This is the first book in which Mary Baader Kaley’s Angry Robot is releasing Jan 10, 2023.
This book is available early at the publisher for fair review! This intelligent, science-fiction novel features a woman in STEM and is also a fast-paced and fun story that you just want to burrow under the covers with. 
Which one would you choose for an uncomfortable condition of body or mind? All suffers in this world. In recent decades of genetic plague that separated human society into two different groups sickly, super-intelligent Subterraneans and healthy but weak-minded Omniterraneans, a brilliant Subter girl has been working together to fix the broken genetic code – up for now. Zuzan must find cure or humanity wont simply remain divided, it will spread. But theres more conflict at hand than a broken genetic code. Subters: Omnits fragile link fractures to point of war, will require more than genius to fix; it will take heart.
Review
Burroweds world-build is still unclear when it comes to writing; entertaining and engaging. While i love a concept where society splits into two underground and above-ground populations, I had many questions about logistics and infrastructure. It did not quite reach the complexity I prefer in science fiction (and in dystopias) and I was a bit distracted by questions I had. It retains a little bunker feel that I liked. Everything about the story had to be done in a complex world building to move forward. Really fun plot though with Zuzan and her journey into her underground world it was great to read and hear more about herself. The novel has a strong momentum, as well as rapid turns.
One of the best things about the novel is its also a medical thriller. Exorbitant chunk of latter half of this book deals with the characters seeking to find a cure for a disease, and that aspect was really interesting. This was the whole of the book, rather than the protagonist fighting someone or something, and it seemed like a nice change for the genre. In the dialogue there are a lot of medical and science lingo and its still a little tricky to read and is not dry.
The characters were excellent. Zuzan felt more like a YA heroine than an adult at times shes great, finds her beauty as the story progresses, has multiple young men screaming over her, turns out her faults are actually strengths, has a special power/gift (in this case, eidetic memory) and is tough. She slipped a little flat for me, as she is so competent at everything she does. Her struggle mostly external against the forces that see her low life expectancy and disability as a problem. Is quite a lot of fun for this particular story, but her own level, it keeps her on the surface.
Some of the things I didnt like about the book was the love story. On top of not understanding what they saw in one another, as never talk about anything other than work, theres a big power-dynamic problem, as the love interest is her boss (given her young age, I found this a bit off-putting). Notwithstanding and no real conflict between them, there was no real tension.
The book is very readable and easy to read for my pc. to do that!. Most of the scenes (not romance scenes) are richly stressful, however I wasnt sure where the story was going. The story definitely looks really interesting and enjoyable. The book is about the gender parity, the slew of STEM women. Excellent focus on female friendships as well as messages – where accommodation for disability and child-raising have been targeted on openness, learning rather than rules and controlling behaviour.
This book has so many great things going for it that I think anyone who likes dystopian novels (especially dystopian YA) will like it. Its fun!
Burrowed Reyamen Jan 10, 2023 And You Can Pre-order It Here!