Cover Image: Earthlings

Earthlings

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

There needs to be more books like this in the world! This book was animal farm with a little bit of fantasy and so much more!

Imagine the world was flipped around and the animals were at the top of the pecking order and humans at the bottom. Imagine humans being confined in small rooms and being bred to create milk. How awful right? Well that's what has happened in this dystopian novel!
Peridot may just be the answer to help save humanity!

I'm not going to say much more about the plot as honestly I went into this blind and solely off of the recommendation of @duckfacekim09 (she loved it so it was a must read for me)

I don't talk about my beliefs much but as a vegan this book made me want to say hell yes to Ray! I loved that she brought attention to animal cruelty in such a good way which I hope makes people think about their eating habits. (Ps I don't think everyone should be vegan id just love people to reduce their consumption)

I loved the way this book was written and I also forgot how much I enjoy dystopian books. I really can't wait to read book 2!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve been sitting on this review for a min now just trying to figure out how to put my thoughts into some sort of organized chaos. I feel confident in my decision that this is easily my top read for 2022. The easiest parts to review would be the magic system which I found unique, and quite fun. The characters are complex and beautifully written. There wasn’t a member of the main cast that didn’t develop in some way throughout the story.  The Hard part for me to put into perspective was the story itself. There is so much going on here. So many layers and takeaways that left my mind reeling at points. There is seriously so much to unpack here but even the smallest Jenga piece of this book would cause a cascade of spoilers. So, I’m just going to say, if you are a fan of witchy magic, familiars, found family, animal advocacy, or evil chickens named Alan. You will definitely enjoy this book!

Was this review helpful?

"You are one of a few gifted people left in the world Peridot. You are like me, and a few, extremely rare, incredibly special people left in existence. You are born of magick. An Elemental."

Peridot grows up lonely. On the deserted island she lives with her mother, a gifted Healer, there are only two other people, who help work their farm. Aside from her dog and the farm animals, Peridot has no one to talk to.

Then one night, a young, frightened and freezing boy appears at her window. Peridot decides to help him, though he's petrified of her mother, who he calls a witch. He makes claims about the wider world, ones that make no sense to Peridot – about cataclysmic events that make it a dangerous place for humans, one in which they are fodder for animals.

When Peridot's mother reveals she's able to do magick, she also binds her daughter from discovering what is beyond the island until she is sixteen and supposedly able to process it better. But not before Peridot accidentally transports her new-found friend away from the island and back to the horrible place he came from. Peridot vows she'll find Euan again as soon as she can. But years pass and she has no idea where to start.

The blurb of this book showed so much promise but right from the start, I thought this might not be for me. It begins with murderous talking chickens chasing someone until he decides to jump off a building. In fact, most of the animals featured in this book (and there are many) can talk and prefer to keep humans as food and sometimes pets. I could not wrap my head around this. Perhaps it was the delivery. I just could not take this seriously and I have a pretty good imagination. The chickens didn't frighten me for example. They made me want to laugh with incredulity.

It's very clear that the author adores animals and is likely a vegan. That's a beautiful thing. I just didn't find the plot very believable. Certain aspects were just too outlandish for me. I thought I was going to read a book about magic and while there is some, the plot focuses mostly on the flipped-world scenario. I think I might not be the intended audience and so for me, the whole thing fell flat and I struggled to finish.

Was this review helpful?

A mysterious dystopian adventure in a land not like our own with dazzling storytelling and superb characters.

Was this review helpful?

I think this was such a fun book to read. I simply love this book, and now have to wait until the second book in the series is released.

I recommend it to anyone who can read, whether you like fantasy books with magic thrown in, or not.

Was this review helpful?

I liked the concept of this book, but it wasn't for me. The writing was too waffly for my taste and it felt like it needed more editing.

Was this review helpful?

Excellent. Absolutely Excellent. This is everything my vegan heart needed in a book and I got it. I cannot recommend this enough.

Was this review helpful?

A very thought provoking book, the characters were well portrayed and the amazing plot twist made me question my lifestyle! I can’t wait for the next book,

Was this review helpful?

Despite some issues with editing which confused me a little, where sentences are out of place-most likely a ebook formatting issue, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The magic system is so authentic but with a fantasy twist-herb lore, crystals and working with elements meshes well with inner magic, ancestry, and uncontainable power.
The world is richly described and a great but not heavy handed way of flipping this so called hierarchy we have in the animal kingdom.

I was a it worried about whether I would enjoy this book when I realised the main character was only 13 but as she aged quite quickly I found myself engrossed in her story and eager to read on.

Cannot wait to read book 2 and join back up with Peridot, Euan, Phoenix, Freyja and the rest of the crew!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book - read it in two sittings!

Peri has lived a reclusive life protected by her mother from the realities of life outside their island. At 13 she is made aware of her heritage as an Elemental and her powers. Prior to her birthday she meets Euan and learns a little about his life - he disappears and after her 16th birthday she sets out on a quest to find him aided by Phoenix.

She then learns about the world ruled by animals where humans are kept for their milk and meat. She joins the Resistance - feared by the humans as a witch - and aims to find Euan - she time she gets close she is thwarted.

