When We Wake

Sixteen-year-old Tegan Oglietti lives in Australia in 2027. On what should be one of the best days of her life, she dies in an accident - only to wake up 100 years later as the first successful cryonic revival in history. Tegan must adapt to life in 2128 Australia, where climate change has transformed the landscape and society. She becomes an unwitting celebrity and spokesperson for a government project while trying to make sense of this strange new world and form connections with the people in it. She soon discovers that her revival is tied to larger forces and agendas beyond her control. Her search for truth about her situation leads her to confront difficult questions about justice, power, and humanity's future. The novel explores themes of identity and belonging against the backdrop of environmental crisis and technological advancement. Through Tegan's perspective, it raises questions about the price of progress and what individuals owe to both past and future generations.

Readers note that the futuristic Australian setting stands out from typical YA dystopian novels. Many appreciate the realistic portrayal of climate change impacts and social issues without being heavy-handed. Readers liked: - The representation of LGBTQ+ characters and interracial relationships - Fast-paced plot that maintains tension - Scientific concepts explained clearly - Strong female protagonist who questions authority Common criticisms: - Romance feels rushed and underdeveloped - Some found the political messages too overt - Middle section pacing drags - Supporting characters need more depth Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (45 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (50 ratings) One frequent reader comment notes "the sci-fi elements feel plausible rather than far-fetched." Several reviews mention the book works well as a standalone despite being part of a series.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro A group of students uncover the truth about their lives in a world where human clones are created for organ harvesting.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis A teenage girl emerges from cryogenic sleep aboard a generation ship to find a society controlled through manipulation and lies.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman In a future where troublesome teenagers can be "unwound" and their body parts harvested for transplants, three teens fight to survive.

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer A young clone discovers his purpose in a world where drug lords use clones for organ transplants and must escape his predetermined fate.

Feed by M. T. Anderson A teenager questions his society after a hacking attack damages his neural feed in a world where consumers are controlled through brain-implant technology.

🌟 Author Karen Healey wrote When We Wake while living in Australia as a New Zealand expatriate, infusing authentic details of both cultures into the story. 🌟 The cryogenic preservation concept in the book was inspired by real scientific developments, including the Alcor Life Extension Foundation's ongoing research into human cryopreservation. 🌟 The novel's protagonist, Tegan Oglietti, is named after one half of the musical duo Tegan and Sara, reflecting the author's love of indie music. 🌟 When We Wake was shortlisted for the 2014 Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. 🌟 The book addresses climate change impacts in Australia, many of which (like severe water restrictions and refugee crises) have become increasingly relevant since its 2013 publication.