If you’re looking for a deeply atmospheric book that has serious Studio Ghibli vibes, then you’re going to want to drop everything and read The Ones We’re Meant to Find. It’s a stunning masterpiece that not only showcases Joan He’s incredible writing versatility, but this new world she’s created will be one that readers won’t soon forget. In a word, it’s incredible. It will render you to tears as you learn the story of these two young women and they’ll sear themselves into your very being, and you’ll question everything you know about them and their world until the very end. If you’re looking for a story about just how far the bonds of sisterhood go, as well as moral and ethical dilemmas regarding the environment, you’re going to want to add this to your TBR!
This story begins with Cee, who’s been trapped on an island for three years without a clue as to how she arrived or memories of her previous life. All she knows is that somewhere across the sea she has a sister named Kay, and she’ll do whatever she can to get back to her. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Kasey Mizuhara spends her time in isolation in the eco-city she calls home. These cities loom over the world protecting the people who endeavoured to protect the planet and now need protection from it. The earth has become almost completely inhospitable with rising ecological disasters as a result of climate change. People in the cities are required to spend some of their time in stasis pods, which is perfect for Kasey who prefers her introverted life. However, it’s awful for her sister Celia, who much prefers the world outside. No one could have predicted that her sister would take a boat out to sea and never return. It’s been three months since then and logic tells Kasey that Celia is likely gone. But something has her retracing her steps, and while her sister was full of secrets, Kasey also has one of her own.
There’s a lot to unpack in this book, and I think the best way to start is with the characters. We begin the book from Cee’s perspective, which creates a distortion because of the holes in her memory. She’s alone but surviving, and attempting to get off of the island she’s marooned on. As the story continues you find out more of her personality through her interactions with her environment. She’s tenacious and determined to get back to her sister, and there’s an inevitable spark of confidence that she oozes even when the odds are against her. Kasey is the complete opposite. She’s muted and logical, you could even say she’s calculating and a little aloof. Where Cee is easy to connect with as a reader, it’s harder to relate to Kasey, but there’s something compelling about her observations of life around her. One thing is certain though, she cares deeply for her sister Celia, and it drives a lot of her actions and decisions.
Now, let’s talk about the world that Joan He has created in this book because as I mentioned at the start of this review, it’s incredible. There are two “worlds”, the island where Cee is marooned and the eco-city where Kasey lives. This is where the sci-fi elements come to life in the book, but not in a way that is overwhelming or confusing to the reader. I love the way that He has set up the eco-city, because while it’s intended to be this helpful thing that could help save the “good” citizens from the consequences of climate change, it also highlights a moral dilemma. People that live in the cities are ranked and your admittance to them is based on the actions of your past and present. It definitely gives you quite a few things to think about. Then there’s also the fact that people in the eco-cities spend a good chunk of their time in pods in order to reduce their carbon footprints (meaning a lot of their recreational activities happen in VR, basically).
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t have a heavy focus on romantic relationships, you’re going to enjoy this book a lot. However, I have to say my favourite aspect of this book is the depth of the bonds between sisters. Kasey and Cee are both determined to protect their sibling, no matter the cost or detriment to themselves. As the story moves, you’ll realise that both of them have secrets that might affect how they see their sister, and readers will wonder just what it might take to ruin or fix the relationship forever.
Everything about this story is fascinating and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one sitting, and I have no doubt that others will do the same. I’m not the biggest fan of sci-fi elements in books, but this was expertly done. I’m excited to see what He might write next, because she’s proven her writing style is versatile, and any story she writes will be just as compelling as the one that came before it.
The Ones We’re Meant to Find is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Marie Lu and E. Lockhart, The Ones We’re Meant to Find is a gripping and heartfelt YA sci-fi with mind-blowing twists. Set in a climate-ravaged future, Joan He’s beautifully written novel follows the story of two sisters, separated by an ocean, desperately trying to find each other.
Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years without any recollection of how she arrived, or memories from her life prior. All she knows is that somewhere out there, beyond the horizon, she has a sister named Kay, and it’s up to Cee to cross the ocean and find her.
In a world apart, 16-year-old STEM prodigy Kasey Mizuhara lives in an eco-city built for people who protected the planet―and now need protecting from it. With natural disasters on the rise due to climate change, eco-cities provide clean air, water, and shelter. Their residents, in exchange, must spend at least a third of their time in stasis pods, conducting business virtually whenever possible to reduce their environmental footprint. While Kasey, an introvert and loner, doesn’t mind the lifestyle, her sister Celia hated it. Popular and lovable, Celia much preferred the outside world. But no one could have predicted that Celia would take a boat out to sea, never to return.
Now it’s been three months since Celia’s disappearance, and Kasey has given up hope. Logic says that her sister must be dead. But nevertheless, she decides to retrace Celia’s last steps. Where they’ll lead her, she does not know. Her sister was full of secrets. But Kasey has a secret of her own.
