Review of Dream the Deep by Clara Ward
I thoroughly loved Clara Ward’s Be the Sea, so I was excited to read their novella, Dream the Deep (Atthis Arts, 2026). Set on a near-future Earth that the wealthy and privileged have fled, it takes place over a few days and features a number of people who are being left behind.
Ren is a non-binary scholar with disabilities who hopes to be on the next ship to Mars. But when they eat a muffin that triggers their severe allergy, they miss out on the opportunity that would take them off-planet. Coupled with this, they’re having increasingly unusual dreams. As they interact with others who won’t be leaving Earth on the next ship, they discover commonalities with others inside and outside of the research facility where they’ve spent the past 10 years. Without giving away too much of the story, it’s got plenty of twists and turns but an overall happy ending!
If you enjoy ecological fiction featuring characters from a variety of marginalized backgrounds, check out Dream the Deep, which will be out on June 30. Both Dream the Deep and its companion book, Dream the Light, are currently funding on Kickstarter (already fully funded!). The Kickstarter ends April 28, so pop over there and pledge for your copy of this lovely book now!
The publisher provided me with an advance copy of this novella for review consideration.
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