THis is the second book i've read by joan he, and i enjoyed both. I got this as an earc via netgalley, it comes out May 4th.
This is a scifi novel about two sisters. One stuck on an abandond island, searching for her sister. One living in an ecocity, grieving her sister. Joan he has a Beautiful writing style and the dual perspective and the plot twists made this very enjoable. I found myself very invested and trying to figure out what was going on. It touches on tHemes like grief, class, climate change, technology. And i loved this is a book about sisters!

*crying in the corner because I desperately wanted to love this book and I just didn't.*

Now, this book has fallen victim to the I haven't got a clue what's going on syndrome I face when being presented with a book that ties so much together I'm like whaaaat. For the life of me, I couldn't get into this book and honestly if it wasn't for a review, this book would have been a DNF for me.
Maybe it's because I'm not in the mood for this genre or maybe it's the writing but I just didn't connect to the characters and I didn't care for the plot. I liked what I read initially and alongside that beautiful cover I honestly thought this book would be right up my street and I was so disappointed when I sat down to read this and I just couldn't get on with it.

I did like...
- the story of two sisters. As someone who has two sisters myself I related to this in a lot of ways and I always enjoy stories that focus on families.
- the concept itself was interesting enough but very confusing.

I feel the major issue with this book was likely the writing. Our characters switch tense which is confusing enough and the lack of world-building was really a challenge for me. I didn't understand the world Joan has created and this was challenging when reading this. I also didn't care for the love story either.

Sadly, this book didn't work for me and I feel like younger YA audiences would enjoy this better.
i received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always a sucker for a cli-fi novel, and this premise was no exception. The technology explored in the novel was really interesting and inventive. There's also a pleasing story structure here, and I think the author really does a good job of redirecting reader expectations a few times in the story -- there were a couple of twists that did not go the way I expected them. There were moments where the story dragged for me in either Cee's plot or Kay's, but I think the author did a good job of balancing the two viewpoints and maintaining tension. There's not a lot more I can say without spoiling things except that YA is not my preferred genre all the time, and there are some YA tropes in here. Despite that I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to the publisher for giving me a chance to read it.

A slightly longer review is forthcoming on my blog.

You might think you know what you’re getting into when you start to read The Ones We’re Meant To Find but trust me, it’s bigger than you could ever imagine. This book is intense beautiful torture and while it doesn’t feel like a big book, it achieves so much and takes you so far. Without any spoilers, this study is about 2 sisters, Kasey and Cee, Cee is missing and Kasey wants answers. However Cee is actually on an island, with limited memory but one very clear one, her sister and she’s trying to get back to her.

Cee is the heart of this story and I loved her, Kasey is admittedly rational rather than emotional and often socially awkward and blunt so it’s not as easy to relate to her. I wished for more Cee because I just adored her, she doesn’t know much but she knows love and it’s like fuel to her. There’s other wonderful characters, Hero, a mysterious guy who appears on the island, even Hubert the boat, yes I loved a boat, and Ume, a robot that i found so genuinely endearing. This book has it all.

There’s nothing much I can say about this book at risk of spoiling anything, the mystery is what makes this book so special. But expect to be messed up, expect to scream when you get to the end of the book, expect to feel a lot of things. This book really is wonderful, oh and the cover? Just beautiful. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an early copy to review.

Thank you to Text Publishing and Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Ones We're Meant to Find is filled with twists and turns along the way, which can be confusing for some. However, I encourage readers to stick to it until the very end. Much needed commentary on climate change and the effects it'll have on the world and those who live in it is a common theme in TOWMTF.

I definitely liked Cee's character a lot more than Kasey's, just because her motivations felt clear to me in every chapter. Halfway through, I thought that Kasey's goals weren't conveyed well, making it harder to connect with her.

