The Commons

The Commons World #1

by Rebecca Ihim

You must learn to think, act, and look like everyone else or face death.

Fitting in at school just went to a whole other level.

What do you do when all your thoughts are being measured to make sure you are a common copy of everyone? What do you do when you are graded on how common you are? Your future depends on your ability to conform.

Enrolled in a 22nd-century elite school where being common is celebrated, eighteen-year-old prodigy―Shantavia Lerogaski―is seen as a threat because she is too intelligent. When her sister goes missing, she must sacrifice everything, including her intelligence, to discover the shocking truth about The Commons and save her sister before it is too late.

Despite being valedictorian, Shantavia was supposed to take a gap year, living a peaceful life free from expectations. Now, her sister has gone missing from the elite college that controls the entire world―The Commons. Now, she must find a way to enroll.

Upon arrival at the highly technologized and guarded school, Shantavia begins a series of six inhumane, deathly tests in the six study zones of The Commons. If she does not complete these tests, she will be eliminated. But eliminated to where? She doesn’t know; in fact, no student does.

Things get even more complicated when Shantavia’s fate falls into the hands of the most formidable and powerful Patron, Pesh.

She is unsure if he is a friend or foe so she must fight her dangerous attraction to him—and question everyone, including her closest friends, or risk losing everything.

Can anyone be trusted in such a system? Can Shantavia even trust herself? Will she fall for Pesh? Will she fall for someone else even more ruthless? Will he be her ruin? Or will she find a way to expose The Commons and save everyone that’s dear to her?

Enemies, lovers, betrayals, suspense, and a dash of wit and steamy tension. Enter into the highly addictive and wildly imaginative world of The Commons, where the only way to survive is to be Common.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Dark Academia, Enemies To Lovers, College, Romance

Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2026

About the author

𝓡𝓮𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓬𝓪 𝓘𝓱𝓲𝓶

Rebecca Ihim is a young Writer-Director with theatrical released films, films streaming on Prime Video, Comcast, Apple TV, and more. Her content has garnered over 60 million views on TikTok and has surged up to “Most Popular” on streaming platforms across Sci-Fi & Fantasy and Thriller for several weeks. Born in Nigeria, raised in Scotland, and now based in the U.S., Rebecca holds a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin.

She is the Founding Executive Director of DEEP Films Entertainment, a movie production company focused on creating meaningful and impactful films for young adults.

In fiction, she writes across high, low, and epic fantasy, science fiction and dystopian, romance, thriller, and literary fiction—following whatever character God blesses her with. Her work spans YA and adult audiences.

To stay updated with her works, follow Rebecca online ⬇
Website: www.rebeccaihim.com
Instagram: instagram.com/rebeccaihim/

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Because the truth is it is us the system is afraid of, for we are the tragedy of The Commons.”

CUT THE CHECK!!!! This is EVERYTHING. I had the BEST time reading this book!

THE COMMON WORLD SERIES ABOUT TO TAKE OVER EVERYTHING GET READY

╰┈➤ SHANTAVIA LEROGASKI, THIS IS ALSO OUR: GOLDEN GIRL, TAVIA

❝ I cannot forget why I am here. I cannot let myself conform to the system. I must be alert. At all times.❞

This is just one of her many amazing lines. Our FMC is a FORCE A FIERCE WARRIOR A FIGHTER AND NOTHING STOPS SHANTAVIA, not even The Commons and that’s something.

Despite being valedictorian, Shantavia was supposed to take a gap year but then her sister went missing! Arghhhh I don’t want to cry bahhhh this story is so emotional! I felt so bad for Shantavia and everything she and ____ went through, this girl was having to go through so much, having to be so alone, and do everything herself and try to survive and conquer an entire system and still be herself. She was so focused and smart and tried to stay sane in this crazy shocking world. Her ability to stay sane was shocking even when everything was trying to crush her. I was so proud of her as she did such a good job in The Commons.

“I promised myself whether I faced death or bondage I would find my sister and that is exactly what I plan to do.❞

Most of the books I’ve read recently have felt so slowwww and boring and repetitive.

Granted, reading The Commons felt like I was a teenager again reading Maze Runner or The Hunger Games. But it was also NOTHING LIKE THOSE. Nothing, it’s almost like reading something strangely different you feel like your eyes have been opened and you’re about to freak out constantly because anything could happen at any time.

The pace in this book is so fast you feel like you’re in the maze runner, but at school. I meannnnnn who doesn’t want to have a heart attack with hot Patrons who despise you and who you don’t know if you trust or not but that same hot Patron keeps finding you in secret spots and almost touching your finger and acting like he doesn’t care and protecting you and being so MYSTERIOUS and what if he finds you in another hallway? What then??????????

What if things get steamyyyyy

So many question marks. This man is a walking question mark! And our girl Tavia wants all the answers.

Excuse me let me go giggle

AHHHH WHO DOESNT WANT THATTTT

If you haven’t already guessed, this book is set in a DARK ACADEMIA COLLEGE where science feels like magic and the science elements felt smart but Shantavia our FMC was smarter.

And that’s how I like it. Give me a smart FMC all day who is trying to get the job done and not get distracted by any boy and noise. Ohhh but does she get distracted????

The school sort of feels like Harry Potter meets Divergent but more luxurious & terrifying! More elite, more adult ish but still somewhere in between.

Is there spice ? Haaaa there’s not a straightforward answer for this as the question itself is a spoiler but it feels as though there is. Do with that what you will. I just know it was hot and one drawn out slow burn that gave me trust issues and the kissing scenes EXCUSE ME? What are thoseeeee?????

How did I not know I needed whatever that was in my life? How? I WANT MORE




I just want to be “part of that world!” I want to be part of The Commons World! Which brings me to my next point.

WORLD-BUILDING


This part was the simplest and yet most impressive part of reading this book, everything was organized and simple to understand. The school is divided into six zones and there are four types of Patrons. We don’t learn about other Patrons as much, but the earth Patrons— HOT HOT HOT WELLLL ONLY ONE — PESH and anotherrr maybeeeee IDK??

They’re all attractive they claim but they’re just so MEAN. But not Pesh tho, he’s our baby, enemies whattt? Well
He’s my baby now.

The 6 Zones in The Commons are:
* Cognitive - You want this!!! Plus PESH I REPEAT PESH Actually PATRON PESH.
* Oratory - A certain Patron here intrigues me PERSONALLY.
* Math & Science - the ____ hallway THE ____ HALLWAY. I repeat THE ____ HALLWAY was one of my favorite scenes of all time.
* Meaning - The plot twist of this test still gives me trust issues.
* Observation - I don’t remember. I get this and meaning mixed up anyways wasn’t my focus but I remember it was fun for sure
* Nature - The combat scene YESSSSSSS

The Commons is an EXTREMELY FAST PACED PLOT that will keep YOU OBSESSED. Before you know it, the book is over. And I wish I had slowed down like some people suggested. Because now what do I do HUHHHH???

The plot of this book is the main focus. The romance is secondary so if you’re looking for a romance book, this isn’t it. That being said:

THE ROMANCE

The slow burn Oooooffff

When Pesh gave her that ____ ____
My reaction:
TAKE IT HONEYYYYY

If you wondering why so many ____ I’m trying my best not to leave spoilers.


“You have my heart. Of course you owe me and I will forever be indebted to you, should you ever give it back.”


PESHHHHHHHHHH I WOULD NEVER DREAM OF GIVING IT BACK TAKE MY HEART NOWWW

OH I FORGOT, YOU ALREADY HAVE IT

THEN…. This author tried to play with me because what was that plot twist! After all that!

That plot twist! How dare you! I wanted to throw the book. One second it’s this, then it’s THAT!!!! Why!! NO WARNING!!!

This author and her plot twists!! Are you trying to kill me or WHATTTTTTT WAS THAT

ANYWAYS I GOT OVER IT.

❝ 300 years and a day remember me. 300 years and a day, come back to me.❞

EXCUSE ME THESE LINES WILL DESTROY ME

THEN THAT HAPPENED!!!!

PESH AND SHANTAVIA MY CUTIES

THEY ARE SO SWEET! These two are my everything.

Pesh’s LINES are WOW WOW WOW
I cannot understate how much his words will live on in my brain forever
Forever altered my brain chemistry
I think about these lines daily
HOW CAN I GET THIS BOY HE IS A DREAM

I would paste all of his lines if I could. Will be back to paste my favorite quotes.


THE FOUND FAMILY

Yeppeeeeee yessss they are barely all trying to survive so it’s go go go! I felt like I was the one trying to survive the entire time.

Anyways the ending. I’m gonna go cry now!!!
The book is so inspirational and meaningful and hopeful at the same time.

The ending had me feeling:





FINALLY TO ANY COMMONERS LISTENING OUT THERE: you NEED to go into The Commons as blind as possible.

I’m so serious.

don’t read too many summaries.
Please don’t look up spoilers.
don’t even trust reviews (including mine lowkey 😭 just go in)

I PROMISE it will enhance the experience TENFOLD. THREE HUNDRED FOLD YEEEPEEE

ALL you need to know is this:

- it will be faster than a cheetah, our FMC is trying to escape out of the crazy school so she doesn’t have time to even enjoy a meal, or stare at a HOT PATRON. Ahhhh but she does, point is, the clock is running and so will you be running around your room trying to figure out the next clue.
- you will be in shock after finishing this book
- you will think about it after finishing and be mind blown
- you will probably sit in silence for a few minutes processing your life
- this will be your new favorite book forever, at least it is mine, waiting for book 2 with all these tricks deep keeps playing on me is gonna be my greatest downfall, somebody hold me back and SEND HELP. SOS. My zone is Oratory if anyone cares and I wonder what book 2 will bring for my zone members. MAKE HASTE REBECCA. OK BYE. Oh thank you to the publisher and Rebecca for the ARC in exchange for my honest rambling.

[Isabella Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹────୨ৎ────

❝ Shantavia Lerogaski. There are no glitches in The Commons.❞

THE COMMONS⏾
(verb) to fall in love with the moon again and again at the speed of lightning.

OH I’m off to a great start here (so many puns)

˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚

if you’re not catching my sarcasm, don’t worry, you’ll love Tavia’s. let me give you a few quotes from her to warm us up and a few words to describe our baby girl.

