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A review by fae_princess_in_space
Earthflown by Frances Wren
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Friends, this book is amazing. It reads as a dystopian romance / crime noir and holy heck I was absolutely here for it in every way. There are people with super-hero like abilities, everyone is morally grey and everyone is keeping secrets in the political maelstrom ahead of the upcoming election.
Set in a future London, built on levels above the ever-rising sea, the Arden family control the supply of CM15, the chemical substance that makes water drinkable and also a key component in the drug ‘glass’. When a shooting lands corporate scion Rina Arden in hospital it falls to healer Ethan Faulkner to save her life. In doing so, he meets Rina’s beautiful twin brother Jav, and the two men hit it off immediately. But there are so many secrets and political machinations around the Arden family and Ethan and his friends Vegas and Ollie are drawn into the mess and soon find themselves fighting for their lives.
This book was told from 3 POVs - Jav Arden, Ethan Faulkner and journalist Ollie Roskopf. The world building was absolutely impeccable - an absolute must read for dystopian fans - and I loved exploring this bleak, many-layered, sinking London. I also enjoyed the added element of people’s powers and how these abilities set them apart from others. The scheming of the Arden family and their interconnected parter families was such an impactful and bleak look at how those at the top of the food chain control everything and they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
I honestly cannot hype this book enough and I feel like everyone should get out there and read it! Although this is a standalone, there are plenty of deliberately left-open questions at the end of the book, and there is a sort-of-sequel planned to continue in the same world, which I cannot wait for!
Read Earthflown for:
✨ Political machinations in dystopian future London
✨ Queer romance / crime noir
✨ Commentary on social class and the power of the mega wealthy
✨ Superhero-esque powers used for good and not-so-good
✨ Everyone is morally grey
✨ Is protecting those you love justification for murder?
✨ Jav is just a cinnamon roll who wants to plan weddings and love Ethan
✨ Or is he?
✨ Also the book has absolutely gorgeous illustrations throughout!
Set in a future London, built on levels above the ever-rising sea, the Arden family control the supply of CM15, the chemical substance that makes water drinkable and also a key component in the drug ‘glass’. When a shooting lands corporate scion Rina Arden in hospital it falls to healer Ethan Faulkner to save her life. In doing so, he meets Rina’s beautiful twin brother Jav, and the two men hit it off immediately. But there are so many secrets and political machinations around the Arden family and Ethan and his friends Vegas and Ollie are drawn into the mess and soon find themselves fighting for their lives.
This book was told from 3 POVs - Jav Arden, Ethan Faulkner and journalist Ollie Roskopf. The world building was absolutely impeccable - an absolute must read for dystopian fans - and I loved exploring this bleak, many-layered, sinking London. I also enjoyed the added element of people’s powers and how these abilities set them apart from others. The scheming of the Arden family and their interconnected parter families was such an impactful and bleak look at how those at the top of the food chain control everything and they will stop at nothing to get what they want.
I honestly cannot hype this book enough and I feel like everyone should get out there and read it! Although this is a standalone, there are plenty of deliberately left-open questions at the end of the book, and there is a sort-of-sequel planned to continue in the same world, which I cannot wait for!
Read Earthflown for:
✨ Political machinations in dystopian future London
✨ Queer romance / crime noir
✨ Commentary on social class and the power of the mega wealthy
✨ Superhero-esque powers used for good and not-so-good
✨ Everyone is morally grey
✨ Is protecting those you love justification for murder?
✨ Jav is just a cinnamon roll who wants to plan weddings and love Ethan
✨ Or is he?
✨ Also the book has absolutely gorgeous illustrations throughout!