What do you think?
Rate this book
In Stasis
"In Stasis" is a lyrical, slow-burn survival novel that invites you to explore a dualityof worlds and survival from the perspective of an average woman.
"Jessi is forced to choose to flee to the forest with her dog, Janus, after facing abetrayal and to avoid arrest from the newly established authoritarian regime.Deep amongst the trees she must learn what it means to survive-both in thewilderness and this new world.Convinced she can live, unnoticed in the forest, Jessi must grasp to her humanity,uncover dimmed skills, and cling on to the hope there's a way through this.Lurking beneath the surface is the nagging Is she truly alone in this vastexpanse?Each day a lucky gift, hiding away from the other shoe that threatens to drop, justbeyond the horizon, as signs of the world she left behind begin to creep in.Survival demands everything. Without an option to opt out, every day living is anact of resistance.Every choice demands her re-evaluation of what is necessary to endure in theface of erasure."
"Jessi is forced to choose to flee to the forest with her dog, Janus, after facing abetrayal and to avoid arrest from the newly established authoritarian regime.Deep amongst the trees she must learn what it means to survive-both in thewilderness and this new world.Convinced she can live, unnoticed in the forest, Jessi must grasp to her humanity,uncover dimmed skills, and cling on to the hope there's a way through this.Lurking beneath the surface is the nagging Is she truly alone in this vastexpanse?Each day a lucky gift, hiding away from the other shoe that threatens to drop, justbeyond the horizon, as signs of the world she left behind begin to creep in.Survival demands everything. Without an option to opt out, every day living is anact of resistance.Every choice demands her re-evaluation of what is necessary to endure in theface of erasure."
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2026
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 12, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up.
I think this is an important story to read even if you are not necessarily a fan of speculative or dystopian fiction. The story unfolds slowly, with some flashbacks mixed in to expand upon the situation developing in "The Nation" under a newly established authoritarian regime. Jessi flees to the forest with her dog Janus to escape, hide, and survive.
The prose is very lyrical. It feels like reading poetry. Admittedly, that at times made it hard for me to understand what the author was conveying and I would need to re-read a section a bit more slowly. If you are looking for something to read quickly, I don't think this is it. This should be something you take your time with, allow to simmer, and sit with your thoughts. You're going to get angry. You're going to feel a lot of emotions. But that is the point. This is a poignant story of survival.
Thank you to Ashley Peters and Once Upon a Book Tour for including me on this review tour and for the gifted digital copy of the book! All thoughts expressed are my own.
I think this is an important story to read even if you are not necessarily a fan of speculative or dystopian fiction. The story unfolds slowly, with some flashbacks mixed in to expand upon the situation developing in "The Nation" under a newly established authoritarian regime. Jessi flees to the forest with her dog Janus to escape, hide, and survive.
The prose is very lyrical. It feels like reading poetry. Admittedly, that at times made it hard for me to understand what the author was conveying and I would need to re-read a section a bit more slowly. If you are looking for something to read quickly, I don't think this is it. This should be something you take your time with, allow to simmer, and sit with your thoughts. You're going to get angry. You're going to feel a lot of emotions. But that is the point. This is a poignant story of survival.
Thank you to Ashley Peters and Once Upon a Book Tour for including me on this review tour and for the gifted digital copy of the book! All thoughts expressed are my own.
January 4, 2026
Hello, people!
Dystopias are one of the genres that intrigue me and push me to read them. The reason? Of course, the truths that are hidden, that are said, that are narrated by the authors. Also, in everything I see something of the reality that we live or are close to living. Of course, there is also the question... how far can we go for our survival?
The heroes become one with alienation, loneliness embraces them, trust evaporates and survival, the only element that everyone seeks, steps on it. All this is experienced by readers while reading the book.
The author's writing is quite lyrical, claustrophobic, captivating, shocking and true.
Thank you very much to the author and Once Upon A Book Tour for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Dystopias are one of the genres that intrigue me and push me to read them. The reason? Of course, the truths that are hidden, that are said, that are narrated by the authors. Also, in everything I see something of the reality that we live or are close to living. Of course, there is also the question... how far can we go for our survival?
The heroes become one with alienation, loneliness embraces them, trust evaporates and survival, the only element that everyone seeks, steps on it. All this is experienced by readers while reading the book.
The author's writing is quite lyrical, claustrophobic, captivating, shocking and true.
Thank you very much to the author and Once Upon A Book Tour for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
January 1, 2026
✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨
‼️‼️CHECK AN TWS THIS BOOK GETS DARK‼️‼️
This is a hauntingly realistic dystopian book. It was very hard to look away from this story and I kept wondering how far this FMC would go for her own survival.
This book definitely hits close to home as some of the events parallel with what we are currently living through.
In Stasis releases January 12th and is definitely worth reading if you enjoy dystopian fictions! Thank you to the author and once upon a book tour for sending me a copy of this book!
‼️‼️CHECK AN TWS THIS BOOK GETS DARK‼️‼️
This is a hauntingly realistic dystopian book. It was very hard to look away from this story and I kept wondering how far this FMC would go for her own survival.
This book definitely hits close to home as some of the events parallel with what we are currently living through.
In Stasis releases January 12th and is definitely worth reading if you enjoy dystopian fictions! Thank you to the author and once upon a book tour for sending me a copy of this book!
December 31, 2025
A hauntingly realistic dystopia that asks the question: how far will one person go to survive?
When a new authoritarian regime takes over the nation, it's not long before "undesirables" and "deplorables" begin to go missing. Proclamation after proclamation tightens the noose around the throats of the citizenry, journalistic freedom and integrity become a thing of the past, and neighbors begin to turn against neighbors. Determined to survive without bowing to the new regime, Jessi and her dog Janus take flight. What follows is their story of survival and resilience in a world growing steadily more hostile.
Like most millenials, I enjoy a good dystopian novel. Hunger Games, Divergent, Red Rising, I've read and loved them all. In Stasis, while dystopian, is unlike anything else I have ever read. Gone is the fantastical, the sense of disbelief because what I'm reading could only ever be fiction. In its place is an altogether too realistic tale of what happens when the wrong people end up in control and no one is brave enough to stop them.
Never has a dystopian tale hit so close to home, never have I been left with such a profound real world anxiety while watching the events of a fictional narrative unfold. There was a time, early in my reading, where I thought I would DNF this book. Not because there was anything wrong with the story, but because the emotions it was eliciting in me were so powerful that I wasn't sure if I would be able to continue.
Jessi, the FMC, wasn't some radical outlier. She was an every day, normal, human being. But in the blink of an eye she lost everything because suddenly she wasn't what the government considered an ideal citizen. Because suddenly, she went against the grain. The scariest part is how easily Jessi could have been you or me...
One of the things that has most stuck with me regarding this story is how 90% of this tale is Jessi and Janus in almost complete solitude. When trust is the most precious commodity and almost everyone you encounter possesses two faces, it's no wonder that survival means relying on yourself and your own abilities. But survival isn't living. Survival, like the title suggests, is stasis. A continued existence at the cost of growth, marked by inactivity. While this stasis is the bulk of Jessi's tale, it's the moments in this story where other characters are involved that progresses the narrative. It's in these moments that Jessi lives. And I'd like to think that by the end of this story she has realized this too.
I feel like I have so much more to say about In Stasis and no way of eloquently getting the words out. If you want to see for yourself, I encourage you to give In Stasis a go. Move slowly, protect your peace, and let the message sink in. It's shockingly appropriate in today's day and age.
When a new authoritarian regime takes over the nation, it's not long before "undesirables" and "deplorables" begin to go missing. Proclamation after proclamation tightens the noose around the throats of the citizenry, journalistic freedom and integrity become a thing of the past, and neighbors begin to turn against neighbors. Determined to survive without bowing to the new regime, Jessi and her dog Janus take flight. What follows is their story of survival and resilience in a world growing steadily more hostile.