DNF 45%

I never give up on books, I always try to finish them even though I'm not enjoying the story... but I'm sorry to say, this book is a no-no for me.
By itself, the synopsis is promising, the cover is really wonderful, but the author's way of writing is not for me.
And this is something that has been pointed out even with her publication in Italy, her way of writing doesn't grab the reader at all.
Obviously there are cases and cases, the reading is still subjective, but in respect of those who provided me with the book preview, I would like to give my most honest opinion, otherwise I would be a bad blogger.
I'm very sorry.

This book has instantly become my favourite. Of all time. I struggle to pull my thoughts about this book into coherent sentences but I will do my best. This managed to explore so much in such a short time but still do it all so well. From the sisters relationship to the fate of the entire world, every piece of this beautiful puzzle fit so well.

I love the style of story telling that drops you in a new setting but doesn't explain every piece of it right away. You discover things as they become important, as they become relevant to the characters. Even while missing pieces I felt more IN this world, felt more IN the character's heads. They don't need to explain parts of their own past to themselves, they were there... They don't need to explain the city in their own heads, they've known it their whole lives

The pacing of this was also so perfect for me... Right from the start I was in it, by 30% I was suspecting it could be a new favourite, and then at 50% there is a huge twist. Everything is so quick from there it was impossible to put down. The build to that point is beautiful, and it is so satisfying to have that piece click into place at 50%.

.Kasey was such a refreshing character to read for me. I can struggle to understand character motivations or actions taken but she always made sense to me, even when doing questionable things. It was so interesting to learn about Kasey and watch her change while also learning about Celia alongside her.

I tend to not enjoy stories of siblings, I just can't understand siblings that go from a regular relationship to sacrificing themselves for the other. I'm not close to my siblings but I don't hate them either, and it's hard to find stories of siblings who just love each other enough, and want to know the other is ok, but are not going to die to ensure that... These sisters make sense to me though, and I will always cherish this sibling bond that I can understand.

This world was so beautiful in my mind. I see things vividly when I read but if the descriptions and writing isn't there to help me along it won't appear on it's own. The writing here, though, absolutely came to life in my mind. I could live in this story, on this island, in this city in the sky, forever.

Will be rereading as soon as my pre-ordered copy arrives!! This will stay with me forever.

I saw reviewers raving about this book on Goodreads and a few blogs. Being a sci-fi fan, I had to request it.

While this cover is beautiful, it doesn’t scream sci-fi/dystopia. I honestly assumed it was YA contemporary until I read the description, and I’m afraid it may be targeting the wrong group of readers. The worldbuilding is the big standout for me in this novel. Earth is overpolluted and nearly uninhabitable, and citizens have taken to living in ecocities in the sky. If you rank high enough, that is. Most people don’t and have little chance of getting in. Oceans are poisoned and natural disasters occur frequently, killing millions. Time is running out.

Told in alternating POVs between Cee and Kasey, discrepancies in their stories arise early in the book. By Cee’s count, she’s been on the island three years. Kasey says she’s been missing only months. The mystery about what exactly is going on will keep readers turning the pages, but I have to admit I guessed it early. I’ve probably read too many sci-fi books, but I came across a similar premise in another novel a few years ago that clued me in.

If contemporary fans pick this up, I suspect the strong bond between the sisters will be the draw for them, and it’s a driving force in the plot. Cee loves life and is carefree, while Kasey is more at home in a science lab working alone. With me being more a fan of sci-fi than contemporary, the relationship aspect didn’t appeal to me as much.

It’s a grim story, but comes with stunning plot twists that have surprised most readers and complex worldbuilding. If you’re a fan of sci-fi/dystopia who enjoys mysterious puzzles or like reading novels with strong sibling bonds, this book may captivate you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I liked the descriptions in beginning. I liked he characters and dialogue . I couldn't quite get hooked in beginning.

