Fast-paced and thoughtful, Erased blends classic dystopian themes with a relatable coming-of-age arc and just enough romance to keep things grounded. It’s not reinventing the genre, but it hits the right emotional notes and delivers a satisfying ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I want to start by saying that the 12-13 year old me would have absolutely ate this book up! Even the adult version of me had a good time reading it, considering the moral qualms of the main characters, and being intrigued by the world that has been created. At its core, it attacks the way that technology is shaping the world, with an eye of where things may go. It really is intelligent in its portrayal of the ways people would react to certain technological advancements--and how we have already. The premise is really the main part that shone through!

Like I said above though, the 12-13 year old version of myself would have loved it, and I mean that. The writing style was very younger young adult, just based off the language and the style itself. It was simple, held my hand in a few instances with a bit of exposition (telling rather than showing) and a lot of the dialogue was very to the point. Nothing really seemed like a challenge, things happened, the plot moved along, I wasn't exactly surprised by anything that happened. None of this really diminished my own thoughts on it though. I had fun! It was absolutely a lighter read with likeable characters, but in the way some YA books are very adult, this one sits perfectly within what we traditionally think of as young adult.

My twelve year old self would have loved this book! I also really enjoyed this book as an older adult. Even though the writing was simple and would appeal to a younger audience, the topic is relevant to us all. This is one of those books that make you stop and think long after you’ve finished the book. No, we don’t all have nano chips, but we all carry a smart phone. How hard would it be for us to give that up? What would we and do we trade for that luxury? We already know it can track us and we willingly give up our data. This book really made me question how much we would be willing to give up for all of the conveniences of modern life that we have become so accustomed to. Very thought provoking.

This is a frighteningly realistic dystopian novel about Seph and his quest to fight against the nanochip his government has been using to control the population's emotions. Scifi, romance, suspense all in one.

This book was a gripping, anxiety-inducing ride from start to finish—and I mean that as high praise. The tension isn’t accidental; it’s the natural result of a chillingly plausible dystopia where a single corporation controls society through implanted chips. The technology, at first seemingly innocuous, gradually reveals its true, insidious nature: a device that hungers for total control over its host.

The author masterfully builds unease, not just through the plot but through subtle psychological cues that urge the reader to question their own reality. It’s a story that doesn’t preach, but rather unfolds horrors with quiet confidence, leaving you to draw your own disturbing conclusions.

What struck me most was how well the book portrays the fragility of what makes us human (autonomy, emotion, choice) and how easily it can be erased when power and technology align too closely. This isn’t just science fiction; it’s a warning.

A great read with potent subject matter. If you like your dystopias smart, sharp, and terrifyingly relevant, this is one you shouldn’t miss.

Thanks to NetGalley and Echo Press Publishing for the advanced copy!