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margiebythebookcase's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up
In the mood for a YA Sci-fi novel? Check out A Kinder City,
by Peter Taylor-Gooby!
This writing style is perfect for young readers who like darker dystopian stories!
It's a quick read, with a message of hope in the midst of darkness.
My rating is pretty subjective as I believe young readers would rate this 5
In the mood for a YA Sci-fi novel? Check out A Kinder City,
by Peter Taylor-Gooby!
This writing style is perfect for young readers who like darker dystopian stories!
It's a quick read, with a message of hope in the midst of darkness.
My rating is pretty subjective as I believe young readers would rate this 5
lecari's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This is a dystopian novel set in the Market World — a world where all items must be sold to a willing buyer, with a bill of sale obtained as proof. Giving items away and charity is illegal, resulting in huge fines and penalties. David is a newly appointed Enforcer, tasked with enforcing the One Law. He and his colleagues catch Sarah with a cartful of apples from her family's recent harvest, which she intends to give away in a neighbouring village. She is arrested, and David quickly falls in love with her — and is determined to show her Market City and teach her its ways.
A Kinder City is set in a really interesting dystopian world. Franklin, the richest man in Market World, has created a monopoly — he owns huge factories and mills, has his own guards that patrol the streets, and creates huge road beasts that ruin the land around Market City. Because he's so important, he is almost untouchable, even when he breaks the law.
There are lots of lessons here about charity, capitalism and the environment. I thought that this was done really well. Franklin's factories pollute the world, and yet David and Sarah find there is nothing that they are able to do — none of these things have broken the law, even though it is obviously morally wrong. Their frustration echoes similar frustrations around the world as despite protests, it feels like nothing can be done to save the environment.
The book does take a little while to get going — the first 50 pages or so the characters felt a little stilted. Sarah is almost a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and David gets swept away by her fun energy and is determined to help her see the error of her ways. I felt that Sarah came across as being a little too naïve and childish — surely, despite living in the villages, she would know about the One Law? But as the story develops and we learn more about Sarah, she grows into her character and became much more believable and well-rounded.
Overall, A Kinder City is an interesting read. It has a lot of lessons (and warnings) about our world and the dangers to the environment, if we allow tyrants to pollute the world. But it doesn't come across as lecturing or 'preachy'. It has some strong character development, a strong female lead, and a fast-paced story. The dystopian world it's set in feels unique and relevant to the modern day. I'd recommend this to readers interested in reading more 'eco sci-fi', or books that touch on environmental matters, or readers looking for dystopian fiction with a strong female lead.
A Kinder City is set in a really interesting dystopian world. Franklin, the richest man in Market World, has created a monopoly — he owns huge factories and mills, has his own guards that patrol the streets, and creates huge road beasts that ruin the land around Market City. Because he's so important, he is almost untouchable, even when he breaks the law.
There are lots of lessons here about charity, capitalism and the environment. I thought that this was done really well. Franklin's factories pollute the world, and yet David and Sarah find there is nothing that they are able to do — none of these things have broken the law, even though it is obviously morally wrong. Their frustration echoes similar frustrations around the world as despite protests, it feels like nothing can be done to save the environment.
The book does take a little while to get going — the first 50 pages or so the characters felt a little stilted. Sarah is almost a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and David gets swept away by her fun energy and is determined to help her see the error of her ways. I felt that Sarah came across as being a little too naïve and childish — surely, despite living in the villages, she would know about the One Law? But as the story develops and we learn more about Sarah, she grows into her character and became much more believable and well-rounded.
Overall, A Kinder City is an interesting read. It has a lot of lessons (and warnings) about our world and the dangers to the environment, if we allow tyrants to pollute the world. But it doesn't come across as lecturing or 'preachy'. It has some strong character development, a strong female lead, and a fast-paced story. The dystopian world it's set in feels unique and relevant to the modern day. I'd recommend this to readers interested in reading more 'eco sci-fi', or books that touch on environmental matters, or readers looking for dystopian fiction with a strong female lead.
brokebookadict's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
‘
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Slavery
Moderate: Animal death and Death
skys_library's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
I wasn't sure what to make of the beginning, I felt a bit lost and wasn't sure how it all was linking. It definitely picks up and starts to fall in place round the 30% mark. The writing is so easy to read and you just flow through it. I felt like the characters personalities didn't start to show till the end. The story was definitely different and like nothing I had read before.
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