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The Clockwise Chronicles: Nascent
The year is 2113. Disease, war, and famine have caused the world population to shrink from 8 billion to a few hundred million within the matter of a decade.
Amid societal unraveling, a revolutionary company–Dream Corp–rose from the ashes and changed world order as anyone knew it. All that remains of modern society is contained within twenty-four Dream Corp units scattered across the globe. There are no borders. There are no countries. There is only Dream Corp. A singular world economy.
The product at the center of The Clockwise Revolution? Time. A team of skilled scientists have commercialized sleep banking, the process by which one extracts the restorative properties of another’s sleep.
Nascent is the first book in The Clockwise Chronicles trilogy that follows a young woman coming of age, Juniper Griffith. Juniper was born and raised in Dream Corp Onyx, the first of the twenty-four Dream Corp units. Dr. Sona, the radical and zealous inventor of the technology who launched this socioeconomic revolution, oversees Dream Corp Onyx and imposes her staunch views on the residents.Juniper lives among the Aristoi, the most elite social class at Dream Corp Onyx, with her parents and younger sister. She grapples with the class system even as she accepts an invitation to join the Aristoi as an apprentice. Yet her world is turned upside down when she receives an anonymous message from an unknown source.
Together with her best friend, Chaz, she embarks on a dangerous and uncertain journey to uncover the truth about Dream Corp. The reality is more dire and unfathomable than Juniper could have ever imagined.
*** The author produced this audiobook with standard equipment in her home office and is not a trained voice actor***
Amid societal unraveling, a revolutionary company–Dream Corp–rose from the ashes and changed world order as anyone knew it. All that remains of modern society is contained within twenty-four Dream Corp units scattered across the globe. There are no borders. There are no countries. There is only Dream Corp. A singular world economy.
The product at the center of The Clockwise Revolution? Time. A team of skilled scientists have commercialized sleep banking, the process by which one extracts the restorative properties of another’s sleep.
Nascent is the first book in The Clockwise Chronicles trilogy that follows a young woman coming of age, Juniper Griffith. Juniper was born and raised in Dream Corp Onyx, the first of the twenty-four Dream Corp units. Dr. Sona, the radical and zealous inventor of the technology who launched this socioeconomic revolution, oversees Dream Corp Onyx and imposes her staunch views on the residents.Juniper lives among the Aristoi, the most elite social class at Dream Corp Onyx, with her parents and younger sister. She grapples with the class system even as she accepts an invitation to join the Aristoi as an apprentice. Yet her world is turned upside down when she receives an anonymous message from an unknown source.
Together with her best friend, Chaz, she embarks on a dangerous and uncertain journey to uncover the truth about Dream Corp. The reality is more dire and unfathomable than Juniper could have ever imagined.
*** The author produced this audiobook with standard equipment in her home office and is not a trained voice actor***
Audible Audio
Published May 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 15, 2026
I received an ARC for this book! Thank you so much to Bitty Balducci and her team!
I have to say I was thrust into confusion very quickly. We do not state Kate’s name as Kate once through the first eleven pages. I was under the impression that the Quarterly Exchange was a news company based on the name, for me to find out they’re actually related to disease and crops. We learn Dr Sona hates this place and dream corp is born as a result of her dedication to furthering science. Within the beginning, the story flip flops on itself, giving the reader a wiggling timeline that doesn’t seem to have a solid start, just vaguely large events represented out of order.
Despite this initially confusing start, we find our footing by the second quarter of the book. Dr Sona isn’t our only protagonist, and we learn of Juniper’s story alongside hers in a world plagued by greed and corruption. Balducci weaves a story filled with engaging characters, meaningful and heartfelt moments, as well as times where you’re awaiting with bated breath at what may happen next. The commitment to character voices was refreshing, and seeing how they navigate their issues was deeply rewarding. This is the first installment in a series of three, and I cannot wait to see how the story continues to unravel before our eyes.
I have to say I was thrust into confusion very quickly. We do not state Kate’s name as Kate once through the first eleven pages. I was under the impression that the Quarterly Exchange was a news company based on the name, for me to find out they’re actually related to disease and crops. We learn Dr Sona hates this place and dream corp is born as a result of her dedication to furthering science. Within the beginning, the story flip flops on itself, giving the reader a wiggling timeline that doesn’t seem to have a solid start, just vaguely large events represented out of order.
Despite this initially confusing start, we find our footing by the second quarter of the book. Dr Sona isn’t our only protagonist, and we learn of Juniper’s story alongside hers in a world plagued by greed and corruption. Balducci weaves a story filled with engaging characters, meaningful and heartfelt moments, as well as times where you’re awaiting with bated breath at what may happen next. The commitment to character voices was refreshing, and seeing how they navigate their issues was deeply rewarding. This is the first installment in a series of three, and I cannot wait to see how the story continues to unravel before our eyes.
