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The Anatomy of Water #1
Earthflown
Earthflown is a love story that tries, and fails, to leave the water crisis behind When Ethan saves the life of a firestarter, it's nothing unusual. He's the only healer on call at the hospital – and that gunshot wound isn't going to regenerate itself.
But his patient turns out to be Corinna Arden, heiress to a pharmaceutical empire controlling Britain's water supply. Her twin, Javier, is a man who (a) starts sending Ethan flowers at work, (b) seems terrified of a secret, and (c) has the cheekbones and earnestness to make up for both. Ethan indulges in (what he thinks will be) a brief, harmless romance – but is swept up in a deadly collusion over Project Earthflown: the largest reconstruction tender since London clawed its way out of the rising sea.
Determined to follow the money, Ollie is a journalist who finds a corpse at the end of a too-convenient tip. The fate of water – and who profits – might depend on the perennial has Ethan lost his mind, or is he just an idiot?
► This novel is best enjoyed with the (free) supplementary materials linked within the ebook. There is also an illustrated edition with over 60 illustrations by Litarnes. Please note that this novel is written in UK english and a niche genre-mix of romance and speculative-flavoured conspiracy. There is likely too much romance for conventional crime readers, and too much crime for conventional romance readers. You can find content warnings within the ebook or on the author's website.
But his patient turns out to be Corinna Arden, heiress to a pharmaceutical empire controlling Britain's water supply. Her twin, Javier, is a man who (a) starts sending Ethan flowers at work, (b) seems terrified of a secret, and (c) has the cheekbones and earnestness to make up for both. Ethan indulges in (what he thinks will be) a brief, harmless romance – but is swept up in a deadly collusion over Project Earthflown: the largest reconstruction tender since London clawed its way out of the rising sea.
Determined to follow the money, Ollie is a journalist who finds a corpse at the end of a too-convenient tip. The fate of water – and who profits – might depend on the perennial has Ethan lost his mind, or is he just an idiot?
► This novel is best enjoyed with the (free) supplementary materials linked within the ebook. There is also an illustrated edition with over 60 illustrations by Litarnes. Please note that this novel is written in UK english and a niche genre-mix of romance and speculative-flavoured conspiracy. There is likely too much romance for conventional crime readers, and too much crime for conventional romance readers. You can find content warnings within the ebook or on the author's website.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2024
About the author
Frances Wren
1 book225 followersFrances Wren is a kiwi writer based in Australia. They lawyer during rent-paying hours, specialising in antitrust before leaving big-law for NFP med research. Earthflown is their debut novel. They illustrate covers sometimes at
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November 7, 2021Honestly, look at this cover.
May 12, 2024
I would like to thank BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Earthflown was one of the more interesting reading experiences I've had recently, and while there was soooo much going for it that SHOULD HAVE worked for me, it just didn't land like i had hoped it would.
and truthfully, I can't even really pinpoint what i didn't entirely vibe with, other than the fact that i wasn't a fan of practically ALL of the characters. BUT I ABSOLUTELY ADORED Ethan and Jav together. They were sweet and their love felt genuine. But everything outside of their little bubble was...a bit of a challenge for me to get behind.
I enjoyed the writing style and the banter was brilliant! This was clever, but I also found it a bit exhausting at times. it was weirdly convoluted for something that (helpfully) said the same thing over and over again i.e. drugs, water politics, pharma corp subsidies and billions up for grabs for the one-percenters. unfortunately, i simply felt apart from the narrative, and while i can appreciate the miles of tension and moments of discomforting plot throughout, I just don't think I'm the target reader for this flavour of political/big pharma-family drama.
i did think the futuristic worldbuilding was awesome though, with flying cars, and a multileveled london rising out of the sea!
and OFC how the superhero like abilities some of the characters possessed, supported their characterization!
so yeah, there was a lot of great things about this debut to celebrate, and additionally, the author has illustrations up on their myriad social media and it's all gorgeous to explore and i really loved that! there is a lot of talent here, and i think Wren's creativity and skillful narrative style is beyond brilliant for a debut novel! i am very much looking forward to reading everything else to come from this author, because Frances Wren is sure to offer up something unique and marvelous and i can't wait to find my favourite of theirs in the future!
Earthflown was one of the more interesting reading experiences I've had recently, and while there was soooo much going for it that SHOULD HAVE worked for me, it just didn't land like i had hoped it would.
and truthfully, I can't even really pinpoint what i didn't entirely vibe with, other than the fact that i wasn't a fan of practically ALL of the characters. BUT I ABSOLUTELY ADORED Ethan and Jav together. They were sweet and their love felt genuine. But everything outside of their little bubble was...a bit of a challenge for me to get behind.
I enjoyed the writing style and the banter was brilliant! This was clever, but I also found it a bit exhausting at times. it was weirdly convoluted for something that (helpfully) said the same thing over and over again i.e. drugs, water politics, pharma corp subsidies and billions up for grabs for the one-percenters. unfortunately, i simply felt apart from the narrative, and while i can appreciate the miles of tension and moments of discomforting plot throughout, I just don't think I'm the target reader for this flavour of political/big pharma-family drama.
i did think the futuristic worldbuilding was awesome though, with flying cars, and a multileveled london rising out of the sea!
and OFC how the superhero like abilities some of the characters possessed, supported their characterization!
so yeah, there was a lot of great things about this debut to celebrate, and additionally, the author has illustrations up on their myriad social media and it's all gorgeous to explore and i really loved that! there is a lot of talent here, and i think Wren's creativity and skillful narrative style is beyond brilliant for a debut novel! i am very much looking forward to reading everything else to come from this author, because Frances Wren is sure to offer up something unique and marvelous and i can't wait to find my favourite of theirs in the future!
August 5, 2024
Earthflown: A Potable Study of Love and Collusion
I would recommend this book. Just make sure to keep your expectations in check.
Earthflown, Francis Wren's debut novel, is set in a utopian world where it explores the Earth’s water crisis and the complexities of human emotions with great sensitivity. The story features a unique elemental magic system.
When Ethan, a healer, saves the life of Corinna Arden, heiress to a powerful pharmaceutical empire controlling Britain’s water supply, he finds himself entangled in more than just a routine medical case. Corinna’s twin brother, Javier, begins to court Ethan while hiding a terrifying secret. Meanwhile, journalist Ollie stumbles upon a corpse that leads him to uncover a dangerous conspiracy surrounding Project Earthflown, a massive reconstruction effort aimed at combating rising sea levels. As Ethan navigates a whirlwind romance and deadly intrigue, the fate of the world’s water supply hangs in the balance.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Earthflown for two years. It had been on my TBR list ever since I first heard about it, and I followed the author closely. After several delays, the book finally came out in 2024, and I grabbed a copy immediately. Despite my excitement, it took me a couple of months to start reading it. My expectations were sky-high for this debut novel.
First, let me clarify: Earthflown is a good book. For a debut, it's quite impressive. However, it didn’t fully meet my expectations.
One major surprise was realizing this isn’t a standalone novel, as I initially believed it to be. Discovering midway that it’s the beginning of a series was unexpected, and the ending left me unsatisfied. It felt anti-climactic and left me yearning for more.
The plot is brilliant, but the execution feels somewhat messy. The world-building, in particular, is quite confusing. While the author provides additional details about the world, characters, and magic system on their website, I unfortunately read the book during a time when I had no internet access due to a countrywide curfew. I believe a book should be able to stand alone in explaining its world to the readers without requiring external resources. Earthflown failed to deliver in that aspect. It basically fell short in making me visualize its futuristic setting.
The characters were another sticking point. There are three POV characters: Javier, whom I found to be a pushover; Ethan, who came across as extremely selfish and annoying; and Oliver, who was nosy and self-centered. He doesn’t respect anyone and strings his girlfriend along for years. The side characters didn’t fare much better, as everyone seemed to want to control everyone else, ignoring the concept of **minding their own business**. Among the characters, Jav was my favorite, and even then, I *barely tolerated* him. That says a lot about the other characters, doesn’t it?
In conclusion, while Earthflown has its merits, it didn't quite live up to my high expectations. The brilliant plot is marred by confusing world-building and unlikable characters. Despite this, it’s a commendable effort for a debut, and I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
I would recommend this book. Just make sure to keep your expectations in check.
Earthflown, Francis Wren's debut novel, is set in a utopian world where it explores the Earth’s water crisis and the complexities of human emotions with great sensitivity. The story features a unique elemental magic system.
When Ethan, a healer, saves the life of Corinna Arden, heiress to a powerful pharmaceutical empire controlling Britain’s water supply, he finds himself entangled in more than just a routine medical case. Corinna’s twin brother, Javier, begins to court Ethan while hiding a terrifying secret. Meanwhile, journalist Ollie stumbles upon a corpse that leads him to uncover a dangerous conspiracy surrounding Project Earthflown, a massive reconstruction effort aimed at combating rising sea levels. As Ethan navigates a whirlwind romance and deadly intrigue, the fate of the world’s water supply hangs in the balance.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Earthflown for two years. It had been on my TBR list ever since I first heard about it, and I followed the author closely. After several delays, the book finally came out in 2024, and I grabbed a copy immediately. Despite my excitement, it took me a couple of months to start reading it. My expectations were sky-high for this debut novel.
First, let me clarify: Earthflown is a good book. For a debut, it's quite impressive. However, it didn’t fully meet my expectations.
One major surprise was realizing this isn’t a standalone novel, as I initially believed it to be. Discovering midway that it’s the beginning of a series was unexpected, and the ending left me unsatisfied. It felt anti-climactic and left me yearning for more.
The plot is brilliant, but the execution feels somewhat messy. The world-building, in particular, is quite confusing. While the author provides additional details about the world, characters, and magic system on their website, I unfortunately read the book during a time when I had no internet access due to a countrywide curfew. I believe a book should be able to stand alone in explaining its world to the readers without requiring external resources. Earthflown failed to deliver in that aspect. It basically fell short in making me visualize its futuristic setting.
The characters were another sticking point. There are three POV characters: Javier, whom I found to be a pushover; Ethan, who came across as extremely selfish and annoying; and Oliver, who was nosy and self-centered. He doesn’t respect anyone and strings his girlfriend along for years. The side characters didn’t fare much better, as everyone seemed to want to control everyone else, ignoring the concept of **minding their own business**. Among the characters, Jav was my favorite, and even then, I *barely tolerated* him. That says a lot about the other characters, doesn’t it?
In conclusion, while Earthflown has its merits, it didn't quite live up to my high expectations. The brilliant plot is marred by confusing world-building and unlikable characters. Despite this, it’s a commendable effort for a debut, and I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
Read
April 23, 2024UPDATE: Ebook is finally out on
kindle
! Paperback editions of Earthflown are now available at
Amazon
,
B&N
,
Bookshop.org
&
Indigo
(exclusive special edition)! If buying from Amazon, please take care to fulfil directly from Amazon only - due to the large number of illustrations within, unauthorised reprintings by scammers will have blurry / subpar photocopied art.
--------------------------
Earthflown is an unmarketable collision of gritty collusion and romance (and if you're a pure crime reader, it's probably a bit too much romance; if you're a pure romance reader, perhaps a bit too much antitrust + journalism frustration).
