Reviews

Guardian by A.J. Hartley

kleonard's review against another edition

5.0

Guardian is the third installment in A. J. Hartley's outstanding series that began with Steeplejack. Guardian returns readers to the city-state Bar-Selehm, where protagonist Anglet Sutonga, a smart and tactically brilliant young woman, finds herself grappling with a fascist take-over of the government. Able to climb high above the city and gather information from a variety of sources on the ground, Ang works to protect her community, political leaders, and friends. Hartley's writing is clear and exciting, and often eloquent, a rare thing in thrillers. While Guardian will get marketed as "YA," in part for its obvious (but never pedantic) messages about racism, sexism, politics, voting, and resistance in our own world, the book--and the entire, beautifully-crafted series--should appeal to readers of all ages. Quite honestly, I'd like to put this series in the hands of everyone in the US capable of reading it.

im211's review against another edition

2.0

I apologise for being unable to review thie whole book, since some aspects of this book is against my personal beliefs.

This book has a political intrigue, with discussions of equality for women and black people. I found the dialogues and ideas to be strong and not dull at all. The MC is very likeable strong headed passionate person, which is very refreshing to come across. I'd say I relate to Dahra character here, her views of politics mirrors mine so I'd a fun time whenever we'd interactions with her.

All in all, this book has realistic characterisations & strong premise.


Thank you Net galley and Macmillan- Tor/Forge for accepting my request.

booksnorkel's review against another edition

5.0

Powerful and has a ton behind it. There is so much to this trilogy I am going to have to start buying it for people so I have someone to talk about it with.

truestorydesu's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely love the Steeplejack series - it's one of my favorite YA series out there, set in a city inspired by 19th century South Africa featuring a badass female protagonist of color... I love it. Guardian is the culmination of two books worth of heightening tension in Bar-Selehm, and provides an absolutely fitting and satisfying conclusion to the series. If you haven't read this series yet, you need to. It's brilliant and frighteningly relevant. Read it, seriously. Just stop everything and read it, Ok?

Fingers crossed for a book 4 at some point, though Hartley did say that this would be the last one. I'm going to hold out hope for more someday. Please let there be more. Please?

kleonard's review

5.0

Guardian is the third installment in A. J. Hartley's outstanding series that began with Steeplejack. Guardian returns readers to the city-state Bar-Selehm, where protagonist Anglet Sutonga, a smart and tactically brilliant young woman, finds herself grappling with a fascist take-over of the government. Able to climb high above the city and gather information from a variety of sources on the ground, Ang works to protect her community, political leaders, and friends. Hartley's writing is clear and exciting, and often eloquent, a rare thing in thrillers. While Guardian will get marketed as "YA," in part for its obvious (but never pedantic) messages about racism, sexism, politics, voting, and resistance in our own world, the book--and the entire, beautifully-crafted series--should appeal to readers of all ages. Quite honestly, I'd like to put this series in the hands of everyone in the US capable of reading it.