Snowglobe

By: Soyoung Park, Joungmin Lee Comfort - translator

Narrated by: Shannon Tyo, Greta Jung, Jeena Yi

In a world of constant winter, only the citizens of the climate-controlled city of Snowglobe can escape the bitter cold—but this perfect society is hiding dark and dangerous secrets within its frozen heart. A groundbreaking Korean novel translated into English for the first time!

“The Hunger Games meets Squid Game in Soyoung Park's dystopian thriller Snowglobe” –Entertainment Weekly

Enclosed under a vast dome, Snowglobe is the last place on Earth that’s warm. Outside Snowglobe is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs. Their only solace comes in the form of twenty-four-hour television programming streamed directly from the domed city.

The residents of Snowglobe have everything: fame, fortune, and above all, safety from the desolation outside their walls. In exchange, their lives are broadcast to the less fortunate outside, who watch eagerly, hoping for the chance to one day become actors themselves.

Chobahm lives for the time she spends watching the shows produced inside Snowglobe. Her favorite? Goh Around, starring Goh Haeri, Snowglobe’s biggest star—and, it turns out, the key to getting Chobahm her dream life.

Because Haeri is dead, and Chobahm has been chosen to take her place. Only, life inside Snowglobe is nothing like what you see on television. Reality is a lie, and truth seems to be forever out of reach.

Translated for the first time into English from the original Korean, Snowglobe is a groundbreaking exploration of personal identity, and the future of the world as we know it. It is the winner of the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award.

Critic reviews

“A thrillingly and ingeniously conceived allegory about where we are, and where we’re headed.” —David Yoon, New York Times bestselling author of Frankly in Love

“The Hunger Games meets Squid Game in Soyoung Park's dystopian thriller Snowglobe” – Entertainment Weekly

"Utterly unputdownable, Snowglobe is an out-of-this-world dystopian thrill ride. Soyoung Park has created an addictive, twisty tale perfect for fans looking for the next Squid Game or Parasite.”—Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

“This book completely consumed me! WHAT A RIDE! Snowglobe is an immersive and utterly addictive dark dystopian thriller that takes the reader deep into introspection about what you’d be willing to do, and who you’d be willing to become, to get what you want. With the eerie, desperate, and exhilarating vibes of Snowpiercer and The Hunger Games, it’s one of the BEST young adult sci-fi books out there, full stop.” —Susan Lee, author of Seoulmates

★ "Transporting and unputdownable; an appealing combination of deep and page-turning." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This fast-paced examination of reality television and surveillance....boasts a cast of resourceful and morally gray teens and teems with anticipatory tension reminiscent of The Hunger Games." —Publishers Weekly

"This debut, a dystopian thriller with a reality-TV twist, is perfect for fans of Squid Game or Snowpiercer." —Booklist

"This biting and thought-provoking YA dystopian tale examines the contemporary obsession with fame and luxury." —Shelf Awareness

"Readers will appreciate the rich Korean culture that permeates every part of the book and the well-done character development." —School Library Journal

Hunger Games x Squid Games

3.5⭐

This story was marketed as Hunger Games meets Squid Game, so I was expecting more of the action that those two brought. This is more the socioeconomic status of those two shows/books, where we have people living inside the Snowglobe (think "the Capitol") and those living outside (think the poor districts or the less wealthy who joined Squid Games to earn money for a chance at a better life).

Our main character, Chobahm, is invited into the Snowglobe after a tragic "accident" happens with of of the famous elite...but soon, she finds out that living inside the Snowglobe is not all that it's cracked up to be.

Thank you to NetGalley, Soyoung Park, and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own. I am looking forward to see what's next in the duology in spring 2025!

The Hunger Games Fix I have been needing for years!

I'm about three hours in and I'm completely hooked. This book is written in a great flow that never feels dry, overdone or incomplete. Hopefully, current authors take note of this young literary genius. I do not like spoilers in reviews, but just know the story is amazing and feels like im reading Hunger Games for the very first time!

Suspense, triggering of all types of emotions, and riveting

Loved this book. Hope it will be a movie. This will be a blockbuster, especially if it was directed and acted by Koreans. Kdrama!!!

Best read of the YEAR!!

Everything about this book was perfectly done! It kept me up all night and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I had to put it down. This is my new favorite book!!

Great Post-apocalyptic book!

I couldn't stop listening to this one! I love this book! If you enjoyed Hunger Games this is a great book for you!