❀ WORDS: ❀

* Sarcastic bad b***
* Curious (curiosity never killed the cat but it just might TAVIA)
* Suspicious of EVERYTHING (this girl is suspicious of even herself, her mind, her thoughts) are you catching my grift, this book is a BLOODY MIND GAME.
* SMARTEST HUMAN ON EARTH (INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY YES YES YES)
* Naively innocent like the most squashy stuffed animal (where can I get this pure innocence this girl has? )
* Courageous, resilient, kind, gentle, strong, brave, I could go on but let me try to write a review of my new comfort book.

mark my words/ this will be the next big dystopian series.

⤷ ˗ QUOTES⤷ 𓍢ִ໋❀❤︎

i haven’t been this excited to write a review in a hot second and i would suggest you don’t even read my review because this book is best read as a mystery however if you must read it ❤︎ let me warm you up, let me give you a quote to show you how elite this book is:

❝The deeds of the Common Wealth cannot be understood by the un-commonized mind. The coins of the Common Wealth must not fund an uncircumcised currency.❞

WHO DOES THIS BOOK THINK IT IS???

my new obsession. yes. absolutely. I’M SAT.

when you go into this world, you must be ready to leave who you were before, and become who it makes you. draw the line in the sand people.

oh here’s another one just when you think you might have a brain for this smarty pants book.

❝ I repeat this in my head utilizing the transitive law in geometry: (If A = C and C = B, then B = A. Then, for this Cognitive Test, Me = Commons and Commons = Levon, so Levon = Me).❞

UMMMM WHAT? so…. i’m gonna believe you right there Tavia. i actually am a stem girly adjacent so this book was so fun such a guilty pleasure eeeek but how did this girl come up with these stuff i have no clue she’s so smart i’m speechless

𓍢ִ໋❀❤︎╰┈➤ SONG ⁀➴ ♡▶︎• ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌|• 0:100000

ANYTHING BY HANS ZIMMER ON FULL BLAST OR THE NEW DUNE SOUND TRACK

⁀➴ ♡

❝If you go, I’m going. If you stay, I’m staying. I’d never leave you. Because I plan on knowing you for a very long time.❞

it was giving ⁀➴



wowww i read this with music on full blast i am in awe wow. this is my everything. The Commons has become my everything and in the writing style of this author, my end and my beginning, how much more can i scream.

how did i miss the experience of reading something so eye opening, something REVOLUTIONARY, something so beautiful and unapologetically raw and real, and layered and fun, how? something that made me giggle and be mortified and emotional and intellectually stimulated this much all simultaneously.

where did the time go? where has this book been my entire life?

apparently already written and i’m annoyed that it was written and only now thought it should be released.

this is hands down the most shocking and unpredictable book i have ever read.

THANK YOU REBECCA IHIM FOR BRINGING THIS MASTERPIECE INTO MY LIFE I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL!

IF YOU DO NOT READ IN THIS GENRE YOU MUST GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY.

IF YOU READ IN THIS GENRE YOU MUST GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY.

the book is actually a bit of everything, every genre.

THE COMMONS WORLD. WOW WHAT A WORLD.

this world was my favorite. i was so invested! i want to know how everything works and how everything came to be. the mystery is actually killing me because i need to be in the knowwww. i need to understand everything just like Shantavia, i want to know every secret.

WOWWWW WORLD BUILDING. the world of this book is the most ORIGINAL THING YOU WILL EVERR READ.

⁀➴ SLOWBURN meets FORBIDDEN LOVE meets GOD-TIER YEARNING meets NO NONSENSE ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE.

♡░P░E░S░H░♡

♡░P░E░S░H░♡

♡░P░E░S░H░♡

this isn’t some fake pretentious enemies story, this is some real life heart breaking scary story. they are not enemies of their own choosing but of simply a reality and they’re not bickering and fake fighting, this is a mystery, there is a serious problem.

▶︎ Pesh is a Patron in The Commons.
▶︎ The Commons is the enemy (scary stuff)
▶︎ The Commons has Shantavia’s sister, Levon (or so she strongly believes and is very afraid of)
▶︎ Shantavia has to pretend to be one of the elites in order to find her sister.
▶︎ She has to pretend like she’s always wanted to come to The Commons. She has to try to trick Pesh and the entire institution, smart girl I tell you. And yet she doesn’t even realize how powerful she is.

but Pesh is not her only enemy, in fact 99.9 percent of people surrounding Shantavia are her enemies. all the Patrons are her enemy. the school is her enemy. the world is her enemy. even her parents are sort of her enemy (I think maybe i’m reaching) even herself is her enemy. The entire institution is not to be trusted. If you’re catching my drift, THIS IS ONE HELL OF A BOOK. Shantavia effectively has no real friends at the start. minus a few old friends (cough cough)

in fact even the friendships seem to be enemies to friends like (cough cough, at least I think it will be, this is a theory of mine)

⁀➴

WOOOO SIDE CHARACTERS

THE MYSTERY OF ONE OR TWO OF THESE SIDE CHARACTERS HAUNTS ME.

I DO NOT KNOW WHO I CAN TRUST
PLEASE TELL ME WHO I CAN TRUST BEFORE I FALL IN LOVE.

DARN IT IM ALREADY IN LOVE WITH A FEW too many

some come in for a few chapters and I instantly know that they are on some rule the world kind aura ▶︎ like these kids in this school are actually those who will run the world and some already do. It’s so interesting! And INTRIGUING.

▶︎ THIS WILL BE THE MOST INTRIGUING UNPREDICTABLE BOOK YOU HAVE EVER READ BUCKLE UP MY FELLOW COMMONERS ⁀➴ ♡

OMG I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL I CAN USE COMMONERS FOR EVERYTHING 🫶🏻

NEW PERSONALITY UNLOCKED 🔓

the found family that eventually happened was so satisfying and beautiful. and the mystery of these side characters leave me DESPERATE ⁀➴

IM ON THE FLOOR BEGGING YOU PLEASE
ROMEO ROMEO ♡


the slow burn and forbidden love is screaming ROMEO TAKE ME SOMEWHERE WE CAN BE ALONE.

because everything is being watched 24/7
it is INSANE
ACTUAL INSANE
these two lovebirds or cough cough enemies cannot get a minute alone



⁀➴ FAST PACED PLOT✦✦ 」

i don’t think you understand what i am saying when i say the plot is so fast there are no filler scenes, no filler thoughts, no breaks, no moment to chill and it drops you right into the world of The Commons so you feel EXACTLY what Shantavia is feeling.

THE ANGST, THE DESPERATION
TIME’S UP
NO ESCAPE

THE TENSION IS BURNING AND THIS GIRL SHANTAVIA, THIS GIRL IS ON FIREEEEE

THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE 𓆩❤️‍🔥𓆪



THIS BOOK IS SO MORTIFYING
ACTION ACTION ACTION

THINK OF THE MOST SATISFYING ACTION MOVIE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN AND INSERT THAT HERE

YOU WILL BE GAGGED 🧯

ᯓ★ THE TESTS 🎯

this is not some high school level tests. these are not some basic things you’ve read before. these tests are all revolutionary. they are all so random and intelligent and unique. WOW JUST WOW. i do not have the wits to even summarize it for you. it is best experienced with no preparation. and wow did SHANTAVIA FACE THESE TESTS WITH HER FULL CHEST

THIS GIRL THREW HER LIFE ON THE LINE EVERYTHING SHE PUT ON THE LINE FOR HER SISTER OH MY LANTAA

SCI-FI: there was a bit of sci fi here. i’m sure some genius would appreciate it. i was there for the plot - PESH AND SHANTAVIA - thank you.

𓆩❤︎➤ SOME Favorite Quotes ᯓ★❤︎

I HAVE HUNDREDS OF HIGHLIGHTS (most i cannot share now. I’m pulling my hair out, this book’s release day cannot come any sooner)

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊

here’s some more goodness from pesh being one hot jealous mmc

❝

“What do you have to be jealous of!”

“The common man for breathing the same air as you. The wind for flying past you. The common breeze for exhaling softly against your neck. The sun for shining on your iridescent body. Your common clothes for hugging every line of your divine silhouette. Your shoes for embracing your feet. Your common pen for touching your hands. Your skirt for touching your thighs. And… the universe for daring to think that you won’t be mine.”

“So nothing. Got it. Thanks for the concise explanation.”

❞

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊

SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP DID YOU HEAR THATTTTTTT

did you hear those words? When in your ENTIRE LIFE HAS A MAN SAID THIS TO YOU

WHEN HAVE YOU READ SUCH ASTONISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL LINES? AM I IN BRIDGERTON 4.0? AM I IN DIVERGENT? HUNGER GAMES? OR WHAT IS THIS, SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP!

this girl claims she’s not good at flirting but do you see the way she clocks this man.

also when she said - “Is he being sarcastic?”

I GIGGLED SHE’S LIKE WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS, MEANWHILE HE RUNS THE ENTIRE WORLD…

oh I love her !

____________

❝ I hope he is all my firsts. My firsts and all my lasts.❞

AHHHHH WHATTT DO YOU MEAN YOU HOPEEE???? THIS LINE SCARES ME FOR TOO MANY REASONS I HAVE TRUST ISSUES… REBECCA I NEED ANSWERS!!


____________

❝

“Capiche,”
“CaPESH!”

❞

AHHHH THE ITALIAN IN ME IS SCREAMING. SHUT UPPPP, WHY IS THIS BOOK ALTERING MY VOCABULARY

not to mention, it’s elevating my vocabularies but still altering it! I NEED TO CALM DOWN

i knew this review would be chaotic, but man are we off to a great start

____________

❝ Pesh’s hands have a mind of its own with an unquenchable hunger that cannot be appeased or satisfied. There are not many things I know in this life but this one thing I do know, Pesh’s hands will screw me if it’s the last thing it does before I leave this life. Its hunger is invigorating and demands to be worshiped. He is ripping through my body, my waist, my thighs—capturing every inch of my curves into his grip, capturing places above my clothes, jabbing his palms into places on my waist, places on my thighs that I didn’t even know I could feel sensations in, places on my back I didn’t even know exist. And his tongue is devouring mine in increasing hunger.❞

OH I NEED TO BREATHE WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT ARE THESE KISSING SCENES???

i’m telling you the YEARNING in this book BEATS EVERY SMUT I HAVE EVER READ BECAUSE WHATTTTT?? I FEEL LIKE IM DROWNING, LIKE IM ABOUT TO DIE!

EVERY KISS SCENE NEEDS TO BE FRAMED IN MY BEDROOM SO MY BOYFRIEND CAN KNOW WHOSE THE DADD —


____________

❝ 300 years and a day remember me.❞

❝ 300 years and a day, come back to me.❞

I MEAN, I CRIED, I BAWLED



____________

❝

“Do you wanna < redacted > how to < redacted > , < redacted > ?”

❞

I ACTUAL SLAMMED THE BOOK. This boy is a tease. Tension is so HOTTTTT. I WISH I COULD SHARE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE QUOTE. Matter of fact everything is my favorite quote in this masterpiece of a book. IF YOU KNOW WHAT IM REFERRING TO PLEASE COMMENT, I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS BOOK.

in that same scene, this line by Shantavia made me scream:

❝

“Are we still talking about > redacted? <

❞

(that was so out of context but you should really stop reading this review and just go read this beautiful book, this book is best read without reading ANY reviews or summaries even, i realize it’s too late now so just turn back and come back later i am warning you)

anyways a few more of my unhinged thoughts for the stubborn:

THERES SO MANY OF PESH’S LINES THAT ARE SPOILERS! I WISH I COULD share BUT you’ll just have to read it for yourself.

and before I move on, here is my favorite line which I cannot share but here is the format:

“ [ THREE WORDS. ] ”

I WAS GAGGED

and in this scene another favorite line came before it:

❝

“I think you have it. You have my attention.”

❞

OOOOOO AND THEN IT BEGAN OOOO WHEN THE ENEMIES BECAME LOVERS IT WAS LIKE CRASH CRASH CRASH AND BURN FOR ME

PATRON PESH, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME

i don’t want to give too much away so i can’t paste all my favorite quotes here but THIS SCENE IS SINGLEHANDEDLY MY EVERYTHING.

“I can go lower.” (AHHHHH WHAT WHATTT)

the love confessions i am holding myself back from pasting is enormous like so many, pesh is unbeatable

HIS WORDS - IM THROWING UP. BRAIN CHEMISTRY RE WIRED

CUE: MORE INSTRUMENTAL

all the nice things this boy did for her was so sweet and cute and caring, what a softie on the inside this boy is for her.

also the way this girl YEARNS for this boy. OOOFFFF BABY IT IS SO DESPERATE SO HOT OOFFF AND HE IS THE BIGGEST TEASE OF A MAN YOU HAVE EVER READ 𓆩❤️‍🔥𓆪🧯💣

❦ he will make you beg for it and more oh and it’s so worth it ❦

it makes you want to literally JUMP HIM and BEG FOR IT. JUST READ THE BOOK MAN!
I’m tired of speaking in riddles. i want to talk about this book without fear of spoilers. new dream unlocked.

🌶️ i can’t wait to see where their relationship goes 🌶️ wooo im just a girl :)

____________


THE POWERS THAT BE

❝The Commons creates those who will regulate society. But first, you students must learn how to be regulated. The Commons is the past, the present and the future.❞

the entire concept of “the powers that be” and the history of this school scared me and still haunts me. i need to relax for real. it’s like a modern Harry Potter 2.0 except i actually don’t know what it is.

listen to everything The Commons says but also LISTEN to everything The Commons says. thats my little theory that makes no sense to you. or anyone.

❝ The commodity of life must be preserved for the common good.❞

i was today’s years old stalking this author when i learnt that this book was written in 2019 and i guess it makes sense since that was when dystopian books were written with a focus on the plot and oppressive systems not just romance because this world was so in depth.

SHANTAVIA:

(more of this girl because I can’t stop gushing over her “brilliance”)

❝I cannot die. I must find my sister.❞




from the moment we meet this girl, she’s on a mission to save and find her sister, she’s focused and her sarcasm was one of my favorite parts of her narration.

what can i say FIND YOUR SIBLINGS HUG YOUR SIBLINGS and if you have a sister, it hits so much harder.

the relationship between Shantavia and her sister with all the flashbacks IM GONNA CRY
I CANT say much here about anything actually which SUCKS FOR ME. But I WANT TO THROW FISTSS. I WANT TO FIGHT. I WANT TO THROW UP. I WANT TO CRY.

Shantavia was also a lot of fun to follow, so much fun, ah how i love a cute funny fmc who is kind hearted and loving. this is what a strong feminine girl is, not the fake stubborn pretentious nonsense i’m tired of reading. she went from being a child not wanting to adult to Shakespeare in one minute and i was gagged.

❛I promised myself that whether I faced death or bondage, I would find my sister and that is exactly what I plan to do. And if this is the only way to make it to The Commons, take me to my death, Patron Pesh.❞

i mean my girl is impressive, so courageous and fierce and still so human and relatable.

also this girl is very smart and her banter with Pesh was chefs kiss. she is very quick with it. loved their confrontations and the “interrogation” HOT HOT HOT

i was just waiting to see what she’d say and she did so well.


❛ My eyes dart up. I have to survive. Screw power. I’m fighting for my sister. And that’s more than life and death to me.❜

i mean do you hear this girl? do you see what I’m seeing? have you found a girl on fire like this since the hunger games catching fire. this girl is my new katniss with heightened curiosity and emotions.

here’s another one of her narration and lines about Pesh <3

❛ In the silence, I feel like he is the moon in this dark place I am in. The moon speaks to me in silence, and I speak to him, and he does not blind me with his light. The feelings from my heart set my body aflame, drawing me to his intensity. I no longer realize when I stare or when I draw close. All I long to be is one with the moon and to see the moon cradle me. I am looking up into his glowing eyes as his body covers my view completely.❜

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀WOW ⠀⠀⣾⠉⢳⣰⠋⠙⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠘⡀ ⡀⠘⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠙⠷⠋ WOW
⣰⠟⠉⠙⢦⡀⢀⣾⡟⠉⠳⣆
⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠛⠛⠁⠀⠀⠀⡿
⠸⣇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣰⠃
⠙⢧⡀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⢀⡴⠃⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠙⠶⣄⣀⠴⠋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀WOW


✦ Okay now here’s a random quote that i find funny for some reason said by a Patron in another one my favorite scenes in the book ˋ°•*⁀➷

❝Brown eyes just stepped into fire.❞

oh i love this scene. i sort of dislike this Patron who said this (SORT OF) but i love love this scene. i wish I could walk a certain hallway in real life. i wish this can happen to me in real life. i have dreams about this constantly. i have no one to relive this with.

♡♡ I AM JUST A GIRLLLLLLLL ♡♡

♡♡ LET ME GIGGLE AND DAYDREAM OF THIS SCENE ALL MY LIFE THANK U ♡♡ DND ✗

SEND ME PESH ✗♡✗♡



i am sad i actually can’t continue b/c i’ve reached the word limit ᝰ.ᐟ thank u rebecca ihim & deep for this MASTERPIECE IM GAGGED. GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE IMMEDIATELY.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹────୨ৎ────

previously: i believe i have found what i've been looking for all my life in the commons and may never stop screaming about my unadulterated borderline unhinged obsession since reading an arc of this. you better be ready for my review because i'm certainly not.

[Des Emerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t miss me. Okay!” (REDACTED) commands.

“Okay, whatever you say.” I hold my tears back.’

(-̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥᷄_-̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥᷅ )

NOOOOOO DONT TELL ME THATTTTT! I MISS YOU BEFORE I EVER EVEN MET YOU, IM CRYING THIS WAS MY HARDEST GOODBYE TO A BOOK IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

Such a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and grief and fighting for a better future. At the heart of this story is this sister relationship. The flashbacks broke my heart and made my stomach boil as the feeling of dread just kept getting worse with each page.

I CANNOT HOLD MY TEARS BACKKKKK THIS BOOK HAS RUINED ME.

”Make new friends okay?”

NO NO NO DO NOT TELL ME TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS NOOOOOO I WILL NOT. I WANT NO OTHER BOOK BUT THE COMMONS I WAS SO EMOTIONAL READING THIS BOOK.



”Deal.”
”Deal.”

(｡•́︿•̀｡)

“As your big sister, I’ve taught you to be brave and strong. And to never give up, not even in my absence, so don’t disappoint me.”

I’m crying, don’t talk to me.

(--_--)

You know that first feeling of leaving home of not having anyone, this book reminds you of that universal feeling and your heart doesn’t want to go on. It reminds you of being a child again. But like a child in an elevated world.



Everyday I see this book in my dreams since reading. I am so in love with these characters. Oh how I love them!

→ WORLD-BUILDING 〙〙〙

I am still in shock ╰། ◉ ◯ ◉ །╯

The world building is WOW, in fact it is so wow (∵) I do not even feel worthy to break it down. It is so clear and in depth and detailed. You simply have to experience it for yourself but it is so immersive. When they said a whole new world, they were not playing. This isn’t just a dystopian book, there’s a lot of world building and fantasy like elements that make it robust.

I am just so happy that I get to experience this world. It feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I honestly feel chosen and lucky.

(๑*◡*๑)٩(❛ัᴗ❛ั⁎)ೄ

THE COMMONS WORLD

This book is set in a DYSTOPIAN SCHOOL***

It is NOT set in a dystopian ***world*** (at least that has not been revealed and in fact for me to tell you if it is a dystopian world or not would be a spoiler and there seems to be a lot of mystery going on here that I am dying to know)

If ever you think you can clock this book or predict it, it will clock you and throw you for a loop.

→ ROMANCE

· · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · PATRON PESH ─ ·ʚɞ·

I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BOW HERE.

GO AHEAD BOWWWWW BABIES.

WELCOME TO THIS STAR OF THE STORY. Or should I say, moon.

(。ˇ ⊖ˇ）

(Because I need to talk about him 😭 I’m so obsessed)

It’s no news by now that the MMC’s lines are dreamy AF, that’s when he actually decides to speak. Because most of the time he’s being a mysterious Patron and we are told that he doesn’t even like “speaking to humans”. And yet to Tavia, he says a whole lot (when he wants to)

Here are some of his masterpiece of a line Ⴀ͡კႠ͡

“ The way the panels of fabric fold on others is simply design, but on you, it is simply divine. It is a reflection of the way every breath in me folds at the sight of you. ”


What is this boy on. Like what are these words.

The lines in this book are both so original and random and new and lyrical and almost like a fantasy dialect that is both so modern and chill but with a romantic old money yearning type situation-ship. This will make sense when you read it.

