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A review by kiaramedina
The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
5.0
*I received an egalley from Netgalley & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know exactly why I love this book as much as I do. There were so many different aspects that felt new and original to me, and I guess that ultimately wins me over in the end.
The Walled City is a lawless city. Full of drunkards, gangs, and brothels. Orphans and murderers share the same name. Thieves are in abundance. And for Jin Ling, there's no way out, not without her sister with her.
For Jin, there are only three rules, displayed on the cover: Run Fast, Trust No One, Always Carry Your Knife. These rules have let Jin survive inside The Walled City for the last few years, while she looks for her sister. No such luck so far. Then she meets Dai, with his secrets and mysterious, but with a possible chance of finally finding her sister. That is, unless time runs out first.
The world building. The character development. It was all really amazing. Marvelously done plot. The intensity of everything that's happening, and all the secrets that get mixed up and unravelled as the story continues, is executed to perfection.
Even the three narratives are done well. I'm not a huge fan of multiple narratives, since they can be poorly executed, but these were done perfectly, with me never losing track of whose perspective I was currently reading.
Also, major points for Asian characters and story, and the photos of the original city at the end. All in all, a spectacular book that will keep you on your toes as you race toward the end.
I don't know exactly why I love this book as much as I do. There were so many different aspects that felt new and original to me, and I guess that ultimately wins me over in the end.
The Walled City is a lawless city. Full of drunkards, gangs, and brothels. Orphans and murderers share the same name. Thieves are in abundance. And for Jin Ling, there's no way out, not without her sister with her.
For Jin, there are only three rules, displayed on the cover: Run Fast, Trust No One, Always Carry Your Knife. These rules have let Jin survive inside The Walled City for the last few years, while she looks for her sister. No such luck so far. Then she meets Dai, with his secrets and mysterious, but with a possible chance of finally finding her sister. That is, unless time runs out first.
The world building. The character development. It was all really amazing. Marvelously done plot. The intensity of everything that's happening, and all the secrets that get mixed up and unravelled as the story continues, is executed to perfection.
Even the three narratives are done well. I'm not a huge fan of multiple narratives, since they can be poorly executed, but these were done perfectly, with me never losing track of whose perspective I was currently reading.
Also, major points for Asian characters and story, and the photos of the original city at the end. All in all, a spectacular book that will keep you on your toes as you race toward the end.