Eleanor is an extraordinary protagonist. She has a strong passion and longing for love and acceptance, but it is hidden under years of indoctrination and fear from a world that wants to crush her. She starts with subtle acts of defiance that show she is aware of the system’s flaws, but not ready to openly challenge them. What she goes through in the Meadows is horrifying. You can see how she is lied to and manipulated; how events are distorted and orchestrated to break her. Yet, you also get used to the strange routine of this world. You can see what Oakes is trying to convey and it is done very well. The narrative structure of switching between past and present, inside and outside the Meadows, allows for some intriguing world-building and hints at a broader dystopian reality. Oakes also adds some timely warnings about the effects of climate change. This adds another dimension to the relevant social commentary, without being too heavy-handed or over-explained.