Broken City Review

Date Published: February 7, 2011

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Number of Pages: 348

Publisher: AuthorHouse

First Thoughts:

I didn’t know what to expect when I first started this book, it was just one of those books where I just picked it up without much background info and dived in. This was definitely unique and beautifully crafted. I really enjoyed the story and the depth the author put into this book. This wasn’t your typical dystopian book, there was an actual society set-up and a more realistic feel to it…It was just really fun to read how their world was and how each person adapted…very well thought out and explained. I don’t think I’ll forget this book for a very long time; it was that interesting.

Plot:

So there were different sections to this book, I would say there was essentially 4 different parts to it. And each part had its own character and story to it. It was beautifully crafted in the way the author blended each of the parts together. It was really straight forward and fun to read. And the concept of this world was pretty original, it did have some old ideas mixed within it but essentially the whole world and the people who reside in it are unique and creative to this book. As far as the pace it was pretty quick, it had its slower moments but in the end it was an easy and quick read. I really enjoyed the book and didn’t feel the book was really dragging. Each scene or part of this book was very much needed; this book couldn’t have been any shorter. If anything I wish the ending could have been extended some more. I felt that the situation was rushed and didn’t allow the characters to fully experience every little thing that was happening. It just seemed a little too perfect…like the way it ended came too easily than you would expect for the current situation. But besides that fast paced ending the plot was really good. And as for the sub-plots, I felt that each one was needed for the reader to really grasp this world. Each little story was fun to read and paint the world in different shades of colors.  I felt that every little last conflict was either resolved or explained and I was in the end satisfied with the plot. And the idea of this book was not boring in the least and had a lot of unique qualities to it, so overall the plot was good and very well executed.

Romance:

There was romance in this story but it wasn’t the main conflict, it was more of a sub-plot than anything and it was fun to read and experience. I liked that the romance didn’t overwhelm me, it was there but it was placed just right so that it was enjoyable to read and experience. And I really enjoyed Deeta’s romance; it was a bit comical at times but in the end sweet and beautifully created. And as for the other romances they were just as good and beautifully crafted and in the end I enjoyed them within this world and wouldn’t want it any other way.

Characters:

Loved the characters in this book, they each had their traits and quirks that I loved and hated. I loved that each one had their own role to play that contributed to the main conflict. And the way some of these characters clashed was quite comical and fun to read…the brothers were a great pair to see together and though you don’t have a ton of scenes with the two there were plenty of them with them in it. And also I felt that the characters were realistic enough and they really seemed three dimensional and full of personality. So overall I felt the characters added a great layer to this world and each character was essential for the overall effect the book had on me.

Transformation of the Character:

There were a few transformations in this book, they weren’t really big per-se but they were noticeable and fun to read. Each one had their own path that it took to get the end result and I really felt that each of the transformations were very much needed for the story. I won’t really mention which of the characters had their transformations because I don’t want to spoil it for you but let’s just say they were very much appreciated and fun to read.

Description:

I loved, loved, loved the way the author described this world…the scenes in each new place were very well described to the point where I could really picture so many little details. One of my favorite scenes was where the author described the home that Deeta and her “tribe” were living in. I could really get a sense of their living conditions and their way of life. And the way the city was described allowed me to really imagine what happened to their world that caused them to live the way they do now. It was like a little mini history lesson done through pure imagery; beautiful. As far as the amount of description I don’t think there was too much or too little, it seemed to be the perfect amount to get the images and messages across. And as far as dialogue, each one seemed true to the character and added even more information to the story so that the reader could better experience the books world. So overall I felt the description added and essential layer to this world and I loved every little image.

Style:

This was told in a few different POV’s but it was mainly told from Deeta’s so I was able to really see the world from her eyes and it did help narrow the information the reader received. Also this was written in first person so it really allowed the reader to get into the peson’s point of view. I don’t really think third person would have worked with this story…there’s just too much going on in this world that it would take too many pages to really explain everything. One issue I had with the POV’s was at times I got confused when POV’s changed, it was like I didn’t see a clear transition in some of them…it wasn’t all the time but there were a few times that it happened. Now as far as the author’s writing, I thought it was easy and beautiful to read, I really didn’t have a problem with it. So overall the style was pretty good just had a few issues with POV.

Quote of the book:

““Poor Deetina, what have they done to you?” his voice is soft and full of sympathy, I think it is his kindness that breaks me down and I tip forwards into his arms feeling the immeasurable comfort of his embrace close around me.”

Goodreads Summary:

Deeta Richards has never seen the outside world. Before she was born, a banking crisis brought civilization to an end and now no one leaves the safety of the compounds unless they need to, but Deeta still dreams of seeing more than the building she was born in.

Tom is in the guard, these groups are the only people that the tribal elders allow to leave the compound and tom knows only too well that Deeta could never survive the harshness that exists outside. Then tragedy strikes and Deeta and her Sister Jan find themselves captured by a hostile tribe. Why does Tom know so much about these people? And why do they know so much about him? As this mystery draws to a climax, they discover that their friend Tom is not quite what he seems...

Last Thoughts:

I would recommend this to YA and dystopian readers. I really did enjoy reading this book and enjoyed the message that it sent across. I thought this book had a lot of great qualities to it and found it to be enjoyable and fun to read. I look forward to seeing what else this author has in store for us; this author definitely has a talent for creating a unique and creative world. This is definitely a book I enjoyed reading and never really noticed the length of its entity.

My Rating: