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Utopia
A Clean YA Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure
Three extraordinary teenagers, each an outcast in their worlds, unite to reshape the destiny of a utopian society. Ryn, who couldn't adapt to life under the sea, Eira, born above the clouds but unable to breathe the thin air, and Aiden, rejected by the subterranean civilization, embarks on a thrilling journey to Vancouver's utopia. They'll challenge the elders, confront hidden truths, and discover the power of unity in a fast-paced young adult sci-fi adventure that explores the boundaries of human resilience, and the promise of a better world.
Utopia is a What Happens Next? novel developed from the Under the Ice short story.
Three extraordinary teenagers, each an outcast in their worlds, unite to reshape the destiny of a utopian society. Ryn, who couldn't adapt to life under the sea, Eira, born above the clouds but unable to breathe the thin air, and Aiden, rejected by the subterranean civilization, embarks on a thrilling journey to Vancouver's utopia. They'll challenge the elders, confront hidden truths, and discover the power of unity in a fast-paced young adult sci-fi adventure that explores the boundaries of human resilience, and the promise of a better world.
Utopia is a What Happens Next? novel developed from the Under the Ice short story.
- GenresScience Fiction
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2024
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Marie-Hélène Lebeault
97 books384 followersMarie-Hélène Lebeault writes Speculative Fiction for children, teens, and adults
Be sure to follow her here and on https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marie...
Join her newsletter for events, sales, and new releases at https: //mhlebeaultauthor.substack.com
Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in the world of fantasy, magic and time travel. With important coming of age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in the worlds of magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.
Be sure to follow her here and on https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marie...
Join her newsletter for events, sales, and new releases at https: //mhlebeaultauthor.substack.com
Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in the world of fantasy, magic and time travel. With important coming of age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in the worlds of magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 7, 2024
25 jaar na een grote ramp, proberen de overlevenden de beschaving weer op te bouwen. 3 Jongeren zien echter dat de opbouw stagneert door dat de 'Elder Council' vast blijft houden aan de oude gewoontes.
De drie hoofdpersonen zijn ieder uit hun eigen wereld verstoten. Zij komen elkaar tegen bij het registratiebureau van Nieuw Vancouver, en daar ontstaat een vriendschap voor het leven. Al gauw ontdekken zij dat het leven in Nieuw Vancouver niet zo is als ze hadden verwacht. Gaat het hun lukken om de boel te herstellen?
Het verhaal begon interessant genoeg. Mensen die vluchtten voor een naderende ramp en zich in bunkers op sloten, maar al gauw werd het naar mijn idee minder. Had dan ook moeite om bij het verhaal te blijven. Er was weinig echte actie en spanning te beleven, behalve dan die keer dat zij in een grot zaten die instortte, maar met betrekkelijk weinig moeite lukte het hen om zich te bevrijden.
Ik heb dit e-book ontvangen via Librarythings en de uitgever voor een (korte) review
De drie hoofdpersonen zijn ieder uit hun eigen wereld verstoten. Zij komen elkaar tegen bij het registratiebureau van Nieuw Vancouver, en daar ontstaat een vriendschap voor het leven. Al gauw ontdekken zij dat het leven in Nieuw Vancouver niet zo is als ze hadden verwacht. Gaat het hun lukken om de boel te herstellen?
Het verhaal begon interessant genoeg. Mensen die vluchtten voor een naderende ramp en zich in bunkers op sloten, maar al gauw werd het naar mijn idee minder. Had dan ook moeite om bij het verhaal te blijven. Er was weinig echte actie en spanning te beleven, behalve dan die keer dat zij in een grot zaten die instortte, maar met betrekkelijk weinig moeite lukte het hen om zich te bevrijden.
Ik heb dit e-book ontvangen via Librarythings en de uitgever voor een (korte) review
January 15, 2024
Most of Marie’s works include a group of smart, motivated teens thrust into a problem situation.
