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Green Rising
Set in a near-future world on the brink of ecological catastrophe, Lauren James’ novel is a gripping, witty and romantic call to arms.
Gabrielle is a climate-change activist who shoots to fame when she becomes the first teenager to display a supernatural ability to grow plants from her skin. Hester is the millionaire daughter of an oil tycoon and the face of the family business. Theo comes from a long line of fishermen, but his parents are struggling to make ends meet.
On the face of it, the three have very little in common. Yet when Hester and Theo join Gabrielle and legions of other teenagers around the world in developing the strange new “Greenfingers” power, it becomes clear that to use their ability for good, they’ll need to learn to work together. But in a time of widespread corruption and greed, there are plenty of profit-hungry organizations who want to use the Greenfingers for their own ends. And not everyone would like to see the Earth saved…
As they navigate first love and family expectations, can the three teenagers pull off the ultimate heist and bring about a green rising?
Gabrielle is a climate-change activist who shoots to fame when she becomes the first teenager to display a supernatural ability to grow plants from her skin. Hester is the millionaire daughter of an oil tycoon and the face of the family business. Theo comes from a long line of fishermen, but his parents are struggling to make ends meet.
On the face of it, the three have very little in common. Yet when Hester and Theo join Gabrielle and legions of other teenagers around the world in developing the strange new “Greenfingers” power, it becomes clear that to use their ability for good, they’ll need to learn to work together. But in a time of widespread corruption and greed, there are plenty of profit-hungry organizations who want to use the Greenfingers for their own ends. And not everyone would like to see the Earth saved…
As they navigate first love and family expectations, can the three teenagers pull off the ultimate heist and bring about a green rising?
370 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2021
About the author
Lauren James
17 books1,468 followers**I don't respond to messages on here - email me at laurenjamesauthor[at]gmail[dot]com instead***
Lauren James is the Carnegie-longlisted British author of many Young Adult novels, including Green Rising, The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker and The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. She is a RLF Royal Fellow at Aston University and the story consultant on Netflix’s Heartstopper (Seasons 2 and 3).
Lauren is the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League, and member of the Society of Authors’ Sustainability Committee. She works as a consultant on climate storytelling for museums, production companies, major brands and publishers, with a focus on optimism and hope. She runs a Queer Writers group in Coventry.
Her books have sold over two hundred thousand copies worldwide in seven languages. The Quiet at the End of the World was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize and STEAM Children’s Book Award.
Her other novels include The Next Together series, the dyslexia-friendly novella series The Watchmaker and the Duke and serialised online novel An Unauthorised Fan Treatise.
Her writing has been described as ‘gripping romantic sci-fi’ by the Wall Street Journal and ‘a strange, witty, compulsively unpredictable read which blows most of its new YA-suspense brethren out of the water’ by Entertainment Weekly.
She was born in 1992, and has a Masters degree from the University of Nottingham, where she studied Chemistry and Physics. She has taught creative writing for Coventry University, WriteMentor, and Writing West Midlands.
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November 3, 2021NB: THIS IS NOT A DYSTOPIA
Green Rising has been published for two whole months today! I have no idea how it's gone so quickly. I appreciate every single one of your reviews and comments on the book.
It's the COP26 climate change conference this week, which is the perfect time to share this art of Hester and Theo at the end of their personal green uprising on the Warren Space module in Earth's orbit. It was drawn by the incredibly talented Brogan Bertie (https://www.instagram.com/broganbertie/)
I'm obsessed with so many of the details here - Hester's exhaustion, their tender forehead touch, the mushrooms exploding from Theo's space suit, the sunlight rising on a newly green planet Earth outside the window. If you've read the book, you'll know what a big moment this is for them both. I've had the drawing set as my computer background ever since I first saw it. 💖
“A smart, brilliantly realised call to arms.” – The Observer
“A terrifically bold and original take on climate fiction” – The Bookseller
“In this love song to our planet, Green Rising effortlessly mixes magic and science with strong, likeable characters and a smart plot. But most of all, this book provides the clearest explanation yet as to what’s caused climate change, and more importantly, what we can do to prevent it.” – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
➡️What type of plant are you? quiz: https://uquiz.com/quiz/KIuEXC/what-pl...
➡️Join the climate scavenger hunt: https://laurenejames.co.uk/2021/09/18...
➡️ "From the beginning of my writing career, I’ve wanted to write about climate change – but I could never find a “way in”. It’s such a huge, complex topic that I didn’t know how to tackle it in a way that felt uplifting. My writing is primarily character and story-focused. It’s funny and romantic. That tone felt impossible to capture in a book about climate change, a topic that is discomforting at best and soul-destroying/terrifying at worst." – read my essay, Positivity in the apocalypse: can a climate fiction novel be uplifting? https://climatefictionwritersleague.s...
➡️ Read my conversation with my editor about the writing process: https://laurenejames.co.uk/2021/09/24...
“This has the makings of a modern eco-classic with its scathing attack on the 1% who are responsible for the most pollution on earth for corporate reasons, but also empowers with reminders of the impact of grassroots protest.” – Lilyfae
“Smart and sharp and witty and fun, with a magic system that springs perfectly from current events and winds perfectly around some really big real-world themes – but manages to avoid being didactic.” – Stephanie Burgis, author of The Raven Heir
“Green Rising is a whip-smart tale that asks big, bold questions of how we can save the planet, with or without Greenfinger magic. Beautiful imagery, a strong scientific underpinning and well-rounded characters. A must-read for teens today.” ― Laura Lam, Sunday Times bestselling author of Goldilocks and Seven Devils
“Frighteningly clever and richly imagined, Green Rising is a book that combines lush, compulsive storytelling with an urgent message, and everyone who reads it will be stirred by its call to arms. I loved it.” ― Laura Wood, author of A Sky Painted Gold
Meet the characters! I asked the amazingly talented Laya Rose Art to draw Hester and Theo from Green Rising, and she's totally captured them (the plants growing on their skin and hair! 😍)
Hester Daleport, age 18, is the heir to Dalex Energy, one of the world's largest oil companies. She's privately tutored to prepare for her role as CEO when her dad retires. A business-savvy Texas girl, she doesn't have many friends her own age - but she loves to bake, has an impressive stock portfolio and collection of business blazers.
Theodore Carthew, age 17, is the English son of a family of fisherman. He's dyslexic, loves video games, and works at the local docks unloading shipping containers after school, when he's not helping out on his dad's boat. He makes really bad puns, and he absolutely hates Dalex Energy, whose oil rig is destroying his family's livelihood.
Gabrielle is the first person to grow plants in Green Rising, she's a dedicated climate activist, and she's not afraid to break the law to do what she believes is right. She's aro-ace, an excellent fighter, and deeply opinionated. Not going to lie, Hester and Theo are a little bit afraid of her. 🙈
Together, they're going to change the world....
I love them all so much, and I can't wait for you to all meet them properly!
I introduce Green Rising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZrx9...
Green Rising is about politics, standing up for what you believe in and taking direct action. Inspired by movements like Extinction Rebellion, I wanted to write about teenage activists who have the power to make real, decisive change in the climate crisis. It’s something which makes us all feel incredibly helpless, and climate fiction is often a depressing, dystopian look at our doomed future. I wanted to write a more optimistic, hopeful path forward to a better world, with clear instructions about what we should be doing next to fix the planet.
I read Chemistry and Physics at university, so I’ve been studying the science of climate change for many years. It’s incredibly frustrating that I was taught the science of the greenhouse effect and the proposed solutions over a decade ago, and yet we’re still no further along in fixing it. For this book, I did a lot of research into cutting-edge climate technology, including geoengineering and solar seeding. People tend to bury their head in the sand about climate change, because it often feels so hopeless. But it’s important that we’re all aware of the politics and ethics of climate solutions, because they’re going to determine the course of the next hundred years on Earth.
So many of the climate fiction books I read focus on the effect that individuals can have on the planet, with the message that we all need to be more responsible, greener consumers. I wanted to look at how industry and businesses are causing pollution, to make it clear to my young, scared readers that it’s not their responsibility to fix climate change. No amount of careful consumption can fix an industry-wide problem.
While writing the novel, I founded the Climate Fiction Writers League (http://climate-fiction.org/ ), an organisation of over a hundred climate writers. I run a biweekly newsletter of essays about climate writing, in order to encourage readers to take action. While magic is fantastical, the ability of humans to fix the climate emergency is not. It will take money, sacrifice and time, but we can create a better world, just like Theo and Hester wish to do. This has to start with policy changes, immediately.
The carbon emissions responsible for climate change are largely caused by industry, and can only be reduced through government action. However, if you’d like to make lifestyle changes to help limit your individual emissions, here are the most effective changes you can make. Some of these will take many decades to achieve, but long-term societal changes are the only way we can tackle this problem.
Vote in all political elections you are able to, and make sure your representatives are aware that your vote is based on their climate policy views
Replace garden lawns with wildflower meadows
Switch to LED lightbulbs
Don’t fly – and pay for carbon offsetting for any flights you are required to take
Make sure your savings and pensions schemes are not invested in companies contributing to climate change. Ask your company to divest from their harmful default options
Avoid eating beef, and transition to dairy alternatives
Buy in-season food, grown locally (avoiding hot-house produce grown out of season)
Change to a renewable energy utility supplier
Buy electric cars – but only once your current car is absolutely unable to be fixed. Keep current cars on the road for as long as possible, to keep manufacturing emissions low
Install solar panels or solar roof tiles
Air dry clothing instead of tumble drying
Avoid disposable, cheap fashion and invest in long-term, quality pieces that can be worn for many years
And, of course, plant trees wherever you can. They truly are the lungs of our planet. Depleted forests, savannahs, peatlands, mangroves and wetlands have the ability to grow back quickly, but we need to give them the opportunity to do that.
I really hope you enjoy Green Rising – and it makes you feel a little less powerless in the fight to save Earth.
-Lauren
The title of my next novel is....GREEN RISING! It's published in September with Walker Books, and contains space, heists, solarpunk, magical realism, politics, LOTS of plants & just a hint of enemies-to-lovers romance....
Green Rising has been published for two whole months today! I have no idea how it's gone so quickly. I appreciate every single one of your reviews and comments on the book.
It's the COP26 climate change conference this week, which is the perfect time to share this art of Hester and Theo at the end of their personal green uprising on the Warren Space module in Earth's orbit. It was drawn by the incredibly talented Brogan Bertie (https://www.instagram.com/broganbertie/)
I'm obsessed with so many of the details here - Hester's exhaustion, their tender forehead touch, the mushrooms exploding from Theo's space suit, the sunlight rising on a newly green planet Earth outside the window. If you've read the book, you'll know what a big moment this is for them both. I've had the drawing set as my computer background ever since I first saw it. 💖
“A smart, brilliantly realised call to arms.” – The Observer
“A terrifically bold and original take on climate fiction” – The Bookseller
“In this love song to our planet, Green Rising effortlessly mixes magic and science with strong, likeable characters and a smart plot. But most of all, this book provides the clearest explanation yet as to what’s caused climate change, and more importantly, what we can do to prevent it.” – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
➡️What type of plant are you? quiz: https://uquiz.com/quiz/KIuEXC/what-pl...
➡️Join the climate scavenger hunt: https://laurenejames.co.uk/2021/09/18...
➡️ "From the beginning of my writing career, I’ve wanted to write about climate change – but I could never find a “way in”. It’s such a huge, complex topic that I didn’t know how to tackle it in a way that felt uplifting. My writing is primarily character and story-focused. It’s funny and romantic. That tone felt impossible to capture in a book about climate change, a topic that is discomforting at best and soul-destroying/terrifying at worst." – read my essay, Positivity in the apocalypse: can a climate fiction novel be uplifting? https://climatefictionwritersleague.s...
