After the climate catastrophe of earth, 23rd century earth exists by means of a human-led apartheid against the extraterrestrials, the Vantarians, that restored earth through carbon dioxide extraction. One of the human soldiers, Alder, becomes cognizant of the apartheid’s atrocities against the Vantarians, and finds themselves disillusioned by the human government’s propaganda  and begins developing close partnerships with Sefynne, an alleged terrorist of the liberation movement. 

 

This queer sci-fi read was very clever and enjoyable to read. I thought it had great world building without lengthy exposition. I am extremely interested in the new Earth that Zuidema has created, where there are new flora and fauna in the restored ecosystems, but fleeting remainders of human language, culture, and language. 

 

I found myself asking so many questions while reading and was surprised that the saviours of earth, the Vantarians, were being policed by the human government, and found that the this was a surprising twist on the post-alien “invasion” trope. 

 

I am extremely interested in the human’s Orchidism religion, where baptism involves a Honey Hawk ritual, and hope that this is continued in the next book in the series. 

 

Thanks very much to Net Galley for providing me this Advance Reader Copy. 

 

If you’re interested in a dystopian earth with a partnership between a non-binary soldier and alien freedom fighter, be sure to check out Honey Hawk !