The book ends on the edge leaving me wanting more!

A dystopian tale with a twist.

Was this review helpful?

great story, if you like fantasy a lot and magic systems you should give it a read

this is my first arc and I feel so glad to be given the opportunity to read a book before its release, this was such a fast read and I will definitely be checking out dominion

I trying very hard to explain the book without spoilers so y'all will have to bear it with me, I'm new at this okay? I am learning still

Was this review helpful?

I am way past being in the T&YA age group but do like to dip into the genre when a synopsis catches my imagination and Earthlings certainly did that.

Interestingly most of the books that I have read from this grouping tend to be entertaining, this book is an exception because it also offers a salutary warning about the way far too many people are living whilst completely disregarding their environment and the world at large. There is more than a passing comparison to be made with Orwell's Animal Farm.

Overall, I found the interplay between animals and humans and the "forces of nature" to work extremely well and I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Ray Star has put the whole story together. I am very much looking forward to the arrival of the rest of the trilogy and, in particular, the prequel which will explain exactly how the animal versus human world of Earthlings erupted.

This book is more than a little different from the majority of this genre and well worth your time whatever your age because it has so much to offer.

Was this review helpful?

Peri lives an idyllic life on an isolated island. Her life is forever changed when she finds that her view of the world is an illusion. She is an elemental with powers she needs to control facing a dystopian world where humans are livestock. Original story with vivid characters. I never thought chickens could be so evil.

Was this review helpful?

I wasn't too sure about this book at first but soon couldn't put it down. An interesting thoughtful take on a dystopian world with great world building and well rounded characters. I will read more by this author.

Was this review helpful?

I was not expecting the roller coaster of emotions I felt reading this book. I laughed, I cried, I felt really, really sad (the children at the A.I station?! I was in bits!), and at the end, I was devastated that the ride was over. I have to know what happens to Peridot and Euan!! The use of elemental magic was used perfectly for me, every time Peridot unleashed her power I had goose-pimples and her mum (who I'm sorry but I think is a major b*tch!) drove me crazy until that end scene, where you get an insight into her motivation and almost understand her infuriating overprotectiveness of her daughter.

This was everything I wanted from a YA Fantasy but with a hard-hitting message to it, that I'll admit I was NOT prepared for, even after seeing so many reviews on Instagram about it. I'm not vegan. I'm not even vegetarian. But after reading this, I want to know how my food is made, And I want to know what happens next in the story. The elemental magic side of the story is what has me hooked but the narrative is what has me thinking about the story after I finished reading it - in so many ways.

Earthlings is one of those stories that will stay with me and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

A unique dystopian style book that has a premise that isn't over done. With great characters and an interesting storyline.

Was this review helpful?

Earthlings: The Beginning follows Peridot as she comes to terms with the fact that she has magic and that the world as she knows it is vastly different to the one, she grew up on. The Earthlings is based on a very dystopian England in which chickens and cows are at the top of the food chain and are exacting their revenge on humans for their treatment before “The Changing”

“Every creature that inhabits the Earth is an Earthling”

I found this book to be very fast paced, especially towards the end in which we faced a showdown between The Resistance and those in charge, it was also very engrossing, and it felt like a bit of a shock novel in places. The book is predominately from Peridot’s perspective, until roughly 60% in where other characters begin to have their own chapters and narrative.

There are a large number of characters to keep up with throughout the book, and some of them could have more development, which will hopefully come from the sequel. My favourite characters have to be Phoenix and Fergus, I just love both of their fiercely protective traits, I found that the author did a great job in describing a lot of the animals' personalities. I also found it really sweet how dogs are still considered man's best friend in this dystopian world, some of them are still loyal to a fault. My least favourite character is Val, the way that she treats her daughter is overly protective, and I feel that she is the reason Peri found herself is so many difficult situations, I hope that Val has a heart to heart with Peri in the next book, and their relationship is developed as a better one.

Earthlings seems like quite a shock novel in places, as it does become quite dark, I am a bit unsure
on the target audience with this book, as even though Peridot is originally 13, it is a lot for such a young character to take it, additionally there are numerous scenarios that humans are described to be in, that come across as very inhumane, yet once you realise these are the same situations animals find themselves, it creates a shocking lightbulb moment in which you question a lot of things within the current world, such as humans being segregated into those who are workers, those who are food and those who are used for entertainment purposes such as racing and fighting.

The world building in this book is great, and the descriptions really make the world feel alive, I feel
there is an undercurrent of teachings in this book, especially with the author using the dystopian world to draw light to the treatment of animals, as well as to the treatment of anyone different, as the quote “turning a blind eye to it allows it to continue” really resonated with me. I found that the ending was such an annoying cliff hanger ending that I honestly need the next book as soon as possible, I need to know if certain characters are okay!

3.5

Was this review helpful?

Earthlings was a dystopian world I was not expecting - from talking animals to elemental magick systems and unexpected ancient embodiments. It's rare that I read a story and have no idea where the plot is leading but this book achieved just that. The sub-plot of humans experiencing life as animals in our own world do now added relatable depth and made the story more than your average YA Fantasy. A fantastic read.

Was this review helpful?