I’m afraid I was unable to read this before the publishing date, and it has been since archived.

However, I did purchase the book to remedy this and so my thoughts are now based on the final edition, and based on the published copy.

When I requested this in 2021 on netgalley, I was very into dystopian. Since then, I’ve found my tastes have changed and so I’m no longer the target audience for this book. However, Samantha is an excellent writer and just because the storyline wasn’t my personal cup of tea,doesn’t mean the book wasn’t executed well.

4⭐⭐⭐⭐




- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!

+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity

❤️shaye.reads

This book was really interesting, and better than I estimated but I didnt like the main character - she was immature, self centred and irritating, no matter how much I tried I could not connect with her, I did enjoy this book, but because of disliking the MC and feeling like something was missing it’s not one I’d go back to

"It’s strange the way the Sentenced run into the forest. There’s more than what meets the eye, a puzzle hidden within their behavior, and I will be the one to decipher the truth."
-Samantha Cook, The Clearing

3🌟/5

I received this e-book from NetGalley.

The Clearing is a post-apocalyptic story, where the main character Ruby lives in a village with her brothers Jacob and Henry and her friends Sapphire, Jack and Alex.

Ruby, who is very sceptical about the Seers' powers and the Cult, wants to see and find out what lies outside of the village she lives in (where the Soulless roam), which is dangerous for anyone who tries or has no other choice but to venture, and the only obvious way to get out is to be Sentenced (much like her father's banishment).

The author's writing is good and the story was quite enjoyable, as you uncover about the Cult, the Seers, the Soulless and much more.

The ending was fine, since I presume there is going to be a second book (?).

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read books ad give critical feedback to authors and publishers. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.

Apologies for the late review of this book.

I loved the writing style of this book it reminded me of V.E.Schwab it is lyrical and also descriptive. I loved ruby and what she does in this book. the cover doesn't do the book justice, this is beautiful. I loved the faith of hope and loss. like a mix of the maze runner mixed with the hunger games.

Thanks to NetGalley I got to indulge in this fantastic read. It just took me a day (not even) because I just had to keep knowing what was happening. I wish we got more information about the characters, not much was told about the secondary characters, but I hope the sequel will offer more!
Thank you for this story! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!!

Loved the characters, especially Ruby. She has her faults but I really clicked with her. The relationships in the book are well done. Enjoyed the story

A story about seers being able to tell you what crimes you will commit in the future, and punishing you before it happens. We have seen this before in a book. However, this one has a different twist - there is only one village left on earth and survival depends on the seers. And punishment is banishment - to the woods where these creatures live.

So of course we have our heroine, who we know is going to be accused of a crime, and banished. Then she will find out what these creatures are, and maybe find another settlement, right? I mean, this is what I was expecting.

Well, what I received was different than expected. Not only was the plot different, the characters were also different,. The heroine wasn't a lonely, bitter girl - she had friends and family and a support system. And the "love interest" was really different (and thank you to the author for no insta love) and was a minor part of the story.

This book was really interesting, and darker than I expected. So why not 4 stars? I didnt like the main character - she was really interesting, but I thought she was immature, self centered and spoiled. I could not connect with her much as I tried. I liked her friends and family much more. But then again, I needed a little more motivation for the actions that they took. I really liked this book, but felt like something was missing.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

The clearing by Samantha Cook.
In the last surviving village, Ruby has made a name for herself as a rebellious teen. She challenges the Seers who use their visions to execute criminals before they commit their crimes, and, just like her father, she faces banishment into the forest of the undead.
When a Seer sacrifices themselves to protect her, Ruby believes she has a future worth dying for – one that could help reconnect her village to undiscovered settlements. One worth waging the village's safety, just like her father.
With her friends risking their lives alongside her, Ruby must find someone who understands the psychic-undead link to uncover the Seer's not-so-heroic intentions. The psychic’s prophecy might be against her, but Ruby still has a chance to save her village if she is willing to go against everything she thought she believed in.
I really really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. Ruby was my favourite character. Chilling spooky and eerie. I loved the cover too. That's what drew me to this book. Recommend. 5*.