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Ghost City
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326 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 21, 2014
If you want an example of excellency in self-publishing, Madeline Claire Franklin is one author I'd use. And Ghost City is the novel I'd pick to further my point.
As a post-apocalyptic/slightly paranormal novel, it isn't as action packed as you might expect. Rather it focuses entirely on the characters and how they've adjusted and tried to move on in the After. Kiddo has probably become one of my favorite leads of all time: She's resourceful, stoic, intelligent, but she isn't without her flaws. I seriously enjoyed reading about her and rooted for her throughout the entire book.
I also loved Saver/Noah, who in the beginning I feared would be a rather stereotypical antagonist. But he develops beautifully over the course of the book, and I enjoyed his relationship with Kiddo, as complicated as it was.
If there's a character I felt didn't quite serve any purpose, it was Caroline, unfortunately. I found her interesting in the beginning but then she was sort of pushed to the wayside, which was unfortunate. I did enjoy her friendship with Kiddo and Princess, but the sibling relationship between Kiddo and Princess outshone the other relationships. It really was a joy to see a relationship between two girls who see each other as sisters be good, loving, but also complicated.
The fact that we never really find out what happened to cause the end of the world actually worked in the book's favor. Honestly, the story isn't about that: It's about how these kids come together and try to find hope in a seemingly hopeless world, and how one person can change everything. We get a few details, but leaving it more of a mystery was the right choice.
Honestly, I adored Ghost City, and I highly recommend it to anyone going through a dystopia/post-apocalyptic fatigue. It'll help reawaken your love for the genre.
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a post-apocalyptic/slightly paranormal novel, it isn't as action packed as you might expect. Rather it focuses entirely on the characters and how they've adjusted and tried to move on in the After. Kiddo has probably become one of my favorite leads of all time: She's resourceful, stoic, intelligent, but she isn't without her flaws. I seriously enjoyed reading about her and rooted for her throughout the entire book.
I also loved Saver/Noah, who in the beginning I feared would be a rather stereotypical antagonist. But he develops beautifully over the course of the book, and I enjoyed his relationship with Kiddo, as complicated as it was.
If there's a character I felt didn't quite serve any purpose, it was Caroline, unfortunately. I found her interesting in the beginning but then she was sort of pushed to the wayside, which was unfortunate. I did enjoy her friendship with Kiddo and Princess, but the sibling relationship between Kiddo and Princess outshone the other relationships. It really was a joy to see a relationship between two girls who see each other as sisters be good, loving, but also complicated.
The fact that we never really find out what happened to cause the end of the world actually worked in the book's favor. Honestly, the story isn't about that: It's about how these kids come together and try to find hope in a seemingly hopeless world, and how one person can change everything. We get a few details, but leaving it more of a mystery was the right choice.
Honestly, I adored Ghost City, and I highly recommend it to anyone going through a dystopia/post-apocalyptic fatigue. It'll help reawaken your love for the genre.
I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
owned-but-not-read
August 8, 2014OH MY ZOMBIES I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!
*ahem* It's very pretty.
*ahem* It's very pretty.
March 25, 2017
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads giveaway and would like to thank the author Madeline Claire Franklin for this opportunity. (This is an honest review).
I really liked this book! This turned out nothing like I expected it to be and it was a nice surprise. I’ve never actually read something like this before. Sure, I’ve read my fair share of apocalyptic books and ghost books but nothing like how it was combined in Ghost City. First off, most of the apocalyptic books these days have a dystopian aspect/element to them and if not dystopia, there’s zombies involved (and I love zombies) but this one had ghosts central to the story. But not like in your other ghost stories where a ghost becomes the love interest, this one is a book about the mystery of why the ghosts are there after the world has ended and why they are heading towards the island.
I admit I was kind of put off when I read that the main character’s name was Kiddo and it just seemed so out place and a crappy name for her (like so many authors these days want to be different from the other books out there so they decided to come up with an “original” name like Kricket or Leir or Darcy or Kearly or Eyelet- I mean c’mon some of those names sound ridiculous and I feel idiotic just reading them, let alone saying it out loud!) but with this book, I didn’t mind the MC being named Kiddo since it seemed like there would be a good reason behind it (there is, it’s not her real name it’s just all the kids after the world ended gave themselves names since they forgot theirs and her dad used to call her Kiddo so the nickname stuck) and I learned to like the name for her .
I like that this apocalyptic book isn't all fluffiness and toned down, it's more like Angelfall, gruesome and gritty with a hint of darkness that shows the true nature of what happens in an apocalypse. Sure there are supernatural/paranormal elements in both of the books but it's interwoven pretty well with the plot of the story.
The romance is so subtle/hardly noticeable that you don't think there's even going to be any romance in this book until it creeps up on you and suddenly all the little looks and interactions make sense. There are some books where I think it's okay to not have any romance in them and I thought this was going to like them which I was actually going to be okay with that but I'm content with the little romance there is in this book.
I admit sometimes I was a little lost/confused with the ways things happened especially concerning the ghosts since they weren't like the ghosts that we think of. And the fact that sometimes I was left wondering how they knew of certain things from Before, some of their vocabulary/arguments were so well spoken that I honestly didn't think it was possible for them to know these words and their definitions, I mean this apocalypse happened 10 years ago and all of them were around 6-8 yrs. old and I for one know that a child's vocabulary isn't that exemplary. I know that they might have gone to the library and stuff like that but it doesn't seem like they would have been well educated, like that would be the least of their worries once the world had gone to shit.
It left lots of questions unanswered and I still keep wondering how they managed to survive that plunge to the water and why the island stayed locked in that time loop in the first place but other than that, I really loved this book and if there's ever a sequel I will be sure to pick it up and see what happens next with Kiddo and Noah. Definitely would recommend this book and it's one of my favorites I've read this year!
I really liked this book! This turned out nothing like I expected it to be and it was a nice surprise. I’ve never actually read something like this before. Sure, I’ve read my fair share of apocalyptic books and ghost books but nothing like how it was combined in Ghost City. First off, most of the apocalyptic books these days have a dystopian aspect/element to them and if not dystopia, there’s zombies involved (and I love zombies) but this one had ghosts central to the story. But not like in your other ghost stories where a ghost becomes the love interest, this one is a book about the mystery of why the ghosts are there after the world has ended and why they are heading towards the island.
I admit I was kind of put off when I read that the main character’s name was Kiddo and it just seemed so out place and a crappy name for her (like so many authors these days want to be different from the other books out there so they decided to come up with an “original” name like Kricket or Leir or Darcy or Kearly or Eyelet- I mean c’mon some of those names sound ridiculous and I feel idiotic just reading them, let alone saying it out loud!) but with this book, I didn’t mind the MC being named Kiddo since it seemed like there would be a good reason behind it (there is, it’s not her real name it’s just all the kids after the world ended gave themselves names since they forgot theirs and her dad used to call her Kiddo so the nickname stuck) and I learned to like the name for her .
I like that this apocalyptic book isn't all fluffiness and toned down, it's more like Angelfall, gruesome and gritty with a hint of darkness that shows the true nature of what happens in an apocalypse. Sure there are supernatural/paranormal elements in both of the books but it's interwoven pretty well with the plot of the story.
The romance is so subtle/hardly noticeable that you don't think there's even going to be any romance in this book until it creeps up on you and suddenly all the little looks and interactions make sense. There are some books where I think it's okay to not have any romance in them and I thought this was going to like them which I was actually going to be okay with that but I'm content with the little romance there is in this book.
I admit sometimes I was a little lost/confused with the ways things happened especially concerning the ghosts since they weren't like the ghosts that we think of. And the fact that sometimes I was left wondering how they knew of certain things from Before, some of their vocabulary/arguments were so well spoken that I honestly didn't think it was possible for them to know these words and their definitions, I mean this apocalypse happened 10 years ago and all of them were around 6-8 yrs. old and I for one know that a child's vocabulary isn't that exemplary. I know that they might have gone to the library and stuff like that but it doesn't seem like they would have been well educated, like that would be the least of their worries once the world had gone to shit.
It left lots of questions unanswered and I still keep wondering how they managed to survive that plunge to the water and why the island stayed locked in that time loop in the first place but other than that, I really loved this book and if there's ever a sequel I will be sure to pick it up and see what happens next with Kiddo and Noah. Definitely would recommend this book and it's one of my favorites I've read this year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2014
I'm not even sure how to review this book because I've never read anything like it before. I loved Madeline Clair Franklin's Heirophant and so I entered to win a copy of Ghost City in a contest she held. I won Ghost City and devoured it. I had to go to work and get things done at home, but every spare second I was buried in this book. In ways it's so dark in places it was a little difficult--not dark in the way of most thrillers with death and dismemberment lurking in every dark hall, but dark in a way I don't see often explored in novels, the darkness inside when we shut ourselves off from connections and make the decision not to emotionally invest because it's just too painful. It's not a darkness of lashing out or doing harm, it's the darkness of absence, so much is missing: loved ones, memories, everything solid. I love that Franklin made her heroine battle these demons while doing so much good. It's too easy to make the darkness the villain, but Kiddo clings to her darkness because it protects her, even as it hides her, hides others from her, and hides her from life. She is surviving but in so many ways not living.
I don't want to give away the plot, because so much happens, but the heart of the story for me is Kiddo's slow internal healing, the way real healing happens, with missteps, re-injuries, leaving scars. So many ghosts, figurative and literal.
At the end of the story so many questions remain unanswered, even as the major puzzle is solved. In a way I liked that more than tying everything up with a bow. How many times in our own lives do we find that we don't have every answer? But we can choose faith or not, or call it luck, but the important business of living calls us on and we can't linger trying to figure out the past.
Lately I've read a ton of novels and none have really left me with something I never expected or could have dreamed up. I'm giving this story five stars for surprising me over and over.
I don't want to give away the plot, because so much happens, but the heart of the story for me is Kiddo's slow internal healing, the way real healing happens, with missteps, re-injuries, leaving scars. So many ghosts, figurative and literal.
At the end of the story so many questions remain unanswered, even as the major puzzle is solved. In a way I liked that more than tying everything up with a bow. How many times in our own lives do we find that we don't have every answer? But we can choose faith or not, or call it luck, but the important business of living calls us on and we can't linger trying to figure out the past.
Lately I've read a ton of novels and none have really left me with something I never expected or could have dreamed up. I'm giving this story five stars for surprising me over and over.
March 6, 2014
There are good books, there are great books and then there are books that blow your heart apart. Madeline Claire Franklin's 'Ghost City', for me, fell into the third category. So rarely does a story keep me guessing for so long while gently drawing me towards the revelations with the characters.
And so rarely does a book punch me in the heart when I least expect it from something as simple as a message on a child's tape player.
Kiddo, Princess and Noah could've so easily been cookie cutter characters from a dystopian do-it-yourself it. But they aren't, they are more than that; they are very human and very flawed and my heart went with them through every turn of the page. Madeline Claire Franklin paints magic across every page with her characters and gives you more than the sub-genre demands; so much more.
If there is going to be only one book you pick up this year, let that book be Ghost City
And so rarely does a book punch me in the heart when I least expect it from something as simple as a message on a child's tape player.
Kiddo, Princess and Noah could've so easily been cookie cutter characters from a dystopian do-it-yourself it. But they aren't, they are more than that; they are very human and very flawed and my heart went with them through every turn of the page. Madeline Claire Franklin paints magic across every page with her characters and gives you more than the sub-genre demands; so much more.
If there is going to be only one book you pick up this year, let that book be Ghost City
August 27, 2016
Honestly? I think this is the best thing I've ever written. But that's just my opinion, obviously.
August 8, 2015
I've fallen for the characters in this book. I feel for everything they live through, and remember from before.
I'm sucked in by how Madeline takes glided steps toward the directions the characters and stories go. It's a wonderful talent to glide along to come to where we need to be with all things with such grace, and the characters realizations fall in perfect alliance with the events. The beginning struck me as it's written like poetry and Maria's narration and pacing cinches this feel making it a colorful vision in our minds. The book carries this feel and vision the whole way through.
****FULL REVIEW****
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.
Kiddo lives off the land. She and Princess provide a safe home for many kids who come looking for the concrete city. They come looking for what they miss in the world now, stories of salvation, food, and comfort. The world is harsh for the survivors. Things are not as some remember, which most forget the biggest part of their lives. Many have disappeared, leaving the kids to live. The lure of the city doesn't pull on Kiddo. There is something in the recesses of her mind that pushes her from the city, yet there's something to it as well. She believes the cement city on the island will sink and she doesn't believe the silver tongued Savior that welcomes the kids into his town. The ghosts that have started to arrive and roll toward the concrete city each evening start to come closer to her home as they pass. For her found-sister Princess, who she found and raised for the last 8 or 9 years, Kiddo is finally willing to make a trip into the city for a few days visit.
The narrator is full of emotions as she tells the story. Yes, she tells the story not just reads it. She lives the hard moments. Maria glides through the well written words of Madeline's adding the flow and pacing to them that brings each word to light. The voice differences aren't a big jump between the characters but there is a slight tone difference, however there is one character with a subtle Southern accent that Maria does do. The biggest difference is the feel of personality in the voices, the worry and curiosity in each character. Madeline has three dimensional characters, Maria's emotions bring those character to a higher level.
I'm sucked in by how Madeline takes glided steps toward the directions the characters and stories go. It's a wonderful talent to glide along to come to where we need to be with all things with such grace, and the characters realizations fall in perfect alliance with the events. The beginning struck me as it's written like poetry and Maria's narration and pacing cinches this feel making it a colorful vision in our minds. The book carries this feel and vision the whole way through.
I really like how Kiddo is written. She's strong and silent. She doesn't come across as a leader but one that knows how to survive and will share that knowledge with anyone that chooses to stay and learn. Her thoughts and actions are solid, you know exactly what she's thinking by how she stands or reacts no matter how small an action it is.
This world is mesmerizing! About each chapter shares something new and it's captivating how the world is opposite than what you expect. Children have survived 'the event' yet no bodies were ever found of those who didn't survive. There are ghostly apparitions that come out of the forest at one spot every night. The moon is almost always full, the river flows North one day then South the next, the city always burns but never expands from it's spot, and it's always summer. And so much more!
Oh the feels...I felt for these kids through out the book. They don't all have the easiest life now, or even before. And they are all part of one another's lives now, whether they like it or not. Madeline's story has me tearing up a few times toward the end. The things Kiddo has seen and lived through, and still doing so, along with the connection to Noah (The Savior) and Princess... the events of the world... just gripped me and didn't let go.
There are still curiosities left open at the end of the book, but I accepted them. This book felt more character driven and centered, and Madeline has created people here that will be felt by the reader. I think this book would be enjoyed by Adult and YA alike. The children do not come across as childish or petty, they are much stronger than that.
This book struck me as one that people who read The Harvest by Melanie Karsak would enjoy. Not necessarily in the story items, like zombies because they are not here, but in the story telling fashion with the characters development in this story.
I'm sucked in by how Madeline takes glided steps toward the directions the characters and stories go. It's a wonderful talent to glide along to come to where we need to be with all things with such grace, and the characters realizations fall in perfect alliance with the events. The beginning struck me as it's written like poetry and Maria's narration and pacing cinches this feel making it a colorful vision in our minds. The book carries this feel and vision the whole way through.
****FULL REVIEW****
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.
Kiddo lives off the land. She and Princess provide a safe home for many kids who come looking for the concrete city. They come looking for what they miss in the world now, stories of salvation, food, and comfort. The world is harsh for the survivors. Things are not as some remember, which most forget the biggest part of their lives. Many have disappeared, leaving the kids to live. The lure of the city doesn't pull on Kiddo. There is something in the recesses of her mind that pushes her from the city, yet there's something to it as well. She believes the cement city on the island will sink and she doesn't believe the silver tongued Savior that welcomes the kids into his town. The ghosts that have started to arrive and roll toward the concrete city each evening start to come closer to her home as they pass. For her found-sister Princess, who she found and raised for the last 8 or 9 years, Kiddo is finally willing to make a trip into the city for a few days visit.
