Review
Ryn is someone that a lot of neurodivergent people, especially in a school setting, can relate to. Juggling sensory and processing needs along with a chronic back problem, Ryn just wants to be chosen to go to Mar.s But when they are caught by a food allergen, their plans for Mars are dashed, and they’re left on an Earth that is becoming increasingly inhospitable due to climate change. Or are they?
When Ryn realizes that they aren’t alone in their dreams, and that the others who they know in the Academy’s tower, namely Jay the geeky guard, and Akira from lab four, are with them, it turns out that perhaps they were perfectly designed for a new journey. The problem is, Ryn isn’t sure they can trust either Jay or Akira and time is growing short.
I absolutely loved this book with neurodivergent and chronically ill representation that I could relate to and secondary characters who you both were wary of and loved. This was an engaging read with strong world building. I was delighted to find out it was a continuation of an earlier work, which I will definitely seek out. A brilliant read.
5 stars
Received via NetGalley
Genres: science fiction / queer / neurodivergent representation / climate fiction /
Blurb
You don’t need to reach Mars to reach your dreams.
Robbed of their chance at leaving Earth to pursue green-energy innovations, Ryn embraces new dreams-fighting deep sea threats in conjunction with a giant cephalopod. It’s 2139 in the Cali-Coastal Corporate Zone, and Ryn struggles with their own body and brain as they fight to survive five days locked up with academic rivals and the military-backed billionaires who’ve misled them all since their teenage years.
Ryn needs an exit strategy but doesn’t know whether to trust Akira, the hacker-spy who may have saved their life, or Jay, the geeky military rebel with a secret stash of hot chocolate. Not to mention, Jay keeps falling asleep in their bed, and Ryn’s not sure if either of them is interested in more-but at least they like the same shows!
Five Days. One Ocean. Unlikely allies connect to Dream the Deep.
