A short read that introduces a lot of world-building!

It was very interesting, but I would’ve preferred more of a story that shows that world as we travel through it with the characters; more natural, detailed, but relevant descriptions and not massive info dumps. Otherwise, it is quite a lot of information thrown at the reader right off the bat. In fact, I had to skim at times to get to the actual plot or else I would lose focus while reading. It truly was expansive, even detailing the narrator’s culture from how they procreate to how they survive against monsters to how they travel around their world. A lot of info could be in appendices instead of the main novel.

The main character was interesting, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the POV chosen. A different POV would’ve allowed the reader to see things happening around the character and the character interacting with their world in a more interesting way.

The dialogue/editing of the dialogue between characters felt off. A bit stilted and bland. I know the main character said he doesn’t speak that much (again, we are in his POV), but still. It’s also hard at times to tell who is talking, as the sentences are one after another with no clear indication of who is conversing.

I definitely think this would be a great trimmed down novella with appendices instead of an info dump continually. A map would’ve been great to see what the distance between cities/ The Wild actually looks like.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and BooksGoSocial for a copy.

This was difficult to get through. Very intense and intricate world building with little plot to move it forward. It read like a manual which is unfortunate because you can tell this would be an amazing place for a story to unfold.

Since this is only part one of a serialized mystery novel the majority of it was spent describing the world in which it takes place. The actual plot was very interesting. There are some spooky elements and some strange twists. I wish it would have focused more on that and allow us to learn about the world as it is experienced. Instead we were given page after page of facts as to how everything works in this universe.

My interest is peeked, but I’m doubtful I will remember the details of the story because of how they were delivered. I am starting to enjoy the main character and what is happening to him as he is sent to investigate some strange goings on in another community. I am curious about how the story will progress.

Honestly.....this read more like a textbook than a novel.....I read about a third of the book and still am not sure what it's about. The story itself never seemed to transpire....it was like an anthropological & sociological essay on a made up culture. I'm sorry I tried to like it and find the point, but it was lost to me...I appreciate the opportunity to review it nonetheless, but DNF...could not finish..

Amazing world building, loved how the story was told and I just felt gross and slimy throughout the whole thing but in a good way if that's possible.