PESH

When this boy is not yearning or being ultra mysterious, he also just says casual things that are hilarious like…

“I’m bored. Your impression on me has expired.”

( · ❛ ֊ ❛)

He’s… bored what the - this was my girls exact reaction.



( · ❛ ֊ ❛)

Pesh, calm down I know you’re hot, I know you rule the world and you got billions (SCREAM) and your aura and intelligence is unbeatable, but please have mercy on us poor people, my poor Tavia, this man is just so HOT AND MYSTERIOUS and hilarious like what do you mean you’re bored was I not interesting enough or what the 😭



PESH is as the book says often “INTOXICATING”
The romance is very intoxicating!!

The vocabulary in this book is BEAUTIFUL. JAW DROPPING. MAJESTIC, SO MAJESTIC I WANT TO BOW AHHH I HAD TO MAKE THAT INSIDE JOKES FOR MY COMMONERS. AHHHHHHH TAKE ME TO THIS WORLD.

I don’t even know what you call this or if it ever existed but BRING BACK THIS KIND OF WRITING PLEASE, what a breath of fresh air. This book was so lovable and original. Not like anything I’ve read before. And yet so chill at the same time. I can’t explain the feeling of being a child at play when horror strikes. It was just fun and I really never knew what to expect both in the writing and in the story. What a fun adventure.

˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵

THIS BOY. THIS MAN. THIS PATRON.

THIS MAN IS MAJESTIC.

Actually, he is the GREATEST. PATRON. TO. HAVE. EVER. LIVED. (at this prime age of 22)

From the moment he comes in with HIS GOLDEN EYES and HIS SHADOWED HAIR (I still am in awe low key, wondering what he even looks like, this man looks ethereal to say the least, no art will ever do this man justice ever) and the way he is described when he came in, with “constellations” and all sorts of impressive language, I felt the air leave my lungs visibly. I felt the wind blow against my hair and my room light up with “THUNDER” AHHHHH (nothing everything’s fine, just ignore that)

THE FAMOUS PATRON PESH.

He is so wealthy and hot and cool and “ripped AF” and HIS MOUTH, THIS MAN’S BEAUTIFUL LINES ARE SO DREAMY (I’ve said it so many times but it’s because I am so shook and in love)

And he’s not just hot, he’s such a kind soul, and we didn’t find this out for a while and the end shocked me.

The vocabulary in this book is also INTOXICATING as I previously said, cant get over it, can’t get enough.

As someone who wants something with substance that I can obsess over this was MY SHAYLA

Pesh’s story, wow. That’s all. (｡•́︿•̀｡)
My heart. I’m crying. I’m so done with this book. Shantavia’s description of it, wow, so beautiful, so flowery, so emotional, so poetic. Wow. What a heart breaking story.

The tension in this book with Pesh and Shantavia is so hot I feel my body internally burning reading it. I feel so tense clutching my sheets, on edge the whole book, my heart was pounding. It’s so very stressful and fun.

Ah I love reading. And this book reminded me why I love reading.

I AM OBSESSED PEOPLE (๑>◡<๑)

READ THIS BOOK.

Please read this masterpiece and judge for yourself if you don’t have a good time.

I had such a good time.

→ REDACTED CHARACTER:

YES SOMEONE WHO KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT’S NAME IS REDACTED ACTUALLY THERE ARE TWO OF THEM YES TWO but mainly one.

THIS SERIES ABOUT TO BE SOOO GOOOODDD!!!


→[ REDACTED ] :

Okay I must talk about a certain situation because HUH WHAT IS THIS REDACTED? WHAT COULD REDACTED BE? IS REDACTED IMPORTANT? SHOULD I HATE REDACTED OR SHOULD I ????

WHAT DOES REDACTED THINK REDACTED IS?
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE FUTURE OF REDACTED WITH REDACTED? (¬_¬")

WHY IS SOMETHING SO REDACTED GIVING ME TRUST ISSUES ?? BOOK 2 HAS TO COME YESTERDAY BECAUSE I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE ANSWERS AFTER THAT REDACTED ENDING

→ CRIMINAL ෴ my brain is “confuzzled” oh new word I learned form reading this book and i will be using this everywhere confuzzled confuzzled confuzzled so much fun lol ෴ ෴

“Google says:

Word Type: It is a portmanteau (a new word formed by combining two existing words and their meanings)”

(๑>◡<๑)

I feel so smart & stupid at the same time hehe

I actually had a lot of fun googling some of the words in this book, they are so unique and fun, some are like big words and others are like actual colloquial words I had no clue existed. I had to get my research in so I can keep up with book 2 & future books because I am a fan Rebecca okay (✿ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)⁾⁾

“For the love of the commoners.”

◕︵◕

“For the love of the commoners.”

(︶︹︺)



Throwing up. Goodnight.

THIS IS LIFE, JUST GO READ IT.

ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♡ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ

Finally, read this book if you enjoy:

✔️ Living
✔️ Reading
✔️ Not reading

If you’re a human read this or at least give it a try, finally, again, read this also if you enjoy:

✔️ yearning and more yearning
✔️ action and adventure
✔️ hunger games or uglies
✔️ maze runner or hp on steroids
✔️ if you like the unexpected or enjoy plot twists
✔️ dark academia (elite dystopian college)
✔️ anything stem related or high stakes
✔️ epic fantasy and elevated writing & banter
✔️ intelligent banter and brainy conversations
✔️ dystopian or elite school
✔️ math, science, english or any school subject
✔️ epic intricate world building (EPIC LOVED IT)
✔️ mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, fantasy
✔️ science fiction books and technology (a lot)
✔️ divergent or fourth wing (maybe)
✔️ If you like academia and school in real life
✔️ enemies and lovers or enemies to lovers
✔️ slow burn and also ya “feeling”
✔️ really intimate kissing scenes
✔️ specific words like “moon” or “golden”
✔️ burning tension and fun (っᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈ ς)

My recommendation is add this book to your TBR asap, it’s a lot of unexpected fun, and now your girl gotta go SCREAM.

· · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ · ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·

2026 Update: I was so lucky to receive an ARC!

· · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ · ʚɞ· ─ · · · ─ ·

December 15, 2025

Already pre-ordered!!! CAN'T WAIT TO READ!!!

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I said I would be back once this book was actually out, so here I am.

It’s crazy, now that The Commons is officially in the world, I actually find it harder to know what to say.

I’ve read this book more than once. I’ve watched pieces of it come together. I knew parts of this story long before most people ever got the chance to meet these characters. And even with all of that, sitting here now and trying to put into words how I feel about it is still incredibly difficult.

I have watched this book exist in almost every possible form. And through all of it, Rebecca ultimately chose independence. She decided that if this book was going to exist, it was going to exist as the book she actually wanted to write. And strangely enough, after everything it took to get there, publishers came back around too. Opportunities that probably once would have felt like the entire goal were suddenly sitting in front of her. But by then, something had changed. She knew exactly what she wanted.

She wanted ownership of her work. She wanted creative control. She wanted the freedom to decide what happened to this story, these characters, and the world she had spent years building. She wanted to create a story that remained uncompromisingly authentic to the Commoners and, above all, to Shantavia's voice

The thing I keep coming back to is how immersive The Commons is. Once you are inside Commonda, you are engulfed in it. The school, the rules, the grading system, the hierarchy, the expectations, the constant feeling that one wrong decision could completely change someone’s life; it all feels so thought through that after a while, you stop questioning the world and just start living inside it with the characters.

And the tension never really leaves. Even after reading this multiple times, there are still moments where I catch myself holding my breath. There is always this underlying feeling that something is wrong, or something is coming, or that you are missing one piece of information that could change everything you think you know.

Shantavia is still one of my favorite parts of this entire story. She is incredibly intelligent, but what I love most about her is that her intelligence never feels like the only thing defining her. She is stubborn. She is observant. She is scared sometimes. She gets things wrong. She is imperfect. And she keeps going anyway.

And underneath everything she does is her love for her sister.

That part of the story probably hits me differently for obvious reasons. The love she has for her sister, the lengths she is willing to go to find her, and the fact that so much of what keeps her moving is that relationship, gets me every time. There are a lot of huge things happening in this book, but at the center of all of it is something very simple:

Someone refusing to give up on someone they love.

Maybe that is one of the reasons this story means so much to me too.

The Commons asks a lot of uncomfortable questions. What happens when belonging requires conformity? How much of yourself are you willing to change to survive? Who gets to decide what is acceptable? What happens when rules that are supposedly designed to create order begin stripping people of individuality? When does obedience become complicity? And what do you do when the system telling you how to behave is also the system you depend on to survive?

Which makes me laugh a little now, when I remember ‘someone’ saying they did not represent books with power imbalances.

Because the power imbalances are the point. Not because the book is telling you they are good. Because it is asking you to look at what happens to people when power is unevenly distributed in almost every part of their lives.

And the final test… I am still not discussing the final test. If you know, you know.

What I can say is that there were several moments toward the end where I remember thinking, there is absolutely no way this is where we are going. And then somehow we went there. And then Rebecca kept going. Rebecca knows how to make a scene feel immediate. She knows when to move quickly and when to let a moment breathe. And she knows how to end a chapter in a way that makes saying ‘I’ll stop here’ almost impossible.

But beyond being proud of the book, I am mostly just proud of my sister.

Seeing something that existed in her head for years become a real book that people are now reading, discussing, loving, questioning, arguing about, highlighting, and carrying around with them is surreal.

Writing this has been very emotional for me in a way I don’t think a review can completely explain. But without a shadow of doubt, I genuinely love what she created, I love Shantavia, I love how strange and unsettling Commonda can feel, I love the questions this book leaves you with, I love the romance, I love the relationships, I love the moments that made me laugh, I love the moments that made me uncomfortable, I love the moments that made me stop and reread a sentence.

And I especially love knowing that this is only the beginning of this world.

I said before that I would come back once the book was officially out, so this is me coming back. Not screaming quite as much this time. Just looking at this book and remembering everything that happened before September 17, 2026, and feeling incredibly, incredibly proud.

Rebecca, you lost the whole thing once. And you wrote it again. Seven years later, people are holding it in their hands. You actually did it. And I am so proud of you.

[Fifi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, Shantavia’s story seems almost straightforward, enter an elite institution, uncover what happened to her sister, survive whatever she finds there. But the further I read, the less interested I became in any single rule of The Commons and the more interested I became in the system itself. Who designed the incentives? What behavior is being rewarded? What happens to a population when deviation carries a cost?

That is where this book became fascinating to me. The Commons creates what feels like an impossible optimization problem. You must distinguish yourself enough to succeed, but never enough to become dangerously different. You have to perform, adapt, compete, and belong at the same time. There is theoretically a “correct” way to exist, except the parameters keep shifting depending on who holds power.

Mathematically, I kept thinking about equilibrium. A system can appear stable while every individual inside it is making increasingly irrational choices simply because those choices are rational responses to the incentives they have been given. Eventually people are no longer asking, What do I believe? They are asking, What response keeps me alive?

That distinction is terrifying.

I also loved the irony embedded in the title. The traditional tragedy of the commons concerns individuals acting in their own interest until a shared resource is destroyed. Rebecca Ihim seems to invert the problem. Here, the danger is not excessive individuality but its systematic removal. The institution preserves the collective by demanding pieces of the individual, until belonging begins to resemble subtraction.

And Shantavia sits right at the center of that equation.

Her search for her sister gives the story its emotional momentum, but what interested me most was watching her learn that understanding the rules and understanding the system are two completely different things. A rule tells you what to do. A system tells you why everyone keeps doing it.

The world-building reflects that beautifully. Information arrives almost like variables being introduced into a proof. Every answer changes your understanding of what came before it, and every new piece of information seems to expose another assumption you did not realize you were making.

There is also something both painful and familiar about a society that celebrates excellence while simultaneously narrowing the acceptable definition of what excellence may look like. We praise originality until originality becomes inconvenient. We tell people to distinguish themselves, then punish them for being too difficult to categorize. That contradiction may be the most disturbing part of The Commons, very little of its logic feels completely foreign.

I finished this book thinking about all the invisible systems that teach people which versions of themselves receive rewards.

It also did not hurt that Shantavia’s favorite subject is math. I connected to that immediately. There is something comforting about recognizing that part of yourself in a protagonist, especially when mathematics is not treated as some random arbitrary marker of intelligence but as something she genuinely enjoys. And then watching one of her math assessments become one of the tests she struggles with most was interesting, especially when pressure, fear, exhaustion, and everything happening around her started interfering with how she thinks.

In mathematics, changing one assumption can alter an entire solution. The Commons asks what happens when the assumption being changed is that you are allowed to remain yourself.

[Maeve Baby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this entire plot like my life depended on it. Oh this is nuts! My life now possibly depends on this series to survive this terrible slump I am in. Zavish! Filthy mouth, but I kindaaa.... (not really).
(That one Patron), Filthy rich, dangerous and villainous and I certainly wanna ...(Absofreakinlutely)
I won't say more about the one that I am actually desperate for, but I need a girl's group chat to vent about this book and all these characters because I'm kinda obsessed. Not kinda. My alter ego needs to shut uppp because I AM FOR SURE OBSESSED. BECAUSE WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT ENDING? I'M VERY HAPPY about it. Ok. I'm one of those. Here for the drama! I really enjoyed the fast paced plot. I appreciated how nothing dragged along. I also really liked Shantavia as the narrator. I loved how smart her brain was, and how she was able to navigate being in The Commons while trying to hold on to her morals and her beliefs. The Commons was a very interesting place to be, definitely keeps you questioning what is real and what’s not. I am interested to find out about all the other aspects of The Commons that has not yet been explored. Especially certain characters! This book taught me really important lessons and it asked a lot of really important questions! I wish I had more coherent thoughts but there are so many beautiful quotes in this MASTERPIECE. I highly recommend reading this to find out!

[Alexis Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh!! Okay! This was so good! I loved the first person point of view, and the ya storyline, and the characters. Oh how I loved them. And the plot twists. This author can definitely write an amazing plot twist because I don’t see them coming.

[Cat]

To say that I am obsessed with The Commons would be a massive understatement! This book is absolutely perfect and has left me completely shook.

The story follows our main character, Shantavia, who decides to apply to an elite college called The Commons. Her older sister attended the year before, but suddenly, all communication has been cut off. The school claims her sister is simply on a study abroad program, but Shantavia doesn't believe them. She alters her entire life's course to attend the school and uncover what really happened to her sister.

Once she arrives and the in-person testing process begins, we start to realize something very strange is going on. Shantavia is passing tests in ways she probably shouldn't and getting noticed by people she definitely shouldn't!

What I Loved:
- The central rule of The Commons is a brilliant, mind-bending paradox. To survive, you have to be absolutely perfect, but you also have to be common. You need to be average, yet somehow perform above average to blend in perfectly with everyone around you. If your brain is hurting just reading that, welcome to The Commons!
- The cast is incredibly intriguing! There is a character introduced a bit later on who quickly became an absolute favorite of mine because they are so incredibly authentic, themselves, and lovable. I also can't wait to learn more about the characters we meet at the very beginning as the series continues.
- The world-building in this book is beautiful. I have so many questions and I just need to know more about how this world works! Plus, the pure yearning in this book? Top tier.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
I loved every single second of this book. I desperately need to know when Book 2 is coming out because I am dying to know what happens next.

[Star ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was honestly the most thrilling experience of my life! I am in tremendous shock from what I just read and I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the book is over. And no, I am not OKAY. Nowhere close to Okay. I have not recovered!

If you are a true lover of literature, oh, you are going to have a TIME with this book. And I do not mean that in a fake-deep, “I read one classic once and now I think I’m better than everyone” kind of way. I mean if you actually like books that have important themes, rich writing and is doing something with language and expect you to bring your brain with you when you read. If you appreciate important dystopian themes, pretty prose, and stories that are not terrified of being shocking, this book is for you.

This is the kind of book where you need to slow down a little and let yourself actually absorb what is being said instead of racing to the next twist like you are trying to win something. Because if you rush, you are going to miss important things. The little interesting details that make the whole thing so good. And then you will be one of those people complaining about something the book VERY MUCH DID explain, you just did not pause long enough to catch it.

What I actually loved is that the plot itself is very good. It’s pretty rare that a plot is THIS good & writing THIS impressive! Yes I see the flex and I will be enjoying that flex every time. Because the writing is poetic. The prose has a unique visual style to it. And it’s so beautiful.

So having a plot that remains clear while the prose does its thing? That worked so well for me. I did not feel like one was fighting the other. I enjoyed both. I enjoyed the forward momentum of the story and the pretty language it was told in. That combination really hit.

And I hope this is not a spoiler, but I especially loved how the tragedy of the commons was explored here. I ate that up so bad. I love when a book is not just telling a story but also low key asking bigger questions about human nature, power, survival, and what people do when individual desire starts colliding with collective need. That was one of the smartest things about this book to me. It was making me think while still fully entertaining me.

And the plot just kept thickening. Every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, the book added another revelation and shift that made everything feel even more intense. I was deeply invested the whole time because it kept building in a way that felt organic and unpredictable.

And there was one major moment that genuinely shocked me. Like SHOCKED the living hell out of me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so shocked in my life.

I am usually very good at predicting twists. Usually too good, unfortunately. But this one reveal left me shook! It was so well done by the Author that it was impossible to see from a mile away, yet hints were there that after discovering it all made sense.

I’m usually very good at predicting plot twists. Almost too good, unfortunately. But this reveal completely caught me off guard. It was impossible to see coming, yet perfectly foreshadowed. It was executed so skillfully by the author that I never saw it coming, yet looking back in hindsight, all the hints were there. And once everything was revealed, all the hints suddenly made sense.

There are also so many important themes running through this story like I said before and I’m not going to list them all because I do not want to drift into spoiler territory, but this really is such a well-rounded book. It has emotional depth, tension and important ideas.

The atmosphere of the school was also so crazy! It is just a very satisfying read on multiple levels.

And I SO LOVED our FMC, Shantavia! She is strong, but not in that exhausting cardboard-cutout way where “strong female character” just means she never feels anything and rolls her eyes every other page. She is strong, but also soft deep down which I liked. You can feel her fear and understand her motives. She felt like a real person to me, and that made it so easy to stay invested in her quest.

And our MMC, Pesh... Patron Pesh, he's my new obsession. Every time he was on the page, I could feel IT GET HOTTER. He brings this tension with him that makes everything sooo exciting, and he's sooo SMOOTH with it. He also knows getting too close to Shantavia is probably a terrible idea, and yet? he cannot help himself. YES. YES. YES. THAT'S ALL. You can feel how badly he wants her, even when he’s trying not to. And the obsession WAS OBSESSING! Every moment with Pesh felt like he was walking this fine line between restraint and giving in, and that made him so fun to read.

And their romance? Out of this world. THIS is what I mean when I say I want a slow burn. THIS. THIS RIGHT HERE. Not that fake slow burn stuff where absolutely nothing meaningful happens for 400 pages and then suddenly they are in love because the book remembered it had a romance subplot.

THIS was an actual slow burn!!! Every interaction with Pesh and Shantavia actually mattered and every look felt so weighty. The tension kept building brick by brick and I was out here losing my mind over crumbs. The progression was slow, but never stagnant. There was such intense buildup, ache and restraint with her and Pesh. And the payoff felt good and just made me want MORE.

Again, THIS IS A SLOW. BURN. There were so many moments where I caught myself thinking, “okay… something’s about to happen,” and instead of rushing it, the plot pulled back just enough to deepen the tension between Shantavia and Pesh. It never felt frustrating to me even though I desperately wanted them to be together every second and couldn’t stand when they were not. Their chemistry felt so natural and this is what I mean when I say “I need tension.” The little moments between them just stacked up until I was sitting there clutching my chest over a conversation and a glance!!! BAHHHH STAAP IT. The longing understood the assignment BADLY.

What I also appreciated is that the romance never overshadowed Shantavia’s personal journey or her hero story or the plot! She still had her own arc, growth, and her own internal battles & struggles to deal with. And because the romance was done so well, it made the entire story even stronger. It never felt like the plot had to stop so the romance could happen. It just added to the emotional tension and to the stakes and their vulnerability. It just really made everything hit so much harder!

This is also the kind of book I know I can reread soooooooooooooooooo easily. I really enjoyed annotating my advance copy, and that should already tell you everything you need to know because I usually never annotate or highlight anything really on a first read. If I am annotating like a madwoman, underlining lines, and immediately wanting to go back to my favorite parts, that means the book GOT me down BAD.

And I really, really hope this book becomes hugely successful. Because it deserves that, first of all. But also because I selfishly want to be able to say I was obsessed with it before everyone else. I want the deeply annoying privilege of being right early and watch everybody else discover it and lose their minds the way I did.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. What a delightful experience! I cannot WAIT to read the next one!

Please do not dumb down the writing. I am begging. I am so serious. I AM BEGGING.

Now let me go pre-order the hardcover and continue being insufferably loud about this book with all my friends. I may come back and say more when this book is out and I can actually write spoilers.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Reading this book was honestly the most thrilling experience of my life! I am in tremendous shock from what I just read and I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the book is over. And no, I am not OKAY. Nowhere close to Okay. I have not recovered!

I NEED BOOK 2 NOWWWW!!! And yes, I will be back to write my full thoughts. I am still trying to process them...

[Amanda Price (LifeWithAmandaP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1/5🌶️

What to Expect:
🌜Dystopian
✨Dark Academia
🌜Enemies to Lovers
✨Elite College Romance
🌜Slow Burn
✨Bad@ss FMC
🌜Forbidden Romance
✨YEARNING!!!

So, after seeing all the hype around The Commons, I was SOOO frickin excited to step into this world. I was expecting a dark academia dystopian read, but I was NOT even slightly prepared for how quickly this story would absolutely consume me.

Shantavia Lerogaski enters the elite Commons determined to find her sister who has been missing, and forces herself to play by a system she doesn’t trust in the slightest. All of this, while trying to stay alive and survive the terrifying tests designed to shape the people who will control society. The deeper she gets into this world, the more she realizes that NOT A SINGLE THING about The Commons is what it seems.

Even Patron Pesh, one of the very people she should avoid at all costs and fear the most; becomes impossible to ignore as their connection that is ohhh sooo FORBIDDEN grows every single time they’re around each other.

Between the secrets surrounding her sister, a school built on unsettling rules, deadly tests, and twists that kept me questioning everything, I was completely addicted to every single page of this book. One of the best things, it wasn’t a super long read, only 360 pages… but let me tell you, that does NOT take away from the book's intensity in the slightest.

Tavia is smart, resilient, and determined to uncover the truth no matter what it costs her, and I absolutely loved watching her fight to stay true to herself in a world that was made to break her down completely. This was such a wild ride, by the end I was flipping pages wanting more, only to realize… I’ll have to wait. I cannot wait for more!!

A HUGE thank you to Rebecca Ihim and Deep Publishing for sending this gorgeous PR package over. The book was phenomenal and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the world thinks. I got Nature 100% and I LOVE it. IYKYK!!!

[Deux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some novels ask what it means to succeed. The Commons asks a far more unsettling question; what must be sacrificed in order to exist?

At its surface, the novel follows Shantavia, a young woman whose admission to the prestigious institution known as The Commons is motivated as much by grief and suspicion as by ambition deep down. The unexplained disappearance of her sister provides the narrative's initial mystery, but the novel quickly reveals that its true concerns lie elsewhere. What begins as an investigation gradually unfolds into a profound examination of conformity, surveillance, meritocracy, and the psychological cost of social acceptance.

The genius of The Commons rests in its central paradox. Within this carefully constructed world, excellence is not enough; students must excel in precisely the right way. To stand out is dangerous, yet mediocrity is equally unacceptable. The institution demands a performance of perfect commonness, transforming ordinary achievement into an act of self-erasure. In doing so, the novel offers a striking allegory for contemporary social structures that reward individuality rhetorically while punishing it in practice.

Shantavia is an effective guide through this landscape of contradictions. Her determination to uncover the truth about her sister grounds the novel emotionally, while her growing awareness of the institution's hidden mechanisms drives its intellectual inquiry. The supporting cast is equally compelling, particularly those characters who resist the homogenizing pressures of The Commons simply by remaining unapologetically themselves. Their presence introduces moments of warmth and humanity into a narrative otherwise defined by uncertainty and control.

The world-building deserves particular praise. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the novel reveals its setting through carefully measured disclosures, allowing each new detail to deepen rather than resolve the mystery. This restraint creates an atmosphere of constant tension, one in which every rule seems to conceal another beneath it. The result is a world that feels both familiar and alien, a distorted reflection of systems many readers will recognize from their own experiences with education, achievement, and social belonging.

Perhaps most impressive is the novel's emotional undercurrent. Beneath its speculative framework lies a story animated by longing: for family, for truth, for recognition, and for authentic connection. That yearning gives the narrative a depth that elevates it beyond its premise.

Few contemporary novels manage to be both intellectually provocative and gripping. The Commons accomplishes this balance with remarkable confidence. It is a work that entertains while inviting serious reflection, offering not only a captivating mystery but also a critique of the systems that shape identity and determine worth. Like the finest dystopian and speculative fiction, it leaves readers with the unsettling realization that its most frightening ideas may not be fictional at all. I would dare to say that this should be a modern classic, if time will let it.

And perhaps the novel's most fascinating achievement is the way it reimagines the concept of the "tragedy of the commons." Traditionally, the idea describes the destruction of a shared resource through individual self-interest. The Commons turns that framework on its head. The institution's greatest threat emerges from its relentless pursuit of sameness, creating a school in which difference becomes a liability and conformity becomes a form of survival. Rather than asking what happens when people take too much for themselves, the novel asks what happens when people are required to surrender too much of themselves. In this inversion, the book transforms a familiar economic and sociological theory into a powerful meditation on identity, belonging, and the hidden costs of collective uniformity.

***

okay i'm finally done working on my full review, i considered multiple possible directions, but decided to keep it simple and scholarly, if you want my more unfiltered thoughts❤️, i will be starting a book club soon, but for now, thank you to DEEP Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. i very much enjoyed this and i look forward to the next installment.

***

MAY 06, 2026
wow what in the world did i just read? i am so shocked, i don't even have the words to continue to speak, let alone compose a review, i'm gonna need a min, i did not see that ending coming, im not okay, full RTC.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Rebecca my goat what have you done to me! You have merged my favorite genres into one and left me breathless all in one. You better have plans to release the next book soon or you will make an enemy of me.

This is a debut? Incredible. What a banger. Where do I begin or get started? I loved this one. I didn’t expect to devour this when I received an unexpected E-ARC. I can’t wait to have this beautiful book on my shelves of classics, yes classics because this was a masterpiece. It was beautifully and deeply written and I was not annoyed by this story which is hard to do with me.

I enjoyed every aspect of it. It was fast paced and left me pacing in my room. But the writing paused enough that I just wanted to highlight entire pages sometimes because whattttt what is this beautiful goodness. Rebecca Rebecca what are you doing to me.

The world building was earth shattering to say the least, like how does one think of these things!!! Give me your mind Rebecca now!!! And I beg you not to kill my favorites! (Can’t say their name because might be a spoiler so don’t kill him! Or her! Leave them alone, thank you) oh but I love the world she’s created here, I could get lost in it.

I loved Shantavia. The intelligent sarcastic resilient FMC. She is a real heroine. She’s my girl. I connected to her so much even when I was like shut up you did not just figure that out you menace. The book is a bit of a mystery, thriller, epic fantasy, dystopia, romance, AND THE DRAMA. NON STOP ACTION. Tests kept me up at night. I had to use a hundred percent of my brain reading some of them.

As for the romance, give me 10 of this man right now. I loved Pesh and how their relationship unfolded naturally. This man was driving me crazy with all the mystery but it all made sense and broke my heart all the same but thank God for maturity and actual conversations in this romance. The plot with these two ripped my heart in two. The tension was way too much for me. I loved every bit of the romance and I loved how Rebecca described the way this man confessed and YEARNED FOR Shantavia. URGHHHH GOOD GRIEF I COULD READ HIS LOVE CONFESSIONS FOR HOURS AGAIN AND AGAIN. Mr Darcy who? Haha just kidding. But really I love Pesh!!!!

Okay onto the plot twist, so many, mind blowing. This book gave high stakes a run for its money. The sci-fi elements were so impressive and the concept of the book in general is brilliant. I can’t wait to read more of this story and see where it goes. If book 2 keeps me pacing my room like this one did, then The Commons World has a fan in me. FOR LIFE. This might just be my new favorite book of 2026. Please don’t disappoint me book 2. Scared for the future after that ending.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the most dangerous thing you could be… was yourself? 👀🔥

Our book club dove into The Commons by Rebecca Ihim, and WOW this dystopian thriller gave us plenty to discuss!

Set in a terrifying 22nd-century society where conformity isn’t just encouraged, it's required, The Commons takes the pressure to fit in and turns it into a fight for survival. Eighteen-year-old Shantavia Lerogaski is brilliant, ambitious, and exactly the kind of person this world doesn’t want.

When her sister disappears from the elite institution controlling society, Shantavia risks everything to get inside The Commons and uncover the truth. But getting in is only the beginning. Six deadly tests stand between her and the answers she needs, while every thought, action, and choice seems designed to determine whether she is “common” enough to survive.

What really hooked our book club was the constant uncertainty. Who can Shantavia trust? Can she trust herself? And what exactly happens to the students who are “eliminated”? 👀

The atmosphere is intense, the stakes keep climbing, and the questions surrounding individuality, conformity, intelligence, power, and control gave our group plenty to unpack. And then there’s Pesh the powerful Patron whose presence adds another layer of danger, tension, and complicated feelings to an already impossible situation.

This is the kind of dystopian story that makes you want to keep reading while simultaneously shouting at the characters to BE CAREFUL. 😂🔥

📚 Would you survive a world where being different could get you killed or would you risk everything to stay yourself?

Thank you to Deep Publishing and Rebecca Ihim for sharing The Commons with us! 💕

🔎 Want the full conversation? Visit our Bindery page for our deep-dive Book Club Review!

📚 And if you’re reading The Commons with your own group or tackling it solo download our Book Club Kit, Individual Member Reader Guide, Buddy Reader Kit, and Solo Reader Kit to take your reading experience even deeper!

[sunny ‎]

the author came to my school and showed us the Preview it looks really cool and im Excited to Read it yaayy Yayayay😊💗!

[Dakielionas Mims · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the author of this book, she came to my school and displayed this book, i am obsessed with this plot it is so amazing! I NEEEEED MORE

[AmdynReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️
Temu Divergent
I’m not ever harsh in my reviews, but my whole experience with this book has angered me.

☺️ Thank you to Rebecca Ihim and Deep Publishing for this sending me this ARC. As always all opinions are my own.

Let me start with the positives. I enjoyed the creativity and the overall premise was unique. There were tons of trials, which were enjoyable. This story had all of the elements and potential for a great story but needs some polishing and heavy editing.

I really wanted to love this one. Dark academia, forbidden romance, dystopian society are my FAVORITE tropes. But right off the bat I could tell the writing was going to be a struggle to ignore. I am a high school teacher and have read fiction written by teenagers, but this seemed overly juvenile. The use of exclamation points and slang was so excessive that it kept knocking me out of the story. The number of times I saw “Arghhh!” “Urrggh!” (5 times just in one scene) became like nails on a chalkboard. And phrases like “what the crap!” And “what the F!” made me crazy. Then the MMC actually says “ayy es es” spelling out ASS and I just had to laugh. 😂 I thought maybe she included the strict no cursing rule in The Commons so Rebecca as an author could keep the story “clean” with no cursing, but later on she has the F word multiple times, so this left me confused about why she chose to do it this way.

The way things were described truly sounded like a young child speaking. In English class most of us learn about overused words such as “very”. Well this story basically just stuck with the overused words throughout. Even in the make out scenes, the word “butt” was used multiple times and I inwardly curled my lip in revulsion every time.

If it weren’t for the romance parts & dark themes, I would honestly think this was written for a 5th/6th grade audience. But even books like Hatchet and Percy Jackson were enjoyable for me as an adult. This one was not. 😭

Not spoilers but specific book elements coming up…

It felt like certain elements were chosen just for shock value. In one scene characters are talking about someone’s expensive sweater and they say it cost him a million dollars.
A sweater.
Then they said “no it was 5 million.” It’s as if numbers were chosen arbitrarily like a child would do, but the believability went right out of the window.

On one challenge the FMC had to speak continuously for something like 12 hours straight and she did it no problem without losing her voice or suffering at all afterwards.

In another they had to answer “unsolvable” math problems for “a thousand minutes” (16 hours straight) … ok so they don’t eat or drink or use the rest room??? And the FMC solved these unsolvable problems so are they now solvable? (And of course she solved each one in seconds)

Also the FMC reads a million words in 6 HOURS.
Oh I did the calculation.
That’s 2780 words PER MINUTE.
It’s just all so childish and hard to stay in the story when everything is overdone to the extreme.
Even a million words in a DAY is pretty impossible but she reads TEN books in ten days, each a million words. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Then she takes a test on them and has to answer 1000 questions in 10 minutes- so 100 questions every minute. Ridiculous.
If I give my honors students a 100 question test, it’s going to take a solid hour- especially on literature. It’s not humanly possible to answer 100 questions in one minute - sorry.
And this test had a THOUSAND questions 😂
(Oh and of course she makes a 100% 😒)

The premise was unique to me at first but the more I read the more I started to realize that an elite academy that expects you to be EXCEPTIONAL but also AVERAGE at the same time, is kind of dumb and doesn’t make any sense. It’s not deep or thought provoking. It literally makes no sense.

And look don’t get me started on the romance. It was not good and it was severely underdeveloped. I did not care about any of the characters. This gave Temu Divergent vibes. Pesh is Four. There is even a test where her thoughts will be read.

I have been fighting to push through this book now for 7 months and I’m glad I finished it. My heart is sad that I did not like it more as it was my very first physical ARC (which is the only reason why I didn’t dnf.)

Side note: Go and read all the 5 star gushing reviews. They sound suspiciously similar. Like written in the same voice. And most mention how great the writing is 🤔 and the accounts are all beautiful people that look like instagram influencers or they are faceless. 🤔 and most have no friends/followers but they all get 10 likes on the review????
I came back and edited my review after I saw this. As I said at the beginning, I don’t ever give harsh reviews but I felt total transparency was the way to go, even if it comes across as rude.

Second side note: When I first got this arc in March the release date was in April. Then we got an email saying the publication date was being pushed back, which is fine but the way it was done rubbed me the wrong way. The email made it seem like it was a test and we had failed to realize that “it was there all along” (the real publication date) because she chose a date from the book (9/17). It was so off putting that I immediately didn’t want to read the book. I think the author thought it was cute but it just did not land like she thought. I wasn’t going to mention this but I felt I should add it.

[Natoshia Blaylock · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Commons by Rebecca Ihim

This dystopian dark academia book is non-stop from cover to cover. There is so much going on. I enjoyed the adventure of joining The Commons. Following Shantavia on her journey to find her sister Levon was enthralling. She encounters countless obstacles and enemies. She finds an ally turned lover in Patron Pesh along the way. The technology in this book is crazy! The Commons world is so well built that you can see yourself walking the halls alongside the students. I don’t feel like I can write a good enough review of the book to give it the praise it deserves. My words cannot begin to describe the way you get sucked into The Commons and don’t know how to get out, nor do you want to. If you are a lover of The Hunger Games, Divergent, or Maze Runner, then you will love this.

I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes in the future. This is definitely going to be a best-selling series!!

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. I was skeptical about this one since I had never read anything written by this author before and wow. As a reader who read the divergent series as a teenager. This was such an amazing read. You get the dystopian vibes, and the overwhelming sense of doom thought the book. But, it mixed in a romantic element with what I would be considered mild spice. This one kept me hooked and I could not put it down. It was digested in three sessions. Any readers that loved hunger games, maze runner, or divergent. This is a must read. It’s like those, but for adults 😂

[Chiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okayyy whatever yesss this is a 6 star read.

I don’t usually leave book reviews but this book touched my heart. It’s also taken me a bit of time to write this review because I had to read this book twice because I loved it so much and I just couldn’t shake off the feeling of this world.

Overall I think going into this book you should expect:

* High Stakes
* Fast Paced
* LUSH writing with LITERARY elements (yes the kind of figurative elements you learn about in high school and forget as an adult, yes metaphors, symbolism, the works, the kind that real literature uses, okay I’m done with that rant, yes writing can be both FUN and smart. And it’s clear what the author is doing. And I feel so lucky to have read this work early!

* Also expect, intense enemies to lovers that will have you kicking your feet and curling up in your room !!!

* PLOT TWISTS
* A feeling of ADDICTION like you won’t be able to stop reading until the end, the thrill takes over you, the plot takes over, the world takes over, it’s ADDICTING, COMPULSIVE, okay now let me continue…

I found Shantavia’s character fascinating especially her complexity, her intelligence and her innocence meshed together made her a well rounded character that WASN’T just one sided. And so it made her relatable and I liked how we got to see her thoughts and her thinking and her desperation and it all just was a THRILL, and gave me an adrenaline rush constantly. She was NOT an “I too know” she led us through her thought process and I LOVED that, I felt like I was the detective and I was the one trying to figure things out. Her desperation to do anything needed to find her sister before she runs out of time was also so touching!

This world is entirely unique, not like anything you will ever read! It is so grand and genius and the world building was incredible. Never read a thing like this world building EVER! I love how the author used technology and research in the real word to merge into the future as a reality but made it fantastical? Is that a word? Anyways… Loved it!!! Clearly this author is really smart. And I’m catching up because the book is actually quite simple to understand and very easy to zoom and read through!

I really liked the main characters and the found family! Especially one particular character’s storyline as well as the ending.

Shantavia was not only strong, but also vulnerable and that further made me connect to her. I felt her desperation to the find her sister. The plot line was pretty organized and easy to follow, and the plot twist almost gave me a heart attack, at times, like waaaaa noooo donttttttt you have to be kidding me… 😭😭

I liked the writing and how unique this book felt especially, since personally for me, I feel everything feels the same these days but this book felt so special in my heart and different from the “usual” books I see coming out and some of the lines in the book are so touching, I think they deserve to be in a museum. This book also lets you THINK for yourself and I feel like this author is messing with my head sometimes. We’ll see if I’m right in book 2. Patiently waiting. NOT!!!!

The romance was SOOO “intoxicating” and I liked how it was done and written to be thrilling and HOT but without vulgarity. PESH = LOVELY.

THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!

Anyways I really liked this book and I hope to learn more about this world soon as the ending left me with a feeling I just can’t shake off and now I’m perhaps going to be in a reading slump as I can’t stop thinking about this book.

Thank you to the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. And for giving me this book when I heard a small e-arc was going out & requested it, appreciate it.

I would “BOW” for book 2 HMMM IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dismantled all my expectations and left me in a state of astonishment. I devoured it, obsessed over every revelation, and immediately found myself craving the sequel. I tend to scrutinize every detail and somehow The Commons kept me on my toes and I simply could not get ahead of the story. For a reader who predicts everything, I was seriously impressed.

The foundational premise of The Commons is basically an elite college where the students need to be perfect and ordinary at the same time. The world-building is mysterious, and utterly absorbing. I adored every moment of this novel from beginning to end. 💎💎💎💎💎 Five diamond stars.

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Commons
By Rebecca Ihim

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this story! Follow Shantavia as she traverses the world of The Commons, a college above the rest where you get brownie points for being a Commoner, unless you have the privilege of being an elite or Patron. Shantavia is on a warpath of conquering the college and looking for her sister, Levon who disappeared the year prior, after a phone call. The college told their parents she was “studying abroad” and Shantavia is there to find out exactly what that means.

This is fantastic world building with a unique world concept, enemies to lovers, diabolical testing, and almost an Alice type concept where up is down & down is up.

It’s an exciting adventure to see where the book leads Patron Pesh and Shantavia, while learning how they are connected. What do you do when you’re extraordinary in a world who only values the ordinary?! This has many fantastic world themes that are underlying and very conceptual in the world today. The story is 100% inventive, unique and thrilling! I was privileged enough to get chosen for the golden ticket PR BOX & it was thrilling!

I truly cannot wait to see what Rebecca Ihim has in store for this story!

Thank you for the opportunity for the PR box & for reviewing this wonderful book!

PS- I was chosen for Cognitive Faction with the PR box 🎉🎉 only other one I’d have trouble choosing between would be Oratory .. glad I didn’t have to choose!

