I struggled with this book a lot because I felt like the pacing was very slow. There were almost too many descriptors and adjectives in in the writing. Things like "red-hued" and "green-flashing" in the same sentence kind of pulled me from the story.

I think this would have been a fun read if the language didn't go down the story!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)

Ezren Hart is dedicated to the research her mother's lab is doing on Belethea to provide the chance to experience life aboveground. When she learns the lab is in danger of being shut down, she reluctantly enters an open tryout to become one of Belethea's Race Royalers. Making the team could provide the publicity and funding the lab- and her family- desperately needs. When she meets potential race partner Foster Sterling, she doesn't expect to feel so much trust and chemistry with him. Can these two prove themselves and make a difference for Belethea?

I love a good YA novel, and this one didn't disappoint! This combined Hunger Games, Star Trek, Amazing Race, and American Gladiators for a sci-fi reality show race of champions. The racing portions of the book were my absolute favorite parts since they had so much action. I loved Ezren and Foster and could feel the chemistry from the moment they met. I did think the romance happened a little fast, but it didn't bother me too much because it just felt right for them to be together. There's a little bit of a mystery that comes into play as you get further into the book, and I wasn't able to predict the villain in the end. I thought I knew, but the author did a great job of keeping it a secret. The side characters were likable, but Foster and Ezren are the real stars. Now I'm curious to see what will happen to this amazing duo in book 2!

Thank you Netgalley and Whimsical Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love the worldbuilding in this science fiction tale. There’s intrigue, romance, danger, hope and more. You definitely will root for the underdogs! I could really picture the wild and stormy wilderness of the planet Belethea. You will come to care about both Ezren and Foster as they scrap and fight their way to the finish line. The race is insane….miles upon miles of treacherous terrain and storms that change course in mere seconds—oh yeah, and other racers who are constantly trying to take you out of the running, literally. I know I’d be out in the first five minutes! The story is a pulse-pounding thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat!

Look for this very soon, on April 4th! Also, you won’t have to wait long for book 2–that’s publishing on May 21st. Win-win!

Thank you to NetGalley and Whimsical Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are mine alone.

Huge thank you to Whimsical Publishing and Netgalley for the copy of this ebook!

Into the Churn was a truly vibrant story I simply could not stop reading. From the beginning I rooted for Ezren and I was fascinating by Belethea and the world surrounding this planet our main heroine loved so dearly. I was really intrigued by all the politics and the technology and lore of this universe Hayley Reese Chow crafted. We are then later introduced to Foster, Ezren's race partner and this duo was absolutely perfect. They worked so well together and it was a joy to follow them on their individual journeys as well as their story together. Their romance was also adorable. The fast pace of this story worked in its favour and made it a book difficult to stop reading.

However, I would have loved a bit more development on Foster's backstory as well as more worldbuilding about the world around Belethea (I love worldbuilding a lot).
The ending was also a bit too abrupt - the time jumps took away from the relationship development, we were more told than shown how Ezren's and Foster's relationship formed. The mystery was resolved too easily in my opinion and there were too many made up swear words.

Overall, Into the Churn was an incredible fun novel with amazing characters and I will absolutely read the sequel Into the Fire.

Ezren Hart loves her job as an intern at a terraforming lab on a planet called Belethea where violent and unpredictable storms ravage the barren landscape. Whilst most inhabitants live in shelter underground, Ezren loves to be outside battling the elements. When the lab loses funding, her friend persuades her to apply to enter the Race Royale for the prize money.
The main characters Ezren and Foster are underdogs, part of an underfunded team who are putting their lives on the line just by trying to compete in this crazy race/fight to the centre of Belethea whilst dodging the storms and attacks from other competitors.
Into the Churn is a cracking sci fi dystopian adventure with romance, science, politics and found family thrown in. The pace is intense, this is one of those rare books that is hard to put down, the world building is fantastic and very accessible and there is great character development.
Fans of Hunger Games, Ender’s Game or Ready Player One will love this.

Wow, this book was super interesting and unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I don’t normally reach for sci fi but this book has me convinced I’m missing out. I REALLY enjoyed it! I recommend going in blind and just enjoying the ride!

Can I first say I love the cover from this book. and second I love a good ya sci-fi book. it reminded me to read more of this genre in the future. I finished this book in a day so good was it. Ezren and Foster lead an intense journey through a world of literal life-and-death stakes. The found family dynamic is heartwarming. I was rooting for them so much and could connect to them to, the plot had some pacing issues, but it still made me so happy while reading this and will continue the series in the future. I would 100% recommend this to teen and adult who would love sci-fi, fantasy books

Ezren and Foster are running straight into a storm, and they're dragging you in right behind. Set on another planet, in a world that seems to have left Earth behind, a cast of characters that can best be described as intense leads you into a world of literal life-and-death stakes as they fight to win in an ultramarathon where even the weather is trying to kill you. I always love a found family, especially one that has to work hard to make it work. Sylvia is Effie 2.0, with over-the-top costumes and a heart of absolute gold- you just want to hug her. Belethea was so interesting, and I absolutely loved the science focus driving Ezren. I never would've thought I'd see a main character whose superpower was weather models, but here we are! The pacing was a bit tricky at times- the book covered a lot of ground and it was a little disorienting to jump from a day to a few months. Overall, it worked- I was rooting for everyone, and felt for even the villains, which speaks to Chow's characterization. I seriously don't think I've read (or met) a nicer ex. TW for violence and injury, because there's plenty of both.

Wow!

Drawn in by the cover, I finished this book the same evening I received it. YA sci fi is such a fab genre, with loads of action and even some romance thrown in.
Ezren and Foster are perfect main characters, the side cast are all well developed and memorable, and even the possibly slightly cliched twist was still forgivable for being the climax in a well written, enjoyable read.

100% recommend, teens and adults alike.

Everything about this book is just perfectly balanced. The world is amazing and easy to follow. The main characters are lovable and watching them figure out what's happening on their planet and in the race is super satisfying. The race itself is so cool. I definitely want to read more from this author!