A coming-of-age thriller that emerges as a thought-provoking and emotional exploration of our changing world

This was my fifth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. Though it seemed to be a sci-fi at first (not my go-to genre), the preview and synopsis drew me in to take a chance, and I’m glad It did. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

In the mid-80s, a group of explorers set off on a secret mission, which ultimately failed after a virus ravaged the crew, leaving only six survivors to return after two years. However on Earth, it’s been over 30 years. Teenager Celestine, who accompanied her (now deceased) parents on the mission, is now a high school student in 2022 — a brand new world bereft of things she once understood.

Alongside the typical teenage angst of complicated female friendships, rebellion against authority figures, and thrilling new romantic experiences; Celestine struggles with survivor’s guilt, worry over a government conspiracy, and an intense paranoia that she will fall ill — and worse, make others ill.

The Pros & Cons

This was a rare genre mishmash that somehow manages to pack many elements together, and still execute it successfully.

The sci-fi intro quickly pivots to the throes of first love, an introspective history lesson, and a women’s fiction drama — all wrapped up in a young adult coming-of-age thriller.

In a post-COVID world (*notably: the author rewrote to suit this*), a protesting public is suspicious of the returning space travellers, whom they fear to be contagious. Celestine is fortunate to find new friends at all, and clings desperately to her new clique like a lifeline.

But, having crash-landed into a new decade, she is awash with unfamiliarity.

I was some sort of caveman-spaceman. Honestly, who could’ve predicted someone would invent a world-wide system of linked computers so children could watch porn, adults could flirt with strangers, people could shop at two o’clock in the morning for stuff they didn’t need, and so that an entire subculture could be created that shared cute photos of their cats?

The author’s cheeky references shed light on the strangeness of the modern world as Celestine grapples with new technology and a distinctly different sociopolitical outlook on life:

We’re lucky to live here. We have all the food we need, shelter, it’s a relatively safe place. If you work hard, you can go far in life.

Her belief system is met with ridicule, as her peers explain that she is “sickeningly positive”; they all know that life is “rigged” to serve the rich, the world is a “cesspool”, and “the man” won’t let you win.

Along with these provocative political diatribes, there was also a wide range of emotions bubbling to the surface as we feel every nuance of Celestine’s uncertainty, fear, anger, and grief:

When your mom dies, it’s as if this pleasant hum that you’ve heard all your life goes silent, and the sudden quiet is staggering.

Therapy plays a critical role in Celestine’s journey to recovery and self-acceptance, and leaves a lasting message as the novel achieves its climax.

Conclusion

I enjoyed the unpredictable ride of this thought-provoking and emotional exploration of our changing world, though at times it left me feeling unsettled — but that was the point. With such a complex character like Celestine, and an interweaving story that you couldn’t really figure out where it was heading, it sometimes felt like the reality TV that bothered Celestine so much because she couldn’t understand why we keep watching when there is no cohesive plot.

While there is, most definitely, a core story humming beneath all of these elements to tie a profound plot together, it’s one of those novels where you’ll sit for some time afterwards, trying to come to terms with what you just read. I can see this sparking intense book club debates, and being adapted into a film. I highly recommend to any reader, but it will be particularly impactful among a young adult audience.

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