The narrator is full of emotions as she tells the story. Yes, she tells the story not just reads it. She lives the hard moments. Maria glides through the well written words of Madeline's adding the flow and pacing to them that brings each word to light. The voice differences aren't a big jump between the characters but there is a slight tone difference, however there is one character with a subtle Southern accent that Maria does do. The biggest difference is the feel of personality in the voices, the worry and curiosity in each character. Madeline has three dimensional characters, Maria's emotions bring those character to a higher level.
I'm sucked in by how Madeline takes glided steps toward the directions the characters and stories go. It's a wonderful talent to glide along to come to where we need to be with all things with such grace, and the characters realizations fall in perfect alliance with the events. The beginning struck me as it's written like poetry and Maria's narration and pacing cinches this feel making it a colorful vision in our minds. The book carries this feel and vision the whole way through.
I really like how Kiddo is written. She's strong and silent. She doesn't come across as a leader but one that knows how to survive and will share that knowledge with anyone that chooses to stay and learn. Her thoughts and actions are solid, you know exactly what she's thinking by how she stands or reacts no matter how small an action it is.
This world is mesmerizing! About each chapter shares something new and it's captivating how the world is opposite than what you expect. Children have survived 'the event' yet no bodies were ever found of those who didn't survive. There are ghostly apparitions that come out of the forest at one spot every night. The moon is almost always full, the river flows North one day then South the next, the city always burns but never expands from it's spot, and it's always summer. And so much more!
Oh the feels...I felt for these kids through out the book. They don't all have the easiest life now, or even before. And they are all part of one another's lives now, whether they like it or not. Madeline's story has me tearing up a few times toward the end. The things Kiddo has seen and lived through, and still doing so, along with the connection to Noah (The Savior) and Princess... the events of the world... just gripped me and didn't let go.
There are still curiosities left open at the end of the book, but I accepted them. This book felt more character driven and centered, and Madeline has created people here that will be felt by the reader. I think this book would be enjoyed by Adult and YA alike. The children do not come across as childish or petty, they are much stronger than that.
This book struck me as one that people who read The Harvest by Melanie Karsak would enjoy. Not necessarily in the story items, like zombies because they are not here, but in the story telling fashion with the characters development in this story.
July 27, 2015
It’s been 10 years The End, when the world as we knew it ended and the world changed. An nothing is like it was before. Not in a ‘zombies walk the earth’ or ‘food is scarce and nothing electrical works’ or ‘we have to deal with nuclear winter’ sort of way. Since The End, physics is screwed. It’s almost always full moon, always summer, rivers change direction, fires burn but do not grow or go out. Plus there are ghosts. Adding to the mystery of what has happened with the world, no adults appears to have survived The End, only kids who are now growing to adulthood themselves, and those who have survived have limited – if any – memory of the world before. Memories are nearly all wiped, even the kid’s own names are gone.
This is not your typical post-apocalypse world.
In amongst all this we have our main characters, Kiddo and The Saver. People are drawn to an ‘eternal city’ (where the fires do not grow and food does not perish) by stories of safety and hope. Kiddo lives on the edge of the city, greeting those who arrive and encouraging them not to enter the city as she beliefs it is doomed. The Saver then comes to bring the survivors into the3 city to join a community he helps run. Ghosts are also drawn to the city. What happened and why is the world like it is? Is the city really as safe as The Saver says?
This story is very well written. It is told in 3rd person present tense, a rare and interesting choice. Another thing that separates it from the typical. I generally find I do not like present tense stories but Franklin works it really well here. It suits the story and adds to it. The use of present tense adds to the mystery and uncertainty of the situation. With past tense the narrator is telling a story that has already happened and thus knows where it is going (even if the character and reader do not). Here it feels like no one knows. It works wonderfully for a world where so much is unknown and doesn’t make sense.
The characters are well drawn, each with distinct personalities and characteristics. They feel real. The occasional discussion of their limited memories – what type of things they remember, how they remember – all differentiate and build the characters.
Marquis does a great job of narration. She helps bring characters and situations to life, emoting with them. Providing energy when the story requires it. Her pacing is great. Each character and event is distinct and the story is easy and enjoyable to follow. Very happy with her work on it.
This is not your typical post-apocalypse world.
In amongst all this we have our main characters, Kiddo and The Saver. People are drawn to an ‘eternal city’ (where the fires do not grow and food does not perish) by stories of safety and hope. Kiddo lives on the edge of the city, greeting those who arrive and encouraging them not to enter the city as she beliefs it is doomed. The Saver then comes to bring the survivors into the3 city to join a community he helps run. Ghosts are also drawn to the city. What happened and why is the world like it is? Is the city really as safe as The Saver says?
This story is very well written. It is told in 3rd person present tense, a rare and interesting choice. Another thing that separates it from the typical. I generally find I do not like present tense stories but Franklin works it really well here. It suits the story and adds to it. The use of present tense adds to the mystery and uncertainty of the situation. With past tense the narrator is telling a story that has already happened and thus knows where it is going (even if the character and reader do not). Here it feels like no one knows. It works wonderfully for a world where so much is unknown and doesn’t make sense.
The characters are well drawn, each with distinct personalities and characteristics. They feel real. The occasional discussion of their limited memories – what type of things they remember, how they remember – all differentiate and build the characters.
Marquis does a great job of narration. She helps bring characters and situations to life, emoting with them. Providing energy when the story requires it. Her pacing is great. Each character and event is distinct and the story is easy and enjoyable to follow. Very happy with her work on it.
August 7, 2015
Audiobook
Narration - Maria Marquis - Kick A$$!
Maria's narration was flawless. Such an enjoyable listen from a great storyteller. This is the first time I've heard her, and I was impressed, primarily because I didn't really notice her. I was completely drawn into the story that she was telling. Her character voices were all completely believable, her males were terrific. Just exceptional!
The story was exceptional as well. This is a futuristic, end of the world kind of story, but it's not your typical end of the world, bang, bang, shoot em up, zombie apocalyptic, every man for himself kind of story. Life as we know it is no more. It seems all that have survived are kids and teenagers and they are all wandering across the country to the stone city where legend has it the Savor (Noah) is welcoming all with the promise of hope and the stone city is providing shelter, food and clothing.
Outside of the stone city is the encampment of Kiddo. Along with her found-sister Princess and new friend Carolina, they are attempting to live off the land. No one seems to have any memories before the explosions, but Kiddo somehow remembers how to survive, to hunt, to work the land. She greets the groups of kids that come in, doctors them up, gives them a meal and a place to rest before the Saver comes to lead them to the Island.
Kiddo doesn't know why, but she just knows that the Island is sinking so she offers everyone that comes through the opportunity to stay with her and Princess but only one every chooses to stay (Carolina).
The moon is full nearly every night, ghosts wander through the woods, a fire has been burning in the city for almost a decade, the rivers flow north one day and south the next, which (when I say it) sounds a little out there, but the way the story is told, it's all part of an "end of the world" future that one would think was completely believable.
That's all I'm going to tell you about it. It's just a really terrific story and I completely enjoyed it from start to finish! Highly recommend!
I was given a copy of this audiobook free of charge courtesy of audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.
Narration - Maria Marquis - Kick A$$!
Maria's narration was flawless. Such an enjoyable listen from a great storyteller. This is the first time I've heard her, and I was impressed, primarily because I didn't really notice her. I was completely drawn into the story that she was telling. Her character voices were all completely believable, her males were terrific. Just exceptional!
The story was exceptional as well. This is a futuristic, end of the world kind of story, but it's not your typical end of the world, bang, bang, shoot em up, zombie apocalyptic, every man for himself kind of story. Life as we know it is no more. It seems all that have survived are kids and teenagers and they are all wandering across the country to the stone city where legend has it the Savor (Noah) is welcoming all with the promise of hope and the stone city is providing shelter, food and clothing.
Outside of the stone city is the encampment of Kiddo. Along with her found-sister Princess and new friend Carolina, they are attempting to live off the land. No one seems to have any memories before the explosions, but Kiddo somehow remembers how to survive, to hunt, to work the land. She greets the groups of kids that come in, doctors them up, gives them a meal and a place to rest before the Saver comes to lead them to the Island.
Kiddo doesn't know why, but she just knows that the Island is sinking so she offers everyone that comes through the opportunity to stay with her and Princess but only one every chooses to stay (Carolina).
The moon is full nearly every night, ghosts wander through the woods, a fire has been burning in the city for almost a decade, the rivers flow north one day and south the next, which (when I say it) sounds a little out there, but the way the story is told, it's all part of an "end of the world" future that one would think was completely believable.
That's all I'm going to tell you about it. It's just a really terrific story and I completely enjoyed it from start to finish! Highly recommend!
I was given a copy of this audiobook free of charge courtesy of audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 2, 2016
This book was a lovely surprise. It seemed like another YAY dystopian thriller, but the book is more elegant than that. The book seemed effortless, flowing from a place of complete unknowing to a place of deeper emotional understanding that never felt uneven or awkward. The characters have names they gave themselves, mostly - as they no longer have the names they had before: Kiddo, Princess, The Saver. Kiddo and Princess see the scores of refugees come toward The City, stopping at their camp for a meal and for The Saver to arrive to lead them into The City. As the reader, we wonder if the Saver and the City are too good to be true. Is Kiddo making a mistake by staying outside it, living off the land? Is the Saver evil? As the story grows and more paranormal/unusual elements are revealed, it became more of a delicious mystery. At times dreamlike, at other times relentlessly practical, Kiddo's journey is fascinating and kept me riveted to the story.
Noah and Kiddo are teenagers, and most of the characters are children or teenagers, but this is not a "teen" book. It's more metaphorical and seems written for an adult audience. This is not about about insecurity or liking a boy or normal teenage concerns. It's about trust, faith, and facing emotional truth. There is enough of the concrete plot to keep the tension high and the characters concerned with survival, but it's not gritty or overly violent. It is lyrical and sometimes sad. It is post-apocalyptic fiction more in the Station Eleven vein than One Second After or other prepper novels.
The book is written in present tense, which is normally awkward but added to the spell of the book. This effect may have been heightened by listening to the audio. The writing is skillful, in both the use of language and the plot and pacing of the book.
The audio narration by Maria Marquis is excellent. Pretty much all aspects of this book exceeded my expectations. It will stick in my head for some time.
NOTE: This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
Noah and Kiddo are teenagers, and most of the characters are children or teenagers, but this is not a "teen" book. It's more metaphorical and seems written for an adult audience. This is not about about insecurity or liking a boy or normal teenage concerns. It's about trust, faith, and facing emotional truth. There is enough of the concrete plot to keep the tension high and the characters concerned with survival, but it's not gritty or overly violent. It is lyrical and sometimes sad. It is post-apocalyptic fiction more in the Station Eleven vein than One Second After or other prepper novels.
The book is written in present tense, which is normally awkward but added to the spell of the book. This effect may have been heightened by listening to the audio. The writing is skillful, in both the use of language and the plot and pacing of the book.
The audio narration by Maria Marquis is excellent. Pretty much all aspects of this book exceeded my expectations. It will stick in my head for some time.
NOTE: This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
October 18, 2015
** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but about a 3rd of the way in, I was HOOKED!
Kiddo and Princess live in a cabin in the woods and survive off the land. Every few weeks or so, a group of refugees of the apocalypse mostly children and young adults come through and Kiddo and Princess take care of them, feed them and signal for The Saver aka Noah to come and get them to take them to the city...The city is an island, and there is something strange going on there....a never ending contained fire, stores that repopulate with supplies automatically....and night ghosts...its a true mystery...and Kiddo is convinced the city is going to sink, she doesn't know why she knows, she just does, that is why she lives off the land....Well the ghosts are getting more and more desperate and things are escalating...and only Kiddo can save them....she doesn't know how or why, she just knows she has to!!!
GREAT STORY AND WONDERFUL NARRATION, I RECOMMEND!!!
Thank you Audiobookblast(dot)com
This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but about a 3rd of the way in, I was HOOKED!
