else and could be manufactured, bought, and traded. All facts belonged to the ice-drinking class; everyone else picked up their scraps and recycled their quotes until speculation became certainty. Every word the ice-drinkers uttered was currency unto itself.”
“They could film police brutality all they wanted. Didn’t change a thing. This is America! Ask not!”
“Humanity was always the first thing to go, under fascism. The voice of her grandmother humming in the kitchen. Then, beauty.”
“Celine knew how girls could be; she’d been a girl herself, once, believing she had powers that excused her from the laws of gravity, the state, and her body itself—its aging and frailty, its agonizing dependence on other people’s tenderness. She used to be young, but now she was wise. She felt it was an even-handed trade. She would not go back, even if she could.”
“In another era, he thought, truth was an unmalleable thing. Humans gave up their lives to protect it. And now, here was the species, with more sensors, spyware, and synthesis capabilities than ever, knowing less than before. They had no idea what was worth defending.”
“Paul had said that the only thing limiting the rich was a lack of imagination and that the rest of us were lucky because they were so very stupid—but Celine knew from experience that ignorance was temporary, and all it needed was a spark of energy, whether it be rage, desire, grief, or greed, to power its engines and send it down the runway, picking up speed as it went, and leaving Celine and her mother trailing behind it with their bags flapping against their shins, hands raised to the departing craft as if to beg for another chance—a better chance—to do it right this time, even perfect, now that we knew what was really expected of us.”

[MyTurn.Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whowza - this was a ride.
Not for the queasy or one seeking a light mood. But if you're into beautiful writing that really really showcases the disturbing qualities of humanity and where it might be headed - this is for you.

Key points summarizing this book?
- Completely disturbing
- Gorgeous writing

Quotes:
- "Wealth diffused stress the way umbrellas shed rain, showering it on the people beneath them, whose job it was to support the canopy at all costs, at any cost, for life."
- "....she could patch it and stop the smoke from dragging its nails over her nerve endings."
- "Rain was priceless; someone like Yochanna would never feel its tiny fingers on her face."
- "It was a salty, pickled smell - the smell of tender, unwashed flesh festering under synthetic fibers here the crease of the thigh rubbed against the edge of the pubis and its sebaceous rind of hairs."
"Celine remembered that once, people used to call these "butterfly kisses", though everyone knew butterflies were mythic creatures, like goblins or or elves."

Literary points:
- Multiple timelines joining into one is also usually not my fav. But this book does it very well and I didn't mind at all. The style and themes made me think of Naomi Alderman's latest book, The Future, but this one hit so much harder and executed the multi-story lines so much better.
- Haunting atmosphere was woven into the story perfectly. The atmosphere was never described in one chunk and the subtle details that arose throughout the story were bleak, dark and almost brought shivers of horror down my back.
-Character development - this part was weak for me. I never felt any attachments to the characters and their arcs weren't complex. Much more plot driven.
- Incredible metaphors and personification that bring chills.

It took me ages to get though this because it was too disturbing at times and I genuinely needed a break. I'm usually all for dystopian literature but this really pushed my limits of what I could handle. This is the first dystopian - post apocalyptic book that had be thinking it earns a place in the horror genre (not my genre).

Difficult to rate because I was not expecting to be slapped in the face with the horror but it was also good for what it was...some of the imagery will stick with me and it did make me think about the world. And the writing is beautiful. So based on my own ranking system - that means 5 stars! Despite the gag factor.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written exploration of a potential future, as capitalism continues to compound class divides and ecological collapse. The writing really is verdant but also languorous, it feels like an elegy for what could be. It flowed and was really a pleasure just to read. The characters were interesting and engaging, with actual interior lives that we got a glimpse of. The writing made everything quite visceral, which I appreciated; I could feel the grime coating my skin as we traveled through the city. That said, the plot felt quite meandering, at times, and while the setting or world-building, the projection of potential futures, was well-developed and served as its own character in the story, it wasn’t anything wildly new for post-capitalism, dystopian, speculative fiction. There was a combination of the characters making choices and things happening to/around them, but nothing felt very pointed. The critique of the elite and ruling class was clear within the first chapters of the book, and never really developed further or deeper. The book navigated important topics outside of economy and ecology, including autonomy, self-worth, and forgiveness, but everything felt more of a glancing blow than a deep dive. I enjoyed the social critique, the world-building, and especially the dense and enchanting writing itself, but with the plot and story feeling only half-constructed it didn’t leave a strong overall impression, even though I had fun while reading it. However, there are so many really great pieces here that I am excited to continue to see what else the author creates.

I want to thank the author, the publisher Moonstruck Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Rain Artist by Claire Rudy Foster is a climate fiction set in New York when rain has stopped falling and capitalism now allows for quadrillionaires. Celine is the world’s only umbrella artist, a skill that has been passed down in her family for generations, and her umbrellas are often commissioned for parties of the rich and famous, the only people who can experience rain anymore. Paul works in Celine’s building and runs an underworld trading business. When Yochanna, a young woman who is seeking to get enough money to afford an abortion, comes to Celine and Paul’s business on the same night they are tricked into disposing of a body, they’re sent on the run.

This book was a ride from beginning to end. The worldbuilding was engaging, particularly how the lack of rain impacts food, class systems, family planning, and even how the rich would respond. I’m always a big fan of authors thinking through their world and I felt Foster really delivered.

Yochanna was my favorite character of the four POVs (Paul, Yochanna, Celine, and Henry, the son and murderer of the quadrillionaire) but all four did show the different ways each character views their environment and how they ended up playing the part they did. Celine was my second favorite and I loved having a female POV character who is in her sixties.

Content warning for depictions of sexual assault, cannibalism, pregnancy, and murder.

I would recommend this to fans of darker cli-fi, readers looking for stories about what would happen if there was no more rain, and readers looking for POV chapters for older characters.

[Charlotte Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ARC recieved from Netgalley]

The Rain Artist tells a story from a dystopian world where the rich elite (the ice drinkers) controls all the worlds natural resources, and can exclusively experience rain in lavish parties. The book has multiple POV where we learn about the world from a handful of people, while following their journey in this capitalistic nightmare world.

The writing is beautiful and poetic and sometimes read as a love letter to nature, but I feel like the language and the very long descriptions often takes the focus away from the story. I wish the writing would differentiate more between the different POVs to make the speaker more clear, and to see some variation in the language used.

The story is pretty straightforward for this genre, but the pacing is a little uneven. Foster has imagined a beautifully dystopian world, and I just wish we could get to see more of it. The start was very promising with this new world, but the rest of the book didn't live up to the beginning. The book is also very American heavy, which is fine, but it just doesn't hit the same way as it should for someone outside the US.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but I had bigger hopes from the description.

[noramc · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rain Artist is a beautiful story set in a world where rain is only available for the richest of the rich. We mainly follow Celine, who is the last umbrella maker in the world, as she unknowingly gets wrapped up in the murder of one of the richest men on earth. It was quite a strange and unique story, I've never read anything like this before. It took a while for me to get into it, as it wasn't what I expected. The beginning felt a bit too sprawling in the sense that the POVs were switching quite often in a way that made me unsure of who we were following, and made it harder to get to know the characters in a way that made me care. Further into the book, however, this became more clear and it started making more sense why the POVs were switching the way they did. Because of this, and it not being the most straightforward of stories, it took a long time for me to get swept up into the story, but around the halfway mark I started really enjoying it. The writing is beautiful and there are lots of stunning similes and metaphors regarding flowers and water. 3.5 stars.

[Olivia]

Thank you NetGalley and Moonstruck books for the ARC.

Celine Broussard is an umbrella maker for the ultra wealth who have rain parties. They use the umbrellas as status symbols and a way to show off to each other.

The book was written beautifully but the pacing was off. I almost DNF because the first couple chapters it felt like nothing was happening. I was not a fan of the graphic details and was hoping of equally awful retribution. I was not a fan woman being described by only their bodies.

The concept of water becoming a rare resource is so interesting. It seems like the author was trying to comment on climate change and its dystopian feel, but it doesn’t really seem set in reality. I would consider this to be more of a commentary on the wealth gap and capitalism than climate change.

This is such a hard one for me to rate. It’s set in a world where it doesn’t rain and only the wealthy have access to rain, but it missed the mark for me.

