Thanks to Atria Books for the copy of this ARC!

Camp Zero is a BIPOC debut centered around a settlement in northern Canada in 2050, a year when climate change has made a severe impact and technology is literally ingrained into everyday life. Told from the POV of Rose (sex worker and child of a Korean immigrant), Grant (professor from entitled family), and White Alice (group of women soldiers living in a research station), this book delves into themes of climate change, male entitlement, female empowerment, and classism.

While I was intrigued by this book, I wasn’t quite sure where the storyline was going. In the end, as the mystery of the camp’s purpose and future are revealed, the characters also decide what they want their futures to look like, and we get some flashbacks to better understand their decision-making process. I was definitely compelled to finish this one and liked it, but thought the twists were predictable and also found it to be just kind of weird. If the premise looks interesting, I’d suggest trying it out, but I could honestly take or leave it!

Read if you:
- care about the impact of climate change
- like dystopian novels
- like the dynamic of women finally overpowering entitled men

Great story and writing but an editor really needs to slim this down. The writing is a bit repetitive and tedious for most of the book. It's like that friend you have that posts every single meal of every day. Similarly, so many of the meals and outfits are described in each and every scene without moving the story along. By the halfway point, it was still not clear where the book was headed. Not a big deal, but there are also a few factual errors. First, this story is set only 20 years in the future. It seems unlikely that things will have changed that much by then and people will forget what life was like in 2020s. There are some other errors about fish and plants that just show a lack of research on the authors part but don't really mess with the story that much.
Hope to read more from the author as she finds her voice!

Content notes: sex is mentioned but not described in detail, foul language is used 1-2 times per chapter, prostitution is the central character's profession, animal deaths for food and roadkill, climate change affects

2.5
I was excited about this soon to be futuristic world perspective! Resources in the world are scarce, humanity has changed using implants with a visual field instead of using a device such as a phone for information. We follow a couple characters and their life teaching and being a service girl to men in the work field.

It almost felt like the author was leaning on the Handmaid's Tale and some of the plot points there. I didn't love that in this futuristic world that women are still used for sex and their bodies--I just didn't want to read this, once again. Let's give women power, not use them as mens instruments.

Sigh. Ultimately, I was bored. I could've hung in there and handled the issues I stated above if there was some movement in the plot, but it lost my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance e-book.

I liked the writing style of this work--the narrative voice of the main character was really compelling, and I felt like the setting was well realized. I think where the book lost me was the pacing. It could feel a little inconsistent at times, but I also felt that the book could have been a bit faster-paced. I think it would have served the story better than a slower build. I also felt like some of the characters faded into the background--they were introduced but their depth never felt like it went any further than their circumstances. I enjoyed the relevant commentary about sex work/sex-workers, though, and I thought that was well done. In a funny twist of events, the book overall I felt was pretty slow paced but the very end was almost too rushed. I wish we were given a bit more time to really soak in everything. Overall, I didn't overly enjoy this, but I did enjoy the commentary and the hopeful tone in the end.

Camp Zero is Michelle Min Sterling’s debut novel set in the dystopian future of an earth ravaged by climate change; where only the rich and powerful have a chance at survival and the safest place to be is the Floating City in Boston harbor. One of these rich and powerful men is Damien Mitchell, the creator of the “Flick” - a device implanted in the brain at birth and provides real time feeds of news, shows, and anything the mind can think of - living in the central part of the Floating City called the Loop. It’s here that he meets Rose, a “hostesses,” and he hatches a plan that sends her to the arctic north to live at Camp Zero. It’s here that she lives with her cohort of “hostesses,” serving the important men of Camp Zero, fulfilling their every desires. Rose was paired with Murphy, the head of the operation, and the person Rose was sent to “get close to” and report back information about the project unfolding at Camp Zero. However, things start to get mysterious when Grant, a professor hired to teach at the future "campus" of Camp Zero, arrives. While this story unfolds, there is a separate story that takes place in a place called White Alice. The reader is uncertain of the relationship between White Alice and Camp Zero, as well as the chronological separation of the two. There are many characters in this story, many timelines, many plots and overall I found them at times discordant but overall exciting. I was invested in the story and finished this book in one sitting, which speaks to the readability of the novel. However, 90% of the story was character development and building up to this climactic moment, that never really came. Camp Zero felt like it was intended to be the first book in a trilogy, rather than a stand alone novel. There was so much left unanswered at the end, that I would gladly read another book to get some closure. My question is, why spend so much time building this world and creating this characters to leave it so unfinished? Despite these personal opinions on the ending, I enjoyed the author’s writing and I did enjoy the story - I just wish there was more!

