What do you think?
Rate this book
The Queens of Lower Earth #2
Culling
Thousands of innocent genetic deviants.
One Queen who wants them dead.
Leadon long believed Lower Earth was a promised land.
But now that crop killers have become commonplace and Queen Ariane systematically obliterates those she deems unworthy, Leadon learns the hard truth about life on Lower Earth.
Humanity is scarce. Food is even more scarce. Ariane is driving Lower Earth to the brink of disaster.
When Leadon bears witness to an extreme act of cruelty by the Queen, she is torn between loyalty to the Ganese people and the morality of Lower Earth’s original peoples.
Thousands of innocent lives hang in the balance. One word and the Queen will have them destroyed. Leadon must convince her enemies that they should combine forces and work toward a common goal, or risk the promise of tomorrow for all.
In Selfsame, Lower Earth had to look itself in the eye. In Culling, Lower Earth must run from its own reflection.
One Queen who wants them dead.
Leadon long believed Lower Earth was a promised land.
But now that crop killers have become commonplace and Queen Ariane systematically obliterates those she deems unworthy, Leadon learns the hard truth about life on Lower Earth.
Humanity is scarce. Food is even more scarce. Ariane is driving Lower Earth to the brink of disaster.
When Leadon bears witness to an extreme act of cruelty by the Queen, she is torn between loyalty to the Ganese people and the morality of Lower Earth’s original peoples.
Thousands of innocent lives hang in the balance. One word and the Queen will have them destroyed. Leadon must convince her enemies that they should combine forces and work toward a common goal, or risk the promise of tomorrow for all.
In Selfsame, Lower Earth had to look itself in the eye. In Culling, Lower Earth must run from its own reflection.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2020
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 6, 2021
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Culling
Subtitle: (Lower Earth Rising #2)
Author: Eden Wolfe
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/postapocalyptic
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 2
Best read after earlier books in series? Yes
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Queen Ariane reigns with a strict hand over Lower Earth. In Aria’s childhood home, Gana, her best friend Leadon feels she will now be able to help them. But what will she find when she observes the queen from a distance? And what will happen to the Queen mother, Maeva? Will Ariane’s paranoia lead to destruction of most of the country?
What I liked about the book:
The book is, like the first in the series, action-packed and full of twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was nothing to dislike. The only thing to dislike would be if this was the actual world we lived in. A world where love is not allowed.
My favourite bits in the book:
The entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I believe this is the second in a series.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book breaches an entirely different kind of future. I believe the book to be rather unique.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like spy novels and intrigue, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Thousands of innocent genetic deviants. One Queen who wants them dead.
Can a feared woman win the trust of her enemies to save Lower Earth from its own depravity?
Food is even more scarce as "crop killers" become commonplace. The former Queen, Maeva, is reduced to disregarded advisor, and the researchers of Central Tower are forced to pick their loyalty: to Queen or to scientific truth.
Standing tall and at last self-confident, Leadon learns the hard way that Lower Earth is not the promised land of her childhood dreams.
When she takes over leadership of the original peoples of Lower Earth, she's stunned to learn that humanity is being stripped away right from the top of their society.
Queen Ariane is not who she pretends to be.
Where her mother had ruled with the blood of her enemies on her hands, Ariane is not so specific.
If she deems a people worthy, they will flourish.
But if she deems them useless to Lower Earth, she will have them eliminated.
Leadon witnesses the Queen’s evil when the lives of thousands of children are suddenly in the balance. Considered "too far along to save", a generation of incubates aren't worthy to live, or so says Queen Ariane.
Leadon is torn: she is desperate to redeem the Ganese people, indigenous to the land and systematically reduced to prisoners of a contained region of the country. But Leadon has enemies. The Ganese warrior priestesses have a reputation for ruthlessness, generations old mistrust lives among those who fear their attack.
Now, with the imminent death of innocent thousands and panic infused as a tool of control, Leadon will have to convince those who'd sooner string her up that they must combine forces.
