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shannonxo's review against another edition
4.0
Um, if your first reaction when you finish reading this isn't WOW then we need to no longer be friends. There is so much to commend this fantastic debut, and the least of that is the incredible world-building. It reminded me so much of Bioshock and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea!
First Read: November 2019
Second Read: March 2021
Obviously I have to start this review by gushing about the world-building. I mean, guys, the entire story is set under the sea! How is that not the coolest thing ever! This is a science fiction that takes place in 2099 after disaster has struck the earth and sea levels have risen to catastrophic heights, essentially sending the human race to the bottom of the ocean. There is so much to love in this sunken London. It has not handled the whole submersion thing all too well and is crumbling away on the bed, but it's still undeniably London, and it will not be conquered. The technology is fascinating. How people have adapted to live underwater is well-explored. Submersibles, new pressurized and operational homes and buildings, projections, electricity, etc. Even how some people have adapted to living in the water, but no spoilers.
The story-building also dabbles a bit with mental health in the form of a terrible illness called Seasickness. Essentially it can be compared to depression. People who are without hope while living on the seabed don't know how to go on, and without help the results are often fatal and terribly sad. As cool as the concept is of living under water, it must be utterly terrifying to know that the only thing keeping the ocean off you is the thickness of glass and metal and computerized pressure systems. At any second any of them could fail from the tiniest flaw and then instant death. To live under that much weight and pressure of water and constant darkness—I can't imagine. At first I thought the sickness was silly, but the more I thought about it the more I proved myself wrong. It's bloody clever.
Overall this whole story was a hit. The plot was well-paced and very entertaining from start to finish. I polished it off in three days. The writing style took a little getting used to in the beginning, but the writing itself is just right. A perfect level of exposition. Even better, there were several plot twists that took me by surprise. I love it when that happens! And, aside from one exception, I thought they were handled very well.
What kept this from five stars was that a few scenes were a little difficult to follow. There's so many great action scenes, including the big submersible marathon race throughout London. But sometimes it was a little too punchy for me, and my mind wandered in the middle of a heart-racing scene. If a little more clarity had been given to those parts, this would have been five stars easy.
This was a fantastic debut for Shah and for her series. There are plenty of loose ends to tie up and government conspiracies to unravel that hold a lot of promise and I can't wait to read the conclusion!
First Read: November 2019
Second Read: March 2021
Obviously I have to start this review by gushing about the world-building. I mean, guys, the entire story is set under the sea! How is that not the coolest thing ever! This is a science fiction that takes place in 2099 after disaster has struck the earth and sea levels have risen to catastrophic heights, essentially sending the human race to the bottom of the ocean. There is so much to love in this sunken London. It has not handled the whole submersion thing all too well and is crumbling away on the bed, but it's still undeniably London, and it will not be conquered. The technology is fascinating. How people have adapted to live underwater is well-explored. Submersibles, new pressurized and operational homes and buildings, projections, electricity, etc. Even how some people have adapted to living in the water, but no spoilers.
The story-building also dabbles a bit with mental health in the form of a terrible illness called Seasickness. Essentially it can be compared to depression. People who are without hope while living on the seabed don't know how to go on, and without help the results are often fatal and terribly sad. As cool as the concept is of living under water, it must be utterly terrifying to know that the only thing keeping the ocean off you is the thickness of glass and metal and computerized pressure systems. At any second any of them could fail from the tiniest flaw and then instant death. To live under that much weight and pressure of water and constant darkness—I can't imagine. At first I thought the sickness was silly, but the more I thought about it the more I proved myself wrong. It's bloody clever.
Overall this whole story was a hit. The plot was well-paced and very entertaining from start to finish. I polished it off in three days. The writing style took a little getting used to in the beginning, but the writing itself is just right. A perfect level of exposition. Even better, there were several plot twists that took me by surprise. I love it when that happens! And, aside from one exception, I thought they were handled very well.
What kept this from five stars was that a few scenes were a little difficult to follow. There's so many great action scenes, including the big submersible marathon race throughout London. But sometimes it was a little too punchy for me, and my mind wandered in the middle of a heart-racing scene. If a little more clarity had been given to those parts, this would have been five stars easy.
This was a fantastic debut for Shah and for her series. There are plenty of loose ends to tie up and government conspiracies to unravel that hold a lot of promise and I can't wait to read the conclusion!
thiccadonna's review against another edition
3.0
entertaining read with an incredibly great premise. this book's strength is definitely its worldbuilding and the ambience it sets. The writing can be exquisite and the action scenes deliver, but I did have issues with the pacing and how quickly and easily high stake situations would be resolved. A lot of times I feel like the author could have expanded a lot more on concepts that were brushed out but not explored as in depth as it should have; prime example being the underwater marathon which on its own should have had way more spotlight. Think the author should have rushed less to the ending and taken more time to /tell/ the story. The romance too was...incredibly stereotypical and felt extremely underdeveloped.
Still this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the second book.
Still this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the second book.
wolfsfan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
girlwhoadventures's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the book was interesting until halfway through. Then the plot started to fall apart, become disjointed and become unrealistic. So many things were lies! So many things happened that didn’t make a lot of sense. I loved the vision behind the book but I thought it was poorly executed.
roksyreads's review against another edition
2.5
Great premise and a solid debut, but it needed a lot more show and a lot less tell.
theunlibrary's review against another edition
5.0
The Light at the Bottom of the World is a book with a lot of heart, and a sensitive one at that. I found Leyla to be a wonderful main character; she was strong, determined, and so very afraid of the world around her, but that never stopped her from following her heart and doing what needed to be done. In a world full of strong female characters, there seems to be a lack of characters who are on the softer side of strong, more resilient and determined than battle ready and punching faces in, which I found refreshing. It's also full of much needed representation. Leyla is a British Muslim girl who believes. She believes in hope, in a world that has continually lied to her and let her down, in the people around her to do the right thing, in God, in herself (though she struggles with her fear and anxiety) and it is that quality, that steady belief, that sees her through her challenges. After her Papa is falsely accused of a crime and taken away by the authorities, she will stop at nothing to find out what happened and get him back. You can't help but feel for her as you watch her risk everything to save the ones she loves.