In the near dystopian future, Rose arrives in the far north of Canada at Camp Zero. She has agreed to work as an escort in the camp to hopefully earn her Korean immigrant mother a home in the utopia that is the floating city. At the same time, Grant, a well to do recent college grad who is trying to make his own name in the world, arrives to work as a professor in the camp. They both soon find out that this camp and the far north is not all they thought it would be.

This book had me hooked from the start. The concept was interesting, the characters were mysterious and complex, and the world building was fabulous.

It’s weird, but I actually loved that we didn’t know a majority of the characters’ names. Having them just called “the barber” or “the engineer” added such a unique quality to the story and almost made the characters feel more grounded in the world.

The story and twists were doled out at the perfect speed as well. They were sparse enough that it made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen, but I didn’t have to wait forever to really get deep into the story and secrets of the world. I also thought there was a perfect amount of backstory given. It gave just enough to really understand the world and what these characters were fighting for without bogging down the plot.

For most of the book I did have a hard time connecting the White Alice chapters to the rest of the story. It felt like two separate books to me, but it did all come full circle in the end.

I don’t know if there is going to be a sequel for this one, but I sure hope there is! I definitely would love to spend more time in this world with these interesting characters!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and statements are my own.

This book was something I’ve never read before and it was definitely worth the read!
You get to dive into a new icy world with, as promised, many plot twists. You basically know nothing at the beginning but get to pick up more and more parts of the story like a puzzle, for example how the different POVs are connected to each other. I loved the setting, I love the three POVs and the very different character types. The ending was definitely unexpected, but really suspense-packed.
I think this book is really unique and no matter if you’re new to science fiction or a long time fan, you’ll love it! The story was well and especially deep developed and I did also mark many nice quotes. However, it was a lot to memorize.
The only thing that I didn’t like that much was how the women bad-mouthed about the men.
I would definitely reread it though!

Camp Zero is a gorgeous debut from an author I'll be keeping an eye on. A mixture of literary and dystopian fiction, this book targets many themes leaving the reader thoughtful ( though sometimes, the book felt like it was trying to do too much with too many themes that many of these conversations fell flat ie the stealing of land — while the privilege of the obnoxiously rich were well-enough explored).

Set in a near future where climate change is quickly eclipsing society and technology becomes ever-more demanding and intrusive of everyone's full attention, the only salvation is in the desolation of northern Canada. Tech CEOs are building settlements up there, and we follow three points of views: Rose who is part of a group of sex workers called "The Blooms," a teacher of construction workers named Grant, and an obscure time era of a previous occupation of an all-female climate research group called "White Alice."

The pacing is haunting, a slow build of tension and a pacing that felt classic in a sense. There is a mystery of direction, of where the story will go and timelines, and of character identities and motivations. You feel the isolation of the setting and the inherit danger of each day.

When it comes to characters, there were some I was very endeared by but many of them seemed to fade into being grouped together in the background. These characters had backstories which explained why they were doing but I still never really got a sense of them beyond their circumstance. I also felt like some of the stances taken thematically were a bit, simplistic.

I think Sterling did a great job with the representation and exploration of sex work though. I was very partial to the White Alice chapters also of the blurred lines between these women in their relationships. There were twists where I had to put down the book and others which felt underutilized and like they should've come sooner. We explore many attempts of building utopias in this dystopian novel and are left pondering who seems to have the right of it — I can see this being a book bringing forth many discussions and opposing opinions,

Because the third act is, a bit disorganized. It rushes this pacing developed and while it is realistic to the world and themes that the book shouldn't close neatly, I do wish we were given a bit more breathing room. Ultimately though, Camp Zero ends on a note that is uncertain but hopeful regardless — and that resilience of humanity in the face of collapse is always a personal favorite of mine within the genre.

