The Drowned Cities takes a look at a future America that is full of warring factions, oil and metal crisises, disastrous effects of global warming, and poverty. This is actually a parallel novel of sorts to the book Shipbreaker, though whether it takes place before or after I'm not sure. A the gist of the story is this: Mahlia and her friend Mouse, both refugees that have stuck up for each other for a long time, discover Tool, a bioengineered war beast that is being hunted by an army. Because of this, they get separated and Mahlia seeks to get Mouse back. The book shifts views between Mahlia, Mouse, Tool, and also Ocho, one of the sergeants in the army.
Having read Shipbreaker, also by Bacigalupi, I was already familiar with the world in which this novel is set. This novel continues to prove that the dystopian world that the author has created is well thought out. I've read many dystopian novels that don't have a clear world sense of how the dystopian came to be, where it's at on a global scale, and where it is going, but such is not the case for The Drowned Cities. The world is a frightening place to live in, but it is also realistic enough to make you think about how it applies to the world today. If a dystopian doesn't do that, it isn't worth writing (in my opinion).
This book, as the previous, appears to be a stand alone novel; there could be more, but the major conflict of the main characters within the novel is resolved. The ending, somehow, leaves you hopeful for the future even amidst all the sadness and disparity. A strong heroine is presented us and she grows throughout the novel in a satisfying character arc through her interaction with the half-man Tool, who has his own character arc as well.
Overall, this book was a fantastic look both into a well thought out dystopian world and a group of well thought out characters who have to deal with that world. We could learn a lot from such characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the dystopian genre of books and enjoys thinking about the nature of men when put in extreme situations.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
This book, as the previous, appears to be a stand alone novel; there could be more, but the major conflict of the main characters within the novel is resolved. The ending, somehow, leaves you hopeful for the future even amidst all the sadness and disparity. A strong heroine is presented us and she grows throughout the novel in a satisfying character arc through her interaction with the half-man Tool, who has his own character arc as well.
Overall, this book was a fantastic look both into a well thought out dystopian world and a group of well thought out characters who have to deal with that world. We could learn a lot from such characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the dystopian genre of books and enjoys thinking about the nature of men when put in extreme situations.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
The main character is Elisa, a princess is supposed to be destined for greatness but is full of doubts and worries. She feels inadequate to the people around her and more so now that she is married off to become the secret wife of a king in a far-off kingdom. The kingdom is in turmoil and she must quickly learn whose side to take and what her role is, that is if she doesn't die first as most of the chosen do.
Almost from the get-go, this book reminded me of Robin McKinley's two novels "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown."
Similar to those novels, this novel contains a strong heroine, a desert country in conflict with a mysterious and feared group from the north, political trouble, romance, strange magic, and well thought out character arcs. I note these comparisons only because I found it interesting, but in no way does the author seek to copy any other book, so far as I could tell. (But if you have read those books by McKinley and enjoyed them I am certain you will enjoy this.) Each element of the book was strong, although there are some surprises along the way.
This book is part of a trilogy or a larger series. That being said, this book begins and ends in such a way that you feel satisfied at the end. The major conflict of the novel is resolved within the novel. Naturally, there is enough left to have sequels, but I'm glad when a writer is talented enough to contain a story within one book, even if there is a larger story afoot as well.
Another note of interest in the book is the use of Spanish; you don't have to know Spanish at all to enjoy the book, but elements from Spanish are used in regards to naming within the novel and the "ancient language" within the world (referred to as "la Lengua Clásica"). In my own personal experience, I found that a knowledge of Spanish led to a deeper appreciation of the novel and it helped me to pronounce both the locations and the names of individuals in such a way that raised the experience of the story. This fact speaks to the ability of languages to intertwine to a unique and special effect.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I look forward to the next book in the series, which, in fact, just came out.
Almost from the get-go, this book reminded me of Robin McKinley's two novels "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown."
Similar to those novels, this novel contains a strong heroine, a desert country in conflict with a mysterious and feared group from the north, political trouble, romance, strange magic, and well thought out character arcs. I note these comparisons only because I found it interesting, but in no way does the author seek to copy any other book, so far as I could tell. (But if you have read those books by McKinley and enjoyed them I am certain you will enjoy this.) Each element of the book was strong, although there are some surprises along the way.
This book is part of a trilogy or a larger series. That being said, this book begins and ends in such a way that you feel satisfied at the end. The major conflict of the novel is resolved within the novel. Naturally, there is enough left to have sequels, but I'm glad when a writer is talented enough to contain a story within one book, even if there is a larger story afoot as well.
Another note of interest in the book is the use of Spanish; you don't have to know Spanish at all to enjoy the book, but elements from Spanish are used in regards to naming within the novel and the "ancient language" within the world (referred to as "la Lengua Clásica"). In my own personal experience, I found that a knowledge of Spanish led to a deeper appreciation of the novel and it helped me to pronounce both the locations and the names of individuals in such a way that raised the experience of the story. This fact speaks to the ability of languages to intertwine to a unique and special effect.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I look forward to the next book in the series, which, in fact, just came out.
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