Our Broken Earth

I thought this book was adorable. I loved that it was kind of written like the crank books/poetry style. I loved the story that it told and the way it told the story. I found myself reading this in its majority in one day. I could not put it down and I will probably read it again.

Thanks to the pubisher for providing a DRC of Our Broken Earth in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe I haven't read an in-verse hiLo book yet because it's such a good idea and Our Broken Earth does it very well.

Our Broken World is a fast paced dystopia following a group of teens living in a world where even the water will kill you as they try to venture out to find a rumored paradise. It's fast pace does occasionally hinder character development since we mostly only get plot important scenes with mentionings of character bonds sprinkled in, but all in all I think this would be a really good read for someone looking for a high interest, low difficulty read.

i got aproved for this short fast paced ebook on netgalley, i really enjoyed it, its written like poetry which made it super easy to follow and read and fast to read too. its high interest and low difficulty. i like mal and his family the other kids. i also liked the ending even tho i wish theres was a bit more to it. it sucks that some characters died or stayed behind i wanted them all together :c and that place that they had found wasnt safe. we get to know a lil bit about mal, but not much about the other characters. i recommend this book for someone whos looking for somethin short and fast/easy to read and that like me likes the genre dystopian/apocalyptic/survival.

Thank you to NetGalley, West 44 Books, and Demitria Lunetta for the opportunity to read Our Broken Earth in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is described as a book being of high interest level with a lower reading/vocabulary/comprehension level written in verse. Some of the aspects of the novel felt like verse, which some just felt like short prose, but the story came across just right regardless. While the reading level is a bit lower, some of the concepts and transitions do take a bit of a higher cognitive capability to piece together.

This novel takes place in the near-future, meaning that this novel could certainly be highlighting events to come. Global warming (assumingly) has contributed to rising sea levels, leaving less land for people. People must scavenge to survive and they must find shelter from the toxic rain. While never stated, I assume the rain is so terribly acidic (that it burns people's skin on impact) because of pollution and human contribution to negative elements getting into the atmosphere.

Mal has survived with his new family, after losing the old, a group of other young people just trying to make their way in the world. Some places are rumored to have clean water and even have rain that falls fresh and not toxic. When the rising sea levels threaten the place they call home (near the beach), Mal and his friends find that it is time to move on, thought not everyone wants to go.

Those who do venture north looking for a community with clean water and good harvest. When they do find one, it seems too good to be true, which is often the case. Not everyone wants to leave this new community though, and those who do put themselves at nature's mercy once more, continually seeking a new safe haven on an Earth that has been broken by humanity.

This is a very quick read and, even though there is little description (a structural technique by the author), there is so much depth to the characters and story. I was surprised to find myself holding powerful feelings when something happened to this character or that character. It is intriguing that the author is able to make such a connection with the reader involving not only the characters, but with this broken Earth that is presented to the reader in such a small amount of words. A stunning and brilliant novel that I would recommend for middle grade or teen readers, and would even recommend as a consideration for a science class. The discussions that can come out of this novel are infinite.

<b> I got this book #ourbrokenearth from #DemitriaLunetta and #NetGalley for free for an honest review </b>

-This book was done in verse and it was really short! I gave this a 5 star because it made me feel the FEELS!!!!! I cried towards the end! This story was so simple, yet so damn powerful! I will be looking for more books by this Author!!!
-PS: Skye, UGh, my sweet little baby girl!!! RiP sweet angel!

Publish Date: 08.01.2021
Publisher: #West44Books
Author: Demitria Lunetta

Thanks again #West44Books, #DemitriaLunetta, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read #OurBrokenEarth early!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and West 44 Books for this kindle copy of Our Broken Earth by Demetria Lunetta. This was in exchange for an honest review and honestly, I’m finding it hard to write a review for.
This was a new style of story for me being “hi-lo” and in verse but it is definitely a genre I enjoy being post apocalyptic/dystopian. The title explains a lot. Tides are rising and rain is poison. Mal lost his family to a huge flood and now lives with a group of children/teens/one young adult. Life is hard but things are getting worse and the group decides to travel across the country to try to find somewhere safer. This is the story of that journey. It is aimed at middle grade/young adult readers.
I probably missed something but I wasn’t expecting this to be a short story. I think that’s why I’m finding it difficult to review as I don’t usually read short stories. I got into it easily and was enjoying it. I think I wanted to read MORE.
It’s definitely worth a read though if you like this genre!

The strong cover drew me to this book, the strong striking lightening, the dark purple/black skies and the rain, makes it very atmospheric. Then there’s the lone teddy bear sitting out in the rain, Forgotten? Abandoned? Lost? This cover would certainly make me want to pick it up in a bookstore to learn more about the book. The genres listed for the book are poetry, (which as I have said I aren’t a huge fan of, but I really loved this book!), Teens & YA (well I’m in neither of those age groups but really enjoyed reading this). This book is also labelled as being a Hi-Lo read, in that it is high interest for a lower reading age, which I think anything that encourages people to read is a fantastic idea.

The book begins with explaining that the earth is not broken, but that we, the people that live on it have hurt it. We have used and trashed its resources so much that the world is now paying the human race back for their recklessness and wasting the reserves it provided us with. Now the world is angry, sending violent storms that cause floods and acidic rain that burns and poisons whoever it touches.

The main characters are living in a room within an apartment block, to protect themselves in the event of a flood. Jaynee, Kurt, Tia, Garret, Skye and the most central character Malcolm/Mal have all lost people, their families and friends. Malcolm and his family had a small house in Florida with strong walls and windows. They were careful with their food from boxes, jars and cans they had. They had a supply of bottled water to drink. Mal’s parents thought they were safe, high enough not to be flooded. Mal was just ten years old when a storm caused a large flood, and he was the only survivor from his family.
The other teens and younger children that were gathered in the apartment block had similar stories of tragedy and loss. They have banded together making their only little family, creating a safe place to live, but now the waters are rising more with every storm, they need to move on.

The story tells of their discussions and disagreements on moving, some deciding to stay where they are, not wanting any change. Then the arduous journey, the dangers from other people, even adults, wanting what meagre supplies they have scraped together.
Just when they feel they have arrived at a place of safety it appears that there is something sinister going on and this haven is not all what it seems.

Despite the book being described as being Hi Lo, (High interest, Low reading age) I became really engrossed reading it and I think a wider variety of people would love it as I did too. The book gets right into the story and pulls you in and keeps you held tight until you finish it.

To sum up the book is a powerful short story with a direct, hard hitting emotive message within it.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing made it a very quick read. This book was hard hitting, and the storyline was always progressing! I also enjoyed seeing the character development happen throughout the story.

Hi-lo novel in verse aimed at reluctant readers. The story is fast paced and interesting and the characters well-developed. It reminded me of The Road. This book would appeal to upper-middle and high school students who enjoy dystopia or climate crisis stories and is perfect for students who struggle with reading.

It was easy to get pulled into this story; these kids immediately pull at your heartstrings and all I wanted to do was reach through the words to pull them out and keep them safe. I felt fear and anticipation for them; I could feel their stress, their constant survival instinct, their life that is full of trauma - and love. This is an unnerving read that makes you feel uncomfortable - these are innocent kids who are bearing the burden of their ancestors' mistakes… our mistakes. This story makes you wonder as you read, "Is this where we are headed?" It is one thing to read the research and hear the predictions that science makes, but it's something altogether to see how it will impact the children in our future. I cringed and gasped while reading this. Lunetta is truly successful in stripping away any sugar-coating and leaves us with vulnerability, rawness, and no other alternatives. If this story doesn't leave you feeling chilled, I'm not sure what will. This story will truly make you think as you read, and it will stay with you long after you finish.

Our Broken Earth is a perfect book for reluctant readers who are ready for the subject matter of a somewhat dark, apocalyptic novel, but would shy away from a traditional YA novel. The verse format is easy to follow and will keep the target audience engaged. Let me add it shouldn’t be viewed only for reluctant readers — I thoroughly enjoyed it!

i really enjoyed it, its written like poetry which made it super easy to follow and read and fast to read too. its high interest and low difficulty. i like mal and his family the other kids. I can definitely see this being used in classrooms to get kids interested in poetry.

This is the first time I've ever heard of a HiLo book and I was not disappointed. Our Broken Earth was a fast paced, easy to follow read that in my opinion is a perfect palate cleanser after reading something heavy. Would do well in libraries with reluctant readers. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this one because I loved Lunetta's other stories but sadly I didn't realize this one was in verse and those well they don't really mesh with me. I did read it though. It was a great short story for those who love books in verse I think this one will be hit for them.