#junodawson

In a flooded future Britain, fame isn’t just a dream - it’s a lifeline.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

A near-future dystopia built around a televised talent competition is an immediately gripping premise. Add climate collapse, a deadly stakes system, and a protagonist competing not just for fame but for her family’s survival, and this promised both spectacle and emotional punch.

Post-Reading

As I thought… The worldbuilding is excellent. The flooded version of Britain feels believable and fully realised, with small details that make the setting feel lived-in rather than just dystopian set dressing. The concept of Project Population - volunteering for euthanasia in exchange for financial support for loved ones - is chilling but disturbingly plausible within the economic realities of the world.

The competition itself provides plenty of tension, but the emotional core remains Taryn and her motivations. She isn’t chasing fame for its own sake - she’s trying to secure stability for her refugee family and the medical care her brother desperately needs. That grounding gives the story real weight.

It surprised me by… How empowering many of the character moments are. Beneath the brutal premise, the story delivers some genuinely satisfying “girl power” beats, with alliances, resilience, and determination pushing back against a system designed to exploit its contestants.

There’s also an interesting layer of power operating quietly in the background. The competition might look like entertainment, but the real control sits with the wealthy figure behind the studio, whose decisions shape everything from the narrative to the contestants’ futures. It’s a subtle reminder that even in a world of spectacle, influence often sits just out of sight.

🎵 Music Pairing

Featured Song: Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé Bold, defiant, and perfect for a story where women refuse to play the roles assigned to them.

Vibe Album: Born Pink – BLACKPINK Polished, high-energy pop with an undercurrent of fierce confidence.

Artist Recommendation: Rina Sawayama Dramatic, genre-bending pop that pairs well with stories about identity, ambition, and survival.

Vibe Check

Colour Palette: Neon pink, stage-light purple, steel grey, rising-ocean blue

Soundtrack: Roaring crowds, backstage whispers, waves against concrete barriers

Season: Endless summer heat

Mood: Determined survival

Scent: Hairspray, hot stage lights, and salty sea air

Tarot Pull: Seven of Swords

Strategy, cleverness, and knowing when to hold your cards close. The Seven of Swords isn’t about cruelty - it’s about survival in systems that aren’t fair. Taryn understands that winning isn’t just about talent; it requires careful decisions, quiet planning, and choosing the right moment to act.

For Fans Of

Book: The Hunger Games

TV Show: RuPaul's Drag Race

One-Sentence Verdict