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Canopy
See the girl in the trees.
In the lush treetops of the engineered North American forests, a community of climbers fear the cannibals roaming far below and cling to the teachings of their sacred text.
Sixteen-year-old Ostrya is the envy of her friends. She is training to be the canopy's next doctor. If only it didn't feel like such a burden.
But why is the forest so angry?
A cataclysmic storm wracks the canopy, jettisoning hundreds of climbers to early graves on the forest floor.
Those that survive face starvation and disease. Struggling to rebuild and relying on their new doctor, the climbers begin doubting Ostrya even more than she doubts herself.
Following mistake after mistake, Ostrya's patients dub her the Blight.
As the number of dead mounts, there is only one way to appease the forest. The Blight must be eradicated.
The doctor must die.
Catch her if you can.
In the lush treetops of the engineered North American forests, a community of climbers fear the cannibals roaming far below and cling to the teachings of their sacred text.
Sixteen-year-old Ostrya is the envy of her friends. She is training to be the canopy's next doctor. If only it didn't feel like such a burden.
But why is the forest so angry?
A cataclysmic storm wracks the canopy, jettisoning hundreds of climbers to early graves on the forest floor.
Those that survive face starvation and disease. Struggling to rebuild and relying on their new doctor, the climbers begin doubting Ostrya even more than she doubts herself.
Following mistake after mistake, Ostrya's patients dub her the Blight.
As the number of dead mounts, there is only one way to appease the forest. The Blight must be eradicated.
The doctor must die.
Catch her if you can.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2021
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 28, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After reading the synopsis, I knew this book would keep my attention until the very end. I love dystopian novels and seeing the different takes authors have on society and how it impacts the characters. I loved how D. M. Darroch seamlessly weaved the world’s history and mythology throughout the novel.
I thought the idea of the characters living in a genetically engineered forest high above the earth was ingenious! That is why I love reading dystopian novels. They all have a creative and unique situation brought on by an issue addressed later. As an outsider looking in, I had many questions when I first began reading. Slowly, the story takes shape through Ostrya’s perspective. Much like many 16-year-olds, Ostrya struggles to find her purpose in life other than becoming the community’s next doctor. But Ostrya questions her abilities and if she will live up to her family’s medical reputation. While climbing the trees, Ostrya often wonders if there is any danger on the ground below.
D. M. Darroch’s take on dystopia is unique and a breath of fresh air compared to other popular dystopian novels. Her world-building is extensive and will wrap you up in the story from beginning to end. I am excited to see what happens next for Ostrya.
After reading the synopsis, I knew this book would keep my attention until the very end. I love dystopian novels and seeing the different takes authors have on society and how it impacts the characters. I loved how D. M. Darroch seamlessly weaved the world’s history and mythology throughout the novel.
I thought the idea of the characters living in a genetically engineered forest high above the earth was ingenious! That is why I love reading dystopian novels. They all have a creative and unique situation brought on by an issue addressed later. As an outsider looking in, I had many questions when I first began reading. Slowly, the story takes shape through Ostrya’s perspective. Much like many 16-year-olds, Ostrya struggles to find her purpose in life other than becoming the community’s next doctor. But Ostrya questions her abilities and if she will live up to her family’s medical reputation. While climbing the trees, Ostrya often wonders if there is any danger on the ground below.
D. M. Darroch’s take on dystopia is unique and a breath of fresh air compared to other popular dystopian novels. Her world-building is extensive and will wrap you up in the story from beginning to end. I am excited to see what happens next for Ostrya.
February 4, 2021
Although Canopy is billed as dystopian, it’s also post-apocalyptic and the combination is one of my favorite kinds of science fiction. With both, the most crucial element is worldbuilding; it not only should be complex and thorough enough so the reader really understands this very different way of life but also entertaining enough to make the reader want to learn more. In my opinion, Ms. Darroch has let her imagination run and created one of the best settings I’ve read.
The author’s opening paragraph—having to do with spiders, of all things—let me know right away that I was in for an intriguing journey and, with each page, I was drawn in further. Imagine a world in which you never touch the ground, shoes are outlawed and genetic engineering has caused trees to become gigantic beings with the resulting increased oxygen production leading to the growth of lesser creatures that are six times the size of the same creatures generations earlier, before the devastating climate and health changes confronting humanity.
Of course, all is not perfect for the tree dwellers and there are people still living on the ground with all its challenges The teen-aged Ostrya, pre-ordained to become a doctor because it’s expected of her, is restless and insecure about her future, wanting to know about the world below…and so begins a most interesting and fascinating tale, one I raced through but didn’t really want to finish. This will go on my list of best books read in 2021 and Book 2 can’t come fast enough
The author’s opening paragraph—having to do with spiders, of all things—let me know right away that I was in for an intriguing journey and, with each page, I was drawn in further. Imagine a world in which you never touch the ground, shoes are outlawed and genetic engineering has caused trees to become gigantic beings with the resulting increased oxygen production leading to the growth of lesser creatures that are six times the size of the same creatures generations earlier, before the devastating climate and health changes confronting humanity.
Of course, all is not perfect for the tree dwellers and there are people still living on the ground with all its challenges The teen-aged Ostrya, pre-ordained to become a doctor because it’s expected of her, is restless and insecure about her future, wanting to know about the world below…and so begins a most interesting and fascinating tale, one I raced through but didn’t really want to finish. This will go on my list of best books read in 2021 and Book 2 can’t come fast enough
November 22, 2025
I found the world and core story intriguing but the pace ran flat for me. It wasnt a page turner but it was interesting and I did finish eventually. It wasnt one of those books I founf hard to put down -I would read a bit, move on to a different book and go back and read some more. So overall I liked it but not enough to continue the series
July 5, 2021
a good story that is diffrent enough to keep me happy to read this book I got this book for free and honest review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews