Want

Want takes place in near-future Taipei, where extreme pollution has divided society into the privileged few who can afford protective suits and the unprotected masses who suffer health consequences. Jason Zhou and his friends devise a plan to infiltrate the elite class and expose Jin Corp, the company profiting from environmental devastation. The story combines elements of science fiction, heist plots, and romance as Zhou navigates both worlds - the dying city below and the luxurious lifestyle of the privileged above. His mission becomes complicated when he grows closer to Daiyu, the daughter of Jin Corp's CEO. The novel explores class division, environmental collapse, and corporate greed through the lens of Taiwanese culture and society. Its themes of economic inequality and environmental justice remain relevant to current global challenges.

Readers appreciate the near-future Taipei setting, calling it a refreshing departure from typical Western-centric sci-fi. The environmental themes and class divide commentary resonate with many reviewers, who note the relevance to current issues. Reviews highlight the fast-paced action sequences and the realistic portrayal of teenage characters. Several readers praise the Asian representation and cultural details woven throughout the story. Common criticisms focus on the predictable romance subplot and what some call underdeveloped secondary characters. Some readers note the worldbuilding could be more detailed, particularly regarding the technology. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (80+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews readers: 4/5 "The environmental message hits hard without being preachy," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader states, "The action scenes kept me turning pages, but I wanted more depth from the supporting cast."

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🌏 Set in near-future Taipei, the book explores themes of environmental justice and class divide in a world where the wealthy can protect themselves from pollution with special suits. 💫 Author Cindy Pon drew inspiration from her own experiences living in Taipei and her concerns about growing environmental inequality in Asian megacities. 🌆 The book's futuristic Taipei setting features both traditional night markets and advanced technology, creating a unique blend of cultural preservation and innovation. 🔬 The protective suits worn by the wealthy in the story, called "jin-tens," are based on existing air filtration technology and current trends in personal environmental protection. 📚 Want is part of a small but growing genre of young adult cli-fi (climate fiction) that specifically addresses environmental issues in Asian settings.