A story told in three separate timelines - 1906, 2006, 2106 - with a psychic connection to a jade teacup binding all of them together.

I’ll be honest - this book did not work for me. Personally, I felt like the connection between the three timelines to be…tentative at best, and at no point did it feel like there was an actual reason for all three people to be connected through time. While reading this, I wound up wanting full books on both Maida and Li Nuan’s lives, as opposed to the small glances we were given. By breaking up this book into their three separate lives, instead of one entire story, I felt like I was given the sparknotes of three different ones. I was even explaining the plot of this book to my mom, and with only about 100 pages left could still not come up with a reason for the connection between these people - or how it was necessary to help a single one of them.

Maida has the psychic ability to connect to objects and see their pasts, and by doing so sees a brief glimpse into the lives of both Nathan and Li Nuan. She also discovers a plot to capture and control everyone else like her in their futuristic world. Li Nuan is a trafficked 16 year old girl in the slums of Chinatown, desperate for escape and freedom. And Nathan…is a grown man who somehow just discovered that child exploitation, labor and slavery is a thing in the tech world, and has a crisis of conscience.

Clearly, two of these stories had a stronger connection to me than the third. It was just a bit difficult to read about the real life abuses and dangers suffered by these two women, only to have a chapter where this man complains about the horrors of society. I’m sorry but I just didn’t care about Nathan and found his chapters to be tedious and boring, at best.

Also, much of this book is written with a more YA feel, and - while there were trigger warnings for the sexual abuse Li Nuan would suffer - I felt it was a bit more graphic at times than was entirely necessary, or went into more detail than I felt was needed to understand her story. There is one scene in particular that I felt went into more detail than I needed to understand her sexual abuse, as well as another scene that I didn’t find necessary at all other to have her be abused another time. And with the whiplash of her chapters as opposed to the “party at Burning Man and then suddenly become aware of capitalism” Nathan and “anxious at her new job and then forced to become an agent to save her kind” Maida felt extremely out of place. I strongly believe her chapters could have been toned down to still tell her sexual abuses but to not make them so violent and triggering, while not losing any of the horror of them.

This book has a huge theme on limiting harm and trying for the best, but in many ways it doesn’t work with the rest of the novel. With a societal collapse that happened before the events of this novel started in 2106, despite the theme of “time is circular, not linear” it doesn’t exactly work. The book itself even mentions how Li Nuan can’t really do anything to help prevent the apocalypse and so she just tries to do her best where she’s at, and Nathan can only do so much to try to mitigate his carbon footprint. We know how the story ends because we’re currently in the future!

Also, so much of this novel in the futuristic “utopia” world present in 2106 involved Maida saying disparaging things about those who do not help in some way to “clean up the mess” left by the Precursors (people present before the collapse).

‘Service at these centers was compulsory - a minimum of two days a month for the residents of the Administrative Regions.’
‘...anyone who worked more than their compulsory earned luxury credits.’
‘Those of us who were not giant assholes dedicated some of our time to clean up the mess.’

One thing I kept thinking of while reading that was never mentioned or acknowledged, was how do disabled people fit into this model of “everyone needs to work to get basic necessities”? While the knowledge that in this utopia things like food, basic clothing, and housing are provided - but they are provided by “contributing” which…isn’t much better than how capitalism works currently. It was even mentioned that her living quarters are provided by the job she is doing, which - in my honest opinion - sounded a lot like company towns and like having these benefits are only provided to those who can do the work for them. How does this utopia provide for those who cannot do those jobs, who cannot “dedicate some time to clean up the mess” not because they are “a giant asshole” but because their body doesn’t allow them to do so? Not to mention that the way to gain luxuries was to do even more work than the bare minimum required, so do…disabled people then just not deserve things like nice clothes or alcohol?

This is partially what I mean when I say I’d have liked entire stories about these broken-up pieces of novels. Li Nuan’s story is barely fleshed out, with a strange focus on her sexual abuses while Maida’s doesn’t go into the worldbuilding and instead very quickly exposes the political corruption trying to imprison them. Reading about the issues they’ve been facing felt much more like a SparkNotes version of their story, as opposed to everything that was provided. (And don’t get me started on Nathan’s story focusing way too much on whatever party they were doing in the desert and the fact that I simply. Did not care one iota. About it. Or him.)

Also, this is a spoiler without actually spoiling anything, but the whale thing was too weird and should’ve been taken out.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Angry Robot for providing this copy for review.

Down in the Sea of Angels by Khan Wong is such a good story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this, but as is often the case with multiple timeline books, if one of the timelines is weaker than the others, it can make the whole experience worse. This book has 3 timelines: 1906, 2006, and 2106. The 1906 and 2106 timelines both have real stakes and had me wanting to read more. I learned a lot from the historical timeline and really rooted for Li Nuan. The futuristic timeline was an interesting take on how future generations could perceive us. The political intrigue ramped up too fast, and Maida was hard to connect with because she herself felt disconnected to the world around her, but it was still fun to explore an almost solarpunk version of a society that feels a little more caring than the one we live in.

