Two Rules, Zero Spoilers
Two Rules for Reading Understory:
1. Start slow and pay attention.
2. Go in completely blind.
Writing a review for Understory is a total exercise in restraint—mostly because giving away even a single plot beat feels like a crime against the reading experience. All you need to know upfront is that those two rules above are non-negotiable.
Stepping into science fiction is brand-new territory for me, but Chloe Benjamin handles the transition with incredible care. The botanical elements are dense and meticulously researched, yet explained so seamlessly that you never feel out of your depth. Themes of grief and motherhood are woven through the narrative so beautifully, adding a rich emotional core to all the science.
The narrative itself is a masterclass in misdirection. Just when you think you’ve mapped out where a character is headed, the story pivots, holding you at the edge before pulling you down a completely different path. I flew through it over a single weekend—driven entirely by a desperate need to see how it all unfolded. It’s thought-provoking, surprisingly funny in places, and deeply sweet. The only reason this landed at a 4-star read instead of a full 5 for me is that I would have loved just a bit more romance woven into the plot. Still, it’s a fantastic read that I’ll be quietly urging everyone to pick up blind!
