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What Lies Above #1
What Lies Above
Her city is her prison. His pain is his price.
Eva’s world is buried in secrets. No one talks about the Surface – the mysterious world above. But after Eva follows a dead man into the crypts, she finds more than a body. She finds the truth. The Surface isn’t a place of blue skies and star-lit nights like she always imagined. It’s a place of destruction and death. In her city, she is safe. But as more lies entangle her and as the people she loves begin slipping away, she discovers that life inside her city might be more dangerous than what lies above it.
Eli’s world is stained in blood. Traitors of a 40-year-long war are sent to a distant, frozen planet to die. Eli’s mother was one of the condemned. To avenge her death, he enlists in the Regime that killed her, vowing to destroy them from the inside. If he is discovered, his family will pay for it with their lives. But when he is tasked with punishing the very defiance he stands for, he must decide if avenging his mother is worth the blood on his hands.
When their worlds collide, Eva and Eli discover that they are both caught in the same trap. All they want is to save their families and escape their prisons.
But freedom is never free.
Eva’s world is buried in secrets. No one talks about the Surface – the mysterious world above. But after Eva follows a dead man into the crypts, she finds more than a body. She finds the truth. The Surface isn’t a place of blue skies and star-lit nights like she always imagined. It’s a place of destruction and death. In her city, she is safe. But as more lies entangle her and as the people she loves begin slipping away, she discovers that life inside her city might be more dangerous than what lies above it.
Eli’s world is stained in blood. Traitors of a 40-year-long war are sent to a distant, frozen planet to die. Eli’s mother was one of the condemned. To avenge her death, he enlists in the Regime that killed her, vowing to destroy them from the inside. If he is discovered, his family will pay for it with their lives. But when he is tasked with punishing the very defiance he stands for, he must decide if avenging his mother is worth the blood on his hands.
When their worlds collide, Eva and Eli discover that they are both caught in the same trap. All they want is to save their families and escape their prisons.
But freedom is never free.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2021
About the author
Caitlin Lambert
1 book111 followersCaitlin Lambert is an author of young adult sci-fi and fantasy. Growing up, she considered being a concert pianist, a nurse, and an astrophysicist, before she finally found her passion in education. She tried every extracurricular activity under the sun, but one thing was always constant... her writing. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains where she can be found teaching, reading, and adding endless destinations to her travel bucket list. Or quite possibly eating dark chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 52 reviews
January 17, 2022
I didn't want this book to end.
I was immediately swept up into this story. Everything about it so deep; the characters and their stories, the writing style. Caitlin writes with such richness and vivid beauty and emotion. There were so many lines that could be made into art and hung on a wall.
The journey of these characters hit me deep and I found myself caring for them deeply. Rooting for them, crying with them, wanting them to achieve what they longed for. And there were a couple plot twists in there that had me like 😱
I highly recommend this book, which has become my all-time favorite indie read.
Book 2 soon? ;)
I was immediately swept up into this story. Everything about it so deep; the characters and their stories, the writing style. Caitlin writes with such richness and vivid beauty and emotion. There were so many lines that could be made into art and hung on a wall.
The journey of these characters hit me deep and I found myself caring for them deeply. Rooting for them, crying with them, wanting them to achieve what they longed for. And there were a couple plot twists in there that had me like 😱
I highly recommend this book, which has become my all-time favorite indie read.
Book 2 soon? ;)
April 2, 2021
Thank you to Caitlin for sending me an ARC of her new book What Lies Above.
Power, Determination and Hope.
When I say I loved this book I really mean I loved it. I honestly feel like this book changed me. All the emotions I felt while reading this book just added to the amazing experience. I loved the alternating point of view chapters. It made me crave the next pages.
These last few days I have been living in 2 worlds. 1) my normal one of being chronically ill, 2) this debut novel that’s in a dystopian world. I felt the emotions. I truly felt like I was in this world. I sensed a little bit of some of my favorite books... Matched, Divergent, and Hunger Games. But this book is a whole new dystopian world of its own that I was just craving and rooting for them. Every page was gripping and interesting!
We think these Utopia worlds will be so good because the government is in charge but it’s actually all these secrets, rebelling feelings, and people wanting to be their own people not just a pawn in society.
When I first began this book I felt the gorgeous theatrical writing. It’s beautiful! I felt like I was in the story, not just reading it but living the story. Also, I felt delirious living in 2 worlds. My mom would ask me a question and I’d have to pause and come back to my reality. It’s good wow it’s good!!!
Jess is this powerful character. She’s disabled but yet more than her disability. Aw, I literally started crying over how much I could relate to her. Omg! I felt this character Jess so intensely. She’s a small character but I loved seeing the disability rep in his book.
All the stars!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Power, Determination and Hope.
When I say I loved this book I really mean I loved it. I honestly feel like this book changed me. All the emotions I felt while reading this book just added to the amazing experience. I loved the alternating point of view chapters. It made me crave the next pages.
These last few days I have been living in 2 worlds. 1) my normal one of being chronically ill, 2) this debut novel that’s in a dystopian world. I felt the emotions. I truly felt like I was in this world. I sensed a little bit of some of my favorite books... Matched, Divergent, and Hunger Games. But this book is a whole new dystopian world of its own that I was just craving and rooting for them. Every page was gripping and interesting!
We think these Utopia worlds will be so good because the government is in charge but it’s actually all these secrets, rebelling feelings, and people wanting to be their own people not just a pawn in society.
When I first began this book I felt the gorgeous theatrical writing. It’s beautiful! I felt like I was in the story, not just reading it but living the story. Also, I felt delirious living in 2 worlds. My mom would ask me a question and I’d have to pause and come back to my reality. It’s good wow it’s good!!!
Jess is this powerful character. She’s disabled but yet more than her disability. Aw, I literally started crying over how much I could relate to her. Omg! I felt this character Jess so intensely. She’s a small character but I loved seeing the disability rep in his book.
All the stars!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
September 2, 2021
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Lambert did a fantastic job with her debut. WLA gave me all the dystopian vibes I crave as a super fan of the genre! A secretive "governmental position" selection for kids, totalitarian control in a militaristic regime, a clandestine war, and well-woven lies - I devoured every word!
The dual POV was great! I connected to Eli and Eva in very different ways, and when their stories collided, it wasn't what I expected (but WOW!)
I don't want to give too much away, but READ THIS BOOK! Eva uncovers so many scary truths about her world, and Eli makes a sacrifice that changes the trajectory of his life. Eva and Eli are thrust into impossible circumstances and they have to make tough choices.
This is a MUST READ! Congrats to the author for a brilliant start to a nail-biting series.
