thinking about this even more a few days after i finished and that's always a sign that a book will stay with me and how much it affects me. it's hard to believe
S. Hati is a debut author bc of how impressive this story is. it's also solidly a climate fantasy, which, as a sustainability professional, i very much love reading about as much as it makes me anxious. but not only that, it's a SOUTH ASIAN cli-fi and that means even more to me. once you get to 50%, you will be LOCKED in. what's even more impressive to me is that this is a standalone. to write a full story that isn't a million pages long yet still completely effective is actually a talent and there is no denying that S. Hati is meant to be a storyteller

S. Hati's debut novel, a climate fantasy, is rich, complex, and breathtaking—through three distinct POVs, it imagines a world in which a magical fossil fuel powers a society. The intertwining themes of environmental devastation and colonialism are deftly handled and explored with nuance. The high stakes and breathless pacing will keep you turning pages, and the relationships and growth arcs of each character will have your heart aching. A stunning debut and a talent to watch!