Otherwise the very humanity that kept Lower Earth alive in the wake of the Final War risks dying in the hands of lies, propaganda, and an army of Guards who do the Queen's bloody bidding.
And through it all, the birth of a single child holds the promise of a future… which is why he must be shut away in the back alleys of Cork Town…
In Selfsame, Lower Earth had to look itself in the eye. In Culling, Lower Earth must run from its own reflection.
Buy Culling, Book 2 in Lower Earth Rising, today!
About the Author:
Basic Details:
Book Title: Culling
Subtitle: (Lower Earth Rising #2)
Author: Eden Wolfe
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/postapocalyptic
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 2
Best read after earlier books in series? Yes
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Queen Ariane reigns with a strict hand over Lower Earth. In Aria’s childhood home, Gana, her best friend Leadon feels she will now be able to help them. But what will she find when she observes the queen from a distance? And what will happen to the Queen mother, Maeva? Will Ariane’s paranoia lead to destruction of most of the country?
What I liked about the book:
The book is, like the first in the series, action-packed and full of twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was nothing to dislike. The only thing to dislike would be if this was the actual world we lived in. A world where love is not allowed.
My favourite bits in the book:
The entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I believe this is the second in a series.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book breaches an entirely different kind of future. I believe the book to be rather unique.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like spy novels and intrigue, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Thousands of innocent genetic deviants. One Queen who wants them dead.
Can a feared woman win the trust of her enemies to save Lower Earth from its own depravity?
Food is even more scarce as "crop killers" become commonplace. The former Queen, Maeva, is reduced to disregarded advisor, and the researchers of Central Tower are forced to pick their loyalty: to Queen or to scientific truth.
Standing tall and at last self-confident, Leadon learns the hard way that Lower Earth is not the promised land of her childhood dreams.
When she takes over leadership of the original peoples of Lower Earth, she's stunned to learn that humanity is being stripped away right from the top of their society.
Queen Ariane is not who she pretends to be.
Where her mother had ruled with the blood of her enemies on her hands, Ariane is not so specific.
If she deems a people worthy, they will flourish.
But if she deems them useless to Lower Earth, she will have them eliminated.
Leadon witnesses the Queen’s evil when the lives of thousands of children are suddenly in the balance. Considered "too far along to save", a generation of incubates aren't worthy to live, or so says Queen Ariane.
Leadon is torn: she is desperate to redeem the Ganese people, indigenous to the land and systematically reduced to prisoners of a contained region of the country. But Leadon has enemies. The Ganese warrior priestesses have a reputation for ruthlessness, generations old mistrust lives among those who fear their attack.
Now, with the imminent death of innocent thousands and panic infused as a tool of control, Leadon will have to convince those who'd sooner string her up that they must combine forces.
Otherwise the very humanity that kept Lower Earth alive in the wake of the Final War risks dying in the hands of lies, propaganda, and an army of Guards who do the Queen's bloody bidding.
And through it all, the birth of a single child holds the promise of a future… which is why he must be shut away in the back alleys of Cork Town…
In Selfsame, Lower Earth had to look itself in the eye. In Culling, Lower Earth must run from its own reflection.
Buy Culling, Book 2 in Lower Earth Rising, today!
About the Author:
December 1, 2020
“Culling” by Eden Wolfe is the second full-length installment in the “Lower Earth Rising” World (in which a prequel also exists) and follows seamlessly the events depicted on the previous installment (‘Selfsame’).
Queen Ariane has accessed the throne and reduced the former Queen Maeve to a forgotten advisor, which no power whatsoever. Queen Ariane, however, is no who she seems to be, she has a hidden agenda, ruling by mere wit and treats her subjects according with her own prejudices, some will be found worthy and thrive while others who are unworthy in her eyes, will straight out be killed out. Life in Lower Earth becomes a struggle between scientific truth and the will of the Queen, with the researchers at the Central Tower caught in the middle.
The situation escalates as the Queen order the termination of a whole generation on incubates. With thousands of lives in the balance, Leadon is torn between duty and conscience, but to save the future children he would have to achieve the impossible: unite the different fractions into a single fighting force.
Eden Wolfe writing style is both crisp and very elaborate, which could appear as a contradiction at first, works surprisingly well with the scope of the series, which offers a fresh new approach to dystopian tropes depicting a world that could horrifying enough become our future. This is original, knowledgeable, intelligent, all in one brilliant story, at barely under 400 pages, the action flows incessantly immersing the reader into the world of Lower Earth, fighting along the MCs and enjoying the ride while learning a couple of things about our own society in the process.
Queen Ariane has accessed the throne and reduced the former Queen Maeve to a forgotten advisor, which no power whatsoever. Queen Ariane, however, is no who she seems to be, she has a hidden agenda, ruling by mere wit and treats her subjects according with her own prejudices, some will be found worthy and thrive while others who are unworthy in her eyes, will straight out be killed out. Life in Lower Earth becomes a struggle between scientific truth and the will of the Queen, with the researchers at the Central Tower caught in the middle.
The situation escalates as the Queen order the termination of a whole generation on incubates. With thousands of lives in the balance, Leadon is torn between duty and conscience, but to save the future children he would have to achieve the impossible: unite the different fractions into a single fighting force.
Eden Wolfe writing style is both crisp and very elaborate, which could appear as a contradiction at first, works surprisingly well with the scope of the series, which offers a fresh new approach to dystopian tropes depicting a world that could horrifying enough become our future. This is original, knowledgeable, intelligent, all in one brilliant story, at barely under 400 pages, the action flows incessantly immersing the reader into the world of Lower Earth, fighting along the MCs and enjoying the ride while learning a couple of things about our own society in the process.
October 30, 2020
Just as freakin' good as the last one **Spoilers**
Yes, I am here to tell you that a second book can be just as damned awesome as the first. We had to say goodbye to some characters we just barely got to know and sometimes that ok but for me, and absolutely NO criticism ofAuthor Eden, I wish they could have stuck around for awhile. I know why they couldn't but *waving slowly and sadly goodbye* and *sticking her tongue out at the one who needed to go.* Kids, just read this series. The 3rd will hopefully come out next month and of course I expect a new one every 6 weeks or so. 'K, Author Eden? Thank you another awesomely built story. These are books that I plan on rereading every chance I get. Here's to Rose and Trude and their lovely hearts of gold.
Yes, I am here to tell you that a second book can be just as damned awesome as the first. We had to say goodbye to some characters we just barely got to know and sometimes that ok but for me, and absolutely NO criticism ofAuthor Eden, I wish they could have stuck around for awhile. I know why they couldn't but *waving slowly and sadly goodbye* and *sticking her tongue out at the one who needed to go.* Kids, just read this series. The 3rd will hopefully come out next month and of course I expect a new one every 6 weeks or so. 'K, Author Eden? Thank you another awesomely built story. These are books that I plan on rereading every chance I get. Here's to Rose and Trude and their lovely hearts of gold.
June 30, 2021
Book provided by the author for an honest review
The series picks up five years after one of Queen Maeva’s daughters kills the other to become Queen Arianne but the wrong Queen lived. This Queen Ariane was literally forged for a possible future battle with no compassion- some of her actions and decisions were chilling. We learn a little more about the dystopic world and its creation- I found the explanation of the lava rock necklaces fascinating. The description of Cork Town where the undesirables live and the discrimination they face was particularly horrifying when I realised that they were people with disabilities or just not as perfect compared to the rest of the population. The book continues to explore the idea of forced population growth and the ramifications of this. One of Queen Maeva’s last acts as ruler was to replace The Willing Women with babies being bred in incubators forcing Queen Ariane to deal with the imperfect children born as a result. The whole concept of a few women being cloned and then undergoing mass reproduction to populate this world is an intriguing concept.
The book had several points of view and it took some time to get used to. I would have liked to have read a few more chapters from Rose.
Perfect for anyone who loves dystopian, fantasy with strong female characters
The series picks up five years after one of Queen Maeva’s daughters kills the other to become Queen Arianne but the wrong Queen lived. This Queen Ariane was literally forged for a possible future battle with no compassion- some of her actions and decisions were chilling. We learn a little more about the dystopic world and its creation- I found the explanation of the lava rock necklaces fascinating. The description of Cork Town where the undesirables live and the discrimination they face was particularly horrifying when I realised that they were people with disabilities or just not as perfect compared to the rest of the population. The book continues to explore the idea of forced population growth and the ramifications of this. One of Queen Maeva’s last acts as ruler was to replace The Willing Women with babies being bred in incubators forcing Queen Ariane to deal with the imperfect children born as a result. The whole concept of a few women being cloned and then undergoing mass reproduction to populate this world is an intriguing concept.
The book had several points of view and it took some time to get used to. I would have liked to have read a few more chapters from Rose.
Perfect for anyone who loves dystopian, fantasy with strong female characters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2020
Well this story is just getting more and more intriguing :). Enter another new character Lea who becomes chief of the Gana area or tribe, and who used to associate with one of the ex queen Maeva's children. Rose starts playing a pivotal role as well, and the new queen Ariane starts showing her true colours, up to and including a bit of matricide. Gosh it is so difficult not to wax lyrical and introduce spoilers, but the scope of this story is truly epic.
I heartily recommend the series starting with Deviants. Can't wait for the next episode :)
I heartily recommend the series starting with Deviants. Can't wait for the next episode :)
December 1, 2020
Another amazing story! I love everything about this world! I am glad to see some different characters cropping up to take on important roles. I also like that we are seeing more of the other counties. I am so glad there is more to Rose's story. Since reading the prequel Deviants, I wanted more of her character plot. I can not wait for the next book to come out. I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of the dystopian genre!
January 28, 2021
I found this book more compelling than the first, mostly because there is more backstory in here that answered some questions I had from the first one (though I still want more!). I also thought the point-of-view characters in this book were more fleshed out than in book 1, which helped (I just wasn't invested in Aria). I'm excited to read the third book and see where these characters are going.
October 31, 2020
Received a complimentary copy of this book. I read Selfsame, the first book of the series and it was good but sometimes difficult to follow. Culling is an excellent follow up. Things made more sense, progressed logically. Loved the character Rose from the first book and was happy to see her back. Her role is critical but quite small here. We expect to see big things from her in book three. I really enjoyed Leadon. She is a character we will want to see grow into a big role as well. If you read Selfsame and were on the fence about book two, dont hesitate. It is well worth it.
October 13, 2020
An extraordinary piece of dystopian storytelling
“Culling” by Eden Wolfe is the second full-length installment in the “Lower Earth Rising” World (in which a prequel also exists) and follows seamlessly the events depicted on the previous installment (‘Selfsame’).
Queen Ariane has accessed the throne and reduced the former Queen Maeve to a forgotten advisor, which no power whatsoever. Queen Ariane, however, is no who she seems to be, she has a hidden agenda, ruling by mere wit and treats her subjects according with her own prejudices, some will be found worthy and thrive while others who are unworthy in her eyes, will straight out be killed out. Life in Lower Earth becomes a struggle between scientific truth and the will of the Queen, with the researchers at the Central Tower caught in the middle.
The situation escalates as the Queen order the termination of a whole generation on incubates. With thousands of lives in the balance, Leadon is torn between duty and conscience, but to save the future children he would have to achieve the impossible: unite the different fractions into a single fighting force.
Eden Wolfe writing style is both crisp and very elaborate, which could appear as a contradiction at first, works surprisingly well with the scope of the series, which offers a fresh new approach to dystopian tropes depicting a world that could horrifying enough become our future. This is original, knowledgeable, intelligent, all in one brilliant story, at barely under 400 pages, the action flows incessantly immersing the reader into the world of Lower Earth, fighting along the MCs and enjoying the ride while learning a couple of things about our own society in the process.
“Culling” by Eden Wolfe is the second full-length installment in the “Lower Earth Rising” World (in which a prequel also exists) and follows seamlessly the events depicted on the previous installment (‘Selfsame’).
Queen Ariane has accessed the throne and reduced the former Queen Maeve to a forgotten advisor, which no power whatsoever. Queen Ariane, however, is no who she seems to be, she has a hidden agenda, ruling by mere wit and treats her subjects according with her own prejudices, some will be found worthy and thrive while others who are unworthy in her eyes, will straight out be killed out. Life in Lower Earth becomes a struggle between scientific truth and the will of the Queen, with the researchers at the Central Tower caught in the middle.
The situation escalates as the Queen order the termination of a whole generation on incubates. With thousands of lives in the balance, Leadon is torn between duty and conscience, but to save the future children he would have to achieve the impossible: unite the different fractions into a single fighting force.
Eden Wolfe writing style is both crisp and very elaborate, which could appear as a contradiction at first, works surprisingly well with the scope of the series, which offers a fresh new approach to dystopian tropes depicting a world that could horrifying enough become our future. This is original, knowledgeable, intelligent, all in one brilliant story, at barely under 400 pages, the action flows incessantly immersing the reader into the world of Lower Earth, fighting along the MCs and enjoying the ride while learning a couple of things about our own society in the process.
December 26, 2020
As with Selfsame, I found myself immersed in this story. Ariane’s backstory leads to some unforeseen events in The Culling. The story takes us to other counties of Lower Earth and some new characters are introduced.
The whole genetic code element adds a little something extra to The Culling. They try to improve people to their specifications, but end up with unforeseen issues and others sneaking around to try to alleviate the problems.
The queen’s solution to cull people is........ click below for full review
https://latishaslowkeylife.com/review...
The whole genetic code element adds a little something extra to The Culling. They try to improve people to their specifications, but end up with unforeseen issues and others sneaking around to try to alleviate the problems.
The queen’s solution to cull people is........ click below for full review
https://latishaslowkeylife.com/review...
October 15, 2020
Still fascinating, but even more disturbing! 4 and 1/2 stars.
Faster paced than Selfsame (the first book in the Lower Earth Rising series), Culling is as fascinating as it is disturbing. As I find out more about this post-apocalyptic world, the idea that these things could happen is chilling. The plot twisted and turned, and the story kept my interest.
Overall, this book was a captivating read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book, and I'm leaving a voluntary review.
Faster paced than Selfsame (the first book in the Lower Earth Rising series), Culling is as fascinating as it is disturbing. As I find out more about this post-apocalyptic world, the idea that these things could happen is chilling. The plot twisted and turned, and the story kept my interest.
Overall, this book was a captivating read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book, and I'm leaving a voluntary review.
November 23, 2021
As more light is shed on different characters, pieces are starting to click together. Like the first book, this one ends with a cliffhanger- though this time I was prepared for it! Very well written.
After the first book I wasn't sure if I would read any further. I communicated with the author, and decided I was probably being too harsh and to give a second chance. I hoped more clarity would be forthcoming, and that the story didn't absolutely fall apart after the way first book ended. I'm very glad I kept going and am really really looking forward to seeing where everything gets settled in book three!!!
After the first book I wasn't sure if I would read any further. I communicated with the author, and decided I was probably being too harsh and to give a second chance. I hoped more clarity would be forthcoming, and that the story didn't absolutely fall apart after the way first book ended. I'm very glad I kept going and am really really looking forward to seeing where everything gets settled in book three!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews