Over

Over by Sean P. Curley is a compelling novel with a prophetic message and a dystopian setting that hints at the divisiveness that is already noticeable in contemporary society. In the future, technology has grown with astonishing inventions. A privileged few, less than 30,000 of the world's population, are known as the Overs, those gifted with immortality. The rest, comprising billions of people, are known as the Unders—they are the poor, ordinary people who are lorded over by the Overs.  The Overs have control of everything — the economy, power, and other privileges, including medicine. Jaames is a rebel leader, an Under based in Denver. Anika is a free-spirited Over and the daughter of Demetrius, a powerful overlord. Anika's attraction for Jaames is forbidden, but can status stop them? Their love spells doom for humanity, but an all-knowing AI might be the only player that will save humanity in a world poised for self-destruction.

Sean P. Curley has crafted an engaging book with an international, vividly drawn setting, exploring a strong existential and class conflict. While this is a dystopian narrative, it presents a conflict that is resonant and in language that is eloquent and bold. The conflict in this book will make readers think about current political landscapes, where the few in power control the wealth of the world while the majority wallow in poverty. Themes of technology, environmental crisis, and love are cleverly written, and it will be interesting for readers to notice that the hope for humanity's future lies in forbidden love. The prose is beautiful, in turn, lyrical and hugely descriptive, and the whole narrative features social commentaries that are not just relevant but compelling and infused with a strong sense of realism. This is a narrative with a timely message for contemporary readers. It is both provocative and entertaining.