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The Electric Kingdom
'NEW YORK TIMES' BEST SELLER DAVID ARNOLD'S MOST AMBITIOUS NOVEL TO DAT: 'STATION ELEVEN' MEETS 'THE 5th WAVE' IN A GENRE-SMASHING STORY OF SURVIVAL, HOPE, AND LOVE AMID A RAVAGED EARTH.
When a deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico's father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and light in a world gone dark.
'THE ELECTRIC KINGDOM' is a sweeping exploration of love, art, storytelling, eternal life, and above all, a testament to the notion that even in an exterminated world, one person might find beauty in another.
When a deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico's father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and light in a world gone dark.
'THE ELECTRIC KINGDOM' is a sweeping exploration of love, art, storytelling, eternal life, and above all, a testament to the notion that even in an exterminated world, one person might find beauty in another.
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First published February 9, 2021
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About the author
David Arnold
7 books1,685 followersDavid Arnold is the New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland, I Loved You in Another Life, The Electric Kingdom, Kids of Appetite, and The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik. He has won the Southern Book Prize and the Great Lakes Book Award, and was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start for his debut. His books have been translated into over a dozen languages. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife and son. Learn more at davidarnoldbooks.com and follow him on Instagram @iamdavidarnold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 942 reviews
January 13, 2021
4.5 stars. This book was weird as hell in a really good way. It stuck with me and now I want to read it again to see all the pieces I missed. Like if Walking Dead and Phantom Tollbooth had a baby.
Slightly off topic: I don't understand why YA books are so much cheaper than "adult" books when they're so often just as fascinating for any age.
Slightly off topic: I don't understand why YA books are so much cheaper than "adult" books when they're so often just as fascinating for any age.
December 7, 2020
The latest from David Arnold's seriously f*cking exciting brain (see: The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik, a personal favorite) is a postapocalyptic nesting doll of a tale, full of tricky resonances and moments of grace. It's luminously compassionate, ceaselessly inventive, and seriously ambitious, and it all just WORKS.
It also happens to be a really really good read for this particular time. Other times, also. Just saying I think it's Timely.
It also happens to be a really really good read for this particular time. Other times, also. Just saying I think it's Timely.
February 4, 2021
LEMME BE REAL: this book MADE ME FEEL THE THINGS I love most in stories: afraid, seen, devastated, buoyed, & tbh wholly envious I didn't write it 1st, haha. This story is about connectedness and the resilience of even the most broken of people. This story is humanity at its most earnest, at its most vulnerable, at its most hopeful. I loved it.
March 30, 2021
Well I think this was a case of just not for me.
Enough said.
Enough said.
March 10, 2022
“𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐲𝐥. 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.”
I was really interested in picking this one up because first off it’s a book with a pandemic..yes it’s a fly flu pandemic...but still it hits close to home. 😱😱 Some would stay away because of that but it just makes me curious. Thankfully our pandemic is on the rebound and didn’t turn into a world ending apocalyptic thing like in this book. And second it’s a YA fantasy one of my favorite genres. So I was all in!
Nico is living in a post-apocalyptic world where a Fly Flu has ravaged the world. You either become ill with the deadly disease or get eaten by the actual Fly Swarms themselves consuming human in seconds flat barely leaving bones behind., or are “lucky” enough to try and survive in this new crazy world. When she turns 18 Nico’s Dad sends her on a mythical voyage to try and save the world. She meets friends and foes as she and her dog Harry travel to Manchester. As well as running into The Deliverer who had been her families beacon of hope supplying them every month with essentials. The Deliverer is also on a mission to save the world and is able to frustrating relive their life over and over no closer to the answer to helping the world. Can Nico and/or The Deliverer help their planet or will it continue to destruct?
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
There are a gamut of characters throughout the book. Survivors trying to make it through the new world, and of course the crazy, demented or just plain evil others you would expect to see at the end of the world.
The significant character called The Deliverer, who as their name suggests delivers food and supplies to families on a monthly basis. I didn’t know to later on if they were male or female because they are in a space type suit with a helmet at all times. They are on some sort of time loop and are continuously revive, they think because they are destined to somehow try and save the planet.
The main characters are Nico, Lakie, Monty, Kit, Lennon and Loretta, a group of young adults trying to make it to a better place or in Nico’s case Manchester.
Nico, Lennon, Kit and Harry the dog were my favorites by far. But it was Kit, who is a very mature, kind hearted 12 year old boy with an old soul that touched a special place in my heart.
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
This gets a little confusing at times but when I got it, I hit myself on the head and was like “wow that is some intense sh-t!” I think this would also make an interesting reread to see if I notice the second time around all the little clues DA left peppered throughout the story before it’s all tied together.
David Arnold has a way with words. He is an amazing writer which enabled him to pull all these intense feels out of me! I was angry, sad, happy and scared. You name it I felt it.
I have to say I was not expecting to like this. I’ve had some ehhh Arc’s lately and I expected this to be the same. But The Electric Kingdom turned out to be a really delightful read. Not as far as uplifting… because honestly I had a heavy heart throughout the course of this book. But delightful as far as a pleasant surprise. About 1/2 through I was totally invested in Nico and the band of friends she procured along the way. I’m so glad that I actually gave this a chance because The Electric Kingdom will stick with me for quite awhile.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
I was really interested in picking this one up because first off it’s a book with a pandemic..yes it’s a fly flu pandemic...but still it hits close to home. 😱😱 Some would stay away because of that but it just makes me curious. Thankfully our pandemic is on the rebound and didn’t turn into a world ending apocalyptic thing like in this book. And second it’s a YA fantasy one of my favorite genres. So I was all in!
Nico is living in a post-apocalyptic world where a Fly Flu has ravaged the world. You either become ill with the deadly disease or get eaten by the actual Fly Swarms themselves consuming human in seconds flat barely leaving bones behind., or are “lucky” enough to try and survive in this new crazy world. When she turns 18 Nico’s Dad sends her on a mythical voyage to try and save the world. She meets friends and foes as she and her dog Harry travel to Manchester. As well as running into The Deliverer who had been her families beacon of hope supplying them every month with essentials. The Deliverer is also on a mission to save the world and is able to frustrating relive their life over and over no closer to the answer to helping the world. Can Nico and/or The Deliverer help their planet or will it continue to destruct?
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
There are a gamut of characters throughout the book. Survivors trying to make it through the new world, and of course the crazy, demented or just plain evil others you would expect to see at the end of the world.
The significant character called The Deliverer, who as their name suggests delivers food and supplies to families on a monthly basis. I didn’t know to later on if they were male or female because they are in a space type suit with a helmet at all times. They are on some sort of time loop and are continuously revive, they think because they are destined to somehow try and save the planet.
The main characters are Nico, Lakie, Monty, Kit, Lennon and Loretta, a group of young adults trying to make it to a better place or in Nico’s case Manchester.
Nico, Lennon, Kit and Harry the dog were my favorites by far. But it was Kit, who is a very mature, kind hearted 12 year old boy with an old soul that touched a special place in my heart.
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
This gets a little confusing at times but when I got it, I hit myself on the head and was like “wow that is some intense sh-t!” I think this would also make an interesting reread to see if I notice the second time around all the little clues DA left peppered throughout the story before it’s all tied together.
David Arnold has a way with words. He is an amazing writer which enabled him to pull all these intense feels out of me! I was angry, sad, happy and scared. You name it I felt it.