You'll love it if you're fascinated by:
💧 the banality of magic (fantasy archetypes immersed in capitalist hell)
💧 water / resource crisis + a 'death by privitisation' alt SFF universe
💧 corruption arcs + (extremely) flawed characters
💧 imperfect, voluntarily blinding love
💧 found family, sibling energy, twinsies, platonic intimacy
💧 exhausted grumpy x soft sunshine
💧 'touch her and i'll help her kill you because that's what she enjoys'
💌 Sign-up to our (quiet) newsletter to get first-dibs on bonus content, art, giveaways and bookish news!
You can also find content warnings, tropes, etc here. At a glance, the main CWs are: medical procedures, gaslighting, gun use, non-consensual drug administration, depression, anxiety, explicit violence, mild sexual references, internalised bigotry.
--------------------------
Earthflown is an unmarketable collision of gritty collusion and romance (and if you're a pure crime reader, it's probably a bit too much romance; if you're a pure romance reader, perhaps a bit too much antitrust + journalism frustration).
You'll love it if you're fascinated by:
💧 the banality of magic (fantasy archetypes immersed in capitalist hell)
💧 water / resource crisis + a 'death by privitisation' alt SFF universe
💧 corruption arcs + (extremely) flawed characters
💧 imperfect, voluntarily blinding love
💧 found family, sibling energy, twinsies, platonic intimacy
💧 exhausted grumpy x soft sunshine
💧 'touch her and i'll help her kill you because that's what she enjoys'
💌 Sign-up to our (quiet) newsletter to get first-dibs on bonus content, art, giveaways and bookish news!
You can also find content warnings, tropes, etc here. At a glance, the main CWs are: medical procedures, gaslighting, gun use, non-consensual drug administration, depression, anxiety, explicit violence, mild sexual references, internalised bigotry.
February 10, 2024
✰ 4 stars ✰
“There were generally two kinds of stories: the ones you chased and the ones that chased you.”
On Thursday, February 8th, a nationwide election took place in my country. Our Pakistani government is now inclined to suspend all cellular and internet connectivity to prevent any civilian unrest or chaos during any massive political movement, thus spiraling us into the dark ages for one day. Such is life. 😮💨 I was saving Earthflown for my weekend reads, but seeing the opportunity arise to be cut off entirely from the rest of the world for a day, I took advantage of that uninterrupted silence and having a day off from work. ☺️ So, after casting my vote, I cozied up on my favorite comfortable reading spot and dove right in.
Firstly, please do take the time to have a look at the stunning artwork already provided by the respective author and illustrator on Instagram and their webpage, one which served as the driving motivation for me to read it. Both artists are exceptionally talented and having also seen a few snippets of the original paperback, I would not mind purchasing this book for myself. 😍 I love having actual canon illustrations for the characters profiles because it brings them to life in my mind and really enhances my enjoyment of the story.
“Perhaps love and loyalty were not the same thing after all –”
The writing was very easy to follow - even with all the medical terms and procedures that were depicted. The pacing never faltered because something was always happening - I never felt at a standstill or had a lull in the story. 👏🏻👏🏻 The shift in perspective was also handled well, and I liked how the change in tone would indicate an escalation of various actions that would eventually erupt in an explosive climax. And when you can feel that you're in capable hands, that the writer is guiding you in the right direction - I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything. 😌
It's funny - the political aspect of the story never became too much of a fleshed out portion of the plot that I would find my eyes glazing over, but it was still essential to the story - if that makes sense. 😊 There was a lot of heart put into building up the futuristic setting and it showed; from the helpful index to the well-versed medical details - a lot of care was done into making it as believable as possible. I liked that there was a prevalent mystery that continued throughout that connected each parallel plotline together. 👍🏻👍🏻 Family quarrels, political strife and an imbalance balance of power are just a few of the key ingredients that not only added fuel to the fire, but also served as the backdrop for the stage that inevitably brought Ethan and Javier together.
Surprisingly, it never felt like their romance was the main focus, but it still effectively acted as a major catalyst to keep the plot moving forward. I've noticed a trend recently where authors have now abandoned the importance of using verbs in dialogues that used to accentuate the character's inflection of tone in order to keep the conversation flowing; and while I normally don't like it all that much, it was handled well here. 👌🏻 Not only to keep the momentum flowing, but for how it was able to convey so very clearly each character dynamic with each other. Plus, the three core characters' voices were each unique in their own respective way that I found myself empathizing and sympathizing with each of them, regardless of the situation.
“I mean that one day, if you realise you love somebody, I hope you won’t second guess yourself. I hope you never wonder if you loved them for them, or if they loved you so much that it fooled you into it.
I hope that difference won’t matter to you. Because it doesn't matter to me.”
Whether you'll love him or hate him, Ethan was definitely my favorite. 🤍🤍 That cold yet assessing and loving demeanor suited my heart so well, and I loved the subtle growth to his character. Javier - my precious boy - let me protect you forever - he carried such a burden and such a caring heart. 🥺 What was done to you, how you were treated, was so unjust and I wasn't quite ready or prepared for whatever happened to you. 😟 'Doubt coated his teeth after every kiss: whose feelings were they? But all the doubt in the world could not blunt the force of his want.' Oliver - the voice of reason - the man with a mission and the one with a conscience, he steadily grew on me as time went on. Seeing his opposing views was such a clever balance to Ethan and Javier's relationship that in his own way, he was as much an opposing force as a supportive one, which made his character that much more of an appealing one. 👍🏻
I still cannot NOT talk about Ethan and Javier's chemistry, because it was so beautifully captured that I felt their connection - their love. 🥹🥹 What starts off as a casual attraction slowly builds up into something so much more meaningful and desirable to both of them, in ways they could never have anticipated. Their banter was fresh and amusing and dare I say it, charming - their tender scenes just as emotional. 🥺🥺 It was almost poetic the way the author wrote out their feelings and thoughts - this heartbreaking and yearning they both wanted for someone to see them as they were. 'Love was an incredible high, and they both went loose from the sheer force of it all.' And as much as I would have loved more than just fade to black with them at certain scenes, there was still enough palpable heat to their intimacy to show just how much they cared for each other. 🩶🩶🤍🤍
The way they comforted each other when they needed it so desperately, that fierce protective understanding they felt about one another, the hesitant way in which they acted upon their desire and want for each other - I ate those moments up. Sometimes less is more, and there was this one scene that was ❤️🔥❤️🔥 - for all the right reasons. And two other moments are seared into my brain and reread twice, mind you, because of how well it captured for not capturing the steady growth of their feelings, but at how it just tugged at my heart strings in all the right ways. 🫠🫠 'I didn’t think I��d ever find someone like you.' How they never felt that they would ever find someone who would just get them - just as they were. '– there did exist a soul willing to forgive his secrets. And Jav would pay any price to be loved so blindly.' And even if it was mostly only with their words, it was essentially enough to fit their characters - in a way, how hard they were fighting a part of themselves to be with each other, while also giving up a part of themselves to one another. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“But there were drawbacks to keeping exits so close, always counting the distance between us and what if.”
As much as I would love if the author decides to write a sequel, I also think a prequel novella would be a worthy inclusion, if not a necessary one. Why? I just felt that there was so much background that was missing to certain supporting characters; it's not that I don't doubt that it could have a purposeful decision by the author, so that perhaps it could be revealed someday in a sequel, but there was little to vague details only provided into existing relationships that I could not quite get behind some of their actions or behavior. 🙍🏻♀️ Yes, they were intriguing and I enjoyed their interactions with the main characters, but I needed a bit more weight to their personalities. It felt like I had caught them in media res - and to take stock of certain decisions, I needed a little more believable motivation into what it was that made them behave the way that they did - to make their actions have more of an impact on me. 😔
I have also mentioned earlier that the writing was strong, evocative and it immersed me into the story. It is an ARC, so there were a few spelling and grammatical errors, but not enough to bother me. However, as a personal preference, I may have appreciated a different way in emphasizing time shifts; the method of choice didn't quite work well for me. 😕 I know that, it's in a way a choice that cuts time of reading and shortens necessary details, but it made it read more like I was watching those descriptions appear as a type-set on a screen display. Like a visual, which, okay, as it does play very heavily on the artwork, then I suppose it does seem like a reasonable choice - in a way. 🤔 But, as a reader, I would not have minded if some of the passages had included those in a lengthier format. I really think it would have made it a much more rounded a read - for me, anyways. 🤷🏻♀️
Despite my personal qualms, this was a promising debut, if not an entertaining one. 👌🏻 I mean, once I had seated myself on my couch, it was difficult for me to get up. 😅 Of course, aside from sinking even deeper into my couch cushion, I didn't want to get up for anything - so engrossed was I - because I didn't know what was going to happen next. It may have not been quite what I was expecting, but what it delivered was more than enough to not only appease me, but make me eager for more. And that's a win for me, if there ever was one. 🌟
*My sincere thanks to the author and BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“There were generally two kinds of stories: the ones you chased and the ones that chased you.”
On Thursday, February 8th, a nationwide election took place in my country. Our Pakistani government is now inclined to suspend all cellular and internet connectivity to prevent any civilian unrest or chaos during any massive political movement, thus spiraling us into the dark ages for one day. Such is life. 😮💨 I was saving Earthflown for my weekend reads, but seeing the opportunity arise to be cut off entirely from the rest of the world for a day, I took advantage of that uninterrupted silence and having a day off from work. ☺️ So, after casting my vote, I cozied up on my favorite comfortable reading spot and dove right in.
Firstly, please do take the time to have a look at the stunning artwork already provided by the respective author and illustrator on Instagram and their webpage, one which served as the driving motivation for me to read it. Both artists are exceptionally talented and having also seen a few snippets of the original paperback, I would not mind purchasing this book for myself. 😍 I love having actual canon illustrations for the characters profiles because it brings them to life in my mind and really enhances my enjoyment of the story.
“Perhaps love and loyalty were not the same thing after all –”
The writing was very easy to follow - even with all the medical terms and procedures that were depicted. The pacing never faltered because something was always happening - I never felt at a standstill or had a lull in the story. 👏🏻👏🏻 The shift in perspective was also handled well, and I liked how the change in tone would indicate an escalation of various actions that would eventually erupt in an explosive climax. And when you can feel that you're in capable hands, that the writer is guiding you in the right direction - I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything. 😌
It's funny - the political aspect of the story never became too much of a fleshed out portion of the plot that I would find my eyes glazing over, but it was still essential to the story - if that makes sense. 😊 There was a lot of heart put into building up the futuristic setting and it showed; from the helpful index to the well-versed medical details - a lot of care was done into making it as believable as possible. I liked that there was a prevalent mystery that continued throughout that connected each parallel plotline together. 👍🏻👍🏻 Family quarrels, political strife and an imbalance balance of power are just a few of the key ingredients that not only added fuel to the fire, but also served as the backdrop for the stage that inevitably brought Ethan and Javier together.
Surprisingly, it never felt like their romance was the main focus, but it still effectively acted as a major catalyst to keep the plot moving forward. I've noticed a trend recently where authors have now abandoned the importance of using verbs in dialogues that used to accentuate the character's inflection of tone in order to keep the conversation flowing; and while I normally don't like it all that much, it was handled well here. 👌🏻 Not only to keep the momentum flowing, but for how it was able to convey so very clearly each character dynamic with each other. Plus, the three core characters' voices were each unique in their own respective way that I found myself empathizing and sympathizing with each of them, regardless of the situation.
