The Final Orchard

by C.J. Rivera

From debut-author CJ Rivera, comes a harrowing tale of a parent risking it all for her child. The Final Orchard is perfect for those looking for a novel that captures them like television shows Silo and Black Mirror.HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE?In a society where bionic enhancements are the epitome of wealth and power, scientific researcher Dr. Rosio Arata threatens to topple the status quo with her pioneering organic enhancements. Yet when a horrific accident kills her daughter, Ro’s quest for answers leads her to becoming trapped in a twisted version of her life’s work.In a bleak underground colony, 18-year old Ever is primed to rise through the ranks, gain selection and become a Saviour. It’s her dream to journey to the Surface and fight the army of Others overwhelming the globe, catching up with the boy she loves in the process. Yet nothing in this world is what it seems and soon the secrets buried in her bunker begin to unravel, threatening the future of everything.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 2024

About the author

CJ Rivera is an adult dystopian author navigating the realms of high-tech turmoil and stark reality. Before diving into speculative fiction, Rivera enjoyed a successful career as a Creative Producer. She has penned and produced captivating content for some of the biggest names in media. Now settled in Washington, DC, Rivera crafts worlds by the glow of her laptop while her husband and daughters dream. When she’s not bending dystopian futures to her will, you might catch her on a long stroll, brainstorming plot twists over iced lattes.

Reviews

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars
This was the final solid 2024 science fiction release I was looking for this year. It's too bad that it arrived in my inbox after I filmed and posted my best sci-fi of the year but this certainly would have taken the final spot. This has a great balance between worldbuilding, characters and the plot. It was an exciting novel with a fast paced narrative while still providing the depth I seek in my science fiction. So few new releases in the genre can balance these two elements so I was thrilled to find that here.

I would recommend this one to readers looking for an accessible yet smart science fiction standalone.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Steph ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

This was good. I was really into Dr Rosio's chapters and what was happening with her, and the further I got into the book, I got more into Ever's story. I did predict what would happen towards the end but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Brianna - Four Paws and a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars rounded up!

This is Blake Crouch meets the 100 which sounds like such an odd combination, but it works!

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exploration of complex, dark themes—grief, greed, and the ethical dilemmas of scientific advancement—without holding back. The way Rosio’s desperation and Ever’s idealism intertwine creates a haunting portrayal of humanity on the brink. Although some twists may feel familiar, the raw emotional core and stark commentary on corporate exploitation keep you hooked.

It’s a heavy read, bleak yet fascinating, with echoes of *Black Mirror* and *Silo*. If you like morally grey characters and thought-provoking sci-fi, this one’s worth the emotional ride.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! Had to lock in the first few chapters of world building but the story it’s self was incredible!!! Crazy cool concept, well written, twist and turns!!

[Alexis Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can 100% picture this book being a movie. A lot of books coming out right now are so similar. This book is not like that at all! I loved it. It’s so unique and creative! I thought I knew what was coming next but I was wrong. It brought me back to the Uglies books I read when I was younger except better. Definitely would recommend. Every time I put it down, I was looking forward to picking it back up again.

[Jamedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Orchard is a sharp dystopian sci-fi novel written by CJ Rivera, published by Angry Robot Books. An extremely well written dual timeline story, exploring complex themes, such as grief and idealism in the context of extreme situations, weaving together a superb plot that will keep you hooked until the last page while also creating the perfect mark to discuss things as corporate exploitation.

As our first character, we get introduced to Dr Rosio Arata, a researcher that lost her daughter the same day she was supposed to introduce an industry-changing advance; she would give anything to recover her, deepening into grief. But a new opportunity arises, a new employer that wants her to direct a new advance, and in the process, she's promised to recover her daughter; she doesn't trust much, but what would do a mother for her daughter?
In our second timeline, we have Ever, an eighteen-year-old girl that has been raised to become a Savior; her only goal in life is to get selected and help in the outside to clean the world. But what is behind that selection and what is the destiny of those Saviours?

