January 12, 2015

Review: The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin (Nov. 2014)
432 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Diversity
Publisher: Little, Brown
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
Goodreads Summary: 730. That's how many days I've been trapped.

18. That's how many days I have left to find a way out.

DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin in the Walled City. But in order to find the key to his freedom, he needs help from someone with the power to be invisible....

JIN hides under the radar, afraid the wild street gangs will discover her biggest secret: Jin passes as a boy to stay safe. Still, every chance she gets, she searches for her lost sister....

MEI YEE has been trapped in a brothel for the past two years, dreaming of getting out while watching the girls who try fail one by one. She's about to give up, when one day she sees an unexpected face at her window.....

In this innovative and adrenaline-fueled novel, they all come together in a desperate attempt to escape a lawless labyrinth before the clock runs out.

My Review

The Walled City is a unique and dark young adult stand-alone novel, which I discovered also happens to be based on a former real walled city in Hong Kong.

What I Liked
  • The writing and characters made me curious about this walled city from the very beginning of the novel and managed to hold my attention throughout.
  • It's a well written young adult stand-alone novel.
  • I liked and found interest in every single strong willed character fighting to survive in The Walled City. I think I love Jin the most, that is one tough girl.
  • It's dark and heartbreaking, but also filled with hope and love. You have to be okay with reading a more gritty book.
  • The pacing was spot on. It's a veryintenseand exciting read.
  • I liked the descriptions and similes, although some might find it to be a little much.
  • The chaos at the end is also worth mentioning, the count down to the big bang was intense.

What I didn't Like
  • It was kind of predictable.
  • It wasn't epic like I thought it could have been.

Bottom Line: The Walled City is a good book.Sorry for the semi-vague review. I had a hard time putting into words what I felt about this one for whatever reason. Maybe because I didn't take a lot of notes while reading. Shame on me.

11 comments:

  1. This sounds amazing. I wasn't sure about it at first but I have seen so many people love it. I am glad it is what it is. Dark and beautiful and intense.

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  2. Great review! I was interested in this one, but I hadn't liked a previous book I read by the same author. But I think you convinced me to give her another shot =)

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    Replies
    1. I hope you do. It was just so dark yet also hopeful. Not to mention that Jin is like my new favorite character. :)

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  3. I love intense books even though they make me anxious - they are always worthwhile to read. I usually steer clear of predictable book but The Walled City has me interested. Also, I love that cover!
    Well at least you take notes with your other books. I never do which I think is a mistake.

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    Replies
    1. I would die if I didn't takes notes while reading. lol

      I thought this book, even though it was kind of predictable, was worth reading. It's a good choice next time you are in the mood for a more serious/gritty book.

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  4. I've heard very, very mixed things on this one! I still have yet to try it. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!! I'm still pretty curious and it SEEMS like something I would like :)

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    Replies
    1. I agree, I feel like the reviews are kind of all over the place. I still think it may be worth giving it a try!

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  5. This sounds like my kind of book, even if it is a little predictable and not as EPIC as it could be. It's definitely high on my TBR it's just a question of WHEN now.

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    1. I definitely thought of you when reading this. I know you like dark books and I'm thinking you will like this one. Either way I kind of want to see how much you like it.

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  6. Hm, I do think this is one that is on my TBR. I do like the idea of it's dark and gripping plot, and it being a standalone! I don't read enough of those. It's just a shame about its predictability!

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