(5.0 Stars)

Thanks go out to #NetGalley for making this book available to me. I have never heard of this author before and requested this book because of the description. The description was accurate, but I had no idea what to expect... however, this wasn't at all what I was expecting. 

I tend to favor post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and this seemed somewhat adjacent to that. and it was, in feel; the desolation, the despair, the hope, all of that, but something more too. There was love. There was family. There was a sense of responsibility both globally and locally like no other. 

The characters were realistic and compelling. The world building is unparalleled and familiar. The story is expertly unfolded, from multiple points of view. And the audiobook brings those characters to life by using different narrators, each of which is excellent. 

This book would be good for anyone who likes a good tear-jerker, or stories about overcoming tremendous obstacles against unfavorable odds. Or about the importance of who we surround ourselves with, either by choice, or by chance. This book is a look at our ever-changing world, and how we can hope to be good caretakers of it, it's flora, it's fauna, and it's humanity.

This book is not for the feint of heart. There are real-life tragedies and troubles. It doesn't force people into black and white, yes or no, young or old, good or evil. It explores the morally grey concepts and realities that exist in any reality.

I have already queued up more books by this author and I would highly recommend this title to anyone and everyone.