Kiddo and Princess live in a cabin in the woods and survive off the land. Every few weeks or so, a group of refugees of the apocalypse mostly children and young adults come through and Kiddo and Princess take care of them, feed them and signal for The Saver aka Noah to come and get them to take them to the city...The city is an island, and there is something strange going on there....a never ending contained fire, stores that repopulate with supplies automatically....and night ghosts...its a true mystery...and Kiddo is convinced the city is going to sink, she doesn't know why she knows, she just does, that is why she lives off the land....Well the ghosts are getting more and more desperate and things are escalating...and only Kiddo can save them....she doesn't know how or why, she just knows she has to!!!
GREAT STORY AND WONDERFUL NARRATION, I RECOMMEND!!!
Thank you Audiobookblast(dot)com
November 23, 2015
This is the best book I've read so far this year.
I had a couple of concerns going into this book. (Is it religious? Is it YA Dystopia?) From the description, it sounds as if it could be a overly religious book. It's not. Certainly spiritual (It is called 'Ghost' City after all), but perfect for both the religious and non-religious alike.
It is not another YA Dystopia. Are there young adults? Yes. Is it post apocolaptic? Yes. It is also completely different from anything I have ever read and is certainly written with a more adult audience in mind. This is literature. And you certainly don't need to love fantasy or science fiction to love this book.
Kiddo is quite possibly one of the most enigmatic characters I've read in a long time. She's so, so strong. Isn't she? We never really know for sure, but she certainly seems to be...
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
I had a couple of concerns going into this book. (Is it religious? Is it YA Dystopia?) From the description, it sounds as if it could be a overly religious book. It's not. Certainly spiritual (It is called 'Ghost' City after all), but perfect for both the religious and non-religious alike.
It is not another YA Dystopia. Are there young adults? Yes. Is it post apocolaptic? Yes. It is also completely different from anything I have ever read and is certainly written with a more adult audience in mind. This is literature. And you certainly don't need to love fantasy or science fiction to love this book.
Kiddo is quite possibly one of the most enigmatic characters I've read in a long time. She's so, so strong. Isn't she? We never really know for sure, but she certainly seems to be...
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 17, 2014
When Madeline Claire Franklin puts words on paper, they turn to diamonds, filling the world with the most beautiful images in existence. This book is yet another example of how she manages to do such a thing... and this was a story with a post-apocalyptic setting. How she was able to make it so beautiful just shows how amazing she is.
Just to make it clear, we do not know each other at all. These are sincere words from an honest reader.
The story is amazing!! The characters are so well-developed, I feel like I know them and could recognize them on the street. My favorite bit was how the question of HOW the world ended was still a little vague by the end, and the WHY was not even touched at all. The focus was solely on the present story and what was important for these characters. I love that; great story-telling at its finest.
Just to make it clear, we do not know each other at all. These are sincere words from an honest reader.
The story is amazing!! The characters are so well-developed, I feel like I know them and could recognize them on the street. My favorite bit was how the question of HOW the world ended was still a little vague by the end, and the WHY was not even touched at all. The focus was solely on the present story and what was important for these characters. I love that; great story-telling at its finest.
May 25, 2014
I was lucky enough to win this in a giveaway, and I am happy I did. Kiddo is a survivor. Her grandparents taught her how to hunt and fish, smoke meat, set traps and all other things wilderness. So they play a huge role in her post-apocolyptic survival. I think this book asks a lot of questions that we often wonder about ourselves. What would we do in a situation where nothing is as it seems and the only goal is survival. Would we hurt or help people? Would we stand alone or form a group. I really enjoyed this book and the only negative that I have is I wished there was more action. Great Read!!!
August 15, 2016
I truly loved this book!It was well written,aside from a bit of repetition.Maria Marquis brings our characters to life.It is 10 years after the end of the world.The earth is populated with children.There is a city that draws kids in.Noah is the Saver,who keeps the city going.Kiddo is our main character.She has a cabin and believes in teaching people to survive without the city.No one really remembers what happened,but when they do all is relived before it's all over
November 10, 2014
I liked this book. I just wish it made a little more sense. I liked Noah and Kiddo. The story was intriguing just wish it had a different story line at the end. The end was good, don't get me wrong, just not what I was expecting.
September 3, 2015
This was a really good book, set about 10 years after some unexplained world ending event. Apparently only the children survived, and it's how they make do. With some otherwordly events going on.
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