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A review by theartolater
The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
3.0
I can't remember when I first heard of the Kowloon Walled City, but the mere existence of the thing alone has always piqued my interest, and I didn't realize until I grabbed The Walled City that I might have an interest in a book that takes place within its walls (or in a similar setting).
The story here, however, is less about surviving in the city and more about teens surviving the corruption and crime that runs it. Teens mired in the drug trade, as prostitutes, and so on? Not an uplifting tale in any regard, and, while it may be realistic, it feels brutal and dystopian perhaps on purpose.
Overall, not a terrible read, as the pacing is solid and parts of the story definitely work, but mostly a miss for me based on those factors.
The story here, however, is less about surviving in the city and more about teens surviving the corruption and crime that runs it. Teens mired in the drug trade, as prostitutes, and so on? Not an uplifting tale in any regard, and, while it may be realistic, it feels brutal and dystopian perhaps on purpose.
Overall, not a terrible read, as the pacing is solid and parts of the story definitely work, but mostly a miss for me based on those factors.