[Emma Carragher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remain unsure how I feel about this book. The concept was fascinating - society in the future where climate change has impacted so significantly that it no longer rains, icebergs are privately owned, etc. I struggled to connect with the characters or their journey because the writing style is quite removed/distant. It’s a unique style of writing and not at all bad, it just didn’t give me what I needed to be invested in the book. I rarely say this (!) but I wonder if the book needed to be longer, or be planned as a series - it felt like so many concepts and worlds were included (cities that were classic science fiction, underground societies that read like CS Lewis, a danger zone, the final garden) that we spent very little time in any of them and it was hard to grasp why they mattered to the overall story

[chrissyg☕️lattesbooksandblankets · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worlds only Umbrella Maker Celine Broussard supplies hand crafted umbrellas to the ultra rich in a futuristic dystopian New York. Rain parties have become Celines business in a world without any water and natural vegetation. Working away in her studio fronted by a flower shop run by Paul, a past convict. While delivering Umbrella party favors, Celine and Paul witness a murder. Celine unknowingly has agreed to get rid of the body of Robert Weiss, ultra trillionaire and empire owner of Otzara; a city high above NYC where it still rains. Yochanna, an office employee running from her impoverished life, hopes to cash in stolen valuable stamps for some money at Broussard's, but ends up getting tangled in the police chase A fantastic fantasy of underground colonies,temples,runes, and empires built in the skies. It will sweep you away! Beautifully Written. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Holly Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5✨

I have to start my review stating that I received an advanced reader copy through NetGalley.

Honestly, this is not something I usually would have picked up, but the COVER it drew me in and I had to give it a go.

Within the first few pages I could draw the likeness to cloud atlas with its own vibe.

The authors writing is truly captivating, I could not put it down. I was so engrossed by the words.

This is truly one of the most descriptively gruesome books I have ever read. So many things are wrong in this world and I get the depth in which the author is taking to spotlight these problems in society.

[Amanda Costella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely love the concept of this book, a dystopian world where water has become so scarce it’s only enjoyed by the 1% plus the murder of one of the richest men in the world and the only umbrella maker is framed for it. Unfortunately it did not live up to the idea. While it was beautifully written I found the story hard to follow at times and the characters lacking a distinct voice for each other. The author described an almost waterless dystopian world with almost stomach turning detail at times I just found myself detached and not emotionally connected to the story or characters.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I recieved an ARC from NetGalley and Moonstruck Books in return for an honest review.**


This is a near future eco-dystopian story set in America. The prose are fluid and powerful, yet mysterious - revealing information drop by drop. The story is about unlikely companions thrust into a sordid world of selfish and greedy ultra-rich tycoons and a violent takeover. What follows is fast-paced and eye opening - considering it could be a world we may very well live in one day. The ending was a bit unsatisfying but overall I rather enjoyed this work.

[Becky Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a short story, The Rain Artist is a dystopian cli-fi adventure featuring Celine Broussard, the world’s only remaining umbrella-maker due to permanent drought. After one of her wealthiest clients is murdered, Broussard must both flee New York City and prove her innocence with the help of her formerly criminal assistant and a young pregnant woman. The plot is exciting, but my favorite part were Foster’s descriptions—juicy and vivid. The book is the first in a series—I can’t wait to see where the story goes.

This review was originally published on my blog.

[Bernadett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've got a copy from Netgalley

This book focuses on the capitalism in the future. Sadly, the writing style irate me and there were not enough interpersonal relationships and too much focus on capitalism. I love my futuristic books to delve into what human experience with one another could be in the future. truth to be told I look for the glimmer of hope that humans at some point realize that we dont need stuff and that we only need each other. it only got 1+ stars because of the cover to be honest.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rain Artist starts with snippets of people’s lives, a series of short stories as chapters, painting a dystopian future of what might be if the earth is not preserved. Overarching through the beginning chapters is a tale of excess in with in the wealthy to the detriment of the environment and those less fortunate. While not my favorite read its well written and will draw you in. Some one that enjoys short stories would really love this book.

[Kayli Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rain Artist is an evocative feast of all-too relevant eco and dystopian horror backdropped by smart, compelling storytelling that echoes the literary odyssey's of Ursula K. Le Guin's The Word for World is Forest and Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake. Remarkable characters, disturbing, and perpetually beautiful. Celine Broussard is about to become everybody's new favorite heroine. C. R. Foster's brilliant, award-winning writing shines brightest in this apocalyptic, page-turning novel.

[Luz Villarreal · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW for sexual assault from Chapter 4 onwards.

I’m afraid this book was not for me. Beautifully written, nauseatingly graphic, getting through this book was difficult - the only thing fueling me to continue reading was hope for equally graphic retribution.

I would not recommend this book if you’re already depressed, but if you enjoy sexual violence and clifi, by all means.

[Kaavya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC. While I had to DNF this, I think the prose in this book was really lovely and beautiful. There just was not enough to keep me interested and want to continue reading the book. The beginning was a bit slow for me, so maybe I should try to read this book again when I am not too busy.