Member Reviews

I like this book! It was a scary possible future outcome especially with all the climate issues going on right now. I think it was a heartwarming story and also scary and eye opening.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

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I was really drawn to this book by the description/premise, and honestly still would be. However, the execution was poor and I didn't feel like I could connect with the characters that were making nonnnnnsense decisions. I generally love dystopian and climate disaster books, but with this one, I didn't really feel like I was immersed and it felt like (especially with the smartphone ban) a lot of the normally pertinent/worldbuilding information given was super surface level and didn't bring me into their world enough. I was able to keep going to get around 40% done, but had to put it down after that.
Sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

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In her stunning debut, Kate Risse takes us to a near-future America ravaged by climate change in Inland, a haunting and thought-provoking tale of survival, resilience, and the fragile connections that bind us.

Set in 2026, the story follows Juliet, Martin, and Billy as they navigate the flooded ruins of a once-thriving nation. Their intertwined journeys highlight not only the physical toll of a changing environment but also the emotional and societal costs of humanity’s inaction. Risse skillfully examines the double-edged role of technology in survival and the unyielding strength of human relationships when pushed to the brink.

The vivid, almost cinematic descriptions of a drowned America are both chilling and poignant, immersing readers in a world that feels unsettlingly possible. This is not just a dystopian tale; it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a deeply human story.

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I thought this was a strongly written book, it showed the resilience that I was looking for and enjoyed the way the plot worked in telling the story. The characters had that realism that I was looking for and thought it was great following them in this world. Kate Risse has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

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"Inland" tells the story we all wish to never have to experience ourselves. It is a prescient look at how we can navigate the rising tides should we wish to keep hope and the well-being of our fellow humans at the forefront.

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