As Earth's rotation accelerates due to a revolutionary global travel technology, days shrink and society unravels, forcing Tanner, an Alaskan escapee working for the implicated corporation, and Winnie, a teen activist, onto intersecting paths amid mounting chaos. Exploring themes of corporate greed, environmental collapse, and the search for belonging, the novel blends dark humor and social commentary as its characters confront a world literally spinning out of control.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a near-future world where Earth's rotation is accelerating, the novel follows the intersecting lives of Tanner, a young man from a small Alaskan town, and Winnie, a high school outcast drawn into activism. The acceleration of the planet's spin, initially shortening days by seconds and eventually reducing them to mere hours, is linked to the operations of CWC, a corporation running massive aircraft that enable near-instant global travel. As society faces environmental collapse, political unrest, and existential dread, the narrative alternates between Tanner's first-person perspective and Winnie's third-person viewpoint, with additional interludes from other characters. The plot explores themes of capitalism, technology, environmental crisis, and personal connection, with a backdrop of social upheaval, corporate maneuvering, and apocalyptic anxiety. The story incorporates elements of speculative fiction, LGBT themes, and literary fiction, and is characterized by a blend of humor and bleakness as the world spins toward disaster.

Readers praised the book's worldbuilding, particularly the depiction of a society adapting to rapid technological change and environmental catastrophe. The detailed portrayal of everyday life in a world with shrinking days and the consequences of unchecked corporate power resonated with many. Several reviewers highlighted the character development of Tanner and Winnie, noting their personal struggles and growth amid global chaos. The writing style, described as both beautiful and occasionally humorous, was appreciated for its ability to convey the absurdity and tragedy of the situation. The book's commentary on societal complacency, corporate greed, and the human tendency to carry on despite looming disaster was frequently cited as thought-provoking. Some readers also enjoyed the interconnections between characters and the use of multiple perspectives, as well as the book's ability to evoke emotional responses ranging from stress to laughter.

Criticisms focused on the book's structure and execution, with several readers finding the multiple points of view and shifts between first and third person confusing or difficult to follow. The pacing was described as uneven, with some feeling the plot meandered or lost momentum, especially in the middle or after the main characters' stories converged. Technical aspects of the science behind Earth's acceleration were often unclear or implausible to readers, leading to confusion about the core premise. Some found the language overly complex or dense, requiring frequent use of a dictionary, while others felt the social commentary was heavy-handed or preachy. Characterization was another point of contention, with a number of reviewers struggling to connect emotionally with the cast or finding certain relationships underdeveloped. A few readers marked the book as DNF (did not finish) due to these issues.

The book has received a moderate average rating (3.67 out of 5) from a relatively small pool of readers, with a mix of full reviews and partial feedback. It is positioned as a debut novel and has drawn comparisons to works by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Kim Stanley Robinson, Adam Roberts, Pynchon, and Vonnegut. The narrative incorporates both speculative and literary elements, and its tone alternates between darkly comic and somber. The story addresses contemporary anxieties about technology, environmental risk, and societal inertia, and includes LGBT representation. Some readers noted the book's relevance to current events and its ability to mirror real-world crises, while others commented on its ambitious scope and the challenges of balancing multiple themes and perspectives.