Around 30 pages in it already felt like it could become one of my favorite reads of the year, which turned out to be true :)

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I loved seeing this story unfold and the narrator’s slow retreat from the outside world. There are parts that feel a bit odd or confusing, but the writing always manages to tie you back in.

She begins to challenge her own beliefs about morality and survival using them to test her theories on how to navigate and succeed in a fundamentally corrupt world.

She lives a largely isolated life, but still maintains a some loose connections. Despite her desire to remain emotionally detached and being focused solely on her own pleasure she has a growing affection for her all-male group of mostly black, poor or marginalized students.

She lives in a constant state of alertness, carefully monitoring both her surroundings and herself. Her luxurious clothing not only helps shape her identity, but also serves as a protective shield. What she’s protecting herself from remains ambiguous.

I’d even credit it with pulling me out of my last reading slump. Beside that the novel offers a strong critique of surveillance culture and systemic control. A great read!

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During the story they encounter resistance groups, fractured communities, and a mysterious horse named Gliff, which becomes a symbol of intuition and freedom.

I finished the book in a single weekend and it might be one of my fastest reads this year.

It’s told from the perspective of two young siblings, Briar and Rose. They become ‘Unverifiables’ and are placed outside the system after their home is marked with a red circle.