This was an interesting take on a dystopian Earth sci-fi fantasy book, and This would have been an amazing read had it not been for the swiss cheese level of plot holes.

There is so much that is never explained, expanded on, or hinted at that this book just really fell flat for me. The relationship between Willow and Liam really needed more angst and development before they were end game. Olivia's character was not needed, though fun at times, held no real value in the book over all. Wasn't even like the loveable side character, she was like an after thought.
The Claeg creatures were confusing and still kind of are. What are they? Where did they come from?

Willows Earth powers are never deeply explained or expanded on. Liam is apparently super human and his eyes glow with blue fire, but we never find out why or what either of their histories are, they just both have powers.

If this book didn't have any open door spice, and that was all cut out, this would be probably a great YA book for young people entering the world of sci-fi fantasy.

I believe this is a debut novel for this author and it was an ok read, sometimes really enjoyable and then sometime frustrating, I gave it three stars.

The premise of the novel is unique: The humans have stopped caring, the Earth is dying, society has collapsed and nature is basically at its end. We have our state of Coria where books and knowledge are essentially banned, including anything and everything related to plant life and Earth’s various ecosystems and oh, a group called the Elite serves as the core leaders in the place of an Emperor? More to follow on that. We then meet our main leads, Willow and Liam. Willow is a scientist who secretly has access to forbidden books about Earth with hopes of being able to revive them. Liam is essentially a soldier in the Elite force and slowly, becomes an ally to Willow after crossing paths with her.

The world-building and writing was almost there for me. I feel like we needed a bit more. I needed to know how the Earth came to be, and why the Elites were the powerhouse apart from others; and while we do get a little bit of the political stances it wasn’t until much much later that we get a glimpse of it. The monsters, the Claeg were also another key point that I enjoyed but again, what created them? We get some of these answered in conversations between characters but not to the extent that I would have liked. So I even think that adding a prologue with this information would be an amazing addition to a better understanding of this world.

The writing had its hits and misses. Some paragraphs felt like it was done well, but others felt inconsistent, clunky, and almost juvenile.

Oh, and the magic? Let’s not forget about that. Now I do like that the magic was very much rooted in the Earth, but I had a very difficult time understanding what its key purpose was for being incorporated into this novel. Has it always existed and it disappeared so therefore non-existent in current humans? Or is there a long line of descendants of humans being able to use this “magic” but died out? I'm thinking of it in terms of Final Fantasy VII and the Cetra. Anyway, it was entirely dystopian, with very few aspects of fantasy. I would love more lore on this and maybe I wouldn’t have had a difficult time wrapping my head around it.

I liked that our main characters were flawed. Willow is no one-trick warrior and she had to learn to wield the weapons given to her. Liam does his best to own up to the mistakes and the duality of morality vs duty is very much shown in this novel. However, the romance between Willow and Liam felt sudden to me even though I could tell while reading, it was meant to be a slow-burn romance. Maybe that's just how it is though… Two individuals in a desolate world yearning for affection and that's how it came about. I do wish the other cast had more important roles versus being solely there for plot purposes and comedic relief.

Overall solid 3 stars. Well suited for the people who enjoy dystopian themes and have a love for nature.

Thank you to Brilynn O’Neal for welcoming me to read and NetGalley for the e-ARC! I wish you the best for future releases and look forward to what comes next because well, I need answers.

There were a lot of things that were well done in this novel. This story was rich with elemental magic, relatable characters, a challenging political environment, and a fast-paced plot. The spicy scenes were tasteful and not overly-clinical, and I generally felt that the dialogue and characters were relatable and realistic.

A few things that I thought could’ve been better: I did feel like the writing was a bit clunky at times, and there were a couple of odd exchanges or actions in various scenes that felt out of place. The language was a bit juvenile for me at times as well. However, overall I thought it was a really great debut novel and I’d definitely read another book by this author!

This was a great read! Watching the two characters paths cross and become so intertwined was a really fun experience.

❁ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 ❁
by Brilynn O'Neal

In 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, readers are transported to a dystopian world where society has collapsed, and nature is nearly extinct.
The story unfolds within Coria, a tightly controlled city run by the Elite, an authoritarian regime that bans books and knowledge, especially anything related to plants and Earth's lost ecosystems.