Also of note is the unique setting, taking place in a post-apocalyptic scenario where the human race was forced under water after an asteroid hit. It's wonderfully imaginative with its descriptions of sea life and futuristic technology designed to help humans adapt to their new home. In an effort to assist humans with the aftermath and rebuilding, they've created Anthropoids who are humans enhanced with technology meant to help clear the debris post asteroid, only they've turned against those who created them without any explanation and the government is doing little to actually help their citizens-- too obsessed with returning back to the surface in a world they can't let go.
The Light at the Bottom of the World takes you on a non-stop adventure with some of the best companions, including a holographic, flamboyant, popular literary figure, a puppy, a girl who is desperate to save her family, and the boy who keeps secrets while keeping her safe. You will laugh, you will cry, you will soar and ache and love, but most of all, you will believe. And that in itself, is a very specific and powerful sort of magic.
Also of note is the unique setting, taking place in a post-apocalyptic scenario where the human race was forced under water after an asteroid hit. It's wonderfully imaginative with its descriptions of sea life and futuristic technology designed to help humans adapt to their new home. In an effort to assist humans with the aftermath and rebuilding, they've created Anthropoids who are humans enhanced with technology meant to help clear the debris post asteroid, only they've turned against those who created them without any explanation and the government is doing little to actually help their citizens-- too obsessed with returning back to the surface in a world they can't let go.
The Light at the Bottom of the World takes you on a non-stop adventure with some of the best companions, including a holographic, flamboyant, popular literary figure, a puppy, a girl who is desperate to save her family, and the boy who keeps secrets while keeping her safe. You will laugh, you will cry, you will soar and ache and love, but most of all, you will believe. And that in itself, is a very specific and powerful sort of magic.
brandons078's review
3.0
I really like the beginning of this book. But by 3/4s the way through I started loosing interest. Love the concept of the story. Planet taken over by water. Civilization trying to survive underwater. Submarines are cars basically. Thought all of it was pretty cool. But I don't think I like how oblivious the main character was to EVERYTHING.... I might continue with the series. We will see. Hopefully the main character isn't as oblivious to everything in the second book.
faehistory's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jace_is_aces's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Protagonist is naive and foolish, this is the cause of many problems in the book. Not relatable. More like a child acting out in tantrums.
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
Thousands of feet underwater, humanity tries to find a way forward on a planet that changed forever sixty-five years ago when the water levels started to rise and never stopped. Strange as it may be, it's the only world Leyla McQueen has ever known.
When her father is accused of the worst possible crime and arrested with no chance to defend himself, Leyla knows she has to get him out. Even if her best chance to do that is trying to win the ultra competitive, ultra dangerous London Submersible Marathon.
When the race doesn't go to plan, Leyla realizes her father's arrest is tied to much bigger secrets in London. With no other options and no help in sight, Leyla has to leave the only home she has ever known and confront dangerous truths to save her father before it's too late in The Light at the Bottom of the World (2019) by London Shah.
The Light at the Bottom of the World is Shah's debut novel and the start of her Light the Abyss duology.
Leyla is a great narrator who has obvious affection for her small corner of this underwater world while acknowledging the devastation that led humanity to it. Despite a strong premise and evocative setting, the stakes of Leyla's mission never translates to an actual sense of urgency even as she is caught in a race against time to save her father before she is detained by the authorities herself.
The story and its slang remains very grounded in modern cultural references and terminology even though the story is set decades in the future. The varied cast of secondary characters are unfortunately under-utilized for a lot of this plot-driven novel.
The Light at the Bottom of the World is a classic dystopian featuring a kickass Muslim girl, lots of submarines, lots of water, and lots of action. Recommended for readers seeking any or all of the above in their science fiction.
Possible Pairings: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron, The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau, A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen, Matched by Ally Condie, Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Warcross by Marie Lu, Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte, The Program by Suzanne Young
When her father is accused of the worst possible crime and arrested with no chance to defend himself, Leyla knows she has to get him out. Even if her best chance to do that is trying to win the ultra competitive, ultra dangerous London Submersible Marathon.
When the race doesn't go to plan, Leyla realizes her father's arrest is tied to much bigger secrets in London. With no other options and no help in sight, Leyla has to leave the only home she has ever known and confront dangerous truths to save her father before it's too late in The Light at the Bottom of the World (2019) by London Shah.
The Light at the Bottom of the World is Shah's debut novel and the start of her Light the Abyss duology.
Leyla is a great narrator who has obvious affection for her small corner of this underwater world while acknowledging the devastation that led humanity to it. Despite a strong premise and evocative setting, the stakes of Leyla's mission never translates to an actual sense of urgency even as she is caught in a race against time to save her father before she is detained by the authorities herself.
The story and its slang remains very grounded in modern cultural references and terminology even though the story is set decades in the future. The varied cast of secondary characters are unfortunately under-utilized for a lot of this plot-driven novel.
The Light at the Bottom of the World is a classic dystopian featuring a kickass Muslim girl, lots of submarines, lots of water, and lots of action. Recommended for readers seeking any or all of the above in their science fiction.
Possible Pairings: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron, The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau, A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen, Matched by Ally Condie, Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Warcross by Marie Lu, Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte, The Program by Suzanne Young