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iNSiDE
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26Whatever happens, don't go Outside.
Naya has been navigating the disappearing doors, shifting windows, and size-changing rooms of her indoor city her whole life. She will do anything to be accepted into the city's governing body and police force, the NSDE, and anything to make her mother, the General, proud.
So when her mother asks her to take on a top-secret, dangerous assignment, to spy on the Spiravits, a dangerous enemy with powers no one understands, she accepts.
Naya knew the risks in leaving the safety of her indoor home, but she never thought the Spiravits would be so human, especially as she starts getting closer to two siblings, Zayn and Anice. And that Outside would be quite so . . . wonderful.
What if everything she thought she knew was wrong? How can she complete her mission when she can no longer tell truths from lies?
Naya has been navigating the disappearing doors, shifting windows, and size-changing rooms of her indoor city her whole life. She will do anything to be accepted into the city's governing body and police force, the NSDE, and anything to make her mother, the General, proud.
So when her mother asks her to take on a top-secret, dangerous assignment, to spy on the Spiravits, a dangerous enemy with powers no one understands, she accepts.
Naya knew the risks in leaving the safety of her indoor home, but she never thought the Spiravits would be so human, especially as she starts getting closer to two siblings, Zayn and Anice. And that Outside would be quite so . . . wonderful.
What if everything she thought she knew was wrong? How can she complete her mission when she can no longer tell truths from lies?
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 7, 2026
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy
Naya has worked incredibly hard to make her mother proud. This has been a personal ambition for most of her life, and she feels she still hasn't achieved it. Her mother is no ordinary woman. Not just driven, important, powerful and cold, her mother is The General, leader of the NSDE (Neo Settlers Develops & Engineers). This is the organisation that controls the city of Ema and its residents.
"The NSDE initiative was formed to save humanity from the chaos and dangers of Outside. Pollution, over farming and introduction of untested bio-engineered elements resulted in deadly droughts, pollen storms and mutated swarms. NSDE was humanity's last chance."
Children are trained to become soldiers of this regime, to police the inhabitants, and to prevent creatures called Spiravits from attacking them. Training includes lessons on how dangerous the Spiravits can be. They may look human, but their eyes are milky white and they can be vicious and calculating. They also have a strange power that can produce explosions, killing any living thing around them.
No matter how hard Naya trains, even with the help of her best friend and top cadet Kaven, she can never be ruthless enough, strong enough or single-minded enough to achieve the standards her mother insists upon. When she is given another way to graduate along with her class and Kaven, she accepts.
The General gives her a dangerous mission: Infiltrate the Spiravit's lair and return with intel in order to eradicate them.
It's risky from one moment to the next, and Naya discovers truths even more shocking than her mother's mission request. Torn between both worlds, she uses a strange gift she has had since small - communicating with the city walls with her mind.
Split into two timeframes (during soldier training and then on a mission), main character Naya tells this dystopian story.
The soldier training shows the reader all the hard work, effort and pain (both physical and mental), Naya has gone through to try and impress her mother who is the leader of their entire city. Naya can't seem to ever achieve the results she aims for but continues to struggle regardless.
This determination and grit aids her in a perilous mission outside the safety of the city walls, and allows her to see the truth that is hidden from city residents. This is shown cleverly on the cover of the novel. The city is clean, and ordered and if you tip the cover over, you see broken structures surrounded by trees and nature. The telling component is the way the human within those landscapes is composed. The city holds a running figure. The Outside, a calm, awed human being.
This theme of misconception between people is a common one, and one our world continuously finds itself in - INSIDE shows a dystopian view of it with an imaginative Sci-Fi twist.
A gripping read.
Author - S A Gales
Age - 11+
Publisher - Allen & Unwin
Set in - Unknown Future / Inside & Outside a semi-sentient city
Viewpoint - 1st person
Orphan - No father present
Violence - Yes
Real Life - No
Fantasy - No
Blend - Dystopian / Sci-Fi
"The NSDE initiative was formed to save humanity from the chaos and dangers of Outside. Pollution, over farming and introduction of untested bio-engineered elements resulted in deadly droughts, pollen storms and mutated swarms. NSDE was humanity's last chance."
Children are trained to become soldiers of this regime, to police the inhabitants, and to prevent creatures called Spiravits from attacking them. Training includes lessons on how dangerous the Spiravits can be. They may look human, but their eyes are milky white and they can be vicious and calculating. They also have a strange power that can produce explosions, killing any living thing around them.
No matter how hard Naya trains, even with the help of her best friend and top cadet Kaven, she can never be ruthless enough, strong enough or single-minded enough to achieve the standards her mother insists upon. When she is given another way to graduate along with her class and Kaven, she accepts.
The General gives her a dangerous mission: Infiltrate the Spiravit's lair and return with intel in order to eradicate them.
It's risky from one moment to the next, and Naya discovers truths even more shocking than her mother's mission request. Torn between both worlds, she uses a strange gift she has had since small - communicating with the city walls with her mind.
Split into two timeframes (during soldier training and then on a mission), main character Naya tells this dystopian story.
The soldier training shows the reader all the hard work, effort and pain (both physical and mental), Naya has gone through to try and impress her mother who is the leader of their entire city. Naya can't seem to ever achieve the results she aims for but continues to struggle regardless.
This determination and grit aids her in a perilous mission outside the safety of the city walls, and allows her to see the truth that is hidden from city residents. This is shown cleverly on the cover of the novel. The city is clean, and ordered and if you tip the cover over, you see broken structures surrounded by trees and nature. The telling component is the way the human within those landscapes is composed. The city holds a running figure. The Outside, a calm, awed human being.
This theme of misconception between people is a common one, and one our world continuously finds itself in - INSIDE shows a dystopian view of it with an imaginative Sci-Fi twist.
A gripping read.
Author - S A Gales
Age - 11+
Publisher - Allen & Unwin
Set in - Unknown Future / Inside & Outside a semi-sentient city
Viewpoint - 1st person
Orphan - No father present
Violence - Yes
Real Life - No
Fantasy - No
Blend - Dystopian / Sci-Fi
June 16, 2025
S.A. Gales’ iNSiDE is a razor-sharp dystopian debut pulsing with tension and intrigue.
In a world where every surface is monitored, every door moves on command, and Outside is a forbidden word, Naya has trained her whole life to serve the system. She just didn’t expect the truth to unravel so quickly or so beautifully.
As a spy sent beyond the city's boundaries to infiltrate the mysterious Spiravits, Naya’s mission should be simple: observe, report, and earn her mother’s approval.
But what begins as surveillance turns into something far more dangerous when she meets Zayn and Anice, siblings who defy everything she's been taught. As the Outside begins to reshape her reality, Naya must decide: loyalty or liberation?
What makes iNSiDE shine:
* A claustrophobic city filled with ever-shifting architecture and Orwellian control.
* Smart commentary on surveillance, propaganda, and inherited ideologies.
* Complex emotional development as Naya confronts the possibility of freedom.
* A slow-burn emotional entanglement with high-stakes moral tension.
S.A. Gales deftly builds a world that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably plausible.
The novel asks timely questions about truth, control, and how fear is weaponised. And at its centre is Naya—flawed, fierce, and achingly real—as she fights to make her own meaning in a world built on lies.
iNSiDE is a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant debut perfect for fans of Scythe, Legend, or The Giver.
In a world where every surface is monitored, every door moves on command, and Outside is a forbidden word, Naya has trained her whole life to serve the system. She just didn’t expect the truth to unravel so quickly or so beautifully.
As a spy sent beyond the city's boundaries to infiltrate the mysterious Spiravits, Naya’s mission should be simple: observe, report, and earn her mother’s approval.
But what begins as surveillance turns into something far more dangerous when she meets Zayn and Anice, siblings who defy everything she's been taught. As the Outside begins to reshape her reality, Naya must decide: loyalty or liberation?
What makes iNSiDE shine:
* A claustrophobic city filled with ever-shifting architecture and Orwellian control.
* Smart commentary on surveillance, propaganda, and inherited ideologies.
* Complex emotional development as Naya confronts the possibility of freedom.
* A slow-burn emotional entanglement with high-stakes moral tension.
S.A. Gales deftly builds a world that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably plausible.
The novel asks timely questions about truth, control, and how fear is weaponised. And at its centre is Naya—flawed, fierce, and achingly real—as she fights to make her own meaning in a world built on lies.
iNSiDE is a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant debut perfect for fans of Scythe, Legend, or The Giver.
August 15, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
INSIDE is a dystopia with a sentient city!
We are seeing a resurgence of dystopia at the moment and this book fits perfectly into that trend. We have a city closed off from the natural world painting those outside, living with nature, as the enemies.
I really liked the city of Emas, which is semi-sentient, able to change corridors and create doors within it at will. It's a really interesting look at the most extreme end of smart cities, but one that's entirely enclosed without the sky. It's also very white and featureless, a literal white box people are inhabiting.
The present day is interspersed with chapters from Naya's time training with the military wing of the city (NSDE). As most of the present is set outside, it's a nice way to build the world of Emas and also her relationship with her mother (terrible) and best friend, a fellow cadet. It means that, when outside and inside collide at the end, we can understand the two threads of her life - and the emotional impact of the events.
The book is very pacy, using lots of short chapters to great effect. I sped through this book (very useful as I have four books to read in three days!) trying to work out exactly how Naya's ruse was all going to fall apart and what she'd do once she was faced with her city's truths.
INSIDE is a dystopia with a sentient city!
We are seeing a resurgence of dystopia at the moment and this book fits perfectly into that trend. We have a city closed off from the natural world painting those outside, living with nature, as the enemies.
I really liked the city of Emas, which is semi-sentient, able to change corridors and create doors within it at will. It's a really interesting look at the most extreme end of smart cities, but one that's entirely enclosed without the sky. It's also very white and featureless, a literal white box people are inhabiting.
The present day is interspersed with chapters from Naya's time training with the military wing of the city (NSDE). As most of the present is set outside, it's a nice way to build the world of Emas and also her relationship with her mother (terrible) and best friend, a fellow cadet. It means that, when outside and inside collide at the end, we can understand the two threads of her life - and the emotional impact of the events.
The book is very pacy, using lots of short chapters to great effect. I sped through this book (very useful as I have four books to read in three days!) trying to work out exactly how Naya's ruse was all going to fall apart and what she'd do once she was faced with her city's truths.
September 25, 2025
Such an interesting and new take on the dystopian genre. I found the concept of Emas itself absolutely fascinating: a smart city gone wrong, with changing passageways and doors and all sorts of responsive technological features, yet at the same time glitchy and prison-like. I can see how it could have been set up originally as a utopian ideal, a way to protect and provide for its citizens, but I wouldn't want to live there!
Naya makes a great protagonist through whose eyes to view both the city and Outside. We gradually unpick her relationship with her mother, the General, and develop new perspectives on the world she lives in at the same time as she does. There's a strong theme of indoctrination and othering in this book: how easy it is to believe that certain sections of the population are less than human if that's what's hammered home to you as a child; yet also how, despite that brainwashing, it's possible to come to understand the 'other' and see it for what it truly is. (Naya's experiences with the 'Spiravits' are a strong argument for diversity: when we live among people we see as different from us, it's hard to continue overlooking what we have in common.)
I would love to read a sequel as it feels like there's a whole lot more to explore in this future world.
Naya makes a great protagonist through whose eyes to view both the city and Outside. We gradually unpick her relationship with her mother, the General, and develop new perspectives on the world she lives in at the same time as she does. There's a strong theme of indoctrination and othering in this book: how easy it is to believe that certain sections of the population are less than human if that's what's hammered home to you as a child; yet also how, despite that brainwashing, it's possible to come to understand the 'other' and see it for what it truly is. (Naya's experiences with the 'Spiravits' are a strong argument for diversity: when we live among people we see as different from us, it's hard to continue overlooking what we have in common.)