➡️ Read my conversation with my editor about the writing process: https://laurenejames.co.uk/2021/09/24...
“This has the makings of a modern eco-classic with its scathing attack on the 1% who are responsible for the most pollution on earth for corporate reasons, but also empowers with reminders of the impact of grassroots protest.” – Lilyfae
“Smart and sharp and witty and fun, with a magic system that springs perfectly from current events and winds perfectly around some really big real-world themes – but manages to avoid being didactic.” – Stephanie Burgis, author of The Raven Heir
“Green Rising is a whip-smart tale that asks big, bold questions of how we can save the planet, with or without Greenfinger magic. Beautiful imagery, a strong scientific underpinning and well-rounded characters. A must-read for teens today.” ― Laura Lam, Sunday Times bestselling author of Goldilocks and Seven Devils
“Frighteningly clever and richly imagined, Green Rising is a book that combines lush, compulsive storytelling with an urgent message, and everyone who reads it will be stirred by its call to arms. I loved it.” ― Laura Wood, author of A Sky Painted Gold
Meet the characters! I asked the amazingly talented Laya Rose Art to draw Hester and Theo from Green Rising, and she's totally captured them (the plants growing on their skin and hair! 😍)
Hester Daleport, age 18, is the heir to Dalex Energy, one of the world's largest oil companies. She's privately tutored to prepare for her role as CEO when her dad retires. A business-savvy Texas girl, she doesn't have many friends her own age - but she loves to bake, has an impressive stock portfolio and collection of business blazers.
Theodore Carthew, age 17, is the English son of a family of fisherman. He's dyslexic, loves video games, and works at the local docks unloading shipping containers after school, when he's not helping out on his dad's boat. He makes really bad puns, and he absolutely hates Dalex Energy, whose oil rig is destroying his family's livelihood.
Gabrielle is the first person to grow plants in Green Rising, she's a dedicated climate activist, and she's not afraid to break the law to do what she believes is right. She's aro-ace, an excellent fighter, and deeply opinionated. Not going to lie, Hester and Theo are a little bit afraid of her. 🙈
Together, they're going to change the world....
I love them all so much, and I can't wait for you to all meet them properly!
I introduce Green Rising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZrx9...
Green Rising is about politics, standing up for what you believe in and taking direct action. Inspired by movements like Extinction Rebellion, I wanted to write about teenage activists who have the power to make real, decisive change in the climate crisis. It’s something which makes us all feel incredibly helpless, and climate fiction is often a depressing, dystopian look at our doomed future. I wanted to write a more optimistic, hopeful path forward to a better world, with clear instructions about what we should be doing next to fix the planet.
I read Chemistry and Physics at university, so I’ve been studying the science of climate change for many years. It’s incredibly frustrating that I was taught the science of the greenhouse effect and the proposed solutions over a decade ago, and yet we’re still no further along in fixing it. For this book, I did a lot of research into cutting-edge climate technology, including geoengineering and solar seeding. People tend to bury their head in the sand about climate change, because it often feels so hopeless. But it’s important that we’re all aware of the politics and ethics of climate solutions, because they’re going to determine the course of the next hundred years on Earth.
So many of the climate fiction books I read focus on the effect that individuals can have on the planet, with the message that we all need to be more responsible, greener consumers. I wanted to look at how industry and businesses are causing pollution, to make it clear to my young, scared readers that it’s not their responsibility to fix climate change. No amount of careful consumption can fix an industry-wide problem.
While writing the novel, I founded the Climate Fiction Writers League (http://climate-fiction.org/ ), an organisation of over a hundred climate writers. I run a biweekly newsletter of essays about climate writing, in order to encourage readers to take action. While magic is fantastical, the ability of humans to fix the climate emergency is not. It will take money, sacrifice and time, but we can create a better world, just like Theo and Hester wish to do. This has to start with policy changes, immediately.
The carbon emissions responsible for climate change are largely caused by industry, and can only be reduced through government action. However, if you’d like to make lifestyle changes to help limit your individual emissions, here are the most effective changes you can make. Some of these will take many decades to achieve, but long-term societal changes are the only way we can tackle this problem.
Vote in all political elections you are able to, and make sure your representatives are aware that your vote is based on their climate policy views
Replace garden lawns with wildflower meadows
Switch to LED lightbulbs
Don’t fly – and pay for carbon offsetting for any flights you are required to take
Make sure your savings and pensions schemes are not invested in companies contributing to climate change. Ask your company to divest from their harmful default options
Avoid eating beef, and transition to dairy alternatives
Buy in-season food, grown locally (avoiding hot-house produce grown out of season)
Change to a renewable energy utility supplier
Buy electric cars – but only once your current car is absolutely unable to be fixed. Keep current cars on the road for as long as possible, to keep manufacturing emissions low
Install solar panels or solar roof tiles
Air dry clothing instead of tumble drying
Avoid disposable, cheap fashion and invest in long-term, quality pieces that can be worn for many years
And, of course, plant trees wherever you can. They truly are the lungs of our planet. Depleted forests, savannahs, peatlands, mangroves and wetlands have the ability to grow back quickly, but we need to give them the opportunity to do that.
I really hope you enjoy Green Rising – and it makes you feel a little less powerless in the fight to save Earth.
-Lauren
The title of my next novel is....GREEN RISING! It's published in September with Walker Books, and contains space, heists, solarpunk, magical realism, politics, LOTS of plants & just a hint of enemies-to-lovers romance....
October 6, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Green Rising is a YA novel that features a comprehensive look at how the earth could look in the future due to global warming/climate change. It also covers life on Mars and a strange phenomenon that is occurring globally as some teenagers gain the ability to grow plants from their skin.
Gabrielle Ventura is the first teenager on Earth to grow plants from her body. She decides to use her abilities to help climate activists help to stop global warming.
Teenager Theodore Carthew (Theo) has joined a team of plant growers who have been selected to travel to America and use their powers for what they think is good but working for Dalex Energy (an oil company), a company not know for their honesty.
Hester Daleport is one of the youngest managers working for Dalex Energy, well her father runs the company! She is in charge of the Greenfingers project as she too has the supernatural ability. She has been taken in by years of her father’s speeches and appraisal of his company and can’t see how they are contributing to the Earth’s destruction.
With the Earth at near critic point, can this trio with the help of Greenfingers from around the world, reduce/reverse the effects that are killing the planet?
What I loved about this book was how touching, topical, and truthful it is. It is a book about standing up for what you believe in and questioning those who have the power to make a change. It is quite a political book and mildly dystopian (although the author will disagree with me).
Green Rising is a story showcasing what will happen to the world in the future and gives you enough ideas on what you can do now to help. It is actually an uplifting novel that doesn’t focus on doom and gloom but rather on the ways to help.
The chapters are quite short and end with things such as transcripts of a podcast, Twitter messages, data, group chats, etc making the book very much in the now. These little things are what make the book stand out.
Overall it is a captivating read. I enjoyed it immensely and it held my interest the whole way through. It is insightful, eye-opening, and needs to be read.
Green Rising is a YA novel that features a comprehensive look at how the earth could look in the future due to global warming/climate change. It also covers life on Mars and a strange phenomenon that is occurring globally as some teenagers gain the ability to grow plants from their skin.
Gabrielle Ventura is the first teenager on Earth to grow plants from her body. She decides to use her abilities to help climate activists help to stop global warming.
Teenager Theodore Carthew (Theo) has joined a team of plant growers who have been selected to travel to America and use their powers for what they think is good but working for Dalex Energy (an oil company), a company not know for their honesty.
Hester Daleport is one of the youngest managers working for Dalex Energy, well her father runs the company! She is in charge of the Greenfingers project as she too has the supernatural ability. She has been taken in by years of her father’s speeches and appraisal of his company and can’t see how they are contributing to the Earth’s destruction.
With the Earth at near critic point, can this trio with the help of Greenfingers from around the world, reduce/reverse the effects that are killing the planet?
What I loved about this book was how touching, topical, and truthful it is. It is a book about standing up for what you believe in and questioning those who have the power to make a change. It is quite a political book and mildly dystopian (although the author will disagree with me).
Green Rising is a story showcasing what will happen to the world in the future and gives you enough ideas on what you can do now to help. It is actually an uplifting novel that doesn’t focus on doom and gloom but rather on the ways to help.
The chapters are quite short and end with things such as transcripts of a podcast, Twitter messages, data, group chats, etc making the book very much in the now. These little things are what make the book stand out.
Overall it is a captivating read. I enjoyed it immensely and it held my interest the whole way through. It is insightful, eye-opening, and needs to be read.
September 2, 2021
Green Rising is a young adult climate change thriller about teenagers who can grow plants from their hands and who are intensely passionate about the environment and saving humanity. A climate-change thriller set in a near-future world that’s closer than we want to believe. Hester Daleport, Theodore Carthew and Gabrielle have grown up knowing that Earth is doomed. Hester, age 18, is the heir to Dalex Energy, one of the world's largest oil companies. She's privately tutored to prepare for her role as CEO when her dad retires. A business-savvy Texas girl, she doesn't have many friends her own age - but she loves to bake, has an impressive stock portfolio and collection of business blazers. Theodore, age 17, is the English son of a family of fisherman. He's dyslexic, loves video games and works at the local docks unloading shipping containers after school when he's not helping out on his dad's boat.
He makes really bad puns, and he absolutely hates Dalex Energy, whose oil rig is destroying his family's livelihood. Gabrielle is the first person to grow plants in Green Rising, she's a dedicated climate activist, and she's not afraid to break the law to do what she believes is right. She's aro-ace, an excellent fighter, and deeply opinionated. Not going to lie, Hester and Theo are a little bit afraid of her. The acceleration of climate changes means that the planet will soon be uninhabitable, and while those who are rich enough can escape to Mars, the rest of the population will be left to their fate. But in the year that the ice caps finally melt, teenagers around the world begin developing strange powers - the ability to grow plants with their minds. The only hope for reversing climate change seems to lie with these Greenfingers.
But there are plenty of profit-hungry organisations who want to use them for their own ends. And not everyone would like to see Earth saved. In a time of widespread corruption and greed, can three teenagers pull off the ultimate heist and bring about a green rising? This is a captivating, passionate ode to the wonders of mother earth’s bounty about the price nature is paying for our unfettered capitalistic societies, rules and lifestyles which are direct causes of climate change. It is a young adult climate-centric thriller about nature, geoengineering and civil disobedience in the face of overwhelming corporate negligence. The big message of Green Rising: as individuals, we can't do anything. But as a collective, we have the power to make change. It splendidly interweaves reality and fantasy to reveal the truth about our climate and what it means to be human in the 21st century. Together we can change the world.
He makes really bad puns, and he absolutely hates Dalex Energy, whose oil rig is destroying his family's livelihood. Gabrielle is the first person to grow plants in Green Rising, she's a dedicated climate activist, and she's not afraid to break the law to do what she believes is right. She's aro-ace, an excellent fighter, and deeply opinionated. Not going to lie, Hester and Theo are a little bit afraid of her. The acceleration of climate changes means that the planet will soon be uninhabitable, and while those who are rich enough can escape to Mars, the rest of the population will be left to their fate. But in the year that the ice caps finally melt, teenagers around the world begin developing strange powers - the ability to grow plants with their minds. The only hope for reversing climate change seems to lie with these Greenfingers.