This is one of those books that will definitely divide opinion. I realise that a lot of people are very excited about this book and let's face it the beautiful cover just adds to the anticipation. Two sisters estranged and yet desperately seeking each other is the main drive of this story and yet there are so many messages woven into it concerning our planet and the dangerous way we constantly have disregarded it.
We meet Cee the eldest sister alone on an island with just a robot as company. She remembers her sister Kasey but nothing else and is determined to escape and find her sister. I loved Cee and her boundless energy within what felt very much like a Robinson Crusoe/Castaway feel and yet even then it just felt almost surreal.
Kasey is cold, detached and because every scene about her featured lots of technical details at times if blunt it didn't always immediately make sense. She's in a privileged position and desperate for answers about her sister who is believed dead but is she just missing ? Kasey takes matters into her own hands and starts to track down Cee but the answers she finds change her and her perception of the world around her.
This is sci fi with a strong dystopian feel as its about a world that is virtually uninhabitable. Science and technology dominate and if you fear the advance of AI this will certainly make you think. I cannot lie and will state that I didn't really enjoy Kaseys part in this story although without it there wouldn't have been answers to the mystery surrounding Cee. This book left me feeling hollow and yes the author does try to put a positive spin as it winds up but unfortunately I am just left feeling sad. A unique idea but the execution particularly when it came to Kaseys scenes just didn't work for this reader.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

The cover caught my attention immediately. The description left me curious as to how it would all play out. After the first chapter I was confused, but by the second chapter things became more clear and I became invested in figuring what happened to these two sisters. The writing style does take some getting used to but eventually you become used to the flow and the story keeps you wanting more. It was a perfect blend of science fiction and soul searching that worked well for the story.

The story introduces you to Cee and Kasey. Cee is stuck on an island while Kasey is left behind missing her. The question of their separation lingers throughout the book and keeps you glued to the story. Readers slowly learn not everything is as it appears as more of the truth comes to light. I really enjoyed this story and the ideas presented. This novel is a creative and interesting story that I would recommend to others who enjoy science fiction and unique perspectives.

4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

The Ones We're Meant to Find really caught me by surprise. It's rather slow pace, conflicting POVs and long setup certainly wouldn't be to everyones taste, but I absolutely adored it.

At its core, this book is about what it means to be human, about the responsibility we hold to be true to ourselves while still somehow balancing this with our responsibilities towards society as a whole. It's about loss, identity, deciding your own fate, building meaningful connections and the joy and pain they come with. It really resonated deeply with me, and I appreciate these issues being addressed in YA literature.

The concept is very intriguing as well - a science-heavy dystopia that could easily come to be. If you're looking into a read that explores the consequences that humanity's actions have on this planet, this one might be for you.

If you're into slow, introspective books where your initial confusion is rewarded by everything coming together in the end, definitely go and check this one out!

The cover for this book is goals...its contents not so much. I found this novel to be an odd melange of confusing and simple. The characters came across as flat (little more than names on a page), the world-building, although at first promising, ultimately struck me as patchy, and the storyline and twists were just not up my street. Still, I know that quite a lot of people are looking forward to this novel so I encourage prospective readers to check out some more positive reviews, as this may as well be one of those 'it's not it's me' cases.

The novel follows two sisters, the older one, Cee, has been stranded on an island for the past three years, while the younger one, Kasey, lives in one of the few existing eco-cities and is trying to make sense of Cee's disappearance. Climate and environmental disasters have made eco-cities refuges for humanity. Of course, not everyone is allowed entrance in eco-cities, and in spite of their utopian promises, eco-cities' such as Kasey's are incredibly classists (people are 'ranked, the cities themselves have stratified structure and those who live in the lower stratums lead less privileged lifestyles than those on 'top'). Although much of Kasey and Cee's world remains largely unexplored we do get some details about life in their eco-city. For example, we learn that 'holoing' is a green alternative which allows the citizens of the eco-city to conduct 'nonessential activities' in the holographic mode. There is also Intraface which allows its users to capture their memories as well as apps which can 'adjust' a person's serotonin levels. Kasey, who is a very logical person and who makes sense of the world around her through a scientific lens, finds herself, somewhat uncharacteristically one could say, trying to find what happened to her sister, even if she's convinced that Cee is dead.
Meanwhile, Cee has been trying to leave the island she woke up on. She desperately wants to be reunited with Kasey, and is prepared to risk her life in her attempt to build a raft/boat that will allow her to set forth into the ocean. Cee recollects very little about her former life and seems to have entirely forgotten about the existence of the eco-city or the rest of the world. All she knows is that she has to find her sister.

Here are the problems that I had with this novel (minor-spoilers below):

→the writing itself. Cee's sections are narrated in the 1st person, Kasey's in the 3rd. Something switching between perspectives can enhance a story (as with Red at the Bone, Everything Here is Beautiful, The Travelers, or anything by N. K. Jemisin), but, more often than not, is unnecessary. Kasey remains remote, which is perhaps intentional, after all, the author goes above and beyond in order to emphasise how 'cold' and 'detached' and 'Not Like Other People' she is (it seemed weird that the possibility of her being neurodivergent was never raised or discussed considering how technologically advanced these eco-cities are—for example, if someone feels upset they can locate the source of that feeling, be it a memory or whatnot). Yet, on the other hand, being in Cee's head didn't do all that much for her character either. She doesn't know a lot, her inner monologue consists mostly of what she observes (the island, the ocean, the rocks, the sand, her shack, her robot helper). When the boy arrives her mind is mostly occupied with thoughts of him. Cee's sections also included some really purply phrases (her thoughts 'jellify', she feels the 'muchness' and 'littleness'). Although the writing was for the most part okay, there were a few too many clichéd phrases ("Sometimes [she] felt like a stranger in her own skin", "[she] did not belong–here or anywhere") and even the dialogues were full of platitudes and done to death lines such as "What could we achieve, if we worked together?"
→the world-building left too much unexplored. There was so much that did not make sense or did not convince me and yet, I was supposed to just buy into it? The few half-delivered explanations we get did little in terms of answering my questions or making sense.
→the characters....Cee and Kasey are the classic YA sisters. One is attractive, charming, everyone loves her. The other is quiet, logical, not driven by her feelings but by FACTS, and she just does not 'fit in'. I felt nothing for them, which sounds harsh, but it is the truth. They were painfully one-dimensional, and, the longer I read, the less I believed in them.
→insta-love, of the worst kind. The whole love storyline did not work for me.
→plot...it has its twists, I will give it that. But I just could not bring myself to believe in Kasey's arc (that they would just let her do what she wanted)
→we never learn much about the sisters' relationship to their parents

Sadly, the novel had very little to offer me. By the end of the novel (around the 80% mark) I was so bored and irritated by what I was reading that I ended up skim-reading the rest. There were too many lacunae (in both the world-building and storyline) and I never felt engaged by the characters or the author's style. I was hoping for something more compelling, and yes, the comparison to Ghibli definitely feels misleading.

I remember reading the author's debut novel, Descendant of the Crane, and being absolutely blown away. With The Ones We're Meant to Find author Joan He proves she can write, and that she can create complex and truly creative YA stories. I really hope she'll become one of the bigger names in the genre soon, because she deserves it.

This is a story about two sisters, separated by the ocean, and yet it's also so much more. There are elements of dystopia, science fiction and mystery, and it blends these in a way that I believe will connect with many readers who aren't necessary fans of these genres.

The Ones We're Meant to Find follows Cee, who has been living on an abandoned for three years, with only an old android to keep her company. She has a single memory: she has a sister, and she must find her.
We also follow Kasey, a STEM prodigy living on one of the few eco-cities left on a dying Earth, who's investigating what happened to her presumed dead sister, Celia.

I think the author did a great job at giving each sister their own, distinct voice. They are very opposite characters, and I loved the thought and detail that was put in their perspectives.

The worldbuilding was very interesting, and especially the way eco-cities were incoroporated into the story was extremely well done. I loved the exploration of how rank and numbers based on the damage you or your ancestors have done to the planet, determine whether you're allowed to live in one, or whether you're left in the territories and exposed to natural disasters. It allowed a lot of commentary on climate change and consumerism, which also made it feel like a realistic interpretation of a possible future.

I only saw while writing this review this book was pitched as having elements of Studio Ghibli, and I wholeheartedly agree. This book would make a great Studio Ghibli movie, at is has all the whimsy and heart set in a strange and enchanting world.

All in all, I loved how this story reading puzzled together, with all its nuance and moral ambiguity. It's very thought-provoking must-read for anyone who wants something different within the YA genre. Once this books hooks you, you're in for a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with layered characters weaving together a heart-wrenching tale of love and survival and humanity.

This book was interesting in that sometimes it felt like fantasy and other times like a dystopian. This brings the two genres together in a way that makes this book something everyone may enjoy. This story approaches several different concepts that truly bring in the Black Mirror comparison. Are humans a danger to themselves and the planet? Do they deserve the right to choose how to live if it diminishes the ability for others to live? I don’t always enjoy being placed in a think-piece situation with Sci-Fi. However, this book wrapped it up in lush writing and a fantastic plot, which made it an enjoyable process.
Part of me still has questions about the ending, wanting to know what happens to everyone. I’m a little sad this is a standalone, as I still have questions. Joan He has crafted a beautiful plot, with an interesting world and a thought-provoking ending. This was truly a fantastic book.

My full review will be posted on my blog on May 7th, 2021.

*An eARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Text Publishing and NetGalley!

What began as a tale about two sisters, separated by the sea and desperate to find each other, beautifully evolved into a striking and thought-provoking story; full of intrigue and mystery from start to finish.

The Ones We're Meant to Find follows two sisters. Cee awoke, alone, on an abandoned island three years ago with no idea of how she was marooned. All Cee has is a rickety house, and old android and a single memory: she has a sister, and Cee needs to find her. The other sister, Kasey, is a STEM prodigy who longs to escape from the science and home she once trusted. Living on Earth's last unpolluted place - The Eco-city - Kasey is forced to decide whether she's ready to use science to help humanity, even though it failed the people who mattered most.

This book is pitched as We Were Liars meets Black Mirror, with elements of Studio Ghibli. I can completely see and agree with the comparisons and would recommend this book to fans of the aforementioned. As a slight side note, I could totally see this book as a Studio Ghibli film. It was simultaneously whimsical and somber, and I hope that one day this book can get adapted - it has so much potential! This book definitely stands out on its own and is unique in its own way. The story is filled with mystery and plot twists that are so beautifully and subtly foreshadowed throughout the story, so that when the missing piece of the puzzle this book presents slides into place it is so satisfactory and rewarding.

The Ones We're Meant to Find is deeply emotional and touching in its exploration of sisterhood and the bonds that keep us rooted to ourselves and each other. The author writes so melodically and did such a good job at creating solid characters that were distinct from each other. I really appreciated the stylistic and narrative choices the author made when it came to presented Cee and Kasey's individual perspectives.

During the first part of the book I did find myself feeling a little overwhelmed by the world-building. This book is very much a sci-fi novel, so it took time to understand the concept of Kasey's world and to get into the flow of the book. However, as more of the truth was revealed it became easier to become absorbed in the world-building and I felt that a lot of my initial questions was answered.

This book was heartbreaking, poetic, hopeful and philosophical. There are so many conversations that could be had about this book, and whilst it's set in a dystopian word there is so many discussions - such as those about climate change and human mortality - that are relevant to the times we live in. The author has definitely become a new auto-buy author for me, and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time. What a beautiful and mysterious book.

(Side note: I have to say that the cover of this book is breathtaking. It might even be one of my favourite book covers of all time.)

I wanted to like this very badly. tHE COVER, The summary. PERFECTION.

This book is lyrical yes, structurally gorgeous, but confusing - purposely being vague and chaotic whenever possible. I simply could not finish it.

I will not be posting my review elsewhere since I did not finish this book.

4.5 stars

Haunting, melodic prose sets the backdrop for an ecological, dystopian thiller which is a masterpiece of writing craft, character work and climate activism. This is a book that I think would benefit a lot of people to read, the themes of climate change, preserving the world for future generations and human selfishness causing the downfall of humanity hit very hard, especially given our current world.

We are following two main perspectives, Kasey whom we get in 3rd person and Cee (or Celia) who is in 1st person and is Kasey's presumed dead sister, at the start of the book she seems to have been on a deserted island for the past 3 years and trying to escape to find her sister. From Kasey's POV we see events 3 months after Celia's presumed death, with the world on the brink of catastophe due to radioactive air and other pollutants, and Kasey investigating what happened to Celia.

The world building and imagery are fantastic. I loved the focus on the sea, there is something so magical and enchanting about the sea and I feel like it fit the tone of the book so well, this book would make such an excellent studio ghibli film. Also the idea of the world with the eco-cities in the sky was such a cool concept and being ranked by how eco-friendly you are and this determining your standing in society and whether you can live in the eco-cities or the terriorties which are what is left of the earth, with toxic air and rising sea levels, is a fascinating concept and I think reflects almost on eco-terrorism and scientists becoming almost god-like in determining peoples worth, but you can also see how it is so necessary for the survival of the human race. Some of the quotes hit so hard, I don't think I can share them because it's an ARC copy but the writing is impeccable.

The characters are also great, Kasey was probably my favourite and I'm not sure if the author intended it or not but she read to me as autistic, or at least had autistic traits and this was an interesting insight into her character. Also I think the choice to have her parts in 3rd person POV added to the mystery and distance she presents to the world. Also her genius and relentless pursual of science and saving the human race was really great to read about, and something I don't think we see a lot of, especially in women in YA (not the saving the world part, but the slightly low empathy women in STEM aspect). Celia was also another really interesting character, SPOILER I think it was really interesting to explore the idea of AI gaining agency and self awareness, and defying their programming. The relationship between the two sisters was also really well written, and done in a very nuanced way, especially with regard to grief and reconcilliation.

The only negative I have is sometimes I got a little lost, and it felt like there where holes in the story, this could have been intentional to fit the slightly meandering tone of the book, but I feel like it could have benefited form being a tiny bit longer to get some of the scenes that felt missing.

Some of the plot twists were absolutely fantastic, I honestly didn't see them coming but once you knew you could see the seeds and those are the best kind in my opinion. All the themes explored were just immpeccable and while I enjoyed descendant of the crane, Joan He's first book, this book was such a step up and something I think will appeal to a lot of people, whether regular readers of YA or not, this book transcends genres and is a great contemplation on the future of our world, it's climate, and the inherent humanity of saving it.

-`ˏ 5 stars ˎ´˗

Storyline -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
The news of her sister being lost at sea has left Kasey emotionless. Many assumed that she’s dead, but how can that be possible? Cee is lively and loved by everyone, there’s no way her life can simply end like this. . Meanwhile on an abandoned island Cee woke up confused about her current situation. The vast sea, a shabby little house, and a not so useful android are the only thing around her. Her mind is fuzzy and her vision is blurry but one thing is certain, she knows she has to find her way off this island and back home to her sister.

Characters -`ˏ 8/10 ˎ´˗
Kasey is a highly intelligent individual. Her mind can create things beyond people’s belief, which at one point caused her to be feared by others. It didn’t exactly affect her however as she prefers the non-interactions, understanding people’s emotions seems to be more complex than numbers. On the other hand, Cee is the polar opposite, she’s the center of everyone's attention as they get drawn into her energy. Cee loves to have fun and embark on risky adventures. They have their differences but once together all that doesn’t matter. Only thing that fails between them is proper communication when it's needed. They both conceal things to protect the other person, but that only ends up hurting them more once revealed.

Atmosphere -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
A world where life comfortability is based on ranks. Numbers determine whether you should live in the eco-city where everything is provided to you easily, or in territories where millions of people still die from natural disasters.
Trigger warning: terminal illness, depression, abuse (emotional and physical), death (mention), and loss of loved one.
*Excessive use of scientific terminology, you may have to google their definition.

Language -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
A labyrinth. Best way to describe the structure of this writing. The story timeline is not definitive, uncertain whether we are progressing forward or backward, only thing you’re assured of is reaching an end. Even the finest details such as Kasey's chapters being numerical and Cee’s shown as tallies has a tremendous impact.

Enjoyment -`ˏ 10/10 ˎ´˗
This was such a catastrophic experience. Kasey's perspective was very enlightening and opened up your eyes to the damage humanity has done to the planet and each other, this may be what we face in the future. Cee’s perspective however truly had my distress. She went beyond trying to survive, she had hope and determination, many people would have given up a long time. This is the kind of story I would have liked a part two, but I know it's better to leave it as it is. Still trying to process the ending because wow. Just wow.

*sidenote: My kitchen from this day forward should be known as the Fuel-Bar.
**sidenote: The idea of a gravitational device that lets you place furniture and walk on the roof sounds incredible. Just imagine all that extra space you can get in a tiny New York apartment.

“Everyone lived at the expense of someone else”

Let me just start off by saying that this book blew me away. It’s pitched as Black Mirror AND Studio Ghibli and I 100% agree.

What is this book about?

It starts with the tragic story of Cee, who woke up on an abandoned island, with only a (very) sweet android, a house, and a single memory: her sister, and Cee needs to find her.
Then we meet STEM prodigy, Kasey, who lives in the skydome, safe from the polluted Earth. Years have passed since the disappearance of her sister, and Kasey doesn't believe that she's dead, as everyone seems to think.

My opinions

*minor spoilers ahead*

Characters

Cee: I loved her point of view so much, and I quickly became attached to her. What amazed me is the sheer amount of ambition she has, continuing to do whatever she needs to find her sister( even though we find out later why she's like this, it still impressed me). She's also a very refreshing character to read about, putting a smile on your face and also breaking your heart at times.

Kasey: I also enjoyed reading from her perspective, even though she's unlikeable. She's questioning her morality which makes the story even better for me, and she's clearly a gray character. I loved loved lovedddddd her relationship with her sister, it was sweet and heart-rending at the same time.

Actinium: Not my favorite character.Dark-haired boy, tragic and mysterious past. Sure, he was interesting to read about, but also frustrating.

Hero: Golden Retriever boy!! I loved him lots, he was wholesome and like a ray of sunshine. He's not the smartest, made some very dumb decisions, and I enjoyed his relationship with Cee even though it was insta-lovey.

U-me: MY FAV CHARACTER!! A little bot that I cared so much for, not problematic, didn't do anything wrong!!

Plot

The first half of the book:

I was immediately immersed in the story, wanting to find out more about the mystery surrounding the sisters and about how the world worked there, but I felt overwhelmed with the world-building.

The second half of the book:

Better than the first, with so so many twists that felt like I was piecing together a puzzle. My favorite thing about these “puzzles” is that you couldn't guess the twists from the get-go because you didn't have enough information, and later on, these pieces of information were revealed along with the plot twists.

If you like :

-the ocean( there is a lot of it, so beware)
-close sisters
-deserted islands
-the-world-is-almost-ending-but-we-can't-do-anything-to-save-it-because-we-destroyed-it-ourselves trope
-insta-love
-a lot of science involved
-mysterious dark-haired boys with a tragic past trope
-gray characters
-very sweet bots

THEN READ THIS BOOK!!

Rating: 3.75/5💫