Like most millenials, I enjoy a good dystopian novel. Hunger Games, Divergent, Red Rising, I've read and loved them all. In Stasis, while dystopian, is unlike anything else I have ever read. Gone is the fantastical, the sense of disbelief because what I'm reading could only ever be fiction. In its place is an altogether too realistic tale of what happens when the wrong people end up in control and no one is brave enough to stop them.
Never has a dystopian tale hit so close to home, never have I been left with such a profound real world anxiety while watching the events of a fictional narrative unfold. There was a time, early in my reading, where I thought I would DNF this book. Not because there was anything wrong with the story, but because the emotions it was eliciting in me were so powerful that I wasn't sure if I would be able to continue.
Jessi, the FMC, wasn't some radical outlier. She was an every day, normal, human being. But in the blink of an eye she lost everything because suddenly she wasn't what the government considered an ideal citizen. Because suddenly, she went against the grain. The scariest part is how easily Jessi could have been you or me...
One of the things that has most stuck with me regarding this story is how 90% of this tale is Jessi and Janus in almost complete solitude. When trust is the most precious commodity and almost everyone you encounter possesses two faces, it's no wonder that survival means relying on yourself and your own abilities. But survival isn't living. Survival, like the title suggests, is stasis. A continued existence at the cost of growth, marked by inactivity. While this stasis is the bulk of Jessi's tale, it's the moments in this story where other characters are involved that progresses the narrative. It's in these moments that Jessi lives. And I'd like to think that by the end of this story she has realized this too.
I feel like I have so much more to say about In Stasis and no way of eloquently getting the words out. If you want to see for yourself, I encourage you to give In Stasis a go. Move slowly, protect your peace, and let the message sink in. It's shockingly appropriate in today's day and age.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I must start by saying, I am not much of a contemporary reader anymore... but this dystopian book pulled me right back into it. The writer does an amazing job of describing what is going on and it was does beautifully while still leaving room for interpretation. I enjoyed the different aspects of this book and how it looked into what could happen in our future. The medicinal aspects were also really well written and I enjoyed the metaphors that disease states were uses. To me it relates to the title, Homeostasis is when our body is in a calm state so I interpret the title as Jessi trying to get into Homeostasis.
As a nutritionist myself, I loved chapter 24.
Plus having a fuzzy companion in the book always helps. One thing that I genuinely loved about this book is that when I think dystopian I think Handmaids Tale or The Hunger Games, and the political structure of those government's aren't always similar to what we see on a day to day. This is mainly because these books take place after the government has rebuilt. In stasis does not. It shows the active and gradual changes. Jessi is more so hiding out from the government while it is still actively functioning. Which I found refreshing.
If your looking for your next read and want to get into well written speculative fiction. This is the book for you.
As a nutritionist myself, I loved chapter 24.
Plus having a fuzzy companion in the book always helps. One thing that I genuinely loved about this book is that when I think dystopian I think Handmaids Tale or The Hunger Games, and the political structure of those government's aren't always similar to what we see on a day to day. This is mainly because these books take place after the government has rebuilt. In stasis does not. It shows the active and gradual changes. Jessi is more so hiding out from the government while it is still actively functioning. Which I found refreshing.
If your looking for your next read and want to get into well written speculative fiction. This is the book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.75
I'm such a sucker for dystopian and survival novels, but I was especially intrigued about this one when I started read the author’s note at the beginning. Knowing that In Stasis was inspired by historical events from long ago, and now it feels like they’re kind of mirroring what’s happening in our country today? It made the whole story feel unsettling in the best way.
This book is written very lyrically, and it took me a while to get into it. Once I did though it really picked up and pulled me in. Somehow it manages to be dystopian and terrifying while also feeling oddly cozy at times? Which I didn’t expect but absolutely enjoyed.
I loved all the details about gardening, foraging, preparing food, and stockpiling her pantry. Those sections scratched such a itch for me and added to that slow burn, almost cozy feeling even while everything else felt tense and uncertain.
I’m also really curious to see if this story will continue. The ending definitely feels like it could open the door to another book, and I would absolutely read more in this world.
I also have to say, I am not a dog person. I love animals, but I am firmly #TeamCat and even I completely adored Janus. That dog stole my heart.
Overall In Stasis was thoughtful, unsettling, and beautifully written. It's stuck with me after reading. Indefinitely unsettled me quite a bit as I did see a lot of parallels from the book to what's happening right now.
Thanks so much to Ashley Peters and Once Upon a Book Tour for the ARC!
I'm such a sucker for dystopian and survival novels, but I was especially intrigued about this one when I started read the author’s note at the beginning. Knowing that In Stasis was inspired by historical events from long ago, and now it feels like they’re kind of mirroring what’s happening in our country today? It made the whole story feel unsettling in the best way.
This book is written very lyrically, and it took me a while to get into it. Once I did though it really picked up and pulled me in. Somehow it manages to be dystopian and terrifying while also feeling oddly cozy at times? Which I didn’t expect but absolutely enjoyed.
I loved all the details about gardening, foraging, preparing food, and stockpiling her pantry. Those sections scratched such a itch for me and added to that slow burn, almost cozy feeling even while everything else felt tense and uncertain.
I’m also really curious to see if this story will continue. The ending definitely feels like it could open the door to another book, and I would absolutely read more in this world.
I also have to say, I am not a dog person. I love animals, but I am firmly #TeamCat and even I completely adored Janus. That dog stole my heart.
Overall In Stasis was thoughtful, unsettling, and beautifully written. It's stuck with me after reading. Indefinitely unsettled me quite a bit as I did see a lot of parallels from the book to what's happening right now.
Thanks so much to Ashley Peters and Once Upon a Book Tour for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ 6 Star Read ✨
In Stasis is a stunning, captivating debut by author Ashley Peters. Raw and unapologetically cathartic, Peters channels feminine rage and frustrations through a dystopian-like lens in a future society known as The Nation.
Years from present-day, The Nation has been taken over by a charismatic leader with nefarious intentions, and when journalist, Jessi, is targeted for standing against societal injustices, she is forced to flee with her canine companion, Janus, deep into the wilderness.
But beginning life anew isn’t for the faint-hearted and with the looming threat of capture ever-present even in her hidden sanctuary, Jessi must fight to survive and elude notice.
The Nation’s eyes are everywhere, waiting for one foul step for Jessi to reveal herself. And every day they grow closer and closer…
From the characters, prose, and the narrative through diaristic storytelling it was impossible to not flip pages (and perhaps a desk) late into the night needing to find out what happened next to the strong-willed and fiercely independent Jessi. A fantastic read and a great way to end my 2025 TBR.
Ashley Peters is a gem of storytelling talent and I look forward to reading more of her work!
In Stasis is a stunning, captivating debut by author Ashley Peters. Raw and unapologetically cathartic, Peters channels feminine rage and frustrations through a dystopian-like lens in a future society known as The Nation.
Years from present-day, The Nation has been taken over by a charismatic leader with nefarious intentions, and when journalist, Jessi, is targeted for standing against societal injustices, she is forced to flee with her canine companion, Janus, deep into the wilderness.
But beginning life anew isn’t for the faint-hearted and with the looming threat of capture ever-present even in her hidden sanctuary, Jessi must fight to survive and elude notice.
The Nation’s eyes are everywhere, waiting for one foul step for Jessi to reveal herself. And every day they grow closer and closer…
From the characters, prose, and the narrative through diaristic storytelling it was impossible to not flip pages (and perhaps a desk) late into the night needing to find out what happened next to the strong-willed and fiercely independent Jessi. A fantastic read and a great way to end my 2025 TBR.
Ashley Peters is a gem of storytelling talent and I look forward to reading more of her work!
Review of advance copy
This short book packs quite the wallop and made me sit back and think more than once — and what better compliment can you give a dystopian novel than that.
Written in a voice that is raw and relatable, and with a story that feels all too plausible in this moment, In Stasis is the kind of book that keeps you up reading long past your bedtime. And when you finally put it down because you’re too tired to continue, the story keeps playing in your mind as you wonder what if.
