|
One
Eve Smith
A powerful, prescient speculative thriller: a woman’s job of enforcing climate-emergency Britain’s one-child policy is compromised when she discovers a personal link to an illegal sibling on the Ministry hit-list, leading to a shocking discovery that changes everything…
One law. One child. Seven million crimes…
A cataclysmic climate emergency has spawned a one-child policy in the UK, ruthlessly enforced by a totalitarian regime. Compulsory abortion of ‘excess’ pregnancies and mandatory contraceptive implants are now the norm, and families must adhere to strict consumption quotas as the world descends into chaos.
Kai is a 25-year-old ‘baby reaper’, working for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning. If any of her assigned families attempt to exceed their child quota, she ensures they pay the price.
Until, one morning, she discovers that an illegal sibling on her Ministry hit-list is hers. To protect her parents from severe penalties, she must secretly investigate before anyone else finds out.
Kai’s hunt for her forbidden sister unearths much more than a dark family secret. As she stumbles across a series of heinous crimes perpetrated by the people she trusted most, she makes a catastrophic discovery that could bring down the government … and tear her family apart.
One law. One child. Seven million crimes…
A cataclysmic climate emergency has spawned a one-child policy in the UK, ruthlessly enforced by a totalitarian regime. Compulsory abortion of ‘excess’ pregnancies and mandatory contraceptive implants are now the norm, and families must adhere to strict consumption quotas as the world descends into chaos.
Kai is a 25-year-old ‘baby reaper’, working for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning. If any of her assigned families attempt to exceed their child quota, she ensures they pay the price.
Until, one morning, she discovers that an illegal sibling on her Ministry hit-list is hers. To protect her parents from severe penalties, she must secretly investigate before anyone else finds out.
Kai’s hunt for her forbidden sister unearths much more than a dark family secret. As she stumbles across a series of heinous crimes perpetrated by the people she trusted most, she makes a catastrophic discovery that could bring down the government … and tear her family apart.
GENRE
Speculative; Dystopian; Crime
UK PUBLICATION
July 2023
Speculative; Dystopian; Crime
UK PUBLICATION
July 2023
Praise
"ONE is a chillingly-plausible tale of societal corruption and control, written with a brilliantly-realised world, great pacing and a storyline that is both thrilling and deeply moving. Thought-provoking, moving and gripping, ONE proves Smith a top author in the speculative thriller genre."
Philippa East
"With One, Eve Smith has created a terrifyingly plausible vision of the future. This is a page-turning thriller which raises troubling issues about the balance between saving the planet and our individual human rights. A brilliant piece of speculative fiction!"
Guy Morpuss
"A gripping and pacy thriller set in an all too plausible and terrifying future. I loved the evolving relationship between Kai and Senka. We must meet them again. Loved this. Lots of meaty themes, but at its centre is a great thriller that makes you want to turn the pages."
David Beckler
"A chilling, poignant novel that holds a mirror up to our world, ONE is a story about personal responsibility, bodily autonomy, and sisterhood, just when we need it most, Sensational."
Vikki Patis
"Another belter from the breathtaking imagination of Eve Smith. Meticulously crafted, no detail is overlooked, producing a thriller so authentic it doesn’t feel speculative at all. Just terrifyingly real and viscerally affecting. Bravo."
Sarah Sultoon
"An absolute rollercoaster ride of a novel. Emotive, propulsive and compelling, it had me holding my breath until I was blue in the face. If there's one book you'll read in 2023, make sure it's this one! Eve Smith is a visionary storyteller."
Awais Khan
"Finished this brilliant thriller from Eve Smith last night and am in awe of her talents. She’s done it again with ONE. Another prescient tale that will keep you up reading long after the rest of the world has fallen silent."
Suzy Aspley
"Sharp perception and intense images shine out of every page. Eve Smith is a master storyteller for our troubled times."
Simon Conway
Philippa East
"With One, Eve Smith has created a terrifyingly plausible vision of the future. This is a page-turning thriller which raises troubling issues about the balance between saving the planet and our individual human rights. A brilliant piece of speculative fiction!"
Guy Morpuss
"A gripping and pacy thriller set in an all too plausible and terrifying future. I loved the evolving relationship between Kai and Senka. We must meet them again. Loved this. Lots of meaty themes, but at its centre is a great thriller that makes you want to turn the pages."
David Beckler
"A chilling, poignant novel that holds a mirror up to our world, ONE is a story about personal responsibility, bodily autonomy, and sisterhood, just when we need it most, Sensational."
Vikki Patis
"Another belter from the breathtaking imagination of Eve Smith. Meticulously crafted, no detail is overlooked, producing a thriller so authentic it doesn’t feel speculative at all. Just terrifyingly real and viscerally affecting. Bravo."
Sarah Sultoon
"An absolute rollercoaster ride of a novel. Emotive, propulsive and compelling, it had me holding my breath until I was blue in the face. If there's one book you'll read in 2023, make sure it's this one! Eve Smith is a visionary storyteller."
Awais Khan
"Finished this brilliant thriller from Eve Smith last night and am in awe of her talents. She’s done it again with ONE. Another prescient tale that will keep you up reading long after the rest of the world has fallen silent."
Suzy Aspley
"Sharp perception and intense images shine out of every page. Eve Smith is a master storyteller for our troubled times."
Simon Conway
Also by Eve Smith
|
|
Rights Sales for ONE
World English Language: Orenda Books