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A review by atelierofbooks
Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh
4.0
4.5
This is so good. I rarely read science fiction but now I feel like I need to read more, because I honestly loved this.
It's very much a character driven story, which can be so hard to pull off. But these characters are all so complex and wonderful and I just want to give everyone a big hug. Jaewon, Alex, Ama, Tera, General Tsuko, Young, the No twins, Oh Kangto, everyone. The Director and Park Taesung can go step on a Lego barefoot though, because those guys suck.
When I started this I was low key expecting the typical tropes of dystopian YA. But I was wrong. It's not about a group of young rebels on a righteous mission to overthrow a despot. It's about kids who are just doing their best to live in extraordinary circumstances. Its circumstance that leads them into the crossfire between the ruling regime, rebels, and organized crime. And while they may not be normal teens, they share the same feelings and wants as most people. They just want to be free. Free to choose who they love, free to choose their purpose, free to not have any purpose at all.
Sometimes I have trouble getting into the heads of male characters but Lee Jaewon is such a sympathetic character. He's almost too innocent for this world...despite being a former gang member and combat prodigy. Just so frank and good without even realizing that he's good. Someone who does the right thing not because he's a hero or an especially upright character, but because it just doesn't occur to him not to. He's basically the epitome of neutral good.
I had so many moments where I was like, "Hey Lee Jaewon, you know you're going to get your ass kicked if you do that, right?" But then he did the thing anyway. And he's so deadpan sometimes it makes me laugh, especially compared to the dramatics and intensity of other characters.
My favorite parts were the interactions between Jaewon and his old friends from the gang. It was all so heartwarming and bittersweet. The bromance was SO GOOD.
These kids are actual cinnamon rolls, guys.
Rebel Seoul feels like a love letter to Seoul in a way. And I know that sounds bizarre because it takes place in a dystopian, futuristic version of it, replete with war and despotism. But it's the way the streets are described, the familiar neighborhoods, and most of all, the people. The food stall ahjumma, the teenage kkangpae, the nationalists, the freedom fighters, the musicians.
And that's so impressive. To give the impression that this is a familiar, living city irrespective of the giant mechas flying around. I also love that its unapologetically bilingual. It reminds me of Renee Ahdieh's [b: The Wrath and The Dawn|18798983|The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902] in that respect. The language is not there for you, it's there for the characters and the world building.
Another thing that was handled so wonderfully was the post-apocalyptic setting. Post-apocalyptic settings can often be oppressive reading experiences. But Rebel Seoul manages to convey the darkness without feeling exhausting to read. There's an undercurrent of hope in it.
The writing is crisp and sparse, in the best way. It fits the tone of the novel so well and makes reading so easy that I could fly through 100 pages and not feel the least bit tired.
This is marketed as a cross between k-drama and Pacific Rim. And I can see that. But don't come into this expecting all the mechas, all the time. They certainly feature but they're far from the focal point. Like I said this is character driven, so expect more in the way of personal growth and complex relationships than epic battles.
If you're looking for a fun YA science fiction set in a really cool world with awesome characters, then do give this a read!
This is so good. I rarely read science fiction but now I feel like I need to read more, because I honestly loved this.
It's very much a character driven story, which can be so hard to pull off. But these characters are all so complex and wonderful and I just want to give everyone a big hug. Jaewon, Alex, Ama, Tera, General Tsuko, Young, the No twins, Oh Kangto, everyone. The Director and Park Taesung can go step on a Lego barefoot though, because those guys suck.
When I started this I was low key expecting the typical tropes of dystopian YA. But I was wrong. It's not about a group of young rebels on a righteous mission to overthrow a despot. It's about kids who are just doing their best to live in extraordinary circumstances. Its circumstance that leads them into the crossfire between the ruling regime, rebels, and organized crime. And while they may not be normal teens, they share the same feelings and wants as most people. They just want to be free. Free to choose who they love, free to choose their purpose, free to not have any purpose at all.
Sometimes I have trouble getting into the heads of male characters but Lee Jaewon is such a sympathetic character. He's almost too innocent for this world...despite being a former gang member and combat prodigy. Just so frank and good without even realizing that he's good. Someone who does the right thing not because he's a hero or an especially upright character, but because it just doesn't occur to him not to. He's basically the epitome of neutral good.
I had so many moments where I was like, "Hey Lee Jaewon, you know you're going to get your ass kicked if you do that, right?" But then he did the thing anyway. And he's so deadpan sometimes it makes me laugh, especially compared to the dramatics and intensity of other characters.
My favorite parts were the interactions between Jaewon and his old friends from the gang. It was all so heartwarming and bittersweet. The bromance was SO GOOD.
...Daeho hands me a riceball.
"Thanks."
"I warmed it up in the microwave. I had two but I gave you the one with extra seasoning."
These kids are actual cinnamon rolls, guys.
Rebel Seoul feels like a love letter to Seoul in a way. And I know that sounds bizarre because it takes place in a dystopian, futuristic version of it, replete with war and despotism. But it's the way the streets are described, the familiar neighborhoods, and most of all, the people. The food stall ahjumma, the teenage kkangpae, the nationalists, the freedom fighters, the musicians.
And that's so impressive. To give the impression that this is a familiar, living city irrespective of the giant mechas flying around. I also love that its unapologetically bilingual. It reminds me of Renee Ahdieh's [b: The Wrath and The Dawn|18798983|The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417956963s/18798983.jpg|26724902] in that respect. The language is not there for you, it's there for the characters and the world building.
Another thing that was handled so wonderfully was the post-apocalyptic setting. Post-apocalyptic settings can often be oppressive reading experiences. But Rebel Seoul manages to convey the darkness without feeling exhausting to read. There's an undercurrent of hope in it.
The writing is crisp and sparse, in the best way. It fits the tone of the novel so well and makes reading so easy that I could fly through 100 pages and not feel the least bit tired.
This is marketed as a cross between k-drama and Pacific Rim. And I can see that. But don't come into this expecting all the mechas, all the time. They certainly feature but they're far from the focal point. Like I said this is character driven, so expect more in the way of personal growth and complex relationships than epic battles.
If you're looking for a fun YA science fiction set in a really cool world with awesome characters, then do give this a read!