The Walled City is one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I have read in a long time, and one of my favorite reads so far in 2014. While I could not directly sympathize with the situations the characters were experiencing, the way the author is able to convey the hopelessness of the city through their eyes was nothing less than heart-wrenching.
I loved the multiple perspectives, although I do agree with other reviewers in that it was difficult at times to distinguish between the voices. The characters all lead very different lives, but their voices and way of speaking are nearly identical. That being said, once I got about 25% of the way through, it was easier to determine who was speaking by what they were doing or where they were within the city of Hak Nam.
The plot in this book moved rather slowly, but I was never bored. There is constant tension and suspense. The city has no law, no police, and is overrun with gangs and drugs. With every page I read, there were literally hundreds of horrible, unexpected things that could go terribly wrong. I also really liked that the plot twists reinforce the city's hopelessness. Good things do not happen in Hak Nam. Things do not go the way you wish they would.
The only aspect of this book I really didn't care for was the ending and unnecessary epilogue. The ending just didn't feel like it fit with the mood, tone, and direction the rest of the story had laid out. I understand that the book is based on the events which happened to an actual walled city, but that dictates the fate of the city, not the fates of the characters involved in this specific fictional story. My issues with the epilogue were more of the same issues I had with the ending. In general I dislike epilogues and prefer more open-ended stories. I want to be left to wonder about the characters, where they are, what they're doing. Epilogues feel like spoilers for the enjoyment I get out of a book after I've finished reading it.
Overall I really loved this book. The star of this book isn't the plot or characters but the setting. The author describes what life is like living within the Walled City so well that you feel like you, too, are standing on its dark, depressing streets. I would recommend this book to fans of deeply depressing, heart-wrenching stories, stories about drug lords, or fans of flowery prose.
Thank you to Netgalley.com and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to review this book! Review copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the multiple perspectives, although I do agree with other reviewers in that it was difficult at times to distinguish between the voices. The characters all lead very different lives, but their voices and way of speaking are nearly identical. That being said, once I got about 25% of the way through, it was easier to determine who was speaking by what they were doing or where they were within the city of Hak Nam.
The plot in this book moved rather slowly, but I was never bored. There is constant tension and suspense. The city has no law, no police, and is overrun with gangs and drugs. With every page I read, there were literally hundreds of horrible, unexpected things that could go terribly wrong. I also really liked that the plot twists reinforce the city's hopelessness. Good things do not happen in Hak Nam. Things do not go the way you wish they would.
The only aspect of this book I really didn't care for was the ending and unnecessary epilogue. The ending just didn't feel like it fit with the mood, tone, and direction the rest of the story had laid out. I understand that the book is based on the events which happened to an actual walled city, but that dictates the fate of the city, not the fates of the characters involved in this specific fictional story. My issues with the epilogue were more of the same issues I had with the ending. In general I dislike epilogues and prefer more open-ended stories. I want to be left to wonder about the characters, where they are, what they're doing. Epilogues feel like spoilers for the enjoyment I get out of a book after I've finished reading it.
Overall I really loved this book. The star of this book isn't the plot or characters but the setting. The author describes what life is like living within the Walled City so well that you feel like you, too, are standing on its dark, depressing streets. I would recommend this book to fans of deeply depressing, heart-wrenching stories, stories about drug lords, or fans of flowery prose.
Thank you to Netgalley.com and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to review this book! Review copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Mei Yee was sold into the sex trade by her drunken father. She is kept separate from the other girls. The only person she sees besides the girls who take care of her room and Mama-san is her exclusive customer, the Ambassador. Mei Yee is expected to accept this is how its going to be the rest of her life. Mei Yee still has hope, though. She dreams of finding her sister again. She pictures them by the ocean. A place theyre never seen, but one that still gives her a safe place feeling.
Her younger sister, Jin, has run off to find her. In order to survive the murders, gangs, and thieves of the Walled city, Jin has to live as a boy. She has been nimble in body and mind since a young age due to her fathers rages. Her quick thinking and speed have kept her alive, but they are not enough. The city is huge and full of brothels. She has been able to check out most of them on her own, but now she needs help. She believes she may have finally found where her sister is being kept. Theres only one problem. Its run by the deadliest gang in the city, The Brotherhood.
Dai is in the city due to Reasons. These Reasons call for him to get in with the Brotherhood. He has a plan, but in order to work, he is going to need a partner. Someone fast and who can think on their feet. Hes just met Jin and thinks he may be perfect.
The Walled City is told in three alternating POVs. Mei Yee and Jin both held my attention better the Dai. His character had an artificial feel while Mei Yee and Jin felt natural. The world building was hit and miss, but overall not bad. It was the story itself that brought my rating down. It took me over a month and a half to finish this book. The story was never exciting enough to hold my attention for more then ten to fifteen minutes at a time. If this hadnt been an ARC it would have been a DNF.
**Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing this in exchange far an honest review**
Her younger sister, Jin, has run off to find her. In order to survive the murders, gangs, and thieves of the Walled city, Jin has to live as a boy. She has been nimble in body and mind since a young age due to her fathers rages. Her quick thinking and speed have kept her alive, but they are not enough. The city is huge and full of brothels. She has been able to check out most of them on her own, but now she needs help. She believes she may have finally found where her sister is being kept. Theres only one problem. Its run by the deadliest gang in the city, The Brotherhood.
Dai is in the city due to Reasons. These Reasons call for him to get in with the Brotherhood. He has a plan, but in order to work, he is going to need a partner. Someone fast and who can think on their feet. Hes just met Jin and thinks he may be perfect.
The Walled City is told in three alternating POVs. Mei Yee and Jin both held my attention better the Dai. His character had an artificial feel while Mei Yee and Jin felt natural. The world building was hit and miss, but overall not bad. It was the story itself that brought my rating down. It took me over a month and a half to finish this book. The story was never exciting enough to hold my attention for more then ten to fifteen minutes at a time. If this hadnt been an ARC it would have been a DNF.
**Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing this in exchange far an honest review**
