What people are saying.

  • Review of Advance Reader Copy

    Salt and Ash is an exciting debut in the dystopian genre by indie author Amelia Livermore, offering a bold vision of humanity shaped by divergence rather than collapse.

    One of the novel’s most compelling elements is its take on divergent evolution. Humanity has fractured into three distinct factions: the Prims, or Homo Supreme, who pursue planetary salvation through advanced technology; the Neaders, modern Neanderthals adapted to survive the brutal surface world; and the sapiens, caught in between, doing whatever it takes to endure. This layered worldbuilding feels both imaginative and unsettlingly plausible.

    The story follows Aspen, a sapien, and Liona, a Prim who has never fully belonged among her own people. Their relationship carries echoes of Romeo and Juliet, but Livermore allows her characters agency and resilience, letting them push back against the forces determined to keep them apart.

    Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Salt and Ash is its treatment of neurodivergence. By flipping the cultural lens so that neurodiverse traits are the norm rather than the exception, the novel offers a refreshing and thoughtful perspective rarely seen in dystopian fiction. This choice adds emotional depth and challenges readers to reconsider assumptions about intelligence, adaptation, and belonging.

    Salt and Ash is a rewarding read for fans of dystopian novels and for anyone seeking a story that centers a neurodiverse perspective on survival, identity, and what it truly means to be human.

    -David Boevers
    Author of 'Eleuthera Rising Saga’

  • “I feel deeply connected with Aspen and Liora, I understand their mindsets and character. Ive built an image of them in my mind despite not having them physically described (which I love! It leaves it totally open to interpretation). The world building is spot on, beautifully described with just enough technical detail too. The ethos of Novaris is really tangible/believable, (black mirror -esk) satirical of reality. Can't wait to see what happens next. Feels like the setup for an epic series. I'm in love with this world and feel immersed in it when reading.”

    — Vicky. IP

  • https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBt89NDBNk/

    ARC Review When two people find out the world they’re living in isn’t the right way to be living, they set out to make a better life for themselves. But what they don’t know, is how deep the lie fed to them really runs!

    This story will take you on a journey of character self discovery, eyes being shown what’s real and people coming together to fight for what’s right.

    This was my first dystopian read and Amelia did a great job of explaining the world and those who live there. She described everything for me to paint a picture in my mind of what was happening and once I wrapped my head around her world created I was able to dive in and grasp what was happening.

    I suggest this book for anyone who loves dystopian or is new to the world like I was.
    Kim Drew
    @bookswithadrink