The Commons

In the futuristic world of The Commons by Rebecca Ihim, being average is the only way to stay alive. In the 22nd century, society prizes conformity above all else, and any sign of unique intelligence is considered a death sentence.

The story follows eighteen-year-old prodigy Shantavia, a girl far too brilliant for her own safety. When her sister mysteriously vanishes from an elite, high-tech college that controls the world, Shantavia must hide her genius and enroll to find her. To survive, she has to pass six brutal, life-threatening tests designed to weed out the "uncommon."

While navigating these deadly zones, she encounters Pesh, a powerful and intimidating Patron. Shantavia is forced to play a dangerous game of deception, unsure if Pesh is an ally or a predator. Surrounded by secrets and betrayal, she must decide who to trust and how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice. If she fails to blend in, she won’t just lose her sister—she’ll be "eliminated" by a system that sees her mind as a weapon.