trigger warning
<spoiler> memory loss, terminal illness, trauma, mention of natural desasters</spoiler>

A young woman without memories has been trapped for three years on an abandoned island, and has been trying to scavenge the necessary parts to make a boat. She knows this: She has to find her sister.

We have two timelimes, one on the abandoned island and one with said sister who needs to be found.
The relation in which those lines stand to each other was not what I expected. The whole plot of this was not what I expected.

I find it hard to give a concluding summary of my thoughts here; I started the book on monday and didn't read on tuesday, but found my thoughts constanlty drifting back to it. I can only assume that this will go on, despite having finished the novel, and that it will need to marinade in my brain for a bit.

All the generic stuff I could say feel stale - yes, the characters are three dimensional, the pacing is superb, the setting is interesting and makes you want more, but I kind of don't care about that at all. I need to think about this, without being able to tell you how long it'll take me.

If you look for a book for asian heritage month or something for a readathon that either says dark or thought-provoking, this would fit in nicely.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

Beautifully written and captivating, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The cross narratives of sisters separated by so many factors heightened the emotions and raised the stakes as they fought to be reunited.

What seems a simple matter of distance between sisters becomes more complex as details are revealed with emotional gut punches over and over again. The world becomes more twisted, utopia crumbles into dystopia, and hope disappears.

Even the writing style of the different perspectives match the storyteller. Cee is descriptive and flowing, her narrative revolves around colours and memories and dreams.

"When I dream of her, it’s in vibrant color, unlike the gradients of gray of my monochrome days. But everything is hazy when I wake. The details merge. The colors fade."

The writing is lyrical and strong, reflecting her emotions and surroundings and the task at hand. Kasey, on the other hand, is logical to a fault and the writing feels clipped and insensitive.

"None of us live without consequence. Our personal preferences are not truly personal. One person’s needs will deny another’s. Our privileges can harm ourselves and others."

At one point she begins to show signs of weakening and the narrative reflects this but quickly straightens out as she gets a handle on herself and her decision.

The ending ran a little long for me after the final reveal; I kept waiting for something else to happen which made it a little anticlimactic, but in no way ruins the story or my overall enjoyment. I would highly recommend The Ones We're Meant to Find to any Black Mirror fans - the style is very similar. Everything is not as it first appears in this sure to be incredibly popular sci-fi story.

The Ones We’re Meant to Find follows two sisters trying to find their way back to each other. Cee wakes up on a deserted beach with almost no memory of her past except that she has a sister and she must get back to her. Kasie has spent 3 years mourning the disappearance and presumed death of her older sister. Set on a future earth beset by the terrible consequences of climate change where people spend most of their life in a virtual “holo” world to minimize energy use, the world building is original yet unsettlingly close to a possible future Earth. This poignant and atmospheric sci-fi thriller is perfect for fans of Scott Westerfeld (Uglies) and Neal Shusterman (Scythe).

I find this book to be polarizing. I thought it was phenomenally written. Truly beautiful prose. And I think the ideas He presented us with were fantastic- the dual timelines, the world in which climate change has caused so much decimation and human innovation is to blame but also their only way out, characters who I found really compelling, and a robot who only defined things yet I loved.

But the plot? I just didn’t really get it. What’s in the synopsis I felt was sort of not what really happened, I felt like I was sold a tale of sisters making their way back to each other but that’s not what this book is. I didn’t understand a huge majority of what actually occurred or the purpose of it. And at the end when all was said and done, and you’ve learned what happens to everyone, I just shrugged. I think this will appeal to many people, I just was not the right reader for this book.

Cece is desperately trying to return to her sister, Stranded on an island that she can't escape, it seems all hope is lost. Meanwhile, her sister Kasey mourns her loss but needs to turn her attention to try to help humanity survive Earth's environmental collapse.

With gentle, beautiful prose, this book rips out your heart. At first it didn't feel very science fiction to me, but that quickly changes with a lot of technical parts that went over my head somewhat, but didn't actually spoil my enjoyment, Overall, I'm actually having real trouble deciding whether I liked this book or not. It was certainly worth a read though!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Quality Rating: Four Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Three Stars

I was so unexpectedly impressed by Descendant of the Crane when I got it from NetGalley a few years ago that I was so excited to see what Joan He put out next. And she’s provided a wonderful testament to her versatility by coming from a sprawling epic mystery set in historical China to a futuristic sci-if thriller with a deserted island, A.I. and humans with in-built technology monitoring them night and day.

The Ones We’re Meant to Find was very clever, well paced and meticulously structured. Like Descendant of the Crane, the story winds itself very deliberately and twists in several different directions as it progresses that you wouldn’t expect at the start - and all perfectly convincingly.

It’s characters are grey and complex, explored in a thoughtful, well-planned way. This book, at its heart, is a character study that isn’t over-indulgent in the time it gives to expanding each character, but necessary to letting the story play out in a way that immerses the reader to fully understand the reality of what their choices mean in this world. He also doesn’t enforce complete sympathy; many individuals are deeply morally conflicted, and everyone acts in fear or spite at some point, and we as the audience are allowed to doubt them and their motives. Which makes choosing to root for them all the more personal.

My one reservation is that I was left feeling... strange. I admire the grey characters and open ends but it leaves me feeling strange. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it uprooted my expectations and assumptions in many ways, and challenged me to look at the situations differently - how many book actually leave you thinking when you put them down?

Sci-fi novels have never been my thing, but there was still a lot for me to enjoy in this book. I think Joan He is one of the most intelligent and imaginative young writers on offer at the moment, and I, again, can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Beautifully written, amazing plot, amazing characters, amazing setting, what more can I say? This book delivered, it was everything I needed it to be and even though I don't think it'll be a top favorite for me, it is definitely worth picking up and I'm so glad I read it.

The story felt so original, it didn't feel like anything I had read before, it didn't feel cliché at all and I actually didn't see anything coming, which I think it's hard these days.

I particularly loved the sisters' relationship and I think I could really relate to Kay as a younger sister but also as the least social one, I could see her suffering and it hit some nerves.

Overall I really recommend it, especially for those YA readers that are tired of always reading the same story, this is new, this is fresh and it's good.

The premise of this book was so good but unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as wanted. I like the dual timeline and I understand why the author chose to use 3rd person for Kasey. The worldbuilding was very confusing too. I'd like to read more about the city or other places. Overall, I enjoyed but it was not the story that I was expected. But I must say that the book cover is gorgeous.

This book is an extremely special book for me and had a huge impact on me. Since I have been studying IT and programming for the last few years I could relate a lot to Kasey and understand the way she saw the world.

The way the author shows which POV are we currently reading just with how the numbers are on the top of the chapters, or even how the text is written. All of the descriptions were so vivid and it felt so real. This book is one of my favourites this year and I am so happy that I read this book.

I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a really special story about two sisters in a world where climate change is getting unbearable and all we can count on is the technical machines.

The Ones We're Meant to Find is the story of two sisters. Kay, a STEM prodigy, and Cee, who has been trapped on an island for three years with no memories of how she wound up there, just a need to find and get back to her sister.

This was more than just a stunning cover. It was beautifully written and exquisitely lush. A slow burning dive into sisterly bonds, climate change, and the effect that our carbon footprint has on the earth. This story was equal parts thought provoking and emotionally challenging. It honestly blew my mind a bit. I had no idea what was really going on and I loved the different turns it took. I will say I strongly preferred Cee's chapters over Kay's. Kay's chapters are very technical, almost to the point where I'm still not sure if I understand everything, but both sisters are worth reading about and I loved how their POVs connected.

I found myself struggling through the first half of the story as it's quite slow in pacing, however if you stick with it the second half more than makes up for the time spent in the first. Once you hit between 50%-60%, the plot twists multiply, one after the other. I read the last 40% in a single sitting as I could NOT put it down. I actually found myself not seeing the main twist and it blew me away. I adored it. It was everything. I loved how the two perspectives came together and the story unfolded. Joan He is definitely a master of story weaving.

I also loved how both characters are written in a different perspective. I personally felt that having Cee's chapters in first person really helped to connect with her, whilst having Kay's in third made me feel more removed from her. This was GENIUS. Especially with everything that unfolded. If you like sci-fi/dystopian books with fun twists, you should definitely give this a try. I look forward to reading more from Joan He!

I thought this was a fantasy book when I started it, my bad for not looking into it before reading it. I really enjoyed the book it just isn't one of the best scifi that I've read. This is also a very heavy book to read, with a lot of talk about global warming and the effects it could have on out planet. The cover is also the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

The premise of this sounded interesting, but this book was actually too complicated for me. The fact that one chapter was in first person and the other in second person also confused me and it didn't keep my attention. Some world-building facts were also confusing to follow as everything was not explained to the same extent. I can recognize the sister bonds, isolation and the scientific part of this story, but all in all, it wasn't that good as a whole.

Told from the perspectives of Kasey and Cee, sisters, one trying to save the world and one lost in the world, The Ones We’re Meant to Find truly feels like it asks you to simply hold its hand while it runs head first into the ocean during the middle of a storm and tells you it will all be fine (its lying).

This was absolutely stunning from beginning to end. Joan He has created such a beautiful and realistic world here with her unique writing style, (genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if we humans found ourselves in this situation in the future) and I at once felt attached to the characters that inhabit it. All of the sci fi elements are simple and fitting so that element doesn't make it hard to follow or grasp if you’re not usually a sci fi reader. For me it essentially reads as a futuristic contemporary so please don’t let those elements stop you from picking up this beautiful book.

The twist? Oh, the heartbreaking twist I was not ready for. I don’t think I’ve ever moved through pages as fast as I did as that moment was unfolding. The truth of it hurt so much because it made sense but also Joan He has made you feel so much for these characters in such a short amount of time that it really felt like I had been dunked by a sudden wave and you’re floundering for a second searching for the surface (sorry for all the ocean references but it truly feels like this and it just makes sense okay?).

As an anticipated read, from the moment I saw that cover to the moment I finished that last page, I can happily say I have not been disappointed.

I am so sad to say that I did not like this book at all and stopped reading it at about 30% in. I couldn't get into the story, writing, or characters and I found myself bored. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book though. The cover is absolutely stunning!

This is a story about the people meant to find us.

I really enjoyed this, and was surprised by what a deeply emotional read it was. I felt really positively about all of the characters, and could feel the anxious distress when it didn't seem like it was going to come together. I think the one thing that prevented it from being a 5 star read for me, was the lack of world building- I sometimes got stuck attempting to figure out the various elements to a point that was distracting from the content.

Thank you so much Netgalley & Roaring Brook for this e-Arc!

The Ones We’re Meant to Find was one my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. To say that this book was sad is such an understatement. It was heart-wrenching, devastating, and I cannot stop thinking about it. The writing was beautiful, and it really added to the strange atmosphere of the sci-fi world so easily similar to our own. My favorite part of the plot was the survival aspect of Celia being stranded on an island. I love survival stories and this one delivered in a lot of ways. Celia’s chapters were definitely my favorite. I wasn’t expecting to fall for the romance as well though, but I really loved it. it was sweet and a little strange, but that’s what is so charming about this book.

This book is about what it means to be human, how we're never alone, no matter how lonely we feel. it’s about those we care for the most deeply; those we love, and the ones we’re meant to find. I connected with that message so deeply, and I think this will be a book I revisit often.

Overall, if you love strange, inexplicable books, the The Ones We’re Meant to Find if right up your alley!

[5 Stars]

I expected to really enjoy this book, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I absolutely adored Kasey (+ Cee too), the commentary on global warming + morals of humanity, the incredible twists that kept me engaged, and all the complex sisterly love. As someone who is not often a fan of YA, The One's We're Meant to Find is a gem.
Please read this.

The Ones We're Meant To Find was a gorgeously written, thoughtful read navigating a complicated sisterly relationship in a world ravaged by climate change. It's one of those books that begins slightly confusingly and ends in your heart torn out. It's honestly such a beautiful read.


Cee is trapped on an island surrounded by the ocean as far as she can see. She can't remember anything of her previous life, other than that she has a sister, who she's desperate to find. Kasey lives in a floating eco-city in a world ravaged by climate change. She's struggling to cope with her sister's disappearance, she was lost at sea, and Kasey has given up hope.

This book is packed full of twists and turns that left my mouth hanging open in shock. It honestly felt like a soft, gentle ocean that hid dark, dangerous waves. I wouldn't describe this as a fast-paced read, though the twists would lend themselves to people who enjoy thrillers for their reveals. Once I reached a certain point, no spoilers here, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down.

I particularly enjoy books that depict complicated sibling relationships. I have a strange relationship with my siblings and to see those complex feelings written into a book is fantastic. The sisters have their difficulties; there's a great love between them, but also tension. They've had moments in their lives where they barely speak and moments where they can't be without each other. It was brilliant to read.

I'm a huge fan of books that tackle climate change, and so I loved the world Joan He had created. Kasey lives in an eco-city, safe above the earth and protected from the ecological disasters that ravage the world below. Other people aren't so lucky. Each person is ranked on how they've impacted the world. If your family were oil barons, good luck trying to access an eco-city. The world seemed to individualise the impacts of climate change. It has dystopian elements, and you quickly find out that it's not necessarily the best system.

I do wish that it had inspected more strongly how privileged people outsource their environmentally damaging actions. Generally, I enjoyed Kasey as a character, and especially how she seems to be coded as neurodivergent. However, there is one character that I thought she treated incredibly unfairly. This character mentions the idea that the system wrongly categorises privileged people as more environmentally conscious, but it seems like an off-hand comment. I wish Kasey had paid more attention to that point when she was attempting to tackle issues regarding the ecological disaster.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that I know is going to touch the hearts of a lot of people, I'm so glad to have picked it up.

The Ones We’re Meant to Find is a book that completely blew me away with it’s unique story, and punches to the heart at times. I loved it and was so completely engrossed when reading.

We have two stories that are told by two POV, that of Kay and Cee. These sisters are like night and day but have such a strong connection to one another. Something that is completely unbreakable no matter the circumstances.

Cee has been trapped on an island for three years. Finding ways to survive and hopefully find her sister someday. She has no memory of her past but as the days pass, she starts to find bits and pieces of herself.

Kay is dealing with the loss of her sister as 3 months have passed since her disappearance. Where Cee was outgoing, the life of the party and an extrovert. Kay on the other hand is introverted and happy to be with as little human contact as possible. She finds it difficult to express or feel emotions.

We see these girls through the memories of one another as well as through their own stories. Until finally everything comes to a head. I don’t want to reveal too much because the plot is very much in the Scifi thriller kind of category and I don’t want to accidentally give any spoilers.

This deals a lot of what happens when the Earth is finally taking its last breaths because of the damage that has been caused to it. So there is a lot of questions about our responsibility to that.

I was so completely submerged in The Ones We’re Meant to Find and thought a lot about it after reading. I love a book that makes me think. Such a great read.

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
Since I am unable to just screenshot my semi-coherent 3am twitter rant upon reaching a particular twist at about the 60% mark, I now have to attempt a spoiler free actually coherent review. Ummmm….so…
Joan He has already been known for ‘The Descendent of the Crane’ and the kind of plot twists that make sane human beings act in strange ways. In moving into a sci-fi, dystopian future ravaged by climate change, He has given herself even more scope to torture and torment her readers. In two separate storylines, Kasey and Cee are living and surviving in very different ways.
Cee has been alone on a deserted island fighting to survive. Lost and with no memory, she spends her days scrounging through scraps, trying to build a boat. She may not remember anything, but she remembers that she has a sister that she needs to find. With nothing but a little robot and a small plot of taro plants, and he stubbornness, she promises her sister that she will find a way. And then one day a strange, half-drowned boy appears in the waters around her. Can he help her escape? Or will he be a distraction, or even a danger….
Kasey lives in a carefully run floating city designed to minimise environmental damage and maximise the possibility of human survival. In Kasey’s world people spend a large percentage of their days within a shared virtual reality while their bodies are maintained by medical pods. Eating glorious foods, having adventures and parties and anything else that you could think of only within this electronic world means that minimal living spaces, and scientifically balanced protein supplements isn’t that much of a sacrifice. And if it means that humanity may survive a little longer, isn’t it worth it? However, space on these floating cities, away from earthquakes and dangerous radiation is only for the worthy. All residents are given a numbered score that shows their privilege and worth 24/7 to all. Anyone who is guilty of environmental damage is not welcome. But what about anyone who is the descendent of someone guilty? Did your great, great grandmother work for the wrong company? Yeah, no, so sorry, but you’re out of luck. Only the lucky few, the privileged, the worthy get to stay.
However there are some who aren’t quite content with life as it is. Like Kasey’s sister Celia who needed to see real sunshine, who wanted to swim in real oceans, who disappeared three months ago and hasn’t been seen since…..
I don’t want to say too much about this book for fear of spoiling the surprises for the reader, but it is at one time heartbreaking, horrifying, and yet somehow hopeful. Showing how privilege, responsibility, vulnerability, and sacrifice are tied up together, and thrusting an entirely possible future at the reader while calling for change and action. It is a clever book, filled with clever young women, and cleverly scares while it entertains. It is a slow moving book, with a lot of subtlety. I sometimes had to go back and reread some important parts. This won't appeal to some people, but its something that I quite enjoy.
Extra kudos for the beautiful cover with two lovely young Asian women front and centre. At a time where people of Asian descent are being targeted, He’s decision to feature Asian main characters feels like an act of strength and pride. And a bit of a middle finger to the more troll-like of the population. So, well done.
4/5 3am shrieks for me