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New Hope City #1
New Hope City
After four years of hellish cruelty in a sex trafficking gang, 14 year old Sunni Brown moves to a southern city mired in poverty and despair. She walks with her head bowed and her shoulders slumped like the world is weighing her down – a real victim of the system as they say. However, something inside her is brewing; she slowly grows angrier and hardened. But when she crosses paths with a disillusioned cop, will her growing hatred, rage and the burning desire for revenge change her from helpless victim to raging vigilante?
This is the full-length novel follow-up to "The Shelter."
This is the full-length novel follow-up to "The Shelter."
- GenresApocalyptic
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2012
789 people want to read
About the author
SunHi Mistwalker
11 books14 followersAuthor of dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction. Mistwalker enjoys writing books about how societal collapse can change individuals and families. She specifically explores class, economics, environmentalism and state sponsored oppression within post-apocalyptic and dystopian futures.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure I just want to let everyone know that I started to skim the last two or three chapters because I couldn't handle reading too closely anymore. Needless to say I did not end up enjoying this book in the slightest. This is really disappointing to me since I usually have such an easy time getting into (post)apocalyptic settings and the synopsis sucked me in with a dystopian world struggling with an economic crash on top of a young girl and disillusioned cop teaming up. Recipe for success as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately the story was poorly executed.
My first major problem with the book is that the author chooses to tell rather than show when it comes to storytelling. The first chapter is essentially a couple of paragraphs blandly talking about the economic collapse, rather than showing the effects and history through setting and characters. Her characters share a similar fate in which we're simply told they have certain characteristics or are feeling a certain way rather than it be portrayed through their actions (which are at times extremely contrary). Characters also change suddenly without any proper development an example being Tony, the 'disillusioned' cop. The author tells us from the get-go that Tony is pretty much the only good cop on the force. However a few scenes later he's faced with finding out that nearly the entire force knew about his daughter being pimped out from under his nose. His response is to repeatedly punch his partner( and apparent best friend of 15 years) in the face repeatedly after he informed Tony. His actions there are forgivable, but by the end of the novel by-the-book Tony out of nowhere actually makes the main character, the one he swore to protect, kill her own puppy in order to show her that lying is bad. What's more the author, and the main character still treat him as if he is worthy of respect and that his actions were completely rational.
The main character, Sunni, stays static throughout the novel as she is victimized again and again by everyone around her and even invites it on some occassions. She doesn't seem to develop in the slightest in spite of what the synopsis will have you believe. The author tells us that Sunni is a girl who trusts no one and yet she is shown easily trusting the very people she shouldn't. Her love interest Jin is a prime example as she openly trusts him even though he hangs out in her pimps circle, he is shown to violently abuse girls, and even threatens and abuses Sunni herself. Now this could be seen as a tragic character flaw if played right, however as with Tony, Jin is written in such a way that it's obvious that the author wants us to sympathize with Jin and see him as a good guy.
The writing style itself also irritated me, dialogue was repetitive and circular. Tony and Sunni's conversations follow a constant "blah blah" "stop lying" "I'm not lying" "yes you are" pattern that offers little to no growth or progression to the story. The 3rd person omniscient point of view is also quite confusing to read at times since the author tries to convey several characters thoughts and emotions simultaneously. This style of writing left very little to the imagination and took away most of the suspense the story might have had to offer. Not only that but due to this omniscient, multi-character P.O.V. it made it quite hard for me to keep track of character relationships, and who was feel what when.
There were also a few gaping plot holes in the story along with questions that were never answered. For one reason or another it is hinted that Sunni is inexplicably valuable or special to the gangsters that are perusing her. Something that seems to make her important enough to stick their necks out for -- but this is never addressed. The gangsters also seemed to have had trouble locating Sunni in spite of the fact that everyone knew she was staying with Toni, and snatching her would've been quite easy to accomplish seeing as she was left in his trailer alone, quite often. This situation is made even more unbelievable by the fact that Sunni also starts attending the same school some of the gangsters (including the one that pimped her out) attend. Those same gangsters eventually barged into Sunni's classroom and was harassed and openly threatened by them WHILE THE TEACH CHOSE TO KEEP TEACHING THE CLASS. The teacher failed to acknowledge anything was even going on when they forced her from the classroom.
In short, this novel has a myriad of issues and at some points failed to make any sort of sense at all! Reading this book was very much like watching a horrific train wreck. As I said before I started to skim during the last two or three chapters because I could not handle anymore. I do know for a fact however that in the end -- nothing gets resolved and there isn't any satisfying character development from any of the characters either. Sunni ends the novel in the same position she started in except with more dead bodies.
Rating: 1/10 stars (see my review policy @ http://fictioholic.blogspot.ca/ for star rating details).
My first major problem with the book is that the author chooses to tell rather than show when it comes to storytelling. The first chapter is essentially a couple of paragraphs blandly talking about the economic collapse, rather than showing the effects and history through setting and characters. Her characters share a similar fate in which we're simply told they have certain characteristics or are feeling a certain way rather than it be portrayed through their actions (which are at times extremely contrary). Characters also change suddenly without any proper development an example being Tony, the 'disillusioned' cop. The author tells us from the get-go that Tony is pretty much the only good cop on the force. However a few scenes later he's faced with finding out that nearly the entire force knew about his daughter being pimped out from under his nose. His response is to repeatedly punch his partner( and apparent best friend of 15 years) in the face repeatedly after he informed Tony. His actions there are forgivable, but by the end of the novel by-the-book Tony out of nowhere actually makes the main character, the one he swore to protect, kill her own puppy in order to show her that lying is bad. What's more the author, and the main character still treat him as if he is worthy of respect and that his actions were completely rational.
The main character, Sunni, stays static throughout the novel as she is victimized again and again by everyone around her and even invites it on some occassions. She doesn't seem to develop in the slightest in spite of what the synopsis will have you believe. The author tells us that Sunni is a girl who trusts no one and yet she is shown easily trusting the very people she shouldn't. Her love interest Jin is a prime example as she openly trusts him even though he hangs out in her pimps circle, he is shown to violently abuse girls, and even threatens and abuses Sunni herself. Now this could be seen as a tragic character flaw if played right, however as with Tony, Jin is written in such a way that it's obvious that the author wants us to sympathize with Jin and see him as a good guy.
The writing style itself also irritated me, dialogue was repetitive and circular. Tony and Sunni's conversations follow a constant "blah blah" "stop lying" "I'm not lying" "yes you are" pattern that offers little to no growth or progression to the story. The 3rd person omniscient point of view is also quite confusing to read at times since the author tries to convey several characters thoughts and emotions simultaneously. This style of writing left very little to the imagination and took away most of the suspense the story might have had to offer. Not only that but due to this omniscient, multi-character P.O.V. it made it quite hard for me to keep track of character relationships, and who was feel what when.
There were also a few gaping plot holes in the story along with questions that were never answered. For one reason or another it is hinted that Sunni is inexplicably valuable or special to the gangsters that are perusing her. Something that seems to make her important enough to stick their necks out for -- but this is never addressed. The gangsters also seemed to have had trouble locating Sunni in spite of the fact that everyone knew she was staying with Toni, and snatching her would've been quite easy to accomplish seeing as she was left in his trailer alone, quite often. This situation is made even more unbelievable by the fact that Sunni also starts attending the same school some of the gangsters (including the one that pimped her out) attend. Those same gangsters eventually barged into Sunni's classroom and was harassed and openly threatened by them WHILE THE TEACH CHOSE TO KEEP TEACHING THE CLASS. The teacher failed to acknowledge anything was even going on when they forced her from the classroom.
In short, this novel has a myriad of issues and at some points failed to make any sort of sense at all! Reading this book was very much like watching a horrific train wreck. As I said before I started to skim during the last two or three chapters because I could not handle anymore. I do know for a fact however that in the end -- nothing gets resolved and there isn't any satisfying character development from any of the characters either. Sunni ends the novel in the same position she started in except with more dead bodies.
