In the Fullness of Time by Carolyn R. Russell is a young adult sci-fi thriller set in a futuristic dystopia where humans willingly sacrifice themselves to the Reverie to receive the Gift. After an ill-advised attempt to eradicate mosquitos, a devastating disaster hits the earth's ecosystem, resulting in a population explosion and a severe food shortage. Humanity recuperates by banding itself into Factions. Somerset Whitman belongs to a multi-generation family of Tempedral Clerics whose sole purpose is to brainwash people into seeking the Reverie. Tired of watching the tyrannical rule of States Director Grayson Taft, Somerset joins a rebel group that secretly fights against the establishment. But when her uncle discovers her ruse, a larger conspiracy emerges that will change everything.

If you're a fan of movies like The Hunger Games, you're going to love In the Fullness of Time. Author Carolyn R. Russell transports you to a futuristic dystopia filled with action, romance, and political intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot moves at a blistering pace, filled with unexpected twists and turns that you never see coming. Somerset is a likable protagonist that you can't help rooting for, and her gradual evolution as a strong-willed young woman taking on the establishment is one of the book's primary highlights. The premise is unique and authentic. I was particularly impressed by the concept of the Reverie. I would highly recommend this book to fans of sci-fi dystopian novels.

It all starts with mosquitoes—vectors of a plague that has thrown humanity into disarray. What’s left is a bleak panorama that Carolyn R. Russell starkly illustrates in her book In the Fullness of Time. Most animals have become extinct, the air and water are polluted, food is scarce, and homelessness abounds. The United States is no longer united, and people find eternal solace in the government-sponsored Reverie. Somerset Whitman is among the few fortunate citizens who belong to a family of clerics, and the story unfolds from her point of view. Despite enjoying a privileged life, she becomes a champion of the oppressed upon discovering the sinister realities that the government conceals. She works with an underground resistance to topple the government while taking care of an orphaned little girl. Her world keeps getting smaller as the government relentlessly hunts down those who dare to oppose the system.

For all the intensity of its social and political commentaries, In the Fullness of Time is very outspoken. Carolyn R. Russell’s dystopian vision is effective as a cautionary tale. Somerset’s blossoming relationship with Jake, the resistance leader, provides some of the best moments in this novel. She learns so much from him as the cell leader, while she finds him annoying and comforting at the same time. But despite all their moments, the outcome of what they are fighting for is the true determinant of their happiness. At the end of this novel, you become conscious of larger themes and philosophical thoughts, of freedom and the chance to take care of this planet. Such things are worth contemplating, which makes this work a great reading choice.