Monday, March 28, 2016

City of Savages - Review


Title:  City of Savages
Author:  Lee Kelly

Synopsis:  “It’s been nearly two decades since the breakout of the third world war.  Manhattan is now a prisoner-of-war camp ruled by island native Rolladin, who controls the city’s survivors with an iron fist.  For Skyler Miller, Manhattan is a cage that keeps her from the world beyond the city’s borders.  But for Sky’s younger sister, Phee, the Central Park POW Camp is the only home she’d ever want.
     “When strangers arrive in the park, carrying a shocking message, Sky and Phee discover there’s more to Manhattan – and their family – than either of them had ever imagined.  As disturbing secrets about the island begin to surface Sky and Phee have no choice but to break the rules to uncover the full truth of their long-shrouded history.  When their quest for answers erupts into violence, Sky and Phee must flee into Manhattan’s depths, where their quest for a better future will force them to confront the island’s dark and shocking past.”

Review:  I love post-apocalyptic fiction.  I read a lot of it, and I’m picky about it.  City of Savages was a fun read.  I enjoyed the premise, and the author did an excellent job of maintaining the tension throughout the novel, building to a nail biting, edge of your seat climax.  There were plenty of surprises and unexpected reveals.  However I found that the two sisters, Sky and Phee, were much too similar and very flat.  The story is told from their alternating points of view and flashbacks involving a diary.  I frequently found myself forgetting whose point of view I was experiencing.  The beginning of each chapter tells you, but Sky and Phee think and act so similar that it was very confusing.  I recommend reading City of Savages, but be prepared for two main characters who are a bit bland and stereotypical. 

Publisher:  Saga Press

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