I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Years after Earth’s citizens fractured in the chaos of a ravaged planet, two people from different worlds find a conspiracy and a powerful secret that is sure to shape the course of human history in author Scott Overton’s “Indigent Earth”.

The Synopsis

The crimes of the past—the perils of the future.

500 years ago, the world’s wealthiest abandoned a ravaged Earth and left billions to die of plagues and climate disasters. Now the space colonists plan to return.

Killian Morningcloud, a discontented Earth man from the stagnating communities known as Allocations, and Natira Celestia, a video celebrity of the off-world ruling class, are on a collision course. When they discover a secret that powerful people are desperate to hide, they face a brutal test of endurance and shattered dreams.

And their fire-and-water pairing will shape the course of the whole human race.

The Review

This was a genuinely gripping and thoughtful sci-fi epic. The balance the author struck with world-building and the unique mythology of this futuristic Earth with the heartfelt will-they, won’t-they romance between the two protagonists was incredible to see. The imagery infused into the author’s writing style made the futuristic Earth and the colony ships that return feel vibrant and alive on the page. The dynamics of the political divides both between Earth and the colonists, as well as within the colonies themselves, allowed the reader to feel the rich character development and tension that kept the grander aspects of the plot more grounded.

The true heart of this narrative rests in the strong themes the book explores. These themes included climate change, a study of class systems, and so much more. Seeing the significant differences in worldview between Killian and Natira was unique, as each saw the world and the universe differently. This also contributed to how the planet itself was treated and spoke to how we ourselves treat our planet as a whole.

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and captivating, author Scott Overton’s “Indigent Earth” is a must-read sci-fi epic novel. The balance of nature and our world’s connection to the greater universe as a whole and the transformative journey the two protagonists go on together makes this a compelling story that is not to be missed. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

With a long career as a radio morning show host, Scott’s first novel, the mystery/thriller Dead Air was set in the radio world (and shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award in Ontario, Canada). Since then he has taken the reader to even stranger places, including the human bloodstream in his SF novel debut The Primus Labyrinth, a science fiction thriller that reviews compare to Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. You’ll also enjoy the 2021 SF adventure Naïda, 2022’s psychological SF thriller The Dispossession of Dylan Knox, the cautionary 2022 SF thriller Augment Nation and 2023’s colonialism-themed SF adventure Indigent Earth. Scott’s short fiction has been published in many science fiction magazines and anthologies. Fifteen of his SF/fantasy short stories have been gathered in the collection BEYOND: Stories Beyond Time, Technology, and the Stars. Many more SF novels are on the way. A professional member of the Canadian Authors Association and SF Canada, Scott’s distractions from writing include scuba diving, music, and collector cars. He lives with his wife on a private island in Northern Ontario.

https://www.scottoverton.ca/