Camp Zero is a stunning debut novel from Michelle Min Sterling that explores a dystopian future filled with climate displacement and a collapsing world. The novel follows three narrators: Rose, a woman who has agreed to infiltrate and spy on Camp Zero; Grant, a college professor trying to shed his wealthy family's name who arrives at the same time as Rose; and a group of female scientists in a Cold War-era climate research station.

I quite literally could not put this book down, and managed to speed through it in just under two days. The pace of the story certainly made it a page-turner, and the author's masterful writing explores themes of class, gender, climate change, and migration in a powerful way that will stick with readers.

I'm absolutely expecting this to be deemed one of the best Spring 2023 releases!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel for the majority of it. The author has created a near future world that is plausible while not feeling unoriginal. The characters are intriguing and tension in the story builds throughout. All this being said, I wasn't a fan of the way the author chose to end this story, which kept this from being a great novel for me. The ending was surprising to me and not really in a way that felt clever. Regardless, this is still a solid novel and an enjoyable read that I would still recommend.

This one fell flat for me. It just didn’t have the storytelling that I have found in other books in this genre. I could never connect with the characters or understand their motivations.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Camp Zero releases April 4, 2023

4.5/5

This debut by Michelle Min Sterling was fascinating. A story where you’ll have to trust the process to see how everything connects, but the pay off in the end is definitely worth it.

Camp Zero is set in the near-future in the year 2050. Themes include climate change, environmental destruction, migration, class and gender inequality, and the things we will do to survive.

Told through three alternating POV — Rose, Grant, and White Alice:

Rose is a biracial daughter to an immigrant Korean woman, and a sex worker. Living and working in the Floating City, she agrees to an assignment at this new developing camp/settlement in the Far North of Canada — Dominion Lake — where she must distract and make sure that Meyer isn’t suspecting of the underlying ruse that Damien has set in place to mine a mineral called dysprosium in order to have the materials to create Flick 2.0. In exchange for this, Rose will gain permanent citizenship to the Floating City as well as housing and income for her displaced mother.

Grant comes from a long lineage of influential family members. In the hopes of separating himself from his past and the Grimley name, he takes a job at the camp as an English tutor. But things aren’t as simplistic as they may seem and his roots may just be ingrained deeper than he expected.

White Alice is a subdivision of the US military; a climate research station in the North, just a two days snowmobile ride away from Dominion Lake.
Originally set up during the Cold War by the Americans, but now eight women are settled here for the foreseeable future and eventually acclimate and learn how to become self sufficient.

The narrative of White Alice was my favourite of them, which made sense in the end knowing the whole picture.
While the start of their timeline isn’t in complete parallel with that of Rose and Grant’s, their paths eventually do merge seamlessly. The build up and history of their time, seclusion, and adaption to life in the North was fascinating.
I loved the style of writing used for this group, how there wasn’t really one clearly named narrator, but instead a collective “us”.

Although fictional, the climate crisis and worries were all too real. I appreciated seeing acknowledgement of land and territories belonging to First Nations and Indigenous peoples as there are current events right now that involve this exact scenario in correlation with oil companies.

The dystopian vibes with the Flick implantations and the Loop + Floating City were a really unique touch.
I can easily see this world being expanded upon in a sequel.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Sterling comes up with next after this memorable debut!!

I really loved the slow build up and that the main character was a sex worker without the author making it her whole personality. The ending left something to be desired for me personally but I can also see how it’s on theme with the world ending and men being the ones to blame. Would have been 5/5 for me if Grant’s POV was completely left out - I know he's supposed to represent the antagonistic wealth but he just felt like a side character to me for most of the book. Overall, a really engaging and thought-provoking read.

“As long as men exist in this world, they’ll do what they can to consolidate their power. We’ll spend one more year here and then return to the same shit world we left behind.”

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
In the not so distant future the best place to live will be the North, because of the rising temperatures. In the northern reaches of Canada sits an American base who will do anything to keep their family safe.

FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
First I want to thank @NetGalley & Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book jumped out at me when I found out it was based in Canada, being Canadian I always love seeing this. Knowing the author was born in western Canada I had high hopes. Which came crashing down.

The book and story itself are well written, when it’s good it’s good. But the “liberties” the author took with geographical locations took me completely out of the world. When you’re referencing very real places, an Indigenous Territories the geography needs to make sense and it didn’t which annoyed me to no end, honestly ask @curiously.Katt she was the unfortunate recipient of my voice memos. I don’t want to go into anymore detail than this incase others want to read it. But this was a big miss for me.

Another thing was the dogs. Why pit bulls, use some other attack dog. They have enough of a bad wrap, it sucks seeing it portrayed as such in a dystopian.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

I’ve always loved reading books that depict a dystopian future, filled with devastation and chaos. Camp Zero is one such book that caught my attention. Not only did it provide a heart-wrenching narrative, but it also explored complex themes such as gender, class, and climate change.

The story is told from multiple POVs, which gives the reader a chance to explore the different aspects of the camp. Each storyline is unique and interesting, and the way they all connect is simply amazing. The characters are well-developed, and their personalities are explored in-depth, which makes them even more realistic.

What I found most captivating about the book was how it managed to bring together all the different themes and storylines into one cohesive narrative. The ending was simply breathtaking, and it left me with a lot to ponder about. Since finishing the book, I have not been able to stop thinking about it.

Michelle Min Sterling is a great writer, and I am excited to see what she has in store for her readers in her next work. Camp Zero is a must-read for anyone who loves dystopian fiction and wants to explore complex themes in a unique and compelling way.

Early on, I described the feel of this book to a friend as "The Handmaid's Tale" meets "Station Eleven" and after completing it, I feel like that's a pretty accurate reference.

I really enjoyed the various threads of this story and how they wove together. I was curious to learn whether the timelines were concurrent or separated by decades, and enjoyed the ways the author pulled the characters and plots together at the end. Characters felt believable without feeling formulaic, and the setting created a propulsive story.

My mind keeps coming back to the setting and story days after finishing it, which is always a sign of a great read. High marks, Michelle Min Sterling is now on my list of authors to watch.

I appreciated the writing for this dystopian climate change thriller, and when the action was happening, it really had me engaged. I think it got a bit bogged down in flashbacks for my taste, though, and while I was on board with a lot of the thematic content, it was a bit on the nose.
Still, would look for more from this author and would recommend for those who like SF with their conspiracy-esque thriller

Many thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review,

Camp Zero is a an unsettling page turner. In Michelle Min Sterling’s view of 2049, the planet is beset by environmental catastrophes. Parts of America are nearly uninhabitable due to heat, fires, and storms. People are perpetually online thanks to implantable connectivity devices that allow them to escape the realities of every day. In this world, the rich have built havens for themselves, while the poor provide the labor and suffer the worst consequences of generations of ecological carelessness.

Camp Zero is a shadowy project in the arctic regions of Canada. It draws an array of people looking for something: a better life, a different life, a utopian ideal. But no is exactly who they seem and no one’s motives are pure,

I found this to be a chilling and all-too-plausible look at Earth’s near future. Highly recommend.

This took me a hot minute to get into, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting.

There are three POVs there, not just Rose's. All three weave and interweave throughout, told in various tenses. There is the past present of Rose. The present of Grant. The collective we of White Alice.

While I enjoyed the overall message of this climate fiction book, there was just this...I dunno. This sneaking feeling that it was kinda (view spoiler)

Anywho, it's a little different than what the blurb states, and I did like that sex workers were the heroes and main characters, without any of the moralizing or bemoaning of their jobs.

The ending, however, felt both rushed and incomplete and half-realized—where the book shines is the build, the rising tension, the means of living in a world where the most innocuous mistake kills.

I received an ARC from the publisher