I would love to read a sequel as it feels like there's a whole lot more to explore in this future world.
August 17, 2025
Inside explores themes of family bonds, both nurturing and toxic, alongside discrimination, clashing moral frameworks, indoctrination, and power dynamics. It’s a well-written sci-fi that’s accessible even to readers new to the genre. The focus is firmly on friendships, family, and platonic relationships.
The characters are diverse, and it was fantastic to watch the main character evolve, challenging their own prejudices and deepening their understanding of the world around them. The world-building leans dystopian, making it easy to grasp.
Pacing was steady for most of the book, though the final 15% felt a little rushed. I’d have loved for the author to linger more on the revelations and unfolding scenes. They deserved more breathing room. At times, I struggled to visualise what was happening, especially during the more action-heavy moments near the end. A map or a bit more descriptive grounding could have helped.
All in all, a solid YA sci-fi and a strong debut. I’m excited to see what the author does next.
Huge thanks to the publisher for the proof copy. These thoughts are entirely my own.
The characters are diverse, and it was fantastic to watch the main character evolve, challenging their own prejudices and deepening their understanding of the world around them. The world-building leans dystopian, making it easy to grasp.
Pacing was steady for most of the book, though the final 15% felt a little rushed. I’d have loved for the author to linger more on the revelations and unfolding scenes. They deserved more breathing room. At times, I struggled to visualise what was happening, especially during the more action-heavy moments near the end. A map or a bit more descriptive grounding could have helped.
All in all, a solid YA sci-fi and a strong debut. I’m excited to see what the author does next.
Huge thanks to the publisher for the proof copy. These thoughts are entirely my own.
September 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot! Gales built a very interesting dystopian world with a unique take on an Orwellian vibe, and the only reason for 4 stars (maybe a little closer to 4.5) instead of 5 is because the descriptions, especially in the early part of the book, weren't quite enough for me to be able to really visualize the city of Emas and the Spiravits, and even after finishing the book I'm still a bit confused about who the are and what the Inside-Outside areas actually are.
The characters are very well fleshed out and were easy to grow attached to, though I thought the General was almost cartoonishly evil. The main character and at least 2 major supporting characters grew a lot throughout the story, and I appreciated how character growth was intertwined with the themes of loyalty, propaganda, and otherness.
I don't read a ton of YA dystopia, but this book seemed to have similar vibes to Scythe and The 100, and I think fans of those would also enjoy this one.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
The characters are very well fleshed out and were easy to grow attached to, though I thought the General was almost cartoonishly evil. The main character and at least 2 major supporting characters grew a lot throughout the story, and I appreciated how character growth was intertwined with the themes of loyalty, propaganda, and otherness.
I don't read a ton of YA dystopia, but this book seemed to have similar vibes to Scythe and The 100, and I think fans of those would also enjoy this one.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
August 16, 2025
˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 𝗶𝗡𝗦𝗶𝗗𝗘 ˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: YA sci-fi/fantasy
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 320 pages
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5 ⭐
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
• High stakes
• Unique magic system
• Forced proximity
• Thought provoking
• Found family
• Dystopian world
𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴!
This was a great debut! I was starting to fall into a reading slump, but this book totally pulled me out of it!
I think the overall premise was really well captured. The characters were all unique, some might seem unlikeable, but they really grow on you as you read. The found family aspect was fantastic, and the ending had me tearing up a bit because I felt such a connection 🥹
It kind of hints at a possible sequel? I really hope we get to see these characters again in a second book, because it didn’t feel completely wrapped up.
All in all, I think this is perfect for anyone looking to dive into fantasy. It was super easy to read and get into. I totally recommend it!
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: YA sci-fi/fantasy
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 320 pages
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5 ⭐
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
• High stakes
• Unique magic system
• Forced proximity
• Thought provoking
• Found family
• Dystopian world
𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴!
This was a great debut! I was starting to fall into a reading slump, but this book totally pulled me out of it!
I think the overall premise was really well captured. The characters were all unique, some might seem unlikeable, but they really grow on you as you read. The found family aspect was fantastic, and the ending had me tearing up a bit because I felt such a connection 🥹
It kind of hints at a possible sequel? I really hope we get to see these characters again in a second book, because it didn’t feel completely wrapped up.
All in all, I think this is perfect for anyone looking to dive into fantasy. It was super easy to read and get into. I totally recommend it!
July 2, 2025
iNSiDE by S. A. Gales ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an ARC read sent by the publisher, release date of est. 15/08/2025.
I can honestly see such potential of this world which has been created. There was enough backstory, well written in flash back form.
The plot follows a girl who is within the ‘inside’ desperately wanting to qualify as an NSDE officer to oversea the ever changing world with disappearing doors and shifting corridors. The general, her mother, sends her on an undercover operation to discover the ‘outsiders’ secrets, weaknesses and the source of their power.
What Naya didn’t expect to find was friendships and a civilised community.
The book is primarily for young adults and if you are wanting to get into fantasy this book would be a good place to start as it was easily read, good paced book.
The reason for 3 stars would be that the ending seemed rushed and things seemed unfinished with the characters. I’m hoping this gets picked up for a second book to clarify some things as there is so much we don’t know!
Read: 20/05/2025 - 26/05/2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🚫🌶️
📖
#bookreview #s.a.gales #iNSiDE #fantasy #bookstagram
This was an ARC read sent by the publisher, release date of est. 15/08/2025.
I can honestly see such potential of this world which has been created. There was enough backstory, well written in flash back form.
The plot follows a girl who is within the ‘inside’ desperately wanting to qualify as an NSDE officer to oversea the ever changing world with disappearing doors and shifting corridors. The general, her mother, sends her on an undercover operation to discover the ‘outsiders’ secrets, weaknesses and the source of their power.
What Naya didn’t expect to find was friendships and a civilised community.
The book is primarily for young adults and if you are wanting to get into fantasy this book would be a good place to start as it was easily read, good paced book.
The reason for 3 stars would be that the ending seemed rushed and things seemed unfinished with the characters. I’m hoping this gets picked up for a second book to clarify some things as there is so much we don’t know!
Read: 20/05/2025 - 26/05/2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🚫🌶️
📖
#bookreview #s.a.gales #iNSiDE #fantasy #bookstagram
July 8, 2025
i really enjoyed this book, i do have to say i did find it a little hard to imagine what Emas looked like and would of liked a little more character development eg. we didn’t find out the specific age of any of the characters.
i loved how it flicked from past to present to give us further insight on the main characters. i did guess one of the plot twists, but do still have a lot of questions so hopefully it gets picked up for a second book🤞🏻!
massive thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of the book!✨
i loved how it flicked from past to present to give us further insight on the main characters. i did guess one of the plot twists, but do still have a lot of questions so hopefully it gets picked up for a second book🤞🏻!
massive thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of the book!✨
November 17, 2025
Inside is a fast paced book about misconceptions, prejudice and family. It contains scenes of peril, but is appropriate for middle grades on up.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
A YA sci-fi/dystopian book was such a good read! I found parts to be really cozy and I fell in love with the characters!
It’s got a really unique magic system which I haven’t seen before. The found family had me tearing up too!
Naya is given a secret mission to find information from the Spiravits who live outside of the NSDE. But all Naya has ever known is ‘whatever you do, don’t go outside’
I’m hoping for a second book as the ended was left a little open which definitely gives the possibility of book 2!
Thank you so much to Faber for giving me the opportunity to read this early! I very much enjoyed my time!
It’s got a really unique magic system which I haven’t seen before. The found family had me tearing up too!
Naya is given a secret mission to find information from the Spiravits who live outside of the NSDE. But all Naya has ever known is ‘whatever you do, don’t go outside’
I’m hoping for a second book as the ended was left a little open which definitely gives the possibility of book 2!
Thank you so much to Faber for giving me the opportunity to read this early! I very much enjoyed my time!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews