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The Town with No Mirrors
In a modern-day utopian community where mirrors, photos, and even words like beautiful and ugly are forbidden, a girl who has never seen her own face harbors a guilty curiosity about the outside world. A thoughtful exploration of self-image in a world familiar to readers of The Giver and The List.
Zailey has never seen her own face. She's never seen her reflection, or a photo of herself, or even a drawing. In the special community of Gladder Hill, cameras and mirrors are it's why everyone's happier here. Nobody talks about anyone else's appearance. You're not supposed to even think about what other people look like, or what you look like.
But Zailey does.
She knows her superficial thoughts are wrong, and her sketchbook, filled with secret portraits of her classmates and neighbors, could get her in trouble. Yet she can't help but think those thoughts, and be curious about the outside world where she once lived, years ago. Most of all, she wonders what it's like to see herself—her own face.
When Zailey suddenly finds herself beyond the gates of her town, she has a chance to see if what she's been taught about the outside world is true and search for the mother she barely remembers. Only then will she find out the real story about Gladder Hill. But is she prepared for the truth?
Zailey has never seen her own face. She's never seen her reflection, or a photo of herself, or even a drawing. In the special community of Gladder Hill, cameras and mirrors are it's why everyone's happier here. Nobody talks about anyone else's appearance. You're not supposed to even think about what other people look like, or what you look like.
But Zailey does.
She knows her superficial thoughts are wrong, and her sketchbook, filled with secret portraits of her classmates and neighbors, could get her in trouble. Yet she can't help but think those thoughts, and be curious about the outside world where she once lived, years ago. Most of all, she wonders what it's like to see herself—her own face.
When Zailey suddenly finds herself beyond the gates of her town, she has a chance to see if what she's been taught about the outside world is true and search for the mother she barely remembers. Only then will she find out the real story about Gladder Hill. But is she prepared for the truth?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2023
72 people are currently reading
2413 people want to read
About the author
Christina Collins
2 books83 followersChristina Collins grew up in Massachusetts and lives in Northern Ireland, where she’s always on the lookout for castle ruins and secret gardens. She earned her PhD in creative writing from Queen's University Belfast and her MFA in creative writing from George Mason University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
February 16, 2023
In a Nutshell: A middle-grade story with an unusual premise, with the protagonist staying in a town with no mirrors or reflective surfaces. The ending is a bit hurried but the book otherwise offers plenty of fodder for thought. It also contains an important message for kids (and adults.)
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The premise is outstanding, no doubt. I was confused deciding if Gladder Hill was utopian or dystopian, because many of its principles seemed sane, and an equal number seemed crazy. But it offered me plenty of thought-provoking content.
✔ I had plenty of queries about how practical or possible it would be to eliminate all reflective surfaces from a town. Seriously! Think about it! You have water, house windows, tyre hubs, metallic instruments and implements,… Every query of mine was answered in the book without a single loophole. I love it when an author preps well for their work.
✔ The writing is quite smooth and easy-going.
✔ The final quarter didn’t go exactly as I had thought it would. When a children’s book surprises me, it deserves a bonus score.
✔ I loved the message put forth by the book, though it comes across in a somewhat distorted manner. Humanity is truly obsessed with external appearance. (I can’t remember the last time I saw a photo without filters! It is my biggest pet peeve about Instagram and other social media.) Hopefully, such books make kids realise that what they look like does NOT dictate what they are. Poor body image is a widespread problem (and not just among children), so I am glad the book tries to tackle this issue.
✔ Don’t skip the author’s note. It reveals much and is very heartfelt.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ The ending is a bit rushed, farfetched, and quite weak compared to the rest of the content. It was also too neatly tied together, though I can see why this is necessary in children’s fiction.
❌ Zailey is the only character to get in-depth detailing, The rest are somewhat surface-level.
❌ The middle of the book drags a little.
All in all, I loved the premise, and liked the story and the message. I am certain it will work even better for the right age group. The content make it better for older middle-graders and younger YAs: the 11-15 age group. There are many discussion opportunities in this story.
Recommended to the above age group if they are interested in reading an unusual dystopian/utopian fiction with some meaningful content.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Kids and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Town with No Mirrors”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Note: The book contains certain tough topics such as parental abandonment and poor body image. Keep that in mind if you are purchasing this for your child/students.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Twelve-year-old Zailey lives with her grandmother on Gladder Hill, a gated community that forbids any kind of thought or material about appearance. There are no mirrors or any kind of reflective surfaces, and people are not allowed to stare. But Zailey has a secret: she has been drawing faces of those around her in a sketchbook that she keeps hidden. She feels conflicted about this ‘superficiality’ but cant help herself as she loves sketching portraits. When circumstances change in a way that Zailey finds herself beyond Gladder Hill, she realises how different life is outside. Is she ready to step beyond the life she knew so far?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Zailey.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The premise is outstanding, no doubt. I was confused deciding if Gladder Hill was utopian or dystopian, because many of its principles seemed sane, and an equal number seemed crazy. But it offered me plenty of thought-provoking content.
✔ I had plenty of queries about how practical or possible it would be to eliminate all reflective surfaces from a town. Seriously! Think about it! You have water, house windows, tyre hubs, metallic instruments and implements,… Every query of mine was answered in the book without a single loophole. I love it when an author preps well for their work.
✔ The writing is quite smooth and easy-going.
✔ The final quarter didn’t go exactly as I had thought it would. When a children’s book surprises me, it deserves a bonus score.
✔ I loved the message put forth by the book, though it comes across in a somewhat distorted manner. Humanity is truly obsessed with external appearance. (I can’t remember the last time I saw a photo without filters! It is my biggest pet peeve about Instagram and other social media.) Hopefully, such books make kids realise that what they look like does NOT dictate what they are. Poor body image is a widespread problem (and not just among children), so I am glad the book tries to tackle this issue.
✔ Don’t skip the author’s note. It reveals much and is very heartfelt.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ The ending is a bit rushed, farfetched, and quite weak compared to the rest of the content. It was also too neatly tied together, though I can see why this is necessary in children’s fiction.
❌ Zailey is the only character to get in-depth detailing, The rest are somewhat surface-level.
❌ The middle of the book drags a little.
All in all, I loved the premise, and liked the story and the message. I am certain it will work even better for the right age group. The content make it better for older middle-graders and younger YAs: the 11-15 age group. There are many discussion opportunities in this story.
Recommended to the above age group if they are interested in reading an unusual dystopian/utopian fiction with some meaningful content.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Kids and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Town with No Mirrors”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Note: The book contains certain tough topics such as parental abandonment and poor body image. Keep that in mind if you are purchasing this for your child/students.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
January 29, 2023
It is always so refreshing when I get to read a book so different from any book I’ve read before. I just had to know why was going to happen next! And the author’s note was so interesting! I hope to see more books from Christina Collins!
October 15, 2023
The Town with no Mirrors
I came to the conclusion that being a writer is a wonderful thing. I love the thrill of seeing my work printed, or reading it out loud to my friends and family. But it has one particular downside - you will never read books the same way again.
You are in a constant state of analyzing the things you read - to improve you own style or to get inspired with ideas.
And the logical conclusion of such behavior is: a bit of magic of the read gets lost. Or better say - you start to understand the storytellings-strategies.
Espescially when it comes to middle grade fiction, the exact stuff I work on currently - it is sometimes like that 😬
I enjoyed the town with no mirrors - the premise was unique and intriguing - showing us a closed society of people who've never seen their reflection.
I devoured and loved it - but I also analized everything I saw 🤣 My conclusion - it has done the job very good. The turns it took were unpridictavly delicious and I think it is perfect fit for the age group! I loved to learn from it 🥰📚
4 stars ⭐️
I came to the conclusion that being a writer is a wonderful thing. I love the thrill of seeing my work printed, or reading it out loud to my friends and family. But it has one particular downside - you will never read books the same way again.
You are in a constant state of analyzing the things you read - to improve you own style or to get inspired with ideas.
And the logical conclusion of such behavior is: a bit of magic of the read gets lost. Or better say - you start to understand the storytellings-strategies.
Espescially when it comes to middle grade fiction, the exact stuff I work on currently - it is sometimes like that 😬
I enjoyed the town with no mirrors - the premise was unique and intriguing - showing us a closed society of people who've never seen their reflection.
I devoured and loved it - but I also analized everything I saw 🤣 My conclusion - it has done the job very good. The turns it took were unpridictavly delicious and I think it is perfect fit for the age group! I loved to learn from it 🥰📚
4 stars ⭐️
November 4, 2022
What a unique story! We learn about Gladder Hill a new community created to emphasize character, skills, and internal descriptors instead of any indication of external appearance. To keep up with this vision, the town has no mirrors, no reflective surfaces, and children are taught not to care what they physically look like. Then we meet Zailey, who is very curious about her face. She's never seen it before and she's on a quest to learn more about appearances even though it's forbidden in Gladder Hill.
I was fortunate enough to snag an advanced copy from a bookstore, and encourage everyone to give this a read when it hits shelves February 2023!
I was fortunate enough to snag an advanced copy from a bookstore, and encourage everyone to give this a read when it hits shelves February 2023!
February 4, 2025
This book was so fun. It was fun to escape to a different world!
December 30, 2022
This was a fascinating concept for a book - what would the world look like in a town with no mirrors, no reflections, and no sense of superficiality… and what would the consequences of that be? Zailey was a strong 12-year-old protagonist. She was curious, artistic, and good to her very core, but she was also a bit of a rebel. It was interesting to see the world through her eyes, as a child who's been raised without superficiality, and how that affects her daily life. Not all of it was good.
The book had an almost cultish feel at times, but also dystopian, and science-experiment vibes. Even though the reasons why the town was founded, and why the children were raised this way weren't malicious, it was easy to see how something with such positive intentions could quickly turn sour. It was almost heartbreaking to see Zailey struggle with her self-identity throughout the book, especially considering later events in the story.
From a technical standpoint, the book was well written and easy to read. I didn't run into any noticeable typos even in the ARC I was reading. I found the story to be engrossing right from the very beginning until the last page. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I'd recommend it to most readers. There might be some minor triggers for anyone dealing with eating disorders or self-image, but these are things mentioned only in passing, it is not a major component of the book as a whole.
The book had an almost cultish feel at times, but also dystopian, and science-experiment vibes. Even though the reasons why the town was founded, and why the children were raised this way weren't malicious, it was easy to see how something with such positive intentions could quickly turn sour. It was almost heartbreaking to see Zailey struggle with her self-identity throughout the book, especially considering later events in the story.
From a technical standpoint, the book was well written and easy to read. I didn't run into any noticeable typos even in the ARC I was reading. I found the story to be engrossing right from the very beginning until the last page. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I'd recommend it to most readers. There might be some minor triggers for anyone dealing with eating disorders or self-image, but these are things mentioned only in passing, it is not a major component of the book as a whole.
October 23, 2022
When I began this book, I found myself looking forward to that time of day that I would be able to carve out some time to sit and read. The premise of the story was so intriguing – what if we lived in a community where no one had ever seen their own reflection and physical appearance or some thing that nobody cared about or paid attention to.
Zailey lives In the special community of Gladder Hill where no one is allowed to talk about anybody else’s appearance.
After an accident happens and she is taken from the community to receive medical attention, everything changes.
I loved the way the author found a very interesting and a compelling way to write about the topic of body image. Fans of the giver and the list will definitely be excited to read the Town With No Mirrors!
Thank you to Sourcebooks for sending me a readers copy.
Zailey lives In the special community of Gladder Hill where no one is allowed to talk about anybody else’s appearance.
After an accident happens and she is taken from the community to receive medical attention, everything changes.
I loved the way the author found a very interesting and a compelling way to write about the topic of body image. Fans of the giver and the list will definitely be excited to read the Town With No Mirrors!
Thank you to Sourcebooks for sending me a readers copy.
January 8, 2024
This book was very entertaining and different, sometimes the thought of never seeing yourself pops into my mind; but i didn’t really think much of it. The book was overall pretty good
April 22, 2024
This book had an interesting set-up but very little plot. I wanted there to be more meat to it, but it lacked character development, drama, and intrigue. Its message falls really flat because the build-up to the “big reveals” just isn’t exciting enough. This was a swing and a miss for me.
October 22, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Releases Feb 2023
Oh-this book is such an interesting read! Zailey lives in Gladder where mirrors are forbidden! No one knows what they look like. Zailey’s curious about her own face. You must read what happens next! Definitely a must read!!
Releases Feb 2023
Oh-this book is such an interesting read! Zailey lives in Gladder where mirrors are forbidden! No one knows what they look like. Zailey’s curious about her own face. You must read what happens next! Definitely a must read!!
February 4, 2024
This wasn’t at all what I was expecting but it was very fast paced and interesting. The ending felt a little rushed but it was a good quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2023
It’s hard to do good dystopia (especially one where you really love and are rooting for the main character), especially in middle grade. Luckily, we have lovable wannabe artist Zailey and her dys/utopian community of Gladder Hill, founded by a mysterious rich lady… who’s also the President, school principal, etc.
Gladder Hill has the dystopian/Soviet bloc immigrant horror story elements we all know and love: Thought crimes, home searches, and a heroine whose creativity can’t quite be squashed by the indoctrination. But the story is told in a way that is more hopeful than scary: Zailey just wants to draw faces, know what she looks like, and know what happened to her mom.
MAJOR kudos to the author for discussing her own struggles with body image and eating in the back matter. We really don’t have these conversations enough as a society or with our kids. (Though hopefully adult Gen X and Millennials, unlike the Boomers, will be able to be around a young girl more than five seconds without commenting about her weight… which in addition to being cruel and unhealthy is CREEPY AF).
Ahem.
If you think your child will one day love Uglies or Brave New World (not sure how that would work, which is why I’m a self-important blogger, not a librarian), give them this book.
Thank you for sharing the ARC with #BookAllies!
CW/Spoilers:
* Flashback of Zailey seeing her mother die (I have a similar-enough “adverse childhood event” and this is depicted in a sensitive and age-appropriate way that wasn’t triggering).
* The mom dies of an eating disorder, which is discussed in more detail.
* Zailey’s face gets burnt in a fire. Again, this is mostly implied in a few just-vague-enough sentences.
Thank you for sharing with #BookAllies!
Gladder Hill has the dystopian/Soviet bloc immigrant horror story elements we all know and love: Thought crimes, home searches, and a heroine whose creativity can’t quite be squashed by the indoctrination. But the story is told in a way that is more hopeful than scary: Zailey just wants to draw faces, know what she looks like, and know what happened to her mom.
MAJOR kudos to the author for discussing her own struggles with body image and eating in the back matter. We really don’t have these conversations enough as a society or with our kids. (Though hopefully adult Gen X and Millennials, unlike the Boomers, will be able to be around a young girl more than five seconds without commenting about her weight… which in addition to being cruel and unhealthy is CREEPY AF).
Ahem.
If you think your child will one day love Uglies or Brave New World (not sure how that would work, which is why I’m a self-important blogger, not a librarian), give them this book.
Thank you for sharing the ARC with #BookAllies!
CW/Spoilers:
* Flashback of Zailey seeing her mother die (I have a similar-enough “adverse childhood event” and this is depicted in a sensitive and age-appropriate way that wasn’t triggering).
* The mom dies of an eating disorder, which is discussed in more detail.
* Zailey’s face gets burnt in a fire. Again, this is mostly implied in a few just-vague-enough sentences.
Thank you for sharing with #BookAllies!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2022
My Review:
8.7/10
Firstly, thank you so much Sourcebooks for giving me the ability to read this book digitally, before it comes out. Now let me get to the review.
This book was extraordinary. Better than The Giver even. It had some similar themes to The Giver and somewhat of the same setting, but it was way more captivating. Firstly, the idea of this story is brilliant, especially for the world we live in today, and how it deals with body image and how we, the people, perceive ourselves, and others. This was a fresh and original idea, which I had never read before.
The characters were all well developed, and you can see in the book the journey the main character, Zailey, goes on. I really don't want to give too much away because this is one of those books that if I give too much away, it won't be as powerful of a book. The world building the author used was hyper-realistic, and sometimes I wish I was in Gladder Hill, where commenting on someones looks is forbidden. Sounds nice, right?
OVERALL:
This is Christina Collins second standalone book, and for a new author, I truly couldn't tell. It was like she had written hundreds of books and perfected the way of a writer. Despite this being categorized as a Middle Grade book, I think this book would also apply to all young adults.
8.7/10
Firstly, thank you so much Sourcebooks for giving me the ability to read this book digitally, before it comes out. Now let me get to the review.
This book was extraordinary. Better than The Giver even. It had some similar themes to The Giver and somewhat of the same setting, but it was way more captivating. Firstly, the idea of this story is brilliant, especially for the world we live in today, and how it deals with body image and how we, the people, perceive ourselves, and others. This was a fresh and original idea, which I had never read before.