“I mean that one day, if you realise you love somebody, I hope you won’t second guess yourself. I hope you never wonder if you loved them for them, or if they loved you so much that it fooled you into it.
I hope that difference won’t matter to you. Because it doesn't matter to me.”
Whether you'll love him or hate him, Ethan was definitely my favorite. 🤍🤍 That cold yet assessing and loving demeanor suited my heart so well, and I loved the subtle growth to his character. Javier - my precious boy - let me protect you forever - he carried such a burden and such a caring heart. 🥺 What was done to you, how you were treated, was so unjust and I wasn't quite ready or prepared for whatever happened to you. 😟 'Doubt coated his teeth after every kiss: whose feelings were they? But all the doubt in the world could not blunt the force of his want.' Oliver - the voice of reason - the man with a mission and the one with a conscience, he steadily grew on me as time went on. Seeing his opposing views was such a clever balance to Ethan and Javier's relationship that in his own way, he was as much an opposing force as a supportive one, which made his character that much more of an appealing one. 👍🏻
I still cannot NOT talk about Ethan and Javier's chemistry, because it was so beautifully captured that I felt their connection - their love. 🥹🥹 What starts off as a casual attraction slowly builds up into something so much more meaningful and desirable to both of them, in ways they could never have anticipated. Their banter was fresh and amusing and dare I say it, charming - their tender scenes just as emotional. 🥺🥺 It was almost poetic the way the author wrote out their feelings and thoughts - this heartbreaking and yearning they both wanted for someone to see them as they were. 'Love was an incredible high, and they both went loose from the sheer force of it all.' And as much as I would have loved more than just fade to black with them at certain scenes, there was still enough palpable heat to their intimacy to show just how much they cared for each other. 🩶🩶🤍🤍
The way they comforted each other when they needed it so desperately, that fierce protective understanding they felt about one another, the hesitant way in which they acted upon their desire and want for each other - I ate those moments up. Sometimes less is more, and there was this one scene that was ❤️🔥❤️🔥 - for all the right reasons. And two other moments are seared into my brain and reread twice, mind you, because of how well it captured for not capturing the steady growth of their feelings, but at how it just tugged at my heart strings in all the right ways. 🫠🫠 'I didn’t think I��d ever find someone like you.' How they never felt that they would ever find someone who would just get them - just as they were. '– there did exist a soul willing to forgive his secrets. And Jav would pay any price to be loved so blindly.' And even if it was mostly only with their words, it was essentially enough to fit their characters - in a way, how hard they were fighting a part of themselves to be with each other, while also giving up a part of themselves to one another. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“But there were drawbacks to keeping exits so close, always counting the distance between us and what if.”
As much as I would love if the author decides to write a sequel, I also think a prequel novella would be a worthy inclusion, if not a necessary one. Why? I just felt that there was so much background that was missing to certain supporting characters; it's not that I don't doubt that it could have a purposeful decision by the author, so that perhaps it could be revealed someday in a sequel, but there was little to vague details only provided into existing relationships that I could not quite get behind some of their actions or behavior. 🙍🏻♀️ Yes, they were intriguing and I enjoyed their interactions with the main characters, but I needed a bit more weight to their personalities. It felt like I had caught them in media res - and to take stock of certain decisions, I needed a little more believable motivation into what it was that made them behave the way that they did - to make their actions have more of an impact on me. 😔
I have also mentioned earlier that the writing was strong, evocative and it immersed me into the story. It is an ARC, so there were a few spelling and grammatical errors, but not enough to bother me. However, as a personal preference, I may have appreciated a different way in emphasizing time shifts; the method of choice didn't quite work well for me. 😕 I know that, it's in a way a choice that cuts time of reading and shortens necessary details, but it made it read more like I was watching those descriptions appear as a type-set on a screen display. Like a visual, which, okay, as it does play very heavily on the artwork, then I suppose it does seem like a reasonable choice - in a way. 🤔 But, as a reader, I would not have minded if some of the passages had included those in a lengthier format. I really think it would have made it a much more rounded a read - for me, anyways. 🤷🏻♀️
Despite my personal qualms, this was a promising debut, if not an entertaining one. 👌🏻 I mean, once I had seated myself on my couch, it was difficult for me to get up. 😅 Of course, aside from sinking even deeper into my couch cushion, I didn't want to get up for anything - so engrossed was I - because I didn't know what was going to happen next. It may have not been quite what I was expecting, but what it delivered was more than enough to not only appease me, but make me eager for more. And that's a win for me, if there ever was one. 🌟
*My sincere thanks to the author and BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2024
I am having alot of thoughts about this one, but I feel relatively confident with this being a rounded up 4.5 stars. This book was on my list of super anticipated releases for the year based on the covers alone and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint.
Firstly, this story is an amazing effort for a debut. You can feel the blood, sweat and tears that must have gone into the research and world building, especially regarding medical scenes and the healers. This book was smart, unique and morally complex. I finished this whole thing in one sitting cause I was so absorbed and this will likely go on my list for favourites of the year.
The author has invested so much time into this final product. I’m still shocked at how polished it is. The author worked closely with an illustrator to produce some stunning art which is on their Instagram and I believe will be included in the final hard copy of the book. For that reason alone (amongst many) I’ll be purchasing a hard copy when it’s available. The pride and effort that has been taken in this work has made this author one that I will come back to in the future.
This is a wonderful example of SFF. This story is set in a futuristic London where the city has started sinking and is growing vertically to escape destruction and clean water is a rare commodity controlled by the rich and powerful. This world had such a unique tone of crime noir/ gritty cyber-punk vibes. There are some ‘magic’ elements in the story where people possess special abilities such as healers, empaths, telekinetics and firestarters, and while these powers are important to the story, these abilities are also not the main focus of the narrative.
The core relationship in this is Ethan and Javier and I just adored them. The slow build in trust and love was very sweet and as a reader you were so invested in them and their happiness. Full disclosure, there is very little spice in this book, so if that’s something that you need, you may be left a little unfulfilled. While I would have welcomed a scene or two to cement the emotional payoff of the build of their relationship, I didn’t find that it impacted my enjoyment of their dynamic as a whole.
I don’t want to say much more cause it feels like everything could be a clue or spoiler but I knocked off half a star because the ending was left a bit open and ambiguous. And I understand why it’s been done that way, but just for personal preference it drives me a little nutty.
I would encourage any fans of queer SFF to support this standalone (?) and give it a read.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my own thoughts and feelings.
Firstly, this story is an amazing effort for a debut. You can feel the blood, sweat and tears that must have gone into the research and world building, especially regarding medical scenes and the healers. This book was smart, unique and morally complex. I finished this whole thing in one sitting cause I was so absorbed and this will likely go on my list for favourites of the year.
The author has invested so much time into this final product. I’m still shocked at how polished it is. The author worked closely with an illustrator to produce some stunning art which is on their Instagram and I believe will be included in the final hard copy of the book. For that reason alone (amongst many) I’ll be purchasing a hard copy when it’s available. The pride and effort that has been taken in this work has made this author one that I will come back to in the future.
This is a wonderful example of SFF. This story is set in a futuristic London where the city has started sinking and is growing vertically to escape destruction and clean water is a rare commodity controlled by the rich and powerful. This world had such a unique tone of crime noir/ gritty cyber-punk vibes. There are some ‘magic’ elements in the story where people possess special abilities such as healers, empaths, telekinetics and firestarters, and while these powers are important to the story, these abilities are also not the main focus of the narrative.
The core relationship in this is Ethan and Javier and I just adored them. The slow build in trust and love was very sweet and as a reader you were so invested in them and their happiness. Full disclosure, there is very little spice in this book, so if that’s something that you need, you may be left a little unfulfilled. While I would have welcomed a scene or two to cement the emotional payoff of the build of their relationship, I didn’t find that it impacted my enjoyment of their dynamic as a whole.
I don’t want to say much more cause it feels like everything could be a clue or spoiler but I knocked off half a star because the ending was left a bit open and ambiguous. And I understand why it’s been done that way, but just for personal preference it drives me a little nutty.
I would encourage any fans of queer SFF to support this standalone (?) and give it a read.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my own thoughts and feelings.
February 24, 2021
I’m reading an ARC of Earthflown and let me just say before anything, that the author has a skill in which reading the characters’ emotions and feelings makes me feel those very sensations - the amount of times that I get goosebumps, heart ache, and the twist of anxiety in my stomach just from reading a scene in this story is a frequent occurrence. Few other fictional authors, in my experience of guzzling YA fiction and queer romance stories, compare to the eloquence and captivation that this author succeeds at. The character dialogues are also frickin’ funny! It’s such a great balance of comedy, angst, and intricate plot that it keeps me highly invested even when I’ve had to take long breaks from reading due to university demands (I can’t even read my textbooks with the same level of consistency that I have for Earthflown).
Another aspect which makes this story fantastic is that the characters have realistic flaws and shortcomings, which makes the story and character dynamics so much more interesting and relatable. Despite each character’s flaws, they don’t make stupid mistakes like we’re used to seeing in YA fiction. Their actions stem from their own experiences, doubts, and motivations, so you’ll always think, “Well, I get why they did that”. It’s refreshing, mature, and very satisfying to read the characters behave as the intelligent, although humanly flawed, beings they are meant to be.
The world setting is quite unique and original, and the environmental and social issues happening in the background are actually pretty relevant for the characters’ lives, which makes it really intriguing when as a reader I can draw parallels between our real world and the fictional world that the author has created. An immense amount of thought and deliberateness was put into the world setting, plot, and characters, which makes it all for a fascinating and rewarding experience to read!
As for the main romantic pair, they are beyond precious. My heart was skipping beats in a way that probably wasn’t healthy from all the fluff and steam. That’s not all that’s to it though; Earthflown also excellently highlights familial and friendship love, which are treated just as (or if not, more) important than romantic love. I am inclined to say, that what this story emphasizes is the love found in companionship, in whatever form that may take.
Do yourself the favor and read this novel once it becomes widely available. You will inevitably fall in love with it. In the meantime, you can check out the website to find out more about it and look at the beautiful art and animations! https://earthflown.com/
Another aspect which makes this story fantastic is that the characters have realistic flaws and shortcomings, which makes the story and character dynamics so much more interesting and relatable. Despite each character’s flaws, they don’t make stupid mistakes like we’re used to seeing in YA fiction. Their actions stem from their own experiences, doubts, and motivations, so you’ll always think, “Well, I get why they did that”. It’s refreshing, mature, and very satisfying to read the characters behave as the intelligent, although humanly flawed, beings they are meant to be.
The world setting is quite unique and original, and the environmental and social issues happening in the background are actually pretty relevant for the characters’ lives, which makes it really intriguing when as a reader I can draw parallels between our real world and the fictional world that the author has created. An immense amount of thought and deliberateness was put into the world setting, plot, and characters, which makes it all for a fascinating and rewarding experience to read!
As for the main romantic pair, they are beyond precious. My heart was skipping beats in a way that probably wasn’t healthy from all the fluff and steam. That’s not all that’s to it though; Earthflown also excellently highlights familial and friendship love, which are treated just as (or if not, more) important than romantic love. I am inclined to say, that what this story emphasizes is the love found in companionship, in whatever form that may take.
Do yourself the favor and read this novel once it becomes widely available. You will inevitably fall in love with it. In the meantime, you can check out the website to find out more about it and look at the beautiful art and animations! https://earthflown.com/
February 23, 2024
(Review)
Earthflown is a masterpiece.
I’ve been waiting for this book since 2021 when I reached out to Frances and inserted myself into their lives like a PEST. But, I have zero regrets because Earthflown was an incomparable gem. I adored it.
There are so many aspects of this book that were masterfully handled but I have to highlight the CHARACTERS. Never in my life have I characters who felt as if they were beyond that simple term, though in Earthflown, these characters were actual ✨people✨ who I grew to care for and wanted to proteccccccc. Their banter was INSANE, one of a KIND. Also, Frances artistically flawed each and every character to a point where you are viscerally reacting to each and every one of them and their decisions throughout the story. Dear god, it feels so damn authentic.
Speaking of characters, Ethan and Jav were adorable AND stressful. Their relationship is created from a rocky place and you are pulling out your hair trying to understand if it their relationship will sink or float the entire time and it was delightfully torturous. My friend and I ATE 👏🏽 IT 👏🏽 UP 👏🏽.
The tritagonist (Ollie) was also amazing. His last chapter is playing on LOOP in my head as we speak. But I loved having the contrasting POV to our protagonists where we go from romance and skepticism to conspiracies, investigations, and different skepticism lol. Ollie was a strong, strong character and I cannot wait to see more of him.
The writing style of this book is insane. Frances is such a beautiful writer. She really played with our emotions and took us for a ride with her storytelling—won’t say how it’s a bit spoilery—but just know you won’t be disappointed.
Lastly, the world building was amazing. A futuristic London with unique architecture and sci-fi elements? Love it. Loved it loved it. This world was one of a kind. Side note, I’d love to know more about the levels, especially the lower ones!
Thank you so much Frances for letting me read this one early after hovering over you for two years. I can absolutely say the wait was 200% WORTH IT.
READ IT IN MAY WHEN ITS OUT 👏🏽
——
(Update 04/22/22) read the first 90 pages and I can tell you right now whenever Frances releases this, it WILL be in my top 10 of all time. Frances is talented as FUCK!!!
——
(First) Another book in which I haven’t read it yet but I already know that it’ll be one of my favorite reads. Frances is an amazing person and I’m absolutely ready so see what they wrote 😍. You’ll want to add this to your TBR if you are looking for something unique.
Earthflown is a masterpiece.
I’ve been waiting for this book since 2021 when I reached out to Frances and inserted myself into their lives like a PEST. But, I have zero regrets because Earthflown was an incomparable gem. I adored it.
There are so many aspects of this book that were masterfully handled but I have to highlight the CHARACTERS. Never in my life have I characters who felt as if they were beyond that simple term, though in Earthflown, these characters were actual ✨people✨ who I grew to care for and wanted to proteccccccc. Their banter was INSANE, one of a KIND. Also, Frances artistically flawed each and every character to a point where you are viscerally reacting to each and every one of them and their decisions throughout the story. Dear god, it feels so damn authentic.
Speaking of characters, Ethan and Jav were adorable AND stressful. Their relationship is created from a rocky place and you are pulling out your hair trying to understand if it their relationship will sink or float the entire time and it was delightfully torturous. My friend and I ATE 👏🏽 IT 👏🏽 UP 👏🏽.
The tritagonist (Ollie) was also amazing. His last chapter is playing on LOOP in my head as we speak. But I loved having the contrasting POV to our protagonists where we go from romance and skepticism to conspiracies, investigations, and different skepticism lol. Ollie was a strong, strong character and I cannot wait to see more of him.
The writing style of this book is insane. Frances is such a beautiful writer. She really played with our emotions and took us for a ride with her storytelling—won’t say how it’s a bit spoilery—but just know you won’t be disappointed.
Lastly, the world building was amazing. A futuristic London with unique architecture and sci-fi elements? Love it. Loved it loved it. This world was one of a kind. Side note, I’d love to know more about the levels, especially the lower ones!
Thank you so much Frances for letting me read this one early after hovering over you for two years. I can absolutely say the wait was 200% WORTH IT.
READ IT IN MAY WHEN ITS OUT 👏🏽
——
(Update 04/22/22) read the first 90 pages and I can tell you right now whenever Frances releases this, it WILL be in my top 10 of all time. Frances is talented as FUCK!!!
——
(First) Another book in which I haven’t read it yet but I already know that it’ll be one of my favorite reads. Frances is an amazing person and I’m absolutely ready so see what they wrote 😍. You’ll want to add this to your TBR if you are looking for something unique.
March 25, 2024
Brilliant.
review to come
review to come
April 9, 2024
[3.4~3.5] firstly, congrats to the author on their debut novel! that is no small feat, and i think the vision for this book is incredible. with its dystopian, sci-fi, and magical aptee qualities against the setting of a futuristic London facing a major water crisis and corruption running amok, it would make for one heck of a movie. the dialogue is clever and punchy, certain secondary cast members activated a deep curiosity in me (tell me more about Nick, and i’ll be here to listen - while pretending Rina didn’t make me want to claw my eyes out 😂), and i really enjoyed Ethan and Javier together as a couple. their scenes where big revelations and truths are spilled were highlights.
my niggles come in at the imbalance with Ollie’s perspective (which could be another case of uncanny timing, because this is another multi-pov chonky book with a Javier character that i’ve read in the past week - what are the odds??) and the semi-clumsy approach to throwing me into the world:
as much as i love a mystery, i personally found it difficult to read Ollie’s perspective - not out of a lack of thrill when it comes to skirting the law to pursue leads bullheadedly, but more so bearing witness to his behavior knowing what we know as readers. this certainly won’t be the case for everyone, but it felt like these chapters were brought about by neglecting aspects of the romance that i would’ve preferred to be depicted on page. i’d argue there’s plenty of internal and political strife material to riffle through just as, if not more, robustly between the two main characters alone.
as for the world building, the idea was highly compelling, and i liked that we’re thrown into the messy fray of coverups and tricky schemes from the very first chapter, but even with passages dedicated to explaining the politics and world, i found it to be a bit of a trek to wade through, almost losing me in its cast of players and minutiae.
the ending was another surprise, because the request site had listed the type of ending i could expect as an HEA first (which i see now also includes HFN and bittersweet) - i definitely interpreted it as the latter two descriptions, because the actual ramifications of the ending are left open. while this is meant to be read as a standalone, i think it could benefit from a follow-up of some kind for my own peace of mind.
all that said, i do hope y’all give it a chance for the main couple, and the art more than deserves a thorough perusal, as well! https://earthflown.com/
thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing an advanced copy of the book! this is my honest review :)
my niggles come in at the imbalance with Ollie’s perspective (which could be another case of uncanny timing, because this is another multi-pov chonky book with a Javier character that i’ve read in the past week - what are the odds??) and the semi-clumsy approach to throwing me into the world:
as much as i love a mystery, i personally found it difficult to read Ollie’s perspective - not out of a lack of thrill when it comes to skirting the law to pursue leads bullheadedly, but more so bearing witness to his behavior knowing what we know as readers. this certainly won’t be the case for everyone, but it felt like these chapters were brought about by neglecting aspects of the romance that i would’ve preferred to be depicted on page. i’d argue there’s plenty of internal and political strife material to riffle through just as, if not more, robustly between the two main characters alone.
as for the world building, the idea was highly compelling, and i liked that we’re thrown into the messy fray of coverups and tricky schemes from the very first chapter, but even with passages dedicated to explaining the politics and world, i found it to be a bit of a trek to wade through, almost losing me in its cast of players and minutiae.
the ending was another surprise, because the request site had listed the type of ending i could expect as an HEA first (which i see now also includes HFN and bittersweet) - i definitely interpreted it as the latter two descriptions, because the actual ramifications of the ending are left open. while this is meant to be read as a standalone, i think it could benefit from a follow-up of some kind for my own peace of mind.
all that said, i do hope y’all give it a chance for the main couple, and the art more than deserves a thorough perusal, as well! https://earthflown.com/
thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing an advanced copy of the book! this is my honest review :)
February 23, 2021
I cannot express how excited I am for this book to release! I have read the first few chapters from the ARC for this novel and it does not disappoint. I was honestly hooked from the prologue. Earthflown is truly something fresh, interesting, and a page turner if I've ever seen one. The characters, world building, plot, everything, is truly unique and I feel so lucky to have learned about it. Frances Wren is such an incredible writer and I couldn't be more ecstatic for their work to be shared! :)
April 16, 2024
This book has been on my radar for literal years, even since I first encountered Litarnes’ gorgeous gorgeous artwork. Seriously, how beautiful is that? Between that skeleton concept art and the people with superpowers just going about their lives ‘premise’, I just had to read this and I was definitely not disappointed!
Earthflown has hit a new first for me: for a book that balances romance and intrigue, I didn’t mind that the romance takes up the majority of the book. Despite the summary, the vast majority of this book is about Ethan and Javier getting together then working out the cracks in their relationship as the inevitable conflicts come up. The politics and intrigue surrounding the murder victim and Britain’s ongoing water crisis makes itself known on occasion, but large stretches of the story are very slice-of-life-y (or as slice-of-life as you can get when one partner works in the ER).
And the reason I was so enthralled by their romance is because Javier and Ethan COMMUNICATE!!! This is not a book where something goes awry, one partner discovers the other is hiding secrets, storms off in a huff without listening to an explanation, and the plot for the next third of the book revolves around the fact that two characters wouldn’t have one basic conversation. Ethan and Javier regularly have actual conversations about feelings when they’re hurt, they sit down and listen to each other explain when secrets are revealed (and boy does that happen a lot), and it’s just so nice to see that they’re clearly willing to trust each other’s judgments. I also really appreciated Ethan’s pragmatic outlook to life. As an extremely overworked prized healer (his superpower), his pragmatism in all aspects of life was so refreshing to see. Without getting into spoilers, there’s a secret revealed that would have rocked a lot of relationships, but because of the trust these two have developed, they talk it out and everything is fine!! could have cried from happiness from that scene alone.
The worldbuilding setup in Earthflown is great. A certain percentage of the population are born with special abilities. Ethen can heal, Javier’s sister Corinna can set things on fire, there are people who can read minds, manipulate emotions, etc, etc. There’s been a dearth of stories that deal with ‘people with superpowers live average lives and do normal people things’ and this book scratches that itch exactly. In the more political sphere, Britain (and the rest of the world) is facing an ongoing water crisis, amplified by the deeply capitalistic entities controlling access and creation of clean water. The heirs of one of those companies being Corinna and Javier themselves. I’ll admit that there’s a whole web of family drama amongst the twins’ extended families and who runs what/hates who that I didn’t entirely follow. There’s probably an entirely separate story to be told of just the inter-family politics of that we only really got glimpses of, but those glimpses were really captivating. The end of Earthflown makes some pretty damning reveals that I hope we get to see play out in the in-universe sequel.
The one reason I drop the rating of this book from a 4.5 to a 4 is Ollie. Man, fuck Ollie. What an absolute shit excuse of a ‘friend’. I get that you’re a journalist trying to get your big break, and you’ve stumbled upon something actually pretty big, but my god if was were Ollie’s friend and he behaved like how he did to Javier and Ethan to try and get his big scoop, I’d be kicking his ass out the door so fucking fast. What an absolutely terrible friend. It’s actually incredible how, even though we the reader know Ollie is onto something, that we don’t actually want him to find out because the reveal would hurt Javier and Ethan. Or maybe that’s just me and I got too protective of that pair.
Overall, I rate this book a 4/5. A romance that truly embodies the idea of communication, paired with some fantastic pragmatism from both characters involved. Solid worldbuilding and while I wish that I got more of the political intrigue, I’m still very satisfied.
___
4/5
Earthflown should be the model of how all relationships are written. Actually communicating when things go awry? Genuinely talking about your feelings??? Javier and Ethan are so well written and I adore them so much. I could read a million books with them. The medical aspect was a really nice touch and the details were clearly written with care.
Earthflown has hit a new first for me: for a book that balances romance and intrigue, I didn’t mind that the romance takes up the majority of the book. Despite the summary, the vast majority of this book is about Ethan and Javier getting together then working out the cracks in their relationship as the inevitable conflicts come up. The politics and intrigue surrounding the murder victim and Britain’s ongoing water crisis makes itself known on occasion, but large stretches of the story are very slice-of-life-y (or as slice-of-life as you can get when one partner works in the ER).
And the reason I was so enthralled by their romance is because Javier and Ethan COMMUNICATE!!! This is not a book where something goes awry, one partner discovers the other is hiding secrets, storms off in a huff without listening to an explanation, and the plot for the next third of the book revolves around the fact that two characters wouldn’t have one basic conversation. Ethan and Javier regularly have actual conversations about feelings when they’re hurt, they sit down and listen to each other explain when secrets are revealed (and boy does that happen a lot), and it’s just so nice to see that they’re clearly willing to trust each other’s judgments. I also really appreciated Ethan’s pragmatic outlook to life. As an extremely overworked prized healer (his superpower), his pragmatism in all aspects of life was so refreshing to see. Without getting into spoilers, there’s a secret revealed that would have rocked a lot of relationships, but because of the trust these two have developed, they talk it out and everything is fine!! could have cried from happiness from that scene alone.
The worldbuilding setup in Earthflown is great. A certain percentage of the population are born with special abilities. Ethen can heal, Javier’s sister Corinna can set things on fire, there are people who can read minds, manipulate emotions, etc, etc. There’s been a dearth of stories that deal with ‘people with superpowers live average lives and do normal people things’ and this book scratches that itch exactly. In the more political sphere, Britain (and the rest of the world) is facing an ongoing water crisis, amplified by the deeply capitalistic entities controlling access and creation of clean water. The heirs of one of those companies being Corinna and Javier themselves. I’ll admit that there’s a whole web of family drama amongst the twins’ extended families and who runs what/hates who that I didn’t entirely follow. There’s probably an entirely separate story to be told of just the inter-family politics of that we only really got glimpses of, but those glimpses were really captivating. The end of Earthflown makes some pretty damning reveals that I hope we get to see play out in the in-universe sequel.
The one reason I drop the rating of this book from a 4.5 to a 4 is Ollie. Man, fuck Ollie. What an absolute shit excuse of a ‘friend’. I get that you’re a journalist trying to get your big break, and you’ve stumbled upon something actually pretty big, but my god if was were Ollie’s friend and he behaved like how he did to Javier and Ethan to try and get his big scoop, I’d be kicking his ass out the door so fucking fast. What an absolutely terrible friend. It’s actually incredible how, even though we the reader know Ollie is onto something, that we don’t actually want him to find out because the reveal would hurt Javier and Ethan. Or maybe that’s just me and I got too protective of that pair.
Overall, I rate this book a 4/5. A romance that truly embodies the idea of communication, paired with some fantastic pragmatism from both characters involved. Solid worldbuilding and while I wish that I got more of the political intrigue, I’m still very satisfied.
___
4/5
Earthflown should be the model of how all relationships are written. Actually communicating when things go awry? Genuinely talking about your feelings??? Javier and Ethan are so well written and I adore them so much. I could read a million books with them. The medical aspect was a really nice touch and the details were clearly written with care.
April 19, 2024
Sci-fi is not a genre I'm well versed in but I was so happy that I gave this novel a try because omg it's so so good!!
I'm a huge fan of sarcastic, grumpy, take no bs characters, and that mixed with a character who quite frankly a golden ray of sunshine, creates a relationship dynamic I'm absolutely here for.
Ethan I absolutely adored and genuinely appreciated how cold he can be at times because I feel this made him more relatable, and his relationship with Javier is just so adorable and pure, you can really tell how much they care for one another. The amount of times I caught myself smiling like a child over their adorableness, I've lost count. Although their relationship and it's dynamic is a big part of this story, it absolutely doesn't overshadow the plot and the other characters and their individual storylines.
The dystopian setting is unique and unlike anything I've ever read before, and low key a little too real (rich people are unhinged) :') and the magic system is fascinating and I would love to learn more about *prays for future novels*
The cast of lgbtqia+ characters, the writing, and the world are insanely good, you can really tell how much dedication and effort the author put into creating this debut!
p.s. it's also illustrated
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm a huge fan of sarcastic, grumpy, take no bs characters, and that mixed with a character who quite frankly a golden ray of sunshine, creates a relationship dynamic I'm absolutely here for.
Ethan I absolutely adored and genuinely appreciated how cold he can be at times because I feel this made him more relatable, and his relationship with Javier is just so adorable and pure, you can really tell how much they care for one another. The amount of times I caught myself smiling like a child over their adorableness, I've lost count. Although their relationship and it's dynamic is a big part of this story, it absolutely doesn't overshadow the plot and the other characters and their individual storylines.
The dystopian setting is unique and unlike anything I've ever read before, and low key a little too real (rich people are unhinged) :') and the magic system is fascinating and I would love to learn more about *prays for future novels*
The cast of lgbtqia+ characters, the writing, and the world are insanely good, you can really tell how much dedication and effort the author put into creating this debut!
p.s. it's also illustrated
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 6, 2024
Javier and Ethan's romance is my favorite part of this story. They're so sweet to each other, and they talk! It's so easy to not let your characters talk, but Ethan and Javier talk! Everything else is so good, too, though! The setting is a futuristic, flooded London, where some billionaires are trying to both secure Project Earthflown and slow it down, there's journalism and politics and sci-fi and Wren makes this story accessible and fun even while filling this story to the brim.
June 19, 2024
This was kind of a disjointed mess in general but it makes me happy that the author can write relationships and funny dialogue - it was definitely what kept me interested. My biggest gripes with it were that the pacing needed fixing, and the world and the plot needed a lot more fleshing out. There was just not enough story here for a 450-page book. It was too slice-of-life-y for a sci-fi novel. I know the author lets us know right at the beginning that this book defies the conventions for both the romance and the sci-fi genres, but sticking to those conventions would have been beneficial here: it would have felt less like fanfiction that way. And this might be my fault, but if you asked me to explain what Project Earthflown is, I wouldn't be able to tell you, and the book is named after it!
An overall enjoyable read that could use another round of editing. Or two.
An overall enjoyable read that could use another round of editing. Or two.
April 24, 2024
But once a man began negotiating with his shadow, he never slept again.
4.25⭐️
I had to sit with this one for a bit. And, don’t get me wrong, Earthflown is unequivocally one of the most unique books I’ve read. The worldbuilding is one of a kind; set in a futuristic, dystopian London that has grown vertically after a cataclysmic event where water has become the ultimate commodity, it has flying cars and has people with aptitudes (healers, telekinetics, empaths, firestarters, watercallers, etc). The illustrations, Dear Gods, the illustrations!! Add into the mix a lovely romance (between two of the multiple POVs we get, Ethan and Javier), some (lots) of corporate greed, conflict of interests, monopoly of water by the richest of the rich and technically I should’ve been all over the moon by this. Yet, many times as I was reading I couldn’t help to feel, as we say in spanish ‘el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta’ (which loosely translates as jack of all trades, master of none), and that perhaps tackling so many issues and adding so many ingredients to the mix was being somewhat detrimental to the book itself.
For starters, we get to see in the very first chapter how a murder occurs. However, one of the constants throughout the book is Ollie's relentless and borderline paranoid pursuit (through one of the book's POV) to find out what happened to Tim (the person who got murdered in the first chapter). While I do understand why it was shown from the get-go who exactly murdered Tim and the circumstances of how it transpired (basically giving us a front row seats right away to the psychopathic behavior of who did it, and how this person’s manipulative ways are gonna impact the rest of the story) it does become a little bit tedious to read Ollie’s musings about all the What ifs when we already know the answer.
So, if this makes it sound like this is a book you wouldn't want to read, think again. Despite all of the above, or perhaps because I wanted to get out of the things I didn't quite enjoy first, I can without a doubt say that this book was fascinating. How many times do we get romances between mcs, who are perfect, good people, who deserve the world? Way too many times. It feels unnatural and difficult to connect. No one here is perfect and I wouldn’t catalog anyone as ‘good’ per se, but in one way or another most of them still deserve the world, and for that I LOOOOOVED this book.
And I go to that initial quote, which imho encompasses what every one of our mcs go through. We have Ethan, a healer who works as a ER Dr using his aptitude (powers), who is most definitely not a good person. He himself admits it, he is too tired, doesn’t want to spend unnecessary energy or time on things and/or people, is depressed, prefers to judge a book for its cover, and even though deep down wants a real relationship will use all his spare energy to alienate people before they find him tiresome and leave him. Then we have Javier, a closeted empath, who lives in constant fear of being outed because even though empaths are very rare (or they assume so because there is very little way of knowing if someone is an empath or not) they are considered extremely dangerous with their (potential) abilities to influence others; he is secretive, fearful of his very rich and very powerful family, particularly his very sociopathic twin sister, but still worships the ground she walks on and will bend over backwards to keep her happy, will turn a blind eye to her criminal activity and will do things that don’t sit right with him or even dismiss the importance of some of the horrible things she does. These two together are a recipe for disaster, right? And in a way they are (for the entire world around them), yet their romance is absolutely swoony. They are patient with each other, talk things through, respect boundaries and help each other to assert those boundaries. I absolutely ADORED them.
And Ollie. Ollie, personally I think Ollie needs to start therapy ASAP too lol, but bless his heart he is also doing his best. Despite the issues that I had with his POV, and mentioned above, it is mostly through his eyes that we see everything that is in play, the big picture of this world (the collusion, the conflict of interest, the corruption and cover ups) that is very much like ours but worse, and I personally enjoyed that very much (it's the lawyer in me, sorry). His relationship with Vegas was not perfect, and yet very much *chef's kiss.
On a side note, kudos to how amazingly accurate all the medical talk was. As someone who currently works with doctors (and ER), it clearly showed those 9 months the author spent in emergency-room consults.
The ending is left open, and honestly I didn’t mind that. Because after all, it is a journey about how to reconcile with your own shadow in order to finally feel at ease enough to sleep again for each one of them (Ethan, Javier and Ollie). That is the story.
Can’t wait to read the next installment in The Anatomy of Water Series.
[I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
March 10, 2024
A tremendous thank you to the author and BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This is my first ARC ever so you can imagine the excitement running through my veins.
If I had a nickel for every time I read an impressive indie author release, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Earthflown is one of them.
The book is divided by three character perspectives for the chapters: Javier Arden (the son of a big pharma company who holds a vital family secret), Ethan Faulkner (a surgeon who’s about to enter in a grey territory) and Ollie Roskopf (an investigative journalist with an insatiable hunger for trouble if it means bringing something to light).
I have grown so attached to these characters in the book, even the side ones! They are all just so giddy fun to read and Frances has such a raw talent for writing character chemistry and external/internal dialogue. The throw-your-head-back-laughing banters, the tender fluff, the roll your eyes dumb decisions, the unsettling danger that just creeps up on you and so much more. Frances subtly invites us to a game of “who is the actual villain here?” with all the characters playing a different role on the chess board. When one major headline in the news bleeds into their lives, the rich becomes uneasy, the neutral has to learn how to pick a side, and the poor bites back. One wrong move and the result can be fatal.
I did wish that a couple of things were elaborated more on the book, in particular the genetic pooling and aptitudes. I was also craving more backstory for some of the minor characters (I’m looking at you respectfully Nick Holt). And as a personal preference, while the horny jokes help keep the atmosphere light I also wished it was toned down a bit more.
Overall Earthflown is such a refreshing take on the power imbalance of social hierarchy, political unrest, and water security while integrating the natural flow of character dynamics to illustrate the setting. In between tea breaks and work meetings I would sneak a page or two in just to know what happens next. I can’t wait for you to all get a chance to read it when it officially comes out next month!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I had a nickel for every time I read an impressive indie author release, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Earthflown is one of them.
The book is divided by three character perspectives for the chapters: Javier Arden (the son of a big pharma company who holds a vital family secret), Ethan Faulkner (a surgeon who’s about to enter in a grey territory) and Ollie Roskopf (an investigative journalist with an insatiable hunger for trouble if it means bringing something to light).
I have grown so attached to these characters in the book, even the side ones! They are all just so giddy fun to read and Frances has such a raw talent for writing character chemistry and external/internal dialogue. The throw-your-head-back-laughing banters, the tender fluff, the roll your eyes dumb decisions, the unsettling danger that just creeps up on you and so much more. Frances subtly invites us to a game of “who is the actual villain here?” with all the characters playing a different role on the chess board. When one major headline in the news bleeds into their lives, the rich becomes uneasy, the neutral has to learn how to pick a side, and the poor bites back. One wrong move and the result can be fatal.
I did wish that a couple of things were elaborated more on the book, in particular the genetic pooling and aptitudes. I was also craving more backstory for some of the minor characters (I’m looking at you respectfully Nick Holt). And as a personal preference, while the horny jokes help keep the atmosphere light I also wished it was toned down a bit more.
Overall Earthflown is such a refreshing take on the power imbalance of social hierarchy, political unrest, and water security while integrating the natural flow of character dynamics to illustrate the setting. In between tea breaks and work meetings I would sneak a page or two in just to know what happens next. I can’t wait for you to all get a chance to read it when it officially comes out next month!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2024
Ok wow… I’ve never ever read a book like this. It was so well written and I became so invested in the characters. I had no idea where the plot was going at any point and it was so refreshing to really read something fresh (clearly I’m not a writer). I have so many people I want to recommend this too. Bloody good book
April 12, 2024
*I received an ecopy of this book via BookSirens. This has not influenced my review.*
My first thought upon reading a sample for this book was, "Wow, this author can write!" It's such a smooth writing style that sucked me in. Maybe not the prologue so much since I didn't understand everything going on there, but once I got into Chapter One? Fantastic. It's so hard to describe writing style, but give it a try, and I think you'll see what I mean.
The characters were also fantastic! They were complex and imperfect and leapt off the page. Some of them, like Javier, were so lovable and yet still had their flaws. Some, like Ollie, were unlikeable and yet still did things that I couldn't blame them for. Some, like Rina, were unhinged. Some, like Ethan, made me want to tell them off and hug them at the same time.
Their feelings and relationships were complex and imperfect too. And the romance between Ethan and Javier was sweeter and more tender than I was expecting. Neither one would let the other push them away, and that was what they needed. But, though they were the focus, there was also Ethan and Vegas's friendship, Vegas and Ollie's on-and-off again romance, Ollie and Nick's longtime friendship, Nick and Ethan's complete-lack-of-communication-ship, Ethan and Ollie's sorta enemies sorta friends because they share too many people thing, Javier and Rina's toxic twin thing, Rina and Peter's toxic romance or whatever they have going on (basically every relationship Rina is a part of is toxic), and Ethan and his dad's strained-but-trying care for each other. Don't worry, it'll make more sense when you read the book and actually know who these people are. My point is that it's a bunch of people in a web of all different types of relationships, not just a romance.
This was set in the future, though the world wasn't too drastically different from our own. It was a dystopia in the same way our current world is a dystopia. Just a messed up world with those in power reaping the benefits while those with less power and money suffer.
There were also mental powers and abilities. Ethan is a healer. Javier is an empath. Other characters have some other abilities, like pyrokinesis, telekinesis, and invisibility. And it was all thought-out and detailed in terms of both how it worked and how it affected and was integrated into society. Especially healing. And it wasn't all perfect and easy with no consequences.
There was a lot of complex politics and crime and whatnot, and I didn't understand all the details, but that's on me. I always struggle with that kinda thing. It didn't stop me from enjoying the story. And anyone who likes that and is good at understanding it will probably love that aspect, since it seemed well thought-out.
My one real complaint is that the ending was so open that I found it unsatisfying. It's a full-length book and was listed as a standalone where I got my copy, so I was expecting a complete story. But the author has said something about an in-universe sequel focused on different main characters. If it follows and closes the threads from this one, letting readers know the true ending for Ethan and Javier (even if they're not the main characters), then I'm fine with this openness. Anyway, only consider this a standalone if you're ok with open endings. Otherwise, consider it first in a series/duology/something.
I believe the final version will have illustrations throughout, and from the little bit I've seen online, I'm sure it will be beautiful!
This book feels like 4 stars for my personal taste (which is great, I really enjoyed it, don't get me wrong), maybe because I'm not as into the crime fiction stuff, but it's so well-written and complex that it still feels like it deserves more, especially when you factor in the artwork and everything.
Overall, this book pulled me in with its writing and then kept me hooked with its interesting world, complex relationships, and imperfect characters!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes complex characters and relationships, some sweet and some decidedly not-sweet, complex politics, mental abilities like healing and telekinesis, and a bit of climate fiction / dystopia.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
My first thought upon reading a sample for this book was, "Wow, this author can write!" It's such a smooth writing style that sucked me in. Maybe not the prologue so much since I didn't understand everything going on there, but once I got into Chapter One? Fantastic. It's so hard to describe writing style, but give it a try, and I think you'll see what I mean.
The characters were also fantastic! They were complex and imperfect and leapt off the page. Some of them, like Javier, were so lovable and yet still had their flaws. Some, like Ollie, were unlikeable and yet still did things that I couldn't blame them for. Some, like Rina, were unhinged. Some, like Ethan, made me want to tell them off and hug them at the same time.
Their feelings and relationships were complex and imperfect too. And the romance between Ethan and Javier was sweeter and more tender than I was expecting. Neither one would let the other push them away, and that was what they needed. But, though they were the focus, there was also Ethan and Vegas's friendship, Vegas and Ollie's on-and-off again romance, Ollie and Nick's longtime friendship, Nick and Ethan's complete-lack-of-communication-ship, Ethan and Ollie's sorta enemies sorta friends because they share too many people thing, Javier and Rina's toxic twin thing, Rina and Peter's toxic romance or whatever they have going on (basically every relationship Rina is a part of is toxic), and Ethan and his dad's strained-but-trying care for each other. Don't worry, it'll make more sense when you read the book and actually know who these people are. My point is that it's a bunch of people in a web of all different types of relationships, not just a romance.
This was set in the future, though the world wasn't too drastically different from our own. It was a dystopia in the same way our current world is a dystopia. Just a messed up world with those in power reaping the benefits while those with less power and money suffer.
There were also mental powers and abilities. Ethan is a healer. Javier is an empath. Other characters have some other abilities, like pyrokinesis, telekinesis, and invisibility. And it was all thought-out and detailed in terms of both how it worked and how it affected and was integrated into society. Especially healing. And it wasn't all perfect and easy with no consequences.
There was a lot of complex politics and crime and whatnot, and I didn't understand all the details, but that's on me. I always struggle with that kinda thing. It didn't stop me from enjoying the story. And anyone who likes that and is good at understanding it will probably love that aspect, since it seemed well thought-out.
My one real complaint is that the ending was so open that I found it unsatisfying. It's a full-length book and was listed as a standalone where I got my copy, so I was expecting a complete story. But the author has said something about an in-universe sequel focused on different main characters. If it follows and closes the threads from this one, letting readers know the true ending for Ethan and Javier (even if they're not the main characters), then I'm fine with this openness. Anyway, only consider this a standalone if you're ok with open endings. Otherwise, consider it first in a series/duology/something.
I believe the final version will have illustrations throughout, and from the little bit I've seen online, I'm sure it will be beautiful!
This book feels like 4 stars for my personal taste (which is great, I really enjoyed it, don't get me wrong), maybe because I'm not as into the crime fiction stuff, but it's so well-written and complex that it still feels like it deserves more, especially when you factor in the artwork and everything.
Overall, this book pulled me in with its writing and then kept me hooked with its interesting world, complex relationships, and imperfect characters!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes complex characters and relationships, some sweet and some decidedly not-sweet, complex politics, mental abilities like healing and telekinesis, and a bit of climate fiction / dystopia.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
February 24, 2021
From what I have read so far, this book is so wonderful and refreshing and I am VERY excited for more people to be able to experience it!!! Such good characters, such good story, such good romance. I highly recommend!!!
April 11, 2024
The way I had to take a moment to gather my thoughts because of the rollercoaster I went through in those last few chapters. Earthflown takes place in a futuristic, post-flood London, where medicine meets a bit of magic during a water crisis. The book follows three POVs: Javier Arden (the son of a big pharma company with a secret), Ethan Faulkner (a cardiothoracic surgeon who may have found himself swimming with sharks bigger than his VM), and Oliver Roskopf (an investigative journalist who won't rest until he discovers the truth).
Firstly, I cannot express enough how Frances has such a talent for writing characters and forming their various personalities. There were many characters I adored, especially from the secondary cast. The banter between characters, their relationships (both platonic and romantic), and the intertwined character developments were refreshing and enjoyable to read. While some characters had their flaws, their actions were motivated by their own experiences, doubts, and fears. This not only made their flaws more realistic but made us think, "I understand where they're coming from," and empathize with their struggles. While that doesn't imply that every action is justifiable, it demonstrates the deliberate imperfections of the characters as humans, emphasizing that no character is 'perfect.' This allows readers to perceive both sides of every situation, fostering an understanding of the characters' complexities.
In addition to flaws, the author really makes us question who the true villain of the novel is. There seemed to be two groups where both sides could have wrongful intentions, making every character morally complex. Even the characters that seemed 'innocent' had actions that escalated the situation and further thickened the story's plot. Every decision challenged their moral compass, highlighting the high stakes involved in making even a single wrong move. I couldn't help but analyze each character's actions, uncovering hidden motives and past experiences that often paved the way for further poor decisions among the cast. Needless to say, Frances skillfully created a narrative where every character's involvement and actions lead to the outcome of the plot at the end of the novel.
Another aspect I truly admired was the medical accuracy in the novel. I could immediately tell the amount of dedication, research, and passion put into the writing to create such a vivid glimpse of the medical industry. From the high-risk procedures, the medical terminology, and the reality of burnout, I could almost imagine the scenes in my head and feel the same emotions a character would feel during such intense and emotional scenes. I also admired the world-building of a futuristic, post-flood London, with various vertical levels defining financial hierarchy and using flying cars to navigate through them.
However, one thing I wished was more elaborated on was the genetics behind aptitudes and the laws aptees are required to follow. While we learn that some laws are not favorable towards a specific aptitude, it would have been interesting to understand the rationale behind the differentiating treatments. Additionally, I really wanted the character backstories of Peter and Nick Holt! I have so many questions about them that go unanswered, leaving me eager for further insight into their backgrounds. Lastly, I wished we had witnessed a greater involvement of the Sixty-Fourthers in the water crisis, since they are a decentralized water-rights movement. Having their participation in the political sphere or encountering a prominent leader from their movement would have enriched the narrative's political dimensions.
Overall, Earthflown was such a refreshing read with characters I became very attached to and genuinely fond of. While I haven't read many sci-fi novels, integrating a water crisis, political uproars, and economic power imbalances within a futuristic setting created a complex world and narrative with so much to uncover.
My sincerest gratitude to the author and BookSirens for graciously providing me with an ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Firstly, I cannot express enough how Frances has such a talent for writing characters and forming their various personalities. There were many characters I adored, especially from the secondary cast. The banter between characters, their relationships (both platonic and romantic), and the intertwined character developments were refreshing and enjoyable to read. While some characters had their flaws, their actions were motivated by their own experiences, doubts, and fears. This not only made their flaws more realistic but made us think, "I understand where they're coming from," and empathize with their struggles. While that doesn't imply that every action is justifiable, it demonstrates the deliberate imperfections of the characters as humans, emphasizing that no character is 'perfect.' This allows readers to perceive both sides of every situation, fostering an understanding of the characters' complexities.
In addition to flaws, the author really makes us question who the true villain of the novel is. There seemed to be two groups where both sides could have wrongful intentions, making every character morally complex. Even the characters that seemed 'innocent' had actions that escalated the situation and further thickened the story's plot. Every decision challenged their moral compass, highlighting the high stakes involved in making even a single wrong move. I couldn't help but analyze each character's actions, uncovering hidden motives and past experiences that often paved the way for further poor decisions among the cast. Needless to say, Frances skillfully created a narrative where every character's involvement and actions lead to the outcome of the plot at the end of the novel.
Another aspect I truly admired was the medical accuracy in the novel. I could immediately tell the amount of dedication, research, and passion put into the writing to create such a vivid glimpse of the medical industry. From the high-risk procedures, the medical terminology, and the reality of burnout, I could almost imagine the scenes in my head and feel the same emotions a character would feel during such intense and emotional scenes. I also admired the world-building of a futuristic, post-flood London, with various vertical levels defining financial hierarchy and using flying cars to navigate through them.
However, one thing I wished was more elaborated on was the genetics behind aptitudes and the laws aptees are required to follow. While we learn that some laws are not favorable towards a specific aptitude, it would have been interesting to understand the rationale behind the differentiating treatments. Additionally, I really wanted the character backstories of Peter and Nick Holt! I have so many questions about them that go unanswered, leaving me eager for further insight into their backgrounds. Lastly, I wished we had witnessed a greater involvement of the Sixty-Fourthers in the water crisis, since they are a decentralized water-rights movement. Having their participation in the political sphere or encountering a prominent leader from their movement would have enriched the narrative's political dimensions.
Overall, Earthflown was such a refreshing read with characters I became very attached to and genuinely fond of. While I haven't read many sci-fi novels, integrating a water crisis, political uproars, and economic power imbalances within a futuristic setting created a complex world and narrative with so much to uncover.
My sincerest gratitude to the author and BookSirens for graciously providing me with an ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 1, 2024
So I have been so excited for this book since 2021? I don’t remember when I first came across the book online but OMG DOES IT DELIVER.
The writing is so good, truly. I love the prose throughout, it feels so tight and every word is purposeful. There are some truly beautiful descriptions of the feelings that characters have for one another and also the way they make the other feel. The setting is also amazing? I love how different this book felt to almost anything else out there - I really don’t even know the best way to describe this one.
I love the relationships that we have throughout the book, you can feel the love between so many of the characters - both romantic and platonic. The way the characters care about one another (for better or worse) is palpable. I love Jav and Ethan so much, I need more of them. I also need more Vegas because I just want to be her best friend too. Rina is so beautifully complicated, you don’t know if you want to root for her or for her to get her comeuppance.
I think this book does such a good job at weaving so many complicated issues into an easy to follow and compelling novel. The political issues along with the social issues are well woven into every interaction that we see throughout the novel and the juxtapositions in the lives of the various characters. Also the romantic relationship underscores so much of the novel but it doesn’t feel as though it’s overshadowing the rest, it feels like a complement to the story, even though it is a main tenet of the story overall.
With that ending I kept trying to scroll to another page because I was a) so engrossed but also b) I NEED TO KNOW MORE?!
Overall, I just need basically anyone and everyone I know to read this.
Thank you to Frances Wren for an eARC of this book. All opinions above are my own and being posted voluntarily.
The writing is so good, truly. I love the prose throughout, it feels so tight and every word is purposeful. There are some truly beautiful descriptions of the feelings that characters have for one another and also the way they make the other feel. The setting is also amazing? I love how different this book felt to almost anything else out there - I really don’t even know the best way to describe this one.
I love the relationships that we have throughout the book, you can feel the love between so many of the characters - both romantic and platonic. The way the characters care about one another (for better or worse) is palpable. I love Jav and Ethan so much, I need more of them. I also need more Vegas because I just want to be her best friend too. Rina is so beautifully complicated, you don’t know if you want to root for her or for her to get her comeuppance.
I think this book does such a good job at weaving so many complicated issues into an easy to follow and compelling novel. The political issues along with the social issues are well woven into every interaction that we see throughout the novel and the juxtapositions in the lives of the various characters. Also the romantic relationship underscores so much of the novel but it doesn’t feel as though it’s overshadowing the rest, it feels like a complement to the story, even though it is a main tenet of the story overall.
With that ending I kept trying to scroll to another page because I was a) so engrossed but also b) I NEED TO KNOW MORE?!
Overall, I just need basically anyone and everyone I know to read this.
Thank you to Frances Wren for an eARC of this book. All opinions above are my own and being posted voluntarily.
February 24, 2021
Thought-provoking, powerful, and captivating. This is a riveting masterpiece that constantly has you on the edge of your seat. The pacing and development of the chapters and characters are enough to keep the reader wanting more after every page! If you're interested in stunning visuals and a rollercoaster of emotions, buckle up. This is definitely the book for you.
Sending all my kudos!
Sending all my kudos!
April 21, 2024
Holly shit
Thanks booksiren for the arc. All thoughts are mine !
Earthflown has intrigued me since I first saw the placeholder cover back in 2022. So I was READY to read it as soon I could get my hands onto it. And it didn't disappoint.
Earthflown is tale about greed, humanity, deeply flawed humans, and the things we all do for our loved ones.
Each main character is strictly different, we have the noisy journalist going after the big industry guys, bulldozing his way through things. Ollie. He was the funniest of the bunch and the most relatable, too. His morals will probably get him in serious trouble one day, tho. His relationship with Vega was absolutely perfect, and those two are super solid. Love them to piece.
I loved his friendship with Nick even if it feels one sided at times, but it was addressed. And like I said earlier, those characters are FLAWED. They feel believable, tangible even.
Jav, second MC, is a sweet cinnamon roll who's trying to content everyone. He's very innocent at times and deeply traumatized by years of gaslighting from lots of people. I need to burrito blanket him. His relationship with Ethan was just so heartwrenchingly good.
Speaking of the Devil, Ethan, our third MC, is an apathic healer navigating life without questioning much. He cares about his dad, his roommate, and best friend Vega, and that's pretty much it. Then come Jav, and he pretty much rocks his world upside down. Seeing Ethan coming alive for Jav was so precious.
Earthflown is about politics, water crisis, lots of rich people doing dumb things, and Ethan wanting nothing but to nap with his boyfriend.
I loved it. I need everyone to read it. Because the ending had me looking at my Kindle for 15 minutes asking myself wtf.
Love that.
Thanks booksiren for the arc. All thoughts are mine !
Earthflown has intrigued me since I first saw the placeholder cover back in 2022. So I was READY to read it as soon I could get my hands onto it. And it didn't disappoint.
Earthflown is tale about greed, humanity, deeply flawed humans, and the things we all do for our loved ones.
Each main character is strictly different, we have the noisy journalist going after the big industry guys, bulldozing his way through things. Ollie. He was the funniest of the bunch and the most relatable, too. His morals will probably get him in serious trouble one day, tho. His relationship with Vega was absolutely perfect, and those two are super solid. Love them to piece.
I loved his friendship with Nick even if it feels one sided at times, but it was addressed. And like I said earlier, those characters are FLAWED. They feel believable, tangible even.
Jav, second MC, is a sweet cinnamon roll who's trying to content everyone. He's very innocent at times and deeply traumatized by years of gaslighting from lots of people. I need to burrito blanket him. His relationship with Ethan was just so heartwrenchingly good.
Speaking of the Devil, Ethan, our third MC, is an apathic healer navigating life without questioning much. He cares about his dad, his roommate, and best friend Vega, and that's pretty much it. Then come Jav, and he pretty much rocks his world upside down. Seeing Ethan coming alive for Jav was so precious.
Earthflown is about politics, water crisis, lots of rich people doing dumb things, and Ethan wanting nothing but to nap with his boyfriend.
I loved it. I need everyone to read it. Because the ending had me looking at my Kindle for 15 minutes asking myself wtf.
Love that.
April 10, 2024
Thank youuuu to BookSirens for ARC!
I really liked this one! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Something about the vibe of the cover and the schpeel made me think that it was going to be comparable to the Pixar movie "Elemental", but it wasn't like that at all. The first scene starts off with a bang, quite literally, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The best way I can describe the vibe of reading Earthflown is a TV procedural but with a genre bend. This isn't a negative thing at all. In fact, I was quite endeared. There was something about the very concrete and logically constructed worldbuilding that instantly scratched an itch in my brain. There were enough genre elements to lend an interesting flavor to the story but it was so rooted in our world that it was instantly familiar.
Thematically, the book doesn't do /much/, but I don't think it has to. I wouldn't classify it as a character-driven story, but they are the main attraction. The author went to town, pretty self-indulgent with scene after scene of pitter patter between friends and romantic entanglements, but I am not complaining because they were fun to read. The characters are distinct, well-defined, and play off of each other. You can tell who the favorites are, as the screen time is a little unbalanced, but we all have our pookies.
The ending fell a little flat for me. The narrative was pretty unwilling to come down too hard on anyone who was actually in the wrong, which made both the open ended nature of the ending and its impact weak. I'd already clocked what was happening much, much earlier and made up my mind about it, so when the end only tepidly interfaces with those ideas, I found it to be pretty underwhelming and unsatisfying. Still, though, it was overall a pretty good reading experience. I had fun and just enjoyed being in the world and watching how things unfurled between the main characters. I'd honestly read anything else the author released in this world in a heartbeat idc I'm in.
I really liked this one! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Something about the vibe of the cover and the schpeel made me think that it was going to be comparable to the Pixar movie "Elemental", but it wasn't like that at all. The first scene starts off with a bang, quite literally, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The best way I can describe the vibe of reading Earthflown is a TV procedural but with a genre bend. This isn't a negative thing at all. In fact, I was quite endeared. There was something about the very concrete and logically constructed worldbuilding that instantly scratched an itch in my brain. There were enough genre elements to lend an interesting flavor to the story but it was so rooted in our world that it was instantly familiar.
Thematically, the book doesn't do /much/, but I don't think it has to. I wouldn't classify it as a character-driven story, but they are the main attraction. The author went to town, pretty self-indulgent with scene after scene of pitter patter between friends and romantic entanglements, but I am not complaining because they were fun to read. The characters are distinct, well-defined, and play off of each other. You can tell who the favorites are, as the screen time is a little unbalanced, but we all have our pookies.
The ending fell a little flat for me. The narrative was pretty unwilling to come down too hard on anyone who was actually in the wrong, which made both the open ended nature of the ending and its impact weak. I'd already clocked what was happening much, much earlier and made up my mind about it, so when the end only tepidly interfaces with those ideas, I found it to be pretty underwhelming and unsatisfying. Still, though, it was overall a pretty good reading experience. I had fun and just enjoyed being in the world and watching how things unfurled between the main characters. I'd honestly read anything else the author released in this world in a heartbeat idc I'm in.
July 22, 2024
Fantastic book I need more!!!
February 20, 2024
**eARC REVIEW**
If you like sci-fi fantasy with intriguing world building, a near-future dystopia in the midst of large-scale political upheaval, a full cast of LGBTQIA+ representation, or a classic who-done-it murder mystery that just happens to be served up with a healthy dose of uncertain romance (and humor??!) - I cannot recommend Earthflown highly enough!
This story unfolds from three different perspectives, as each chapter builds up the world we're in and the characters that inhabit it Level by Level. We get to follow Ethan: the eternally exhausted commitment-phobe healer with zero social graces and one (EXCELLENT) friend, Javier: heir to a pharmaceutical empire and what I envision the human embodiment of a sweet Golden retriever forced to live with A Big Secret™ would look like, and Ollie: an efficient investigative journalist / master of urban camouflage (if it involves hiding behind potted plants) who may or may not find himself tugging the thread of conspiracy as the story progresses.
And boy what a story! The world itself is engaging, the mystery compelling, and all the different characters and relationship dynamics feel realistic and nuanced. Besides the three main folks mentioned above, there's a whole cast of well thought out and interesting people that flesh out this world. Even when they were doing things I really didn't agree with, their decisions made sense within the broader scope of their personality. Felt like the story happened BECAUSE of the characters, not TO the characters, if that makes sense? Takes real skill to bounce between playful and humorous banter, competent tech talk, and heartfelt well-shoot-I-guess-I'm-crying-now? declarations. This book was clearly a labor of love, and I can't wait to see what the final print version will look like with the 60+ internal illustrations!
If you like sci-fi fantasy with intriguing world building, a near-future dystopia in the midst of large-scale political upheaval, a full cast of LGBTQIA+ representation, or a classic who-done-it murder mystery that just happens to be served up with a healthy dose of uncertain romance (and humor??!) - I cannot recommend Earthflown highly enough!
This story unfolds from three different perspectives, as each chapter builds up the world we're in and the characters that inhabit it Level by Level. We get to follow Ethan: the eternally exhausted commitment-phobe healer with zero social graces and one (EXCELLENT) friend, Javier: heir to a pharmaceutical empire and what I envision the human embodiment of a sweet Golden retriever forced to live with A Big Secret™ would look like, and Ollie: an efficient investigative journalist / master of urban camouflage (if it involves hiding behind potted plants) who may or may not find himself tugging the thread of conspiracy as the story progresses.
And boy what a story! The world itself is engaging, the mystery compelling, and all the different characters and relationship dynamics feel realistic and nuanced. Besides the three main folks mentioned above, there's a whole cast of well thought out and interesting people that flesh out this world. Even when they were doing things I really didn't agree with, their decisions made sense within the broader scope of their personality. Felt like the story happened BECAUSE of the characters, not TO the characters, if that makes sense? Takes real skill to bounce between playful and humorous banter, competent tech talk, and heartfelt well-shoot-I-guess-I'm-crying-now? declarations. This book was clearly a labor of love, and I can't wait to see what the final print version will look like with the 60+ internal illustrations!
February 7, 2024
(Updated as of February 6th 2024)
I had the pleasure of reading the eARC of Frances Wren's debut novel, Earthflown. I've anticipated this release since 2021 and I am NOT disappointed.
At the novel's forefront, there's a delicious blend of romance, sci-fi, and fantasy. A casual inclusion of LGBTQIA+ identities with flawed, yet compassionate, relationships - that rarely venture into classic romance tropes - dominates the narrative.
Few multiple perspective novels have kept me as engaged as this one.
Wren doesn't force the reader to wait for ages until the perspectives join - they collide quickly and forcefully. Unreliable narrators keep you hemming and hawing at each turn of the story, with character flaws that are all in some way detestable. Despite occasionally wanting to shake some sense into each character, I didn't want to put the book down.
The magical realism of aptees (people with so-called aptitudes, akin to magic) and their connection to the world's use of eugenics is intriguing and disturbing. This novel brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "there's something in the water." Just what is going on with London's water supply and how is the Arden family connected to it all?
With extraordinary imagery, Wren expertly weaves a world wrought with classism, political intrigue, and unrest. Between tense situations and misunderstandings, there are moments of levity and gentle silly love. A beautiful mix of dark and light.
At the end of the novel we're left wondering:
What would you do for love?
and
How much of it is justified?
I had the pleasure of reading the eARC of Frances Wren's debut novel, Earthflown. I've anticipated this release since 2021 and I am NOT disappointed.
At the novel's forefront, there's a delicious blend of romance, sci-fi, and fantasy. A casual inclusion of LGBTQIA+ identities with flawed, yet compassionate, relationships - that rarely venture into classic romance tropes - dominates the narrative.
Few multiple perspective novels have kept me as engaged as this one.
Wren doesn't force the reader to wait for ages until the perspectives join - they collide quickly and forcefully. Unreliable narrators keep you hemming and hawing at each turn of the story, with character flaws that are all in some way detestable. Despite occasionally wanting to shake some sense into each character, I didn't want to put the book down.
The magical realism of aptees (people with so-called aptitudes, akin to magic) and their connection to the world's use of eugenics is intriguing and disturbing. This novel brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "there's something in the water." Just what is going on with London's water supply and how is the Arden family connected to it all?
With extraordinary imagery, Wren expertly weaves a world wrought with classism, political intrigue, and unrest. Between tense situations and misunderstandings, there are moments of levity and gentle silly love. A beautiful mix of dark and light.
At the end of the novel we're left wondering:
What would you do for love?
and
How much of it is justified?
February 23, 2021
As someone who has had the chance to read Advanced Chapters, I am so EXCITED for this book to be released into the world for everyone to read. It's honestly such a gem, every chapter invokes such intense and varied emotion, you can't help but be sucked in. The characters are so beautifully written, all of them are so relatable and REAL.
A must read if you enjoy romance and suspense!
A must read if you enjoy romance and suspense!
June 19, 2024
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
Phew, I still don’t really know what to say.
I enjoyed the book and still walked out very unsatisfied.
I remember Wren writing at the beginning that it would probably be too much scifi for some and too much romance for others. For me it was ... the romance.
Not that I don’t like romance and the dialogue was on point ... but somehow the story fell by the wayside.
I would have liked to know more about London (I mean how cool is it that the city is built upwards?!) And then I would have liked a more intense explanation of the case that was introduced in the prologue. Also about Project Earthflown and all the stuff everyone is involved in.
I think more could have been made of it from a political and capitalistic point of view.
The book was carried by the dialogues, which as I said were very good, but a lot of other things weren’t covered in as much depth as I would have liked.
Unfortunately, the ending didn’t quite knock my socks off either.
I would probably still read the sequel, but with different expectations.
(DEUTSCH)
Puh, ich weiß noch immer nicht wirklich, was ich sagen soll.
Ich habe das Buch genossen und bin dennoch sehr unzufrieden rausgegangen.
Ich weiß noch, wie Wren am Anfang geschrieben hat, dass es wohl für einige zu viel Scifi und für die anderen zu viel Romance sein würde. Für mich war es ... die Romance.
Nicht das ich Romance nicht mag und die Dialoge waren auch on point ... aber irgendwie ist mir die Story auf der Strecke geblieben.
Ich hätte gern noch mehr über London erfahren (ich meine wie cool ist es bitte, dass die Stadt nach OBEN gebaut ist?!) Und dann hätte ich gern eine intensivere Aufklärung des Falles gehabt, der im Prolog eingeführt wurde. Auch über Project Earthflown und generell den ganzen Kram, in den alle verwickelt sind.
Glaube da hätte man aus politischer und kapitalistischer Sicht noch mehr draus machen können.
Das Buch wurde von den Dialogen getragen, die wie gesagt sehr gut waren, aber vieles andere wurde nicht so tiefgehend behandelt, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte.
Auch das Ende hat mich leider nicht ganz von den Socken gehauen.
Wahrscheinlich würde ich das Sequel dennoch lesen, aber halt mit einer anderen Erwartungshaltung.
Phew, I still don’t really know what to say.
I enjoyed the book and still walked out very unsatisfied.
I remember Wren writing at the beginning that it would probably be too much scifi for some and too much romance for others. For me it was ... the romance.
Not that I don’t like romance and the dialogue was on point ... but somehow the story fell by the wayside.
I would have liked to know more about London (I mean how cool is it that the city is built upwards?!) And then I would have liked a more intense explanation of the case that was introduced in the prologue. Also about Project Earthflown and all the stuff everyone is involved in.
I think more could have been made of it from a political and capitalistic point of view.
The book was carried by the dialogues, which as I said were very good, but a lot of other things weren’t covered in as much depth as I would have liked.
Unfortunately, the ending didn’t quite knock my socks off either.
I would probably still read the sequel, but with different expectations.
(DEUTSCH)
Puh, ich weiß noch immer nicht wirklich, was ich sagen soll.
Ich habe das Buch genossen und bin dennoch sehr unzufrieden rausgegangen.
Ich weiß noch, wie Wren am Anfang geschrieben hat, dass es wohl für einige zu viel Scifi und für die anderen zu viel Romance sein würde. Für mich war es ... die Romance.
Nicht das ich Romance nicht mag und die Dialoge waren auch on point ... aber irgendwie ist mir die Story auf der Strecke geblieben.
Ich hätte gern noch mehr über London erfahren (ich meine wie cool ist es bitte, dass die Stadt nach OBEN gebaut ist?!) Und dann hätte ich gern eine intensivere Aufklärung des Falles gehabt, der im Prolog eingeführt wurde. Auch über Project Earthflown und generell den ganzen Kram, in den alle verwickelt sind.
Glaube da hätte man aus politischer und kapitalistischer Sicht noch mehr draus machen können.
Das Buch wurde von den Dialogen getragen, die wie gesagt sehr gut waren, aber vieles andere wurde nicht so tiefgehend behandelt, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte.
Auch das Ende hat mich leider nicht ganz von den Socken gehauen.
Wahrscheinlich würde ich das Sequel dennoch lesen, aber halt mit einer anderen Erwartungshaltung.
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