In a city where rain is rebellion and virtual reality is life, a teacher’s connection with a lost girl sparks hope in a world of shadows.
In 2100 Dreams by Peter Pietri, readers are thrust into the shimmering yet grim world of Light’s Hope, a futuristic city where holograms light the skyline, robots have funerals, and the weather is literally voted on. But don’t let the tech dazzle fool you—this novel isn’t just about gadgets. It’s about people, the messy, hopeful, broken humans navigating a world that feels both impossibly advanced and hauntingly familiar.
Our guide through this maze of neon and nuance is Alianii U843, a fiercely empathetic special education teacher born of an artificial womb (an “egg,” as society so kindly labels her). Alianii works in the Everse, a sprawling virtual reality platform where she mentors children with “exceptionalities.” Enter Amanda, a 10-year-old girl who’s locked herself in a digital representation of her real-life struggles—dirt-streaked clothes, a battered apartment, and piercing green eyes that speak volumes.
What starts as a professional assignment turns into an emotional odyssey. Alianii uses her humor, creativity, and unrelenting compassion to connect with Amanda. She slowly peeling back the layers of a girl whose friends have all died, most by suicide. The story weaves their journey together, set against the backdrop of a society cracking under the weight of inequality, AI governance, and human despair.
There’s a lot that makes 2100 Dreams shine. The imaginative world-building is truly stunning for a starter. What really captivated me, however, was the way Pietri blends speculative fiction with raw emotional storytelling. This isn’t your typical dystopian “fight-the-system” novel; it’s a quiet exploration of healing, identity, and the delicate balance between autonomy and connection. Alianii is a beautifully flawed protagonist—gritty yet nurturing, struggling with her own bipolar disorder while helping others find hope.
The pacing can meander, especially with the introspective tone, and some of the techno-jargon might feel dense if you’re not used to it. But stick with it—this is a story that rewards patience with moments of breathtaking empathy and insight.
If you love the emotional depth of Never Let Me Go mixed with the cyberpunk vibes of Ready Player One, this is for you. Fans of speculative fiction, dystopian worlds, or deeply human stories with a psychological twist will feel right at home. 2100 Dreams is perfect for readers who crave a little more heart in their sci-fi or those who believe in the transformative power of connection—even in the darkest times.
Thanks to Reedsy for providing me with the ARC of this novel.
Read more of my reviews on Reedsy Discovery.