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Free School: a (should be) Dystopian YA story about standing up to corruption
We are the children of new-new age millennials with a romantic idea of us growing up like it's the 1990s. Although they themselves still conform to the digitalisation of society, constantly bookended by targeted ads and complying with the government recommendation of inserting bank-issued ID chips in their wrists, they expect us to thrive on a diet of sunsets and mix tapes. But you know what? We have seen our future in our parents' hamster wheel lives, under the thumb of algorithms and corporations, and we fine by us. Other teens at our school have secret social media accounts that they check in the dead of night, but not us. We reject it all. They call us The Analogue Anarchists just for embracing an analogue life, and for refusing to Agree to our School Portal’s updated Terms and Conditions. They haven’t seen anything yet . . .
Seventeen-year-old River has been uprooted from her city life and forced to move to an idyllic village in the middle of Nowhere. Falling in love with the mercurial Vilda should be the most exciting thing to happen amongst all this nothing . . . But the idyll is an illusion, and the more time River spends with Vilda and her misfit friends, the more she begins to see the world around her with new eyes. So when tragedy strikes and school becomes a divisive battle ground, River is the first to take a stand for what is right.
Free School is should-be dystopian story set in the near future, with a sapphic slow burn romance woven in. It is the first book of a YA/Crossover trilogy, which follows River and her friends as they stand up to increasing levels of corruption in the pursuit of freedom – whatever that means . . .
Seventeen-year-old River has been uprooted from her city life and forced to move to an idyllic village in the middle of Nowhere. Falling in love with the mercurial Vilda should be the most exciting thing to happen amongst all this nothing . . . But the idyll is an illusion, and the more time River spends with Vilda and her misfit friends, the more she begins to see the world around her with new eyes. So when tragedy strikes and school becomes a divisive battle ground, River is the first to take a stand for what is right.
Free School is should-be dystopian story set in the near future, with a sapphic slow burn romance woven in. It is the first book of a YA/Crossover trilogy, which follows River and her friends as they stand up to increasing levels of corruption in the pursuit of freedom – whatever that means . . .
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2026
About the author
Ida Thomasdotter
1 book1 followerAn indie filmmaker/creative turned indie author, Ida Thomasdotter is a writer and multidisciplinary creative from Sweden now based in South London with her partner, twin toddlers and cat.
Her first book, Pack Animals, is a YA folklore fantasy inspired by the nordic folk tales she grew up on and was published under the pseudonym Idun Klinga on Halloween 2025. Her second book, Free School, is the first in a YA/Crossover Dystopian trilogy, which will be published under her real name in September 2026.
Besides writing books, Ida is currently co-writing two feature film scripts and studying towards a degree in English Literature.
Her first book, Pack Animals, is a YA folklore fantasy inspired by the nordic folk tales she grew up on and was published under the pseudonym Idun Klinga on Halloween 2025. Her second book, Free School, is the first in a YA/Crossover Dystopian trilogy, which will be published under her real name in September 2026.
Besides writing books, Ida is currently co-writing two feature film scripts and studying towards a degree in English Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS BOOK SPOILERS:
Ida Thomasdotter sent me her book to review as an ARC, and I already knew I was going to enjoy it before even picking it up. This is the second book I have read by the author. Her first book, ‘Pack Animals’, published under her pen name ‘Idun Klinga’, was a marvel to read, so I was very much excited to read this too.
And once again, she did not disappoint! ‘Free School’ is a very different genre from her previous work, yet it remains equally compelling and well‑crafted. Thomasdotter has written an unflinching novel that explores such heavy themes, such as bodily autonomy and the ways it affects young girls and the people around them. With everything going on in the world, this book sends out an important message, and I can see that Thomasdotter has written this with such thoughtfulness to bring attention to these matters.
I admit, I had to put this book down a few times. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t because it was bad but rather the opposite. The events that occurred within the novel evoked such strong emotions within me that I just needed to take a break at times. Some scenes, unfortunately, hit home, but the way they were written was so realistic that it felt as if I was reliving them. This near-future semi-dystopia showcases how the absence of abortions and women's and girls’ medical care can shape and, heartbreakingly, even end lives. My heart broke for the character Liberty, and watching the main character River and her group of fellow rebels challenge institutional control within their school, as well as protesting for human rights, brought me a sense of justice. (It also brought me huge waves of anxiety as I was literally screaming whilst reading, trying not to freak out whilst the characters were sneaking around and trying not to get caught. Spoilers: they failed. Multiple times. I needed to lie down after reading those chapters, so thank you for that, dear author). ‘Free School’ captures the urgency of resistance and the chaotic bravery to confront systems that fail their most vulnerable.
I, of course, cannot write this review without mentioning my favourite character. Let’s give a huge round of applause for Ari! Oh, this boy was something, alright. But here I am, falling in love with his character. How could I not? Chaotic, playful, funny, intelligent, and most of all, just downright so kind-hearted. We all need an Ari in our lives (and we all need a Klaus to our Ari too). The narrative’s attention to his neurodivergency and mental health is one of its greatest strengths. Thomasdotter allows neurodivergent characters to exist with great depth and agency, but not without showing their complexities. Rather than treating him as a plot device, she weaves him into the emotional fabric of the story, and that is something most writers fail to do, as they try to scramble together any sort of representation. Thomasdotter gave this book such a deeply human core, and I believe that’s exactly why Ari became such a comfort, as I can relate to him at times, on a personal level.
Amid these heavy themes, the book also offers a slow-burn sapphic romance. If I’m being honest, I mainly started reading this novel due to this (but also because I am loyal to the author, sue me), but gosh, Thomasdotter wasn’t lying when she said slow-burn! The slow-burn was definitely slow-burning. It is the second time she has hit me with this, but I’m not complaining whatsoever. There is a beauty to the slow approach, and it mimics real life so perfectly. It’s the small moments between River and Vilda that had me clutching my heart. It’s gentle, patient, and so intimate. Their relationship never overshadows the central conflict. Instead, it grows quietly in the margins. It creates a sense of hope and grounds the characters. It is cautious, but so tender, as it truly encapsulates the sapphic experience.
(Ha, beat that Emery).
This story is so meaningful to me as a lesbian, as the book captures the essence of sapphic identity, emotion, and romance. The self-doubts and the not knowings of what we believed to be a shared moment were real or one-sided. The fear of not seeming to fit in with their friends, or not feeling worthy of their attention, or not feeling up to par with their coolness (Oh River, you are so me). Not to mention the archaic rules about abortion, or women’s healthcare and autonomy in general. It was heartbreaking, but real.
Although this book is different from Thomasdotter’s previous genre, the shift does nothing to diminish its quality. If anything, it highlights her ability to handle serious topics with nuance and empathy. The result is a compelling, socially resonant story that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you, Ida. I cannot wait for book 2!
Ida Thomasdotter sent me her book to review as an ARC, and I already knew I was going to enjoy it before even picking it up. This is the second book I have read by the author. Her first book, ‘Pack Animals’, published under her pen name ‘Idun Klinga’, was a marvel to read, so I was very much excited to read this too.
And once again, she did not disappoint! ‘Free School’ is a very different genre from her previous work, yet it remains equally compelling and well‑crafted. Thomasdotter has written an unflinching novel that explores such heavy themes, such as bodily autonomy and the ways it affects young girls and the people around them. With everything going on in the world, this book sends out an important message, and I can see that Thomasdotter has written this with such thoughtfulness to bring attention to these matters.
I admit, I had to put this book down a few times. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t because it was bad but rather the opposite. The events that occurred within the novel evoked such strong emotions within me that I just needed to take a break at times. Some scenes, unfortunately, hit home, but the way they were written was so realistic that it felt as if I was reliving them. This near-future semi-dystopia showcases how the absence of abortions and women's and girls’ medical care can shape and, heartbreakingly, even end lives. My heart broke for the character Liberty, and watching the main character River and her group of fellow rebels challenge institutional control within their school, as well as protesting for human rights, brought me a sense of justice. (It also brought me huge waves of anxiety as I was literally screaming whilst reading, trying not to freak out whilst the characters were sneaking around and trying not to get caught. Spoilers: they failed. Multiple times. I needed to lie down after reading those chapters, so thank you for that, dear author). ‘Free School’ captures the urgency of resistance and the chaotic bravery to confront systems that fail their most vulnerable.
I, of course, cannot write this review without mentioning my favourite character. Let’s give a huge round of applause for Ari! Oh, this boy was something, alright. But here I am, falling in love with his character. How could I not? Chaotic, playful, funny, intelligent, and most of all, just downright so kind-hearted. We all need an Ari in our lives (and we all need a Klaus to our Ari too). The narrative’s attention to his neurodivergency and mental health is one of its greatest strengths. Thomasdotter allows neurodivergent characters to exist with great depth and agency, but not without showing their complexities. Rather than treating him as a plot device, she weaves him into the emotional fabric of the story, and that is something most writers fail to do, as they try to scramble together any sort of representation. Thomasdotter gave this book such a deeply human core, and I believe that’s exactly why Ari became such a comfort, as I can relate to him at times, on a personal level.
Amid these heavy themes, the book also offers a slow-burn sapphic romance. If I’m being honest, I mainly started reading this novel due to this (but also because I am loyal to the author, sue me), but gosh, Thomasdotter wasn’t lying when she said slow-burn! The slow-burn was definitely slow-burning. It is the second time she has hit me with this, but I’m not complaining whatsoever. There is a beauty to the slow approach, and it mimics real life so perfectly. It’s the small moments between River and Vilda that had me clutching my heart. It’s gentle, patient, and so intimate. Their relationship never overshadows the central conflict. Instead, it grows quietly in the margins. It creates a sense of hope and grounds the characters. It is cautious, but so tender, as it truly encapsulates the sapphic experience.
(Ha, beat that Emery).
This story is so meaningful to me as a lesbian, as the book captures the essence of sapphic identity, emotion, and romance. The self-doubts and the not knowings of what we believed to be a shared moment were real or one-sided. The fear of not seeming to fit in with their friends, or not feeling worthy of their attention, or not feeling up to par with their coolness (Oh River, you are so me). Not to mention the archaic rules about abortion, or women’s healthcare and autonomy in general. It was heartbreaking, but real.
Although this book is different from Thomasdotter’s previous genre, the shift does nothing to diminish its quality. If anything, it highlights her ability to handle serious topics with nuance and empathy. The result is a compelling, socially resonant story that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you, Ida. I cannot wait for book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I was excited for Ida’s new book after loving Pack Animals (released under her pen name Idun Klinga) but I have to admit, Free School didn’t hit nearly as hard for me.
The story follows River in a not-so-distant future, a teenager who just moved into a small town in Britain, and her life at her new high school where she joins a group of four other kids who are dubbed as Analogue Anarchists. They‘re known for being anti-establishment and quietly rebellious, yet ultimately harmless. Not for long, though, because after a girl gets arrested for having an abortion, and another dies under tragic, easily avoided circumstances, frustration and rage grow in River and her friends, escalating into a mess bigger than they counted on.
The premise sounds amazing, and I was completely hooked from the start. There were quite a few aspects I truly enjoyed, especially the darkly foreshadowing tone of River‘s narrative and the biting sociopolitical commentary. The atmosphere of the data-based, zero-paper school clearly under the thumb of political figures who pay the most, coupled with the country’s active anti-abortion laws, had me uneasy and on edge. It all smelled of a direction we’re currently heading in and I could easily imagine this future being prophetic, given the current political climate. The emerging purity culture, which once again shifts all the blame and responsibility onto girls when it comes to teenage sex and unplanned pregnancy, also had me wanting to tear my hair out – well done.
The permeating sense of foreboding was the highlight for me. Reading this was like walking down a dark corridor, knowing there are pot holes somewhere, anticipating a plunge with your every step.
The inclusion of queer characters and mental illness rep was a nice touch; one of the group’s boys Ari was undiagnosed but probably with ADHD and bipolar, and I though the depiction of those felt quite authentic.
Another interesting aspect was a pretty spot-on portrayal of teenage blind infatuation that often leads to stupid decision-making. River, while being quite self-aware, wasn’t immune to emotional manipulations by Vilda, the unspoken leader of the group.
Which brings me to the characters themselves. While River was the most fleshed out character due to being the narrator, the others felt completely flat. River’s integration into the group was completely off-page – she told us that she somehow became a part of them and slowly got to know them better. Problem is… I didn’t. I feel like I don’t know any of them at all, meaning I can’t even start to care about them. Ari was possibly the most visible character, but he also felt defined by his mental troubles.
Vilda is where the story kept failing. Right from the start, we’re told how charismatic and quietly manipulative she is, working everyone from the shadows, and…I don’t see a lick of that. She didn’t talk much, always just smirking or her eyes glittered/sparkled/shone constantly – which was probably meant to portray her as the mastermind of everything, but I absolutely couldn’t take her seriously.
River and Vilda also had something between them, a few kisses here and there, but not a single conversation, again. Just River being sure there is something growing, while another boy from the group Emery was also obsessed with Vilda.
It all comes down to the writing, I’m afraid – all telling, zero showing. I didn’t understand why the kids were in the group together because they didn’t seem to even like each other enough to stay cohesive. There was not a single scene of them interacting normally, having conversations that would make me understand their dynamic and chemistry. How am I supposed to care about their fates when I don’t even know them?
All in all, Free School is an ambitious story about rebellious teens who get fed up with injustice and the institutions that led to their schoolmate’s death, and decide to do something about it in the most harebrained way possible because they’re just kids without means or power to change things. Their fight is important in theory, yet aimless and childish and felt very anticlimatic.
I know Ida is capable of creating incredible characters, as she gave us Alvar and Ulf from Pack Animals, so my disappointment mostly stems from high expectations. Still, there were many interesting aspects I enjoyed (and one particular scene that had me nauseous and won‘t forget it any time soon… hint – homemade abortion) so I’m curious enough to check out the next installments when they come out.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read and review this e-arc! Planned pub date is 31 Aug 2026.
The story follows River in a not-so-distant future, a teenager who just moved into a small town in Britain, and her life at her new high school where she joins a group of four other kids who are dubbed as Analogue Anarchists. They‘re known for being anti-establishment and quietly rebellious, yet ultimately harmless. Not for long, though, because after a girl gets arrested for having an abortion, and another dies under tragic, easily avoided circumstances, frustration and rage grow in River and her friends, escalating into a mess bigger than they counted on.
The premise sounds amazing, and I was completely hooked from the start. There were quite a few aspects I truly enjoyed, especially the darkly foreshadowing tone of River‘s narrative and the biting sociopolitical commentary. The atmosphere of the data-based, zero-paper school clearly under the thumb of political figures who pay the most, coupled with the country’s active anti-abortion laws, had me uneasy and on edge. It all smelled of a direction we’re currently heading in and I could easily imagine this future being prophetic, given the current political climate. The emerging purity culture, which once again shifts all the blame and responsibility onto girls when it comes to teenage sex and unplanned pregnancy, also had me wanting to tear my hair out – well done.
The permeating sense of foreboding was the highlight for me. Reading this was like walking down a dark corridor, knowing there are pot holes somewhere, anticipating a plunge with your every step.
The inclusion of queer characters and mental illness rep was a nice touch; one of the group’s boys Ari was undiagnosed but probably with ADHD and bipolar, and I though the depiction of those felt quite authentic.
Another interesting aspect was a pretty spot-on portrayal of teenage blind infatuation that often leads to stupid decision-making. River, while being quite self-aware, wasn’t immune to emotional manipulations by Vilda, the unspoken leader of the group.
Which brings me to the characters themselves. While River was the most fleshed out character due to being the narrator, the others felt completely flat. River’s integration into the group was completely off-page – she told us that she somehow became a part of them and slowly got to know them better. Problem is… I didn’t. I feel like I don’t know any of them at all, meaning I can’t even start to care about them. Ari was possibly the most visible character, but he also felt defined by his mental troubles.
Vilda is where the story kept failing. Right from the start, we’re told how charismatic and quietly manipulative she is, working everyone from the shadows, and…I don’t see a lick of that. She didn’t talk much, always just smirking or her eyes glittered/sparkled/shone constantly – which was probably meant to portray her as the mastermind of everything, but I absolutely couldn’t take her seriously.
River and Vilda also had something between them, a few kisses here and there, but not a single conversation, again. Just River being sure there is something growing, while another boy from the group Emery was also obsessed with Vilda.
It all comes down to the writing, I’m afraid – all telling, zero showing. I didn’t understand why the kids were in the group together because they didn’t seem to even like each other enough to stay cohesive. There was not a single scene of them interacting normally, having conversations that would make me understand their dynamic and chemistry. How am I supposed to care about their fates when I don’t even know them?
All in all, Free School is an ambitious story about rebellious teens who get fed up with injustice and the institutions that led to their schoolmate’s death, and decide to do something about it in the most harebrained way possible because they’re just kids without means or power to change things. Their fight is important in theory, yet aimless and childish and felt very anticlimatic.
I know Ida is capable of creating incredible characters, as she gave us Alvar and Ulf from Pack Animals, so my disappointment mostly stems from high expectations. Still, there were many interesting aspects I enjoyed (and one particular scene that had me nauseous and won‘t forget it any time soon… hint – homemade abortion) so I’m curious enough to check out the next installments when they come out.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read and review this e-arc! Planned pub date is 31 Aug 2026.
September 3, 2026
This book and the emotions I feel behind it are hard to describe. The blurb provided in many ways does not do it justice. This book takes place in an unknown time period but one that strongly resembles the world today as we know it. As you get further into the book, it becomes increasingly obvious that the world in this story is not quite the world we know today as it seemed at the start. At the same time, this world is a world we are heading to and this alarms me.
This story very much reminds me of Fahrenheit 451 and Feed where a protagonist is living obliviously in the world and suddenly meeting someone changes their whole world view. In this case, River meeting Vilda changed everything and opened her eyes and it is wonderfully contrasted by River's mother who represents the current worldview and how River used to be.
The plot of the book seemed slow in the beginning but began to pick up and quickly came to a head when the aforementioned tragedy in the blurb happens. As someone who has lost someone to something preventable, it really screws you up and River's reaction to it felt very real and natural. Especially when she and her new friends wanted to make other's aware of the injustice that happened and the hypocrisy of the politics at play.
River as a protagonist felt a bit flat at times. I know that's how protagonists tend to be in these kinds of stories. But I would've liked to see more from her sooner. I also wanted River to realize the role she also played in regards to the tragedy. But maybe that'll happen in a future book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story very much reminds me of Fahrenheit 451 and Feed where a protagonist is living obliviously in the world and suddenly meeting someone changes their whole world view. In this case, River meeting Vilda changed everything and opened her eyes and it is wonderfully contrasted by River's mother who represents the current worldview and how River used to be.
The plot of the book seemed slow in the beginning but began to pick up and quickly came to a head when the aforementioned tragedy in the blurb happens. As someone who has lost someone to something preventable, it really screws you up and River's reaction to it felt very real and natural. Especially when she and her new friends wanted to make other's aware of the injustice that happened and the hypocrisy of the politics at play.
River as a protagonist felt a bit flat at times. I know that's how protagonists tend to be in these kinds of stories. But I would've liked to see more from her sooner. I also wanted River to realize the role she also played in regards to the tragedy. But maybe that'll happen in a future book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
An interesting book on many levels. Set in a near future UK where the conservative/pro-life faction have gotten the upper hand and have pushed their agenda to the ultimate, any form of termination is illegal period and the limits have been pushed to make miscarriage a felony crime punishable by long incarceration. The protests rise and fall away as the next thing comes along until that is these things affect the lives of people (senior high students in this case) directly or very closely. it is also a study in how events escalate and people become more polarized
The main character, River, starts of as the Brit equivalent of a valley girl until her parents relocate to a village in outer suburbia when she gets drawn in to local and school politics following her developing crush on the school rebel girl, Vilda. Just about everything enters into the mix, bullying, corrupt politics and other thing I will not mention as they involve spoilers but be warned some of these can be triggering but the author does add a content warning along with the afterword
The backstory is a slow burn sapphic romance between River and Vilda, a very slow burn romance. Hopefully we shall see more of this in #2
This can be read as standalone but I am interested to see where the author takes this story. Four stars and the thought that this book would make a really good indie movie.
An interesting book on many levels. Set in a near future UK where the conservative/pro-life faction have gotten the upper hand and have pushed their agenda to the ultimate, any form of termination is illegal period and the limits have been pushed to make miscarriage a felony crime punishable by long incarceration. The protests rise and fall away as the next thing comes along until that is these things affect the lives of people (senior high students in this case) directly or very closely. it is also a study in how events escalate and people become more polarized
The main character, River, starts of as the Brit equivalent of a valley girl until her parents relocate to a village in outer suburbia when she gets drawn in to local and school politics following her developing crush on the school rebel girl, Vilda. Just about everything enters into the mix, bullying, corrupt politics and other thing I will not mention as they involve spoilers but be warned some of these can be triggering but the author does add a content warning along with the afterword
The backstory is a slow burn sapphic romance between River and Vilda, a very slow burn romance. Hopefully we shall see more of this in #2
This can be read as standalone but I am interested to see where the author takes this story. Four stars and the thought that this book would make a really good indie movie.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A well written dystopian novel with current day topics.
The coverage of new age tech and political opinions damaging society and self is covered carefully but with strong impact.
I have so many questions and there is so much more than can come from this world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The coverage of new age tech and political opinions damaging society and self is covered carefully but with strong impact.
I have so many questions and there is so much more than can come from this world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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