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The Tomorrow Project
The unmissable new speculative novel for fans of Station Eleven, The End We Start From and The Last of Us. When the end comes, what will you wish you had done? In 2050s London, fear grips like a vice as a deadly virus sweeps the globe. The British prime minister tells her people to remain calm. A vaccine will be available soon, and as a precautionary measure children will be whisked away to undisclosed locations, kept safe until the storm passes.
Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, doesn’t realise the futility until it is far, far too late. When the truth hits her, Marianne is forced to stay with her family, or do whatever she can to help the doomed survive.
As London falls, seven-year-old Maia is one of the last to escape the city. In an evacuation camp, she binds herself to in the absence of everything she knew, he becomes her everything.
Yet as the years roll on and hope fades, Maia sees the bubble of safety is also a prison. She realises there is only one to leave the camp and find what remains on the outside.
An utterly compelling and unforgettable tale of humanity, resilience and the lengths we will go to for love. The Tomorrow Project is the stunning first novel from H Critchlow.
Praise for The Tomorrow Project ‘Powerful and disturbing’ Harriet Tyce
‘Thrilling, heartbreaking, tense... I was immediately and incessantly caught up in it’ James Delargy
‘Dark, vivid and beautifully written, The Tomorrow Project is a poignant, immersive novel about a future that spools out in terrifying clarity. It's also a novel about bravery and hope - and it will make you cry’ Rachel Wolf
‘A fresh, original novel with characters who linger and a propulsive plot. I inhaled it in twenty-four hours. Genuinely unputdownable’ Niki Mackay
‘Critchlow has the ability to observe humanity at its worst — and heart-rending best. A worthy addition to the end-times dystopian canon’ Jo Furniss
‘A heady mix of heartache and hope, love and loss, in a world that’s splitting at the seams... I couldn’t come up for air till I turned the last page’ Robert Rutherford
‘A terrifying glimpse into a possible world’ Sarah Moorhead
‘Masterful. A beautifully written parable of hope, love and humanity, it will live with me for a very long time’ Rob Parker
‘A heartbreaking, vividly imagined tale of love and survival at the end of the world... a triumph of storytelling’ Clare Leslie Hall
‘A deeply moving and beautifully written novel about loss and hope with a propulsive plot that will keep you turning the pages’ Victoria Selman
Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, doesn’t realise the futility until it is far, far too late. When the truth hits her, Marianne is forced to stay with her family, or do whatever she can to help the doomed survive.
As London falls, seven-year-old Maia is one of the last to escape the city. In an evacuation camp, she binds herself to in the absence of everything she knew, he becomes her everything.
Yet as the years roll on and hope fades, Maia sees the bubble of safety is also a prison. She realises there is only one to leave the camp and find what remains on the outside.
An utterly compelling and unforgettable tale of humanity, resilience and the lengths we will go to for love. The Tomorrow Project is the stunning first novel from H Critchlow.
Praise for The Tomorrow Project ‘Powerful and disturbing’ Harriet Tyce
‘Thrilling, heartbreaking, tense... I was immediately and incessantly caught up in it’ James Delargy
‘Dark, vivid and beautifully written, The Tomorrow Project is a poignant, immersive novel about a future that spools out in terrifying clarity. It's also a novel about bravery and hope - and it will make you cry’ Rachel Wolf
‘A fresh, original novel with characters who linger and a propulsive plot. I inhaled it in twenty-four hours. Genuinely unputdownable’ Niki Mackay
‘Critchlow has the ability to observe humanity at its worst — and heart-rending best. A worthy addition to the end-times dystopian canon’ Jo Furniss
‘A heady mix of heartache and hope, love and loss, in a world that’s splitting at the seams... I couldn’t come up for air till I turned the last page’ Robert Rutherford
‘A terrifying glimpse into a possible world’ Sarah Moorhead
‘Masterful. A beautifully written parable of hope, love and humanity, it will live with me for a very long time’ Rob Parker
‘A heartbreaking, vividly imagined tale of love and survival at the end of the world... a triumph of storytelling’ Clare Leslie Hall
‘A deeply moving and beautifully written novel about loss and hope with a propulsive plot that will keep you turning the pages’ Victoria Selman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 16, 2025
Happy publication day 🎧🎉🥳
The Tomorrow Project was sitting patiently waiting on my NetGalley shelf for me to feel like listening to a dystopian fantasy. I did not feel like it at all but I figured I better just get on with it. So I can’t tell you how much of a fantastic surprise it was that I suddenly realised I was absolutely starving and I’d almost finished one of my favourite books of the year so far.
The writing was absolutely excellent, the plot was so good, and the story provided an immersive and believable vision of the end of the world. Characters that were easy to connect with and get to know. I don’t want to spoiler, but expect to enter your own world with this book.
The audio narration was excellent
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this AOC 🎧
The Tomorrow Project was sitting patiently waiting on my NetGalley shelf for me to feel like listening to a dystopian fantasy. I did not feel like it at all but I figured I better just get on with it. So I can’t tell you how much of a fantastic surprise it was that I suddenly realised I was absolutely starving and I’d almost finished one of my favourite books of the year so far.
The writing was absolutely excellent, the plot was so good, and the story provided an immersive and believable vision of the end of the world. Characters that were easy to connect with and get to know. I don’t want to spoiler, but expect to enter your own world with this book.
The audio narration was excellent
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this AOC 🎧
April 25, 2025
What a surprise this one was!
I absolutely love the Cal Lovett series so wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I read the synopsis for this one, seeing that it was so different.
What I found was a story I just couldn’t put down. It’s the future, a virus hits the world, the people turn to their government to help save them, a vaccination is in the pipeline, but is it too little too late?
Marianne, Downing Streets press secretary thinks she is helping, doing the right thing, but does she really know what’s going on? As she helps a young Maia escape the city, she doesn’t realise just what the future holds for them all.
This is something unique and unforgettable. It will have you questioning humanity, questioning your own ability in the face of an apocalyptic change in the world.
I love the way it is written, the development of characters as they grow and change with the world. The author is such a good story teller, luring you in and holding your full attention right up until the end. The detail is fantastic, I really felt like I was there, within this new world, seeing things as the characters did, fully imagining this changed world and how nature takes back what belonged to it in the first place.
Maybe the author thought it was a risk to create something so diverse from what she is known for, but definitely a risk worth taking!
My advice, read it!!
I absolutely love the Cal Lovett series so wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I read the synopsis for this one, seeing that it was so different.
What I found was a story I just couldn’t put down. It’s the future, a virus hits the world, the people turn to their government to help save them, a vaccination is in the pipeline, but is it too little too late?
Marianne, Downing Streets press secretary thinks she is helping, doing the right thing, but does she really know what’s going on? As she helps a young Maia escape the city, she doesn’t realise just what the future holds for them all.
This is something unique and unforgettable. It will have you questioning humanity, questioning your own ability in the face of an apocalyptic change in the world.
I love the way it is written, the development of characters as they grow and change with the world. The author is such a good story teller, luring you in and holding your full attention right up until the end. The detail is fantastic, I really felt like I was there, within this new world, seeing things as the characters did, fully imagining this changed world and how nature takes back what belonged to it in the first place.
Maybe the author thought it was a risk to create something so diverse from what she is known for, but definitely a risk worth taking!
My advice, read it!!
June 19, 2025
During a deadly global pandemic, the Prime Minister of the UK puts together a programme to evacuate children away from densely populated areas to keep them safe. When Marianne, Downing Street press secretary discovers priority is being given to wealthy families, she does all she can to get more children to safety. One such child is Maia who finds herself bound to Finn in one of the evacuation camps she finds herself in. As the years go by, supplies dwindle and scouts that have been sent out disappear, Maia begins to wonder what lies beyond the boundaries of her camp and sets out to find any glimmer of hope she can in this new world.
The Tomorrow Project begins in a panic inducing, chaotic scenario as the world falls part, mistakes are made and there is a desperate bid to survive by any means necessary. These first initial chapters are tense and fast paced. The second part of the story slows down somewhat as our survivors become accustomed to a new way of living, constantly looking out for new ways to survive and become somewhat comfortable with their new lives. This isn't to say this part was any less enjoyable, it just moves along at a slower pace and allows for a lot of character development. The final part of the story picks the pace up again as Maia finds herself in the outside world with others which presents new previously unthought of dangers. Overall a very decent dystopian novel which has superb moments of tension and some very well written characters.
The Tomorrow Project begins in a panic inducing, chaotic scenario as the world falls part, mistakes are made and there is a desperate bid to survive by any means necessary. These first initial chapters are tense and fast paced. The second part of the story slows down somewhat as our survivors become accustomed to a new way of living, constantly looking out for new ways to survive and become somewhat comfortable with their new lives. This isn't to say this part was any less enjoyable, it just moves along at a slower pace and allows for a lot of character development. The final part of the story picks the pace up again as Maia finds herself in the outside world with others which presents new previously unthought of dangers. Overall a very decent dystopian novel which has superb moments of tension and some very well written characters.
May 12, 2025
So close to home, some terrifying post-pandemic speculation on society.
It still feels so recent, COVID. It hit hard, all over again, reading this - but worse. Set in a near future 25 years from now, there's another global pandemic. This time other countries have gone quiet, the virus hits children harder than adults, it can act instantly or take its time. The British PM is implementing a programme to evacuate children to 'summer camps', away from the cities and to be cared for temporarily until normality is restored. Though her loyal press secretary can't quite believe the speeches she's giving about this and takes action herself to help the children who aren't getting to the trains.
One child, Maia, makes it to the trains and away from her family and home in London, to be raised by educators and amongst other children in a camp far away, with little to tell them of what's going on in the wider world and if it's safe. As time passes, and these children grow up, it's going to come to a head in these groups, they'll want information, news on their families, to know if the virus is gone... and what world is left.
Fascinating look at a post-viral world, what would happen within individuals, couples, friendship groups, families, and society at large. There are some very likeable characters and some you really quite like to loathe.
There were plenty of moments I cried, felt empathy, saw myself and my loved ones trying to cope under these circumstances, and often so so glad I could close the pages and know it wasn't true, it's not happening. At least not today.
The early scenes of city dwellers locked in, venturing out for supplies, a country in panic and people dropping like flies was too, too tragic and realistic. I was almost glad when the story moved on from these scenes for some respite.
This reminded me of Day of the Triffids in some regards, the information about humanity coping with so much change and what would be needed to rebuild, how human relationships are affected over a longer period of time. It doesn't flinch away from pain, from science, from the awful things that happen, that people think and say, but also gives some hope and joy in what humans will still always strive to maintain and build.
Excellent dystopia, hard to read at times but too close to reality to be anything but.
A well-read audiobook and loses nothing in the telling from the medium.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
It still feels so recent, COVID. It hit hard, all over again, reading this - but worse. Set in a near future 25 years from now, there's another global pandemic. This time other countries have gone quiet, the virus hits children harder than adults, it can act instantly or take its time. The British PM is implementing a programme to evacuate children to 'summer camps', away from the cities and to be cared for temporarily until normality is restored. Though her loyal press secretary can't quite believe the speeches she's giving about this and takes action herself to help the children who aren't getting to the trains.
One child, Maia, makes it to the trains and away from her family and home in London, to be raised by educators and amongst other children in a camp far away, with little to tell them of what's going on in the wider world and if it's safe. As time passes, and these children grow up, it's going to come to a head in these groups, they'll want information, news on their families, to know if the virus is gone... and what world is left.
Fascinating look at a post-viral world, what would happen within individuals, couples, friendship groups, families, and society at large. There are some very likeable characters and some you really quite like to loathe.
There were plenty of moments I cried, felt empathy, saw myself and my loved ones trying to cope under these circumstances, and often so so glad I could close the pages and know it wasn't true, it's not happening. At least not today.
The early scenes of city dwellers locked in, venturing out for supplies, a country in panic and people dropping like flies was too, too tragic and realistic. I was almost glad when the story moved on from these scenes for some respite.
This reminded me of Day of the Triffids in some regards, the information about humanity coping with so much change and what would be needed to rebuild, how human relationships are affected over a longer period of time. It doesn't flinch away from pain, from science, from the awful things that happen, that people think and say, but also gives some hope and joy in what humans will still always strive to maintain and build.
Excellent dystopia, hard to read at times but too close to reality to be anything but.
A well-read audiobook and loses nothing in the telling from the medium.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
May 16, 2025
I'm not usually a fan of dystopian speculative fiction but wow this book might just have changed my mind. Once I started listening I didn't want to stop and finished it in two sessions. The book is very well written and the storyline is compelling Thinking back to 2020 I couldn't help wondering 'What if ....'. This book broke my heart so many times às I became totally drawn into Maia's life. The detail and descriptions of the world 10 years on from the pandemic are so realistic and I could really imagine the desolation and horror. This is a book that will stay with me because along with the heartbreak there is also hope.
The narrator, Amy Noble, brought the book to life.
The narrator, Amy Noble, brought the book to life.
May 12, 2025
Received a beautiful hardback copy today and decided to read the first couple of chapters and was drawn in to the story and couldn’t put it down. Gripping story.
June 13, 2025
It’s kind of weird to read a pandemic novel after 2020 and all that year brought. In some ways it’s still so fresh in the memory, and so traumatic, you don’t want to relive it. It would even be cathartic, I suppose, if COVID wasn’t still so very much with us, and still killing people. Nevertheless—we love to read about disasters, right?
We are thrust directly into the action as readers—in media res: there’s a spreading virus, parts of the world are already incommunicado, and we meet the British PM’s press secretary, and sometime lover, Marianne, as London falls. Marianne is also suddenly and without planning to be, part of an underground movement to save children by sending them out to the countryside (reminiscent of the Blitz, and WWII); in the process, she saves Maia, who is the main character for the rest of the novel.
We watch Maia grow up in an evacuation camp on a remote farm, and learn about all the ways the community finds to survive. But eventually, after many years, the question becomes inescapable: did anyone else make it? Is there life outside the camp?
There’s so much that’s lovely about this novel, and the beginning is truly thrilling. But then… The middle does drag and lose its way a bit. (It could probably do without roughly 75 pages of the narrative.) I felt another thrill near the end, so things did pick up—enough for me to give *The Tomorrow Project* a high rating.
There are so many end of the world stories; what sets this one apart? Well, the protagonist for one: she grows up with no real knowledge of the old world except the tiniest memory of her mother, that’s the thing that eventually drives her to leave the camp. Another thing is how much thought Critchlow put into imagining how a group of people might survive in isolation—made more real, of course, now, by COVID. I also enjoyed the post-apocalyptic parts of the novel: there are no easy or pat answers, which is as it should be. There’s cooperation, but also conflict between the survivors, which is also realistic.
I think a lot more thought went into writing the female characters than the males; one male in particular came across as creepy *throughout* the novel, but that seemed to peter out at the end….? for reasons unclear. My favourite character is a mother figure—a teacher who takes Maia under her wing; I thought she was the most well-written side character.
So, themes? Post-Apocalypse. Like I’ve said already, how humans survive, cooperate, and fight each other. The enduring bond between a daughter and her mother, and how a very similar bond can be made between women and children who are not their own. Oh, and governmental ineptitude and corruption, undoubtedly still at the forefront of everyone’s mind after 2020. Finally, coming-of-age in a time of chaos.
Really very decently executed, and a very good read. Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for DRC access.
We are thrust directly into the action as readers—in media res: there’s a spreading virus, parts of the world are already incommunicado, and we meet the British PM’s press secretary, and sometime lover, Marianne, as London falls. Marianne is also suddenly and without planning to be, part of an underground movement to save children by sending them out to the countryside (reminiscent of the Blitz, and WWII); in the process, she saves Maia, who is the main character for the rest of the novel.
We watch Maia grow up in an evacuation camp on a remote farm, and learn about all the ways the community finds to survive. But eventually, after many years, the question becomes inescapable: did anyone else make it? Is there life outside the camp?
