I still have a book hangover.

It has been a while since thinking about a book constantly and grabbed any chance I could to continue reading. A book that will be unforgettable both thanks to its writing and uneasiness it made me feel throughout this reading experience it offered me.

We follow a couple, Norah and Art from the moment they first meet at a restaurant until well into their life journey.   Through a first person point of view we entered Norah' mind and feelings whilst unravelling the consequences of a disaster that has made the world poisonous and toxic; so much that animals are no longer and the soil, water, food is contaminated. Living with purifiers, and the short life spans due to the 'greying' life is no longer how it used to be when Norah' mom was alive. Here enters Eastern Grove, a company seemingly willing to help the situation by merging with the NHS in the promise of offering solutions to be able to continue walking on this Earth.

Caroline Hardaker's writing is unique; reflecting Norah's emotions so beautifully, I could feel all the sadness and loneliness she was overwhelmed with. Extremely well penned by an author who clearly has (or had) a pet cat and is a mother (or has taken care of children she has come close with). I felt every little thing, and though it was a tough read, I kept wanting to immerse myself into this odd world where some people sign off their bodies to a company, owning them whole; even their privacy, relationships, and life decisions.

Some quotes that stuck with me either due to the imagery or the emotions weaved among the chosen words of Hardaker's prose:

'We kept it light, and skimmed dialogue across the table like pebbles across the pond'.

'..he sensed that I was deep in some internal mood-swimming'.

'We split ourselves open and then stitched ourselves together, sharing everything in that parasitical way only students do.'

'Mum had always been the sun and I a body in her orbit, finding my way by her light, no matter how far I'd strayed'.

'It was a relief to let my body fall into that rushing stream without having to swim, or paddle, or fight'.

The book was a mix of dystopian, sci-fi and literary fiction. Melancholic, queasy that will create goosebumps down your spine; and yet you will be hungry for more. This book needs to be seen, read, devoured.

I am incredibly thankful to Netgalley, Angry Robots and Caroline Hardaker for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.