Alright... I have a confession to make.  I've never read a book by this author before and I didn't even recognize his name so I had no idea he is the author of what, I have heard, is some really absolutely incredible scifi/fantasy.  So I've been literally telling people,  just absolutely clueless, how im so surprised this book is so freaking great! Lmao.... aaaaaahhhgg..   that's my life.  Apologies. 

Now that THAT is out of the way, I will continue to heap praises on this marvelous read.  This story takes place in a dystopian style world in which there are attacks from titans at an enormous seawall that protects this empire, while the people that live within make heavy use of plants for protection and control.  However, sometimes, these plants can be used to harm as well.

The murder/mystery aspect (which was so fascinating) mixed with these very interesting details of the people, politics and, of course,  the plants and their varying uses to enhance many humans, all this together makes just the best read.  It's this author's brilliant ideas, especially the plants, their uses, and their side effects, but also the characters themselves who each are very well thought out and fleshed out in this story.   Just the combination of all these factors, the smallest details to the main flow, the whole plot, idea, of the book... created for me a scary world definitely,  but also a world I felt like I was in, literally inside of, every time I picked this book up (and, while frightening thought I very much so desired to be this enthralled.) Like I was walking by Din's side (the main character) the whole time and feeling like I was experiencing the exact same emotions as him. That's how real this felt to me.

So, if you can't tell, I loved this book.  I am begging.... begging for more.  Please!!!! 

Out February 6, 2024! 

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!