Both timelines are alternated in a great way, exploring the motivations of both characters while we slowly unravel the ideas behind the world; Ro's journey through grief while contributing to one of the biggest advances for corporations is simply captivating, as we can relate to her pain. Her own investigation has cost her a daughter, but now, it might bring her back.
Ever's one is a bit slower, a sort of twist to the coming of age story, a young girl that is trying to achieve the goal that will finally take her to the outside world. She's not empty of self-doubt, but the more we read about Ever, the more we cheer for her.

The worldbuilding is another highlight for me, as we have a dystopian setting where companies are destroying our world, while the richest people are enhancing her own bodies; the poor have to resort to black market and faulty enhancements. Ro's investigation might change it, but still the companies are the ones in power. It is scary how it could be an extrapolated version of our nowadays world.
Rivera's writing is excellent, greatly paced and shining in tense scenes and in action sequences, where clarity is essential.

The Final Orchard is an excellent debut novel, a dystopian proposal perfect for those that loved The Island and Maze Runner; a captivating story that hooks you from the start. With its ending, I can see Rivera returning to the world and continuing with her story, and honestly, I hope so.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Orchard by CJ Rivera is going to be a huge hit! If you are a fan of The Fourth Wing series, The Maze Runner series or the show "The Black Mirror," then you are going to love this book too. I can't believe that this is Rivera's debut novel. It is extremely well written. The cover alone made me want to read it.

About The Book:

Have you ever thought about what bionic enhancements could eventually do to our future? Will it have a positive or a negative affect on our lives? Dr. Rosio Arata, a scientific researcher, takes her life's work seriously. However, when her daughter dies in an accident, her career changes drastically. The organic enhancements take on a life of their own.

Eighteen-year-old, Ever, has been raised in an underground colony to become a Saviour. Her life goal is to overcome the "Others" on the Surface in order to save her colony. Her goal also takes on a life of its own.

How will these bionic enhancements affect the life of each woman? Read the book and find out!

My Thoughts On The Book:

I loved this book! It is one I will recommend to others for a while. Following the stories of each woman was exciting, and I read through the book quickly. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. It's the kind of book where you aren't sure how it's going to end.

The characters are well-written and believable. I cheered on so many of the characters, and I wasn't sure who was the antagonist at times.

There are themes of friendship, love, family, evil, and scientific advancements. I would recommend it for 13 years and up.

I hope that this book will be made into a movie. I would definitely buy a ticket!

If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot, and CJ Rivera for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sad to say this, but for someone who's read a lot of sci-fi apocalyptic literature, it was mediocre at best. The second half is greatly action-packed, though apart from that I couldn't find anything valuable for myself. However, it is a good piece to recommend to people who don't read much or haven't read that type of literature.

Thank NetGalley, publisher and author for providing me with ARC copy

[Shannon Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

The Final Orchard was twisty, emotionally provocative, very morally gray (and gave me lots of The 100 vibes!), and kept me on the edge of my seat. I also feel like it might be a series? Or at the very least, I hope it is! I was sucked in from the start, when we meet Ro, who loses her daughter in a tragic accident. With a start like that, how could I not be invested! Now, I will say, I did guess one of the twists, but I think we might be supposed to know? Regardless, that is just one of the many exciting elements of this story, so who cares either way.

We're then introduced to Ever, who is in this underground cult-y situation. And you can't help but feel for her, too, because this mess is all she's ever known. When the two worlds collide, things get even more bananas, and that is all I'll say about that. There is a lot to uncover here, and you're better off going in without knowing much. Lots of relevant commentary, tons of excitement, and sympathetic characters made this a win, and while the story does end to an extent (and tie things up satisfactorily), there is a ton of room for a continuation, which I'd be here for!

Bottom Line: Thought provoking and very engaging, I really hope for more of this world and these characters!

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

[Amanda Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never tabbed a book before but I used SO many. This was wild. Such a rollercoaster. It’s a different take on dystopia with a mothers grief weaved with genetics and AI.

[Kellie Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly do not know how to feel right now, having just finished the book. My immediate reaction was to google if this was going to be a series considering the ending. It is not a series by the way 🫠. This was an excellent read and I loved it. Simultaneously I am heart broken and I hated it. I know that not every book needs a “happy ending”. With that sentiment in mind I found this book to be incredibly inspiring. A mother aiming to give her daughter a second chance at life and a girl who figured out her entire life was a lie is a jarring contrast. I guessed right away that they were being lied to, but when I realized the “subjects” were made to harvest and supply elites with enhanced body parts… my god. The metaphor for climate change was not lost on me and I appreciated the parallels to current human greed and the consequences that come from that. I guess I’ll just have to imagine what ever is doing in a burning world that she escaped to. It was disappointing and yet the perfect ending this book of constant gasps and at times tears. Ever made it out but everyone’s dead? Again I don’t know how to feel. Perhaps I’ll come back once I’ve processed it fully lol.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of my membership of 'The End of the World Reading Club'. It took me a while to get into it but it had me gripped by the end. A thought provoking saga on the direction power and grief push us in and what happens when you don't let anything stop you reaching your dreams.

[witchy_book_babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full RTC

[ignorbramus · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down. This had so much promise.
The premise isn't anything too novel, but it was a sufficiently explored iteration of this kind of sci-fi (trying to be vague here to avoid spoilers). The plot kept me engaged and the world was sufficiently described to feel real. There were just some elements that irked me personally, but may not be a turn-off for others.
- The discussion of the moral implications of characters' actions was too overtly spelled out in their inner monologue; almost as if the readers weren't trusted to read between the lines. There also didn't feel like there was a convincing gray area in this discussion.
- The world felt like it was being fleshed out and explained as it became relevant, rather than set up in the beginning so that readers could appreciate events as they happened. Similarly, the character relationships could have been built up more in earlier parts of the book, so that emotional moments could land harder later.
- The dual perspective is a hard sell for me generally, and I felt that it was unnecessary in this book One of the perspectives was much less engaging than the other, and actually took away from the suspense/intrigue.
- The ending feels rushed; characters acted in frustrating ways that felt like they did so to ramp up the tension, rather than deliver a satisfying conclusion.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Angry Robot for sending me the arc of The Final Orchard by CJ Rivera, for which this is my honest and unbiased review. Ever since I started reading Sci Fi and Fantasy, I’ve loved a great dystopian story and as soon as I discovered a little about the plot for The Final Orchard, I was plaguing Angry Robot for an arc!

The earth has been destroyed by climate change and only the wealthy are benefiting from scientific advances including prolonging their lives through bionic enhancements, leaving the less wealthy and poor are struggling to survive are living on the fringes and in underground colonies.

Dr Rosio Arata is a scientist whose life and work are derailed by the loss of her child in a car accident until Edric Easton reaches out to her and asks her to join his corporation’s scientific research on organic enhancements. Ever is a teenager living in an underground colony training and preparing to rise through the ranks and be selected as a Saviour to fight enemies up on the surface of the earth. Rivera tells the story from these very distinct and at first, seemingly unconnected PoVs that soon pull you into this future world depleted and destroyed by climate change, where residents are imprisoned by the strength and impact of the sun for much of the day.

I was totally pulled into Ever and Ro’s (Rosio) worlds, Ever’s life dominated by the compelling contribution she makes to the war effort, pedalling for power and donating blood alongside other teenagers, all desperate to get their chance to fight outside. And Rosio’s world of science, research, human orchards and organ harvesting, the cloning and the constant line between science and morality; the intertwined relationship of desire, demand, economics and the dehumanisation that lead to immoral and devastating choices.

The world building itself is so detailed and well created, I could picture it almost as if I was viewing a blueprint of a future world where the elite benefit from artificial aids that allow them to live longer, where the strength and impact of the sun prevents people from going outside for huge parts of the day, imprisoning them inside and underground. The distinctions between the societies, the seemingly utopian underground society that Ever inhabits, which at first presents a culture and society with a positive and constructive aim, until we delve deeper and the cracks come to light as we discover more and more just how intertwined Ever’s and Ro’s stories actually are, and what Ever must do in order to survive.
The plot and pace of the stories themselves are also intriguing, with the pace increasing until I was literally racing through the book trying to keep pace with the action as the story propelled towards it’s conclusion. And I’ll be honest, if there’s a sequel to this book, I’m totally here for it!

The Final Orchard is not a light, fluffy, YA, fantasy, it truly is a dark, dystopian Sci Fi novel that truly captures and challenges, leaving the reader to consider the state of our world today. We are in the midst of a climate crisis, our society is dominated by the elite population having access and purchasing power to consume and dominate the majority. We do have significant challenges driven by our capitalist society that drive immoral and illegal activities, including organ harvesting. Scientific advances have and continue to raise moral quandaries, many of which we still don’t have the answer for. The Final Orchard takes on these themes and more, and I totally applaud this.

If you’re looking for your next dystopian story, definitely pick up The Final Orchard – it is such a fascinating and compelling read that explores technology, science, morality, culture, and society in a beautifully delivered dark, chilling, package.

[Robert Goodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

CJ Rivera’s science fiction debut draws on a broad tradition of science fiction media that has come before it. Influences from Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go to Hugh Howey’s Silo to Black Mirror to The Hunger Games. Unfortunately, Rivera never quite breaks free of her many influences to deliver something truly unique. An endeavour that is not helped by thin characterisation and some head scratching plot holes.
When The Final Orchard opens, groundbreaking scientist Rosio Arata, on her way to pitch her new technology is in a car accident in which she is badly injured and her 4 year old daughter Rune is killed. At a low ebb, she is convinced to work for Edric Easton, whose family runs the corporation that makes mechanical body enhancements. Edrich convinces Ro that not only can she create organic enhancements so that he can take on his family, but that she can use the technology to bring her daughter back. The second strand of the book concerns Ever, a sixteen year old living in an underground colony tightly controlled by the mysterious Chairman. The young people in this colony have special powers and compete to be chosen to go to the surface to fight for the future of humanity. But Ever is starting to suspect that things are not quite what they seem.
How these two plot strands eventually relate to each other is the crux of the book, but it is likely that sharp eyed science fiction readers will pick it before all of the reveals are made. Part of the problem with this book is how derivative these two strands and their characters are. Ro is genius scientist driven by grief but also being manipulated by moustache twirling elite plutocrat. While Ever is the plucky teenager with powers, and sniping peers all competing the be the chosen one, pining after lost love while not noticing the attentions of her best friend. Ever lives in a multi-level underground bunker safe from the societal collapse above.
All of which is to say that The Final Orchard is an enjoyable if derivative debut which tries to be provoking and dark. But Rivera has clearly absorbed a lot of science fiction but has a hard time getting out from under those antecedents and finding her own voice and vision. Hopefully she can do this in novels to come.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Angry Robot Books for the gifted copy of The Final Orchard! All thoughts are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, I LOVED this book.

The Final Orchard is a dystopian scifi, with some thriller vibes thrown in. It's comped to Silo and Black Mirror, though it have me a LOT of Fall Out vibes from the adaptation this year. The book follows 2 points of view. Ro is a scientist working to break the monopoly on biomedical enhancements held by the elite, when her young daughter is tragically killed in an accident. Ever is an 18 year old living in an underground colony, training to rise to the surface and join the Saviours trying to take back the earth. As the two stories are told, it quickly becomes clear that everything is not as it seems.

I had the pleasure of meeting CJ Rivera in-person and learning more about the inspiration of the book, and it just made me love the book more. The Final Orchard is a story of the dangers of capitalism, climate change, and wealth disparity in the world. It begs you to ask the questions, "who has power?", "how did the get power?", and "should they still have it?".

"What people thought when they saw these ads was that these products were able to fix them, to help them fit in. Not realizing that they weren't broken to begin with and had simply been made to believe they were."

It's a story about motherhood and loss and what someone would do to get their child back.

It's also a story about a cult of sorts. Ever lives in Helix Colony, where all of the messaging tells her that her prison is really just a path to greater freedom and the chance to save the world.

"They told us we are all special. We are the future. We will save the species. They are our Keepers, protectors is Helix Colony, and our shepherds to the Surface."

Like all cults, information is heavily censored and regulated, all of the language used is meant to foster unconditional loyalty, and the exit cost is very high. I absolutely loved Ever's storyline as she begins to question her environment.

