As promised, here’s my longer review for Oasis. I adored the archaeology aspect! I wish we had been able to take more of a gander at the actual dig site, and artefacts. My first degree was in archaeology, and it is still near and dear to my heart. I loved the descriptions of the dig site and the camp. I appreciate when books get things archaeology or paleontology right. Seeing as the author has a background in archaeology/anthropology, this makes sense. I did kinda want to smack Alif’s friends, who griped at having to help in the camp. Do you not realise how lucky you are to even just be a mud bug in a dig??? What an honour!

Okay, truth- sandstorms terrify me. I really should worry more about wildfire and earthquakes. There’s not enough sand around here for a sandstorm, and yet…. I also have an irrational fear of black holes. I got nothing there…  Then there was the oasis itself, and Dup Shimati. It’s kinda left to the imagination what exactly this is, but it is powerful and dangerous. It’s brought out the most base instincts and desires of the trapped kids, using this unbalanced energy as food. It can weave illusion to give you what you want, but there’s always a price. Despite this, I felt bad for it. This energy/ sentience/ being seems to have been marooned here. How sad to be cut off from one’s own people, and how maddening. 

This book had Stargate mixed with Lord of the Flies vibes for me, and reminded me a lot of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s books. Highly recommended.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & MacMillan for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for the Fantastic Flying Book Club.