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fiendfull's review
4.0
Run, Riot is a fast-paced and tense YA novel about community, gentrification, and fighting to expose the system. Taran and her twin brother Hari live in Firestone House, a tower block near the centre of the city. It wasn't where they would've chosen to live, but they have friends there and a life. When Hari gets caught up in police violence, the twins and their friends Jamal and Anna find themselves on the run in their own home, in a race to uncover what is really happening to Firestone House and how far the corruption really goes.
The novel is structured predominantly around one night with some flashbacks, which gives it an electrifying atmosphere as the reader is drawn into the world of Firestone House and the frantic anger and fear of the main characters. Shukla has created a gripping bunch of characters, particularly Taran who is chasing her dream of being an MC whilst her brother dreams of leaving the area for the potential jobs of London.
Run, Riot is for fans of books like The Hate U Give who would like a novel set in England, exposing racism, gentrification, and police brutality closer to home for British readers. It is also for anyone who is looking for a carefully-paced YA novel with characters who feel alive and varied, whilst also angry and learning how to effectively fight for themselves and their community.
The novel is structured predominantly around one night with some flashbacks, which gives it an electrifying atmosphere as the reader is drawn into the world of Firestone House and the frantic anger and fear of the main characters. Shukla has created a gripping bunch of characters, particularly Taran who is chasing her dream of being an MC whilst her brother dreams of leaving the area for the potential jobs of London.
Run, Riot is for fans of books like The Hate U Give who would like a novel set in England, exposing racism, gentrification, and police brutality closer to home for British readers. It is also for anyone who is looking for a carefully-paced YA novel with characters who feel alive and varied, whilst also angry and learning how to effectively fight for themselves and their community.
meganjjang's review
2.0
I wanted to absolutely love this, the pages did fly by, I liked Taran and it is such and important topic and concept. The writing was decent, the only let downs were I felt all the adult characters were flat and the same, and the children only distinguishable by catchphrases rather than personality. I did like this though so a good, quick, exciting, topical YA (I would say middle grade??) book!
alinarburwitz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Police brutality
Moderate: Police brutality
aveyator27's review
4.0
Run, Riot follows a group of teenagers living in a community which is up for a re-model; the diverse group of teens are the focal point of this story and provide and insight into life of a community which no longer meets the “standards” expected of the area. Gentrification, corruption, and prejudice are just some of the themes running through this book. Although I didn’t agree with the way it portrays certain public services, I don’t doubt that there are small pockets in any city where this sort of thing is day-to-day life for some people.
This book is hugely important in outlining the harsh reality I’m sure many people face; being expected to give up your community and be okay with living elsewhere because suddenly more wealthy people want to live there. (I won’t go into this anymore here as there are many sides to the debate but feel free to leave comments!)
Additionally there are strong themes of prejudice throughout this book, which in some places are so shocking it really is difficult to believe it still happens in this day and age.
In terms of pace this book really is fantastic; due to the narrative being a minute-by-minute account of events during a turning point moment for the community, the story is fast and exciting giving rise to some real nail-biting moments.
The writing style is also really brilliant, although I don’t feel we were able to get to know characters in detail, they definitely all had their own unique voices. There also isn’t an overload of detail; this book makes its point and moves onto the next and for this genre, topic, and setting, I really think that works perfectly.
Aspects of the book I wasn’t so keen on:
I never really felt I connected with the characters all that much, though to be honest if the author had managed this with all the action I would’ve been incredibly impressed. The characters barely stopped, and we only really saw glimpses of their characters outside of such a stressful situation.
As mentioned before I also didn’t really like the way the police were portrayed in this book; it kind of came across as the majority of them were corrupt or prejudice, and though there were attempt to underline that it is not all of them, I thought this point could’ve been stronger.
Overall I’m awarding this book 4*/5 – I believe it carries a really important message and provides a voice for people so often overlooked in society. Whilst there were things I would’ve changed, in general this is a really great read. I’d definitely recommend this to contemporary fiction fans, and I’ll definitely be picking up some of Shukla’s other titles.
This book is hugely important in outlining the harsh reality I’m sure many people face; being expected to give up your community and be okay with living elsewhere because suddenly more wealthy people want to live there. (I won’t go into this anymore here as there are many sides to the debate but feel free to leave comments!)
Additionally there are strong themes of prejudice throughout this book, which in some places are so shocking it really is difficult to believe it still happens in this day and age.