There are parts of this book that are very dark. I am glad Rivera made this adult scifi. She shared that she originally thought it would be a YA dystopia, but later changed to adult when she realized Ro's story needed to be told. It's intense and sinister and really set this book apart in a genre that can be over-saturated.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Scifi lovers, dystopia lovers, and lovers of any of the media listed above will enjoy it.

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a good sci-fi book in ages, so I was excited to dive into The Final Orchard.

When Ro’s daughter dies in a car accident, it puts her life and scientific achievements on hold. However, when a billionaires son makes her an offer she can’t refuse, she starts to work with him to pioneer organic enhancements. Elsewhere, Ever is part of an underground colony working her way up the ranks to join the Saviours and fight for the world above.

I was completely hooked on The Final Orchard from the outset – although I must admit I enjoyed the Ever chapters more than the Ro ones. C.J Rivera creates a well-rounded and detailed world, where artificial adornments allow citizens to live longer and longer, and the sun locks people away for large parts of the day. The chapters alternate between Ro and Ever and I must admit that at the start, I hadn’t quite guessed how they interlinked – it is so clever though and works really well – its well-paced and plotted to perfection.

The world below, with teenagers desperately contributing to the war effort by pedalling for power and donating blood to win standing to get a chance to fight outside, felt gritty and realistic. The characters here were interesting and varied, and I enjoyed piecing together what was actually happening. The stakes ramp up and I raced through the end chapters as they became more and more action-packed. The ending left some room for a sequel, and if this is the case I will snap it up!

Overall, The Final Orchard is dystopian sci-fi done well – well plotted and paced for an engaging and gripping read. Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for this eCopy to review

The Final Orchard is a gripping dystopian thriller that delves into the dark and complex world of bionic enhancements and the lengths a parent will go to for their child. The story is told from the perspective of Dr. Rosio Arata, a scientific researcher who has developed pioneering organic enhancements. Her life takes a tragic turn when her daughter dies in a horrific accident, propelling her into a twisted version of her life's work.

In a society where bionic enhancements are the epitome of wealth and power, Dr. Arata's quest for answers leads her to an underground colony where young people, including Ever, are groomed to become "Saviours" and fight an army of monstrous beings known as the Forms. Ever dreams of ascending to the Surface and reuniting with the boy she loves, but the secrets buried in the colony threaten to unravel everything.

CJ Rivera's writing is intense and thought-provoking, exploring themes of grief, manipulation, and the ethical implications of scientific advancements. The world-building is rich and immersive, creating a bleak and unsettling atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles are both heart-wrenching and relatable.

While the book is dark and heavy, it offers moments of action and suspense that keep the story engaging. The Final Orchard is a compelling read for fans of dystopian fiction and those who enjoy stories with moral and ethical dilemmas.

Overall, The Final Orchard is a powerful and haunting tale that will leave you pondering the true cost of progress and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A body shock sci-fi set in a near future where people want to live forever, despite the havoc wrought on the planet due to climate change... that about sums it up in a nutshell.

Blurb:
How far would you go to safeguard the future?
In a society where bionic enhancements are the epitome of wealth and power, scientific researcher Dr. Rosio Arata threatens to topple the status quo with her pioneering organic enhancements. Yet when a horrific accident kills her daughter, Ro's quest for answers leads her to becoming trapped in a twisted version of her life's work.
In a bleak underground colony, sixteen year-old Ever is primed to rise through the ranks, gain selection and become a Saviour. It's her dream to journey to the Surface and fight the army of Forms overwhelming the globe, catching up with the boy she loves in the process. Yet nothing in this world is what it seems and soon the secrets buried in her bunker begin to unravel, threatening the future of everything.


This started off as an origin story (how Dr. Rosio Atara developed her work, and the accident that ended up killing her child, but not her), developed into a colony story (Ever and Reed have grown up underground, with the aim of being selected to go to the surface, in a colony ruled over by a benign Chairman (shades of Silo and the Hunger Games)), and ends up as something I could see coming, but didn't think it would as that would be dark.... and, boy, did it go there....

No spoilers from me, but what is an Orchard? Somewhere where you harvest fruits. And I'll leave it there.

An excellent read, and I'm very happy to have received this in one of my recent boxes from #ABoS A Box of Stories. However, not sure if I'll reread this, as it has such an ending - so I'll pass it on and share the love.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Angry Robot for my review copy!

3 stars.

This book felt like an M Night Shyamalan dystopian thriller/film to me, with the cliche stereotypes that one would expect from a dystopian society where the rich have all the power. (I do mean this in a good way)

I was able to guess the twists from very early on and if you're also familiar with any of the tropes in a typical dystopian book, I think you would also be able to guess them.

I felt like I struggled to connect to the character of Rosio; this could be due to the fact that a lot of her character development centres around loosing her child and it triggers a very intense depressive spiral for her and I felt like we were told about a lot of this, rather than being shown it.

I did enjoy the cult vibes I was getting from Ever's point of view.

I just feel like because I got the twists (or the general ideas of the twistsg) early on, that it ruined the big reveal.

One thing I did enjoy was the lack of romance. I did worry that when we got the inital description of Reed, that his relationship with Ever would suffer a typical fate. And I do feel like the relationship between them could habe used development, I am very glad it wasn't the main focus.

I would have loved to delve even more into the society that Rosio lives in as I felt like there was so much more to glean from that (and how society came to be like that.)

Overall, this was a good read to get me out of a bookslump, even if I was able to guess the big twists.

[Nicola Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Final Orchard is a YA dystopian science fiction thriller with a dual narrative/timeline. Rosio is a groundbreaking biologist who loses her daughter in an accident. As a result, she ends up trapped, using her skills working for a company whose morals she doesn’t agree with. Ever is a teenager who has spent her whole life living in an underground bunker, training for the day she will be chosen to rise to the surface to fight the AI Forms who are in control.

This book has a really interesting concept and setting which got me thinking “could these advancements in biology and technology actually be possible in the future? Could we all end up living in an underground bunker?”.

I enjoyed both narratives and liked both main characters. Even though Rosio made some bad decisions, you could understand why. There was a couple of side characters whose fate you don’t find out but that’s because we are only seeing things from the two main characters POV.

It took a little bit to get my head into the futuristic world building but once I was in, I was all in! The pacing was great. There was a bit of action at the beginning, a lot of build-up and suspense towards the middle and then the last third of the book is full of action, so exciting I couldn’t put it down. Even right at the very end, there are more surprises, and you can’t predict how it’s going to end.

4.5 stars. Excellent! Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the author for this eARC.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the future, wealth and power buys you bionic enhancements that improve standards of living and extend lifespans. Dr Rosio Arata is a pioneering doctor working within this field when her own daughter is tragically taken away from her in a car accident and Rosio finds herself haunted by her inability to save her. Elsewhere, 18 year old Ever finds herself in a bleak underground colony, slowly rising to the ranks in the hope of one day rising to surface and becoming a saviour to fight those that have taken over the surface. These two worlds will eventually collide and secrets will be revealed.

The Final Orchard is a dystopian novel about two very different worlds that seem unrelated and it is not until the closing chapters that it is revealed how close these worlds actually are. There is some great world building throughout the story but the main focus here is on the moral dilemmas of scientific advancement and how far do we go to save the human race at the suffering of others? One aspect I was initially confused about was Rosio and Ever's stories taking place in two different timelines, I didn't feel this was made obvious enough, not for me anyway and so for the first half of the book I was a little confused as I thought they were occurring at the same time! Overall a decent story with some memorable characters set in a world that I feel could be explored further in a sequel.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Orchard is a dystopian sci-fi thriller based in a world where climate change has ravaged the earth and the rich prolong their lives with bionic enhancements, while the poor struggle to survive, clinging to the fringes and scientists tread a tight line between, ethics, power and politics.

One such scientist is Dr. Rosario Arata, who develops organic enhancements to rival the bionic ones so favoured by the rich, and who lost her daughter in a horrific car accident.

In the meantime, in an inhospitable, charmless underground colony, teenage Ever is rising through the ranks of her subterranean community, in the hope of rising up out of the deep, and waging war above.

Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up.

So, what a great, fast paced, complex read this was. There's twists and turns, very much reminiscent of Black Mirror or Silo, maybe even a dash or two of Fallout, and is a novel that I could definitely see made into a blockbuster film.

The world building is impressive, the characters are believable and feel real, and it's a book I'm sure you'll stay up late reading, long after you should have gone to sleep.

I read this in three sittings.

5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. It’s dark, and then it just keeps getting darker. Even the ending refuses to let up, which I genuinely respect. There’s no softening the blow, no hopeful repainting of what’s happened. It just leaves you with it. That takes confidence.

I loved the chapter structure. The way it occasionally switches perspective and time, not in a neat every-other-chapter way, but just enough to deliber tely feel disorienting at first. As it goes on, it becomes clearer what’s happening and how these very separate people and moments are connected. It’s clever, and it rewards paying attention without ever spelling things out too loudly.

There are some really strong twists and revelations along the way. It’s one of those books where you stop, think, reread a paragraph, then go “oh… oh no.” The premise is great too. It feels like a grim mashup of Black Mirror, Silo, and a touch of Running Man, but it still manages to feel like its own thing.

Above all, it’s brutally honest about humanity. People are shown as selfish, fearful, cruel, and complicit, not because they’re born monsters, but because that’s often just how privileged humans are. And that’s what makes it sad. Properly sad.

Dark, bleak, thoughtful, and uncompromising. Well done, CJ.

[Dawn Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading club read [EOTWRC]: An impressive debut novel that is well written and gripping throughout.
While the premise has echoes of other works of fiction - these are not the first clones bred for parts - it is definitely it's own story.
I'm not always a fan of the double narrative and initially it put me off but as the plot drew me in I warmed to the device. It never gave too much away and we were still left with questions - what's really happening outside? Can Ever survive it? Did Axe survive? Who are the Sentinels and will Ever find them? Am I getting sequel vibes...? I actually kind of hope not, I think that this can probably stand alone.
It had the feeling of a YA, probably because the main characters were teens and nothing was particularly gory. There was a mildly queasy moment for those who don't like anything involving eyes (I had an opthalmology placement that made me immune) and a lot of blood but nothing truly horrific.
A great debut and I look forward to reading more from her.

[Christa Hartzog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley on exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book with all the nostalgia of Brave New World and Uglies that I have in me. From a curricular standpoint, it would be a perfect paired text for Brave New World as well as helpful in raising points about the ideas around healthcare being a luxury instead of a basic human right.

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I was completely engaged with the plot and characters from the very first chapter. I loved how the viewpoints overlapped and crossed time and space with no confusion. Both main characters got their stories told in masterful ways.

The world and technology was believable. The explanations felt backed by expert advice. I don’t think there’s anything that could have made this book better outside of my own selfish desire for alternate endings.

I hope that others will burn through these pages with a new story in their minds and the bravery of the characters within them.

[Tyler Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read!

Im not going to lie, I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and the blurb that left me wanting to know more. I love novels like this that gives us a peek into what the future could be like if we continue down the path we are heading. I loved Black Mirror and this books feels similar in the way in which its plot is eerily realistic. From the plot to the characters, this is a book that will hook you from chapter one.

Rivera writes characters that feel realistic and relatable even if their lives are nothing like your own. Action packed, you will be on the edge of your seat from the start to the end of this book, and when I finally finished, this story followed me around for days. If you like dystopian reads that are immersive and vivid then you need to read this asap!

[Bernadett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've received a copy from Netgalley
We start out with dual pov, firstly, from a scientist who had a hand in developing a new technology enabling longer lifespans and artificially creating and growing at a rapid pace organs using stem cell research. Ro isnt immune to car accidents tho, and her daughter dies in the back seat leaving her to grapple with her lifes work and the question of mortality.
The second point of view is by Ever, who lives in an impoverished mining colony and her dream is to be reunited with her family at all cost.
For a debut, I have to say I absolutely love the concept, the writing is really solid and engaging, not too short not too long just the perfect sided novel. Absolutely love that it even can venture into speculative fiction and I will be sure to pick up my own copy.