The dual POV was great! I connected to Eli and Eva in very different ways, and when their stories collided, it wasn't what I expected (but WOW!)
I don't want to give too much away, but READ THIS BOOK! Eva uncovers so many scary truths about her world, and Eli makes a sacrifice that changes the trajectory of his life. Eva and Eli are thrust into impossible circumstances and they have to make tough choices.
This is a MUST READ! Congrats to the author for a brilliant start to a nail-biting series.
May 29, 2021
I’ve known about What Lies Above and the author, Caitlin Lambert for quite a while and was excited to read this twisty dystopian, as it’s one of my favorite genres due to the exploration of the worst of humanity and what those suffering will do when facing such horror. I love Lambert’s take on the genre, along with plot twists and emotional depth that kept me reading.
Lambert doesn’t hold back in how gruesome and vicious a government can be to their own citizens. While there’s blood and death and atrocities, it doesn’t get too graphic, probably on the level of The Hunger Games, suitable for teen readers. After the opening chapters, it goes at a fast pace, but there’s lots of depth and context in the story in what’s happening and why. The world is built well and I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface and there’s more to explore. And there are a lot of plot twists that come left and right throughout, and once you’re digested one, you’re moving onto the next and I never felt like I was stuck with the same reality for long. Even though I read a beta version in 2020 and knew nearly all of the big twists, it still surprised me in an emotional way. I also enjoyed the theming that you don’t have to take down a violent government with more violence, but it can be done with a kind and gentle heart.
Our two main characters, Eva and Eli, couldn’t be any different. Eva lives underground, always obeying the government, and leads with a gentle soul. But once she discovers a reason to distrust her rulers, she starts digging for answers. I love that despite seeing all of these horrible things, she doesn’t turn violent. Eli is working for a government he despises, but does it to protect his family, but as he’s trying to save his family, finds himself turning into a monster, battling between two sides of himself. I have to say Eva was my favorite, she’s trying to discover things while not darkening her heart and she has to fight so much toward that goal. The other characters are fleshed out with varied personalities. A special mention to Jess, who’s disabled and I felt she was developed well, had her own agency, arc and not just seen as an inspirational disabled person as seen so often. I love the emotions from all of these characters, not just the range, but the depth throughout the story.
That twist ending and epilogue got me and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to how this story continues!
Lambert doesn’t hold back in how gruesome and vicious a government can be to their own citizens. While there’s blood and death and atrocities, it doesn’t get too graphic, probably on the level of The Hunger Games, suitable for teen readers. After the opening chapters, it goes at a fast pace, but there’s lots of depth and context in the story in what’s happening and why. The world is built well and I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface and there’s more to explore. And there are a lot of plot twists that come left and right throughout, and once you’re digested one, you’re moving onto the next and I never felt like I was stuck with the same reality for long. Even though I read a beta version in 2020 and knew nearly all of the big twists, it still surprised me in an emotional way. I also enjoyed the theming that you don’t have to take down a violent government with more violence, but it can be done with a kind and gentle heart.
Our two main characters, Eva and Eli, couldn’t be any different. Eva lives underground, always obeying the government, and leads with a gentle soul. But once she discovers a reason to distrust her rulers, she starts digging for answers. I love that despite seeing all of these horrible things, she doesn’t turn violent. Eli is working for a government he despises, but does it to protect his family, but as he’s trying to save his family, finds himself turning into a monster, battling between two sides of himself. I have to say Eva was my favorite, she’s trying to discover things while not darkening her heart and she has to fight so much toward that goal. The other characters are fleshed out with varied personalities. A special mention to Jess, who’s disabled and I felt she was developed well, had her own agency, arc and not just seen as an inspirational disabled person as seen so often. I love the emotions from all of these characters, not just the range, but the depth throughout the story.
That twist ending and epilogue got me and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to how this story continues!
April 4, 2022
DNF. I made it to the start of Chapter 15 and realized I just didn't want to force myself through it any longer. I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't do it.
Since I did not finish this story, I cannot rate it in its entirety. Maybe things really took off after Chapter 15. Maybe it got better and I threw in the towel too early. Maybe my review isn't really worth anything since it's not complete, but I still feel the need to share a review of the things I did manage to make it through and give a reason as to why I ultimately gave up on this story.
Spoilers below.
The good parts:
1. The basic concept of the world, while not entirely original, was still interesting enough. Eva has lived underground as long as she can remember, in a small subterranean city called Subterra which is owned and operated by The Government (I don't believe it was ever given an actual name). The residents have all been told that the surface is not a habitable place to live, and that their underground city is the only viable option. Meanwhile, Eli lives above ground (gasp) in some kind of military-run base that forces local residents to work for Eider's Regime while war rages across the land. It reminds me of The Giver with bits of Hunger Games and Divergent thrown in.
2. There are elements of an unsolved mystery, and I love a good mystery. It keeps the reader guessing while the plot is driven forward.
The not so good parts:
1. I didn't care about Eva or Eli's characters at all. These are the book's two main perspective characters, and it's good for main characters to be flawed individuals with misconceptions about the world that they are forced to confront and change throughout the story's progression. However, these two were just downright unrelatable and unlikeable.
Eva has only ever known a government-run subterranean world, so she should probably be pretty desensitized to the way things operate within their little Petri dish of a society, right? No. From the very beginning, everything that happens is introduced through her eyes as though it's happening for the very first time, and then she repeats her newest revelation and questions it to herself again, and again, and again, and again. Every single Eva chapter essentially features a "previously on" segment where she rehashes everything that just happened in the prior chapter. It's boring. She is a boring person that doesn't make sense in her surroundings, which are also described as being very boring. And by the time she stumbles into her inciting incident, it falls flat for the reader because it's just as surprising to Eva as anything else that's happened so far, rendering it forgettable. But don't worry, you won't actually forget it, because Eva will bring it up 5,000 more times in the next chapter, and the one after that, and the one after that, without ever really doing anything about it.
Meanwhile, Eli has spent some length of time (I think a few years) infiltrating Eider's military under the guise of a dedicated super solider in order to get revenge on The Government for hurting his family. He is supposed to be one of the best soldiers the military has for no particular reason other than he just is. Like Eva, Eli is a broken record. Every single Eli chapter features a paragraph or five about how he's doing this all for his family, how The Government killed his mom, and how much he hates being one of The Governments tools even though he has no choice. He has no interesting qualities, no plan for how he will actually go about getting revenge for his mom, no emotional ties to his past that make the reader really sympathize with him, no friends, no one to help him drive the plot forward. He just sucks.
2. The dystopian world that these characters live in is so poorly fleshed out that it feels completely empty. It's fine if the author chooses to set her characters in a sterile government building or a dark, shadowy cave, but there has to be more than just bland descriptions of white walls and single light bulbs in order to make it feel real. What is the society like? Do they have classes of wealth or power? What do the characters think they know about their government? It is always watching them through cameras or enforcers? For the love of the stars, what is the weather like? Give me something! Anything!
3. This scene which reads like a joke but I'm pretty sure the author intended for it to be very serious:
My breath catches in my throat. Traced all over the paper in swirling ink is an image, depicting...something. I don't know exactly what it is. There is nothing like this in Subterra.
It has a smooth, curved back and coarse hair hanging down over its side. The two front legs are reared up into the air, and it balances on its two muscular back ones. Beneath the sketch is a word, or maybe it's a name. Horse.
"Horse." I say the word out loud and listen to the way it echoes in the room. The word feels strange on my tongue, but I like it. A thrill of excitement runs through me. "Horse."
4. All interactions with secondary characters were painfully awkward. Eva and Eli have no chemistry with anyone. Eva progresses through some of the strangest interactions with her own mother and Aaden, her best friend/crush/surrogate brother. Eli interacts with other people like he's an alien from another planet attempting to convince the local population that he is in fact a fellow human being, and a very cool nonchalant definitely-not-still-brooding-about-his-family one at that. A lot of this is due to the fact that these characters are not fleshed out properly. Their actions and reactions feel impulsive, unpredictable, and disjointed. Too much telling, not enough showing.
Overall, this wasn't the story for me. Writing a book is hard. It's even harder to come up with a completely unique idea in a very well-known genre. Finding the balance between new and familiar while dancing around tropes, cliches, and plot holes is tough. I struggled to see where this book succeeded in that dance.
Books are like music, everyone has their own tastes and preferences. A life-changing album for one person might be an absolute headache for another. That's what makes the world so diverse and exciting. This book has lots of positive reviews and has clearly reached an audience that enjoys and appreciates it for what it is. I'm sad I couldn't make it through to the end, but happy that other people have found this author's work and discovered a book that lights that fire of excitement that we all look for when picking up a new story.
Since I did not finish this story, I cannot rate it in its entirety. Maybe things really took off after Chapter 15. Maybe it got better and I threw in the towel too early. Maybe my review isn't really worth anything since it's not complete, but I still feel the need to share a review of the things I did manage to make it through and give a reason as to why I ultimately gave up on this story.
Spoilers below.
The good parts:
1. The basic concept of the world, while not entirely original, was still interesting enough. Eva has lived underground as long as she can remember, in a small subterranean city called Subterra which is owned and operated by The Government (I don't believe it was ever given an actual name). The residents have all been told that the surface is not a habitable place to live, and that their underground city is the only viable option. Meanwhile, Eli lives above ground (gasp) in some kind of military-run base that forces local residents to work for Eider's Regime while war rages across the land. It reminds me of The Giver with bits of Hunger Games and Divergent thrown in.
2. There are elements of an unsolved mystery, and I love a good mystery. It keeps the reader guessing while the plot is driven forward.
The not so good parts:
1. I didn't care about Eva or Eli's characters at all. These are the book's two main perspective characters, and it's good for main characters to be flawed individuals with misconceptions about the world that they are forced to confront and change throughout the story's progression. However, these two were just downright unrelatable and unlikeable.
Eva has only ever known a government-run subterranean world, so she should probably be pretty desensitized to the way things operate within their little Petri dish of a society, right? No. From the very beginning, everything that happens is introduced through her eyes as though it's happening for the very first time, and then she repeats her newest revelation and questions it to herself again, and again, and again, and again. Every single Eva chapter essentially features a "previously on" segment where she rehashes everything that just happened in the prior chapter. It's boring. She is a boring person that doesn't make sense in her surroundings, which are also described as being very boring. And by the time she stumbles into her inciting incident, it falls flat for the reader because it's just as surprising to Eva as anything else that's happened so far, rendering it forgettable. But don't worry, you won't actually forget it, because Eva will bring it up 5,000 more times in the next chapter, and the one after that, and the one after that, without ever really doing anything about it.
Meanwhile, Eli has spent some length of time (I think a few years) infiltrating Eider's military under the guise of a dedicated super solider in order to get revenge on The Government for hurting his family. He is supposed to be one of the best soldiers the military has for no particular reason other than he just is. Like Eva, Eli is a broken record. Every single Eli chapter features a paragraph or five about how he's doing this all for his family, how The Government killed his mom, and how much he hates being one of The Governments tools even though he has no choice. He has no interesting qualities, no plan for how he will actually go about getting revenge for his mom, no emotional ties to his past that make the reader really sympathize with him, no friends, no one to help him drive the plot forward. He just sucks.
2. The dystopian world that these characters live in is so poorly fleshed out that it feels completely empty. It's fine if the author chooses to set her characters in a sterile government building or a dark, shadowy cave, but there has to be more than just bland descriptions of white walls and single light bulbs in order to make it feel real. What is the society like? Do they have classes of wealth or power? What do the characters think they know about their government? It is always watching them through cameras or enforcers? For the love of the stars, what is the weather like? Give me something! Anything!
3. This scene which reads like a joke but I'm pretty sure the author intended for it to be very serious:
My breath catches in my throat. Traced all over the paper in swirling ink is an image, depicting...something. I don't know exactly what it is. There is nothing like this in Subterra.
It has a smooth, curved back and coarse hair hanging down over its side. The two front legs are reared up into the air, and it balances on its two muscular back ones. Beneath the sketch is a word, or maybe it's a name. Horse.
"Horse." I say the word out loud and listen to the way it echoes in the room. The word feels strange on my tongue, but I like it. A thrill of excitement runs through me. "Horse."
4. All interactions with secondary characters were painfully awkward. Eva and Eli have no chemistry with anyone. Eva progresses through some of the strangest interactions with her own mother and Aaden, her best friend/crush/surrogate brother. Eli interacts with other people like he's an alien from another planet attempting to convince the local population that he is in fact a fellow human being, and a very cool nonchalant definitely-not-still-brooding-about-his-family one at that. A lot of this is due to the fact that these characters are not fleshed out properly. Their actions and reactions feel impulsive, unpredictable, and disjointed. Too much telling, not enough showing.
Overall, this wasn't the story for me. Writing a book is hard. It's even harder to come up with a completely unique idea in a very well-known genre. Finding the balance between new and familiar while dancing around tropes, cliches, and plot holes is tough. I struggled to see where this book succeeded in that dance.
Books are like music, everyone has their own tastes and preferences. A life-changing album for one person might be an absolute headache for another. That's what makes the world so diverse and exciting. This book has lots of positive reviews and has clearly reached an audience that enjoys and appreciates it for what it is. I'm sad I couldn't make it through to the end, but happy that other people have found this author's work and discovered a book that lights that fire of excitement that we all look for when picking up a new story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2021
As a fan of dystopian fiction, I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of this book so thank you very much to the author.
For fans of The Hunger Games/Uglies/Matched - I would highly recommend this book. Whilst it could be compared to these books in the sense of dystopian worlds, governments and high stakes - the plot is totally unique.
From the very first page I was pulled into the story and the multiple POV really worked. I was guessing as to how the characters would collide and even when I did learn the connection - I was totally shocked! The book kept me guessing throughout with the high stakes and strong twists and turns but loose ends were tied up nicely towards the end (which is why I have given five stars) Sub-Terra is a world so different to the real world but I turned the final page feeling like I had really been there. I do feel there is room for a sequel and I would love to follow these characters on the next step of their journey.
I also would like to add that the disability representation was done beautifully in my opinion. I don’t see this often enough in books and it was so refreshing to meet Jess.
What a brilliant debut from a talented new author!
For fans of The Hunger Games/Uglies/Matched - I would highly recommend this book. Whilst it could be compared to these books in the sense of dystopian worlds, governments and high stakes - the plot is totally unique.
From the very first page I was pulled into the story and the multiple POV really worked. I was guessing as to how the characters would collide and even when I did learn the connection - I was totally shocked! The book kept me guessing throughout with the high stakes and strong twists and turns but loose ends were tied up nicely towards the end (which is why I have given five stars) Sub-Terra is a world so different to the real world but I turned the final page feeling like I had really been there. I do feel there is room for a sequel and I would love to follow these characters on the next step of their journey.
I also would like to add that the disability representation was done beautifully in my opinion. I don’t see this often enough in books and it was so refreshing to meet Jess.
What a brilliant debut from a talented new author!
April 7, 2021
What lies above Review 📚
I was kindly gifted an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review and comments on a disabled rep.
I was hooked from the very first page. It is a dystopian novel with many twists and turns. It reminded me of Matched and more subtlety of divergent/hunger games. Multiple POV really have become my fave recently as its add so much depth to a story, it is particularly effective in this book.
It had many tropes that I love such as found family and a morally grey character. The underestimation of the girl, really gave the book some grit and echoed the sad reality many face.
It was quite fast paced, packed with tense moments and lots of twists. The beautiful descriptions and the dialogue surrounding grief made it a very poignant read.
Overall, it was an emotional and empowering read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was kindly gifted an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review and comments on a disabled rep.
I was hooked from the very first page. It is a dystopian novel with many twists and turns. It reminded me of Matched and more subtlety of divergent/hunger games. Multiple POV really have become my fave recently as its add so much depth to a story, it is particularly effective in this book.
It had many tropes that I love such as found family and a morally grey character. The underestimation of the girl, really gave the book some grit and echoed the sad reality many face.
It was quite fast paced, packed with tense moments and lots of twists. The beautiful descriptions and the dialogue surrounding grief made it a very poignant read.
Overall, it was an emotional and empowering read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 21, 2022
For me to just say I really liked this book is not enough.
But for now, that’s all the words I have.
The connection I felt with Eli, I don’t know, it’s not often I feel a very deep connection to a book character but his inner thoughts and heart were mine.
He’s not just a bookish boyfriend, he’s become a part of me and I truly can’t wait for the next installment of WLA, okay, I can’t wait to read more about Eli but I’m still also fascinated with this world and the lies, betrayal and intrigue that it pulled me into!!!
And for me, a deep loather of literary females to not hate Eva is just a bonus! *covers face* I did actually like her, to say love would be overstepping it, but I liked her.
But for now, that’s all the words I have.
The connection I felt with Eli, I don’t know, it’s not often I feel a very deep connection to a book character but his inner thoughts and heart were mine.
He’s not just a bookish boyfriend, he’s become a part of me and I truly can’t wait for the next installment of WLA, okay, I can’t wait to read more about Eli but I’m still also fascinated with this world and the lies, betrayal and intrigue that it pulled me into!!!
And for me, a deep loather of literary females to not hate Eva is just a bonus! *covers face* I did actually like her, to say love would be overstepping it, but I liked her.
May 31, 2022
WHAT. A. STORY. I now need a strong cup of tea and some time to breathe and recover.
This book has been on my TBR for a year, and after reading it, it gets to join the elite rank of books that have emotionally wreaked me in the best way possible. (And that is no easy feat!)
The world building was out of this world. (*smirks*) You could tell the amount of effort and thought that the author put into it. Absolutely incredible!
Sci-fi/fantasy aren’t my usual go-to genres, and yet I keep finding myself falling in love with books in those categories. The whole concept of this book was spine-tingling and intriguing, and it kept pulling me in. Plus, the plot twists were exceptional.
As for the characters, ahhhh, my heart was breaking so many times. Eva and Eli are great MCs, and I love the dual POV. There’s a lot of introspection that goes on, but I didn’t find it too much. Then there’s Aaden…I loved this guy and was totally not okay with what happened. Okay, and Joel, Jess, Amara, and Liam?! Love them!
On a side note, Caitlin did a great job representing Jess as disabled. As someone who has a disability, it was refreshing in a sense to see it realistically depicted in fiction.
The battle of light and darkness, hope and despair, truth and lies is so captivating and well done. Everything about this story is just so beautiful.
I wanted to devour this book, but it was emotionally wreaking so it took me a while to get though in little bits at a time. Even now that I’m finished with it, I just don’t have words to convey all my feelings over this book.
Thank you so much for this book, Caitlin! Eagerly awaiting book 2!!
This book has been on my TBR for a year, and after reading it, it gets to join the elite rank of books that have emotionally wreaked me in the best way possible. (And that is no easy feat!)
The world building was out of this world. (*smirks*) You could tell the amount of effort and thought that the author put into it. Absolutely incredible!
Sci-fi/fantasy aren’t my usual go-to genres, and yet I keep finding myself falling in love with books in those categories. The whole concept of this book was spine-tingling and intriguing, and it kept pulling me in. Plus, the plot twists were exceptional.
As for the characters, ahhhh, my heart was breaking so many times. Eva and Eli are great MCs, and I love the dual POV. There’s a lot of introspection that goes on, but I didn’t find it too much. Then there’s Aaden…I loved this guy and was totally not okay with what happened. Okay, and Joel, Jess, Amara, and Liam?! Love them!
On a side note, Caitlin did a great job representing Jess as disabled. As someone who has a disability, it was refreshing in a sense to see it realistically depicted in fiction.
The battle of light and darkness, hope and despair, truth and lies is so captivating and well done. Everything about this story is just so beautiful.
I wanted to devour this book, but it was emotionally wreaking so it took me a while to get though in little bits at a time. Even now that I’m finished with it, I just don’t have words to convey all my feelings over this book.
Thank you so much for this book, Caitlin! Eagerly awaiting book 2!!
April 20, 2021
Thank you so much to Caitlin for kindly sent me this Advanced Readers Copy of What Lies above.
Instantly upon reading I was please to discover it to be Dystopian (I love a good dystopian read) and I got vibes of like Shatter Me meets Divergent meets Hunger Games. So many twists and turns. A story of survival of physical and and emotional self discovery.
I loved the characters and was gripped from the get go by the wide range or characters and background and situations. It made for a very well written and fast paced story.
And can we also just talk about the Disability representation! I mean, finally. The fact that Caitlin portrayed a character with a disability but not limited in strength, power, sass, intelligence, definitely won me over. So thank you Caitlin for making this happen.
Would definitely recommend to fantasy and Dystopian lovers and to those seeking books with more disability representation.
Instantly upon reading I was please to discover it to be Dystopian (I love a good dystopian read) and I got vibes of like Shatter Me meets Divergent meets Hunger Games. So many twists and turns. A story of survival of physical and and emotional self discovery.
I loved the characters and was gripped from the get go by the wide range or characters and background and situations. It made for a very well written and fast paced story.
And can we also just talk about the Disability representation! I mean, finally. The fact that Caitlin portrayed a character with a disability but not limited in strength, power, sass, intelligence, definitely won me over. So thank you Caitlin for making this happen.
Would definitely recommend to fantasy and Dystopian lovers and to those seeking books with more disability representation.
July 22, 2021
I will admit that I wasn't sure what I would think about this book. It's definitely not my usual genre. But let me tell you, this book rocked my world this week.
I preordered this book not knowing the highs and lows this road would take me on. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, the path would do a 180 degree turn or veer left.
It's a story of hope and freedom and sacrifice. Raw and emotional. And I can't wait for book two.
I preordered this book not knowing the highs and lows this road would take me on. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, the path would do a 180 degree turn or veer left.
It's a story of hope and freedom and sacrifice. Raw and emotional. And I can't wait for book two.
May 29, 2021
This book had me hooked in the first chapter! I love the characters and the world that was created. Fighting for the truth and fighting against what everyone expects of you is one of my favorite tropes. This book was amazingly well written and the story was so well crafted. I loved it!
April 4, 2025
I’ll start with a disclaimer that dystopian hasn’t really been my thing for a while. I used to love it, but I feel like far too often, dystopian books start with a fantastic premise but the story that follows doesn’t live up to the premise. Unfortunately, this book fits into that category.
It had a very interesting and I would even say unique premise, but it never really hooked me.
We alternate between 2 POVs, Eva and Eli. Right away, Eli’s character was far more interesting, but he actually got about 28% of the book (113/398 pages). It wasn’t even that Eli got too little time, it’s actually that most of Eva’s early chapters felt slow and uninteresting.
I will say that I really appreciated how the storylines came together. Unfortunately for me, they came together far too late.
The biggest issues were pacing and that Eva’s character just didn’t work for me.
I hate to say all that because the writing was good. I felt like the author did a good job with writing quality. The world created was very interesting and the way it was described was good.
I hope the author keeps writing but maybe gets a little more developmental feedback. She clearly has some great stories to tell.
It had a very interesting and I would even say unique premise, but it never really hooked me.
We alternate between 2 POVs, Eva and Eli. Right away, Eli’s character was far more interesting, but he actually got about 28% of the book (113/398 pages). It wasn’t even that Eli got too little time, it’s actually that most of Eva’s early chapters felt slow and uninteresting.
I will say that I really appreciated how the storylines came together. Unfortunately for me, they came together far too late.
The biggest issues were pacing and that Eva’s character just didn’t work for me.
I hate to say all that because the writing was good. I felt like the author did a good job with writing quality. The world created was very interesting and the way it was described was good.
I hope the author keeps writing but maybe gets a little more developmental feedback. She clearly has some great stories to tell.
December 28, 2021
What Lies Above is the best dystopian since The Hunger Games. I did not want to put this book down! The pacing was excellent; the story kept me engaged; and the characters became new friends who felt like old ones. I loved the twist toward the end and didn't even see it coming! I also appreciated the depth of emotion and internal and moral conflict that comes through as the story progresses. This is a series I cannot wait to continue.
Want to Read
March 19, 2022Addicted to YA, Dystopia theme BOTM for March 2022.
March 23, 2022
Not only does this book have exquisite imagery and character development, but it has suspense, plot twists, intrigue, complexity, and conflict. You’ll immediately feel so drawn into the story and each character’s point of view and personal struggles. You won’t be able to put it down; really phenomenal. Highly recommend and can’t wait to read book 2!
March 4, 2022
I absolutely loved this! Caitlin has such a way with words. She pulls you in to the story and makes you feel like you’re right there talking with the characters. I love seeing their thoughts, who they really are. They are well-rounded and realistic (like Eva, a main character). The society is a cool concept, really just all of the world building. While I was able to guess one of the twists, there were plenty of others that had me gasping out loud. I would 100% recommend it!
February 18, 2022
The BEST YA fiction I’ve read in a really long time!
YA is my favorite genre but I’m picky, haha! This book was so well written, so intriguing, and so unique. The characters had depth, the plot was incredible, and the setting was believable. I seriously can’t wait for #2!!!
It felt a lot like the Matched series but I personally enjoyed this way more. I felt like the story had much more depth to it whereas Matched focused mostly on the love triangle. So if you enjoyed Matched, you’ll LOVE this!
YA is my favorite genre but I’m picky, haha! This book was so well written, so intriguing, and so unique. The characters had depth, the plot was incredible, and the setting was believable. I seriously can’t wait for #2!!!
It felt a lot like the Matched series but I personally enjoyed this way more. I felt like the story had much more depth to it whereas Matched focused mostly on the love triangle. So if you enjoyed Matched, you’ll LOVE this!
July 13, 2021
I recently read the debut novel from Caitlin Lambert – What Lies Above. It is a YA Dystopian/ Sci-fi novel. People who enjoyed the Hunger Games and Divergent should definitely check it out.
It follows two main characters, Eva, who lives in Subterra, a land full of deadly secrets below ground where no one ever talks about the surface, and Eli, a young man who has joined the regime he despises in an attempt to protect his family, and avenge his mother’s death at their hands.
First of all, the novel is very well written. Lambert has a beautiful, lyrical voice and her descriptions are superb. It is a very easy to read book due to the author’s skill with words. Grief is a major theme in the book and again the author has broached it extremely well.
On the whole the plot was very fast paced, apart from a small portion not too long after the beginning action where I personally felt the main character spent just a bit too much time questioning everything but not really doing anything. However, that could also be due to the fact that I didn’t connect with Eva, but it was never enough for me to want to put the book down, in fact I flew through the second half, once all the doubting stopped and the real action started.
There are many twists and turns in the book, but unfortunately two of the major ones I was able to guess from very early on, which did somewhat hamper the enjoyment of what is actually a thrilling ride.
Although personally I felt this book was not for me, it was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to others. This is where I wish the reviewing systems gave half stars as I would actually give it 3.5 stars.
I feel there is a lot more to come in this carefully planned and beautifully written world and it will be interesting to see where the story goes.
It follows two main characters, Eva, who lives in Subterra, a land full of deadly secrets below ground where no one ever talks about the surface, and Eli, a young man who has joined the regime he despises in an attempt to protect his family, and avenge his mother’s death at their hands.
First of all, the novel is very well written. Lambert has a beautiful, lyrical voice and her descriptions are superb. It is a very easy to read book due to the author’s skill with words. Grief is a major theme in the book and again the author has broached it extremely well.
On the whole the plot was very fast paced, apart from a small portion not too long after the beginning action where I personally felt the main character spent just a bit too much time questioning everything but not really doing anything. However, that could also be due to the fact that I didn’t connect with Eva, but it was never enough for me to want to put the book down, in fact I flew through the second half, once all the doubting stopped and the real action started.
There are many twists and turns in the book, but unfortunately two of the major ones I was able to guess from very early on, which did somewhat hamper the enjoyment of what is actually a thrilling ride.
Although personally I felt this book was not for me, it was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to others. This is where I wish the reviewing systems gave half stars as I would actually give it 3.5 stars.
I feel there is a lot more to come in this carefully planned and beautifully written world and it will be interesting to see where the story goes.
January 14, 2026
Non-spoiler based review! I was given an Arc for an honest review✨
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What Lies Above by @authorcaitlinlambert captured me from the very beginning! When I started reading, I read two chapters, and found myself thinking about the book the rest of the day, wondering when I would have time to pick it back up and start reading again!
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This Sci-Fi/Dystopian style novel alternates between two POV’s, Eva and Eli. I found myself immediately captured by Eli’s perspective because he is so relatable, whereas Eva is more of the bold and get answer types.
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Eva lives under the surface with her mother where you give your life to the government and they give you a purpose, but when things don’t start adding up, and cracks in the foundation (figuratively speaking) start to show, Eva makes it her mission to find out the truth.
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Eli left his family to join the people he and his family despise most in the world, to keep them safe. His inner dialogue is so understandable that you can’t help but root for him and the struggles he goes through.
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This book gave me ‘Red Rising’ vibes in the sense of the setting being outer space, a system that tries to oppress its people under pretenses of saving them, and main characters who want to rise above and bring change.
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This book had me hooked from start to finish and everytime I thought I knew what was gonna happen, I was proven wrong! If this isn’t on your TBR you should add it ASAP! I believe Caitlin may have some signed copies available for purchase with pre order goodies in her shop!
.
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What Lies Above by @authorcaitlinlambert captured me from the very beginning! When I started reading, I read two chapters, and found myself thinking about the book the rest of the day, wondering when I would have time to pick it back up and start reading again!
.
.
This Sci-Fi/Dystopian style novel alternates between two POV’s, Eva and Eli. I found myself immediately captured by Eli’s perspective because he is so relatable, whereas Eva is more of the bold and get answer types.
.
.
Eva lives under the surface with her mother where you give your life to the government and they give you a purpose, but when things don’t start adding up, and cracks in the foundation (figuratively speaking) start to show, Eva makes it her mission to find out the truth.
.
.
Eli left his family to join the people he and his family despise most in the world, to keep them safe. His inner dialogue is so understandable that you can’t help but root for him and the struggles he goes through.
.
.
This book gave me ‘Red Rising’ vibes in the sense of the setting being outer space, a system that tries to oppress its people under pretenses of saving them, and main characters who want to rise above and bring change.
.
.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and everytime I thought I knew what was gonna happen, I was proven wrong! If this isn’t on your TBR you should add it ASAP! I believe Caitlin may have some signed copies available for purchase with pre order goodies in her shop!
June 6, 2021
"Eva West, do not think for a second that you don't know who you are. You may not know how you came to be here or what you are supposed to do each day you wake up, but never lose sight of what you believe. And what you believe in. It's all you have. You believe in things that can't just be taught. Family, love, trust. That is what you believe in. That is who you are. Hold onto it. It is the people you think of when you are lonely or scared. The ones you think of when you lay on your back and stare up into the darkness and just wonder. It is those people you love. Those people you hold onto."
What Lies Above was such a good book! It's an edge-of-your-seat story with a super shady government and just like Eva and Eli, you are constantly questioning what is truly happening. The world building was really good and it's an interesting dystopian world. The story is definitely a slow build but once you hit the reveals to the twists and turns, the buildup is absolutely worth it. I did kind of guess the couple big reveals but seeing them play out was still so satisfying.
Eva and Eli are both great main characters. They're brave in different ways and both so full of courage and hope. They're in terrible situations but I really admired how courageous they were. I loved their different motivations and how their arcs developed.
I really enjoyed this book, and the world and characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!
What Lies Above was such a good book! It's an edge-of-your-seat story with a super shady government and just like Eva and Eli, you are constantly questioning what is truly happening. The world building was really good and it's an interesting dystopian world. The story is definitely a slow build but once you hit the reveals to the twists and turns, the buildup is absolutely worth it. I did kind of guess the couple big reveals but seeing them play out was still so satisfying.
Eva and Eli are both great main characters. They're brave in different ways and both so full of courage and hope. They're in terrible situations but I really admired how courageous they were. I loved their different motivations and how their arcs developed.
I really enjoyed this book, and the world and characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!
July 10, 2021
I just finished this beautiful masterpiece last night, and let me tell you, I was NOT ready for it to end. Soo thankful there’s more of the story to come!
Eva and Eli’s struggles, pain, and journey were incredible. It was not only a story about some people who want to find answers, but two broken people, very much like you and me, who want to see the world beautiful and whole despite the heartbreak they’ve experienced.
WLA is truly one of my favorite books of all time. The plot is so intricately woven, the characters so incredibly clear and real, and most important, the message that there is hope in the brokenness. There is light in and after the darkness. That message is one I needed to hear.
I think that this book is one that has the power to open hearts and let them grieve but also give them hope that there can be a better world. For us, for others, and for the ones we love.
Eva and Eli’s struggles, pain, and journey were incredible. It was not only a story about some people who want to find answers, but two broken people, very much like you and me, who want to see the world beautiful and whole despite the heartbreak they’ve experienced.
WLA is truly one of my favorite books of all time. The plot is so intricately woven, the characters so incredibly clear and real, and most important, the message that there is hope in the brokenness. There is light in and after the darkness. That message is one I needed to hear.
I think that this book is one that has the power to open hearts and let them grieve but also give them hope that there can be a better world. For us, for others, and for the ones we love.
July 27, 2021
What Lies Above introduces us to a well developed world and system and then we watch as Eva and Eli slowly start to uncover all that it means to live in this place. There are secrets and dangers awaiting them, connections to make and people to lose and throughout the novel, with their POVs separate, I kept wondering how exactly these two would connect. Spoilers: it’s intense.
There are some majors questions and cliffhangers, throughout and at the end of the novel, there are romances beginning to brew, and book two is likely to be just as intense as book one so prepare yourself.
Ps. If you have a tendency toward skimming, do yourself a favor and don’t. There is so much going on in this novel and I found myself backtracking a lot like a fool 😅
There are some majors questions and cliffhangers, throughout and at the end of the novel, there are romances beginning to brew, and book two is likely to be just as intense as book one so prepare yourself.
Ps. If you have a tendency toward skimming, do yourself a favor and don’t. There is so much going on in this novel and I found myself backtracking a lot like a fool 😅
October 14, 2021
The prose in this book is gorgeous. I loved how the author used more poetic language for descriptions than I'm used to reading in books.
I enjoyed the alternating POVs and was getting nervous as I was nearing the end of the book, because of all the things the characters were learning. There weren't enough pages to tie it all in a bow! This just means I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book that continues the story.
I'm very impressed by the quality of story telling in this book and I'm glad the author advocated for her story for so long, to ensure it got out into the world and into the hands of readers.
I enjoyed the alternating POVs and was getting nervous as I was nearing the end of the book, because of all the things the characters were learning. There weren't enough pages to tie it all in a bow! This just means I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book that continues the story.
I'm very impressed by the quality of story telling in this book and I'm glad the author advocated for her story for so long, to ensure it got out into the world and into the hands of readers.
July 30, 2021
This book hits ALL the right notes. If you like Hunger Games, The Giver, and City of Ember...this is the book for you. It is intense and real without being full of profanity, sex, and gratuitous violence. It has so many plot twists, awesome character development, action, and interesting places. The romance isn't cheesy. I also adore that disability is represented so well. I highly highly recommend it. ❤
July 9, 2021
I couldn’t put this down. The two stories of Eva and Eli started off separate from one another yet as time progressed, the intensity rose and their stories were thrust together. It was a great Sci-Fi Dystopian action book that I recommend if you love the Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. But with a redemptive twist.
August 27, 2021
Once you understand the characters and the settings, this is a wonderful book to get lost in!
February 26, 2025
I want to start with the positives: the author is a fantastic writer. The prose flows like water and my goodness can that be hard to come by in the world of self-publishing. There were actual paragraphs I would stop and reread because I was so impressed by the poetry of the authors writing. If I had been rating this novel solely off its prose, I'd give it 5 stars.
But, unfortunately, that's not how it works. The author may be a good writer, but that's not the same thing as being a good storyteller. And unfortunately, I did not think this novel's story was very good.
First of all, the worldbuilding. It was really lacking. Every location in this world felt so... empty and monotonous. I understand that sometimes this is an intentional choice meant to evoke a sense of mystery, and that would make sense for some parts of this story's world, since even the characters don't understand what's going on around them. Not to mention that living under an oppressive regime would probably result in a lack of culture. But the problem is that even the places the characters call home, the places they have known for years, even decades, are described in this incredibly sterile manner. I was not invested in the world at all. I had no idea what the government was up to, why there was a war, why they were lying about multiple planets, and while I understand the author might be saving all that info for the sequel, there wasn't enough to ground me in this story's world to care about how it may grow/evolve in the sequel. Not to mention that this book also does that YA novel thing where nouns are capitalized to make them sound extra intimidating (the Government, the Regime, the Physicians, etc). It's not wrong, exactly, but as someone who grew up in the Hunger Games/Divergent/Maze Runner era, I'm tired of it, and honestly, with how competitive the YA/sci-fi/dystopia genre is, I think it's important be a bit more creative when it comes to worldbuilding so you can stand out as an author.
As for the characters- they weren't offensive by any means, don't get me wrong, but, I found their inner monologues to be quite repetitive. I think this book could have been 30 pages shorter if they hadn't gotten stuck in so many instances of cyclical thinking. I also found some of their relationships to be underdeveloped. Like, towards the beginning of the novel, we're told Eva and Aaden were best friends, but we rarely saw them together? Like, I was not convinced. If anything, Amara seemed to fit that role a lot better. I also feel like Eva's dynamic with Liam did not get enough room to grow into the implied romance they had going on towards the end. I still thought it was cute, since gosh darnit these characters needed to catch a break! But from an objective standpoint I did not think they had enough time together.
Which brings me to my final and biggest gripe. The pacing. 80% of this novel's plot happens in the last 40% of the book, which made the book drag a lot for the first half. I really wish Eva and Liam getting banished to the surface had occurred during the 1/3 mark because it would have really helped maintain the pace.
I really wanted to give this novel at least 3 stars, but I just don't think I can do it in good conscious. To me, a 2.5 is a middle-of-the-road story, so 3 stars would mean I think the story is above average, which I unfortunately don't. That being said, I don't think the novel is below average either. Had I the option, I'd probably give it 2.5 stars.
Overall, I think the author has potential, but too much of this story felt surface level in terms of its ideas. I'd love to see the author push herself more creatively, and wish her the best with future projects. God bless.
But, unfortunately, that's not how it works. The author may be a good writer, but that's not the same thing as being a good storyteller. And unfortunately, I did not think this novel's story was very good.
First of all, the worldbuilding. It was really lacking. Every location in this world felt so... empty and monotonous. I understand that sometimes this is an intentional choice meant to evoke a sense of mystery, and that would make sense for some parts of this story's world, since even the characters don't understand what's going on around them. Not to mention that living under an oppressive regime would probably result in a lack of culture. But the problem is that even the places the characters call home, the places they have known for years, even decades, are described in this incredibly sterile manner. I was not invested in the world at all. I had no idea what the government was up to, why there was a war, why they were lying about multiple planets, and while I understand the author might be saving all that info for the sequel, there wasn't enough to ground me in this story's world to care about how it may grow/evolve in the sequel. Not to mention that this book also does that YA novel thing where nouns are capitalized to make them sound extra intimidating (the Government, the Regime, the Physicians, etc). It's not wrong, exactly, but as someone who grew up in the Hunger Games/Divergent/Maze Runner era, I'm tired of it, and honestly, with how competitive the YA/sci-fi/dystopia genre is, I think it's important be a bit more creative when it comes to worldbuilding so you can stand out as an author.
As for the characters- they weren't offensive by any means, don't get me wrong, but, I found their inner monologues to be quite repetitive. I think this book could have been 30 pages shorter if they hadn't gotten stuck in so many instances of cyclical thinking. I also found some of their relationships to be underdeveloped. Like, towards the beginning of the novel, we're told Eva and Aaden were best friends, but we rarely saw them together? Like, I was not convinced. If anything, Amara seemed to fit that role a lot better. I also feel like Eva's dynamic with Liam did not get enough room to grow into the implied romance they had going on towards the end. I still thought it was cute, since gosh darnit these characters needed to catch a break! But from an objective standpoint I did not think they had enough time together.
Which brings me to my final and biggest gripe. The pacing. 80% of this novel's plot happens in the last 40% of the book, which made the book drag a lot for the first half. I really wish Eva and Liam getting banished to the surface had occurred during the 1/3 mark because it would have really helped maintain the pace.
I really wanted to give this novel at least 3 stars, but I just don't think I can do it in good conscious. To me, a 2.5 is a middle-of-the-road story, so 3 stars would mean I think the story is above average, which I unfortunately don't. That being said, I don't think the novel is below average either. Had I the option, I'd probably give it 2.5 stars.
Overall, I think the author has potential, but too much of this story felt surface level in terms of its ideas. I'd love to see the author push herself more creatively, and wish her the best with future projects. God bless.
August 17, 2022
What Lies Above Review
5/5
Before I even start my review, I'd like to mention that I've been following the author for a while on Instagram now. Their account is where I learned about the concept of indie publishing. All of their posts are so inspiring and knowing the journey she went through so that I can hold the book in my hands made the entire reading experience ten times more powerful.
Now coming to the book itself. Oh my god. Seriously. Oh my god. This has just become my favorite dystopia book I've read all year- maybe even one of the best I've read in my lifetime. This book made me fall back in love with dystopia as a genre, and showed me how amazing books in this genre can be.
The story is very unique and I loved the innovativeness of every little thing. The writing style was crisp, powerful and exactly what this story needed. I am convinced that if any other person had written this same story, it would not have had the same effect. The world was constructed wonderfully and it gave the perfect dark atmosphere that the book held throughout. I absolutely love the plot twists and each one had me reeling.
As for the characters, both of them were highly developed and stood out. I love how the author illustrates both of their struggles and pain individually, and yet manages to draw lines of similarity between them. The separate worlds they lived in and their spheres of influence and rebellion stood out to me. Moreover I was intrigued by the idea of having 2 POV characters who have entirely different stories. In most books I've read with dual POV, the characters are either in a relationship or at least work together. But in this book the characters don't meet until very late in the story and yet I love how the author manages to intertwine both their stories.
And the structure oh my god. The author structured this book beautifully. The chapters cut off at all the right places. Subtle hints were dropped and then revealed dramatically later. The POV's changed after humongous cliffhangers so I just had to keep flipping through the pages. And overall the entire book was filled with suspense and an eerie atmosphere that kept me absolutely hooked.
The author definitely is cruel because of the way they made the characters and in turn me suffer. I don't think I will ever be able to get over or forgive the author for how much pain she inflicted on her characters and me 3
My favorite part about this book has to be the last 100 pages or so. While the first part of the book was a tad too slow for my taste, the pace drastically picked up in the last 100 pages. MIND-BLOWING plot twists, AMAZING writing, POWERFUL emotions and so much more, I literally read that entire part in like an hour. Best decision I ever made. Wow. That ending left me with so many emotions, heartbreak being one of the top. I also have many MANY questions and I cannot wait for the sequel to get the answers soon!
Overall this was a wonderful book and a roller-coaster of a journey. If you're a fan of dystopia, science-fiction, plot twists, suspense, mystery and other related genres, I'd highly recommend you pick this book up because you will not be disappointed! And if you've already read the book or are currently reading it, please do DM me because I'd love to chat about it :)
5/5
Before I even start my review, I'd like to mention that I've been following the author for a while on Instagram now. Their account is where I learned about the concept of indie publishing. All of their posts are so inspiring and knowing the journey she went through so that I can hold the book in my hands made the entire reading experience ten times more powerful.
Now coming to the book itself. Oh my god. Seriously. Oh my god. This has just become my favorite dystopia book I've read all year- maybe even one of the best I've read in my lifetime. This book made me fall back in love with dystopia as a genre, and showed me how amazing books in this genre can be.
The story is very unique and I loved the innovativeness of every little thing. The writing style was crisp, powerful and exactly what this story needed. I am convinced that if any other person had written this same story, it would not have had the same effect. The world was constructed wonderfully and it gave the perfect dark atmosphere that the book held throughout. I absolutely love the plot twists and each one had me reeling.
As for the characters, both of them were highly developed and stood out. I love how the author illustrates both of their struggles and pain individually, and yet manages to draw lines of similarity between them. The separate worlds they lived in and their spheres of influence and rebellion stood out to me. Moreover I was intrigued by the idea of having 2 POV characters who have entirely different stories. In most books I've read with dual POV, the characters are either in a relationship or at least work together. But in this book the characters don't meet until very late in the story and yet I love how the author manages to intertwine both their stories.
And the structure oh my god. The author structured this book beautifully. The chapters cut off at all the right places. Subtle hints were dropped and then revealed dramatically later. The POV's changed after humongous cliffhangers so I just had to keep flipping through the pages. And overall the entire book was filled with suspense and an eerie atmosphere that kept me absolutely hooked.
The author definitely is cruel because of the way they made the characters and in turn me suffer. I don't think I will ever be able to get over or forgive the author for how much pain she inflicted on her characters and me 3
My favorite part about this book has to be the last 100 pages or so. While the first part of the book was a tad too slow for my taste, the pace drastically picked up in the last 100 pages. MIND-BLOWING plot twists, AMAZING writing, POWERFUL emotions and so much more, I literally read that entire part in like an hour. Best decision I ever made. Wow. That ending left me with so many emotions, heartbreak being one of the top. I also have many MANY questions and I cannot wait for the sequel to get the answers soon!
Overall this was a wonderful book and a roller-coaster of a journey. If you're a fan of dystopia, science-fiction, plot twists, suspense, mystery and other related genres, I'd highly recommend you pick this book up because you will not be disappointed! And if you've already read the book or are currently reading it, please do DM me because I'd love to chat about it :)
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