There’s so much that’s lovely about this novel, and the beginning is truly thrilling. But then… The middle does drag and lose its way a bit. (It could probably do without roughly 75 pages of the narrative.) I felt another thrill near the end, so things did pick up—enough for me to give *The Tomorrow Project* a high rating.
There are so many end of the world stories; what sets this one apart? Well, the protagonist for one: she grows up with no real knowledge of the old world except the tiniest memory of her mother, that’s the thing that eventually drives her to leave the camp. Another thing is how much thought Critchlow put into imagining how a group of people might survive in isolation—made more real, of course, now, by COVID. I also enjoyed the post-apocalyptic parts of the novel: there are no easy or pat answers, which is as it should be. There’s cooperation, but also conflict between the survivors, which is also realistic.
I think a lot more thought went into writing the female characters than the males; one male in particular came across as creepy *throughout* the novel, but that seemed to peter out at the end….? for reasons unclear. My favourite character is a mother figure—a teacher who takes Maia under her wing; I thought she was the most well-written side character.
So, themes? Post-Apocalypse. Like I’ve said already, how humans survive, cooperate, and fight each other. The enduring bond between a daughter and her mother, and how a very similar bond can be made between women and children who are not their own. Oh, and governmental ineptitude and corruption, undoubtedly still at the forefront of everyone’s mind after 2020. Finally, coming-of-age in a time of chaos.
Really very decently executed, and a very good read. Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for DRC access.
May 24, 2025
I read this author before and loved her crime fiction, so I was excited and curious to read her dystopian book, which is also one of my favourite sub-genres. Well, I got more than I expected and this confirmed my love for this author.
I listened to the audiobook excellently narrated by Amy Noble!
There is a lot in this book, and to me it felt like an odyssey, but for the whole of humanity. The world as we know it is crumbling away due to a pandemic and as always, greed and the thirst for power are what ensures our complete downfall. But, Marianne in a last attempt at redeeming her soul, manages unknowingly to provide a lifeline for all of us.
I found the whole story very engaging and credible, with so many emotions, so much so that some of the scenes were very difficult. As the story evolves with the characters, the themes also keep evolving, with some being the survival of the fittest, not just in the Darwinian sense, how humanity shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past, and therefore pass the torch to the new generation that has grown up in the new world and can live by the new rules.
As in the author’s style, the writing is very intimate and authentic, with beautiful dialogues. I hope this story becomes a film, because it would be great!
Thanks NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.
I listened to the audiobook excellently narrated by Amy Noble!
There is a lot in this book, and to me it felt like an odyssey, but for the whole of humanity. The world as we know it is crumbling away due to a pandemic and as always, greed and the thirst for power are what ensures our complete downfall. But, Marianne in a last attempt at redeeming her soul, manages unknowingly to provide a lifeline for all of us.
I found the whole story very engaging and credible, with so many emotions, so much so that some of the scenes were very difficult. As the story evolves with the characters, the themes also keep evolving, with some being the survival of the fittest, not just in the Darwinian sense, how humanity shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past, and therefore pass the torch to the new generation that has grown up in the new world and can live by the new rules.
As in the author’s style, the writing is very intimate and authentic, with beautiful dialogues. I hope this story becomes a film, because it would be great!
Thanks NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.
May 19, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5. A dark, disturbing, yet ultimately hopeful story of a deadly virus wiping out the majority of civilisation and how those who remain try to survive. And there’s a lying government (no surprises there), a failed vaccine, and a programme to only save the rich people’s children mixed in. Ooh I hope nothing like this ever remotely comes true but having lived through Covid, it hits pretty close to our darkest fears for the future and how people might behave in such circumstances.
Incredible characters who you buy into immediately and its heart-pulling throughout is intense. A fabulous read. It’s not Station Eleven which for me is unsurpassable in this genre but it’s not far off.
Incredible characters who you buy into immediately and its heart-pulling throughout is intense. A fabulous read. It’s not Station Eleven which for me is unsurpassable in this genre but it’s not far off.
June 13, 2025
An epidemic rips through the world and in London children are sent to a camp in the country to protect them. This is a story of survival and hope. The beginning and the end were especially good but the middle dragged on a bit.
June 25, 2025
I am not a huge fan of science fiction having said that I have this year read two end of the world novels, this being the second.Thank you Covid for the infinite possibilities you have given writers,I suppose.
I found this book very compelling, the what if scenario disturbingly believable.
The post apocalyptic survivors story both dramatic an not a zombie in sight, a nice surprise.
The characters and their stories believable and the story itself.
I really enjoyed this book.
(which given its subject may be a little concerning!LOL)
I found this book very compelling, the what if scenario disturbingly believable.
The post apocalyptic survivors story both dramatic an not a zombie in sight, a nice surprise.
The characters and their stories believable and the story itself.
I really enjoyed this book.
(which given its subject may be a little concerning!LOL)
May 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Tomorrow Project was heart wrenching and disturbing in the ways you’d want from a story set in the future during a global pandemic that devastates all infected.
The structure of the story is so well done, starting at one kind of ending, the world as we know it, and continuing giving us some context to just before that point before jumping to the future and a new kind of beginning. The main characters of focus at different points are Marianne, the press secretary to the Prime Minister, who we follow as she discovers the pandemic has reached England’s shores, a vaccine isn’t ready, and that the message she has been repeating to parents that all children are entered into a lottery to seek refuge for the summer from the virus isn’t quite true. From there, while we see other characters grapple with the end, we meet Maia, a young girl who grows up in one of these camps.
The setting and events are well rendered and this all feels a little too close for comfort, but the story and writing are so compelling that you don’t really have the option of putting this down. There are many lessons here and H Critchlow makes sure that they resonate.
The Tomorrow Project was heart wrenching and disturbing in the ways you’d want from a story set in the future during a global pandemic that devastates all infected.
The structure of the story is so well done, starting at one kind of ending, the world as we know it, and continuing giving us some context to just before that point before jumping to the future and a new kind of beginning. The main characters of focus at different points are Marianne, the press secretary to the Prime Minister, who we follow as she discovers the pandemic has reached England’s shores, a vaccine isn’t ready, and that the message she has been repeating to parents that all children are entered into a lottery to seek refuge for the summer from the virus isn’t quite true. From there, while we see other characters grapple with the end, we meet Maia, a young girl who grows up in one of these camps.
The setting and events are well rendered and this all feels a little too close for comfort, but the story and writing are so compelling that you don’t really have the option of putting this down. There are many lessons here and H Critchlow makes sure that they resonate.
June 21, 2025
I read this in a couple of hours. Really enjoyed it.
April 23, 2025
A masterfully written, gripping and totally compelling speculative dystopian story, I loved it!
As a deadly virus rips across the world, the Prime Minister's press secretary is desperately trying to help as many children as possible escape London for safety in countryside camps, at the expense of fleeing with her own young family. There were WWII evacuation combined with covid vibes, while the government, as usual, put themselves first and foremost.
Maia is a young girl who is hiding away with her parents, in their small flat, hoping to stay safe. She is the last child that Marianne is able to help and her story across the years was utterly captivating.
The character development was excellent, I felt so drawn to them all and could really feel their emotional angst, their loss, their hopes and their dreams. I listened to the audiobook and Amy Noble did a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life so realistically.
Superb.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, H Critchlow and Bolinda for an ARC in return for an honest review.
As a deadly virus rips across the world, the Prime Minister's press secretary is desperately trying to help as many children as possible escape London for safety in countryside camps, at the expense of fleeing with her own young family. There were WWII evacuation combined with covid vibes, while the government, as usual, put themselves first and foremost.
Maia is a young girl who is hiding away with her parents, in their small flat, hoping to stay safe. She is the last child that Marianne is able to help and her story across the years was utterly captivating.
The character development was excellent, I felt so drawn to them all and could really feel their emotional angst, their loss, their hopes and their dreams. I listened to the audiobook and Amy Noble did a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life so realistically.
Superb.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, H Critchlow and Bolinda for an ARC in return for an honest review.
May 3, 2025
Wow!
Beautifully written, it was heartbreaking and yet hopeful. I devoured it with tears streaming down my face.
I have rarely had a jump scare from a book, but I was so absorbed that my husband wondered what was going on.
I won’t give you any spoilers but this dystopian novel will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you for NetGalley and Canelo for the copy to review. I will be buying a copy with beautiful spredges to reread…
Beautifully written, it was heartbreaking and yet hopeful. I devoured it with tears streaming down my face.
I have rarely had a jump scare from a book, but I was so absorbed that my husband wondered what was going on.
I won’t give you any spoilers but this dystopian novel will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you for NetGalley and Canelo for the copy to review. I will be buying a copy with beautiful spredges to reread…
May 30, 2025
Reading club read [EOTWRC]: When a mysterious disease starts wiping out humans across the globe the UK Prime Minister takes drastic measures to ensure there will be some survivors.
I flew through this dark and disturbing read, enjoying the characters and believable relationships. Although Critchlow started writing pre-COVID19, it is hard not to see similarities, to feel this is where we could have ended up. But even in the depths of this nightmare future there lives a little hope.
This first edition hardback, with it's neon sprayed edges and some pages not quite cut, is a thing of beauty - both a joy to read and hold.
I flew through this dark and disturbing read, enjoying the characters and believable relationships. Although Critchlow started writing pre-COVID19, it is hard not to see similarities, to feel this is where we could have ended up. But even in the depths of this nightmare future there lives a little hope.
This first edition hardback, with it's neon sprayed edges and some pages not quite cut, is a thing of beauty - both a joy to read and hold.
June 3, 2025
Please, H Critchlow, write this book from Marianne's perspective! I was so disappointed that the story wasn't split 50/50 between her and Maia. Honestly, I feel robbed of what I know would have been an amazing book, not just an "okej" one.
May 24, 2025
what an amazing book, it’s set in the future but is there a future?
it’s a scary thought of what could change in an instant and of course life did with covid for most of us and it’s hard not to draw comparisons.
a well written story that i have already recommended
it’s a scary thought of what could change in an instant and of course life did with covid for most of us and it’s hard not to draw comparisons.
a well written story that i have already recommended
May 30, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley, Bolinda Audio and H Critchlow for the advanced copy of the Audiobook.
Wow, what a stunning story! I’ve been captivated by dystopian novel lately, and this one was truly fascinating. The journey from beginning to end was unexpected. I initially thought it would be more politically driven and wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it. However, it evolved into a powerful tale of survival, grief, growth, and love. I absolutely loved it and would rate it 4.5/5.
It reminded me of The Walking Dead (without the zombies) and The 5th Wave (without the aliens), creating a gripping, immersive atmosphere.
As for the narration, while I found the pacing a bit slow at the beginning and noticed some inconsistencies in volume, it significantly improved around the 25% mark and remained consistent afterward. I would rate the narration 4/5.
Congratulations on such a beautiful book and I can see it being incredibly successful!
Wow, what a stunning story! I’ve been captivated by dystopian novel lately, and this one was truly fascinating. The journey from beginning to end was unexpected. I initially thought it would be more politically driven and wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it. However, it evolved into a powerful tale of survival, grief, growth, and love. I absolutely loved it and would rate it 4.5/5.
It reminded me of The Walking Dead (without the zombies) and The 5th Wave (without the aliens), creating a gripping, immersive atmosphere.
As for the narration, while I found the pacing a bit slow at the beginning and noticed some inconsistencies in volume, it significantly improved around the 25% mark and remained consistent afterward. I would rate the narration 4/5.
Congratulations on such a beautiful book and I can see it being incredibly successful!
February 12, 2025
Beautiful, yet heartbreaking story of loss, grief, hope and humanity. Gave me Auschwitz/ War vibes with children being evacuated and a Worldwide virus similar to Coronavirus. A Parliament that took care of their own, no thought to anyone else.
When the end comes, what will you wish you’d done?
In 2050s London, fear grips like a vice as a deadly virus sweeps the globe. The British prime minister tells her people to remain calm. A vaccine will be available soon, and as a precautionary measure children will be whisked away to undisclosed locations, kept safe until the storm passes.
Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, doesn’t realise the futility until it is far, far too late. When the truth hits her, Marianne is forced to choose: stay with her family, or do whatever she can to help the doomed survive.
As London falls, seven-year-old Maia is one of the last to escape the city. In an evacuation camp, she binds herself to Finn: in the absence of everything she knew, he becomes her everything.
Yet as the years roll on and hope fades, Maia sees the bubble of safety is also a prison. She realises there is only one choice: to leave the camp and find what remains on the outside.
A compelling and unforgettable tale of humanity, resilience and the lengths we will go to for love.
Thank you to Canelo for an early arc for an honest review
When the end comes, what will you wish you’d done?
In 2050s London, fear grips like a vice as a deadly virus sweeps the globe. The British prime minister tells her people to remain calm. A vaccine will be available soon, and as a precautionary measure children will be whisked away to undisclosed locations, kept safe until the storm passes.
Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, doesn’t realise the futility until it is far, far too late. When the truth hits her, Marianne is forced to choose: stay with her family, or do whatever she can to help the doomed survive.
As London falls, seven-year-old Maia is one of the last to escape the city. In an evacuation camp, she binds herself to Finn: in the absence of everything she knew, he becomes her everything.
Yet as the years roll on and hope fades, Maia sees the bubble of safety is also a prison. She realises there is only one choice: to leave the camp and find what remains on the outside.
A compelling and unforgettable tale of humanity, resilience and the lengths we will go to for love.
Thank you to Canelo for an early arc for an honest review
September 29, 2025
3.8 in the 2050’s, a deadly virus sweeps the globe. In London, children are sent away to secure locations to protect them. 7 year old Maia is one of the last to escape. At 18 she wants to return to London and see what remains. Somehow the group finds her apartment building in London, her flat looks the same, and the woman who rescued her is still alive - too unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
DNF. I can’t do another pandemic story.
April 20, 2025
The Tomorrow Project is a gripping and emotionally resonant listen. The narration is excellent – shifting seamlessly between characters of all ages and backgrounds, bringing the story vividly to life. I was immediately drawn into the panic and uncertainty of the pandemic’s early days, and deeply moved by Maia’s journey through isolation, loss, and ultimately hope. Her bond with Finn and the tentative rebuilding of family in a changed world were particularly powerful.
I won’t give any spoilers, but the preview of the next book left me eager for more. A must-listen for fans of Station Eleven and The Last of Us.
I won’t give any spoilers, but the preview of the next book left me eager for more. A must-listen for fans of Station Eleven and The Last of Us.
April 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC!
This story has terrific writing and world building. It was also the saddest book I've read this year, and maybe ever. I think I cried the entire way through the first third of the book. I ALMOST gave up on it, but I'm so glad I pushed through - Critchlow does some really interesting things with her dystopia. The twists near the end were so good and well done. I did feel like there were a couple of avenues that merited further exploration (I'm looking at you, Bart).
But I think this was a brilliant exploration of what the end of the world might look like and feel like. And the writing really absorbed me.
This story has terrific writing and world building. It was also the saddest book I've read this year, and maybe ever. I think I cried the entire way through the first third of the book. I ALMOST gave up on it, but I'm so glad I pushed through - Critchlow does some really interesting things with her dystopia. The twists near the end were so good and well done. I did feel like there were a couple of avenues that merited further exploration (I'm looking at you, Bart).
But I think this was a brilliant exploration of what the end of the world might look like and feel like. And the writing really absorbed me.
June 1, 2025
its been a while since I read for my own accord something that I truly enjoyed, and to be honest since I am from europe, something that takes place in this side of the pond sounds so much more credible… this story was one with a taste very bittersweet… how far would a parent go, to save his child live, how much pain would someone endure… if you were a child when that took place, how would that change you in the future… yes this author goes into this deep and profoundly, to be honest since the book was written in the third person, at first I didn’t know if I would like, since it made a barrier between me and all the characters, but in the end it didn’t make a difference… I am glad I had a chance to read/listen this book, Maya, Marieanne and Sophie and even a bit of Georgy will live forever in my heart.