February 6, 2026
My heart was pounding at the end of this book. What an escalation of uncovering truths and running into plenty of danger along the way! And what a time to read about a dystopian society with rigid rules to abide by. This was a very smart, well written YA book. I do think a lot of people wave off YA novels too quick, forgetting that the ones we grew up on are still favorites to date (do I even need to list off examples?) The mystery that develops within the story unravels at just the right speed; assuring that readers understand backstory as they continue to unveil answers in an intensifying plot.
March 4, 2026
3.75⭐
I really enjoyed the concept, it felt kinda like hunger games and divergent in terms of class divides. I enjoyed the characters, the story was fun to read. I just felt at times it was quite rushed or not developed enough.
I was left wanting a little more, but guess I'll have to read the next book to find out what happens next 👀
Dr. Sona is a real psycho isn't she ! I liked disliking some characters 🤭 How some people would take all the cover ups for the sake of peace and a somewhat normal life.
I enjoyed Claude he was a vibe, definitely one of the best characters in the book. I enjoyed the journey to the UKA.
Intrigued to see how it continues 👀
I really enjoyed the concept, it felt kinda like hunger games and divergent in terms of class divides. I enjoyed the characters, the story was fun to read. I just felt at times it was quite rushed or not developed enough.
I was left wanting a little more, but guess I'll have to read the next book to find out what happens next 👀
Dr. Sona is a real psycho isn't she ! I liked disliking some characters 🤭 How some people would take all the cover ups for the sake of peace and a somewhat normal life.
I enjoyed Claude he was a vibe, definitely one of the best characters in the book. I enjoyed the journey to the UKA.
Intrigued to see how it continues 👀
February 23, 2026
Some books entertain you, and some books completely pull you into their world — this one absolutely did both for me.
This story gave me strong The Last of Us meets The Hunger Games with a hint of 12 Monkeys vibes, which made it feel tense, emotional, and immersive from the start. The characters were incredibly engaging, and I found myself genuinely attached to many of them. Every challenge they faced felt personal, which made the stakes hit even harder.
What I really appreciated was how readable and entertaining the story is while still exploring deeper ideas about class divisions and economic systems. It never feels overwhelming, but it definitely gives you something to think about.
The ending had me completely on edge — I literally gasped and yelled out loud multiple times while reading. That alone tells you how invested I was.
Overall, this was a gripping and thought-provoking read that left me very excited for book two. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy dystopian sci-fi with emotional impact and big themes.
This story gave me strong The Last of Us meets The Hunger Games with a hint of 12 Monkeys vibes, which made it feel tense, emotional, and immersive from the start. The characters were incredibly engaging, and I found myself genuinely attached to many of them. Every challenge they faced felt personal, which made the stakes hit even harder.
What I really appreciated was how readable and entertaining the story is while still exploring deeper ideas about class divisions and economic systems. It never feels overwhelming, but it definitely gives you something to think about.
The ending had me completely on edge — I literally gasped and yelled out loud multiple times while reading. That alone tells you how invested I was.
Overall, this was a gripping and thought-provoking read that left me very excited for book two. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy dystopian sci-fi with emotional impact and big themes.
January 26, 2026
Wow! What a real page turner!
I could not put this book down. Juniper is an 18 year old girl trying to find her way in Dreams Corp Onyx. Her best friend Chaz is with her along the way. There are class systems that Juniper questions and does not find fair. She loves her family and will do anything for them. However, she also wants to know what else is out there.
Juniper is expected to be the next prodigy of sleep banking.
This is set in a dystopian world where everything appears to be a utopia.
I loved that Juniper is fierce and willing to learn truths.
I haven't read YA in a while but I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2!!
The Clockwise Chronicles : Nascent is a unique adventure that I can't wait to hop into again!
I could not put this book down. Juniper is an 18 year old girl trying to find her way in Dreams Corp Onyx. Her best friend Chaz is with her along the way. There are class systems that Juniper questions and does not find fair. She loves her family and will do anything for them. However, she also wants to know what else is out there.
Juniper is expected to be the next prodigy of sleep banking.
This is set in a dystopian world where everything appears to be a utopia.
I loved that Juniper is fierce and willing to learn truths.
I haven't read YA in a while but I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2!!
The Clockwise Chronicles : Nascent is a unique adventure that I can't wait to hop into again!
April 15, 2026
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much to the author for extending this kindness!*
Wow! I have a lot of feelings about this book, many of which are positive. The book, though covering some familiar concepts as a YA dystopian story, found a way to feel fresh and unique. I was really interested by the concept of “sleep banking” and how the creation of the z-vials influenced how the world worked. The governmental and societal structures here were fascinating to uncover and study from the perspectives of the main characters. It is fun that such a lauded career is essentially just sleeping and not being allowed to live life, experience all the moments that we are apart of during a work day. I appreciated book’s emphasis on uncovering the insidious nature of the class system, as someone who has been indoctrinated into it begins learning the ways they have been mistreated. This, along with the other themes related to social justice and methods of government reform, seemed like great jumping off points for readers to gain new insight and begin discussions with others.
In terms of the what I liked about the characters, I enjoyed learning along with Juniper. She is the kind of character I think young readers will relate to, with her inquisitive mind and conviction toward helping others. I liked her relationship with Chaz (despite absolutely hating the name Chaz with all my being) and watching as it evolved as the book continued. He was a good foil for her character and added a grounding presence.
The book’s central villain, Dr. Sona, originally wasn’t my favorite, but as the book went on, there was more complexity added to her character as we learn more. Then, I came to appreciate her more. The first chapter of the book didn’t do her justice. Her reaction to dissidence and disruption was especially intriguing to me.
I also want to mention the efforts the author made at inclusion of many viewpoints from around the world. There was a particularly close look at the Western Africa region, but a number of other perspectives were brought into the fold. I liked that there was so much positivity related to exploring other cultures and that the center of scientific advancement was in Ghana. This could be helpful for young readers, either to see themselves reflected or to gain a new perspective on a part of the world they may not be overly familiar with. I admired the inclusion, though I think in the future it might be good to employ sensitivity readers to ensure consistent authenticity and respect. Some characters bordered on overly-stereotypical (Claude as the biggest example, but others as well). There was an uncritical and almost hero-worship relationship to Christopher Columbus in the book, which undercuts its messaging.
Although I appreciated the book for many reasons, I also had a few issues with the book. To be honest, the first page of this book a bit messy to the point that I almost didn’t read any further. It included a substantial idea dump with strange pacing and structure. I feel so lucky I continued reading past that first chapter because it completely captured my interest after I got over that hurdle. I think pacing is one of the biggest struggles I had with this book and it is something that I think could be completely fixed with some good editing. There were places in the book where the plot seemed to stall, as if the author couldn’t decide what story elements were the most important within some of the background noise. As I read, I couldn’t help but turn on my editing brain and reimagine the story as I would organize it. There is a long section about a boat ride across the ocean that could be paired down, for example. And it might have been helpful to present some of the backstory and world building in a different order. Sometimes it felt like plot points were introduced and then it felt like they might not ever be brought up again; some reminders to the reader that they are still on the characters’ minds could be good.
My other issue concerns the narrative structure and voice. I noticed the author had a tendency to overexplain certain details and themes. The most common example is stating why a character is saying or doing something. I think this stems from a lack of trust in the reader to uncover motivations and concepts on their own, which can be understandable when thinking about younger audiences. However, if the author is willing to place trust in the reader and put more emphasis on clear, thoughtful dialogue and action descriptions, these things won’t need to be entirely spelled out. I don’t need to hear that someone is feeling left out or worried or excited. I want to see it in how they move, how they interact with others, in what they say, in what they don’t say. It can be surprising just how much people can get from these more subtle point, even drawing out things the author themselves hadn’t realized. Even just a little more of this and less over-explanation would be a big difference.
In the hands of a good editor, I think this book could go to the next level. The ideas here are really solid and the characters are too. I just wish there were a few changes that could smooth out the rougher edges. Finally, I have a slight suspicion that this book cover was either created with or edited with the assistance of AI. One hint at this is that the number 4 on the clock is written as IIII instead of IV. I hope this isn’t true, but if it is, I want to send out a blanket encouragement to all authors to resist the urge to use generative AI creations in the place of human art.
Wow! I have a lot of feelings about this book, many of which are positive. The book, though covering some familiar concepts as a YA dystopian story, found a way to feel fresh and unique. I was really interested by the concept of “sleep banking” and how the creation of the z-vials influenced how the world worked. The governmental and societal structures here were fascinating to uncover and study from the perspectives of the main characters. It is fun that such a lauded career is essentially just sleeping and not being allowed to live life, experience all the moments that we are apart of during a work day. I appreciated book’s emphasis on uncovering the insidious nature of the class system, as someone who has been indoctrinated into it begins learning the ways they have been mistreated. This, along with the other themes related to social justice and methods of government reform, seemed like great jumping off points for readers to gain new insight and begin discussions with others.
In terms of the what I liked about the characters, I enjoyed learning along with Juniper. She is the kind of character I think young readers will relate to, with her inquisitive mind and conviction toward helping others. I liked her relationship with Chaz (despite absolutely hating the name Chaz with all my being) and watching as it evolved as the book continued. He was a good foil for her character and added a grounding presence.
The book’s central villain, Dr. Sona, originally wasn’t my favorite, but as the book went on, there was more complexity added to her character as we learn more. Then, I came to appreciate her more. The first chapter of the book didn’t do her justice. Her reaction to dissidence and disruption was especially intriguing to me.
I also want to mention the efforts the author made at inclusion of many viewpoints from around the world. There was a particularly close look at the Western Africa region, but a number of other perspectives were brought into the fold. I liked that there was so much positivity related to exploring other cultures and that the center of scientific advancement was in Ghana. This could be helpful for young readers, either to see themselves reflected or to gain a new perspective on a part of the world they may not be overly familiar with. I admired the inclusion, though I think in the future it might be good to employ sensitivity readers to ensure consistent authenticity and respect. Some characters bordered on overly-stereotypical (Claude as the biggest example, but others as well). There was an uncritical and almost hero-worship relationship to Christopher Columbus in the book, which undercuts its messaging.
Although I appreciated the book for many reasons, I also had a few issues with the book. To be honest, the first page of this book a bit messy to the point that I almost didn’t read any further. It included a substantial idea dump with strange pacing and structure. I feel so lucky I continued reading past that first chapter because it completely captured my interest after I got over that hurdle. I think pacing is one of the biggest struggles I had with this book and it is something that I think could be completely fixed with some good editing. There were places in the book where the plot seemed to stall, as if the author couldn’t decide what story elements were the most important within some of the background noise. As I read, I couldn’t help but turn on my editing brain and reimagine the story as I would organize it. There is a long section about a boat ride across the ocean that could be paired down, for example. And it might have been helpful to present some of the backstory and world building in a different order. Sometimes it felt like plot points were introduced and then it felt like they might not ever be brought up again; some reminders to the reader that they are still on the characters’ minds could be good.
My other issue concerns the narrative structure and voice. I noticed the author had a tendency to overexplain certain details and themes. The most common example is stating why a character is saying or doing something. I think this stems from a lack of trust in the reader to uncover motivations and concepts on their own, which can be understandable when thinking about younger audiences. However, if the author is willing to place trust in the reader and put more emphasis on clear, thoughtful dialogue and action descriptions, these things won’t need to be entirely spelled out. I don’t need to hear that someone is feeling left out or worried or excited. I want to see it in how they move, how they interact with others, in what they say, in what they don’t say. It can be surprising just how much people can get from these more subtle point, even drawing out things the author themselves hadn’t realized. Even just a little more of this and less over-explanation would be a big difference.
In the hands of a good editor, I think this book could go to the next level. The ideas here are really solid and the characters are too. I just wish there were a few changes that could smooth out the rougher edges. Finally, I have a slight suspicion that this book cover was either created with or edited with the assistance of AI. One hint at this is that the number 4 on the clock is written as IIII instead of IV. I hope this isn’t true, but if it is, I want to send out a blanket encouragement to all authors to resist the urge to use generative AI creations in the place of human art.
April 15, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (rounding up to a 4)
Spice: 1 bell pepper (warm and fuzzy teenage puppy love, no spice)
Genre: YA dystopian science-fiction (think “The Hunger Games” and “The Giver”)
Quotes:
"The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep."
"I mean really. A whole civilization kept on the down low right outside our campus? The Honor Guard is willing to kill defecting residents? You gotta admit, that's pretty juicy stuff."
"There was an intangible current in the air, invisible yet discernable. Juniper wasn't sure what the journey ahead held for them, but she was eager to find out."
"The truth had freed them but they had nowhere to go. They needed direction."
ARC Review:
Thank you SO much to author Bitty Balducci to sending me a physical copy of this book to review, it was really interesting! The story is set in the future after a world ravaged by famine, disease and war is forced to evolve or perish; enter-the Clockwise Revolution, lead by Dream Corp and Dr. Sona. The concept of sleep banking was a novel one and definitely what attracted me to this story-time is viewed as a commodity and sleep is able to be refined for it's restorative properties, allowing scientists use time more wisely in their pursuit of problem solving.
The book follows FMC Juniper on her journey to become an apprentice Dreamer, a member of the revered Aristoi class--the upper echelon of an unfairly divided class system. When Juniper decides to take a trip with her childhood friend Chaz, they uncover far more than they could have ever imagined, and find that Dream Corp is not what it seems. The plot was a little slow to start but the adventure and pace pick up about halfway through. There were portions of the book that were a little unnecessarily descriptive, but it also added to the immersion and world building so ultimately it worked.
The side characters were SO well done--I loved Claude, Daisy, and Emmanuel and really enjoyed how the crew's dynamic was portrayed. I do wish that more depth had been provided on Dr. Sona and Juniper--part of Juni's character arc seemed a bit unrealistic due to her lack of emotion/reaction to the situation she found herself in. She just went with the flow and did what needed to be done, which worked out in the end but the speed at which she accepted her fate was a little off (she's a teenager for goodness sake!).
The cliffhanger ending was a killer, but I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in this trilogy. If you enjoyed books like "The Hunger Games," "Divergent," or "The Giver" with divided class utopian societies, where the elites keep secrets and the stakes are high, definitely give this book a try.
Spice: 1 bell pepper (warm and fuzzy teenage puppy love, no spice)
Genre: YA dystopian science-fiction (think “The Hunger Games” and “The Giver”)
Quotes:
"The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep."
"I mean really. A whole civilization kept on the down low right outside our campus? The Honor Guard is willing to kill defecting residents? You gotta admit, that's pretty juicy stuff."
"There was an intangible current in the air, invisible yet discernable. Juniper wasn't sure what the journey ahead held for them, but she was eager to find out."
"The truth had freed them but they had nowhere to go. They needed direction."
ARC Review:
Thank you SO much to author Bitty Balducci to sending me a physical copy of this book to review, it was really interesting! The story is set in the future after a world ravaged by famine, disease and war is forced to evolve or perish; enter-the Clockwise Revolution, lead by Dream Corp and Dr. Sona. The concept of sleep banking was a novel one and definitely what attracted me to this story-time is viewed as a commodity and sleep is able to be refined for it's restorative properties, allowing scientists use time more wisely in their pursuit of problem solving.
The book follows FMC Juniper on her journey to become an apprentice Dreamer, a member of the revered Aristoi class--the upper echelon of an unfairly divided class system. When Juniper decides to take a trip with her childhood friend Chaz, they uncover far more than they could have ever imagined, and find that Dream Corp is not what it seems. The plot was a little slow to start but the adventure and pace pick up about halfway through. There were portions of the book that were a little unnecessarily descriptive, but it also added to the immersion and world building so ultimately it worked.
The side characters were SO well done--I loved Claude, Daisy, and Emmanuel and really enjoyed how the crew's dynamic was portrayed. I do wish that more depth had been provided on Dr. Sona and Juniper--part of Juni's character arc seemed a bit unrealistic due to her lack of emotion/reaction to the situation she found herself in. She just went with the flow and did what needed to be done, which worked out in the end but the speed at which she accepted her fate was a little off (she's a teenager for goodness sake!).
The cliffhanger ending was a killer, but I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in this trilogy. If you enjoyed books like "The Hunger Games," "Divergent," or "The Giver" with divided class utopian societies, where the elites keep secrets and the stakes are high, definitely give this book a try.
March 28, 2026
It can't be over! Where's book 2? I need it now! This book was amazing! As soon as I saw this book I was intrigued because the cover is gorgeous honestly. Then I read a bit about the premise and it sounded unique. I'm very drawn to anything related to sleep, dreams, and nightmares. The idea of sleep banking pulled me in. Once I started, this book grabbed hold of my attention and didn't let go. I found Dr. Sona to be a really interesting character. I liked Juniper, her family and Chaz. I enjoyed all the characters I met as the story unfolded. There were some great personalities in this book. I just got so absorbed in the world building too. It was all fascinating and cool to imagine and try to picture in my head. Also this book surprised me in a lot of ways. There might be little themes that I could maybe see how they'd carry out but for the most part the plot kept turning in directions I didn't anticipate. It felt really unique. It also has something for everyone in a way that doesn’t feel forced. There's natural adventure, science fiction, romance, some geniunely scary moments and thrilling ones. There are moments that made me laugh and moments that were emotional. Everything is there and balanced well. I can't wait for book 2! I will preorder if i can. I'm incredibly grateful to the author for selecting me as an arc recipient for this book. For anyone who doesn't know what that is, some writers give books for free to selected readers. Ideally to get readers and reviews, but there's no pressure to leave a review and they are supposed to be honest. I just wanted to explain because when I didnt know what arcs were, I thought they were some paid professional reviewer thing, but they aren't. I've also seen some people online assume they are other things. I just applied because it looked good and I love reading. I'm very grateful and geniunely loved this book. It's really so good! I'll be impatiently waiting for more.
April 12, 2026
Perfect read! Can't wait for the second!
With elements akin to "The Giver", Balducci's first entry in the Clockwise Chronicles illustrates the consequences to a world paved in compromise following the near-extinction of humanity. The main character, Juniper, is the typical revolutionary; well-educated and privileged, yet too conscious to permit the injustices of the class system she lives under. I enjoyed her character among many others, even the antagonists'. Dr. Kate Sona, the leader of Dream Corp Onyx, was very interesting, especially considering that Onyx's social and class system are a reflection of her own ruthless efficiency.
Furthermore, governance isn't something usually covered so in-depth when it comes to fiction, but I quite enjoyed it. I found that Onyx's structure as a sort-of corporate government served well to naturally establish tension and brand itself as an antagonistic force more-so than its own founders.
The story is well-paced and Balducci has no issue with making a place feel lived-in. That is to say, she's good at describing environments. There is no better example of this than the section in which Juniper arrives in the Africa. There is a great effort to show how well the UKA flourishes in contrast to Dream Corp Onyx, with its great skyscrapers existing in harmony alongside native foliage.
Of course, the plot itself is top-notch and follows the best conventions of other science fiction writing. I was honestly surprised how smoothly the book would flow from one moment to the next. For instance, Juniper could be sailing on a ship to meeting royalty to staging an infiltration and I did not feel any proverbial whiplash.
I am also glad to report that, while the ending is open-ended, it is by no means a cliffhanger. All-in-all, Balducci is a marvelous author and I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
With elements akin to "The Giver", Balducci's first entry in the Clockwise Chronicles illustrates the consequences to a world paved in compromise following the near-extinction of humanity. The main character, Juniper, is the typical revolutionary; well-educated and privileged, yet too conscious to permit the injustices of the class system she lives under. I enjoyed her character among many others, even the antagonists'. Dr. Kate Sona, the leader of Dream Corp Onyx, was very interesting, especially considering that Onyx's social and class system are a reflection of her own ruthless efficiency.
Furthermore, governance isn't something usually covered so in-depth when it comes to fiction, but I quite enjoyed it. I found that Onyx's structure as a sort-of corporate government served well to naturally establish tension and brand itself as an antagonistic force more-so than its own founders.
The story is well-paced and Balducci has no issue with making a place feel lived-in. That is to say, she's good at describing environments. There is no better example of this than the section in which Juniper arrives in the Africa. There is a great effort to show how well the UKA flourishes in contrast to Dream Corp Onyx, with its great skyscrapers existing in harmony alongside native foliage.
Of course, the plot itself is top-notch and follows the best conventions of other science fiction writing. I was honestly surprised how smoothly the book would flow from one moment to the next. For instance, Juniper could be sailing on a ship to meeting royalty to staging an infiltration and I did not feel any proverbial whiplash.
I am also glad to report that, while the ending is open-ended, it is by no means a cliffhanger. All-in-all, Balducci is a marvelous author and I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
April 6, 2026
Nascent by Bitty Balducci is the first of 3 of the Clockwise Chronicles and it was an enjoyable read! I got a vibe check of Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century mixed with The Hunger Games and The Black Panther. World war 3 has already happened and something called the Clockwise Revolution has taken us pretty far into the future. Juniper is our FMC who we learn is trying to find her way in the dystopian society as she's close to graduating school and moving into the working world. The class system creates a big divide amongst the characters and Juniper feels the pressure of where she belongs, especially with her bff, Chaz. Juniper has an opportunity to provide for her mom, dad and sister Grace where we learn more about her world. The future survives on power from sleep and dreams. But it is not what it seems. There's drama, adventure, intrigue and a small world building aspect that I found easy to follow. The book ends with cliffhangers to continue on and I will definitely be looking out for the rest of the trilogy.
May 29, 2026
i'm usually picky with the books i read, so when something really stands out to me and i enjoyed reading the entirety of it, i make sure to spread the words and let others know.
GUYS THIS BOOK!!!! it took me back to my dystopian phase in high school. it was so reminiscent of old YA novels, the formulas that we all crave amongst the traffic of tik-tok releases in recent years. I DEVOURED this book. I loved everything about it- from the characters to the plot and the world. It's so easy to read something when you know how beautifully the author crafted her work, done her research, and put effort into developing her characters. I am so hooked and need book 2 immediately. That cliffhanger literally made me scream but it was so worth it. 😍
GUYS THIS BOOK!!!! it took me back to my dystopian phase in high school. it was so reminiscent of old YA novels, the formulas that we all crave amongst the traffic of tik-tok releases in recent years. I DEVOURED this book. I loved everything about it- from the characters to the plot and the world. It's so easy to read something when you know how beautifully the author crafted her work, done her research, and put effort into developing her characters. I am so hooked and need book 2 immediately. That cliffhanger literally made me scream but it was so worth it. 😍
February 9, 2026
I have never read this author before, but I am going to from now on.
Awesome sci-fi book. The best I've read in a while. There's a bit of a lull in the middle, but the end is electrifying and the premise is very interesting. It brings up many different view points and lets them linger in the reader's mind. And all of this philosophy is found in the middle of a fabulous and fast-paced, slightly futuristic story. Bitty Balducci clearly portrays the issues that is present in the book and provided excessive amount of detail to make me feel as if I was there with Juniper as she starts her journey to unravel the truth.
Awesome sci-fi book. The best I've read in a while. There's a bit of a lull in the middle, but the end is electrifying and the premise is very interesting. It brings up many different view points and lets them linger in the reader's mind. And all of this philosophy is found in the middle of a fabulous and fast-paced, slightly futuristic story. Bitty Balducci clearly portrays the issues that is present in the book and provided excessive amount of detail to make me feel as if I was there with Juniper as she starts her journey to unravel the truth.
February 17, 2026
Woah, I didn't think I enjoy sci-fi dystopian as much as I did with Nascent. The whole time, I kept thinking to myself, "OMG is this how we can..." "Who would play [insert character here] in the movie/series adaptation?"
It only takes one person's curiosity to spark the involvement of the right people to bring down those in power. Hrm... maybe something worth considering in today's world. It's tough to separate fiction from reality, but when reality starts to look a lot like fiction, well... it's hard not to see the parallels.
It only takes one person's curiosity to spark the involvement of the right people to bring down those in power. Hrm... maybe something worth considering in today's world. It's tough to separate fiction from reality, but when reality starts to look a lot like fiction, well... it's hard not to see the parallels.
March 2, 2026
4.5
Este libro me gusto mucho
El ir leyendo el camino que tuvo que tomar Juniper para poder saber la verdad fue muy entretenido
La lectura se va muy rapido ya que todo el tiempo estan pasando cosas y se va conociendo informacion
El final me dejo queriendo saber que mas va a pasar.
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I really enjoyed this book.
Reading about Juniper's journey to uncover the truth was very entertaining.
The story is a fast-paced read because things are constantly happening and information is revealed.
The ending left me wanting to know what happens next.
Este libro me gusto mucho
El ir leyendo el camino que tuvo que tomar Juniper para poder saber la verdad fue muy entretenido
La lectura se va muy rapido ya que todo el tiempo estan pasando cosas y se va conociendo informacion
El final me dejo queriendo saber que mas va a pasar.
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I really enjoyed this book.
Reading about Juniper's journey to uncover the truth was very entertaining.
The story is a fast-paced read because things are constantly happening and information is revealed.
The ending left me wanting to know what happens next.
April 3, 2026
Thank you for the ARC, Bitty Balducci!
This first book in The Clockwise Chronicles takes place in a dystopian world after WWIII where 2 best friends find themselves outside of their home, Dream Corp Onyx, and are unable to return. By joining an outside settlement they try to find a way to reach their family and friends that were left behind.
This story explores social class prejudice, found family, loss, and love. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in this series!
This first book in The Clockwise Chronicles takes place in a dystopian world after WWIII where 2 best friends find themselves outside of their home, Dream Corp Onyx, and are unable to return. By joining an outside settlement they try to find a way to reach their family and friends that were left behind.
This story explores social class prejudice, found family, loss, and love. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in this series!
April 15, 2026
This book was really interesting. I’ve read many dystopian books and this one was definitely unique and very thought provoking. I enjoyed the concept and world building that surrounded this book. I mean just imagine living in a world where sleep is being controlled and having all these strict rules, class system ranking that separates families, and only knowing what is being provided by an organization like Dream Corp. At times this book made me feel so many different things. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a good dystopian novel that is thought provoking.
February 9, 2026
I loved this book. I loved the language, I loved the style!
It's always such a pleasure when a book surprises you by going in a direction you weren't expecting. “Nascent” by Balducci did just that, I thought I knew what was coming, I thought it would be what it seemed. Great action with lots of plot twists and ambiguously good/evil characters. It's a different POV than I've ever read in a Sci-fi book.
It's always such a pleasure when a book surprises you by going in a direction you weren't expecting. “Nascent” by Balducci did just that, I thought I knew what was coming, I thought it would be what it seemed. Great action with lots of plot twists and ambiguously good/evil characters. It's a different POV than I've ever read in a Sci-fi book.
February 23, 2026
I was drawn to this book because of its dystopian future with a reduced population and advanced technology, and it did not disappoint.
Bitty’s writing immediately pulls you in, and the class system within Dream Corp feels both chilling and believable. I love that the world is built from our own future, and that we get the history behind how everything collapsed into what it is now. The details are intense and immersive.
If you loved Divergent, this book will absolutely be for you.
Bitty’s writing immediately pulls you in, and the class system within Dream Corp feels both chilling and believable. I love that the world is built from our own future, and that we get the history behind how everything collapsed into what it is now. The details are intense and immersive.
If you loved Divergent, this book will absolutely be for you.
January 26, 2026
Wonderful sci fi dystopian novel. It follows Juniper as she begins to question Dream corps class system. She and her friend Chaz eventually find out there is life outside the cooperation. I really enjoyed going from one newly formed civilization to the next and seeing how each population managed to survive. There is plenty of suspense and intrigue and Dr Sona is an excellent book villain.
March 4, 2026
This book is great. The world and the characters are so realistic I could be there and be a friend.
Juniper does not like the way her world works. People should not be treated differently and not allowed to interact. When she goes on a vacation she finds something that changes everything. Her best friend Chaz can’t let her go alone and they wind up on an adventure they never saw coming.
Juniper does not like the way her world works. People should not be treated differently and not allowed to interact. When she goes on a vacation she finds something that changes everything. Her best friend Chaz can’t let her go alone and they wind up on an adventure they never saw coming.
March 9, 2026
I honestly liked the mysterious vibe of it. The whole theme around time and destiny kept me curious about where the story was going. It’s one of those books that slowly pulls you in and leaves you thinking about the bigger picture on how choices and moments can shape everything. Definitely an intriguing read if you enjoy stories with mystery, time elements, and personal discovery.
March 18, 2026
This was a five-star read for me.
The premise pulled me in right away, but what really stayed with me was how real the story felt. Even though it’s fiction, there were moments where it didn’t feel that far off from reality. Like information control or censorship.
I kept thinking about what I would do in Juniper’s place—living under strict rules, controlled information, and a system where curiosity could cost you everything.
It’s the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable in a way that makes you think.
At times it was intense, emotional, and even anxiety-inducing, but I couldn’t put it down.
I’m still thinking about it days later, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next.
The premise pulled me in right away, but what really stayed with me was how real the story felt. Even though it’s fiction, there were moments where it didn’t feel that far off from reality. Like information control or censorship.
I kept thinking about what I would do in Juniper’s place—living under strict rules, controlled information, and a system where curiosity could cost you everything.
It’s the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable in a way that makes you think.
At times it was intense, emotional, and even anxiety-inducing, but I couldn’t put it down.
I’m still thinking about it days later, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next.
May 18, 2026
Bitty Balducci is a master at writing female-led sci-fi. Her prose are exquisite and I was captivated from start to finish. The characters felt less like fiction and more like real, authentic people with their own stories and goals. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for the next instalment. Bravo Bitty!
January 20, 2026
Nascent is a chilling and imaginative start to a dystopian trilogy. The concept of trading sleep as currency is both fascinating and terrifying, and the world of Dream Corp feels disturbingly believable. Juniper’s journey is emotional, tense, and deeply human.
January 20, 2026
This book hooked me with its premise and kept me reading with its characters. Dream Corp is a haunting vision of a future where time itself is controlled, and Juniper’s awakening to the truth makes for a compelling and suspenseful story.
January 20, 2026
I loved the atmosphere of this book. The world feels tightly controlled, cold, and fragile, which perfectly mirrors Juniper’s internal struggle. Once the mystery begins to unfold, it’s hard to put down.
January 20, 2026
This story feels uncomfortably close to reality in the best way. The collapse of society, the rise of Dream Corp, and the idea of monetizing rest all feel like natural extensions of today’s world. Thought-provoking and intense.
March 2, 2026
Wow! Totally did not expect this book to be so good! I would nave never guessed that this was the author’s first book! Extremely compelling story, relatable characters, vivid imagery. One of those books you can’t put down. I can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy!
January 20, 2026
A smart, mature take on post-collapse society. Rather than focusing on constant action, the story builds tension through structure, systems, and control. It’s refreshing and deeply engaging.
March 21, 2026
This was a fun, fresh take on a dystopian novel! I enjoyed the premise very much, and I liked that it was clean, so that readers of a variety of ages could enjoy it.
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