The novel highlights the limitations and frustrations Jessi lives with, along with the understandable rage she carries while surviving in a far‑off future place known only as The Nation. Jessi and her canine companion, Janus, have been targeted because she was a journalist who insisted on reporting the stories that mattered — the ones that exposed wrongdoing and demanded accountability. Forced into the wilds with only Janus by her side, she must rebuild her life while staying one step ahead of The Nation’s ever‑present reach.
Every step, every person, every choice could put her back in their sights, and we follow her through that tension as the story unfolds. Jessi is strong, fierce, and inspiring — a survivor who refuses to surrender her truth. She will make it. But how, and at what cost?
Written in a voice that is raw and relatable, and with a story that feels all too plausible in this moment, In Stasis is the kind of book that keeps you up reading long past your bedtime. And when you finally put it down because you’re too tired to continue, the story keeps playing in your mind as you wonder what if.
The novel highlights the limitations and frustrations Jessi lives with, along with the understandable rage she carries while surviving in a far‑off future place known only as The Nation. Jessi and her canine companion, Janus, have been targeted because she was a journalist who insisted on reporting the stories that mattered — the ones that exposed wrongdoing and demanded accountability. Forced into the wilds with only Janus by her side, she must rebuild her life while staying one step ahead of The Nation’s ever‑present reach.
Every step, every person, every choice could put her back in their sights, and we follow her through that tension as the story unfolds. Jessi is strong, fierce, and inspiring — a survivor who refuses to surrender her truth. She will make it. But how, and at what cost?
Review of advance copy received from Author
A staggering debut.
IN STASIS is a speculative novel that follows a woman who escapes an authoritarian society, choosing instead to flee to the wilderness and survive in a treehouse with her dog. This is not a shallow read. The themes of self-reliance and intuition are heavy and emotionally charged, while the writing style is poetic, intimate, and raw.
Most of the story unfolds through reflection and an introspective narrative, and it’s easy to be immersed in the FMC’s isolation in her quiet, new reality. This is a character-driven story of survival and staying true to yourself, even if that means leaving behind everything you’ve worked for, and the doggo was an adorable companion to relieve the tension.
IN STASIS is a speculative novel that follows a woman who escapes an authoritarian society, choosing instead to flee to the wilderness and survive in a treehouse with her dog. This is not a shallow read. The themes of self-reliance and intuition are heavy and emotionally charged, while the writing style is poetic, intimate, and raw.
Most of the story unfolds through reflection and an introspective narrative, and it’s easy to be immersed in the FMC’s isolation in her quiet, new reality. This is a character-driven story of survival and staying true to yourself, even if that means leaving behind everything you’ve worked for, and the doggo was an adorable companion to relieve the tension.
January 12, 2026
This dystopian book felt so realistic. It took me a while to get into the story, but once you get into it is quite hard to stop. From on planning how to survive to growing your own food. A great realistic dystopian survival story
This book was thoughtfully and beautifully written.
Oh and the dog Janus? He’ll just be fine. As a dog person Janus definitely stole my heart. I would do anything for my dog(s) of course.
This book was thoughtfully and beautifully written.
Oh and the dog Janus? He’ll just be fine. As a dog person Janus definitely stole my heart. I would do anything for my dog(s) of course.
Read
January 12, 2026In Stasis is a book that will hit many readers hard. It often made me sit back and think about what could happen. I enjoyed the writing style. It’s very lyrical and not something I reach for often. I enjoyed Jessi as a character and was hooked on her journey throughout the story. Overall, this book is very emotional and dark. I think fans of dystopian novels will love this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 31, 2025I’ve read quite a bit of speculative fiction recently but none quite like In Stasis. While I didn’t always agree with or understand Jessi’s choices or actions, it was fascinating to explore her world. The slow burn of it all almost made certain parts of the dystopian story a little cozy? And I like cozy lol
Thanks to Ashley Peters, the author, for the ARC!
Thanks to Ashley Peters, the author, for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews