The Final Orchard is a sharp dystopian sci-fi novel written by CJ Rivera, published by Angry Robot Books. An extremely well written dual timeline story, exploring complex themes, such as grief and idealism in the context of extreme situations, weaving together a superb plot that will keep you hooked until the last page while also creating the perfect mark to discuss things as corporate exploitation.

As our first character, we get introduced to Dr Rosio Arata, a researcher that lost her daughter the same day she was supposed to introduce an industry-changing advance; she would give anything to recover her, deepening into grief. But a new opportunity arises, a new employer that wants her to direct a new advance, and in the process, she's promised to recover her daughter; she doesn't trust much, but what would do a mother for her daughter?
In our second timeline, we have Ever, an eighteen-year-old girl that has been raised to become a Savior; her only goal in life is to get selected and help in the outside to clean the world. But what is behind that selection and what is the destiny of those Saviours?

Both timelines are alternated in a great way, exploring the motivations of both characters while we slowly unravel the ideas behind the world; Ro's journey through grief while contributing to one of the biggest advances for corporations is simply captivating, as we can relate to her pain. Her own investigation has cost her a daughter, but now, it might bring her back.
Ever's one is a bit slower, a sort of twist to the coming of age story, a young girl that is trying to achieve the goal that will finally take her to the outside world. She's not empty of self-doubt, but the more we read about Ever, the more we cheer for her.

The worldbuilding is another highlight for me, as we have a dystopian setting where companies are destroying our world, while the richest people are enhancing her own bodies; the poor have to resort to black market and faulty enhancements. Ro's investigation might change it, but still the companies are the ones in power. It is scary how it could be an extrapolated version of our nowadays world.
Rivera's writing is excellent, greatly paced and shining in tense scenes and in action sequences, where clarity is essential.

The Final Orchard is an excellent debut novel, a dystopian proposal perfect for those that loved The Island and Maze Runner; a captivating story that hooks you from the start. With its ending, I can see Rivera returning to the world and continuing with her story, and honestly, I hope so.