Rating: 1/10 stars (see my review policy @ http://fictioholic.blogspot.ca/ for star rating details).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The concept of society collapse is a topic that many people like to explore. I think everyone revels in the thought at a worst case scenario, this could happen to us. This is better than a horror book! I have to praise Mistwalker for writing on this theme as she creates a possible reality that is too close for comfort.
I’m not convinced on the omniscient narrator. There was too much going on in people’s heads which didn’t leave much room for what was going on around them. Although it touched very briefly on the affluent housing, only the poverty and sadness situation was very much at the forefront of the characters’ minds.
This book was just a little too depressing for me. There didn’t seem to be a resolution and to learn that there are two more books on the way just made my heart sink. Could it get any worse for Sunni? Although I love the whole concept of the corrupt city and people in authority being fraudulent I don’t think I will be reading the continuation until I read a review that has positive content with regards to the plot.
There needed to be a strong heroine and it lacked that for me. There is still hope for the possibility that Sunni learns to become a fighter rather than a survivor.
This has potential to be a great book as the concept is there, it just needs to be moulded differently. The violent content in this book is sufficient; not too graphic to make you want to stop reading but just enough to interest you.
Sorry to end on a bad note but there are a few errors which I found very distracting and in my opinion should not be present in a published novel!
The concept of society collapse is a topic that many people like to explore. I think everyone revels in the thought at a worst case scenario, this could happen to us. This is better than a horror book! I have to praise Mistwalker for writing on this theme as she creates a possible reality that is too close for comfort.
I’m not convinced on the omniscient narrator. There was too much going on in people’s heads which didn’t leave much room for what was going on around them. Although it touched very briefly on the affluent housing, only the poverty and sadness situation was very much at the forefront of the characters’ minds.
This book was just a little too depressing for me. There didn’t seem to be a resolution and to learn that there are two more books on the way just made my heart sink. Could it get any worse for Sunni? Although I love the whole concept of the corrupt city and people in authority being fraudulent I don’t think I will be reading the continuation until I read a review that has positive content with regards to the plot.
There needed to be a strong heroine and it lacked that for me. There is still hope for the possibility that Sunni learns to become a fighter rather than a survivor.
This has potential to be a great book as the concept is there, it just needs to be moulded differently. The violent content in this book is sufficient; not too graphic to make you want to stop reading but just enough to interest you.
Sorry to end on a bad note but there are a few errors which I found very distracting and in my opinion should not be present in a published novel!
May 10, 2020
This novel is a compact and uncompromising thriller. It is written in the 'dystopian world' form to describe a world that many people actually experience now, which forces the reader to acknowledge fundamental truths about our current civilization's desire to ignore poverty and structural inequity.
I can't wait to read more of this series.
I can't wait to read more of this series.
April 28, 2013
New Hope City had a lot of potential but just didn't live up to it. I know there's a certain level of darkness with dystopian fiction, but this....this was just too dark for me. Reading it actually made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was the child prostitutes. Maybe it was the gangs and drugs and threats of violence. Probably not. Maybe it was the despair piled on top of despair piled on top of despair with no real hope of anything good ever happening. Yeah. That's it. It was just so depressing. I kept waiting for things to start looking up for Sunni, but really, that just didn't happen.
Following total economic collapse, New Hope City is awash in gangs, corrupt police, drugs, street kids, etc, etc. It's not a nice place to live. At all. Sunni lives here. After her mother walks out on her, Sunni has to find a way to survive. Tony, a disillusioned cop, takes her in and tries to "save" her. The pimp she's trying to escape wants her back, bad.
Supposedly, Sunni is supposed to grow from victim to vigilante, but I didn't see this happening. This poor girl is victimize over and over. Most men sexually abuse her, other physically abuse her. Her own mother beats her. Boys on the street beat her, rob her, and take advantage of her. Her "love interest" is abusive and controlling, though he never hits Sunni. He does, however, abuse other girls. This kid is so controlling Sunni doesn't even seem to have a choice about being "his girl." He actually tells her she is his girl and doesn't listen when she says repeatedly that she does not want any kind of relationship with him. Even Tony, the supposed "good guy" in this hellish pit of misery, abuses her verbally and psychologically. I mean, this guy has her kill her puppy to teach her a lesson about lying! YES, you read that right. HE HAS HER KILL HER PUPPY TO TEACH HER A LESSON ABOUT LYING. What? Seriously, WHAT? HOW? WHY? I don't even know what to think about this. It was just sickening. We're supposed to look at this guy and think "Oh, what a nice guy, taking care of her like that to make up for not noticing his daughter is a teen prostitute and drug addict." Um, okay, maybe so, but dude makes her kill her pet. That's more psycho than nice. I did like Tony up until then. He seemed to be the only sane one in a city full of lunatics. LOL NOPE! Turns out he's just as crazy as everyone else!
I wanted to like New Hope City. I really did. I tried. It took some effort to finish it, though. It was just too dark for me. I would have liked a little bit of hope, something to hold on to, something that let me know that Sunni would be okay. Unfortunately, there is no hope in New Hope City.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
Following total economic collapse, New Hope City is awash in gangs, corrupt police, drugs, street kids, etc, etc. It's not a nice place to live. At all. Sunni lives here. After her mother walks out on her, Sunni has to find a way to survive. Tony, a disillusioned cop, takes her in and tries to "save" her. The pimp she's trying to escape wants her back, bad.
Supposedly, Sunni is supposed to grow from victim to vigilante, but I didn't see this happening. This poor girl is victimize over and over. Most men sexually abuse her, other physically abuse her. Her own mother beats her. Boys on the street beat her, rob her, and take advantage of her. Her "love interest" is abusive and controlling, though he never hits Sunni. He does, however, abuse other girls. This kid is so controlling Sunni doesn't even seem to have a choice about being "his girl." He actually tells her she is his girl and doesn't listen when she says repeatedly that she does not want any kind of relationship with him. Even Tony, the supposed "good guy" in this hellish pit of misery, abuses her verbally and psychologically. I mean, this guy has her kill her puppy to teach her a lesson about lying! YES, you read that right. HE HAS HER KILL HER PUPPY TO TEACH HER A LESSON ABOUT LYING. What? Seriously, WHAT? HOW? WHY? I don't even know what to think about this. It was just sickening. We're supposed to look at this guy and think "Oh, what a nice guy, taking care of her like that to make up for not noticing his daughter is a teen prostitute and drug addict." Um, okay, maybe so, but dude makes her kill her pet. That's more psycho than nice. I did like Tony up until then. He seemed to be the only sane one in a city full of lunatics. LOL NOPE! Turns out he's just as crazy as everyone else!
I wanted to like New Hope City. I really did. I tried. It took some effort to finish it, though. It was just too dark for me. I would have liked a little bit of hope, something to hold on to, something that let me know that Sunni would be okay. Unfortunately, there is no hope in New Hope City.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
September 18, 2014
I received this book off of Goodreads First Reads...
Honestly, I'm having a headache-inducing love-hate tug-of-war relationship with this book. Lots of mixed emotions, confusions, and frustrations all crumbled up into one by the time I reached the last page. I wanted to give it one star, at the same time I wanted to give it five stars. I quickly came to the decision to give this book one start because of the amount of disappointment I found among it's storyline. Mostly because I wish I could re-write so many sections of this book as some form of hope for a ugly world that the main character is living in. This book leads on an endless journey of false hope, where you are hoping something turns around for Sunni. Some sign of peace, happiness, true love, real kindness, sunshine, a rainbow, anything. Nope. Nada. Big disappointment. Things keep on getting worse and worse and worse, and in the end... it literally ends on the worse note.
