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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was ok, but I feel like it could have been more. The end was supposed to be an adrenaline fuelled scene but I just felt like the rest of the book.
All throughout reading this I just felt bored. I didn't feel connected or attached to any certain character and at times I was even down right tired of reading it. It's not like it was poorly written I personally think it wasn't very entertaining. Ryan Graudin is a very good writer and I really enjoyed Wolf by Wolf but for this one I didn't feel it. Hopefully her other books are better.
All throughout reading this I just felt bored. I didn't feel connected or attached to any certain character and at times I was even down right tired of reading it. It's not like it was poorly written I personally think it wasn't very entertaining. Ryan Graudin is a very good writer and I really enjoyed Wolf by Wolf but for this one I didn't feel it. Hopefully her other books are better.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Jin, Mei and Dai are all residents of Hak Nam, the walled city. It's a city of vagrants, prostitutes, criminals, and everyone else who has been rejected from the city beyond. Their destinies are intertwined and survival is the most important task of each and every day.
Hak Nam is based on a real walled city, one that was destroyed and has been turned into a park. The author became intrigued by the model of the city in the park, with buildings so tightly packed together that sunlight wouldn't reach the streets far below. While the characters are fictional, this place was real and their lives could very well have been lived out decades ago.
Hak Nam is based on a real walled city, one that was destroyed and has been turned into a park. The author became intrigued by the model of the city in the park, with buildings so tightly packed together that sunlight wouldn't reach the streets far below. While the characters are fictional, this place was real and their lives could very well have been lived out decades ago.
4¾ Out of 5
“Hak Nam Walled City. A recipe of humanity's darkest ingredients - thieves, whores, murderers, addicts – all mashed into six and a half acres. Hell on earth, he called it. A place so ruthless even the sunlight won't enter…”
In a city full of violence, correction, death and abuse, run by a vicious and all-powerful gangster, three teenagers try to find a way out...
Dai has been trapped in the Walled City, smuggling drugs, whilst he attempts to clear his name of a crime he did not commit so he can finally go home. And he is running out of time.
Jin Ling knows that girls cannot survive in Hak Nam, and so she disguises herself as a boy, stealing to survive, doing her best to seem invisible. She is searching for her sister, who was sold by their father and is being used as a slave in a brothel. All Jin Ling wants is to save her sister.
Mei Yee is Jin's lost sister, trapped in a brothel. She knows that to attempt to escape will get her a fate worse than death – but that doesn't mean she doesn't dream of freedom.
Alone, these three teenagers stand no chance of escaping the Walled City. But can they make it out together...? With just eighteen days left...?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up The Walled City. Certainly not just how brilliantly dark, dangerous and addictive it turned out to be. From the moment I began The Walled City, I was just hooked. I was thinking it would be a dystopian, a fantasy, but it was just... real. Too real at times. And that was just so gripping, so shocking. And so utterly original. I've never read anything like The Walled City before – and that's saying something. I've read a lot. It might not be for everyone, but it was absolutely addictive and amazing and stunning and eye-opening for me.
Jin Ling was brilliant – clever, brave, fast, caring. I loved seeing her with her cat, Chma, and with Dai, loved when she thought of her sister, who she protected as best she could. She was just such an amazing character, one I truly rooted for, from the very beginning, because Jin was fierce, loyal and fearless.
Dai was an enigma – to begin with. And then... I got him. And I loved him. He was brave and solitary and clever and caring. He was haunted, like everyone in Hak Nam, desperate to get out, but he knew how to save himself, was willing to sacrifice himself for others. He was, in short, a hero – just as Jin was a heroine.
Mei Yee was perhaps the quietest and subtlest of the heroes, the one who was doubly trapped. She wasn't badass like Jin and Dai, but she was brave in her own way. She may have started out as the typical damsel in distress, but she wasn't helpless. Mei Yee was clever and brave and strong – stronger than she thought, than I thought.
There were few other characters in the book with large parts – after all, the second rule is to trust no one – but the minor characters all felt so real to me, even the ones that were just memories. But none were as vibrant and alive as our three narrators.
Because the writing was just... wow. I love multiple perspectives – like love them to death. And I adored getting to read from Jin, Dai and Mei Yee's points of view – it made everything so much more vital and intriguing and gave the book more depth. And Graudin had a way of writing: dark, gritty, suspenseful, addictive. It utterly put me under a spell and kept me hooked from the very first line to the very last.