Something I will say positively about this book is that lesbian characters are brought to life being much more than being gay, are brought to life with heart and I love that in here.
I loved the person that was reading the story, while it was only one person reading the story, since it was in the third person it made sense being read only by one person, I caught myself stopping what I was doing to fully listen and immersing myself into the story, yes it was that good…
I highly recommend this book and audiobook to everyone who loves a dystopian story that takes you from present days to far into the future, the world may have died, but the spirit of mankind is more alive than ever. I also loved the descriptions of how the world looked… a bit like the last of us or the walking dead, without the zombies and monsters…
just hear me out… grab a copy for yourself and listen or read the book for yourself, is that good
Something I will say positively about this book is that lesbian characters are brought to life being much more than being gay, are brought to life with heart and I love that in here.
I loved the person that was reading the story, while it was only one person reading the story, since it was in the third person it made sense being read only by one person, I caught myself stopping what I was doing to fully listen and immersing myself into the story, yes it was that good…
I highly recommend this book and audiobook to everyone who loves a dystopian story that takes you from present days to far into the future, the world may have died, but the spirit of mankind is more alive than ever. I also loved the descriptions of how the world looked… a bit like the last of us or the walking dead, without the zombies and monsters…
just hear me out… grab a copy for yourself and listen or read the book for yourself, is that good
September 19, 2025
I can’t remember how I came across this book but I enjoy a dystopian novel (even if there seems to have been a huge influx of them since covid) so I had this on my TBR list for a while. I had never heard of Cal Lovett so I was looking forward to discovering a new author.
Set during a deadly global pandemic, we learn that the Prime Minister of the UK has put together a programme to evacuate children away from densely populated areas to keep them safe. When Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, discovers priority is being given to wealthy families, she does all she can to get more children to safety. This is where we meet Maia who finds herself bound to Finn in one of the evacuation camps she finds herself in. We follow them over the next few years as supplies dwindle and scouts that have been sent out disappear. Maia begins to wonder what lies beyond the boundaries of her camp and sets out to find any glimmer of hope she can in this new world.
I found myself immersed in this book from the beginning. It starts in a panic-inducing, chaotic scenario as the world falls apart and then the second part of the story slows down as our survivors become accustomed to a new way of living, constantly looking out for new ways to survive and become somewhat comfortable with their new lives. The pace of the book was good and I really liked the characters and felt that they were well written; there are some very likeable characters and some that I loathed.
Overall, this was a fascinating look at a post-viral world, what would happen within individuals, couples, friendship groups, families, and society at large. Not the best dystopian book I’ve ever read but there are parts that will stay with me.
Set during a deadly global pandemic, we learn that the Prime Minister of the UK has put together a programme to evacuate children away from densely populated areas to keep them safe. When Marianne, Downing Street press secretary, discovers priority is being given to wealthy families, she does all she can to get more children to safety. This is where we meet Maia who finds herself bound to Finn in one of the evacuation camps she finds herself in. We follow them over the next few years as supplies dwindle and scouts that have been sent out disappear. Maia begins to wonder what lies beyond the boundaries of her camp and sets out to find any glimmer of hope she can in this new world.
I found myself immersed in this book from the beginning. It starts in a panic-inducing, chaotic scenario as the world falls apart and then the second part of the story slows down as our survivors become accustomed to a new way of living, constantly looking out for new ways to survive and become somewhat comfortable with their new lives. The pace of the book was good and I really liked the characters and felt that they were well written; there are some very likeable characters and some that I loathed.
Overall, this was a fascinating look at a post-viral world, what would happen within individuals, couples, friendship groups, families, and society at large. Not the best dystopian book I’ve ever read but there are parts that will stay with me.
May 15, 2025
The Tomorrow Project is a devastating vision of a society pushed to the brink of extinction by a deadly pandemic. From horror, to disassociation and grief, this book takes us deep into a future that could have been when we plunged into the unknown world of Covid.
It begins in London with Marianne, a government employee, and Maia, a child waiting to be evacuated from the horrors of the virus rampaging through London. When Marianne pushes Maia onto the last train to leave, knowing nobody is expecting her, the girl has to assimilate into a group of strangers. But as they create a life in the countryside, surrounded by fences to keep the infected out, they begin a new world, not knowing whether their loved ones have lived or died.
This is a fabulous book with painfully believable characters, who are put through more grief and tragedy than anyone should have to bear. It swept me up from the infection ridden streets of London, to the idyllic camp where they lived off the land, relying only on each other. The relationships are as deep and heart-breaking as the hopes and fears they all face, both in isolation and as they re-enter the outside world.
This book has all the feels. It is beautiful and hopeful, brutal and devastating, an immersion in both the natural world and human nature in the face of extraordinary circumstances. It takes us into a dystopian world, that is frighteningly believable. It’s both a journey into gratitude, and how we inhabit this precious planet. I wholeheartedly recommend it, but suggest you read it when you’re feeling strong!
It begins in London with Marianne, a government employee, and Maia, a child waiting to be evacuated from the horrors of the virus rampaging through London. When Marianne pushes Maia onto the last train to leave, knowing nobody is expecting her, the girl has to assimilate into a group of strangers. But as they create a life in the countryside, surrounded by fences to keep the infected out, they begin a new world, not knowing whether their loved ones have lived or died.
This is a fabulous book with painfully believable characters, who are put through more grief and tragedy than anyone should have to bear. It swept me up from the infection ridden streets of London, to the idyllic camp where they lived off the land, relying only on each other. The relationships are as deep and heart-breaking as the hopes and fears they all face, both in isolation and as they re-enter the outside world.
This book has all the feels. It is beautiful and hopeful, brutal and devastating, an immersion in both the natural world and human nature in the face of extraordinary circumstances. It takes us into a dystopian world, that is frighteningly believable. It’s both a journey into gratitude, and how we inhabit this precious planet. I wholeheartedly recommend it, but suggest you read it when you’re feeling strong!
May 14, 2025
Best novel about the downfall of human civilization I’ve read in a very long time
Thank you, Canelo and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project.
Is there anything I don’t like about H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project? Hell no!
All characters were so vivid: main characters Marianne and Maia, and side characters.
Fast paced but never rushed. Many twists that I didn’t see coming. This is the best novel about the downfall of human civilization I’ve read in a very long time.
Accessible dystopia that doesn’t resort to a shoot-’em-up ruckus, but concentrates on the human story. Reminding me of classics like The Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, but of this day and age. Maia and Marianne will stay with you long after you finished this novel.
I dearly hope H Critchlow will write more science fiction novels, she’s bloody good at it.
5 stars (6in my own system) for H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project and on my ‘Want to read again’ stack. And I pre-ordered a hard copy.
Thank you, Canelo and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project.
Is there anything I don’t like about H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project? Hell no!
All characters were so vivid: main characters Marianne and Maia, and side characters.
Fast paced but never rushed. Many twists that I didn’t see coming. This is the best novel about the downfall of human civilization I’ve read in a very long time.
Accessible dystopia that doesn’t resort to a shoot-’em-up ruckus, but concentrates on the human story. Reminding me of classics like The Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, but of this day and age. Maia and Marianne will stay with you long after you finished this novel.
I dearly hope H Critchlow will write more science fiction novels, she’s bloody good at it.
5 stars (6in my own system) for H Critchlow’s, The Tomorrow Project and on my ‘Want to read again’ stack. And I pre-ordered a hard copy.
dnf
November 12, 2025i found the beginning very interesting (and slightly horrifying) with the viral apocalypse unfolding in real time with the government being both shady and incompetent (sound familiar? lmao). and then it became a different book entirely and it was the POV of a 7 year old for really a long time, and i just never get on with that. it always feels clunky and "big words" don't sound right cause it's an adult novel and you're in the head of a literal child. a 7 year old would not know what a rivulet is. i wanted more of marianne / georgie / helen but instead it was the day to day of a fairly uninteresting isolated camp of mostly children. and then there's a time skip and it's ten years later and 18 year old maia leaves the camp to go back to london and try and find her mum but it'd lost me by then and i didn't really care anymore.
none of this is any sort of spoilers either because for some reason the end of the blurb is at the point where maia leaves the camp and that's like 70% of the way through the book!! i don't generally read blurbs and usually like to go in blind for optimal impact but i read it once i'd started to lose interest to see if it might be worth carrying on and couldn't believe it. it's like when trailers show you just about the entire film. is this usual for blurbs?? i don't feel like it is. anyway this was disappointing
none of this is any sort of spoilers either because for some reason the end of the blurb is at the point where maia leaves the camp and that's like 70% of the way through the book!! i don't generally read blurbs and usually like to go in blind for optimal impact but i read it once i'd started to lose interest to see if it might be worth carrying on and couldn't believe it. it's like when trailers show you just about the entire film. is this usual for blurbs?? i don't feel like it is. anyway this was disappointing
May 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for this eCopy to review
As I read The Tomorrow Project I found myself immersed in a chillingly plausible future. Set in the 2050s, the story unfolds in a world where a deadly virus has reshaped society. The narrative alternates between two compelling perspectives: Marianne, a government press secretary who uncovers the devastating truth behind the official response to the pandemic, and Maia, a young girl navigating life in an evacuation camp.
Marianne's journey is one of heartbreak and redemption. Her realisation of the system's flaws forces her to make impossible choices, sacrificing her own safety to help others. Meanwhile, Maia's story is a poignant exploration of resilience and hope. As she grows up in the camp, she begins to question the safety of her confined world and yearns to discover what lies beyond.
The novel's strength lies in its emotional depth and vivid world-building. The characters are richly drawn, and their struggles feel achingly real. The pacing is gripping, with moments of tension that kept me on edge.
The Tomorrow Project is a powerful tale of humanity's capacity for both destruction and hope. It left me reflecting on the choices we make in the face of crisis and the resilience of the human spirit.
As I read The Tomorrow Project I found myself immersed in a chillingly plausible future. Set in the 2050s, the story unfolds in a world where a deadly virus has reshaped society. The narrative alternates between two compelling perspectives: Marianne, a government press secretary who uncovers the devastating truth behind the official response to the pandemic, and Maia, a young girl navigating life in an evacuation camp.
Marianne's journey is one of heartbreak and redemption. Her realisation of the system's flaws forces her to make impossible choices, sacrificing her own safety to help others. Meanwhile, Maia's story is a poignant exploration of resilience and hope. As she grows up in the camp, she begins to question the safety of her confined world and yearns to discover what lies beyond.
The novel's strength lies in its emotional depth and vivid world-building. The characters are richly drawn, and their struggles feel achingly real. The pacing is gripping, with moments of tension that kept me on edge.
The Tomorrow Project is a powerful tale of humanity's capacity for both destruction and hope. It left me reflecting on the choices we make in the face of crisis and the resilience of the human spirit.
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