**SPOILER ALERT**
This book is raw. It's brutal. It's gut-wrenching. It's depressing. It's horrible. It has a disgusting twisted view on "love" and how girls should be treated, considering that way she was treating by supposedly the only "good" person in her life is completely WRONG. When I'm rooting for Officer Gavilan as the "good guy" (with a few minor flaws) to be the hero and ray of sunshine in Sunni's life, he was no better off then the thugs and pimps out to get Sunni. He was physically and mentally abusive, regularly, and a raging alcoholic that was teaching Sunni all the wrong forms of a family and love. For goodness sakes, he FORCED her to stab her dog to teach her a lesson about lying. SERIOUSLY. That part literally ruined the whole book for me. I might have given it five stars if that ONE SECTION had not been there because it was so twisted and disturbing and destroyed the plot. Though I completely understand the author wanted to write something unique and definitely out-of-the-box, she should've stuck with incidents that didn't make the readers to burn the damn book. At least something we could stomach a little better? I understand why the author killed off only "good" person in her life, but the puppy? Seriously? WTF?!
In the end, I think I have a more hate-based relationship with this book. Hopefully something I could actually tolerate reading again. Hopefully the author shows more compassion and empathy in any future books she writes. It was save a lot of book-burners in the future.
Honestly, I'm having a headache-inducing love-hate tug-of-war relationship with this book. Lots of mixed emotions, confusions, and frustrations all crumbled up into one by the time I reached the last page. I wanted to give it one star, at the same time I wanted to give it five stars. I quickly came to the decision to give this book one start because of the amount of disappointment I found among it's storyline. Mostly because I wish I could re-write so many sections of this book as some form of hope for a ugly world that the main character is living in. This book leads on an endless journey of false hope, where you are hoping something turns around for Sunni. Some sign of peace, happiness, true love, real kindness, sunshine, a rainbow, anything. Nope. Nada. Big disappointment. Things keep on getting worse and worse and worse, and in the end... it literally ends on the worse note.
**SPOILER ALERT**
This book is raw. It's brutal. It's gut-wrenching. It's depressing. It's horrible. It has a disgusting twisted view on "love" and how girls should be treated, considering that way she was treating by supposedly the only "good" person in her life is completely WRONG. When I'm rooting for Officer Gavilan as the "good guy" (with a few minor flaws) to be the hero and ray of sunshine in Sunni's life, he was no better off then the thugs and pimps out to get Sunni. He was physically and mentally abusive, regularly, and a raging alcoholic that was teaching Sunni all the wrong forms of a family and love. For goodness sakes, he FORCED her to stab her dog to teach her a lesson about lying. SERIOUSLY. That part literally ruined the whole book for me. I might have given it five stars if that ONE SECTION had not been there because it was so twisted and disturbing and destroyed the plot. Though I completely understand the author wanted to write something unique and definitely out-of-the-box, she should've stuck with incidents that didn't make the readers to burn the damn book. At least something we could stomach a little better? I understand why the author killed off only "good" person in her life, but the puppy? Seriously? WTF?!
In the end, I think I have a more hate-based relationship with this book. Hopefully something I could actually tolerate reading again. Hopefully the author shows more compassion and empathy in any future books she writes. It was save a lot of book-burners in the future.
November 14, 2013
New Hope City
There have been a few complaints about the grammar and typos but truthfully (other than misuse of 'use to') these didn't bother me much since I recently read a book where there was a typo on every page and this one wasn't even close to that. In fact some of the grammar 'errors' could be attributed to the way the characters speak—although frankly that style got very tired very fast.
No, while the story itself I thought was well written and well told, the problem with New Hope City for me was, as another reviewer mentioned, that it was so depressing it was oppressive! I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and that was pretty bad but somehow New Hope City is almost worse. I like dystopian sci-fi novels as much as anyone, but I could barely pick up this book and go on. In fact I dreaded it. For twelve straight chapters this girl's life is so bad I could barely take it anymore. It's not the violence, or child prostitutes, or evil people, it's just the complete lack of any hope in New Hope City.
Sunni, the main character, doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. Like so many young girls she is a sullen teenager who can't speak her mind and relate to anyone let alone an adult. Each time she's faced with a crisis the reader cringes as she just accepts what is happening to her for 75% of the book. At every point I missed a strong female like Lizbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, who would have kicked ass and taken names instead of getting her own ass kicked and accepting everything.
Then there are too many cringe-worthy gross out sequences, like bathing in 'clean enough' water from the toilet, for me. Come on, Sunni could have gathered up some snow and melted it to wash herself off. A girl with such poor hygiene is not any kind of role model and I think that's just a tiny example of what's wrong. The reader needs someone to cheer for and Sunni just isn't it.
As another reviewer pointed out, this is evidently the first of a series, and based on this book I don't think I could stomach any more of Sunni unless there are some assurances she is going to change. A lot. Because at the end the author committed the worst sin I can think of: she didn't resolve the story, saving it for another book, which to me is nothing more than a sales gimmick to make money.
There have been a few complaints about the grammar and typos but truthfully (other than misuse of 'use to') these didn't bother me much since I recently read a book where there was a typo on every page and this one wasn't even close to that. In fact some of the grammar 'errors' could be attributed to the way the characters speak—although frankly that style got very tired very fast.
No, while the story itself I thought was well written and well told, the problem with New Hope City for me was, as another reviewer mentioned, that it was so depressing it was oppressive! I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and that was pretty bad but somehow New Hope City is almost worse. I like dystopian sci-fi novels as much as anyone, but I could barely pick up this book and go on. In fact I dreaded it. For twelve straight chapters this girl's life is so bad I could barely take it anymore. It's not the violence, or child prostitutes, or evil people, it's just the complete lack of any hope in New Hope City.
Sunni, the main character, doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. Like so many young girls she is a sullen teenager who can't speak her mind and relate to anyone let alone an adult. Each time she's faced with a crisis the reader cringes as she just accepts what is happening to her for 75% of the book. At every point I missed a strong female like Lizbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, who would have kicked ass and taken names instead of getting her own ass kicked and accepting everything.
Then there are too many cringe-worthy gross out sequences, like bathing in 'clean enough' water from the toilet, for me. Come on, Sunni could have gathered up some snow and melted it to wash herself off. A girl with such poor hygiene is not any kind of role model and I think that's just a tiny example of what's wrong. The reader needs someone to cheer for and Sunni just isn't it.
As another reviewer pointed out, this is evidently the first of a series, and based on this book I don't think I could stomach any more of Sunni unless there are some assurances she is going to change. A lot. Because at the end the author committed the worst sin I can think of: she didn't resolve the story, saving it for another book, which to me is nothing more than a sales gimmick to make money.
September 14, 2013
I've been wanting to read this book ever since I read the short story by the same author, which served as a sort of a prequel. The world SunHi created, intrigued me from the start, and despite it's darkness and violence, managed to convince me to carry on reading.
I've noticed most people were severely displeased by how violent, rough and unforgiving everyone was, even the good guys. But I think all the characters fit perfectly into the world they exist in. It's a dark world and the characters had to adapt, the choices they had to make to survive turned them into untrusting, harsh individuals. It wouldn't work any other way. Both Tony and Sunni would have been long dead if they were nice and sweet all the time.
I've also seen reviews that complained about this book being overly hopeless and bleak. But hey, the world we live in is sometimes hopeless and bleak as well. It's the harsh truth and I think there should be literature that talks about that as well. Not every story can have a happy ending, not everything always turns out great and not everyone gets a break in life.
I liked the book. The plot was sometimes a bit slow and not action packed enough, for my taste, but the book itself was still good. I'd recommend it, still.
I've noticed most people were severely displeased by how violent, rough and unforgiving everyone was, even the good guys. But I think all the characters fit perfectly into the world they exist in. It's a dark world and the characters had to adapt, the choices they had to make to survive turned them into untrusting, harsh individuals. It wouldn't work any other way. Both Tony and Sunni would have been long dead if they were nice and sweet all the time.
I've also seen reviews that complained about this book being overly hopeless and bleak. But hey, the world we live in is sometimes hopeless and bleak as well. It's the harsh truth and I think there should be literature that talks about that as well. Not every story can have a happy ending, not everything always turns out great and not everyone gets a break in life.
I liked the book. The plot was sometimes a bit slow and not action packed enough, for my taste, but the book itself was still good. I'd recommend it, still.