In terms of pace this book really is fantastic; due to the narrative being a minute-by-minute account of events during a turning point moment for the community, the story is fast and exciting giving rise to some real nail-biting moments.
The writing style is also really brilliant, although I don’t feel we were able to get to know characters in detail, they definitely all had their own unique voices. There also isn’t an overload of detail; this book makes its point and moves onto the next and for this genre, topic, and setting, I really think that works perfectly.
Aspects of the book I wasn’t so keen on:
I never really felt I connected with the characters all that much, though to be honest if the author had managed this with all the action I would’ve been incredibly impressed. The characters barely stopped, and we only really saw glimpses of their characters outside of such a stressful situation.
As mentioned before I also didn’t really like the way the police were portrayed in this book; it kind of came across as the majority of them were corrupt or prejudice, and though there were attempt to underline that it is not all of them, I thought this point could’ve been stronger.
Overall I’m awarding this book 4*/5 – I believe it carries a really important message and provides a voice for people so often overlooked in society. Whilst there were things I would’ve changed, in general this is a really great read. I’d definitely recommend this to contemporary fiction fans, and I’ll definitely be picking up some of Shukla’s other titles.
missusb21's review
4.0
Tough read exploring corruption and greed. But also inspiring young people to take the lead in exposing these types of social injustice.
shadow_spines's review
3.0
A book about friendship and community in the times of gentrification. Particularly relevant in the aftermath of Grenfell. As a thriller, not pacy enough for me but I would still recommend.
lo2zaay's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
zaheerah's review
2.0
* I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.
After Taran’s twin brother witnesses a murder, it suddenly becomes a giant game of cat and mouse in their tower block. Them vs the police. Them vs everyone else. Hari and her friends soon learn there’s something else happening in the estate, something that will uproot from everything they knew.
Run, Riot tackles some pretty important topics. Racism, police brutality, corruption and gentrification. It has the makings of being a very compelling book. It was fascinating to read this fast-paced story as these group of kids face these moments of injustice from the very people who are meant to protect them. One death leads to the breakdown of an entire community and exposes a trail of corruption that goes further than anyone expected. I really enjoy how the narrative played how, a minute by minute account of events, over a twenty-four-hour time lapse, with moments of flashbacks. I could definitely see this on TV.
I’m actually struggling to put into words what I didn’t like about this book. I just didn’t connect with the characters nor plot. It just felt bland, and many moments were just so dull to read. It’s not as adrenaline-fuelled you would think it would be. Which was a real shame because I actually enjoy its concept and plot, but I was actually really disappointed in its execution. The plot was gripping, its characters genuinely fascinating to read about but the whole book just didn’t work for me. Which really frustrated me because I was enjoying this and I wanted it to be better, but it wasn’t.
Overall, an interesting read about a group of teens standing up and speaking up for what they believe in. Personally, I think my dislike of this is just from my own personal reading experience/taste, but I still think it’s a book that a lot of people will enjoy, hopefully much more than I did.
After Taran’s twin brother witnesses a murder, it suddenly becomes a giant game of cat and mouse in their tower block. Them vs the police. Them vs everyone else. Hari and her friends soon learn there’s something else happening in the estate, something that will uproot from everything they knew.
Run, Riot tackles some pretty important topics. Racism, police brutality, corruption and gentrification. It has the makings of being a very compelling book. It was fascinating to read this fast-paced story as these group of kids face these moments of injustice from the very people who are meant to protect them. One death leads to the breakdown of an entire community and exposes a trail of corruption that goes further than anyone expected. I really enjoy how the narrative played how, a minute by minute account of events, over a twenty-four-hour time lapse, with moments of flashbacks. I could definitely see this on TV.
I’m actually struggling to put into words what I didn’t like about this book. I just didn’t connect with the characters nor plot. It just felt bland, and many moments were just so dull to read. It’s not as adrenaline-fuelled you would think it would be. Which was a real shame because I actually enjoy its concept and plot, but I was actually really disappointed in its execution. The plot was gripping, its characters genuinely fascinating to read about but the whole book just didn’t work for me. Which really frustrated me because I was enjoying this and I wanted it to be better, but it wasn’t.
Overall, an interesting read about a group of teens standing up and speaking up for what they believe in. Personally, I think my dislike of this is just from my own personal reading experience/taste, but I still think it’s a book that a lot of people will enjoy, hopefully much more than I did.