A city built on water. A society built on power. A woman marked to drown in both.
Tani never meant to end up in Fairwell—a sprawling metropolis of artificial islands ruled by the wealthy elite of the Old World. But once you’re inside, escape isn’t an option.
In Fairwell, your worth is measured by the color of the electronic ring locked to your thumb. Tani wears gray—the lowest tier. The one meant to be overlooked. Erased.
Her only chance of survival may lie with Hayden Comber, a weatherworn seafarer with secrets of his own—and the man who fastened the gray ring on her hand. Whether he’s a reluctant ally or something far more dangerous, Tani must learn quickly: in Fairwell, trust is a currency more volatile than the sea.
Project Fairwell by Krista Graves hits like no other dystopian story I’ve read. It has mystery and thriller vibes blended into the perfect story. From treehouse living and zip lining through the jungle to seafaring communities and ocean dwellers, the worldbuilding is both imaginative and immersive. Life after the fall of the Old World seemed simple, until it wasn’t. Missionary missions twist into dark secrets, and the idea of “family first” turns into something far more haunting.
This book has it all: vivid settings, layered characters, a steady flow that kept me hooked, and a story that feels both intimate and expansive. I quickly became invested in Tani, Hayden, and the colony as a whole—the kind of characters that stay with you long after you close the book. The slow-burn romance that surfaces near the end adds the perfect touch of emotional depth without overshadowing the action and intrigue.
What I loved most was how the pacing kept me turning pages while leaving plenty of unknowns to set us up for book two—I am absolutely here for it.
If you’re looking for: ✔️ A dark and unique dystopian world ✔️ A compelling slow-burn romance ✔️ Heart-pounding action with high emotional stakes
…then Project Fairwell deserves a spot on your TBR. I absolutely recommend this book and can absolutely not wait for the second one.
Project Fairwell surprised me in the best way. I loved the writing style and how quickly the story pulled me into this strange, twisted world built on water. The dystopian setting feels fresh but familiar in the most addictive way — almost like a darker, more intimate spin on THG, where the Elite treat the vulnerable newcomers as entertainment in their own cruel games.
Tani is an amazing main character. Her determination, resilience, and quiet strength made me root for her from the beginning. And Hayden… he has that calm, steady presence that makes every scene with him feel charged even when he says very little. Their dynamic is a slow burn, but a good one.
The world-building, the ring caste system, and the entire atmosphere hooked me fast. It ends on a cliffhanger, and now I have no idea when Book 2 will come — but I’ll definitely be reading it the moment it’s released.
A gripping dystopian romance with tension, danger, and a heroine worth following.
Oh no the ending was too abrupt and tbh nothing happened in this book. Now don’t get me wrong I was fully immersed. The world building was top notch and the prevalent sense of unease was masterful but nothing really happened. Also this is nothing like hunger games (nothing can be like my og) rather a blend of some of the og’s (me runner, divergent…)
Don’t get me wrong I’m not bashing this book because it’s left me reeling for sure and its super clean so always a win for me.
Anyways I absolutely do recommend this book for anyone wanting to read a dystopia that could also be a utopia (capitalism and authoritarianism all wrapped up in an ‘equal chance for all’ bow).