[Maddi Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my full review @maddiisbooked on instagram and TikTok!! 🤯❤️📖

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE COMMONS? the vibes?? so dreamy and emotional in a way that made me want to both scream into a pillow and immediately recommend this book to every person i’ve ever met. i genuinely need someone to study my brain chemistry after this book because WHY was i giggling, overthinking, rethinking, staring at the ceiling, clutching the book to my chest at 3 am.

from the VERY FIRST PAGE this book just grabs you by the throat in the best way possible. like hello?? i didn’t even feel like i was reading about the FMC. I WAS the FMC. every emotion hit SO hard. every save the world moment? me. every delusional romantic thought? ALSO me.

and can we PLEASE talk about the world building because WOW. actually insane. it was completely consuming without feeling overwhelming. every setting felt magical and alive like i could literally smell the air in the commons and see everything happening around me. yes it’s not magic it’s science, Pesh’s voice, but it felt magical. i fear i live in the commons now and i want to live in tavia’s head too.

and don’t even get me STARTED on the characters because i got attached WAY too fast. like these are my FRIENDS now. i would let them ruin my life. i would probably answer a mysterious terrifying text from them at 2am knowing full well it would end badly.

the writing was so addictive too. i kept saying “okay one more chapter” and suddenly it was 3am and i had work to do and responsibilities and a college thesis i was actively ignoring for this book 😭

overall this was such an enjoyable read from beginning to end and i’m actually upset it’s over because now i have to return to reality where the commons is not real and no pesh is dramatically yearning in the starry commonda waters around me. 4.7 stars, i’m emotionally unwell after that shocking ending and all my theories were wrong.

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must, must, must, musttttt READ THIS BOOK!!!
For now, I'll leave you with a glorious quote as you await my full review...

"One frivolous sight of your gaze is like catching a sight of the stars ablaze. One idle glance of your eyes is like looking at the firmaments across the celestial skies. One trivial touch of your hands is like grazing fire, like catching oceans, like flicking past lightning, like catching a glimpse of gold in human form."

I MEANNNN! I would give you nosy peeps more, but I don't want to spoil it! Oh! It's soo amazing. This author's writing was absolutely fantastic and was one of my favorite parts about this book. It is truly an absolute treat in literature. And I definitely had to google certain words she used, don't tell anyone🤫

My only gripe is that I don't have book two with such an ending! I know, petty. But once book two arrives, of course I'll give it five "incandescent" starsssss! ⚝⚝⚝⚝(book 2 soon plssssss ??+⚝)

I'm waiting on you Rebeccaaaaaaaa Ihim!!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[Shyanne Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Commons by Rebecca Ihim

4.75/5 ⭐️’s

Within The Commons it is very crucial that you learn to think, act and look like every other person there or you have the possibility of facing death.
Your future depends on your ability to conform to everyone else. Your thoughts will be measured and you will be graded on how common you really are to the rest. Don’t stand out.

Getting into an elite school where she must dampen her intelligence to be just like everyone else, 18 year old Shantavia Lerogaski has set out with only one path in mind….to survive the trials and rescue her sister who went missing at The Commons before it’s too late. And upon arrival, all is not what it seems, but Shantavia will do what it takes to make it through. She must first get through six grueling tests within the 6 different study zones of The Commons. And to fail is to be eliminated, but to be eliminated is to face uncertainty. No one knows where you go.
Complications start to ensue when Shantavia’s fate is in the hands of a Patron, the very one who wanted her gone from the start. And also the one who helps her in secret and tries to keep her safe. Pesh who is formidable and a very powerful Patron makes her question everyone and everything….including her attraction to him. Shantavia must survive or risk losing everything.

Shantavia is such a strong character throughout the book with lots of determination. She knew what needed to be done and she did everything she could to get it done, no matter what. Pesh is downright bad, but in a good way! He has a hard exterior, but really he’s a softy and lover boy! He a just wants to save and protective everyone.

Putting my utmost affection I have towards this book into words is truly hard because there’s so many wonderful things to be said about it! It was masterfully written in such a simple, but complex way. The prose and world building was absolute perfection. I could envision everything and sometimes it felt all a little too real, but in a good way! Then the well thought out trials…complete geniusness(yes I’m aware it’s not a correct word, leave me alone lol). I felt so immersed and invested in this book while reading that I didn’t want to put it down(had to force myself at times because of the kids and well adulting lol). You also feel all the emotions when reading this story which really helps to keep you gripped tightly in its grasp. Some things were challenging and slightly difficult to comprehend, but that may just be a me problem because even so, this book is a really great read and keeps you wanting more! Everything about this book was truly inventive and it shows!

Favorite quotes:
“I cannot forget why I am here. I cannot let myself conform to the system. I must be alert. At all times”
“If you go, I’m going. If you stay, I’m staying. I’d never leave you. Because I plan on knowing you for a very long time.”
“You have my heart. Of course you owe me and I will forever be indebted to you, should you ever give it back”
“300 years and a day remember me. 300 years and a day, come back to me.”

Tropes you’ll find:
✨Deadly tests
✨Secrets
✨Suspense
✨Enemies to lovers

Thank you so much to @deeppublishing and @rebeccaihim for my arc copy of this incredible book. I truly enjoyed every moment of it and cannot wait for book two!

[Kellie Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUSPENSEFUL!!!

I absolutely love this book from start to finish. Rebecca Ihim you are new to me author and I’m gonna say that I will be one clicking everything of yours. This book was hands-down the most interesting book I have come across this year.

This book was very stimulating, intriguing and so many other things. This book is set 100 years from now and not everything in this world is as it seems and that is why I really enjoyed this book. This book made me cry just a little bit, made me think, put the biggest grin on my face, make me speculate a few things and so many other things.

If you absolutely love a book about a dystopian world where not everything is not what you expect, then this book is for you. I cannot wait for the second book because I have so many questions. Seriously people what are you waiting for you need to get this book right now.

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I underestimated this book. Yep. I underestimated The Commons. I went into it expecting to predict most things, expecting it to read like books I've read before in this genre etc, but boyyyy was I wrong. This book is unlike anything I've ever read, from the voice, to the world-building to the romantic descriptions, to the plot, to the SCHOOLLLLLLL, to the mystery, the suspense, the TENSION! AND THAT TEST! Oh my God, I nearly lost my mind reading that one test, like I was physically sweating and going mad. We see things through our fmc, Shantavia's point of view, so we learn everything she learns in real time and oh my does she have a unique and compelling voice. Her voice is a bit like a rush, like when you take a burst of caffeine and suddenly feel invisible, like you can do anything (well, that's how I feel anyways). But I digress, I am actually laughing as I am writing this because some of the things that took place made me giggle quite a bit, and cry, yes, actual tears (omg, that one scene broke me) but the most important, this book had me losing my mindddd, because it was so ridiculously unpredictable, and unhinged, and wild, and a contraction in itself, so every time I opened up the pages, my heartbeat would escalate. I literally felt like the book was playing mind games on me the entire time and I wouldn't be shocked if book 2 flips everything I think I finally know on its head and makes me a fool, again. And, well this is the first book where I couldn't predict any of the plot twists. The way they just slammed into me had me squinting like, what on earth?? did. that. just. happen. I will be updating this as I annotated my entire ARC, thank you very much DEEP and Rebecca (though I am angry at you Rebecca, because why would you end the book after that?? do you not care for my heart!?) Anyways, I made the most unfiltered comments so stay tuned, lovelies. Or should I say, Commoners? hehe
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

And of course, I'll be back!

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ABSOLUTELY 5 STARS!!!!!! (will be back in a moment!!!) 🤭

[Ruby Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCUSE ME while I recover from being personally attacked by how good this book was. The story was so very heart felt, and the storyline was amazing. I love Shantavia so much and the romance! Whew. Swoon-worthy, so much chemistry, so beautiful and romantic 🌸, and unpredictable 😲

The world of The Commons is very clever, the worldbuilding is inventive, futuristic, grounded, and detailed. The world was so easy to picture in my head and somehow the author made an epic and detailed world seem very easy and carefree and fun especially with Shantavia as the narrator, this girl is hilarious. Some of the science fiction elements took me a while to grasp because of how smart they were and I felt proud of myself once I understood it all 😋 I was completely immersed and so very focused from the first page to the last line and the ending had meeee



Now I want to go to The Commons but I don't think I'd survive 🤔I really enjoyed it, it was such a cool story. Can't wait to read more of Shantavia's story!💗

[RogueMarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal read. I absolutely enjoyed the FMCs journey in searching for her missing sister in a school that is meant to produce elite leaders. The MMC is very morally gray and you could feel the FMC's questionable feelings of trust for him as the story progresses. Who does one trust when every interaction feels like a test and asking the wrong person could mean death or disappearance. Additionally, I loved the way the Commons is integrated as an acronym representing the different areas of the school. The levels of students and leaders was also easy to follow. I highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys an MC who challenges the norms.

[Gemmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even exaggerating when I say this book is exceptional! First off, the writing? The author writes exceptionally well. The voice is so strong and so easy to fall into, and everything felt very clear and intentional and the story just flowed in a way that made me want to keep reading and reading and reading. Nothing felt sloppy in any way shape or form. Genuinely so well written! And what I loved is that it’s easy to read, but not basic. Like I wasn't struggling to get through it, but at the same time I could tell there was real skill behind it.

I also loved Shantavia so much. I cared about her so much, I was invested in what was happening, and I felt like I could really root for her the entire way through. Her journey was so easy to connect to, and I really liked following her through everything that happened.

The plot was also done really well because it had a structure that made me feel grounded, like I could follow where things were going, but at the same time I was still getting surprised and mind blown by the twists. I loved all of those flashbacks as well as it added a lot of helpful context to the present. I took my time with this one, and I’m so glad I did because I wanted this book to keep going, I was so sad when it ended truly. There were so many moments that SHOCKED me, so many twists that I did not see coming. Frankly, I never saw any of the plot twists coming at all, and by the end I was just like wow. And the LAST LINE? REVOLUTIONARY. Literally such a strong ending. And the thing was, the twists didn’t feel random or thrown in just for shock, they were actually set up (when you go back and analyze), and when things started clicking, you realize the author planted those moments way earlier and you just didn’t catch it at first. That’s such a wonderful combination because it never felt all over the place, but it also never felt predictable.

There were multiple times while reading this book that I literally had to stop and be like "wait… hold on…" because everything I thought I understood just got flipped. That makes this the kind of book people will easily fly through and not be able to put down because you want to know what happens next. And then, when you think you have it figured out, you realize you don't.

I’m fully invested now. I need more of Shantavia’s story, because if this is how it starts… yeah this is about to be something special!

What a story!

Thank you to the Author and DEEP Publishing for the ARC!

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Update:
OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!! THIS WAS BEYOND INCREDIBLE! By far my favorite read of 2026! 5 to infinity stars!