This was an interesting concept with a great deal of potential. Unfortunately I don't think the author really captured all they could have with this. It would have been more interesting to see how lives were changes, the tension between people, the reality of what it's lilke to try to live your life without taking many steps but trying to stay fit too... instead there was a lot of violence where it wasn't really necessary and lots of sexual references with dildos and vibrators where there really didn't need to be.

Live your life.....but don't waste your steps! I enjoyed this book. Characters were engaging and dynamic. Story was original and well thought out.

The problem with sci-fi is that you have to be very good at world building. To successfully have your readers immersed in a world that could exist in a parallel universe or in the future requires an equal sense of belief and disbelief. There is also the very important task of getting pace and narration correct, especially in a novel.

I like the premise... that you have a limited number of steps in you before you die, and that is the driving evolutionary point for the way there are different characters, because that is the human spirit. But, there were too many people, halfway through I am still reading about new characters and all with the sense of energy that their steps are running out, but nothing else happened. There is a grand event that is to unfurl where they will announce a winner, but it was just too far away in the pages, and the author focused instead on the side quests the characters had to do.
It distracts the readers, breaks their emotional connect.

Props to the author for coming up with this brilliant treatise and a bunch of wonderful characters, but I wish they had just hurried up.

Thank you NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for this eCopy to review

Steps is a dystopian thriller set in a world where governments have imposed a lifespan limit of 60,000,000 steps due to overpopulation. In this inverted reality, your countdown begins, and how long you live is now in your hands. The story follows the chaos and subcultural clashes as citizens strive to extend their lives, leading to a city teetering on the brink of collapse during its busiest night of the year.

The novel immerses readers in a darkly humorous and thought-provoking exploration of moral dilemmas that blur the lines between light and dark. As society’s fabric is tested, the story poses the question: What would you do? The narrative is filled with high-stakes tension, absurdity, and a fast-paced plot that keeps you wondering what’s next.

The characters are quirky and the concept is original, but I felt that the character development could have been stronger. The focus is more on the thrilling plot and the unique premise, which leaves some room for deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and backgrounds.

The novel explores themes of survival, morality, and the lengths people will go to extend their lives. It delves into the societal impact of such a restrictive lifespan limit and the resulting chaos and conflict.

Steps is an intriguing and thought-provoking thriller, it is engaging and fast-paced, with a darkly humorous tone that adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. The vivid descriptions and imaginative concept make for an entertaining read that offers a unique take on dystopian fiction.

I like this book! I do think that I really really loved the concept of the book, but I don’t think it was executed the best way. I think there was a lack of information and not enough explanation for things, but the concept of knowing when your life is gonna end based on steps is really really good.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

An interesting concept that was short enough to have an impact. Has us thinking about what we do with our own steps.

Really 3.5 stars - the concept was interesting, but the story felt a little shallow - more description and action than dialogue and inner thoughts. To control population, everyone now has only 60 million steps before they die. This book takes a peek at what that would be like, with people finding different modes of walking, and some stealing steps from other people. A greedy mayor attempts to harvest steps from her constituents, and a group of citizens attempts to thwart her. This was a fun, fast, easy read. It was more an exploration of the concept than a deep or complicated plot. I could see this being made into an animated film.

Steps presents a gripping dystopian scenario where a lifespan limit of 60 million steps leads to chaos and moral dilemmas in an overpopulated world. As citizens race against time to extend their lives, the story unfolds amidst corruption and conflict, delivering dark humor and thought-provoking themes. Dagott crafts a narrative that keeps readers on edge, exploring what it means to truly live.