Unfortunately, the 2006 timeline felt a little out of place and not very interesting. Nathan's ethical dilemma might have been interesting on its own, but when placed next to the actual peril of the other timelines, it just fell flat and often felt extremely on-the-nose when it would just outright voice ethical questions. It also seemed like kind of a missed opportunity to explore psychedelics and how they can make you feel connected to others, much like the psionic abilities of the future could.

this was a good book! It had a whole whirlwind of issues that it talked about, it was a great combination of science fiction and fantasy, and it flowed pretty well! I do think some things were left unresolved which was a bummer, but otherwise it was good!

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

This was such an insanely interesting book ! I absolutely fell into it and did not move until I had finished this since it was spring break, I decided to treat myself to a little bit of reading and it truly turned into me not moving for a few hours!

The story follows a few characters who are psychically linked fighting against tyranny, exploitation, enslavement, and more. The story had very engaging characters, and I loved seeing how each of their stories had parallels and differences! The premise of this novel is so interesting and very well done in my opinion!

This novel spans multiple time periods and does an excellent job of jumping from each! If you enjoy spec fiction and interconnected character stories, then this book is for you!


5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book connects 3 timelines in a very unique way and gets you hooked into the story pretty quickly. The connection between the characters and discovering why they are related is quite interesting.

It is a book that addresses some very important issues about society and makes you think about the world we are leaving for future generations. I realized that ideologically the author and I don't agree on everything, but the important thing is that it makes you reflect on your habits and actions that may have repercussions in the future.

Personally, Li Nuan's story had a huge impact on me. It is a story of survival that for a moment makes you lose all hope but little by little you recover it along with the development of the other characters.

I think it is worth giving a chance to this reading but it is necessary to be well informed about the delicate issues it deals with. Thank you for the ARC.

Down in the Sea of Angels by Khan Wong

As I sit perched on my chair, laden with the comfort of pillows, I sit silently sipping on tea from my mug molded from clay. The warmth adds a sense of calm as I gaze out the window. Spindly and ever-waving in their existence, the nearby trees say hello to greet me this morning. A wondrous sight, a tree. Their strong branches endure hardships in the way of extreme weather and yet bravely stand rooted with conviction for all to marvel. Pondering questions infiltrate my mind: Where do we come from? Who shapes us to be who we are? Anyone who has formulated a plan to explore their heritage has been down this rabbithole before.

In this marvelous story written by Khan Wong, three individuals are connected by one item. This object shows them the strife of years gone by and years yet to come. Tales of a different time, a century between each, explain the realisms of daily life no matter the period of existence. More than that, it provides a beacon of hope. A physical reminder to the owners of the resolve and fortitude of those who came before.

Li Nuan, taken against her will, is thrown into a world controlled by a local slumlord. Fighting against her intuitions brings upon a wretched way of life, pleasing men's urges. The reader gathers an empathetic compassion for her story, and yet Li Nuan is not like most others. Her strength is deeply rooted in her resolution to survive and prosper in a world that is doomed for her failure.

Nathan, a carefree-thinking inventor, has a sure path to happiness. However, something is lacking. What happens when your career takes an arduous turn? Society turns a blind eye towards obvious injustices, and others are set in the spotlight. As his success grows, Nathan’s company will have him questioning his moral ethics. How far is too far? A dramatic event expedites a change that has been brewing within Nathan. What will he find on his path of self-discovery?

Maida has a gift. Her ability to touch an object and see its origins and history through dazzling imagery imbues her mind. She is known as a psion, born from an event known as the bloom conjured from mankind's total collapse caused by unmitigated suffering at the hands of greed. Her kind is special, and with this uniqueness comes a fear from those in control. They must be regulated and silenced, or perhaps controlled.

My journey was beautifully crafted by Khan Wong. Each specific individual’s dilemma posed introspective moments. A set of complex rules defined by the framework of the decree at the time. Women’s rights? Minority equality? As the times change, so do the boundaries in which humanity lives. Consistent is the hunger for power and control. A good example is that of the chaga mushroom. Chaga is a perennial that grows on the tree bark, growing larger each spring through fall. Beginning as an infection, eventually bursting out and finally killing the tree. However, the mushroom, with medicinal-like qualities, has been found to have many beneficial effects on the body when drunk as tea. Think of those in power like the chaga. Brutal in existence with the intent to dominate, with every passing season, and yet we, the consumers, get stronger with time. Our collective minds seemingly more familiar with the rhetoric and tricks that prey upon us. The plan is ever-changing and challenging, creating an abundance of chaos to throw us off the scent of those looking to devour. Perhaps someday, this incessant desire for ruling the masses will be weaned out of our DNA, and eventually staving off the needless suffering of our species.

Upon reflection, the book poses questions about our moral compass and radiates a flawless microcosm of contemporary society. The prose easily extends a hand to provoke thoughts in a tightly connected piece of art that is difficult to put down. I am giving this 4.45 stars and rounding down to 4 stars. Highly recommended reading!

Many thanks to Angry Robot for the ARC through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

I received an ARC for this book thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot. 4.5 stars. Wow! That is my first thought when paraphrasing my thoughts on this book. This was different in the best way possible. Not only was the writing beautiful, but the message was vital. This is the type of book I think every person needs to read. It inspires the reader to look at their choices and imagine the effects they have on our future as a people. Unfortunately, the people who need to absorb these messages the most probably wouldn’t bother reading it.

