UNDERGROWTH

In a dystopian world in which humans live in hiding and alien monsters consume what remains of Earth, a group of friends are reborn. Their destiny? To save the world.

Red, Bloom, Willow, and Ash are grappling with their precarious futures as young people growing up in a dying world. But just as all seems lost in the wake of tragedy, they gain the ability to fight back against the invaders and protect the planet by controlling ancient dryads who have immense strength and untapped capabilities. Each clash brings new hope, strengthens their friendships, heals their grief, and demonstrates the importance of resistance. The story balances many complex and nuanced themes, exploring moral lessons around the corruption of altruism by greed and power, the lasting consequences our choices have on others, and the fight (even against seemingly insurmountable odds) against ecocide and climate change. Regeneration, second chances, and cycles of growth are central to the narrative, which emphasizes the belief that everyone is capable of doing good and evil—and of changing. Dynamic, colorful illustrations convey both the weight of emotionally heavy moments and the high-stakes energy of combat scenes. The robotlike aliens and dryads as well as the hauntingly beautiful wilderness scenes are portrayed with a striking use of light, shadow, and perspective. The main and side characters are racially diverse.

A gripping meld of vivid worldbuilding, ecological folklore, and action sequences that challenges and enthralls.