May 8, 2013
New Hope City is the first book I have read from SunHi Mistwalker and she is definitely an author I would read again. This book reminds me of those pulp detective novels by Raymond Chandler. Where life was grimy and everyone is on the take. The author's style of writing also reminded me of these books though maybe not quite as developed as of yet, but definitely the author is someone worth following to see their progression.
If I had to describe this book in one word i would have to say 'gritty'. The main character is called Sunni, she is quite disillusioned and helpless. She meets Tony and this triggers a set of events
I feel this book is more than a post-apocalyptic adventure and if you are looking for that, then this is probably not the book for you. It is more of a character analysis, detailing the cause and effect of despair. A reflection of gritty humanity.
I expect that this book is a first in a series and this book sets up the motivation for future events, so it will be interesting to see where Sunni ends up next.
If I had to describe this book in one word i would have to say 'gritty'. The main character is called Sunni, she is quite disillusioned and helpless. She meets Tony and this triggers a set of events
I feel this book is more than a post-apocalyptic adventure and if you are looking for that, then this is probably not the book for you. It is more of a character analysis, detailing the cause and effect of despair. A reflection of gritty humanity.
I expect that this book is a first in a series and this book sets up the motivation for future events, so it will be interesting to see where Sunni ends up next.
August 10, 2013
I was given this book for review-fair warning im horrible at putting my thoughts into reviews! Im on the fence with this book. As reading some of the other reviews i noticed a certain theme..A lot of people were offended by the child prostitution...Regardless if this book is a work of fiction or not, this happens everyday in our own back yard. But that is neither here or there. That didn't really bother me in the book. As Sunni's age was never revealed. But I am curious how old she is. I wouldn't really classify this as a "post apocalyptic" book however. There is no "end of human civilization" They more or less live in the slums. They still have cell phones?! Yeah the police force is corrupt, but thats not really grounds for labeling it this genre. Anyway. It was a good read for the most part. Its very well written. I am curious to see what happens next. But for a person who reads dystopia/post apocalyptic novels, they wont find it here.
November 17, 2013
I'm going to ignore the misspelled words or typos, and review the story itself instead:
I had to begin the story a couple times before actually even beginning to read the story. The beginning wasn't as appealing as I thought it would be but once I actually began to read it I liked the story and where it took me. At first I saw no point in the story, but as it continued you got to know Sunni and how her life is. You get the chance to experience and understand what many live trough. It's a good story, and once getting past the beginning it manages to pull you in. The great thing about it is that And so, this story is good, the realism of it makes it different from other stories.
I had to begin the story a couple times before actually even beginning to read the story. The beginning wasn't as appealing as I thought it would be but once I actually began to read it I liked the story and where it took me. At first I saw no point in the story, but as it continued you got to know Sunni and how her life is. You get the chance to experience and understand what many live trough. It's a good story, and once getting past the beginning it manages to pull you in. The great thing about it is that And so, this story is good, the realism of it makes it different from other stories.
November 7, 2013
As dystopian goes this book was a good read.
Some of the dark spots were glazed over as if the author perhaps wasn't comfortable writing it, and that left these pieces feeling unfinished or perhaps even left out.
There were some serious grammatic errors towards the end that became annoying as the plot arc was almost complete. I do believe there could be more detail throughout the whole book. The protagonist we know has long dark hair and that is all. We can assume things but we really never get a good look at her, Tony (a supporting character) has more detail 'drawn' about him. If the author was intending for the protagonist to be faceless, it worked, but it also doesn't help the reader relate to the character.
Some of the dark spots were glazed over as if the author perhaps wasn't comfortable writing it, and that left these pieces feeling unfinished or perhaps even left out.
There were some serious grammatic errors towards the end that became annoying as the plot arc was almost complete. I do believe there could be more detail throughout the whole book. The protagonist we know has long dark hair and that is all. We can assume things but we really never get a good look at her, Tony (a supporting character) has more detail 'drawn' about him. If the author was intending for the protagonist to be faceless, it worked, but it also doesn't help the reader relate to the character.
July 29, 2014
*I was given a free copy of this in exchange for an unbiased review*
This was a pretty good book, but I had issue with the incident with the puppy. I don't like unnecessary violence towards animals and that would be what I felt that was.
