Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

In the haunting landscape of a near-future northern settlement, the novel “Camp Zero” by Michelle Min Sterling presents a chilling yet mesmerizing exploration of survival and identity amidst an unraveling climate. Set against the backdrop of an American building project named Camp Zero, the narrative intertwines the lives of its characters, including Rose, a desperate daughter of a climate-displaced Korean immigrant, and Grant, a college professor looking to escape his opulent but dark family legacy.

Their arrival at Camp Zero is not just a search for safety but a voyage into a web of secrets that shroud the architect of the camp. Each character’s motives intertwine with eerie rumors of a hidden clan of women soldiers at a nearby Cold War-era climate research station, sparking a deeper investigation into their true purpose. What unfolds is not only a quest for survival in a warming world but also a reflective commentary on the intersections of gender, class, and migration.

Published on April 4, 2023, by Atria Books, “Camp Zero” spans 320 pages, captivating readers who crave stories akin to “Station Eleven” and “The Power.” The book has received an average rating of 3.21 based on nearly 20,000 reviews, showcasing its polarizing impact on the audience. Sterling, an emerging voice in speculative fiction, masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on edge while probing profound social themes.

With its haunting prose and intricately drawn characters, “Camp Zero” challenges the boundaries of storytelling in contemporary fiction, marking Michelle Min Sterling’s arrival as a significant new talent in addressing climate change’s moral complexities.