kireteiru's review
2.0
I can forgive a lot of things in a story once I get going, but not an MC (and POV character) who doesn’t understand that actions have consequences in her world and still lets her emotions get the better of her. I would rather have read about a cold, methodical MC who did everything right and still failed and THEN had to fix it.
carriegessner's review against another edition
5.0
Ecosystem is a powerhouse of a novel. From the very first scene, Bellin draws you into a highly realized universe where the greatest threat to humans is the world around them. From bloodbirds to poisonrose to flameflies, there’s always something ready to harm or kill a person as soon as they step outside of their stone village.
Bellin’s writing is confident and clear, coaxing you into the world and the story. It’s apparent that he took great care in this project and that it’s close to his heart. As someone who reads a lot, I think that makes a subtle difference in the reading experience because it helps deepen the story.
What generally attracts me to stories is the protagonist. Here, it’s a fun and occasionally exasperating ride to step into Sarah’s shoes and find out where her journey—both physical and emotional—takes her. Like the stabbing nettles she sometimes encounters, she’s a bit prickly, especially at first. But as she learns to trust others and herself, she grows in confidence and grows on the reader.
This is a timely novel, too, that cautions against abusing the environment. It should seem like common sense, but in a time when recognizing climate change means going against business interests and profits, it’s a necessary and apt reminder.
Overall, Ecosystem is a thrilling, complex read. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the trilogy, The Devouring Land.
Bellin’s writing is confident and clear, coaxing you into the world and the story. It’s apparent that he took great care in this project and that it’s close to his heart. As someone who reads a lot, I think that makes a subtle difference in the reading experience because it helps deepen the story.
What generally attracts me to stories is the protagonist. Here, it’s a fun and occasionally exasperating ride to step into Sarah’s shoes and find out where her journey—both physical and emotional—takes her. Like the stabbing nettles she sometimes encounters, she’s a bit prickly, especially at first. But as she learns to trust others and herself, she grows in confidence and grows on the reader.
This is a timely novel, too, that cautions against abusing the environment. It should seem like common sense, but in a time when recognizing climate change means going against business interests and profits, it’s a necessary and apt reminder.
Overall, Ecosystem is a thrilling, complex read. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the trilogy, The Devouring Land.
glenfleskie's review
3.0
This book started off well- it was a fun YA read with an interesting concept. However, about 2/3 of the way through, it became hard to follow- it’s clear that the author had a really cool storyline in his head, but some details didn’t make it to paper and the flow became a little off.
bookishends's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an absolute roller coaster of emotions and made me fall in love with the fantasy/sci-fi genre again. I haven’t read fantasy in years, so I wasn’t sure if I would get into but immediately I was drawn into this world that could be earth’s fate. It’s set in a world where basically nature fought back against us and almost wiped us out which I feel is very relevant in today’s times. Sarah is such an amazing protagonist. She’s a strong character who does what she thinks is right and adapts to new information and her surroundings. All the characters are written so well and the world building is unparalleled. Also, I like the touch that all the names are biblical as it relates to the creation of the Ecosystem.
laurencebc1's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Last year I read [b:Freefall|29838368|Freefall|Joshua David Bellin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484498806s/29838368.jpg|50198457] and was blown away by the excellent world-building and the on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills, and I am happy to announce that ECOSYSTEM delivers just as well.
In a world where the Ecosystem has turned against humanity, humans are confined to villages made of stone where nature has no hold. In order to survive in the hostile world, Sensors - those born with a gift to feel and sense the intentions of the ecosystem - risk their lives to hunt for food, water, and wood. Sarah, one of the newest Sensors, has been training to take up the mantle of her mother since she was three years old after she was murdered by the Ecosystem. Sarah, unlike the others, does not fear the Ecosystem but hates it, and each foray into the forest is for revenge. When Miriam, an apprentice Sensor, goes missing in the Ecosystem, it's up to Sarah to find her, and delve further into the Ecosystem than ever before and discover its secrets - secrets that threaten the future of her village and everything she's been taught to believe.
Joshua David Bellin manages to create a thrilling, unique, post-apocalyptic world where nature itself has turned against us. There are horrifying creatures, deadly plants and living trees that are described in such detail it's like being there, amongst the Ecosystem. This was definitely one of my favourite parts of the novel, and for anyone who is a sucker for a good, well-built world, there is very little lacking in ECOSYSTEM, and Joshua David Bellin has created a thoroughly immersive setting.
Sarah, our protagonist, is a formidable character. I adored her fierceness, intelligence, and loved to see her overcome the wall she built around her heart. One of the most enjoyable parts of the novel was also experiencing Sarah interact with those around her. She's, at first, prickly and always on the offensive. But as she grows, she learns to trust and love, and I especially adored her relationship with Aaron, the father figure in her life.
There is a bit of romance, and it's thoughtful and well done, and I think even those adverse to romance in books will find it a compelling relationship (and also I really do enjoy hate-to-love relationships, so this was a plus for me).
If you're a fan of survivalist and post-apocalyptic literature then I would definitely, and not so subtly, tell you to read ECOSYSTEM.
Last year I read [b:Freefall|29838368|Freefall|Joshua David Bellin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484498806s/29838368.jpg|50198457] and was blown away by the excellent world-building and the on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills, and I am happy to announce that ECOSYSTEM delivers just as well.
In a world where the Ecosystem has turned against humanity, humans are confined to villages made of stone where nature has no hold. In order to survive in the hostile world, Sensors - those born with a gift to feel and sense the intentions of the ecosystem - risk their lives to hunt for food, water, and wood. Sarah, one of the newest Sensors, has been training to take up the mantle of her mother since she was three years old after she was murdered by the Ecosystem. Sarah, unlike the others, does not fear the Ecosystem but hates it, and each foray into the forest is for revenge. When Miriam, an apprentice Sensor, goes missing in the Ecosystem, it's up to Sarah to find her, and delve further into the Ecosystem than ever before and discover its secrets - secrets that threaten the future of her village and everything she's been taught to believe.
Joshua David Bellin manages to create a thrilling, unique, post-apocalyptic world where nature itself has turned against us. There are horrifying creatures, deadly plants and living trees that are described in such detail it's like being there, amongst the Ecosystem. This was definitely one of my favourite parts of the novel, and for anyone who is a sucker for a good, well-built world, there is very little lacking in ECOSYSTEM, and Joshua David Bellin has created a thoroughly immersive setting.
Sarah, our protagonist, is a formidable character. I adored her fierceness, intelligence, and loved to see her overcome the wall she built around her heart. One of the most enjoyable parts of the novel was also experiencing Sarah interact with those around her. She's, at first, prickly and always on the offensive. But as she grows, she learns to trust and love, and I especially adored her relationship with Aaron, the father figure in her life.
There is a bit of romance, and it's thoughtful and well done, and I think even those adverse to romance in books will find it a compelling relationship (and also I really do enjoy hate-to-love relationships, so this was a plus for me).
If you're a fan of survivalist and post-apocalyptic literature then I would definitely, and not so subtly, tell you to read ECOSYSTEM.
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