Tony was a hard character to read. I get that he was trying to help Sunni but when he had his angry bouts with her it was almost too much. I get that life in New Hope City is bad, but some of the stuff in this book is almost too much to believe.
All in all it was a well plotted book, but the characters were hard to understand because their actions seemed contradictory at times. Good start to a series, but maybe the characters will be more developed as time goes by.
This was a pretty good book, but I had issue with the incident with the puppy. I don't like unnecessary violence towards animals and that would be what I felt that was.
Tony was a hard character to read. I get that he was trying to help Sunni but when he had his angry bouts with her it was almost too much. I get that life in New Hope City is bad, but some of the stuff in this book is almost too much to believe.
All in all it was a well plotted book, but the characters were hard to understand because their actions seemed contradictory at times. Good start to a series, but maybe the characters will be more developed as time goes by.
November 22, 2014
Sunni Brown is one of many prostitutes in New Hope City that doesn't have a chance of getting free. Sunni's mother abandons her leaving Sunni with no place to live and in trouble with the law. Everyone praises The Captain for protecting everyone but there is a darker side to The Captain. Tony Gavilan is police officer whose death was unexpected and tragic. Tony gives Sunni a place to live and tries to figure out who is killing prostitutes. Jin appears to like Sunni but Sunni is unsure of who he means to her. Will Sunni get free? Can Tony stop The Captain? Whose killing the prostitutes? Your answers await you in New Hope City.
February 22, 2015
I was interested in reading this after reading the short prequel, The Shelter.The is the story of a true tragedy. I sympathize with 14-year-old Sunni. No one in her world is trustworthy so she clings to the best of what is available. At the end of the story, I realized that this is just the beginning, and I can't wait to read about the happy conclusion in Sunni's story.
I won this in a Goodreads first reads giveaway, thank you.
I won this in a Goodreads first reads giveaway, thank you.
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March 13, 2013The winners of the "New Hope City" paperback version have been chosen! Congrats to Holly and Lindsay! Your autographed copies will be mailed this week. For those people who did not win a paperback copy, I am giving away FREE ebook copies to the next 11 people who signup for my mailing list. Please signup here to receive a freebie coupon.
May 31, 2015
I read the short story 'the Shelter' and enjoyed the entire story. Immediately, I ordered 'New Hope City' knowing it was going to be a good book. I'm sorry to say it wasn't as good as I knew it would be. Some places get draggy, others are short and choppy. There is very little trust left in people. People are just mean, 'cause they can be. Also, there are numerous misspellings, words in wrong place--not well edited.
June 1, 2013
So, I don't know where to start.
The story was good, polemic, but definitely interesting, and something that is a real problem.
It took me a little while to want to keep reading, the beginning was slow. It also had some unexpected turns.
But the amount of grammatical and spelling errors were too many, uncomfortable to read.
The story was good, polemic, but definitely interesting, and something that is a real problem.
It took me a little while to want to keep reading, the beginning was slow. It also had some unexpected turns.
But the amount of grammatical and spelling errors were too many, uncomfortable to read.
May 23, 2013
Well, I would have to agree with other reviewers as this is a very dark book, but it doesn't mean it is not readable. Teenage struggles of being prostituted and treated badly are very real. While the ending brought a tear to my eye, I still look forward to seeing what happens next. I strongly wish revenge for what these girls are put through. The bad guys need to be taken out!
June 4, 2013
It was an okay story. A bit dark for my tastes but only because there is no "supernatural" superhero and super villians. I wished it didn't end the way it did, I wonder if Ji is really trying to be a good guy.
In a world like this you never know who to trust, but hopefully the one who trying to steer you in the right direction is doing it from the heart.
In a world like this you never know who to trust, but hopefully the one who trying to steer you in the right direction is doing it from the heart.
June 7, 2013
This could become a great book, the idea is different and the characters interesting, just needs a good editor. Beyond the basics of spelling, grammar, and typos, the story needs a little more cohesiveness and development. If you can look past it's raw state you could enjoy it.
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