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Iamos Trilogy #1
Fourth World
IAMOS, S.C.D. 8378
Nadin's planet is dying. As its atmosphere drains away, her people are forced to live huddled in domed cities for protection. With only enough resources to support the population for one more year, time is running out. Nadin thinks she's found a way to save Iamos, but it will mean defying the planet's rulers, the geroi—and betraying the geroi could cost her everything.
When a strange boy from another world appears out of nowhere outside the citidome's glass walls, Nadin knows for sure that her plan will work. But to build the device that can save her people, Nadin must first find the legendary city of Elytherios. And to do that, she'll need the help of the mysterious alien boy named Isaak.
MARS, 2073 C.E.
All Isaak wanted was to get through his senior year at the Academy in one piece. Everything would have been fine if he hadn't found that ancient coin among his missing father's possessions. The coin seems to have a strange connection not only to Isaak's family, but to Mars' ancient past.
But how is that possible, on a planet that was supposed to be dead until just forty years ago?
Now Isaak's got agents of the Earth's government on his tail and a deranged factory worker stalking his every move. Everyone is desperate to get their hands on something called the Key. And the only way to escape is to unlock an even bigger secret, one that could change his life—and the fate of Mars—forever.
Nadin's planet is dying. As its atmosphere drains away, her people are forced to live huddled in domed cities for protection. With only enough resources to support the population for one more year, time is running out. Nadin thinks she's found a way to save Iamos, but it will mean defying the planet's rulers, the geroi—and betraying the geroi could cost her everything.
When a strange boy from another world appears out of nowhere outside the citidome's glass walls, Nadin knows for sure that her plan will work. But to build the device that can save her people, Nadin must first find the legendary city of Elytherios. And to do that, she'll need the help of the mysterious alien boy named Isaak.
MARS, 2073 C.E.
All Isaak wanted was to get through his senior year at the Academy in one piece. Everything would have been fine if he hadn't found that ancient coin among his missing father's possessions. The coin seems to have a strange connection not only to Isaak's family, but to Mars' ancient past.
But how is that possible, on a planet that was supposed to be dead until just forty years ago?
Now Isaak's got agents of the Earth's government on his tail and a deranged factory worker stalking his every move. Everyone is desperate to get their hands on something called the Key. And the only way to escape is to unlock an even bigger secret, one that could change his life—and the fate of Mars—forever.
317 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2015
17 people are currently reading
1297 people want to read
About the author
Lyssa Chiavari
20 books86 followersLyssa Chiavari is an author of speculative fiction for young adults, including Fourth World, the first book in a sci-fi trilogy set on Mars, and Cheerleaders From Planet X, a tongue-in-cheek send-up of all things sci-fi. Her short fiction has appeared in Wings of Renewal: A Solarpunk Dragon Anthology, Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack, Magic at Midnight: A YA Fairytale Anthology and Perchance to Dream: Classic Tales from the Bard’s World in New Skins. Her first published story, “The Choice,” was named one of Ama-gi Magazine’s Best of 2014. Lyssa lives with her family and way too many animals in the woods of Northwest Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 15, 2016
Fourth World is a rather complex fantasy tale that takes place upon Mars. In the year 2073 the planet has renewed life and people from Earth have began to inhabit it. Isaak is a teenager whose father has left him and his family but when he starts digging into his father's things he finds an ancient coin that seems to have come from previous inhabitants of the planet. Stumbling on what his father had been looking into Isaak finds himself traveling back to a Mars of the past that was known as Iamos.
In the past on Iamos the planet is dying and people are living in domed cities for protection. Nadin has been trying to find a way to save her planet but when she stumbles upon finding a Isaak, a stranger to her dome, she believes she may have found the way to save her people.
Such an interesting story the author has come up with Fourth World. Isaak felt like a normal teen that we would know, dealing with school and trying to approach the girl he likes etc. Only this teen is growing up on Mars with his family so things are slightly different already than our planet.
Once we get used to Isaak's world on Mars though we get time travel tossed into the read and end up on an ancient Mars which actually seems more of a futuristic sci-fi jump. The inhabitants all have technology they rely upon to survive and a world that is like a dystopian read with the planet dying and trying to survive in their world.
Definitely a intriguing read all throughout with the imagination involved in this tale. I would certainly be interested in continuing this series with everything that was involved.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
In the past on Iamos the planet is dying and people are living in domed cities for protection. Nadin has been trying to find a way to save her planet but when she stumbles upon finding a Isaak, a stranger to her dome, she believes she may have found the way to save her people.
Such an interesting story the author has come up with Fourth World. Isaak felt like a normal teen that we would know, dealing with school and trying to approach the girl he likes etc. Only this teen is growing up on Mars with his family so things are slightly different already than our planet.
Once we get used to Isaak's world on Mars though we get time travel tossed into the read and end up on an ancient Mars which actually seems more of a futuristic sci-fi jump. The inhabitants all have technology they rely upon to survive and a world that is like a dystopian read with the planet dying and trying to survive in their world.
Definitely a intriguing read all throughout with the imagination involved in this tale. I would certainly be interested in continuing this series with everything that was involved.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
March 18, 2019
Trigger warnings: eugenics, disappearance of a parent, aphobia.
18/3/2019
I stand by everything I said last time, and I'm now very excited to jump into the sequel.
13/2/2017
Isaak lives on Mars, fifty-ish years in the future. He just wants to get through his senior year in one piece, but when he finds an ancient coin on a geological excavation, he's suddenly the government's most wanted.
Nadin's planet is dying. As the atmosphere slowly drains away, the population are confined to domed cities and subjected to extreme and disturbing measures of population control. When Isaak appears outside Nadin's domed city, she realises that he may be the only person who can help her.
Let's talk about this book in list form, shall we?
1. ACE OWN VOICES BOOK!!!!!
2. Isaak is demisexual, and it's very strongly implied that Nadin is ace. I'm assuming this will be dealt with more explicitly in the sequel, which is due out later this year.
3. TWO POC NARRATORS!!!! Isaak is Latino and Nadin is dark skinned, as is most of the population of her planet.
4. Isaak's best friend, Henry, is Indian and also kind of hilarious.
5. I loved Isaak's perspective more or less instantly.
6. It took me a while to get used to Nadin's perspective, because there was so much technological stuff to get your head around
7. There could have been more worldbuilding? Mainly around how Mars was populated, and how it seems like everyone can, you know, breathe and stuff without spacesuits and oxygen tanks and all that jazz.
8. Clearly Isaak and Nadin are going to end up getting together, and I'm totally on board with it.
9. The writing is pretty stinking great.
10. I pretty much loved everything about this.
18/3/2019
I stand by everything I said last time, and I'm now very excited to jump into the sequel.