I have to say I was not expecting to like this. I’ve had some ehhh Arc’s lately and I expected this to be the same. But The Electric Kingdom turned out to be a really delightful read. Not as far as uplifting… because honestly I had a heavy heart throughout the course of this book. But delightful as far as a pleasant surprise. About 1/2 through I was totally invested in Nico and the band of friends she procured along the way. I’m so glad that I actually gave this a chance because The Electric Kingdom will stick with me for quite awhile.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
May 4, 2021
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher (Penguin Teen) for promotional purposes.
I give this book 4.5 stars which rounds up to 5.
Wow. This was such an interesting book (in a good way)!
When I first started reading it, I was a little confused about what was going on. You get thrown into the world without much explanation. But as the book went on, it was all slowly revealed.
I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, but I will say it is sort of circular and kind of trippy (if that makes any sense). It’s a book that you have to read for yourself. By the time I got to the end, my mind was blown.
The writing style is so beautiful. It’s very lyrical and poetic at times, but also had a slightly haunting quality to it.
This is also a book that would be great to reread. Since you don’t discover everything until the end, it would be fun to reread it and pick up on all the little clues woven throughout the story.
Lastly, it felt eerie reading this book during a pandemic. This book is about deadly flies and the flu they carry and it made me think about the situation we are in.
Overall, this was a deep and thought provoking story. I really recommend it!
I give this book 4.5 stars which rounds up to 5.
Wow. This was such an interesting book (in a good way)!
When I first started reading it, I was a little confused about what was going on. You get thrown into the world without much explanation. But as the book went on, it was all slowly revealed.
I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, but I will say it is sort of circular and kind of trippy (if that makes any sense). It’s a book that you have to read for yourself. By the time I got to the end, my mind was blown.
The writing style is so beautiful. It’s very lyrical and poetic at times, but also had a slightly haunting quality to it.
This is also a book that would be great to reread. Since you don’t discover everything until the end, it would be fun to reread it and pick up on all the little clues woven throughout the story.
Lastly, it felt eerie reading this book during a pandemic. This book is about deadly flies and the flu they carry and it made me think about the situation we are in.
Overall, this was a deep and thought provoking story. I really recommend it!
February 9, 2021
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I really enjoyed this book! I was drawn to this book both by its fabulous cover and its description. I just love a good end of the world story and this one sounded different than others I have read. I found this book to be engaging from the start and before long it became impossible to put down. I found this book to be quite entertaining as well as thought-provoking and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to give it a try.
This book is told from several points of view. First, we meet Nico who has spent the first 18 years of her life in a locked up farmhouse with her parents and their dog, Harry. Now her mother is gone and her father says that it is time that she goes on a journey to Manchester. Kit is a 12-year-old boy who has lived his life in a movie theatre and elementary school in a small town. Eventually, he begins his own journey with two others in hopes of finding a safe zone. We also occasionally get to see the Deliverer's point of view. The Deliverer is rather mysterious but has delivered goods to Nico's family for years and seems to know exactly what to do at times.
The characters in this book were very well done. It was easy to care about Nico, Kit, and the rest of the characters because they were all inherently good people. There are still bad people in the world and our group of characters has a few difficult run-ins but the main obstacle is really the harshness of the world. The supporting characters were fantastic and I love that we got to see how much they care for each other and that they still have hope.
I found this book to very original. The swarms of Flies were more frightening than I could have imagined and the flu is just as deadly. This is a very dangerous world that these characters must navigate. Just when I thought I had a good understanding of what was happening, the author took the story to a whole new level. The science-fiction elements are very strong in this story and I was completely captivated by the complexity of the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This was a book that was very hard to put down. I loved the way that the story took unexpected turns that made me question everything that had happened before. I will definitely be reading more of David Arnold's work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Viking Books for Young Readers via Bookish First.
I really enjoyed this book! I was drawn to this book both by its fabulous cover and its description. I just love a good end of the world story and this one sounded different than others I have read. I found this book to be engaging from the start and before long it became impossible to put down. I found this book to be quite entertaining as well as thought-provoking and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to give it a try.
This book is told from several points of view. First, we meet Nico who has spent the first 18 years of her life in a locked up farmhouse with her parents and their dog, Harry. Now her mother is gone and her father says that it is time that she goes on a journey to Manchester. Kit is a 12-year-old boy who has lived his life in a movie theatre and elementary school in a small town. Eventually, he begins his own journey with two others in hopes of finding a safe zone. We also occasionally get to see the Deliverer's point of view. The Deliverer is rather mysterious but has delivered goods to Nico's family for years and seems to know exactly what to do at times.
The characters in this book were very well done. It was easy to care about Nico, Kit, and the rest of the characters because they were all inherently good people. There are still bad people in the world and our group of characters has a few difficult run-ins but the main obstacle is really the harshness of the world. The supporting characters were fantastic and I love that we got to see how much they care for each other and that they still have hope.
I found this book to very original. The swarms of Flies were more frightening than I could have imagined and the flu is just as deadly. This is a very dangerous world that these characters must navigate. Just when I thought I had a good understanding of what was happening, the author took the story to a whole new level. The science-fiction elements are very strong in this story and I was completely captivated by the complexity of the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This was a book that was very hard to put down. I loved the way that the story took unexpected turns that made me question everything that had happened before. I will definitely be reading more of David Arnold's work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Viking Books for Young Readers via Bookish First.
August 23, 2020
This story follows three points of view: a close third on Nico, a teenage girl; a close third on Kit, a twelve year old boy; and a first person narration of the Deliverer, a mysterious figure. I liked Nico's sections, and was intrigued, if not fully invested, in the Deliverer's. However, I found that KIt's sections really made the book drag and didn't quite fit with the story. I feel like the entire book would have flowed more smoothly if it had primarily been narrated by Nico with interludes from the Deliverer.
I think we were meant to find Kit wise, older than his age, but I mostly just found him annoying. He had a way of speaking about the pre-fly times like they were centuries ago despite it being clear that his mother was alive during this time; the story takes place less than 20 years after the swarms started. For example, he refers to money as "cash bucks," but why wouldn't Dakota have just told him that people didn't say that? He talks about "people of old," but again, certainly his mother didn't talk about people from her own life that way, so where did he pick it up from? It just seemed really out of touch, and we don't see that language at all from anyone else.
I really wish I'd liked this book. There were some aspects of it I thought were really interesting. It just felt unnecessarily long and it took me probably two thirds of the book to actually care what would happen. Overall, I found the story had some good ideas but was ultimately unsatisfying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think we were meant to find Kit wise, older than his age, but I mostly just found him annoying. He had a way of speaking about the pre-fly times like they were centuries ago despite it being clear that his mother was alive during this time; the story takes place less than 20 years after the swarms started. For example, he refers to money as "cash bucks," but why wouldn't Dakota have just told him that people didn't say that? He talks about "people of old," but again, certainly his mother didn't talk about people from her own life that way, so where did he pick it up from? It just seemed really out of touch, and we don't see that language at all from anyone else.
I really wish I'd liked this book. There were some aspects of it I thought were really interesting. It just felt unnecessarily long and it took me probably two thirds of the book to actually care what would happen. Overall, I found the story had some good ideas but was ultimately unsatisfying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
December 23, 202120% DNF. Not connecting with any of the narrators, so abandoning ship yet again. Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2024
5 stars!
LOVED THIS BOOK
Sucked into this book from page 1. Another pandemic book but written so well.
One of the characters, a 12 year old boy called Kit, MADE ME FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS.
His character arc was awesomeeee.