The characters were all well developed, and you can see in the book the journey the main character, Zailey, goes on. I really don't want to give too much away because this is one of those books that if I give too much away, it won't be as powerful of a book. The world building the author used was hyper-realistic, and sometimes I wish I was in Gladder Hill, where commenting on someones looks is forbidden. Sounds nice, right?
OVERALL:
This is Christina Collins second standalone book, and for a new author, I truly couldn't tell. It was like she had written hundreds of books and perfected the way of a writer. Despite this being categorized as a Middle Grade book, I think this book would also apply to all young adults.
November 13, 2022
To say I am infatuated with utopian/dystopian YA books is an understatement. These are the books I LIVE FOR!!
I am a HUGE fan of The Giver so I was very excited to read this novel. Though I must admit I had some trepidation as to how it would hold up to such a classic.
Hold onto your hats fellow dystopian readers…this tale is terrific!! The characters are well developed, as such the reader develops a close relationship with the main character Zailey. As you get to know Zailey better you feel her confusion, her sense of curiosity and her deep love of art. The world that the story takes place in is well thought out and realistic. The details are carefully crafted right down to the water.
I think this is a great introduction to dystopian stories for younger readers. A wonderful way for middle grade readers to wrap their heads around societies unlike the one their currently live in. This book would be great to follow up with The Giver and perhaps Fahrenheit 451- two great classic dystopian books.
Books like this are the reason I read!!
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Kids, Sourcebooks Explore
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 6- Star Review!!!
I am a HUGE fan of The Giver so I was very excited to read this novel. Though I must admit I had some trepidation as to how it would hold up to such a classic.
Hold onto your hats fellow dystopian readers…this tale is terrific!! The characters are well developed, as such the reader develops a close relationship with the main character Zailey. As you get to know Zailey better you feel her confusion, her sense of curiosity and her deep love of art. The world that the story takes place in is well thought out and realistic. The details are carefully crafted right down to the water.
I think this is a great introduction to dystopian stories for younger readers. A wonderful way for middle grade readers to wrap their heads around societies unlike the one their currently live in. This book would be great to follow up with The Giver and perhaps Fahrenheit 451- two great classic dystopian books.
Books like this are the reason I read!!
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Kids, Sourcebooks Explore
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 6- Star Review!!!
December 26, 2024
My daughter recommended this one to me, and holy cow, I'm so pleased that she did. This has been on repeat for her over the past few months, and with its endearing characters and ever twisting plotline, I am a fan too!
February 28, 2024
4.5 stars.
June 20, 2023
Wow! The Giver of our time! Zailey is the perfect protagonist to bring this story to life and Collins does a masterful job of telling a story appealing to all ages.
June 13, 2023
Brilliant concept! This book can facilitate so many rich discussions on self, society and comparative living.
December 27, 2022
»—-Booksta ¸.•´*¨`*• Book Blog •*`¨*`•. BookTwt-—«
Genre: middle grade, coming of age, utopian/dystopian
Pace: medium
CW: body image, eating disorders, self harm
My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
📚 Quick Plot: The children in Gladder Hill have never seen their own faces. In this utopian society that steers children away from superficiality by refusing to allow them to see any reflections at all, middle schooler Zailey finds herself having Superficial Thoughts. The kind that would get her kicked out of Gladder Hill for good. In fact, Zailey has a secret she's hiding- she has been drawing the faces of her fellow classmates, her teachers, and the adults around her at Gladder Hill. When her secret is discovered, Zailey suddenly finds herself outside of Gladder Hill for the first time in her life, and she's on a mission to find the truth behind the place where she grew up.
📚 Characters: I really enjoyed Zailey as a character. She was a deep thinker who was unable to quietly accept the way of life at Gladder Hill. She sought answers no matter the possible consequences. Her curiosity about the world felt realistic and understandable given her situation. I found myself rooting for her and wanting the best outcome for her.
📚 My thoughts: This is a really thought-provoking read and I think, while some of the subject matter is difficult, it's ideal for a middle grade audience. I like that the subject matter also appeals to adults because we can all imagine this concept and think about what it would be like if you'd never seen your own face. How would that shape your perception of how others looked? Even though the intention of Gladder Hill may have been good, I felt terrible for the children there.
I do think the pacing was a little slow at times. It was a little bit more of a slow burn which culminated in this chaotic situation that ultimately provided Zailey with the opportunity to learn more about herself and where she came from. I was wishing that we could have seen more of Zailey on the outside of Gladder Hill and that experience for her, so I wish some of that action happened earlier in the book.