13/2/2017
Isaak lives on Mars, fifty-ish years in the future. He just wants to get through his senior year in one piece, but when he finds an ancient coin on a geological excavation, he's suddenly the government's most wanted.
Nadin's planet is dying. As the atmosphere slowly drains away, the population are confined to domed cities and subjected to extreme and disturbing measures of population control. When Isaak appears outside Nadin's domed city, she realises that he may be the only person who can help her.
Let's talk about this book in list form, shall we?
1. ACE OWN VOICES BOOK!!!!!
2. Isaak is demisexual, and it's very strongly implied that Nadin is ace. I'm assuming this will be dealt with more explicitly in the sequel, which is due out later this year.
3. TWO POC NARRATORS!!!! Isaak is Latino and Nadin is dark skinned, as is most of the population of her planet.
4. Isaak's best friend, Henry, is Indian and also kind of hilarious.
5. I loved Isaak's perspective more or less instantly.
6. It took me a while to get used to Nadin's perspective, because there was so much technological stuff to get your head around
7. There could have been more worldbuilding? Mainly around how Mars was populated, and how it seems like everyone can, you know, breathe and stuff without spacesuits and oxygen tanks and all that jazz.
8. Clearly Isaak and Nadin are going to end up getting together, and I'm totally on board with it.
9. The writing is pretty stinking great.
10. I pretty much loved everything about this.
January 8, 2016
This book takes on so many awesome things at once - colonies on Mars, dystopian governments, an almost entirely-POC cast, space archaeology, time travel, LGBT characters - that you worry, at first, that it's taken on too much. Maybe this is just too many cool things in one book, it'll turn out to be all gimmicks and no substance.
But no.
This book fires perfectly on all cylinders.
It's a crazy adventure ride through two dystopian worlds, fighting against two crazy governments, using all kinds of amazing technology (3D printing, gene splicing, a computer that fuses with your thoughts), and interlaced throughout with the kind of Very Real teenager stuff all kids deal with (working up the courage to kiss a girl you like, being weirded out by a kiss and being unsure what it means, dealing with overbearing [and/or absent] parents).
There were at least three times in the book when I sat up straight in my chair and shouted "OMG! NO!" at my kindle app. And at least twice that I made awful giggling noises while hiding under a pillow.
The world-building is solid, the characters are real, and the story is exhilirating. This book is nonstop awesome all the way through. If I didn't love it so much, I might have more coherent things to say about it besides just, "Read this book!"
It's perfect for people looking for a fantastic YA sci-fi read that does not in any way devolve into love triangles and One True Love seeking. This book is all about the action, the adventure, and the government conspiracies. And it does it all spectacularly well.
(Copy of this book provided in exchange for an honest review)
(Aka I nagged the author for like two weeks before she finally let me read it and I'm so happy she did!!)
But no.
This book fires perfectly on all cylinders.
It's a crazy adventure ride through two dystopian worlds, fighting against two crazy governments, using all kinds of amazing technology (3D printing, gene splicing, a computer that fuses with your thoughts), and interlaced throughout with the kind of Very Real teenager stuff all kids deal with (working up the courage to kiss a girl you like, being weirded out by a kiss and being unsure what it means, dealing with overbearing [and/or absent] parents).
There were at least three times in the book when I sat up straight in my chair and shouted "OMG! NO!" at my kindle app. And at least twice that I made awful giggling noises while hiding under a pillow.
The world-building is solid, the characters are real, and the story is exhilirating. This book is nonstop awesome all the way through. If I didn't love it so much, I might have more coherent things to say about it besides just, "Read this book!"
It's perfect for people looking for a fantastic YA sci-fi read that does not in any way devolve into love triangles and One True Love seeking. This book is all about the action, the adventure, and the government conspiracies. And it does it all spectacularly well.
(Copy of this book provided in exchange for an honest review)
(Aka I nagged the author for like two weeks before she finally let me read it and I'm so happy she did!!)
January 7, 2016
Just an FYI: The awesome cover is courtesy of author Elise Marion's company Mosaic Stock. If you're an author needing professional covers featuring multicultural characters (and yes, covers DO matter), check out her site and support her. She can even do custom photo shoots.
May 2, 2017
"You will have to search. Seek, and you will find. Begin where we began—the answer is in plain sight, if you know where to look. The three sisters will guide the way. Touch the highest peak, and you will find me in the place where freedom lies."
* * *
Atlantis, guys. Freaking Atlantis. On Mars.
Conspiracy theories. Buried secrets (and bodies). Sci-fi concepts so lyrically described it sometimes feels like high fantasy. Natural dialogue, a thoroughly detailed society and culture with its own quirks and preconceptions, exploring language and communication and miscommunication and disasters of errors. A coming-of-age story in several ways; there's a moment when we all realize how huge and vast and frightening the world actually is. Here, we find there are two worlds to contend with, learn the workings of, unite, and ultimately save.
The dual perspectives are well-done and make the story - both of them, and their combination - feel full and rich. The side characters are developed and distinctive (I love Henry and Scylla, and I even *sometimes* love Ceilos, in that frustrating, 'please report to your dumpster immediately' kind of way.)
I love Nadin's slow-build realization of how messed-up her society truly is - and this is a book where that's done well. (As we know, writing characters realizing their privilege and the ugly parts of their society can go very wrong and be incredibly harmful. Not the case here, at least from my reading.) And since we're introduced to Hope Renewed from her POV, there's a gradual creeping of Wrongness and just masterfully-dropped unsettling hints that build toward a deeply disturbing whole.
The asexual and aromantic representation is easy and integrated to the story. I so far prefer stories that simply have marginalized people, respectfully acknowledged and valued, going on adventures and being heroes, rather than the story being About their marginalization and particularly coming-out narratives. These are ace (likely aromantic, touch-adverse in Nadin's case?) teens, and their identities are important and present, but they have much bigger concerns... considering the whole Mars time-travel conspiracy/revolution business.
Fourth World packs an emotional punch. The resolution of one of Isaak's main arcs (his missing father) is painful, but in a way that you don't often see in fiction, SFF or otherwise. (Cathartic/Good Pain, not exploitive.) It's a both fascinating and important subversion on expected conventions/tropes - the entire book is, to varying degrees.
I'm also trying to word something important that escapes me - Fourth World simply combines a lot of my favorite tropes/SFF conventions in a way that is new and meaningful. Many of its ideas are classic (lost and found civilizations/treasure/knowledge/people, time travel, dystopian societies that look utopian on the surface), but they're mixed together and re-imagined in a wonderfully original way. It's just very well-done.
If you enjoy science-fiction, fantasy, an aesthetic blend of the two, and character development-driven stories with active and well-represented aro/ace main characters, I highly recommend picking this up.
* * *
Atlantis, guys. Freaking Atlantis. On Mars.
Conspiracy theories. Buried secrets (and bodies). Sci-fi concepts so lyrically described it sometimes feels like high fantasy. Natural dialogue, a thoroughly detailed society and culture with its own quirks and preconceptions, exploring language and communication and miscommunication and disasters of errors. A coming-of-age story in several ways; there's a moment when we all realize how huge and vast and frightening the world actually is. Here, we find there are two worlds to contend with, learn the workings of, unite, and ultimately save.
The dual perspectives are well-done and make the story - both of them, and their combination - feel full and rich. The side characters are developed and distinctive (I love Henry and Scylla, and I even *sometimes* love Ceilos, in that frustrating, 'please report to your dumpster immediately' kind of way.)
I love Nadin's slow-build realization of how messed-up her society truly is - and this is a book where that's done well. (As we know, writing characters realizing their privilege and the ugly parts of their society can go very wrong and be incredibly harmful. Not the case here, at least from my reading.) And since we're introduced to Hope Renewed from her POV, there's a gradual creeping of Wrongness and just masterfully-dropped unsettling hints that build toward a deeply disturbing whole.
The asexual and aromantic representation is easy and integrated to the story. I so far prefer stories that simply have marginalized people, respectfully acknowledged and valued, going on adventures and being heroes, rather than the story being About their marginalization and particularly coming-out narratives. These are ace (likely aromantic, touch-adverse in Nadin's case?) teens, and their identities are important and present, but they have much bigger concerns... considering the whole Mars time-travel conspiracy/revolution business.
Fourth World packs an emotional punch. The resolution of one of Isaak's main arcs (his missing father) is painful, but in a way that you don't often see in fiction, SFF or otherwise. (Cathartic/Good Pain, not exploitive.) It's a both fascinating and important subversion on expected conventions/tropes - the entire book is, to varying degrees.
I'm also trying to word something important that escapes me - Fourth World simply combines a lot of my favorite tropes/SFF conventions in a way that is new and meaningful. Many of its ideas are classic (lost and found civilizations/treasure/knowledge/people, time travel, dystopian societies that look utopian on the surface), but they're mixed together and re-imagined in a wonderfully original way. It's just very well-done.
If you enjoy science-fiction, fantasy, an aesthetic blend of the two, and character development-driven stories with active and well-represented aro/ace main characters, I highly recommend picking this up.
March 11, 2016
**** 4 Cranky Stars ****
I've sat and mulled on this review for a few days. There is so much to like about this book: it's clever. It makes my nerd flag fly.
The play on words in the title "Fourth World" - is both a reference to the idea of the indigenous/first nations as well as time and space. It's diverse. I welcome more works where diverse characters take center stage and their stories are main focal points, rather than sidekicks.
It draws on ancient mythology and situates it in a different context.
It focuses on contemporary issues such as encroaching governments and how what often is presented as a 'good' for society is, in fact, the opposite.
Told in the alternating points of view of Isaak and Nadin, the story opens on a dying planet from Nadin's point of view. A mysterious stranger appears outside the life-supporting dome and is in danger of dying.
He doesn't look like anyone Nadin has seen before and then a deeper story unfolds.
Isaak's timeline takes place on Mars. His mother is a plants and microbiotics specialist. She works for the government. His father has abandoned the family and no one knows where he is. His best-friend is an anarchist and Isaak is in unrequited love with his other best friend.
Isaak's grandfather is a famed archeologist. Issak's would-be step-dad is too and as a youthful act of indiscretion goes wrong, pieces of the jigsaw puzzle begin to fall into place.
As the two storylines begin to merge, a realm of possibilities opens up. The chance to save an old world; the chance to better a new one.
I really enjoyed this story. It appealed to my intellectual side, but not so much my emotional one. While I liked the characters, I felt the story was more attuned to world-building, rather than character development.
There were parts of the story that lagged and parts of the story I re-read because it was written so well. There are big ideas and concepts in Fourth World. I appreciate and welcome this fact. Many YA stories ground themselves in Star Wars type history, but this one is more a slow revelation of how the invisible hand of power often works.
Highly recommended.
February 13, 2019
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Interesting premise. Varied (and diverse) cast of characters who (mostly) feel like real teens.
Cons: While interesting, the premise is not overly original. While nice, the characters don't exactly grab you. Some telling-vs.-showing.
Will appeal to: Those who like time travel, mandatory but slightly out-of-the-box romances, and accidental heroes.
First off...SORT-OF DISCLAIMER: I won a digital copy of Fourth World in a giveaway a while ago. Of course, this didn't influence my opinions.
(MODERATELY) HAPPY MEAL
Fourth World technically had all the ingredients for my kind of story. And I did like it...but less than I expected. The premise is interesting enough - Mars became an Earth colony, though I'm not sure how it could be accomplished; a teen guy (Isaak) searching for the answer to his father's disappearance finds more than he bargained for, and gets whisked to a past where the planet is on the verge of dying, with all its original inhabitants. Here he befriends a privileged, but questioning girl (Nadin), and they set on a journey to save Mars' native people (and possibly, to send Isaak home). Also, there are conspiracies going on in both timelines, and a bunch of diverse characters both in the sexuality spectrum (lesbian, demi, ace) and the ethnicity one. So...interesting. Maybe not exactly fresh, you know, but as a combination of different themes, it works. On the other hand...I'm not sure if it was because I recognised a few tropes that I was left wanting more. Maybe it had more to do with the execution than with the ingredients. I liked the taste, but the whole dish didn't ultimately amount to more than the sum of its parts. That's not to say that this book (or series) hasn't a few things going for it though, especially in the rep department. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Interesting premise. Varied (and diverse) cast of characters who (mostly) feel like real teens.
Cons: While interesting, the premise is not overly original. While nice, the characters don't exactly grab you. Some telling-vs.-showing.
Will appeal to: Those who like time travel, mandatory but slightly out-of-the-box romances, and accidental heroes.
First off...SORT-OF DISCLAIMER: I won a digital copy of Fourth World in a giveaway a while ago. Of course, this didn't influence my opinions.
(MODERATELY) HAPPY MEAL
Fourth World technically had all the ingredients for my kind of story. And I did like it...but less than I expected. The premise is interesting enough - Mars became an Earth colony, though I'm not sure how it could be accomplished; a teen guy (Isaak) searching for the answer to his father's disappearance finds more than he bargained for, and gets whisked to a past where the planet is on the verge of dying, with all its original inhabitants. Here he befriends a privileged, but questioning girl (Nadin), and they set on a journey to save Mars' native people (and possibly, to send Isaak home). Also, there are conspiracies going on in both timelines, and a bunch of diverse characters both in the sexuality spectrum (lesbian, demi, ace) and the ethnicity one. So...interesting. Maybe not exactly fresh, you know, but as a combination of different themes, it works. On the other hand...I'm not sure if it was because I recognised a few tropes that I was left wanting more. Maybe it had more to do with the execution than with the ingredients. I liked the taste, but the whole dish didn't ultimately amount to more than the sum of its parts. That's not to say that this book (or series) hasn't a few things going for it though, especially in the rep department. [...]
Whole review here.
February 14, 2016
4 1/2 Platypires for Fourth World by Lyssa Chiavari
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK ASAP!!!
Okay... now for the review. Lol.
I was hooked after the first chapter I truly enjoyed this book and really like it when a book makes me think. I kept trying to guess what happens next and trying to figure out how it all works. Before I get ahead of myself, the story is told through two POVs. Isaak who's living on Mars and Nadin who's on Iamos. Both of them are in pivotal moments in their lives where the adults/gov't is trying to control them and their worlds.
Fourth World is a YA science fiction novel that any science geek would enjoy and even non- science people too. The story just flows and kept me captivated.
I freaking loved all the diversity in this novel. Just A+. A book where POC are the predominant characters and it wasn't pushy at all. Just a great freaking job. Now that is a perfect example of the future.
My only complaint is when the story was told from Nadin's POV. I was confused my some of the terminology. I didn't realize till after the book was over that it contain a glossary. I do wish there was more context when the new words were introduced because I'm not a huge fan of looking at the back of the book. Now that being said it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story.
Overall, this was a really good book that I would highly recommend. Seriously start reading it now.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK ASAP!!!
Okay... now for the review. Lol.
I was hooked after the first chapter I truly enjoyed this book and really like it when a book makes me think. I kept trying to guess what happens next and trying to figure out how it all works. Before I get ahead of myself, the story is told through two POVs. Isaak who's living on Mars and Nadin who's on Iamos. Both of them are in pivotal moments in their lives where the adults/gov't is trying to control them and their worlds.
Fourth World is a YA science fiction novel that any science geek would enjoy and even non- science people too. The story just flows and kept me captivated.
I freaking loved all the diversity in this novel. Just A+. A book where POC are the predominant characters and it wasn't pushy at all. Just a great freaking job. Now that is a perfect example of the future.
My only complaint is when the story was told from Nadin's POV. I was confused my some of the terminology. I didn't realize till after the book was over that it contain a glossary. I do wish there was more context when the new words were introduced because I'm not a huge fan of looking at the back of the book. Now that being said it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story.
Overall, this was a really good book that I would highly recommend. Seriously start reading it now.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
December 16, 2015
First, disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Fourth World in exchange for a honest review.
The honest review is that this book? Is amazing. Striking characters evolving in a beautifully-described Mars, coherent and entrancing worldbuilding, a mystery that builds relentlessly, one question after the other ... everything in this ranges from good to amaze-balls, and in my opinion is sticks closer to amaze-balls most of the time.
Add to that two ace-spectrum protagonist, and I feel like I've been transported into another reality (there's a joke here I want to make, but won't, because spoilers). Nadin's experiences match mine in so many aspects--aspects I know I share with other aces--I had to stop for a while and let it sink in.
I know one thing for sure: I'm getting my own copy of this, and will be recommending it to everyone who asks.
The honest review is that this book? Is amazing. Striking characters evolving in a beautifully-described Mars, coherent and entrancing worldbuilding, a mystery that builds relentlessly, one question after the other ... everything in this ranges from good to amaze-balls, and in my opinion is sticks closer to amaze-balls most of the time.
Add to that two ace-spectrum protagonist, and I feel like I've been transported into another reality (there's a joke here I want to make, but won't, because spoilers). Nadin's experiences match mine in so many aspects--aspects I know I share with other aces--I had to stop for a while and let it sink in.
I know one thing for sure: I'm getting my own copy of this, and will be recommending it to everyone who asks.
February 24, 2016
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book. I think I saw the gorgeous cover, heard mention of demisexual and asexual characters and went for it. And I’m so glad I did, because this tale of two worlds, two very different teenagers and a whole bundle of interwoven secrets was great – intricate, clever, accessible and highly enjoyable.
Isaak lives on a near-future Mars, where the colony has been developed as an off-Earth manufacturing centre. With no centralised Earth-controlled government it’s painted as a sort of Utopian society where everyone is equal – which of course they aren’t. Isaak’s best friend Henry is something of an anarchist, putting forth conspiracy theories and disruptive opinions that Isaak largely ignores – until certain events make him change his tune. Because strange things are happening on Mars, not least at a geological survey site that is uncovering some unusual finds.
Despite living on a different planet, there’s a lot that’s familiar about Isaak. He has family troubles, he’s not particularly happy about the future mapped out for him, he’s struggling with feelings for one of his friends and he shares a lot of pop culture references that readers will recognise. He’s a normal kid, with a particular talent for languages, and while he’s mostly smart and good in a crisis, he also misses some more obvious things that make him appear naive at times. I liked him.
Nadin’s life is quite alien. Her world is dying, her society is rotten and her view of life has been utterly skewed by her privileged place in it. She’s clever too, but severely misguided and the series of sharp, sudden shocks that she undergoes does leave her reeling and makes her occasionally seem foolish. In truth she’s trying to deal with her world not only ending but getting turned upside down in the process. Yet when she gets on board, she does it with all that she is. I’m not entirely sure that I liked her, but I think as she develops in future books I will grow to.
The story itself does an excellent job of slowly leading the reader deeper into the mysterious secrets, laying early foundations that later develop into excitement, wonder and curious occurrences. There is a lot of world-building to be done, for both Mars and Iamos, so the pace does feel a little slow at first, but I appreciated the level of detail and depth behind it all. As the first book in this series it definitely left me wanting more – although that ending might leave you scrambling for the next book, and howling that it’s not out yet. I can’t wait until it is.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Isaak lives on a near-future Mars, where the colony has been developed as an off-Earth manufacturing centre. With no centralised Earth-controlled government it’s painted as a sort of Utopian society where everyone is equal – which of course they aren’t. Isaak’s best friend Henry is something of an anarchist, putting forth conspiracy theories and disruptive opinions that Isaak largely ignores – until certain events make him change his tune. Because strange things are happening on Mars, not least at a geological survey site that is uncovering some unusual finds.
Despite living on a different planet, there’s a lot that’s familiar about Isaak. He has family troubles, he’s not particularly happy about the future mapped out for him, he’s struggling with feelings for one of his friends and he shares a lot of pop culture references that readers will recognise. He’s a normal kid, with a particular talent for languages, and while he’s mostly smart and good in a crisis, he also misses some more obvious things that make him appear naive at times. I liked him.
Nadin’s life is quite alien. Her world is dying, her society is rotten and her view of life has been utterly skewed by her privileged place in it. She’s clever too, but severely misguided and the series of sharp, sudden shocks that she undergoes does leave her reeling and makes her occasionally seem foolish. In truth she’s trying to deal with her world not only ending but getting turned upside down in the process. Yet when she gets on board, she does it with all that she is. I’m not entirely sure that I liked her, but I think as she develops in future books I will grow to.
The story itself does an excellent job of slowly leading the reader deeper into the mysterious secrets, laying early foundations that later develop into excitement, wonder and curious occurrences. There is a lot of world-building to be done, for both Mars and Iamos, so the pace does feel a little slow at first, but I appreciated the level of detail and depth behind it all. As the first book in this series it definitely left me wanting more – although that ending might leave you scrambling for the next book, and howling that it’s not out yet. I can’t wait until it is.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
January 28, 2016
Actually 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of Fourth World for an honest review (seriously, is there any other kind?)
The story opens with a prologue with Nadin outside the dome on Iamos because she wanted to see the sunset. Upon returning back to the dome she finds Isaak unconscious in the sand. Both are rescued and so the story begins. Nadin's world of Iamos is dying and she, along with all of the Iamoi have most likely less than a year to live. Nadin is the next leader of her people and she is faced with death of all before she even begins. Isaak is from Mars which was colonized by Earth. He has found his way to Iamos not by choice and by unexpected means. Now the dilemma and the crux of the story: how can Isaak get back to Mars and can he help Nadin save her people from distinction?
The author had a phenomenal task of building two different worlds simultaneously. I thought the Iamos world was well done. I had some aberrant thoughts about Mars with the mention of Barbie dolls, Mickey Mouse, tupperware, an Indiana Jones hat and a popcorn ceiling; but I got past it. Hence the 3.5 rating. OK, that being said, the story develops quickly and nicely with some expected and unexpected twists. The ending was not a nail biting cliff hanger; but it wasn't what I expected either. The main characters are Isaak and Nadin. The story is told from Isaak's POV in Part I. The remaining chapters are told by Isaak and Nadin alternating POV. Other main characters include Henry and Tamara who are Isaak's classmates and best friends. There maybe a budding relationship between Isaak and Tamara. Then there is Ceilos, who is Nadin's future partner. The characters are developed gradually with the focus on Isaak and Nadin. I think in the next book we will see more of Henry, Tamara and Ceilos. I do have some thoughts about Ceilos which I can't reveal here. The premise and storyline has the complete mix of young love, adventure, danger, intrigue and impulsiveness tempered with social issues on an individual level and with society in both worlds.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be obtaining a short story about two minor characters, Emos and Marin on Iamos. I am looking forward to the novella, Different World (Summer 2016) and New World, Book 2 of the Iamos Trilogy (Fall 2016)
I received a copy of Fourth World for an honest review (seriously, is there any other kind?)
The story opens with a prologue with Nadin outside the dome on Iamos because she wanted to see the sunset. Upon returning back to the dome she finds Isaak unconscious in the sand. Both are rescued and so the story begins. Nadin's world of Iamos is dying and she, along with all of the Iamoi have most likely less than a year to live. Nadin is the next leader of her people and she is faced with death of all before she even begins. Isaak is from Mars which was colonized by Earth. He has found his way to Iamos not by choice and by unexpected means. Now the dilemma and the crux of the story: how can Isaak get back to Mars and can he help Nadin save her people from distinction?
The author had a phenomenal task of building two different worlds simultaneously. I thought the Iamos world was well done. I had some aberrant thoughts about Mars with the mention of Barbie dolls, Mickey Mouse, tupperware, an Indiana Jones hat and a popcorn ceiling; but I got past it. Hence the 3.5 rating. OK, that being said, the story develops quickly and nicely with some expected and unexpected twists. The ending was not a nail biting cliff hanger; but it wasn't what I expected either. The main characters are Isaak and Nadin. The story is told from Isaak's POV in Part I. The remaining chapters are told by Isaak and Nadin alternating POV. Other main characters include Henry and Tamara who are Isaak's classmates and best friends. There maybe a budding relationship between Isaak and Tamara. Then there is Ceilos, who is Nadin's future partner. The characters are developed gradually with the focus on Isaak and Nadin. I think in the next book we will see more of Henry, Tamara and Ceilos. I do have some thoughts about Ceilos which I can't reveal here. The premise and storyline has the complete mix of young love, adventure, danger, intrigue and impulsiveness tempered with social issues on an individual level and with society in both worlds.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will be obtaining a short story about two minor characters, Emos and Marin on Iamos. I am looking forward to the novella, Different World (Summer 2016) and New World, Book 2 of the Iamos Trilogy (Fall 2016)
April 4, 2017
4 stars
Really cool and enjoyable read with on-page demisexual as well as potential asexual rep.
Really cool and enjoyable read with on-page demisexual as well as potential asexual rep.
April 8, 2019
Kinda basic overthrow-government-conspiracies-and-save-the-world plot but otherwise diverse YA SciFi with a bit of time travel and two a-spec protagonists (one demisexual and one still figuring it out, but probably sex-repulsed/touch-averse asexual).
Nice to read and not boring at all, but I wasn't wholly engaged.
Content warnings include: aphobia (both external and internalized), abuse of power/corrupt government, racism, unwanted kissing and hugging, disappearance of a parent, humanity-induced climate change, mentions of euthanasia and eugenics.
Nice to read and not boring at all, but I wasn't wholly engaged.
Content warnings include: aphobia (both external and internalized), abuse of power/corrupt government, racism, unwanted kissing and hugging, disappearance of a parent, humanity-induced climate change, mentions of euthanasia and eugenics.
January 18, 2017
Fourth World pulls many different elements together to form an intriguing and vivid world.
Isaak lives on Mars in the year 2073 in a pretty divided society which is controlled more by a cooperation than anyone is willing to admit. When a class trip reveals the same stone archway that he has on a coin from his father, the adventure begins.
Nadine lives on Mars, far in the past. Her society is heavily controlled and dying. When Isaak appears through the time portal, her entire life is up-ended.
This book is a weave of an entire basket of themes: living on other planets and the problems it can ensue, diversity issues, environmental issues, control of elites, time travel, coming of age and so many more. Considering this huge array, the author does a great job of layering it altogether in an intriguing story, which reads fairly easy most of the way through.
Isaak and Nadine are both around seventeen and share the book, switching back and forth between their points of view. This is done smoothly and doesn't cause any confusion, but rather allows each ones very different worlds to come to life. Isaak comes from a world not so different from our own, with many elements which are familiar to modern everyday life. His problems as a teen are understandable and easy to sympathize with. His group of friends gives a nice base and allows his character to develop. The first chapters are concentrated on Isaak and his world, bringing much depth to his side first. These first chapters moved a little slow, something which changes drastically when Nadine gets her turn to shine.
Nadine is a delight. Her views wham hard against reality but she's a character willing to think and change. She has a great sense of right and wrong, and despite her upbringings, knows what she has to do. Her fighting spirit makes her easy to cheer for.
The world building is nicely done and becomes even more vivid as the plot up its game. By the end of the book, a complex story with many layers creates a great level of tension and intrigue. A couple holes exist in the logic, but only small ones which are easy to overlook.
The ending is a pure cliff-hanger and begs the reader to dive into the second book.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my thoughts.
My review can also be seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udbZ...
Isaak lives on Mars in the year 2073 in a pretty divided society which is controlled more by a cooperation than anyone is willing to admit. When a class trip reveals the same stone archway that he has on a coin from his father, the adventure begins.
Nadine lives on Mars, far in the past. Her society is heavily controlled and dying. When Isaak appears through the time portal, her entire life is up-ended.
This book is a weave of an entire basket of themes: living on other planets and the problems it can ensue, diversity issues, environmental issues, control of elites, time travel, coming of age and so many more. Considering this huge array, the author does a great job of layering it altogether in an intriguing story, which reads fairly easy most of the way through.
Isaak and Nadine are both around seventeen and share the book, switching back and forth between their points of view. This is done smoothly and doesn't cause any confusion, but rather allows each ones very different worlds to come to life. Isaak comes from a world not so different from our own, with many elements which are familiar to modern everyday life. His problems as a teen are understandable and easy to sympathize with. His group of friends gives a nice base and allows his character to develop. The first chapters are concentrated on Isaak and his world, bringing much depth to his side first. These first chapters moved a little slow, something which changes drastically when Nadine gets her turn to shine.
Nadine is a delight. Her views wham hard against reality but she's a character willing to think and change. She has a great sense of right and wrong, and despite her upbringings, knows what she has to do. Her fighting spirit makes her easy to cheer for.
The world building is nicely done and becomes even more vivid as the plot up its game. By the end of the book, a complex story with many layers creates a great level of tension and intrigue. A couple holes exist in the logic, but only small ones which are easy to overlook.
The ending is a pure cliff-hanger and begs the reader to dive into the second book.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my thoughts.
My review can also be seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udbZ...
March 30, 2016
What really attracted me right off the bat was the beautiful cover, and the story inside did not disappoint! Fourth World has all the elements–appealing main characters, fully realized secondary characters, fantastic setting (I mean, it’s on MARS!!), alien civilizations, archaeology, chilling villains and surprises around every corner.
I was hooked right from the first pages of the prologue. Isaak is a tremendously interesting protagonist, and it didn’t take long to be completely drawn into his story. I loved the interactions with his family and friends, especially his friends Henry and Tamara, and his conflicting feelings towards his mom’s new boyfriend. But even though we have normal interpersonal drama and relationships going on, the author keeps us firmly on track with the main focus of the story–what is the significance of the arches they keep finding in the digs? Why is GSAF guarding these things and being so secretive? What happened to Isaak’s father? .
When it came time for Nadin’s part of the story, I had no trouble jumping right in and becoming fully invested in her character and her story. And once again, there are all kinds of intriguing mysteries and questions to be answered: who exactly are the geroi? Why do they wield such power? And what role will both Isaak and Nadin play in solving these mysteries?
I must say the book was a real “page turner”, intriguing to me from beginning to end. I never felt there was a lag in the story–the author did an excellent job of keeping the story moving, through the different “worlds” right up to the jaw-dropping cliff-hanger ending. I can’t wait for book 2. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Fourth World, you will not be disappointed!
I was hooked right from the first pages of the prologue. Isaak is a tremendously interesting protagonist, and it didn’t take long to be completely drawn into his story. I loved the interactions with his family and friends, especially his friends Henry and Tamara, and his conflicting feelings towards his mom’s new boyfriend. But even though we have normal interpersonal drama and relationships going on, the author keeps us firmly on track with the main focus of the story–what is the significance of the arches they keep finding in the digs? Why is GSAF guarding these things and being so secretive? What happened to Isaak’s father? .
When it came time for Nadin’s part of the story, I had no trouble jumping right in and becoming fully invested in her character and her story. And once again, there are all kinds of intriguing mysteries and questions to be answered: who exactly are the geroi? Why do they wield such power? And what role will both Isaak and Nadin play in solving these mysteries?
I must say the book was a real “page turner”, intriguing to me from beginning to end. I never felt there was a lag in the story–the author did an excellent job of keeping the story moving, through the different “worlds” right up to the jaw-dropping cliff-hanger ending. I can’t wait for book 2. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Fourth World, you will not be disappointed!
February 6, 2016
Read this review and more on my blog.
I received a free copy of Fourth World in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fourth World was so much better than I expected. The way the planets, Mars and Iamos are portrayed made me even more interested in space; and considering i am watch Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey right now, I would say that I enjoy space quite a bit.
Fourth World is a medium-paced science fiction that surprisingly kept me entertained. One thing that i hope that will happen in the rest of the trilogy is a bit more of a scientific explanation of how Mars was terraformed, as well as just the basic tech that is available in this time period. Also at the end, i did see a hint of a love triangle coming through, I hope that that does not happen but i guess we will find out.
The only reason why I am rating it a 4 instead of a 5 is beach it just did not captivate me enough to make me not want to put it down until the end. That said, I would defiantly recommend Fourth World to sci-fi lovers, and people who are into YA / dystopian novels.
I received a free copy of Fourth World in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fourth World was so much better than I expected. The way the planets, Mars and Iamos are portrayed made me even more interested in space; and considering i am watch Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey right now, I would say that I enjoy space quite a bit.
Fourth World is a medium-paced science fiction that surprisingly kept me entertained. One thing that i hope that will happen in the rest of the trilogy is a bit more of a scientific explanation of how Mars was terraformed, as well as just the basic tech that is available in this time period. Also at the end, i did see a hint of a love triangle coming through, I hope that that does not happen but i guess we will find out.
The only reason why I am rating it a 4 instead of a 5 is beach it just did not captivate me enough to make me not want to put it down until the end. That said, I would defiantly recommend Fourth World to sci-fi lovers, and people who are into YA / dystopian novels.
June 15, 2018
(demisexual main character (Isaak), heteroromantic (? alloromantic) asexual main character (Nadin), prominent role of friendships and families)
P.S. There was some misunderstanding about planets and their names in the past: Hamos = Venus, Simos = Earth. The book sometimes didn't make it clear enough or straight out confused them.
P.S. There was some misunderstanding about planets and their names in the past: Hamos = Venus, Simos = Earth. The book sometimes didn't make it clear enough or straight out confused them.
March 16, 2016
OH MY GOD. MY ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS BOOK IS THAT IT STOPPED. NEED MOAR! Review coming!
February 7, 2025
Fourth World is an interesting YA sci-fi adventure involving primarily Isaak and later Nadin. I liked both characters but I found myself able to relate and understand Isaak more than Nadin. Perhaps it's because the world Isaak lived in is more relatable than Nadin's but I also found his personality endearing while hers occasionally annoying. Let's just say I enjoyed his POV better than hers but she wasn't that bad near the end.
That said, I do like the world building in Iamos, the world Nadin is from. It's a fascinating approach and without spoilers, pretty sci-fi or dystopian feeling. The colonization on Mars is interesting, it lives up to what I would imagine living on Mars be like. I loved how the author wove into the story how Iamos, Mars, and Earth are tied together. That was awesome and rubbed my hands with glee at that clever plot point.
The pacing was slow for me. I found myself skimming ahead most of Nadin's parts. We do jump into the story which I like but there were unfamiliar, made up words for the story. I didn't realize that the unfamiliar terms had a glossary in the back since I was reading on an e-device. I should have skipped ahead but I didn't so I fumbled reading through. Since I haven't read the definitions, once I kept going I was able to decipher most of the foreign words. It is possible to understand most of the foreign words if you can gather through context but it's not easy.
Now I loved the diversity in this book. If you're looking for diverse characters, race or sexuality, you'll find it in this book. I loved it and it was one of my favorite things about this book. There aren't a ton of characters so there aren't that many that can cover all the spectrum but you'll see it here and it's well executed.
I felt the ending was satisfying. It tied up the ends of the main arc but the end was left at a bit of a cliff hanger. I wanted to know more about what happen. Since this is the first in a trilogy it would be expected and didn't disappoint. Although, I wouldn't say the cliffhanger left me in jaw dropping awe, I do feel curious as to how the characters will handle things now.
Overall, I liked the book and while I enjoyed it, I feel like the execution could have been better. There were moments I felt bored and I guess there wasn't enough excitement or action for me in the book. Still, this book has a promising concept and the overall arc and execution still had me read to the end to discover what happens with the characters. I recommend it if you like gradual mythical or sci-fi world stories with a bit of adventure.
3.2 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
http://originiquequanimity.blogspot.c...
That said, I do like the world building in Iamos, the world Nadin is from. It's a fascinating approach and without spoilers, pretty sci-fi or dystopian feeling. The colonization on Mars is interesting, it lives up to what I would imagine living on Mars be like. I loved how the author wove into the story how Iamos, Mars, and Earth are tied together. That was awesome and rubbed my hands with glee at that clever plot point.
The pacing was slow for me. I found myself skimming ahead most of Nadin's parts. We do jump into the story which I like but there were unfamiliar, made up words for the story. I didn't realize that the unfamiliar terms had a glossary in the back since I was reading on an e-device. I should have skipped ahead but I didn't so I fumbled reading through. Since I haven't read the definitions, once I kept going I was able to decipher most of the foreign words. It is possible to understand most of the foreign words if you can gather through context but it's not easy.
Now I loved the diversity in this book. If you're looking for diverse characters, race or sexuality, you'll find it in this book. I loved it and it was one of my favorite things about this book. There aren't a ton of characters so there aren't that many that can cover all the spectrum but you'll see it here and it's well executed.
I felt the ending was satisfying. It tied up the ends of the main arc but the end was left at a bit of a cliff hanger. I wanted to know more about what happen. Since this is the first in a trilogy it would be expected and didn't disappoint. Although, I wouldn't say the cliffhanger left me in jaw dropping awe, I do feel curious as to how the characters will handle things now.
Overall, I liked the book and while I enjoyed it, I feel like the execution could have been better. There were moments I felt bored and I guess there wasn't enough excitement or action for me in the book. Still, this book has a promising concept and the overall arc and execution still had me read to the end to discover what happens with the characters. I recommend it if you like gradual mythical or sci-fi world stories with a bit of adventure.
3.2 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
http://originiquequanimity.blogspot.c...
June 17, 2024
“Why is it always so difficult for people to believe in the power of the human mind? Why is it so easy for us to assume that some other, smarter species did it? Is it because we can’t bear the thought of previous generations being wiser than our own?”
A sci-fi novel that brings the reader to not one, but two different societies and worlds. The characters are likable and sympathetic, and I loved seeing the difficulties when two cultures come together. Nadin's world of Iamos feels very foreign, as it should, and while it could sometimes be difficult to understand her culture, that was part of the fun, too.
I loved the time travel twists and the idea of how to solve a very big problem in Nadin's world. I hadn't read a sci-fi story in a while, and this one reminded me why I like the genre, while still being a very relationship-driven story.
Content-wise, it contains some cursing (though "torquing" is the preferred expletive), a few uses of the Lord's name in vain (I think mostly in Spanish), and a very brief sexual encounter. (No intercourse--in fact, the main characters are both on the asexuality spectrum, I think it is?) The novel wraps up the main story but also manages to end on a cliffhanger. It funnels into a novella that takes place during the events of this book .
Recommended for anyone who likes character-driven time-travel sci-fi. I can't wait to read the rest!
A sci-fi novel that brings the reader to not one, but two different societies and worlds. The characters are likable and sympathetic, and I loved seeing the difficulties when two cultures come together. Nadin's world of Iamos feels very foreign, as it should, and while it could sometimes be difficult to understand her culture, that was part of the fun, too.
I loved the time travel twists and the idea of how to solve a very big problem in Nadin's world. I hadn't read a sci-fi story in a while, and this one reminded me why I like the genre, while still being a very relationship-driven story.
Content-wise, it contains some cursing (though "torquing" is the preferred expletive), a few uses of the Lord's name in vain (I think mostly in Spanish), and a very brief sexual encounter. (No intercourse--in fact, the main characters are both on the asexuality spectrum, I think it is?) The novel wraps up the main story but also manages to end on a cliffhanger. It funnels into a novella that takes place during the events of this book .
Recommended for anyone who likes character-driven time-travel sci-fi. I can't wait to read the rest!
June 30, 2017
I really, really love the archaeology/geology bits of this book, and I wasn't expecting them at all. I thought it'd be a pretty typical space book (which, lets be fair, I love SO MUCH) so I was totally surprised to find all the excavation and the mystery (and the doorway/gate stuff, which made this book so much cooler!)
The first half of Fourth World is by far my favourite. I'm still not sure if I actually like the citidome parts - I was really wishing for more excavation, wanting to go back to that even though the sinister controlling forces of Iamos were really compelling and I liked Nadin's journey. I much prefer Isaak to Nadin, though (maybe why I prefer the first half...) and found it a bit hard to connect with her.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sci-fi thriller, and its inventive and creative colonisation of Mars!
The first half of Fourth World is by far my favourite. I'm still not sure if I actually like the citidome parts - I was really wishing for more excavation, wanting to go back to that even though the sinister controlling forces of Iamos were really compelling and I liked Nadin's journey. I much prefer Isaak to Nadin, though (maybe why I prefer the first half...) and found it a bit hard to connect with her.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sci-fi thriller, and its inventive and creative colonisation of Mars!
February 2, 2025
This book is very dear to me. It had an incredible and unique plot and complex likable characters. The world building was very intriguing and I really liked the use of wording. What I mean by this is the replacement of common words with different ones to better represent that the story takes place in the future. For example turning the word movie into flix, which is different but used in a way that the reader can still infer its meaning. Everything about the book is amazing, and on top of that, it has ace representation. I typically don’t root for romances in books because they are usually marketed towards allosexual audiences, so I don’t really relate. But this book is different, because it’s for the asexuals, and that makes it very special to me.
August 12, 2020
4.5 stars.
I really loved this. I don't usually read science fiction, but this was good enough to make me like the genre a lot more. I also liked the asexual representation.
However, I'm a little sick of asexual characters in YA being put in awkward (non-consensual) sexual situations to explain to the reader that they are sex repulsed. What happened to Nadin in the second half of the book felt unnecessary. Also, a love triangle in an ace positive book? Really?
Other than that I liked it!
I really loved this. I don't usually read science fiction, but this was good enough to make me like the genre a lot more. I also liked the asexual representation.
However, I'm a little sick of asexual characters in YA being put in awkward (non-consensual) sexual situations to explain to the reader that they are sex repulsed. What happened to Nadin in the second half of the book felt unnecessary. Also, a love triangle in an ace positive book? Really?
Other than that I liked it!
November 21, 2024
I truly enjoyed the twists and turns of Nadin and Isaak's stories in the futuristic sci-fi novel. The characters were authentic teenagers, struggling to navigate a complex and political adult world. The villains were likewise well-rounded and diabolical. I loved the Mars setting and found the time travel to be just the right amount of science and common sense to keep the pace moving without confusing me. It's a series, and the ending hook left me wanting more. Includes light romantic themes that don't distract from the plot/pace. I recommend this book for teens of all ages.
December 10, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Fourth World was an interesting futuristic novel set on Mars. It had elements of mystery, dystopia and even time travel!
The year is 2073 and humans have colonized on Mars for some time now. When Isaak, a high school student, and his friends start digging at an archaeology dig, they find something that might change the way they thought about Mars.
I found the plot of Fourth World to be captivating and unique. I loved the dual narration of Isaak and Nadin and to see how different life is on Iamos and Mars. I also liked the characters; Isaak was reasonable and curios, Nadin was strong and determined, and Henry was funny and outspoken. I also liked Tamara and Scylla. Another thing I liked about this book was diversity. Many of the characters were of different descent.
Exciting and filled with adventure, I would recommend fans of sci-fi and time travel to give Fourth World a try!
Fourth World was an interesting futuristic novel set on Mars. It had elements of mystery, dystopia and even time travel!
The year is 2073 and humans have colonized on Mars for some time now. When Isaak, a high school student, and his friends start digging at an archaeology dig, they find something that might change the way they thought about Mars.
I found the plot of Fourth World to be captivating and unique. I loved the dual narration of Isaak and Nadin and to see how different life is on Iamos and Mars. I also liked the characters; Isaak was reasonable and curios, Nadin was strong and determined, and Henry was funny and outspoken. I also liked Tamara and Scylla. Another thing I liked about this book was diversity. Many of the characters were of different descent.
Exciting and filled with adventure, I would recommend fans of sci-fi and time travel to give Fourth World a try!
September 27, 2023
Firstly, I had to dock a star because an ableist slur was used once at the start of the book. There's no need for that language, especially in a book that literally invents different swear words. Don't know what was going through the author's head with that and a little disappointed as it did taint the book slightly.
As for the rest of the book TWO ASEXUAL CHARACTERS IN ONE BOOK AND THEY'RE NOT BACKGROUND CHARACTERS?!?! I was so excited when Isaak revealed he felt attraction differently and then when Nadin did too I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I love how being ASPEC is related to the storyline but also isn't the whole storyline, there's a cool story and the characters are just exploring their sexuality as they go which I liked as I find a lot of ASPEC characters spend the whole plot fixating on what's different about them which didn't happen too much here. I can't wait for the next book and hopefully, a scene where Isaak and Nadin come out to each other. Wonderful book for all aces to read, thank you author!
As for the rest of the book TWO ASEXUAL CHARACTERS IN ONE BOOK AND THEY'RE NOT BACKGROUND CHARACTERS?!?! I was so excited when Isaak revealed he felt attraction differently and then when Nadin did too I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I love how being ASPEC is related to the storyline but also isn't the whole storyline, there's a cool story and the characters are just exploring their sexuality as they go which I liked as I find a lot of ASPEC characters spend the whole plot fixating on what's different about them which didn't happen too much here. I can't wait for the next book and hopefully, a scene where Isaak and Nadin come out to each other. Wonderful book for all aces to read, thank you author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
Isaak was born on a terraformed Mars. He and his friends discover Martian artifacts that transport him back to a Mars full of people. Past Mars/Iamos is dieing. The population is seeking to save themselves. Nadin of Iamos journeys to the future qith Isaak and his father. They are trying to find a way to save Iamos. Great story! Space and time travel in one novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
Mars past & present …,,.
This book of fantasy Mars . The book shows two different worlds each having major problems with governments wanting to control their world & people on it looking forward to the rest of the books in this series!
This book of fantasy Mars . The book shows two different worlds each having major problems with governments wanting to control their world & people on it looking forward to the rest of the books in this series!
January 28, 2018
This was a random Twitter rec and I need a time machine so I can read the next book now
June 20, 2023
estão me a cair lágrimas depois de me aperceber deste erro que me custou um dia inteiro 😭
mas it was pretty fun overall, fiquei à espera que aparecessem dragões e olha… nem ve-los
mas it was pretty fun overall, fiquei à espera que aparecessem dragões e olha… nem ve-los
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