LOVED THIS BOOK
Sucked into this book from page 1. Another pandemic book but written so well.
One of the characters, a 12 year old boy called Kit, MADE ME FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS.
His character arc was awesomeeee.
January 9, 2021
Huge thanks to BookishFirst and Viking Books for their awesomeness in letting me read this book ahead of its release date.
If you're looking to get your mind blown, you've come to the right place. I'm not talking about my review (that may come off as rambling and full of run-on sentences because THIS BOOK MAKES ME SO EXCITED). I'm talking about David Arnold's latest release which very well may be his best book yet, and I am not lying. David, you cannot outdo this. This was your life's work and now you may go fish for the rest of your life or do whatever hobbies you want to do because you have done enough in putting this book into the world.
Plot: Mr. Arnold drops us into a post-apocalyptic world where massive swarms of bees have overrun and killed most of humanity. A select few survivors navigate this new world, propelled by rumors of a portal, and merely just getting by. Nico and her dog, Harry begins traveling to Manchester to quell her curiosity about a fabled portal said to exist. Along the way, she meets Kit, a boy raised in a movie theater. Together, along with others, they set off together to discover the meaning of their existence in a world that has died.
David Arnold must write somewhere on a different plane from the rest of humanity. Either that or his laptop of magicked somehow. I don't know. His writing is exquisite. I found myself pondering over every word, every phrase. Every scene had a much deeper meaning than what was printed. I can't even explain how mesmerized I was while reading this book. It felt like I was chosen to experience it, as if I were listening to someone tell me the meaning of life.
This review is sounding all wrong because I cannot get the words out correctly. I deliberated for days on how to start the review and how to finish it, but I've come up with nothing but generic words like, "awesome" and "amazing." This book makes you think so if you're too tired or aren't in the mood to reach into the deeper parts of your subconscious, don't read this book. But if you're looking to get your mind blown, this is the one for you.
If you're looking to get your mind blown, you've come to the right place. I'm not talking about my review (that may come off as rambling and full of run-on sentences because THIS BOOK MAKES ME SO EXCITED). I'm talking about David Arnold's latest release which very well may be his best book yet, and I am not lying. David, you cannot outdo this. This was your life's work and now you may go fish for the rest of your life or do whatever hobbies you want to do because you have done enough in putting this book into the world.
Plot: Mr. Arnold drops us into a post-apocalyptic world where massive swarms of bees have overrun and killed most of humanity. A select few survivors navigate this new world, propelled by rumors of a portal, and merely just getting by. Nico and her dog, Harry begins traveling to Manchester to quell her curiosity about a fabled portal said to exist. Along the way, she meets Kit, a boy raised in a movie theater. Together, along with others, they set off together to discover the meaning of their existence in a world that has died.
David Arnold must write somewhere on a different plane from the rest of humanity. Either that or his laptop of magicked somehow. I don't know. His writing is exquisite. I found myself pondering over every word, every phrase. Every scene had a much deeper meaning than what was printed. I can't even explain how mesmerized I was while reading this book. It felt like I was chosen to experience it, as if I were listening to someone tell me the meaning of life.
This review is sounding all wrong because I cannot get the words out correctly. I deliberated for days on how to start the review and how to finish it, but I've come up with nothing but generic words like, "awesome" and "amazing." This book makes you think so if you're too tired or aren't in the mood to reach into the deeper parts of your subconscious, don't read this book. But if you're looking to get your mind blown, this is the one for you.
March 14, 2021
This has such a freaking loopy timeline that I don't think I understand but WOW...such a good read. Despite the world being utter shit, this wasn't super depressing but rather interesting. There were sad parts since like 99% of the cast dies but it was just...interesting.
January 26, 2021
Thank you to BookishFirst and Penguin Teen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Five brilliant stars for this absolutely amazing book. Honestly, I don’t know how Arnold continues to write such fascinating books but he did it again. The Electric Kingdom takes place post-apocalypse where swarms of flies killed off almost everyone and everything. Nico and her dog have set out to find a place called Manchester and maybe a secret portal. Nico on her journey finds more survivors, one of them being Kit and they team up to find this portal and what is left of the world. Another mysterious character we see is The Deliverer, I don’t want to say much about this entity but it made this book somehow even better than it was.
I knew going into this book that it was going to be weird (based off all of Arnold’s other books). This completely went above and beyond the hype and I was captivated from the very first chapter. I thought this was such a timely book to read as we are going through a pandemic in the world right now, it did make this book quite realistic and a little scary. I loved how Arnold starts off the book slowly and we get to discover what is going on in the world. The main characters are just kids, but they have had to grow up real fast and learn to survive in a lifeless world. They have seen flies completely kill off their loved ones in a matter of minutes and then carry them off into the unknown. I really loved how this was much deeper than just what the synopsis tells you.
I’m pretty sure that the author knows more about this world than we do because every time I read a book by him; I am so mind blown that it takes me days to even figure out what I read. I mean that all in a good way. The Electric Kingdom was honestly spectacular and by the end I was in tears. Even though this was quite dark and set in a near future it was full of messages that will have me thinking about this book for a long time. The world may seem dark and bitter, but finding the beauty, love, and the meaning to life is what matters. If this wasn’t already on your radar, I hope it is now.
Five brilliant stars for this absolutely amazing book. Honestly, I don’t know how Arnold continues to write such fascinating books but he did it again. The Electric Kingdom takes place post-apocalypse where swarms of flies killed off almost everyone and everything. Nico and her dog have set out to find a place called Manchester and maybe a secret portal. Nico on her journey finds more survivors, one of them being Kit and they team up to find this portal and what is left of the world. Another mysterious character we see is The Deliverer, I don’t want to say much about this entity but it made this book somehow even better than it was.
I knew going into this book that it was going to be weird (based off all of Arnold’s other books). This completely went above and beyond the hype and I was captivated from the very first chapter. I thought this was such a timely book to read as we are going through a pandemic in the world right now, it did make this book quite realistic and a little scary. I loved how Arnold starts off the book slowly and we get to discover what is going on in the world. The main characters are just kids, but they have had to grow up real fast and learn to survive in a lifeless world. They have seen flies completely kill off their loved ones in a matter of minutes and then carry them off into the unknown. I really loved how this was much deeper than just what the synopsis tells you.
I’m pretty sure that the author knows more about this world than we do because every time I read a book by him; I am so mind blown that it takes me days to even figure out what I read. I mean that all in a good way. The Electric Kingdom was honestly spectacular and by the end I was in tears. Even though this was quite dark and set in a near future it was full of messages that will have me thinking about this book for a long time. The world may seem dark and bitter, but finding the beauty, love, and the meaning to life is what matters. If this wasn’t already on your radar, I hope it is now.
January 26, 2021
When the catastrophic Fly Flu leaves the world in shambles, few survivors remain. Among the remaining, is eighteen-year-old Nico and her father in an old farmhouse in rural Northern New Hampshire. As Nico’s father’s mental state declines, he sends her and her dog Harry on a journey through the woods to Manchester to find and open a mythical portal. Nearby the farmhouse is someone known only as "the Deliverer" who has lived Life after Life in pursuit of changing the course of events that led to now. In another town, twelve-year-old Kit is raised in an abandoned cinema, having only known the world after the flies. As Nico sets out on her journey, the lives of the three intersect in unexpected ways.
The Electric Kingdom is told in the third person from three unique perspectives: Nico, a teenager traveling alone in the woods with her dog Harry, Kit, a twelve-year-old who has only ever known a time after the flies, and the elusive Deliverer. It imagines a rural post-apocalyptic New Hampshire as a stark and dangerous place. The few remaining are constantly tested by the elements, risk of starvation and dehydration, and large swarms of Flu Flies, carnivorous insects that consume all flesh they come across. But by the same merit, it highlights the intrinsic beauty of a quiet world where simple pleasures like a good book or a comforting meal are all one needs.
Originally I wanted to read The Electric Kingdom because it was compared to Station Eleven, a favorite of mine. While this is an accurate comparison, I feel like it does not do The Electric Kingdom justice. The Electric Kingdom is a character-driven novel that celebrates the human need for interpersonal relationships and the struggle to survive in a broken world. It has just the right amount of science fiction, carefully mixed with atmospheric winter scenery. At first, I found the science fiction/fantasy elements a bit frustrating and bizarre. But after a bit, they seamlessly integrate into the narrative until they delicately wrap the story in a neat bow. I will be haunted by the ending of The Electric Kingdom long after finishing the book.
I highly recommend The Electric Kingdom for fans of realistic science fiction, especially apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction.
Thank you to BookishFirst and Penguin Teen for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
The Electric Kingdom is told in the third person from three unique perspectives: Nico, a teenager traveling alone in the woods with her dog Harry, Kit, a twelve-year-old who has only ever known a time after the flies, and the elusive Deliverer. It imagines a rural post-apocalyptic New Hampshire as a stark and dangerous place. The few remaining are constantly tested by the elements, risk of starvation and dehydration, and large swarms of Flu Flies, carnivorous insects that consume all flesh they come across. But by the same merit, it highlights the intrinsic beauty of a quiet world where simple pleasures like a good book or a comforting meal are all one needs.
Originally I wanted to read The Electric Kingdom because it was compared to Station Eleven, a favorite of mine. While this is an accurate comparison, I feel like it does not do The Electric Kingdom justice. The Electric Kingdom is a character-driven novel that celebrates the human need for interpersonal relationships and the struggle to survive in a broken world. It has just the right amount of science fiction, carefully mixed with atmospheric winter scenery. At first, I found the science fiction/fantasy elements a bit frustrating and bizarre. But after a bit, they seamlessly integrate into the narrative until they delicately wrap the story in a neat bow. I will be haunted by the ending of The Electric Kingdom long after finishing the book.
I highly recommend The Electric Kingdom for fans of realistic science fiction, especially apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction.
Thank you to BookishFirst and Penguin Teen for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2021
Set in 2043, much of the population has either succumbed to the fly flu or to mutant bees (mistaken for flies) that swam and find their pray and then obliterate them.
We begin the tale on a snowy night when an accident occurs and many of the characters we meet will become significant as the story unfolds. The main character is Nico. She is raised by her parents at a Farmhouse where she is sheltered and safe from the elements outside. Her father tells her she must find Manchester where she will find Kairos - this is where the healing waters will save her. She sets out on her own not knowing if she will arrive safely.
Nico's path crosses with a group of kids that are making their way to Boston after Kit, the youngest of the bunch, loses his mother to what he believes to be the deadly flu. The kids travel together as they feel there may be safety in numbers.
The other narrator in the story is The Deliverer. We aren't sure who is under the helmet and hazmat suit, but The Deliverer appears when people need it most.
There is something strange going on in the story. Many of the characters get a feeling of Deja Vu and I kept reading to figure out why this kept happening. I love the premise, but I wasn't always fully engaged with the characters. Many times I had to look back to remind myself which character is which.
Still, this is an original post-apocalyptic story that has an interesting premise.
We begin the tale on a snowy night when an accident occurs and many of the characters we meet will become significant as the story unfolds. The main character is Nico. She is raised by her parents at a Farmhouse where she is sheltered and safe from the elements outside. Her father tells her she must find Manchester where she will find Kairos - this is where the healing waters will save her. She sets out on her own not knowing if she will arrive safely.
Nico's path crosses with a group of kids that are making their way to Boston after Kit, the youngest of the bunch, loses his mother to what he believes to be the deadly flu. The kids travel together as they feel there may be safety in numbers.
The other narrator in the story is The Deliverer. We aren't sure who is under the helmet and hazmat suit, but The Deliverer appears when people need it most.
There is something strange going on in the story. Many of the characters get a feeling of Deja Vu and I kept reading to figure out why this kept happening. I love the premise, but I wasn't always fully engaged with the characters. Many times I had to look back to remind myself which character is which.
Still, this is an original post-apocalyptic story that has an interesting premise.
April 11, 2021
I loved this novel. Loved it! It is thoroughly weird, beautifully written and I'm going to miss spending time with these characters now that I'm done. I read it slowly, savouring it. I found it moving and so incredibly sad at times, but it is a novel with such a big heart that I also laughed at other times.
This is post-apocalyptic fiction at its very best. At times you aren't quite sure what you're reading, but this is a quest book, trust the author, he is going to bend your mind and break your heart. Nico is wonderful, a character I just totally loved. When she meets a group of kids who have a history that ties them together, you just know that this is going to be a wonderful lot of relationships. Kit, my heart belongs to Kit, a treasure of a character. A ragtag group of kids facing danger, trying to survive a pandemic, killer flies who carry people off by sheer numbers lifting them up and carrying them away. It is horrific! I love the use of cinnamon as a deterrent to the flies.
There is so much, so very many ways that this book is amazing. It confirms that David Almond is one of my favourite authors for young people.
Thanks so much to Text for giving me access to this wonderful book. I loved it.
This is post-apocalyptic fiction at its very best. At times you aren't quite sure what you're reading, but this is a quest book, trust the author, he is going to bend your mind and break your heart. Nico is wonderful, a character I just totally loved. When she meets a group of kids who have a history that ties them together, you just know that this is going to be a wonderful lot of relationships. Kit, my heart belongs to Kit, a treasure of a character. A ragtag group of kids facing danger, trying to survive a pandemic, killer flies who carry people off by sheer numbers lifting them up and carrying them away. It is horrific! I love the use of cinnamon as a deterrent to the flies.
There is so much, so very many ways that this book is amazing. It confirms that David Almond is one of my favourite authors for young people.
Thanks so much to Text for giving me access to this wonderful book. I loved it.
February 22, 2021
My favorite genre is apocalyptic/post apocalyptic. I’d heard really good things about this book so knew I needed to have it.
Well, I just finished and as I turned that last page, my body exploded with goosebumps... Those wonderful emotional kind that lets you know your world was just rocked.
This book was haunting, beautiful, twisty, and very mind-blowing.
In the year 2025, the world basically ends because of a fly flu. Nico and her parents, Kit and his family, and Lennon and his adopted family all have stories that converge into each other’s. The story is told by alternating POVs between Nico, Kit, and the Deliverer.
I absolutely adored Nico, and Kit. And let’s not forget about Harry, Nico’s beloved dog.
Beautiful... just beautiful.
Well, I just finished and as I turned that last page, my body exploded with goosebumps... Those wonderful emotional kind that lets you know your world was just rocked.
This book was haunting, beautiful, twisty, and very mind-blowing.
In the year 2025, the world basically ends because of a fly flu. Nico and her parents, Kit and his family, and Lennon and his adopted family all have stories that converge into each other’s. The story is told by alternating POVs between Nico, Kit, and the Deliverer.
I absolutely adored Nico, and Kit. And let’s not forget about Harry, Nico’s beloved dog.
Beautiful... just beautiful.
dnf-d
May 8, 2021**Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Viking Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my thoughts**
I tried. I really did. I have tried to read this book for 5 months now and it took me that long to get to 55% and call it a day. This was not for me. And given I also DNF’d Arnold’s Mosquitoland, I’m guessing Arnold is not for me either.
The Electric Kingdom is a book told in three POVs: a teenage girl named Nico, a tween boy named Kit, and an adult from the future called The Deliverer. Nico and Kit live in a world where a pandemic is caused by blood sucking flies (more on that) and humanity is on the brink of extinction,. They’re traveling to get to a safe place. The Deliverer is a time traveler who keeps experiencing a groundhogs day type span years in which they try to save humanity.
Writing wise, I think the book would work better as either JUST Nico’s POV or JUST The Deliverer’s POV. Kit annoyed the crap out of me. This kid is meant to be 12. He reads EVERY book in a school library and retains all of the information he’s read. Yet somehow, he has the mentality and speech patterns of a much younger kid. If they hadn’t told me explicitly he was 12, I would’ve a guessed 7 at most. He’s read books from our time and yet routinely refers to things in nonsensical “old time” terms. The most common occurrence was “cash bucks”. No book would have referred to money as this term. Even if an adult, who again, LIVED THROUGH THIS TIME, said that in explanation, it wouldn’t make sense that he insists on calling it “cash bucks”. It sounds both juvenile and like Arnold was attempting some referential humor that fell VERY flat for me. Just nothing about this character made sense and I wish he hadn’t been included.
Other than that, the plot was just moving too slowly for me and the pacing was weird. The Deliverer had the best sections, followed by Nico, and waaaaaaay at the end was Kit, who showed up and knocked decent pacing to a snail’s pace again.
I’m sure there are readers for this, especially as people relate to a global pandemic throwing things off axis, but I did not enjoy this nor would I recommend it,
I tried. I really did. I have tried to read this book for 5 months now and it took me that long to get to 55% and call it a day. This was not for me. And given I also DNF’d Arnold’s Mosquitoland, I’m guessing Arnold is not for me either.
The Electric Kingdom is a book told in three POVs: a teenage girl named Nico, a tween boy named Kit, and an adult from the future called The Deliverer. Nico and Kit live in a world where a pandemic is caused by blood sucking flies (more on that) and humanity is on the brink of extinction,. They’re traveling to get to a safe place. The Deliverer is a time traveler who keeps experiencing a groundhogs day type span years in which they try to save humanity.
Writing wise, I think the book would work better as either JUST Nico’s POV or JUST The Deliverer’s POV. Kit annoyed the crap out of me. This kid is meant to be 12. He reads EVERY book in a school library and retains all of the information he’s read. Yet somehow, he has the mentality and speech patterns of a much younger kid. If they hadn’t told me explicitly he was 12, I would’ve a guessed 7 at most. He’s read books from our time and yet routinely refers to things in nonsensical “old time” terms. The most common occurrence was “cash bucks”. No book would have referred to money as this term. Even if an adult, who again, LIVED THROUGH THIS TIME, said that in explanation, it wouldn’t make sense that he insists on calling it “cash bucks”. It sounds both juvenile and like Arnold was attempting some referential humor that fell VERY flat for me. Just nothing about this character made sense and I wish he hadn’t been included.
Other than that, the plot was just moving too slowly for me and the pacing was weird. The Deliverer had the best sections, followed by Nico, and waaaaaaay at the end was Kit, who showed up and knocked decent pacing to a snail’s pace again.
I’m sure there are readers for this, especially as people relate to a global pandemic throwing things off axis, but I did not enjoy this nor would I recommend it,
August 5, 2020
First and foremost: WOW. This book is lyrically gorgeous on par with "Station Eleven," exploring the beauty of humanity even in an abandoned world. Arnold's writing is a poetic, lush experience, populated with realistic and kind characters.
And then: the plot begins twisting and unfolding and doubling back on itself, and I realized how exquisitely structured the story is -- like Arnold's last novel, "The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik" (another favorite of mine), reality is what Arnold makes of it. His mind obviously works on a whole 'nother level of perception and it awes me.
I'm still not sure if I entirely understood all the ins and outs of "The Electric Kingdom" (I can tell I'll be pondering it for days yet, and probably re-reading it), but I know for certain that I LOVED it.
And then: the plot begins twisting and unfolding and doubling back on itself, and I realized how exquisitely structured the story is -- like Arnold's last novel, "The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik" (another favorite of mine), reality is what Arnold makes of it. His mind obviously works on a whole 'nother level of perception and it awes me.
I'm still not sure if I entirely understood all the ins and outs of "The Electric Kingdom" (I can tell I'll be pondering it for days yet, and probably re-reading it), but I know for certain that I LOVED it.
January 26, 2022
This book was AMAZING. I was captured and pulled into the story so fast. It had been a while since I had read a post apocalyptic book and I was super excited to dive into a new one. This book was a survivalists dream because it had high stakes and deadly things thrown in for humanity to try and persevere against and at the same time, it had family, friendship and base human connection. These characters endure so much in this book and it was definitely felt.
I loved where the author took the story. It definitely plays on something that I love to see in movies and books (I won’t say what that is to avoid spoiling anything but trust me its worth it).
The book reminded me of the Fifth Wave series but minus the aliens and more just the surviving parts. I really enjoyed that series so I was glad this one had the same vibes. It was also very atmospheric as most of the book takes place journeying through the wilderness for most of it.
I would definitely read more books by this author because they got their hooks in me with this fantastic writing.
I loved where the author took the story. It definitely plays on something that I love to see in movies and books (I won’t say what that is to avoid spoiling anything but trust me its worth it).
The book reminded me of the Fifth Wave series but minus the aliens and more just the surviving parts. I really enjoyed that series so I was glad this one had the same vibes. It was also very atmospheric as most of the book takes place journeying through the wilderness for most of it.
I would definitely read more books by this author because they got their hooks in me with this fantastic writing.
March 21, 2021
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I just read 430 pages and I still don't know what happened in this book.
I felt like I was waiting and waiting for something, for some action or drama to happen and once it did happen (about 350 pages later) I just wasn't hooked into it, I wasn't invested at all. It wasn't the fact that it was a "bad book" per se but rather, it just wasn't the book for me. That being said, I know so many other readers who I think would really like this book.
I think the people who would love The Electric Kingdom are those readers who prefer philosophical reads that are more so focused on the journey rather than the end if you know what I mean. I felt like there was such a strong focus on survival, humanity and its exploration in a world ravaged by a fly transmitted virus that there was a very loose plot line. There are some occasions and instances where I don't mind loose plots but I just wanted something to happen in this book that would've piqued my interest. I felt like I was just waiting for something that never came.
The book is told in three different perspectives: Nico, Kit and The Deliverer. Out of the three, only Kit's and The Deliverer's interested me. I found that I just wasn't invested in Nico's who was the main protagonist of the story and who's perspective dominated the rest of them. I found that the story focused on getting to safety and trying to survive the flies. That being said, I felt like the flies had less of a presence and I thought that if the flies were a bigger part of the novel, there would've been more action and I think I would've enjoyed the book more.
All things considered, I did enjoy the writing style and I genuinely loved the prologue bit of the story with the birth and the traffic jam but it was after that that the story fell flat for me and it just felt way too slow. On the contrary, I felt like there were some parts that felt way too fast paced such as the romance which kind of appeared out of nowhere and didn't feel that built up.
That being said, I would recommend this book to other people if I feel it would suit you and your bookish tastes. I would suggest you read this book to formulate your own opinion since this review is highly subjective.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.4 STARS
I just read 430 pages and I still don't know what happened in this book.
I felt like I was waiting and waiting for something, for some action or drama to happen and once it did happen (about 350 pages later) I just wasn't hooked into it, I wasn't invested at all. It wasn't the fact that it was a "bad book" per se but rather, it just wasn't the book for me. That being said, I know so many other readers who I think would really like this book.
I think the people who would love The Electric Kingdom are those readers who prefer philosophical reads that are more so focused on the journey rather than the end if you know what I mean. I felt like there was such a strong focus on survival, humanity and its exploration in a world ravaged by a fly transmitted virus that there was a very loose plot line. There are some occasions and instances where I don't mind loose plots but I just wanted something to happen in this book that would've piqued my interest. I felt like I was just waiting for something that never came.
The book is told in three different perspectives: Nico, Kit and The Deliverer. Out of the three, only Kit's and The Deliverer's interested me. I found that I just wasn't invested in Nico's who was the main protagonist of the story and who's perspective dominated the rest of them. I found that the story focused on getting to safety and trying to survive the flies. That being said, I felt like the flies had less of a presence and I thought that if the flies were a bigger part of the novel, there would've been more action and I think I would've enjoyed the book more.
All things considered, I did enjoy the writing style and I genuinely loved the prologue bit of the story with the birth and the traffic jam but it was after that that the story fell flat for me and it just felt way too slow. On the contrary, I felt like there were some parts that felt way too fast paced such as the romance which kind of appeared out of nowhere and didn't feel that built up.
That being said, I would recommend this book to other people if I feel it would suit you and your bookish tastes. I would suggest you read this book to formulate your own opinion since this review is highly subjective.
ACTUAL RATING: 2.4 STARS
January 13, 2021
If you’ve read David’s other stories, you know the characters come first and the plot next. And by characters I mean the the people and the world building, which plays a critical role in The Electric Kingdom. While most YA stories drop you in the middle of the action, The Electric Kingdom slowly unrolls the world through a variety of experiences.
You have the adults, who lived in the before. Before a deadly pandemic swept the world. The world we currently live in. You have the youth, Nico and Kit, who live in a lonely world without the social constructs we are so accustomed to.
And then you have The Deliverer, a mysterious entity that reminds you this isn’t your typical apocalyptic book. This isn’t the apocalypse story of the early 2010s, where teens are trying to save the world. These youth are trying to save their humanity and understand the world they live in - and shifting it into the future, rather than changing back to the before. I’ll just leave it at that.
The scary part of this book is that it takes place in a not too distance future, primarily in the 2040s but beginning in 2025. As a person living through a current pandemic, a fictional pandemic that is started by humanity trying to genetically engineer an actual problem hits a little different. David, is there something we need to know?
The world is brutal and David does not shy away from describing it that way. These kids have had to grow up far too fast, running for their lives as swarms of deadly flies literally carry off their loved ones, never to be seen again. Through Nico and Kit’s eyes, we see the world and their motivations. The ending left me in tears and wanting more, satisfied and uplifted…needless to say, I felt a lot of things.
And yes, the dog makes it in the end.
tw: pandemic, suicide, murder, and a bunch of unnecessary HP references.
You have the adults, who lived in the before. Before a deadly pandemic swept the world. The world we currently live in. You have the youth, Nico and Kit, who live in a lonely world without the social constructs we are so accustomed to.
And then you have The Deliverer, a mysterious entity that reminds you this isn’t your typical apocalyptic book. This isn’t the apocalypse story of the early 2010s, where teens are trying to save the world. These youth are trying to save their humanity and understand the world they live in - and shifting it into the future, rather than changing back to the before. I’ll just leave it at that.
The scary part of this book is that it takes place in a not too distance future, primarily in the 2040s but beginning in 2025. As a person living through a current pandemic, a fictional pandemic that is started by humanity trying to genetically engineer an actual problem hits a little different. David, is there something we need to know?
The world is brutal and David does not shy away from describing it that way. These kids have had to grow up far too fast, running for their lives as swarms of deadly flies literally carry off their loved ones, never to be seen again. Through Nico and Kit’s eyes, we see the world and their motivations. The ending left me in tears and wanting more, satisfied and uplifted…needless to say, I felt a lot of things.
And yes, the dog makes it in the end.
tw: pandemic, suicide, murder, and a bunch of unnecessary HP references.
February 15, 2021
Thanks, I hate it.
November 3, 2021
No idea what I just read… but I liked it?!? Lol what a fascinating story. Unique writing very whimsical and weird. It’s literally a nesting doll of a book. Layers upon layers. Will leave you scratching your head.
May 22, 2025
This may be one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I wasn’t expecting that. I’m not a huge sci-fi reader, though it’s not because I don’t like the genre, just because I don’t read it a lot.
The thing I was not expecting to happen when reading this book was to love the characters with my whole heart.
The writing in this book is incredible. I annotated my copy and I was highlighting almost entire pages because of all the good quotes and descriptions and emotions the writing made me feel. This book made me laugh, cry (like seriously cry), giggle, squeak, scream, and so much more.
Also the loops are so appropriate! Annotating this book ended up helping me so much because I would remember so many things. There’s repetition in a lot of the words and phrases but in the best way possible.
The memories had my heart. The characters did too. Nico is my book girly, and I love her. Kit is the sweetest, smartest little angel, and I loved every scene with him and his Dakota. I loved every scene with Kit in general. I love his dreams, perspective, mind, heart, and relationship with others. The oceans, the moon, Texas, and jazz clubs. Wherever the breezes go. Lennon is so cute with his not-smile and honestly a 10/10 encourager and comforter. I loved almost all the characters in different ways.
The characters made this novel for me.
This book was weird and it made me feel things. And I loved it.
I wasn’t expecting that. I’m not a huge sci-fi reader, though it’s not because I don’t like the genre, just because I don’t read it a lot.
The thing I was not expecting to happen when reading this book was to love the characters with my whole heart.
The writing in this book is incredible. I annotated my copy and I was highlighting almost entire pages because of all the good quotes and descriptions and emotions the writing made me feel. This book made me laugh, cry (like seriously cry), giggle, squeak, scream, and so much more.
Also the loops are so appropriate! Annotating this book ended up helping me so much because I would remember so many things. There’s repetition in a lot of the words and phrases but in the best way possible.
The memories had my heart. The characters did too. Nico is my book girly, and I love her. Kit is the sweetest, smartest little angel, and I loved every scene with him and his Dakota. I loved every scene with Kit in general. I love his dreams, perspective, mind, heart, and relationship with others. The oceans, the moon, Texas, and jazz clubs. Wherever the breezes go. Lennon is so cute with his not-smile and honestly a 10/10 encourager and comforter. I loved almost all the characters in different ways.
The characters made this novel for me.
This book was weird and it made me feel things. And I loved it.
February 9, 2021
I know I’ve read a good book when I sit while the tears dry on my face unable to do anything but process what I just read. Wow...and I think it makes it better and yet more horrific how much I can see our current disasters lead us to a place at least similar to this imagined future. In this world 2025 leads to an almost life ending dual set of apocalypses. Humans attempted to mutant the fly with a disease to create a weapon and instead created something uncontrollable that would consume next to all life. In this story pockets of the survivors intertwine more than they even realize. Nico has spent her whole life in a farmhouse with her parents, but her father sends her on a mission she’s heard about her whole life hidden in a story. Kit is an artist determined to finish a perfect painting no matter what it takes. The deliverer brings supplies and helps shape various groups and lives. Time and space feel a little wonky in this story and I feel already like it is a story that will need to be repeated to find the pieces missed the first time around.
January 24, 2021
QUICK TAKE: I am huge fan of post-apocalyptic books, so I was biased heading into The Electric Kingdom. Still, having read a lot of books in the genre, TEK still manages to carve out its own space and feels unique and fresh enough to stand apart from other similar books. Arnold does a good job building a world ravaged by a pandemic brought on by ravenous and deadly flies (there's a truly scary scene in a church that had me on the edge of my seat). That being said, what really set the book apart for me were the last 150 pages when Arnold snaps together all of these interesting puzzle pieces he's been assembling since the first chapter and elevates the book to another level. I actually went back and read sections of the book again just to appreciate how everything comes together. Really cool book.
July 27, 2022
This is David Arnold's most beautifully written, high concept and ambitious book and I'm legit-no-hyperbole in awe of it. Finishing it actually left me speechless-twice. Hopefully, after the third time, I'll be more articulate.
March 21, 2021
Another book from my favorite author of all time? Miracles truly do exist. I already know this is going to be outstanding, as usual.
December 30, 2020
4.5/5 Stars
*I received a free ARC of this book from BookishFirst and the publisher, Viking Books, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.*
The Electric Kingdom tells the story of a world in the not-so-distant future ravaged by a deadly Fly Flu, leaving a shell of the world behind and few survivors doing everything in their power to stay alive. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog Harry, on a quest devised by Nico’s father to Manchester to find a mystical portal that Nico thought only existed in stories; a twelve-year-old artist named Kit raised in an abandoned cinema and dreaming of a time when he will be able to see beyond the world of his small town; and the mysterious Deliverer, who lives Life after Life attempting to put the pieces of the world back together. As swarms of Flies roam what is left of the earth, these survivors navigate the woods of New England, crossing paths and meeting others along the way, each on their own path to find light, beauty, and meaning in a world gone dark.
The Plot & The World
Can I just start by saying that this book was simply mesmerizing? I mean truly mesmerizing and eye-opening, especially during today’s time, which I think greatly came as a result of David Arnold’s descriptive and beautiful writing style. And it was simply unlike anything that I have ever read. Deadly Flies that can devour a person within seconds? A mystical portal that should only be a thing of stories? An ode to art and storytelling? Plus a loyal dog (SPOILER: the dog doesn’t die!)? This book was everything I could have wanted in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic book, especially with everything going on in today’s world. This book is the type to stick with you for days and, even though it can sometimes be hard to follow or completely understand, to be something that you will keep coming back to, pondering, and deconstructing in the future. Despite taking place in a dark and semi-distant future, I really enjoyed the message that this book was conveying about discovering love, companionship, and beauty in a world gone dark and the importance of art, storytelling, and other people in general in finding life and meaning, with these aspects being things to hold onto when the rest world is falling apart and out of one’s control.
To be honest, it was hard to get into the book originally because of everything going on, but a few chapters in I was sucked into this post-apocalyptic world alongside Nico, Kit, and the Deliverer and, while it was sometimes hard to completely understand what was going on (especially when it came to the portal and the Deliverer), it was hard to escape to the overall story and its timeliness. Through following these three characters (with most of the story, however, strongly focused on Nico with Kit close behind), the story follows three different storylines that merge and converge at some points—Nico on a quest to Manchester to find a mysterious portal, Kit surviving in and then later traveling outside of an abandoned town, and the Deliverer attempting to piece the world back together one day at a time. While all these characters’ direct goals are different, they all ultimately wish for the same thing—to survive in a ravaged world and to discover themselves along the way.
Furthermore, anytime that I read a dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic novel, I always pay attention to the world to see how the author has taken our world and transformed it in the future, including how “believable” it is. This is my first time reading a dystopian book set so close to our current time (the story takes place in 2043 and I am used to books taking place much later) and Arnold blew it out of the park! As someone from New England, I loved all the nods to New England businesses, towns/cities, and landscape and scenery (I LOVED Arnold’s inclusion of Books-A-Million). I also found the world and the circumstances leading to its post-apocalyptic state (deadly, genetically engineered Flu Flies) to be quite shocking and believable at the same time and I enjoyed learning about how people came to navigate the world and the circumstances that they have been thrust into.
The Characters
I absolutely LOVED the characters in this novel! I really liked the various characters that were introduced both in terms of the main characters and the side characters. I also enjoyed learning about the different circumstances that brought the characters to the points that they are when the novel takes place and seeing how different people and characters have responded to the Flies and the state of the world. Additionally, I liked exploring the different dynamics and relationships between the various characters, especially between Nico and her father, Nico and Kit, and Nico and Lennon and seeing these relationships grow and change throughout the course of the novel.
Nico: I absolutely loved Nico! Despite growing up during the time of the Fly and living in a small Farmhouse in the middle of the woods, Nico finds ways to bring joy into her life, especially through books, which I can relate to. I enjoyed witnessing Nico’s character growth throughout the story, learning to trust in her father, herself, as well as in others and finding comfort in traveling with other people as opposed to being alone with her dog, Harry. I loved her determination to accomplish her goal and how fierce she could be in protecting herself and her friends. I really liked her relationship with her father and how despite believing his stories of the mythical portal in Manchester to just be stories, she trusts him enough to venture from the home that is all she has even known to travel there and leave her father behind, even though she knows that she will most likely never see him again. I also LOVED her relationship with Kit and how she became like a big sister to him and how she worked to protect him and keep him safe.
Kit: Like with Nico, I also loved Kit. I really enjoyed his outlook on the world, including his dreams for a bigger future outside of the town where he had lived his entire life, and how smart he was about the current world as well as the world before the Flies. Despite being so young, he was definitely wise beyond his years and I was shocked by how he put things about his world and the world before the Flies (our current world) in perspective and I was surprised by his insight. I did find Kit to be a bit naïve at times despite how smart he seemed, but this is most likely a result of his age as well as how he did not grow up in the world before the Flies, learning about this world from his books and his mother, Dakota. I liked his relationship with his mother, Dakota, as well as with Monty and Lakie and then later with Nico.
The Deliverer: I was really intrigued by the Deliverer’s character and trying to figure out who they actually were (the reveal really surprised me, although I should have seen it coming). I liked how the Deliverer’s chapters were written in first-person as opposed to third-person like Nico and Kit’s chapters, which really allowed for me to understand their thoughts and feelings about everything going on and their secluded life, I just wish that there were more of them towards the beginning and middle of the book opposed to dominating the end of the novel. I was also very intrigued by the Red Books that the Deliverer lived by and used to go about their daily activities, although I did want to know more about the specific actions that the Deliverer took and how they came to these decisions .
Like the main characters, I also really liked the side and minor characters, especially Lennon (I enjoyed the bonds that he formed with Nico, Kit, and Nico’s dog, Harry, and his dedication to them as well as learning about his past). I do wish, however, that we got to learn more about the fates of the side characters. While there was some closure towards the end, I kind of wanted to know more about what happened to them and what their lives are like after separating from the main protagonists. I also wish that these characters were a little more developed in some places and that we got to know more about their pasts.
The Mythical & Mystical Aspect
The entirety of this book carried its own sort of “mythical and mystical” aspect—Nico’s quest, the world, the writing. Despite being set in our world (albeit a post-apocalyptic version of our world around twenty-five years in the future), the story almost carries the feeling of taking place on a different plane from our own, which I think comes greatly as a result of Arnold’s writing style, which is very descriptive, beautiful, introspective, and just really makes you think. While it was sometimes difficult to completely understand the portal from Nico’s father’s stories that Nico is traveling to, especially how and why it works, I was still very intrigued by Nico’s journey and the portal as a whole, although I do wish that there was more of an explanation behind it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy reading dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and fantasy novels or even people who would like to be able to discover a source of light amidst the darkness. This book is definitely going to stay with me for a while and I cannot wait to read more of Arnold’s work in the future!
*I received a free ARC of this book from BookishFirst and the publisher, Viking Books, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.*
The Electric Kingdom tells the story of a world in the not-so-distant future ravaged by a deadly Fly Flu, leaving a shell of the world behind and few survivors doing everything in their power to stay alive. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog Harry, on a quest devised by Nico’s father to Manchester to find a mystical portal that Nico thought only existed in stories; a twelve-year-old artist named Kit raised in an abandoned cinema and dreaming of a time when he will be able to see beyond the world of his small town; and the mysterious Deliverer, who lives Life after Life attempting to put the pieces of the world back together. As swarms of Flies roam what is left of the earth, these survivors navigate the woods of New England, crossing paths and meeting others along the way, each on their own path to find light, beauty, and meaning in a world gone dark.
The Plot & The World
Can I just start by saying that this book was simply mesmerizing? I mean truly mesmerizing and eye-opening, especially during today’s time, which I think greatly came as a result of David Arnold’s descriptive and beautiful writing style. And it was simply unlike anything that I have ever read. Deadly Flies that can devour a person within seconds? A mystical portal that should only be a thing of stories? An ode to art and storytelling? Plus a loyal dog (SPOILER: the dog doesn’t die!)? This book was everything I could have wanted in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic book, especially with everything going on in today’s world. This book is the type to stick with you for days and, even though it can sometimes be hard to follow or completely understand, to be something that you will keep coming back to, pondering, and deconstructing in the future. Despite taking place in a dark and semi-distant future, I really enjoyed the message that this book was conveying about discovering love, companionship, and beauty in a world gone dark and the importance of art, storytelling, and other people in general in finding life and meaning, with these aspects being things to hold onto when the rest world is falling apart and out of one’s control.
To be honest, it was hard to get into the book originally because of everything going on, but a few chapters in I was sucked into this post-apocalyptic world alongside Nico, Kit, and the Deliverer and, while it was sometimes hard to completely understand what was going on (especially when it came to the portal and the Deliverer), it was hard to escape to the overall story and its timeliness. Through following these three characters (with most of the story, however, strongly focused on Nico with Kit close behind), the story follows three different storylines that merge and converge at some points—Nico on a quest to Manchester to find a mysterious portal, Kit surviving in and then later traveling outside of an abandoned town, and the Deliverer attempting to piece the world back together one day at a time. While all these characters’ direct goals are different, they all ultimately wish for the same thing—to survive in a ravaged world and to discover themselves along the way.
Furthermore, anytime that I read a dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic novel, I always pay attention to the world to see how the author has taken our world and transformed it in the future, including how “believable” it is. This is my first time reading a dystopian book set so close to our current time (the story takes place in 2043 and I am used to books taking place much later) and Arnold blew it out of the park! As someone from New England, I loved all the nods to New England businesses, towns/cities, and landscape and scenery (I LOVED Arnold’s inclusion of Books-A-Million). I also found the world and the circumstances leading to its post-apocalyptic state (deadly, genetically engineered Flu Flies) to be quite shocking and believable at the same time and I enjoyed learning about how people came to navigate the world and the circumstances that they have been thrust into.
The Characters
I absolutely LOVED the characters in this novel! I really liked the various characters that were introduced both in terms of the main characters and the side characters. I also enjoyed learning about the different circumstances that brought the characters to the points that they are when the novel takes place and seeing how different people and characters have responded to the Flies and the state of the world. Additionally, I liked exploring the different dynamics and relationships between the various characters, especially between Nico and her father, Nico and Kit, and Nico and Lennon and seeing these relationships grow and change throughout the course of the novel.
Nico: I absolutely loved Nico! Despite growing up during the time of the Fly and living in a small Farmhouse in the middle of the woods, Nico finds ways to bring joy into her life, especially through books, which I can relate to. I enjoyed witnessing Nico’s character growth throughout the story, learning to trust in her father, herself, as well as in others and finding comfort in traveling with other people as opposed to being alone with her dog, Harry. I loved her determination to accomplish her goal and how fierce she could be in protecting herself and her friends. I really liked her relationship with her father and how despite believing his stories of the mythical portal in Manchester to just be stories, she trusts him enough to venture from the home that is all she has even known to travel there and leave her father behind, even though she knows that she will most likely never see him again. I also LOVED her relationship with Kit and how she became like a big sister to him and how she worked to protect him and keep him safe.
Kit: Like with Nico, I also loved Kit. I really enjoyed his outlook on the world, including his dreams for a bigger future outside of the town where he had lived his entire life, and how smart he was about the current world as well as the world before the Flies. Despite being so young, he was definitely wise beyond his years and I was shocked by how he put things about his world and the world before the Flies (our current world) in perspective and I was surprised by his insight. I did find Kit to be a bit naïve at times despite how smart he seemed, but this is most likely a result of his age as well as how he did not grow up in the world before the Flies, learning about this world from his books and his mother, Dakota. I liked his relationship with his mother, Dakota, as well as with Monty and Lakie and then later with Nico.
The Deliverer: I was really intrigued by the Deliverer’s character and trying to figure out who they actually were (the reveal really surprised me, although I should have seen it coming). I liked how the Deliverer’s chapters were written in first-person as opposed to third-person like Nico and Kit’s chapters, which really allowed for me to understand their thoughts and feelings about everything going on and their secluded life, I just wish that there were more of them towards the beginning and middle of the book opposed to dominating the end of the novel. I was also very intrigued by the Red Books that the Deliverer lived by and used to go about their daily activities, although I did want to know more about the specific actions that the Deliverer took and how they came to these decisions .
Like the main characters, I also really liked the side and minor characters, especially Lennon (I enjoyed the bonds that he formed with Nico, Kit, and Nico’s dog, Harry, and his dedication to them as well as learning about his past). I do wish, however, that we got to learn more about the fates of the side characters. While there was some closure towards the end, I kind of wanted to know more about what happened to them and what their lives are like after separating from the main protagonists. I also wish that these characters were a little more developed in some places and that we got to know more about their pasts.
The Mythical & Mystical Aspect
The entirety of this book carried its own sort of “mythical and mystical” aspect—Nico’s quest, the world, the writing. Despite being set in our world (albeit a post-apocalyptic version of our world around twenty-five years in the future), the story almost carries the feeling of taking place on a different plane from our own, which I think comes greatly as a result of Arnold’s writing style, which is very descriptive, beautiful, introspective, and just really makes you think. While it was sometimes difficult to completely understand the portal from Nico’s father’s stories that Nico is traveling to, especially how and why it works, I was still very intrigued by Nico’s journey and the portal as a whole, although I do wish that there was more of an explanation behind it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy reading dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and fantasy novels or even people who would like to be able to discover a source of light amidst the darkness. This book is definitely going to stay with me for a while and I cannot wait to read more of Arnold’s work in the future!
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