I don't know that this is really a five star read ... but I just enjoyed the world building in this unique futuristic setting, and admire the author for her imagination so much, that I'm going to go ahead and rate it that. I've read so many stories set in a far-off future. Most are post-apocalyptic. This wasn't. Others are set in space. This wasn't. And while there have been novels with imaginative tech, often it felt forced, put there for placement just to reinforce the futuristic feeling. Here ... the story focuses on a group of teens and, for most of them, their extravagant day to day life, their relationships, and the mystery/tragedy outlined in the prologue, without giving details as to who/when/what actually happened. It was intriguing.

I have to admit ... I goofed when starting this series. I grabbed book 2 first. My library didn't include it in the "series" portion, so when I stumbled on "The Dazzling Heights" I thought it was a stand-alone. And with it's prologue, and some back story (as authors do, to help readers if there has been time between books to refresh) I wasn't completely lost. But I figured out my error, stopped reading (listening/audio edition) until I could start. Unfortunately, I then knew WHO the girl was who fell from the tower from the start, and had some odd introductions to characters I really knew a bit about. Still, absolutely enjoyed the creativity and set-up here in the series.

I think the author did an amazing job of building this world ... I guess there was no place to go but up. So interesting to see the social structure levels actually defined as levels. The lower stories being literally looked down upon. I loved all the imaginative tech that is just there as part of these kid's every day lives. The contacts in their eyes that can instantly connect them to data, the ear-tennas, the wrist modules to "flicker" and "ping" each other. So many tiny touches, a "hovercover" (basically a drone umbrella), packaging that folds itself up into an origami butterfly to float off to the nearest recycle bin. Bubbles of beverages (access with a straw), 4D scanning at the clothing store, marking all your measurements, clothes designed digitally and then quickly stitched to custom commands. And it all feels so natural, it all fits and flows, while keeping me interested and entertained.

The story shifts between a few POVs ... I thought even the names fit this futuristic setting. Averey, Atlas, Leda, Eris, Watt, Cord, V, Rylin ... and the characters were very diverse too, many different races. Quite casual talk of girlfriends having girlfriends, not making it a "LGBTQ" thing, just a simple storyline. Sex was pretty casual here in the future too ... teens are still hooking up. Reading other reviews, some are turned off by the relationship between Atlas and Avery, as they are technically siblings, even though not related by blood (he's adopted). I guess that didn't really bother me. I've seen it happen between step-"siblings" IRL. It is not viewed as positive or normal, it's something they are hiding, knowing people would be shocked by it (and those who find out about it are appalled).

I listened to the audio edition, and the narrator is great. She is very young sounding, which of course matches the majority of the characters correctly. Good enunciation, inflection, pacing, voices ... just made the read even more enjoyable having it read so well.