The central character, Willow, is a young woman who braves the regime's control by secretly accessing forbidden books and learning about Earth’s ecosystems in hopes of reviving them.

Liam, initially a soldier and enforcer of the Elite’s rules, crosses paths with Willow and slowly becomes her ally. Their bond grows as Liam starts questioning the Elite’s motives and Willow’s determination to restore life on Earth resonates with him.

The romance between Willow and Liam in is a beautiful slow burn—it’s grounded in a world where survival takes priority, making every moment they get feel more intense.
Throughout their journey, their bond builds through mutual respect and shared goals, even as Liam battles his past mistakes and Willow grapples with the responsibility of her mission.

What I loved most about 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 is how it balances the tension and action with a genuine sense of purpose and optimism. Even in a dying world, there’s still the spark of hope that Earth can heal, if people are willing to fight for it.🌎

If you’re looking for a story that’s equal parts thrilling and inspiring, definitely check this one out! It’s perfect for anyone who loves dystopias with a big heart and a love for nature. 🌱📚

A huge thank you to the author for welcoming me onto the street team and providing an ARC!
Mark your calendars for the release on February 5, 2025.

The book is set on Earth, years after all the plants have died out. In the story we follow Willow, a scientist whose dreams is to return vegetation to the planet and Liam, a soldier who wants to stop being a soldier.

I found the idea of the book very fascinating. It had potential. However, that is the only thing going for it. This book reads as if written by a novice writer with a great idea but no clue on how to bring it to life.

The writing is very dry, mechanical. Author tries to express characters' emotions mostly through facial expressions, but you can write that someone "grinned"/"smiled"/"cried"/"smirked" only so many times before it becomes repetitive and loses its meaning. You can use as many grand, big and impactful phrases but if they don't fit in context, it's just wasteful and cheap and feels even more out of place.

The pacing could use some work. When I was reading, it felt like author set a schedule for what should happen at what % of the story and worked around it. And yes, while most of the genres have such standardized schedule, it should not feel forced. I, as a reader, should not feel it.

Worldbuilding is also neglected. Who are Forgotten? Why is Liam so special? Why is there so much dust? Why isn't oxygen discussed at all? How did two entire classes of society manage to gather their belongings for evacuation without rumors spreading?

The characters feel like dolls in a child's play. They cry when the story needs it, they smile, grin and joke when there is nothing else to do.

I'm not sure if author was going for creating questionable characters but that's what happened. Liam was a captain and his soldiers often raped women which Liam knew about and did nothing to stop them. Somehow Willow brushes this over, acts like it doesn't matter. There is a whole plot line in the book dedicated to oppressed and violated women and their rescue which instead of being empowering feels hypocritical.

The only likeable character was Olivia who shone through once Willow left temporarily. Until then her only function was that of a comedic relief (which mostly consisted of her bugging Willow about Liam, smirking and grinning and winking and smiling), and whose existence revolved around Willow. This is especially vivid in one scene where Willow, Liam and Olivia are dining and we hear stories about their childhood but nothing of Olivia's because when it's time for her to speak, we are instead told how it makes Willow feel. I understand that she's a side character but there is no reason why we couldn't read about her childhood too. She also falls under frequently utilized best friend "event" which further shows how she's here just to be Willow's sidekick.

The romance was also dry and came out of nowhere. There was no chemistry, no build up. It happened only because this is a fantasy romance book and Liam and Willow are our main characters.

Overall, I don't recommend this book. It's full of cliches, bad writing, cringey moments and grand speeches that fall flat.

The Forgotten Earth has a very interesting premise. Humans stopped caring for the world and looking after it and it died. Humans were able to stay alive by manufacturing food and staying inside big walled cities to stay safe from horrible creatures that were created when the Earth died.

The plot was interesting at first, but I did grow tired of it after a while. The story is told from the first person point of view of the two main characters, Willow and Liam. This was interesting but I do think the story would have been better if it had been told from the third person POV.

I feel like this book had an interesting premise I just did not care for the two main characters or their love story. Everything that happened just seemed very predictable and when things went their way it was in the most convenient of ways at all times and even when "surprising" things happened I wasn't surprised.

I wish there was more about how the world came to be like this, and more about the Claeg. Unfortunately what we information we get usually happens in conversation between characters. More background about the world, as dystopian as it has become, would be interesting!

I thought the last quarter of the book seemed rushed, it was all this slow build up and then everything came together very quickly in a convenient way and then the book was over.

I personally did not really enjoy this book but I do think that others would. By no means was it a bad book, just was not my cup of tea! Due to this I rate it a 2.5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this novel!

The Forgotten Earth is a fun dystopian romantic fantasy, with characters that are so easy to fall in love with.

There were so many elements of this unputdownable novel that I really enjoyed- the pacing was wonderful and engaging throughout, the use of elemental magic and in depth knowledge of plants and their properties was very well done. The characters were all individually interesting and I especially loved Circe! I live for a female led rebellion trope and I adored that while O'Neal's characters display deep emotion, it is never to their detriment. The woman-centric approach of coming together to overthrow an oppressor was both empowering and beautiful

The world building and descriptive writing was truly captivating but I did feel like I needed more back story. How did the world come to be in it's current state? Why were the Elite in power? What separated them from everyone else? We find out a little about the governmental structure but other than a brief mention of the emperor in chapter 3 there is nothing else to build fear/disdain/hatred toward him until halfway through the book.

The Claeg were fantastically written monsters, definitely fear invoking and creepy! But again I have questions of their origins and how they came to be!

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and O'Neal's writing style, if this is their first book I'm so excited to see what else comes from them!

Thankyou Netgalley and Brilynn O'Neal for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own and based entirely on my reading experience.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a crumbling world, Willow holds forbidden knowledge that could revive the food system but is hunted by The Elite, a mysterious ruling class. Liam, a disillusioned soldier assigned to kill her, decides to ally with her instead. Together, they search for safety while facing danger along the way. Ultimately, they must choose between the harsh reality they know and the seemingly impossible possibility of a new world.

I really loved the premise behind the novel, a dystopian world that has been wrecked and unfit for human habitation. The ideas the author introduces are somewhat novel but the development of these ideas are somewhat generic.

Both Willow and Liam are likeable and relatable characters but their relationship was sudden in a way that makes me think their story was heavily edited. They weren't "insta-love" but their romance was not developed in the detail I think it deserved.

The world building was initially good. I really wanted more information and details though. Towards the end of the novel it felt like the story could be happening anywhere not in the unique space that the author had initially created. I needed more about The Elite and The Emperor. They are shadowy hidden figures throughout much of the story.

Overall a nice but unmemorable story. Fantastic ideas with initially good world building which ultimately fell a bit flat. Enough to keep me going to the end without wanting another instalment.

For an author's first novel it holds promise.

Thank you so much for an early copy. This was a great dystopia read. It kept it on your toes and overall was very intriguing.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read “The Forgotten Earth” by Brilynn O’Neal. I thought this book was like Fahrenheit 451 meets The Hunger Games with a medieval vibe and a romance. I got confused in the first 14 chapters because of the character switching. I would be confused on who Liam and Willow were talking to. I would have liked to look more into the backstory of some of the other characters like Olivia, Kat, and Marvin. I also would have liked to dive more into whether Liam was human or not. As well as learning more about the plants. I did enjoy the suspense in the begin and end chapters.

The Forgotten Earth is a gripping dystopian novel that blends suspense, adventure, and heart, delivering a story that feels both urgent and intimate. Set in a bleak world teetering on the brink of extinction, the story follows two compelling individuals, Willow and Liam, who are thrown together under dire circumstances despite their contrasting backgrounds.

Willow is a captivating character, brimming with curiosity and a sense of wonder despite the grim reality surrounding her. Her obsession with stealing books from the Elites provides a touching glimpse into her yearning for knowledge and hope—a sharp contrast to the shattered world she inhabits. Liam, on the other hand, offers a more complex arc. As a soldier loyal to the oppressive Elites, his internal conflict between duty and morality adds depth to the story. His transformation from a reluctant follower to someone willing to question authority is one of the book’s highlights.

The dynamic between Willow and Liam is electric and layered. Their relationship starts with suspicion, grows into trust, and eventually blossoms into something more profound, all while the stakes continue to rise.

what I loved most abput this story was the unique magic system. Willow’s ability to make life grow from dirt was a fun idea . It brought moments of beauty and hope into an otherwise grim setting, making her power feel both symbolic and essential to the plot.

If the book has any drawbacks, it’s that certain plot twists feel somewhat predictable. However, the emotional depth of the characters and their journey more than compensates for any narrative clichés. The pacing is brisk, with tension mounting as the story hurtles toward a climactic conclusion.

In the end, The Forgotten Earth is more than just a dystopian adventure. It's a story about finding light in the darkest places and the power of unlikely alliances.

I devoured this. Was it perfect? No. Was it what I needed? Yes. This was a very readable book - the story is fun and intriguing with enough twists and turns to keep you asking questions and seeking answers. My main gripe was from a point of view perspective. I wished we got more of the snarky and sassy Olivia seeing as she was present throughout the whole story. I also wished I had more information on the Claeg and where they came from. That said, however, I enjoyed my time here.

Wow, this was a fun read! Overall 3.5 star rating for me. I enjoyed the plot but some of the dialogue and scenes seemed a bit slow. Overall would recommend to fans of this genre.

Book Review: The Forgotten Earth by Brilynn O'Neal

Brilynn O'Neal's The Forgotten Earth is a spellbinding post-apocalyptic novel that blends action, romance, and elements of fantasy into a thrilling narrative about survival, hope, and rebellion. The story follows Willow, a determined and resourceful woman armed with forbidden knowledge that could restore the Earth's devastated ecosystem, and Liam, a soldier caught in the oppressive grip of a dystopian regime. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey that is as much about survival as it is about forging a new future.

The world O'Neal creates is vivid and bleak, a desolate landscape where nature has all but disappeared, and human life is ruled by an elite class that hoards resources and knowledge. Willow’s mission—to restore life to the Earth through banned plant lore—gives the novel an environmental focus that feels timely and urgent. Her character embodies both vulnerability and resilience, making her a compelling protagonist who readers will root for as she battles against a corrupt and powerful regime.

Liam, on the other hand, is a soldier enslaved by this dystopian order. His transformation from a hardened enforcer to a man who regains his humanity through his bond with Willow is both believable and emotional. O'Neal carefully builds their relationship, allowing it to develop naturally amid the chaos, rather than rushing into a predictable romance. This dynamic adds depth to the characters and makes their connection feel genuine, rather than just a subplot.

One of the novel's standout elements is the interplay of magic and mysticism, which O'Neal weaves seamlessly into the narrative. Willow's unexpected power to re-grow the Earth and the strange mystical monsters that populate the world add a layer of wonder to the story. This fantastical element serves as a refreshing contrast to the stark, dystopian reality that the characters face, providing both challenges and hope.

The sentient house that accompanies Willow and Liam on their journey is one of the more imaginative and unique aspects of the novel. It adds a whimsical touch to the story while also providing much-needed safety and refuge as they are pursued by forces far more powerful than they could imagine. This pursuit, led by the omnipotent Elite, creates a tense undercurrent throughout the novel, with O'Neal expertly ramping up the stakes as Willow and Liam fight not just for their lives but for the future of the planet.

O'Neal’s pacing is well-balanced, moving briskly through action-packed sequences while giving readers time to savor quieter, more introspective moments. The exploration of themes such as ecological destruction, the abuse of power, and the struggle for freedom makes the novel not just an entertaining read but a thought-provoking one as well. The book's world-building is immersive, and the characters' internal struggles are as gripping as the external ones.

One minor critique would be that certain aspects of the world and its history could benefit from further elaboration. The backstory of the Elite’s rise to power, as well as the details of how the Earth became so desolate, could have been fleshed out more to deepen the reader’s understanding of the stakes. However, these are small points in what is otherwise a richly detailed and well-thought-out setting.

In conclusion, The Forgotten Earth is a riveting and imaginative novel that will appeal to fans of dystopian fiction, fantasy, and adventure. With strong characters, a powerful environmental message, and a story full of magic, danger, and hope, Brilynn O'Neal has crafted a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It’s a story about fighting for a future, even when that future seems impossible—a timely and compelling message in today’s world.

Rating: 4.5/5