The plot was just nonstop: always running, always fighting, always hiding, always sneaking... It was relentless and so addictive. And the way Graudin wove these three people together, wove their lives and chances for escape together, was nothing short of genius. And the action – the running and hiding and fighting... It was like a blockbuster movie put into words. Like reading a gritty thriller movie, watching it all play in my head... And yes, some might be... disappointed by the ending. But I, personally, loved it. So... there.
This world... it was stifling, oppressive, so very dark and bloody. I can't believe that this city really existed once, where children are just... It’s horrible. And it's still happening, isn't it? All over the world, so many children are at risk – and this book is, as Ryan herself says, inspired by children who are invisible to most. It's the dark, hidden world no one wants to admit exists. Maybe The Walled City is a dystopian, set in a dystopian world inspired by this city that once existed. But, to me at least, it felt too damn real to be dystopian. So real and so brutal. I can't say it's a world I loved reading about, but it was amazingly crafted – and made the three teenagers feel all the stronger for simply surviving in it.
I've read few books that feel utterly original and utterly amazing. That leave me speechless, leave me reeling. Leave me... different. But The Walled City... it was one of those books. It took my breath away, had me utterly hooked from the very first line. The Walled City... It's probably the most original thing I've read for a long time and it was stunning.
I will say that The Walled City isn't for everyone. It is dark. It is brutal. But it's the kind of book that makes you think – without forcing a message down your throat. It shows a city based on one that once existed. It shows a city ruled by corruption, gangs and violence. It shows you how hard children have to fight to survive, what they are forced to turn into when confronted by the hopelessness and death around them. It shows you survivors, surviving in their own way, and it makes you feel like you're besides them as they fight. It's an amazing book that is hard to read at times, but all the better for that fact.
The Walled City blew me away: it is deep, dark, pretty damn near perfect – I was left speechless for days, unable to say anything but 'My god, READ IT' to all my friends. The Walled City was simply stunning – I literally can't find the words to truly do it justice. It put me under a spell, an enchantment, and has left me breathless, needing, absolutely desperately needing, Graudin's new book, Wolf By Wolf.
And so I conclude this review by pointing out that dystopian worlds don't have to be the same – with revolutions and warriors. They can be set in a world that is dreadfully real, following three amazing characters as they try to save themselves. You can write storylines worthy of films or comic books as YA novel, show the darkest sides of the world and create something that is utterly unique, utterly amazing and so freaking brilliant.
I know I'm rambling. I'm sorry. But can't you see? This book, The Walled City, is worthy of my rambling. It is worthy of nonstop recommendations. I just... Ugh, I still don't have the right words. Just, if want to think whilst being thrilled, if you don't mind darkness and violence, and if you want brave, real characters, read The Walled City. You will not regret it. Trust me. Trust the rambling. Read The Walled City now.
“Hak Nam Walled City. A recipe of humanity's darkest ingredients - thieves, whores, murderers, addicts – all mashed into six and a half acres. Hell on earth, he called it. A place so ruthless even the sunlight won't enter…”
In a city full of violence, correction, death and abuse, run by a vicious and all-powerful gangster, three teenagers try to find a way out...
Dai has been trapped in the Walled City, smuggling drugs, whilst he attempts to clear his name of a crime he did not commit so he can finally go home. And he is running out of time.
Jin Ling knows that girls cannot survive in Hak Nam, and so she disguises herself as a boy, stealing to survive, doing her best to seem invisible. She is searching for her sister, who was sold by their father and is being used as a slave in a brothel. All Jin Ling wants is to save her sister.
Mei Yee is Jin's lost sister, trapped in a brothel. She knows that to attempt to escape will get her a fate worse than death – but that doesn't mean she doesn't dream of freedom.
Alone, these three teenagers stand no chance of escaping the Walled City. But can they make it out together...? With just eighteen days left...?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up The Walled City. Certainly not just how brilliantly dark, dangerous and addictive it turned out to be. From the moment I began The Walled City, I was just hooked. I was thinking it would be a dystopian, a fantasy, but it was just... real. Too real at times. And that was just so gripping, so shocking. And so utterly original. I've never read anything like The Walled City before – and that's saying something. I've read a lot. It might not be for everyone, but it was absolutely addictive and amazing and stunning and eye-opening for me.
Jin Ling was brilliant – clever, brave, fast, caring. I loved seeing her with her cat, Chma, and with Dai, loved when she thought of her sister, who she protected as best she could. She was just such an amazing character, one I truly rooted for, from the very beginning, because Jin was fierce, loyal and fearless.
Dai was an enigma – to begin with. And then... I got him. And I loved him. He was brave and solitary and clever and caring. He was haunted, like everyone in Hak Nam, desperate to get out, but he knew how to save himself, was willing to sacrifice himself for others. He was, in short, a hero – just as Jin was a heroine.
Mei Yee was perhaps the quietest and subtlest of the heroes, the one who was doubly trapped. She wasn't badass like Jin and Dai, but she was brave in her own way. She may have started out as the typical damsel in distress, but she wasn't helpless. Mei Yee was clever and brave and strong – stronger than she thought, than I thought.
There were few other characters in the book with large parts – after all, the second rule is to trust no one – but the minor characters all felt so real to me, even the ones that were just memories. But none were as vibrant and alive as our three narrators.
Because the writing was just... wow. I love multiple perspectives – like love them to death. And I adored getting to read from Jin, Dai and Mei Yee's points of view – it made everything so much more vital and intriguing and gave the book more depth. And Graudin had a way of writing: dark, gritty, suspenseful, addictive. It utterly put me under a spell and kept me hooked from the very first line to the very last.
The plot was just nonstop: always running, always fighting, always hiding, always sneaking... It was relentless and so addictive. And the way Graudin wove these three people together, wove their lives and chances for escape together, was nothing short of genius. And the action – the running and hiding and fighting... It was like a blockbuster movie put into words. Like reading a gritty thriller movie, watching it all play in my head... And yes, some might be... disappointed by the ending. But I, personally, loved it. So... there.
This world... it was stifling, oppressive, so very dark and bloody. I can't believe that this city really existed once, where children are just... It’s horrible. And it's still happening, isn't it? All over the world, so many children are at risk – and this book is, as Ryan herself says, inspired by children who are invisible to most. It's the dark, hidden world no one wants to admit exists. Maybe The Walled City is a dystopian, set in a dystopian world inspired by this city that once existed. But, to me at least, it felt too damn real to be dystopian. So real and so brutal. I can't say it's a world I loved reading about, but it was amazingly crafted – and made the three teenagers feel all the stronger for simply surviving in it.
I've read few books that feel utterly original and utterly amazing. That leave me speechless, leave me reeling. Leave me... different. But The Walled City... it was one of those books. It took my breath away, had me utterly hooked from the very first line. The Walled City... It's probably the most original thing I've read for a long time and it was stunning.
I will say that The Walled City isn't for everyone. It is dark. It is brutal. But it's the kind of book that makes you think – without forcing a message down your throat. It shows a city based on one that once existed. It shows a city ruled by corruption, gangs and violence. It shows you how hard children have to fight to survive, what they are forced to turn into when confronted by the hopelessness and death around them. It shows you survivors, surviving in their own way, and it makes you feel like you're besides them as they fight. It's an amazing book that is hard to read at times, but all the better for that fact.
The Walled City blew me away: it is deep, dark, pretty damn near perfect – I was left speechless for days, unable to say anything but 'My god, READ IT' to all my friends. The Walled City was simply stunning – I literally can't find the words to truly do it justice. It put me under a spell, an enchantment, and has left me breathless, needing, absolutely desperately needing, Graudin's new book, Wolf By Wolf.
And so I conclude this review by pointing out that dystopian worlds don't have to be the same – with revolutions and warriors. They can be set in a world that is dreadfully real, following three amazing characters as they try to save themselves. You can write storylines worthy of films or comic books as YA novel, show the darkest sides of the world and create something that is utterly unique, utterly amazing and so freaking brilliant.
I know I'm rambling. I'm sorry. But can't you see? This book, The Walled City, is worthy of my rambling. It is worthy of nonstop recommendations. I just... Ugh, I still don't have the right words. Just, if want to think whilst being thrilled, if you don't mind darkness and violence, and if you want brave, real characters, read The Walled City. You will not regret it. Trust me. Trust the rambling. Read The Walled City now.
I really wavered between a 2 and a 3-star rating so I decided to round up. I picked up The Walled City since I loved Wolf by Wolf by Graudin and wanted to try another of her books.
While the premise is cool, nothing about this story really stood out to me. In a world of tough YA heroines, Jin was just another girl who pushes her feelings down to accomplish what needs to be done. (Also I've read a lot of books lately about girls dressing up as boys, which seems kind of odd.) There were so many dimensions of this world that could have made the plot more meaningful that just weren't explored. Why did no one seem to care that the Walled City was right in their backyard? Why did seemingly normal people choose to live in an area of such intense crime and poverty?
I wish there had been an aspect of this story that drove me to care about it more, but I was a little disappointed.
While the premise is cool, nothing about this story really stood out to me. In a world of tough YA heroines, Jin was just another girl who pushes her feelings down to accomplish what needs to be done. (Also I've read a lot of books lately about girls dressing up as boys, which seems kind of odd.) There were so many dimensions of this world that could have made the plot more meaningful that just weren't explored. Why did no one seem to care that the Walled City was right in their backyard? Why did seemingly normal people choose to live in an area of such intense crime and poverty?
I wish there had been an aspect of this story that drove me to care about it more, but I was a little disappointed.
The plot was okay but what got me interested in the book was the fact that the setting of the book was once a real place.
Where do I begin?! Well first of all: I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions expressed in the following review.
But seriously, I had NO clue what to expect when going into this book. I had heard things going around about how it was supposed to be a good upcoming release and that it was available on NetGalley, etc. I am so, so glad that I did. Seriously.
First of all, this is a standalone! Which makes me incredibly happy, because it seems like all YA action/adventure type books these days are part of a series (particularly trilogies). Nope, not this one. And it doesn't need to be. Graudin, the author who has an excellent voice in her writing, creates a story so well executed in 432 pages that it needs no more books to complete it. Finally! A story that feels so full of life, rich characters, intense plot that actually makes sense, and more, but is self-contained in one book.
This book is a three person perspective novel. It's told from the view of Dai, Mei Yee, and Jin Ling, three young adults (I believe between 16 and 18) that live in the Walled City of Hak Nam. I won't say much about who they are or how the connect.
The Walled City (based off the real Kowloon Walled City once a part of Hong Kong) is a densely populated slum filled with drug lords, street urchins, and prostitutes. This book is quite intense and contains some thematic elements, not for the young or faint of heart, by the way. Dai, Jin Ling, and Mei Yee live in the Walled City and are working to make their way out. Each has different motives, and these motives are believable. Never once did I find myself thinking, "What [the character] just did there is totally unbelievable or counteractive to their personality/motivations/etc." Their goals and struggles are so realistic and engrained in them as characters that they are believable. It was really refreshing to see from each perspective and understand why they do the things they do, and what they want to accomplish.
The writing style is beautiful. It creates a very vivid picture of the Walled City and the struggles that come with being stuck in that lifestyle. The only problems I had with it were little. There were many instances of repeated words, especially adjectives. For example (and this is not from the book, I am just illustrating my point): "The sky was a deep, deep blue," or "She twisted her strands of hair into tight, tight curls," etc. It was more noticeable about halfway through the book because it kept happening. Again, not a big deal, just something that caught my eye.
Plot-wise, like I said above, it all makes sense, it all feels necessary, and it all connects well to keep the story moving along. I never got bored. I thought about the book a lot when I wasn't reading it. I just wanted to return to the story and find out what happens.
All in all, this is one young adult standalone that I am incredibly happy with it. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written story that has deeper themes of regret, separation, and sacrifice that come from things like human trafficking and dehumanizing activities that take place on a daily basis worldwide. Seriously, I can't recommend this enough.
P.S. This book is described as dystopian which I would argue is NOT the case. So if you are hesitant because it is categorized as such, ignore that and read it. Also, it may interest you to look up the Kowloon Walled City and learn more about that (something I didn't even know existed before this book!).
But seriously, I had NO clue what to expect when going into this book. I had heard things going around about how it was supposed to be a good upcoming release and that it was available on NetGalley, etc. I am so, so glad that I did. Seriously.
First of all, this is a standalone! Which makes me incredibly happy, because it seems like all YA action/adventure type books these days are part of a series (particularly trilogies). Nope, not this one. And it doesn't need to be. Graudin, the author who has an excellent voice in her writing, creates a story so well executed in 432 pages that it needs no more books to complete it. Finally! A story that feels so full of life, rich characters, intense plot that actually makes sense, and more, but is self-contained in one book.
This book is a three person perspective novel. It's told from the view of Dai, Mei Yee, and Jin Ling, three young adults (I believe between 16 and 18) that live in the Walled City of Hak Nam. I won't say much about who they are or how the connect.
The Walled City (based off the real Kowloon Walled City once a part of Hong Kong) is a densely populated slum filled with drug lords, street urchins, and prostitutes. This book is quite intense and contains some thematic elements, not for the young or faint of heart, by the way. Dai, Jin Ling, and Mei Yee live in the Walled City and are working to make their way out. Each has different motives, and these motives are believable. Never once did I find myself thinking, "What [the character] just did there is totally unbelievable or counteractive to their personality/motivations/etc." Their goals and struggles are so realistic and engrained in them as characters that they are believable. It was really refreshing to see from each perspective and understand why they do the things they do, and what they want to accomplish.
The writing style is beautiful. It creates a very vivid picture of the Walled City and the struggles that come with being stuck in that lifestyle. The only problems I had with it were little. There were many instances of repeated words, especially adjectives. For example (and this is not from the book, I am just illustrating my point): "The sky was a deep, deep blue," or "She twisted her strands of hair into tight, tight curls," etc. It was more noticeable about halfway through the book because it kept happening. Again, not a big deal, just something that caught my eye.
Plot-wise, like I said above, it all makes sense, it all feels necessary, and it all connects well to keep the story moving along. I never got bored. I thought about the book a lot when I wasn't reading it. I just wanted to return to the story and find out what happens.
All in all, this is one young adult standalone that I am incredibly happy with it. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written story that has deeper themes of regret, separation, and sacrifice that come from things like human trafficking and dehumanizing activities that take place on a daily basis worldwide. Seriously, I can't recommend this enough.
P.S. This book is described as dystopian which I would argue is NOT the case. So if you are hesitant because it is categorized as such, ignore that and read it. Also, it may interest you to look up the Kowloon Walled City and learn more about that (something I didn't even know existed before this book!).
DNF @ 30%
I really tried to like this book, and I kept going back to it 3 or 4 times. But in the end, I just wasn't enjoying the story and had to move on to something I liked better. And since I have had no interest in going back to it, it is time to declare this one as a full blown DNF.
I really tried to like this book, and I kept going back to it 3 or 4 times. But in the end, I just wasn't enjoying the story and had to move on to something I liked better. And since I have had no interest in going back to it, it is time to declare this one as a full blown DNF.
I was fortunate enough to read this not only as a digital ARC from NetGalley (many thanks!) but also as a physical ARC from Little Brown, Young Readers (even more thanks!). It is available now so, to keep it simple, go snap this book up.
It was refreshing to see a YA adventure book that focused more on a familial relationship than it did on a romantic one -- the love and devotion that Jin has for her sister is gripping. And, yes, while there is a romance, it felt neither forced nor like a fly I constantly wanted to swat. It was quiet and subtle, something that added colour as opposed to false tension and frustration.
I also adore that each perspective is unique; there are distinct character voices and distinct roles that each teenager must play to the overall story. It means that we're not seeing the same scene played out three times, but all sorts of different happenings in various parts of the city. It's a beautifully constructed maze of a plot that leads you to the heart of its labyrinth while all the while making you think you're taking wrong turns. It's deceptive, intense, heartbreaking, and exhilarating all at once.
The city. Wow, did I love the world-building of the city. There is so much developed in terms of culture, societal rules, and near-constant dangers. I think the fact that it's inspired by a real place gives it even more life -- it seems to just jump off the page, encasing the reader in its high-rising buildings and endless mazes. We all know I"m a sucker for some really good world-building, and this novel has it in spades.
Also, a little fun side note, you should all go and colour the dragon that's on the title page. I wasn't going to, but encouragement from Ms. Graudin (@rgraudin) and enabling from LBYR (@theNOVL) had me breaking out my coloured pencils, no questions asked ;)
It was refreshing to see a YA adventure book that focused more on a familial relationship than it did on a romantic one -- the love and devotion that Jin has for her sister is gripping. And, yes, while there is a romance, it felt neither forced nor like a fly I constantly wanted to swat. It was quiet and subtle, something that added colour as opposed to false tension and frustration.
I also adore that each perspective is unique; there are distinct character voices and distinct roles that each teenager must play to the overall story. It means that we're not seeing the same scene played out three times, but all sorts of different happenings in various parts of the city. It's a beautifully constructed maze of a plot that leads you to the heart of its labyrinth while all the while making you think you're taking wrong turns. It's deceptive, intense, heartbreaking, and exhilarating all at once.
The city. Wow, did I love the world-building of the city. There is so much developed in terms of culture, societal rules, and near-constant dangers. I think the fact that it's inspired by a real place gives it even more life -- it seems to just jump off the page, encasing the reader in its high-rising buildings and endless mazes. We all know I"m a sucker for some really good world-building, and this novel has it in spades.
Also, a little fun side note, you should all go and colour the dragon that's on the title page. I wasn't going to, but encouragement from Ms. Graudin (@rgraudin) and enabling from LBYR (@theNOVL) had me breaking out my coloured pencils, no questions asked ;)