Utopia goes a step further. In a world ravaged by man, separated by more than a century, three teens come together to survive, but see the worlds need more than just survival, but a look to the future.
Characters are interesting and you feel compassion for them and the plight of enviro-refugees. Themes are a little heavy-handed (she doesn’t hide her worldviews in this work) but balanced and pretty interesting.
Utopia goes a step further. In a world ravaged by man, separated by more than a century, three teens come together to survive, but see the worlds need more than just survival, but a look to the future.
Characters are interesting and you feel compassion for them and the plight of enviro-refugees. Themes are a little heavy-handed (she doesn’t hide her worldviews in this work) but balanced and pretty interesting.
February 18, 2024
4.5/5
This was such a heartwarming and positive read!
In a post-apocalyptic world where a poison cloud destroyed humanity (EARTH said time for payback), and pushed survivors into various corners of the Earth, live 3 teenagers outcasted from their respective worlds.
Ryn from those living under the sea, Eira from above the clouds, and Aiden from under the surface of the Earth are unable to adapt, unlike their peers. They must go to the newly formed colonies on Earth to survive. But all is not well in this colony called New Vancouver. Will these teenage outcasts find a home together in this new utopia?
Utopia is such a positive book, filled with hope and goodness. I loved how things were described. It had friendship, kindness, the found-family trope, politics, and much more. This sci-fi fantasy is also fast-paced and brings something new to the table.
I love every character, especially Mama Bunting - I thought she was evil at first, but I was reminded NEVER TO JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. It is a story where the young generation sees what is affecting the world and decides to change things. They work with the system and against it at the same time, and in the end, manage to change the elders' perspectives.
I would totally read a follow-up to this story. Thank you to Librarything, the author, and Beaches and Trails Publishing for the e-arc.
This was such a heartwarming and positive read!
In a post-apocalyptic world where a poison cloud destroyed humanity (EARTH said time for payback), and pushed survivors into various corners of the Earth, live 3 teenagers outcasted from their respective worlds.
Ryn from those living under the sea, Eira from above the clouds, and Aiden from under the surface of the Earth are unable to adapt, unlike their peers. They must go to the newly formed colonies on Earth to survive. But all is not well in this colony called New Vancouver. Will these teenage outcasts find a home together in this new utopia?
Utopia is such a positive book, filled with hope and goodness. I loved how things were described. It had friendship, kindness, the found-family trope, politics, and much more. This sci-fi fantasy is also fast-paced and brings something new to the table.
I love every character, especially Mama Bunting - I thought she was evil at first, but I was reminded NEVER TO JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. It is a story where the young generation sees what is affecting the world and decides to change things. They work with the system and against it at the same time, and in the end, manage to change the elders' perspectives.
I would totally read a follow-up to this story. Thank you to Librarything, the author, and Beaches and Trails Publishing for the e-arc.
January 16, 2024
❤️🌏🌅Excellent!
Little Lindsey didn't understand why mom and dad were crying.
They were all waiting in line and Lindsey was very angry.
They were heading towards the elevators that would take them to their new accommodation underground...
--------------------------------------------
An excellent dystopia which tells of the meeting of a group of young people who all have a common point.
I loved the plot and the characters.
Will they succeed in adapting to their new life?
I recommend this captivating youth's read that you absolutely must discover!
##################################
❤️🌏🌅Excellent !
La petite Lindsey ne comprenait pas pourquoi papa et maman pleuraient.
Ils faisaient tous la queue et Lindsey était très en colère.
Ils se dirigaient vers les ascenseurs qui les conduiraient vers leur nouveau logement sous terre...
--------------------------------------------
Une excellente dystopie qui raconte la rencontre d’un groupe de jeunes gens qui ont tous un pount commun.
J’ai adoré l’inteigue et les personnages.
Vont-ils réussir à s’adapter à leur nouvelle vie ?
Je recommande cette lecture jeunesse captivante à découvrir absolument !
Little Lindsey didn't understand why mom and dad were crying.
They were all waiting in line and Lindsey was very angry.
They were heading towards the elevators that would take them to their new accommodation underground...
--------------------------------------------
An excellent dystopia which tells of the meeting of a group of young people who all have a common point.
I loved the plot and the characters.
Will they succeed in adapting to their new life?
I recommend this captivating youth's read that you absolutely must discover!
##################################
❤️🌏🌅Excellent !
La petite Lindsey ne comprenait pas pourquoi papa et maman pleuraient.
Ils faisaient tous la queue et Lindsey était très en colère.
Ils se dirigaient vers les ascenseurs qui les conduiraient vers leur nouveau logement sous terre...
--------------------------------------------
Une excellente dystopie qui raconte la rencontre d’un groupe de jeunes gens qui ont tous un pount commun.
J’ai adoré l’inteigue et les personnages.
Vont-ils réussir à s’adapter à leur nouvelle vie ?
Je recommande cette lecture jeunesse captivante à découvrir absolument !
January 20, 2025
Challenge the status quo
We all experience the same situation in different ways, even those who do not have special needs. Life can be more challenging with emotional, mental, neurological, and/or physical variations. While some accommodations are as simple as scissors and other tools designed for lefthanders, it’s the lack of people’s empathy that’s problematic. What bullies don’t realize is that the ones who were once thought as misfits are the ones to change the world.
Lessons I hope we all learn:
Create a system that better serves citizens, residents, and refugees. There’s just gotta be a better way…
Design technology that works with the environment rather than expecting the environment to adapt to us.
May we all find the strength within and work in unity to make the world a healthier place to live, one where we all can be fulfilled and ‘happy without trying’.
This was an amazing follow-up to the short story “Under the Sky” in the author’s anthology “What Happens Next” (which I read and enjoyed).
We all experience the same situation in different ways, even those who do not have special needs. Life can be more challenging with emotional, mental, neurological, and/or physical variations. While some accommodations are as simple as scissors and other tools designed for lefthanders, it’s the lack of people’s empathy that’s problematic. What bullies don’t realize is that the ones who were once thought as misfits are the ones to change the world.
Lessons I hope we all learn:
Create a system that better serves citizens, residents, and refugees. There’s just gotta be a better way…
Design technology that works with the environment rather than expecting the environment to adapt to us.
May we all find the strength within and work in unity to make the world a healthier place to live, one where we all can be fulfilled and ‘happy without trying’.
This was an amazing follow-up to the short story “Under the Sky” in the author’s anthology “What Happens Next” (which I read and enjoyed).
February 7, 2024
** I received a copy through LibraryThing's early reviewers program. **
The world is destroyed and humanity is forced to live in shelters, whether they're underground, underseas or in the air.
After 25 year there's hope as they've discovered they can go back to the surface. New Vancouver is established and some years later 3 teens, driven out of their homes. They go to New Vancouver, but discover it's not that good as it seems.
The story was quite catching in the beginning. I liked to read about the different colonies but after a while it felt quite repetitive. I slowed down from the middle until the end as it was just politics in my opinion and felt quite lacking.
It's not the best post-apocalyptic story but it's also not the worst.
2.5 stars.
The world is destroyed and humanity is forced to live in shelters, whether they're underground, underseas or in the air.
After 25 year there's hope as they've discovered they can go back to the surface. New Vancouver is established and some years later 3 teens, driven out of their homes. They go to New Vancouver, but discover it's not that good as it seems.
The story was quite catching in the beginning. I liked to read about the different colonies but after a while it felt quite repetitive. I slowed down from the middle until the end as it was just politics in my opinion and felt quite lacking.
It's not the best post-apocalyptic story but it's also not the worst.
2.5 stars.
February 11, 2024
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
A short, stand-alone novel spanning the re-emergence of mankind after a calamity.
I didn't mind it. I would give it three stars out of five. I did find it a bit disjointed to begin with. I was a bit confused when one of the characters changed pronouns between their introductory chapter and the next with no apparent explanation. The writing was simplistic, easy to understand, and good for young adults or children. Very inclusive and diverse, all the popular, politically correct subjects of this era. I didn't grow tremendously attached to any of the characters.
A short, stand-alone novel spanning the re-emergence of mankind after a calamity.
I didn't mind it. I would give it three stars out of five. I did find it a bit disjointed to begin with. I was a bit confused when one of the characters changed pronouns between their introductory chapter and the next with no apparent explanation. The writing was simplistic, easy to understand, and good for young adults or children. Very inclusive and diverse, all the popular, politically correct subjects of this era. I didn't grow tremendously attached to any of the characters.
April 29, 2024
This enlargement of a good, solid short story by M-H Lebeault goes to show that not all shorts convert well to lengthier tomes. Ryn, the main character from the short story, was interesting and if the idea had only been to deal with the environment this personage is from, how it came about and the potential adventures that Ryn had, then a much different novel would have resulted. Instead, we have a gender bouncing (not fluidity as Ryn is male, female and "they" all in the same story) and much less involving character sharing the limelight with two additions to pad the story out.
Basically, this YA novel ends up being about the power of working together for the greater good and how change isn't always bad. The majority of the action takes place in a dystopian future New Vancouver, a city that is attempting to be a Utopian society. In short, an okay book, where the short story had the potential to be much more.
Basically, this YA novel ends up being about the power of working together for the greater good and how change isn't always bad. The majority of the action takes place in a dystopian future New Vancouver, a city that is attempting to be a Utopian society. In short, an okay book, where the short story had the potential to be much more.
November 28, 2024
I enjoy stories about misfit characters finding each other in an unfamiliar place, so I enjoyed reading Utopia. Even though I haven’t read the preceding books in the series, I didn’t feel like I missed any details. It works as a standalone.
I also loved the world-building. The underground communities of Subterrans, the Aerians up in the air, and the Atlantis-ish Aquatics felt enchanting, while reminding the harsh necessities of a post-apocalyptic world.
The story arc develops a bit slower than I prefer, but the theme of inequality still persisting in the post-apocalyptic Earth is always a nice read for me.
I also loved the world-building. The underground communities of Subterrans, the Aerians up in the air, and the Atlantis-ish Aquatics felt enchanting, while reminding the harsh necessities of a post-apocalyptic world.
The story arc develops a bit slower than I prefer, but the theme of inequality still persisting in the post-apocalyptic Earth is always a nice read for me.
January 16, 2024
Good sci-fi story.
It’s a post-apocalyptic setting and the remaining inhabitants struggle to rebuild civilization in uncompromising environments. This story has a good sci-fi plot. The characters are well-developed. I enjoyed how the author brought the storylines of each character together while maintaining the personalities that made them so interesting. It would be nice if this is the start of a new series. I would have given it a higher rating but I received a draft, not the finished version. It was a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
It’s a post-apocalyptic setting and the remaining inhabitants struggle to rebuild civilization in uncompromising environments. This story has a good sci-fi plot. The characters are well-developed. I enjoyed how the author brought the storylines of each character together while maintaining the personalities that made them so interesting. It would be nice if this is the start of a new series. I would have given it a higher rating but I received a draft, not the finished version. It was a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
March 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this as a book in the genre, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed getting into this world and characters. marie hélène lebeault was able to weave a strong tale and am excited for more.
I received a free copy of this book for review and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book for review and am voluntarily leaving a review
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February 3, 2024Utopia is a What Happens Next Novel. Under the Ice got the most votes and I turned the short story into a full-length novel!
Now available in audiobook! https://books.beachesandtrailspublish...
Now available in audiobook! https://books.beachesandtrailspublish...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews