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A Forest Without Trees
The year is 2640, the elite descendants of the old-era are blissfully ignorant as they remain safe from the ravages of nature by an enormous perimeter shield. Fierce-spirited and stubborn, Tara is a young brown woman trapped inside the shield. Faced with the fear of her extra cerebral ability being discovered she hides her truth from the autocratic Federation while navigating their societal games. She yearns to break free and reunite with her mother. But is escape from the Federation's clutches even possible?
250 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2022
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Solanki-Davie
8 books8 followersJP Solanki-Davie is a creative artist with an Honours Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Toronto. She built a career as a Registered Massage Therapist and has worked as a Yoga teacher and trainer both locally and internationally. Born in Canada with roots in India, South Africa and Germany, JP is passionate about celebrating her diverse identity along with those who don't fit the social mould. Her writing exemplifies her varied knowledge base with an emphasis on nature's healing power.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 7, 2024
An energy pulse has surrounded the city, separating wilderness from civilization, but not all are willing to play that game. In this exciting, action-filled story, we follow Tara as she enters the city games and seeks to obtain the flag and her freedom. It's a cross between The Hunger Games and Maze Runner that will keep you turning pages--I was so hooked, I read it in a day.
In a world where games are the profit makers, the question is if you will play and can you level up. You'll risk everything, but the rewards are great riches.
Wanna play a game?
Don't lose your marbles--read this book.
In a world where games are the profit makers, the question is if you will play and can you level up. You'll risk everything, but the rewards are great riches.
Wanna play a game?
Don't lose your marbles--read this book.
January 1, 2023
Excellent, gripping, and powerful first novel!
My main struggle (why 4 and not 5 stars) was with so many characters. The main characters are clear, which is good. But then there are pages of other characters and even though they may play key roles in later volumes, I got overwhelmed trying to figure out if I needed to track them or not.
My main struggle (why 4 and not 5 stars) was with so many characters. The main characters are clear, which is good. But then there are pages of other characters and even though they may play key roles in later volumes, I got overwhelmed trying to figure out if I needed to track them or not.
September 10, 2023
All in all, a solid start
It took me a minute to really immerse myself in this story. The long inner monologues kept taking me out. But after a while, I said to myself, "Self? Feel no way. It's a stylistic choice and kind of a Shakespearean vibe."
The important characters are well fleshed out. Many of them are morally ambiguous. Which makes sense in a world where telepathy and empathic manipulation are fairly common. Even by the end, there were a few whose true colors I was unsure of. (Oh no, that means I'll have to read the sequel!)
There's a lot of new terminology, which makes sense for a story set 600+ years in the future. I felt like the author gave enough natural context that it was clear what the terms mean, but she was generous enough to include a glossary just in case. It also feels like a sensible evolution of language, both formal and slang.
One major and a few minor characters are non-binary. Thought that was cool. None of their story arcs are about their gender identity. It's just a thing about them that's become such a normal part of society that everyone uses their correct pronouns -- which have been standardized -- even in matters of biological sex.
So yeah, bit shaky early on, but once it found its footing, the story dug in and never let up. I'm looking forward to the next one.
It took me a minute to really immerse myself in this story. The long inner monologues kept taking me out. But after a while, I said to myself, "Self? Feel no way. It's a stylistic choice and kind of a Shakespearean vibe."
The important characters are well fleshed out. Many of them are morally ambiguous. Which makes sense in a world where telepathy and empathic manipulation are fairly common. Even by the end, there were a few whose true colors I was unsure of. (Oh no, that means I'll have to read the sequel!)
There's a lot of new terminology, which makes sense for a story set 600+ years in the future. I felt like the author gave enough natural context that it was clear what the terms mean, but she was generous enough to include a glossary just in case. It also feels like a sensible evolution of language, both formal and slang.
One major and a few minor characters are non-binary. Thought that was cool. None of their story arcs are about their gender identity. It's just a thing about them that's become such a normal part of society that everyone uses their correct pronouns -- which have been standardized -- even in matters of biological sex.
So yeah, bit shaky early on, but once it found its footing, the story dug in and never let up. I'm looking forward to the next one.
August 18, 2023
JP's first novel in her series is one that really draws you into the story by the end. Initially, I felt the story started slow and dropped me into a world I knew nothing about. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It gave me time to get to know the characters, figure out whose side I was on, and become emotionally invested in the outcome I wanted for them.
While the storyline pivots between perspectives and can be confusing at first, as the story unravels, I really came to root for a handful of the main characters, hoping they turned out to be as good as they said they were. By the last few chapters, I couldn't put the book down, wanting to find out where Tara would end up and if her side would end up victorious. I suppose we'll just have to wait for book two to find out.
This book gave me some Hunger Games and Handmaid's Tale vibes, but with a uniquely diverse spin. I appreciate the incorporation of diverse names, cultures, and language in this story. It makes it all feel more real. I also appreciate the nod to nature and the potential harm development and progress can have on our natural resources.
Looking forward to book two!
While the storyline pivots between perspectives and can be confusing at first, as the story unravels, I really came to root for a handful of the main characters, hoping they turned out to be as good as they said they were. By the last few chapters, I couldn't put the book down, wanting to find out where Tara would end up and if her side would end up victorious. I suppose we'll just have to wait for book two to find out.
This book gave me some Hunger Games and Handmaid's Tale vibes, but with a uniquely diverse spin. I appreciate the incorporation of diverse names, cultures, and language in this story. It makes it all feel more real. I also appreciate the nod to nature and the potential harm development and progress can have on our natural resources.
Looking forward to book two!
January 29, 2023
I loved it! The writing is beautiful, engaging, and easy to read.
It's set in a world that is not so hard to imagine considering current sociopolitical contexts, but a world I certainly hope doesn't come into being where patriarchy, capitalism, surveillance, and technology are taken to the extreme. What is hopeful is that there are seemingly many resistances developing, which we don't get to learn too much about yet (and I'm excited to read more about in the next books). What we do learn is that resistance centers that Indigenous & BIPOC ways of living with & respecting nature are critical to our resistance and survival.
There are a lot of characters, but it felt necessary in creating this complex narrative and I know we'll hear more from them in later books. The book centers women and gender diverse characters, and is the first book I've read with characters using ze/zir pronouns.
It's set in a world that is not so hard to imagine considering current sociopolitical contexts, but a world I certainly hope doesn't come into being where patriarchy, capitalism, surveillance, and technology are taken to the extreme. What is hopeful is that there are seemingly many resistances developing, which we don't get to learn too much about yet (and I'm excited to read more about in the next books). What we do learn is that resistance centers that Indigenous & BIPOC ways of living with & respecting nature are critical to our resistance and survival.
There are a lot of characters, but it felt necessary in creating this complex narrative and I know we'll hear more from them in later books. The book centers women and gender diverse characters, and is the first book I've read with characters using ze/zir pronouns.
April 11, 2024
Has a good foundation.
I found the plot and world building interesting, but as I read the book I had the constant feeling it was missing something. I believe this has to do with the concise way the story was being told which left lots of room for things to be expanded on as well as leaving lots of questions that were never answered. There were also quite a few scenes that would introduce characters that you never saw again, which made me question the purpose of those scenes. So I would say this was a good start, but has room for improvement, and I hope to see that in future books.
I found the plot and world building interesting, but as I read the book I had the constant feeling it was missing something. I believe this has to do with the concise way the story was being told which left lots of room for things to be expanded on as well as leaving lots of questions that were never answered. There were also quite a few scenes that would introduce characters that you never saw again, which made me question the purpose of those scenes. So I would say this was a good start, but has room for improvement, and I hope to see that in future books.
March 5, 2024
A unique and fun take on a dystopian future of earth. I really enjoyed this book. Everything in it seemed possible in a future setting. There are moments of realism that happen in real life that often get forgotten in books. The story is fun and interesting. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Characters are unique and diverse. This read will leave you wanting more. So, you should get book two as well to save you time. enjoy the read I know I did.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews