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

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.

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