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beastreader's review
4.0
E has been tasked by The Man to get Graham to the city. Once in the city, E is to watch over Graham. Things go side ways when Graham gets a taste of POW. A soda drink that is more than just a soda. There are many different flavors but orange is the one that Graham can't get enough of.
The first book I read from this author was The Mentor. I absolutely loved that book. It blew my mind in a great way. I was instantly hooked and wanted to read more books by this author. In fact, I can still remember this book years later. My next book from this author fell down the scale for me to be middle of the road. Yet, I have to say that it is moving in the right direction again with this newest book.
I can't wait to read the sequel Lemonworld. I am sure it will guarantee to be a wild ride like this first book. While, this book may have a take on the dystopian genre; it could actually be reality. The way that our current society is so "social media" focused, it could be easy to see how this story could be reality. "Drink the kool aid" or in other words "Drink Pow".
Most everything you read or see on the internet is not the whole truth but unless you are willing to not "Drink the kool aid", it can be easy to miss the truth.
The first book I read from this author was The Mentor. I absolutely loved that book. It blew my mind in a great way. I was instantly hooked and wanted to read more books by this author. In fact, I can still remember this book years later. My next book from this author fell down the scale for me to be middle of the road. Yet, I have to say that it is moving in the right direction again with this newest book.
I can't wait to read the sequel Lemonworld. I am sure it will guarantee to be a wild ride like this first book. While, this book may have a take on the dystopian genre; it could actually be reality. The way that our current society is so "social media" focused, it could be easy to see how this story could be reality. "Drink the kool aid" or in other words "Drink Pow".
Most everything you read or see on the internet is not the whole truth but unless you are willing to not "Drink the kool aid", it can be easy to miss the truth.
100pagesaday's review
4.0
Graham's life has not been easy. His parents died when he was young, then Graham was placed with an abusive foster parent. Now, Graham has found himself in jail. However, he has been offered a deal to live in The City, hidden away from the outside world, given a job and a home, but bound forever to The City. The City is ruled by The Man, a monstrous figure with many robotic arms. The Man wants Graham to have a job in advertising and eventually becomes a tester for the new Pow! sodas. With one sip of the orange Pow! soda Graham feels intense emotion and addiction. With each new flavor he tries, Graham's emotional world is opened up as well as the reality of The City and the lives of the people imprisoned there.
Orange City is an emotional journey through a dystopian future. The City itself drew me in and is created as a grim reminder of how humanity could end up- constantly monitored, fearing an unseen leader and enslaved by consumerism and drugs. I had so many questions about The City, The Man and the Grand Plan. Graham's story was intriguing as he discovered that he was not just another cog in the wheel. The idea of the Pow! sodas controlling emotions was fascinating as Graham was led down a rabbit hole of emotion and color with each corresponding flavor. The flavors and colors almost seemed to go along with the sins; however, it is only through these sins that Graham realizes the truth behind The City. Orange City ended a little abruptly and a little too easily; however, with Graham's discovery it seems that the power of POW! isn't going to stop at The City.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Orange City is an emotional journey through a dystopian future. The City itself drew me in and is created as a grim reminder of how humanity could end up- constantly monitored, fearing an unseen leader and enslaved by consumerism and drugs. I had so many questions about The City, The Man and the Grand Plan. Graham's story was intriguing as he discovered that he was not just another cog in the wheel. The idea of the Pow! sodas controlling emotions was fascinating as Graham was led down a rabbit hole of emotion and color with each corresponding flavor. The flavors and colors almost seemed to go along with the sins; however, it is only through these sins that Graham realizes the truth behind The City. Orange City ended a little abruptly and a little too easily; however, with Graham's discovery it seems that the power of POW! isn't going to stop at The City.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
aquaphase's review
4.0
** This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review **
It’s been a wee bit since I delved in the world of urban dystopian fare, but Orange City delivers it in spades. Imagine Man in the High Tower (with a Stalin slant) mixed with Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and Max Barry’s Syrup. That’s pretty much what Mr. Goldberg deftly delivers in Orange City.
The basic premise of the book is that there is a huge secret city ruled by “The Man,” a seemingly monstrous oligarch who leads over the corporations and keeps the citizens working and cowering in fear of being cast out into the Empty Zones of the Outside World.
Everyone in the city has a role to play, and that is where our protagonist, Graham Weatherend comes into play. Graham was snatched to the city a decade ago to be put in the position of advertising executive. When his company gets the account for Pow! Sodas, everything starts to change for him: mostly chemically.
Mr. Goldberg finds a very unique voice and builds a terribly frightening world in Orange City, and I just could not get enough of it. The absurdity of this society under the fist of a potential madman combined with a seemingly endless supply of color themed entertainment venues with all of the decadent vices you can imagine really paints a fantastic picture of a “work, play, die” ethos.
This is a city where people go from the top floors of industry to being limblessly cast out onto the streets of the Zones in a matter of hours. A city where there is not even the precept of individual privacy.
I enjoyed Orange City because of the insanity of it. Page after page unveiled new facets of what I can only describe as mild terror. Much like Graham, I can’t wait for the next flavor.
It’s been a wee bit since I delved in the world of urban dystopian fare, but Orange City delivers it in spades. Imagine Man in the High Tower (with a Stalin slant) mixed with Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and Max Barry’s Syrup. That’s pretty much what Mr. Goldberg deftly delivers in Orange City.
The basic premise of the book is that there is a huge secret city ruled by “The Man,” a seemingly monstrous oligarch who leads over the corporations and keeps the citizens working and cowering in fear of being cast out into the Empty Zones of the Outside World.
Everyone in the city has a role to play, and that is where our protagonist, Graham Weatherend comes into play. Graham was snatched to the city a decade ago to be put in the position of advertising executive. When his company gets the account for Pow! Sodas, everything starts to change for him: mostly chemically.
Mr. Goldberg finds a very unique voice and builds a terribly frightening world in Orange City, and I just could not get enough of it. The absurdity of this society under the fist of a potential madman combined with a seemingly endless supply of color themed entertainment venues with all of the decadent vices you can imagine really paints a fantastic picture of a “work, play, die” ethos.
This is a city where people go from the top floors of industry to being limblessly cast out onto the streets of the Zones in a matter of hours. A city where there is not even the precept of individual privacy.
I enjoyed Orange City because of the insanity of it. Page after page unveiled new facets of what I can only describe as mild terror. Much like Graham, I can’t wait for the next flavor.
55_sallymander's review
4.0
Orange City by Lee Matthew Goldberg
Graham Weatherend considers himself a lucky one. He committed a crime and was offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be sent to a secret island where all of the criminals are given a last chance to change their ways and start fresh.
E is a Scout on the island. He has been in Graham's life before, doing as The Man demands. He was a foster father for young Graham who, on The Man's request did everything in his power to beat down the poor boy. The child only wanted and needed love, but he got only pain and agony from E. Now, that Graham is an adult, his life is getting ready to coincide with E's life once again.
The Man is a controller. He owns the island and enslaves everyone on it. Everything they do is for him. He has had some surgeries that have given him spider-like arms, mechanical, yet fleshy. The Man has invented a new way to control his population, to get them to work for him in the ways that he wants.
Graham thinks at first, that he has been given a bonus, to get to be a guinea pig to try out a new beverage Pow! for The Man. He realizes as time goes on, that there is a madness to the different rainbow colors and flavors of the new Pow! There is an addictive quality to the beverage and you can't stop, once you get your first taste.
What can he do? He rebels.
Many thanks to the author Lee Matthew Goldberg for the complimentary copy I was under no obligation to post a review.
Graham Weatherend considers himself a lucky one. He committed a crime and was offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be sent to a secret island where all of the criminals are given a last chance to change their ways and start fresh.
E is a Scout on the island. He has been in Graham's life before, doing as The Man demands. He was a foster father for young Graham who, on The Man's request did everything in his power to beat down the poor boy. The child only wanted and needed love, but he got only pain and agony from E. Now, that Graham is an adult, his life is getting ready to coincide with E's life once again.
The Man is a controller. He owns the island and enslaves everyone on it. Everything they do is for him. He has had some surgeries that have given him spider-like arms, mechanical, yet fleshy. The Man has invented a new way to control his population, to get them to work for him in the ways that he wants.
Graham thinks at first, that he has been given a bonus, to get to be a guinea pig to try out a new beverage Pow! for The Man. He realizes as time goes on, that there is a madness to the different rainbow colors and flavors of the new Pow! There is an addictive quality to the beverage and you can't stop, once you get your first taste.
What can he do? He rebels.
Many thanks to the author Lee Matthew Goldberg for the complimentary copy I was under no obligation to post a review.
soleadohmbt's review
4.0
A dystopian future after the War to End All Wars. Reminiscent of Huxley and Orwell. Emotional addiction, the conflict between capitalism and authentic humanity, autocracy and freedom. And POW! soda. #netgalley #orangecity
openmypages's review
3.0
{3.5 stars}
"Deep down everyone in this purgatory knew they've been conned, but they were all too scared to make a peep."
-------------------------
Hoo boy, Orange City will twist your melon! I would say this book is 1984 if Tyler Durden had learned advertising from Black Buck. Our main characters are all people who are living in a dystopian city separate from the rest of the world. The leader "The Man" is a megalomaniac who is trying to build a utopia in the vision of Stalin, a project that has begun to go awry. He has also begun to alter his body in the creepiest of ways to build his confidence and power. He has the citizens of this city under his control as he has rescued them from less than ideal circumstances in the real world and they are essentially indentured servants. We follow a small group of them who surround our star, Graham. He's a nobody that has undergone lots of abuse in his life and is just trying to find a stable piece of ground upon which to build his life.
When he is offered an assignment to test some new sodas for an advertising campaign, he quickly finds himself in over his head. The sodas are the newest plan for The Man to have more control over his city. The addiction is instant and the impacts on the individual are sweeping. The more Graham consumes, the more he begins to question just how grateful he should be to be living in the City. The immersive power of advertising reminded me of the insanity of the recent hit Black Buck and made for an enjoyable page turner.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.
"Deep down everyone in this purgatory knew they've been conned, but they were all too scared to make a peep."
-------------------------
Hoo boy, Orange City will twist your melon! I would say this book is 1984 if Tyler Durden had learned advertising from Black Buck. Our main characters are all people who are living in a dystopian city separate from the rest of the world. The leader "The Man" is a megalomaniac who is trying to build a utopia in the vision of Stalin, a project that has begun to go awry. He has also begun to alter his body in the creepiest of ways to build his confidence and power. He has the citizens of this city under his control as he has rescued them from less than ideal circumstances in the real world and they are essentially indentured servants. We follow a small group of them who surround our star, Graham. He's a nobody that has undergone lots of abuse in his life and is just trying to find a stable piece of ground upon which to build his life.
When he is offered an assignment to test some new sodas for an advertising campaign, he quickly finds himself in over his head. The sodas are the newest plan for The Man to have more control over his city. The addiction is instant and the impacts on the individual are sweeping. The more Graham consumes, the more he begins to question just how grateful he should be to be living in the City. The immersive power of advertising reminded me of the insanity of the recent hit Black Buck and made for an enjoyable page turner.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.
tanishamahajan's review
3.0
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to this book for review.
In orange city, we get to follow the perspective of Graham as he is offered to live in The City, where people get a second chance and their past doesn't matter. The City is ruled by The Man who has various arms. I liked this book. The character of "The Man" was really interesting. I somewhat liked the character of Graham and E, but there were some things that didn't go well for me. The pacing was a little weird for my liking. I get that it was dystopian world, but the way females were viewed, it took me out of the story and was very uncomfortable for me. Not sure if I will continue or not.
In orange city, we get to follow the perspective of Graham as he is offered to live in The City, where people get a second chance and their past doesn't matter. The City is ruled by The Man who has various arms. I liked this book. The character of "The Man" was really interesting. I somewhat liked the character of Graham and E, but there were some things that didn't go well for me. The pacing was a little weird for my liking. I get that it was dystopian world, but the way females were viewed, it took me out of the story and was very uncomfortable for me. Not sure if I will continue or not.
hwright93's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This dystopian fiction has a really interesting concept - a secret city run by 'The Man' who controls everything, sees everything etc. The idea is interesting, particularly the idea with the limbs (keeping it spoiler free), but the ending was a bit flat. I felt it was escalating and then suddenly it finished. I know there's a sequel but I just didn't feel satisfied.
I scrapbook all of my 5 star books over on my Instagram: @green_wonderland_home
This dystopian fiction has a really interesting concept - a secret city run by 'The Man' who controls everything, sees everything etc. The idea is interesting, particularly the idea with the limbs (keeping it spoiler free), but the ending was a bit flat. I felt it was escalating and then suddenly it finished. I know there's a sequel but I just didn't feel satisfied.
I scrapbook all of my 5 star books over on my Instagram: @green_wonderland_home
bebopthebunny's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really not sure about this book. I am kind of interested in the series but perhaps not. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the cutting criticism of the Soviets that I thought it would be. I think it was the characters that just weren't right to me. The story line was a stretch, which isn't a deal breaker for me, but it being written in such a way I wouldn't buy it is. I think the more I think about this, I probably will end up donating this one and not carrying on. There are a ton of books that evaluate different forms of political, social, and economic systems out there and they tend to include better characters and a more believable plot. Kind of interested, but with a TBR of almost 300, not a realistic expectation that I will ever continue.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
From the moment I saw Orage City, I knew I had to read it. The cover simply draws one is, and then the description further captivates. Needless to say, I signed up for the blog tour as fast as possible! And then eagerly waited for my book to arrive in the mail. It was worth the wait.
Orange City is a dark and twisted beast – in all of the best ways possible. To compare it to 1984 would be fair, and it also felt familiar to Clockwork Orange in my mind. Yet it is also a wholly unique read. One that you can’t set expectations for by comparing it to any other novel on the market. It did take me a little while to get into the swing of things, when I picked it up, but once I found myself invested in the story, it simply would not let go of my mind.
It is unusual and will make you think, two things that I’ve come to treasure about books over the years. For that reason alone, I know that I will be remembering Orange City for a long time to come. I personally adored all of the debates and moral dilemmas that Lee Matthew Goldberg brought to the surface here. It makes this dystopian novel hit so much harder than it otherwise could have.
Check out more reviews over at The Review Crew
Orange City is a dark and twisted beast – in all of the best ways possible. To compare it to 1984 would be fair, and it also felt familiar to Clockwork Orange in my mind. Yet it is also a wholly unique read. One that you can’t set expectations for by comparing it to any other novel on the market. It did take me a little while to get into the swing of things, when I picked it up, but once I found myself invested in the story, it simply would not let go of my mind.
It is unusual and will make you think, two things that I’ve come to treasure about books over the years. For that reason alone, I know that I will be remembering Orange City for a long time to come. I personally adored all of the debates and moral dilemmas that Lee Matthew Goldberg brought to the surface here. It makes this dystopian novel hit so much harder than it otherwise could have.
Check out more reviews over at The Review Crew