But there are plenty of profit-hungry organisations who want to use them for their own ends. And not everyone would like to see Earth saved. In a time of widespread corruption and greed, can three teenagers pull off the ultimate heist and bring about a green rising? This is a captivating, passionate ode to the wonders of mother earth’s bounty about the price nature is paying for our unfettered capitalistic societies, rules and lifestyles which are direct causes of climate change. It is a young adult climate-centric thriller about nature, geoengineering and civil disobedience in the face of overwhelming corporate negligence. The big message of Green Rising: as individuals, we can't do anything. But as a collective, we have the power to make change. It splendidly interweaves reality and fantasy to reveal the truth about our climate and what it means to be human in the 21st century. Together we can change the world.
Want to read
September 30, 2020A climate change thriller about nature, geoengineering and civil disobedience in the face of overwhelming corporate negligence.
lauren james is truly the author of my heart
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October 2, 2021
I love that this could have easily been a disaster story, but the author chose to make it hopeful
(+ I feel slightly cheated because not a single character appreciated Theo's bad puns!)
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Can't wait to be done with exams and a new book from a favourite author being right there waiting to be read *-*
(+ I feel slightly cheated because not a single character appreciated Theo's bad puns!)
---------
Can't wait to be done with exams and a new book from a favourite author being right there waiting to be read *-*
September 15, 2021
I’d read a Lauren Hames book before, but I thought this one might be better. Unfortunately I was wrong.
Undeniably, this book is very topical and maybe better suited for a middle school biology class. I enjoyed the addition of different snippets of media after each chapter and it was pretty easy to read.
However, my main qualm is the writing and within that, the lack of nuance. The characters and their relationships fell completely flat for me and so many things just felt… odd. I think the plot and characters were very two dimensional. Areas for moral debate that could have been interesting were quickly dismissed, the only instance which was mildly interestingly explored was the algae bloom.
All in all, it wasn’t terrible and it achieved its aim of discussing the climate in a way that’s accessible for young people, but it certainly wasn’t a delight to read either.
Undeniably, this book is very topical and maybe better suited for a middle school biology class. I enjoyed the addition of different snippets of media after each chapter and it was pretty easy to read.
However, my main qualm is the writing and within that, the lack of nuance. The characters and their relationships fell completely flat for me and so many things just felt… odd. I think the plot and characters were very two dimensional. Areas for moral debate that could have been interesting were quickly dismissed, the only instance which was mildly interestingly explored was the algae bloom.
All in all, it wasn’t terrible and it achieved its aim of discussing the climate in a way that’s accessible for young people, but it certainly wasn’t a delight to read either.
August 21, 2021
I LOVE Lauren James, and this book is a brilliant example of why she is an auto-buy author for me. Fantastic characters and unexpected turns throughout a non stop plot, the attention to detail in Green Rising makes it a strong contender for my favourite fantasy of the year.
Without warning, teenagers around the world are starting to demonstrate incredible abilities to rapidly grow plantlife. Different people use their powers in different ways, but it quickly becomes clear that these abilities may be the answer to helping the climate crisis.
James cleverly includes snippets from social media, websites and new outlets to build a world beyond even her storytelling, and I am obsessed with every bit of it. I even finished the book slightly disappointed that the events were all fictional!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Without warning, teenagers around the world are starting to demonstrate incredible abilities to rapidly grow plantlife. Different people use their powers in different ways, but it quickly becomes clear that these abilities may be the answer to helping the climate crisis.
James cleverly includes snippets from social media, websites and new outlets to build a world beyond even her storytelling, and I am obsessed with every bit of it. I even finished the book slightly disappointed that the events were all fictional!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2021
Lauren James is an auto-buy author for me, and I got my copy of this book early because I ordered a signed copy through her Etsy, so I wanted to read it before it came out! This does a lot of great things in terms of how realistic the politics are and creating awareness surrounding what to focus on when it comes to climate change. I loved the way the Greenfingers were incorporated, and the body horror that came with it. I did think this book was fairly straightforward compared to the plot twists I've grown used to from her other books, but this was still a really good read!
September 2, 2021
I love Lauren James. She's an auto-buy author for me, and I get excited whenever she announces a new release. What I like about her books is that she always writes in a variation of genres, historical fic/time travel, horror, paranormal - but all of them have that sci-fi element, with great characters. So, again, I was very excited to read this one, especially as I can't recall ever having read a 'climate thriller'. (I've read dystopias with this element, but James has made it clear she doesn't classify this as such).
I really liked both Theo and Hester, our primary protagonists. I like how they challenged each other, and that slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance they had going on. Hester had brilliant character growth, as she learned to challenge everything she thought she knew about her father, her company, the World and then to take action with that new information. Theo was great. I loved how he opened the door to explore the story in further depth. For example, as he challenges Hester on her ideologies, this also gives him a chance to reflect - keeping the book in a constant discourse about climate change, how we deal with it as an individual, and as a society.
The Greenfingers powers were incredibly cool. I liked the mystery behind how they formed. I do wish we got to see more of the 'trainees' that Hester and Theo worked with. While they did have scenes, I would have liked for them to be more involved with the main plot, as opposed to just being accessories.
Gabrielle was a difficult one for me. While we got snippets of what she was up to, I would've like a few more chapters from her POV - to really see her inner thoughts, etc.
The multi-media aspect was great, and honestly, quite chilling with how accurate it felt in reflecting the ways people would respond. Like the comment sections on some of the posts?? Yeah, I'm sure I've seen similar on Facebook and Twitter. The different blogs, news reports also allowed to flesh out the story and see different perspectives. Again, while I enjoyed that - I do wish we got more Gabrielle POV's.
I loved the little nods the multi-media aspects gave to other of James' works, like Harriet Stoker . . .
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was insightful and thought provoking, and I liked the main characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Walker Books for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
I really liked both Theo and Hester, our primary protagonists. I like how they challenged each other, and that slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance they had going on. Hester had brilliant character growth, as she learned to challenge everything she thought she knew about her father, her company, the World and then to take action with that new information. Theo was great. I loved how he opened the door to explore the story in further depth. For example, as he challenges Hester on her ideologies, this also gives him a chance to reflect - keeping the book in a constant discourse about climate change, how we deal with it as an individual, and as a society.
The Greenfingers powers were incredibly cool. I liked the mystery behind how they formed. I do wish we got to see more of the 'trainees' that Hester and Theo worked with. While they did have scenes, I would have liked for them to be more involved with the main plot, as opposed to just being accessories.
Gabrielle was a difficult one for me. While we got snippets of what she was up to, I would've like a few more chapters from her POV - to really see her inner thoughts, etc.
The multi-media aspect was great, and honestly, quite chilling with how accurate it felt in reflecting the ways people would respond. Like the comment sections on some of the posts?? Yeah, I'm sure I've seen similar on Facebook and Twitter. The different blogs, news reports also allowed to flesh out the story and see different perspectives. Again, while I enjoyed that - I do wish we got more Gabrielle POV's.
I loved the little nods the multi-media aspects gave to other of James' works, like Harriet Stoker . . .
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was insightful and thought provoking, and I liked the main characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Walker Books for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 4, 2021
This book is so smart and sharp and witty and fun, with a magic system that springs perfectly from current events and winds perfectly around some really big real-world themes - but somehow manages to avoid being didactic. It's just a really fun adventure, with so many fabulous moments of real wonder around the (often creepy!) magic, and a romance subplot that I really enjoyed.
November 16, 2022
It was the perfect mix between real life world wide problems, the fictional solutions to them and a cast of amazing characters. If you get the chance to read it, please do! One of the few YA novels I’ve read this year that I would recommend to anyone. <3
November 19, 2021
Did you know Lauren James has a Master’s degree in physics and chemistry? Maybe that’s why I vibe with her books so much. They’re smart, witty, often include physics (like space travel!) that’s actually accurate and are an absolute joy to read. She is my absolute must buy author. I devour all her books and everyone should read them. I still have 2 to go (Harriet Stoker and Quiet at the end of the world) and I can’t wait because I know for sure they’ll be amazing.
November 17, 2021
she really just comes up w these concepts and then executes them flawlessly huh? wow
October 3, 2021
I absolutely loved this. I really enjoyed how it is fiction yet there are SO many ties in today's world.
Imagine if suddenly you were able to sprout plants from your fingers. This is what is happening to 3% of teenagers throughout the world. The story focuses on three main characters, Gabrielle, who sprouted first, she is a young climate activist who wants to use her powers to change the world, Theo, who is working hard to keep is family away from poverty, will he accept a deal from a horrid oil company? And Hester who is the daughter of the CEO of the oil company, she is trained in HR and doesn't believe in climate change.
I loved that there were past characters mentioned, how global it was... and not just on this planet! It's a fast paced nature thriller where you can't help to root (lol!) for the characters. This book is well researched (including a list of books at the back) and really inspires green activism. I will be recommending this book to everyone!
Imagine if suddenly you were able to sprout plants from your fingers. This is what is happening to 3% of teenagers throughout the world. The story focuses on three main characters, Gabrielle, who sprouted first, she is a young climate activist who wants to use her powers to change the world, Theo, who is working hard to keep is family away from poverty, will he accept a deal from a horrid oil company? And Hester who is the daughter of the CEO of the oil company, she is trained in HR and doesn't believe in climate change.
I loved that there were past characters mentioned, how global it was... and not just on this planet! It's a fast paced nature thriller where you can't help to root (lol!) for the characters. This book is well researched (including a list of books at the back) and really inspires green activism. I will be recommending this book to everyone!
February 19, 2022
This is a book recommended to me by someone form my favorite bookstore. Honestly my first reaction was ehhh and now I'm like past me was an idiot!
This was SO much better than I expected. The idea of Greenfingers is amazing and I LOVE Hester and Theo. They're such cute characters and their story makes me so happy. The ending did feel a little toothless which knocked a star off for me. Nobody had any consequences or at least any on page. It sort of became a lets get along despite what had happened, what Dalex had allowed to happen. Apart form that I did really enjoy this
This was SO much better than I expected. The idea of Greenfingers is amazing and I LOVE Hester and Theo. They're such cute characters and their story makes me so happy. The ending did feel a little toothless which knocked a star off for me. Nobody had any consequences or at least any on page. It sort of became a lets get along despite what had happened, what Dalex had allowed to happen. Apart form that I did really enjoy this
September 8, 2021
Lauren James is literally a genius. She tackled the very harsh reality of climate change with a very big undertone of hope- something i think many readers will want, specially if they're spending time with a story.
The plot was fantastic, and I'm more energised to do what i can even more to help the environment.
The concept of thr Greenfingers is so CLEVER. and so fun!! And the characters??? Theo and Hester are officially my new favourite character duo- i love them to pieces. I want to give Theo all the hugs he deserves.
Gabrielle terrified me, which i think was sort of the point - she was chaotic but she got stuff done- but if i ever meet a Gabrielle irl I'm running 😂
ANYWAY. Green Rising is amazing, definitely my favourite of Lauren's works, and i think aside it being beautiful and fun and hopeful, it's also an important story that readers need to have right now.
The plot was fantastic, and I'm more energised to do what i can even more to help the environment.
The concept of thr Greenfingers is so CLEVER. and so fun!! And the characters??? Theo and Hester are officially my new favourite character duo- i love them to pieces. I want to give Theo all the hugs he deserves.
Gabrielle terrified me, which i think was sort of the point - she was chaotic but she got stuff done- but if i ever meet a Gabrielle irl I'm running 😂
ANYWAY. Green Rising is amazing, definitely my favourite of Lauren's works, and i think aside it being beautiful and fun and hopeful, it's also an important story that readers need to have right now.
January 1, 2022
Vergessen, auf Goodreads zu beenden XD
September 19, 2021
It's an important book, it talks about the climate crisis and imagine a solution.
It's full of food for thought and it made me think and love what I was reading.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's full of food for thought and it made me think and love what I was reading.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 27, 2021
There's a lot I liked about this book. It has GREAT representation and is really diverse. It was at times really funny. The characters were very easy to root for. The overall message is SO interesting. I was completely immersed in the story. Like all of Lauren James' work, this was incredibly creative.
But.
The writing could've been better. I also felt that the execution was kind of wobbly. And I did find it arguably unrealistic. Some of the decisions the characters made were REALLY frustrating. This honestly felt slightly longer than it needed to be. And the villains were almost the cartoonish mustache-twirling type.
But, despite everything, this book was one HELL of a ride and I even had some fun with it. 😌
But.
The writing could've been better. I also felt that the execution was kind of wobbly. And I did find it arguably unrealistic. Some of the decisions the characters made were REALLY frustrating. This honestly felt slightly longer than it needed to be. And the villains were almost the cartoonish mustache-twirling type.
But, despite everything, this book was one HELL of a ride and I even had some fun with it. 😌
Shelved as 'featured'
September 3, 2021
August 26, 2023
Reread for (state final) readers cup questions.
Thoughtful, challenge and ultimately hopeful (which is what we need when it comes to the environement).
Thoughtful, challenge and ultimately hopeful (which is what we need when it comes to the environement).
September 25, 2022
3 stars- I liked it, for the most part.
It was a very standard, solid YA read with a strong, important message. If I'm honest, this lies a little closer to 2 stars, but I'll bump it up to 3 because it conveyed a message about climate change well. Besides that, the characters and their relationships weren't loveable, and I didn't connect to them. That made it difficult to be engaged in the story, when the characters didn't interest me. The concept was interesting though, I liked that its origins were explained.
Overall, I think the book achieved it's main purpose, but wasn't very engaging as it did so.
Main points are in bold below, if you'd rather skim :)
what I liked:
-the message— climate change action must be taken now— was strong and clear. I don't read many books where the moral is applied to today's world, so this was new, interesting, and reflective.
-the concept of Greenfingers was an interesting one, and I also liked how its origins were explained. I also liked that there were different Greenfinger types; not everyone grew plants.
-the writing was solid. Nothing amazing, but I can't complain.
-the diversity and representation was amazing, and it was all so natural.
what could've been better:
-the characters, while cute, should've been more relatable than they ended up being. They're my age, living in the world that I'm living in. I wanted to love them but they fell flat for me, I guess. The cookie-cutter villains weren't very intriguing either.
-the romance fell flat for me too, unfortunately. Maybe it's because I already wasn't in love with the characters, but their romance often made me cringe🥴
-the characters may be or may not be the reason why I began to lose interest around halfway. I wasn't engaged in the story, though I wanted to be. The book was missing a spark .
-with this lack of engagement, the plot didn't particularly interest me either.
It was a very standard, solid YA read with a strong, important message. If I'm honest, this lies a little closer to 2 stars, but I'll bump it up to 3 because it conveyed a message about climate change well. Besides that, the characters and their relationships weren't loveable, and I didn't connect to them. That made it difficult to be engaged in the story, when the characters didn't interest me. The concept was interesting though, I liked that its origins were explained.
Overall, I think the book achieved it's main purpose, but wasn't very engaging as it did so.
Main points are in bold below, if you'd rather skim :)
what I liked:
-the message— climate change action must be taken now— was strong and clear. I don't read many books where the moral is applied to today's world, so this was new, interesting, and reflective.
-the concept of Greenfingers was an interesting one, and I also liked how its origins were explained. I also liked that there were different Greenfinger types; not everyone grew plants.
-the writing was solid. Nothing amazing, but I can't complain.
-the diversity and representation was amazing, and it was all so natural.
what could've been better:
-the characters, while cute, should've been more relatable than they ended up being. They're my age, living in the world that I'm living in. I wanted to love them but they fell flat for me, I guess. The cookie-cutter villains weren't very intriguing either.
-the romance fell flat for me too, unfortunately. Maybe it's because I already wasn't in love with the characters, but their romance often made me cringe🥴
-the characters may be or may not be the reason why I began to lose interest around halfway. I wasn't engaged in the story, though I wanted to be. The book was missing a spark .
-with this lack of engagement, the plot didn't particularly interest me either.
January 25, 2022
Trigger warnings: climate change, capitalism, body horror, classism.
Every time Lauren James comes out with a new book, I read the blurb and I'm like "...........how the fuck is THAT going to work" and then it just DOES. Every. Single Time.
This was no exception. The blurb sounded incredibly strange - certain teenagers suddenly gain the ability to grow plants from their bodies - but it was such a fast paced and compelling and MODERN story. James tackles climate change and youth activism beautifully, and manages to craft a story that's equal parts awareness of the current climate emergency and hope/inspiration for the future.
The characters are wonderful and there's a ton of diversity. There's an Elon Musk-esque character who's just as much of a dick as Musk appears to be. The plant growing was, I will admit, a little squicky on occasions, but it was explained so incredibly well that I knew exactly how their powers worked (and occasionally backfired).
I loved this. Far more than I expected to. And I suspect it's one my students will love as well.
Every time Lauren James comes out with a new book, I read the blurb and I'm like "...........how the fuck is THAT going to work" and then it just DOES. Every. Single Time.
This was no exception. The blurb sounded incredibly strange - certain teenagers suddenly gain the ability to grow plants from their bodies - but it was such a fast paced and compelling and MODERN story. James tackles climate change and youth activism beautifully, and manages to craft a story that's equal parts awareness of the current climate emergency and hope/inspiration for the future.
The characters are wonderful and there's a ton of diversity. There's an Elon Musk-esque character who's just as much of a dick as Musk appears to be. The plant growing was, I will admit, a little squicky on occasions, but it was explained so incredibly well that I knew exactly how their powers worked (and occasionally backfired).
I loved this. Far more than I expected to. And I suspect it's one my students will love as well.
July 12, 2022
Trigger warnings:
Lauren James always writes such unique stories. Loved the characters, the twists and turns, the world she's imagined and the ways it echoes with our own, as well. 200% recommending this!
Full review coming soon on the blog :)
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
Lauren James always writes such unique stories. Loved the characters, the twists and turns, the world she's imagined and the ways it echoes with our own, as well. 200% recommending this!
Full review coming soon on the blog :)
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
November 1, 2021
"We already know that governments can make rapid changes to how society runs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the entire world's office workers transitioned to working from home via video-calls within weeks. Governments made huge changes to policies super quickly. That needs to happen now too, just as fast. Climate change is already killing people every day. We need to show the governments that they have to take urgent action."
Lauren James' best work yet. Topical, powerful, uplifting and scary, all at the same time.
Lauren James' best work yet. Topical, powerful, uplifting and scary, all at the same time.
July 30, 2023
Oh gosh, this was very bad and very cringy. The amount of times I felt secondhand embarrassment was uncanny.
The ending was...rushed. The relationship was so random, and all of a sudden they were in love and kissing all the time??
Literally, it built up all of this tension just for it to anticlimactically "end". Idk, the author could've done SOMETHING ELSE to make it more interesting, bc it was also boring as heck. It promised me so much, but ALAS, NOTHING WAS DELIVERED!!
👎👎👎
The ending was...rushed. The relationship was so random, and all of a sudden they were in love and kissing all the time??
Literally, it built up all of this tension just for it to anticlimactically "end". Idk, the author could've done SOMETHING ELSE to make it more interesting, bc it was also boring as heck. It promised me so much, but ALAS, NOTHING WAS DELIVERED!!
👎👎👎
July 30, 2023
cringe.
October 17, 2021
I highly recommend this book if you're a YA Sci-Fi person.
October 27, 2021
You guys, we need to talk about Green Rising!!
I was lucky enough to receive a free review copy of this from Walker Books UK in exchange for an honest review, and damn, this was SUCH A GEM and so blimmin’ ON TREND with current events it was a little scary!
I’ve enjoyed all of James’ recent YA books, and love how she takes big science concepts and weaves them into creative stories with wonderful characters. She also uses a multimedia format including news articles, letters, emails, etc., to provide a wider view of what’s occurring in the story.
Green Rising is based in the not too distant future where humanity is reaching the point of no return with the climate crisis and billionaires are ready to jump ship and move to Mars. But suddenly a bunch of teens develop the supernatural ability to grow plants. We follow three main characters who develop these abilities; Gabrielle a passionate climate change activist with dubious tactics, Theo a fishermen’s son struggling to make ends meet, and Hester, the daughter of an oil tycoon. Between them, despite their different backgrounds and ideologies, and with the help of a Green Fingered training camp, they may just stand a chance of saving Earth before it's too late.
I LOVED how creative this story was! This world felt so real and James had put so much thought into how the development of plant powers could have an impact on people, politics, and the environment. When the Green Finger powers hit the mainstream news everyone wants a piece of it, and has different ideas and theories of how Green Fingers should viewed and utilised. Hester and her oil tycoon father are one of the first to try and capitalise on the event, creating the equivalent of a supernatural training camp to develop powers to support biofuel experiments. It's here that Hester meets Theo, and begins to question the climate science and company policies she has believed in and championed her whole life. Others in the story want to use the Green Fingers to push their political agendas, and some react with fear and want to restrict and regulate their powers. Honestly, the level of creativity in this story was so impressive and it also remained fast-paced and engaging throughout.
It was also great seeing characters with completely opposing viewpoints try and work together to uncover the truth and save the world. We have characters from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and all of them bring their own ideas, experiences and personalities to the table. Seeing the friendships grow between the Green Fingers was so sweet and wholesome, which balanced the heavy topic perfectly. Two of the main characters are biracial, one is dyslexic, and a side character uses they/them pronouns, so there was some great diversity rep too!
I would highly recommend this one, especially to those interested in climate change!
I was lucky enough to receive a free review copy of this from Walker Books UK in exchange for an honest review, and damn, this was SUCH A GEM and so blimmin’ ON TREND with current events it was a little scary!
I’ve enjoyed all of James’ recent YA books, and love how she takes big science concepts and weaves them into creative stories with wonderful characters. She also uses a multimedia format including news articles, letters, emails, etc., to provide a wider view of what’s occurring in the story.
Green Rising is based in the not too distant future where humanity is reaching the point of no return with the climate crisis and billionaires are ready to jump ship and move to Mars. But suddenly a bunch of teens develop the supernatural ability to grow plants. We follow three main characters who develop these abilities; Gabrielle a passionate climate change activist with dubious tactics, Theo a fishermen’s son struggling to make ends meet, and Hester, the daughter of an oil tycoon. Between them, despite their different backgrounds and ideologies, and with the help of a Green Fingered training camp, they may just stand a chance of saving Earth before it's too late.
I LOVED how creative this story was! This world felt so real and James had put so much thought into how the development of plant powers could have an impact on people, politics, and the environment. When the Green Finger powers hit the mainstream news everyone wants a piece of it, and has different ideas and theories of how Green Fingers should viewed and utilised. Hester and her oil tycoon father are one of the first to try and capitalise on the event, creating the equivalent of a supernatural training camp to develop powers to support biofuel experiments. It's here that Hester meets Theo, and begins to question the climate science and company policies she has believed in and championed her whole life. Others in the story want to use the Green Fingers to push their political agendas, and some react with fear and want to restrict and regulate their powers. Honestly, the level of creativity in this story was so impressive and it also remained fast-paced and engaging throughout.
It was also great seeing characters with completely opposing viewpoints try and work together to uncover the truth and save the world. We have characters from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and all of them bring their own ideas, experiences and personalities to the table. Seeing the friendships grow between the Green Fingers was so sweet and wholesome, which balanced the heavy topic perfectly. Two of the main characters are biracial, one is dyslexic, and a side character uses they/them pronouns, so there was some great diversity rep too!
I would highly recommend this one, especially to those interested in climate change!
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