I love the way the stories are tied together. Each timeline has an overarching message about change and growth as a society, and how an individual can help shape a better future for many. Li Nuan’s story focuses on slavery, racism, human trafficking, and just trying to survive. How can one worry about the future when you don’t even foresee being alive and present for one?

Nathan’s story revolves around realizing how our current lifestyles and capitalistic culture are not sustainable and the devastating effects on future generations. I relate most of all to Nathan, not only because time is closest to the current time, but also because his story showcases the overwhelm of learning how to do better and battling with accepting that there is no true way to make only ethical choices under Capitalism.

Maida’s story is an eye-opening picture of a changed world, years post-collapse after climate change, war, famine, and disease devastated everything. Her story is tragic, yet provides hope for a better world, whilst also understanding that there will always be those who want to dominate and take power at the cost of others. Her story has futuristic “sci-fi” elements to it, which I found interesting, and it was the perfect way to draw attention to how easily someone seeking power can turn others against what is different. Even in a world focused on learning from past mistakes, there will always be hate and prejudice. It is an excellent parallel to all periods in which a leader has convinced a following of people that different is bad or even dangerous. It is a pattern repeated throughout history, and likely our futures as well. The work of improvement is never finished.

Down in The Sea of Angels is told from the perspective of three characters: a young woman living in 2106 with the power to touch an object and see its history, a man living in 2006 at the start of the tech growth explosion, and an indentured teenager forced to work in a brothel in 1906.

Overall I liked this book but I found the different POVs quite disjointed. Li Nuan's was my favourite by a long mile, in fact, I would have read a book purely about her story. Nathan's was ok, it was a little boring and I wasn't hugely gripped by his revelations about the environment/human rights. (It felt a little basic to me.) Maida (the most prominent character) was actually my least favourite, largely because the writing felt so different to the other two POV's. The exploration of the futuristic and fantasy elements of this book were the weakest parts by a long mile, it was all very 'tell' and not a lot of 'show'. To the point that Maida's chapters could have been a YA book which was in strong contrast to Li Nuan's which were very well written and definitely aimed at an adult audience. All in all, I found the POV jumps a little jarring because of that.

Overall, not a bad book, I just think the scifi and fantasy elements were disappointingly basic and the futuristic world building needed richer development.

I thought this book was great. The concept and visioning were creative, and the plot and pace were exactly what I love in a book. The author did a great job of writing a distinct voice for each author, which was a real feat considering their differing societies and personal demographics. My only small critique would be that there is a bit of “telling” instead of “showing” — for instance, the sociopolitical foundations and norms of the new era are usually just explained by Maida, which is the least interesting way to discover a new world created by a gifted author, and really not necessary if the new world is demonstrated properly (and I think for the most part it is). In particular, I found it distracting that locations in Maida’s timeline were described by cursory reference to the past era (e.g., many lines like, “I went to the place that used to be the wharf”). This might be a shortcut for describing places, but in doing so, it undermines the distinction between the past and the new world, where we are told much knowledge is lost. It’s also not believable that Maida, who has been to SF twice in her life, has geographic recognition of the 100-year-old history of any neighborhood she happens to go grab drinks in. References to old SF locations are only useful to readers familiar with the area; otherwise it robs the reader of any meaningful descriptions. I think it better to describe the areas using typical world-building language and to identify the specific area, use references to landmarks; for those not familiar with SF, they get a feel for the place (which is lacking if the description is just a reference), and for those of us who ARE familiar with SF, we get one of the joys of reading speculative fiction: recognizing the location described, even though our narrator does not, because we exist in a time that is lost to them.

This book follows three people linked through time—one in 1906, one in 2006, and one in 2106. In the future, a cosmic event called the Bloom has awakened psionic abilities in some of the population, but it’s also caused a minor apocalypse. Maida, one of the psions, has the ability to see the history of objects she touches. When she picks up a tea cup, she glimpses the lives of two strangers from the past, setting the stage for three interwoven and compelling storylines.

I really enjoyed this book—it kept me engaged the whole way through. Each character’s journey was interesting, but Li Nuan’s stood out the most to me. Her fight to free herself from indentured servitude had real emotional depth, and I was most invested in her chapters. Nathan was fun; his “awakening” to the environmental consequences of 21st-century life was interesting but had the lowest stakes of the three which made it a little less engaging. Maida had some of the coolest moments, thanks to her powers and relationships with other characters, but her sections also had a lot of “tell instead of show.” There was a fair bit of lore dumping about how the future is somewhat of a collectivist utopia (despite the world having been mostly wrecked - people come together in times of need it seems), which slowed things down for me, especially at the very beginning and very end

Overall, this was a solid read with engaging characters and an interesting premise. If you like time-spanning narratives, speculative fiction, or stories about characters navigating shifting realities, this is worth checking out. Also the cover is really pretty.

It should be mentioned that this book includes abuse, slavery and sexual assault (including of minors, some graphic), as well as drug use and death.