Otherwise, a really interesting read that I would definitely share with the kids in my family who are in the appropriate age range.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids, and Christina Collins for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Genre: middle grade, coming of age, utopian/dystopian
Pace: medium
CW: body image, eating disorders, self harm
My rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
📚 Quick Plot: The children in Gladder Hill have never seen their own faces. In this utopian society that steers children away from superficiality by refusing to allow them to see any reflections at all, middle schooler Zailey finds herself having Superficial Thoughts. The kind that would get her kicked out of Gladder Hill for good. In fact, Zailey has a secret she's hiding- she has been drawing the faces of her fellow classmates, her teachers, and the adults around her at Gladder Hill. When her secret is discovered, Zailey suddenly finds herself outside of Gladder Hill for the first time in her life, and she's on a mission to find the truth behind the place where she grew up.
📚 Characters: I really enjoyed Zailey as a character. She was a deep thinker who was unable to quietly accept the way of life at Gladder Hill. She sought answers no matter the possible consequences. Her curiosity about the world felt realistic and understandable given her situation. I found myself rooting for her and wanting the best outcome for her.
📚 My thoughts: This is a really thought-provoking read and I think, while some of the subject matter is difficult, it's ideal for a middle grade audience. I like that the subject matter also appeals to adults because we can all imagine this concept and think about what it would be like if you'd never seen your own face. How would that shape your perception of how others looked? Even though the intention of Gladder Hill may have been good, I felt terrible for the children there.
I do think the pacing was a little slow at times. It was a little bit more of a slow burn which culminated in this chaotic situation that ultimately provided Zailey with the opportunity to learn more about herself and where she came from. I was wishing that we could have seen more of Zailey on the outside of Gladder Hill and that experience for her, so I wish some of that action happened earlier in the book.
Otherwise, a really interesting read that I would definitely share with the kids in my family who are in the appropriate age range.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids, and Christina Collins for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2022
The residents of the Gladder Hill community exist in a world not only without mirrors, but without any truly reflective surfaces at all. Community members are warned against "Superficial" thoughts and even their language and available texts are crafted to exclude words that describe physical attributes or passages describing what characters look like. They're happier that way; or at least that's the party line. Zailey has been raised in Gladder Hill nearly her whole life, but she's always suspected there's something more out there. Something that might have to do with her mother's disappearance, something that might explain who she really is.
It's a bit of a wild concept to be sure, and I've read a lot of books (particularly YA books) about places with secrets or surveillance and so forth but not one that required so much heavy lifting in terms of suspension of disbelief. I had so. many. questions. Questions that constantly pulled me out of the book time and time again. There were some truly wild plot twists that could have gone down a bit easier if the characters were really compelling but I never could connect with Zailey. If the author was hoping to project that Zailey's personality, or socialization, or just overall development was somehow stunted by all the restrictions, I think it delivers...because that's definitely how it feels reading it, but it doesn't really lend itself well to connecting with her or understanding her.
The decisions she makes seem so arbitrary and baffling at times. It's probably not the best sign that the most interesting character for me, Noah, turned out to be maybe a tertiary character at best.
This is a book where I so wanted to just be able to sit back and enjoy the wild ride but even with an out-there concept you have to have some trust in the author that they've set up at least solid *enough* world-building or a solid character to grab the hand of and pull you through it and that just didn't happen here.
It's a bit of a wild concept to be sure, and I've read a lot of books (particularly YA books) about places with secrets or surveillance and so forth but not one that required so much heavy lifting in terms of suspension of disbelief. I had so. many. questions. Questions that constantly pulled me out of the book time and time again. There were some truly wild plot twists that could have gone down a bit easier if the characters were really compelling but I never could connect with Zailey. If the author was hoping to project that Zailey's personality, or socialization, or just overall development was somehow stunted by all the restrictions, I think it delivers...because that's definitely how it feels reading it, but it doesn't really lend itself well to connecting with her or understanding her.
The decisions she makes seem so arbitrary and baffling at times. It's probably not the best sign that the most interesting character for me, Noah, turned out to be maybe a tertiary character at best.
This is a book where I so wanted to just be able to sit back and enjoy the wild ride but even with an out-there concept you have to have some trust in the author that they've set up at least solid *enough* world-building or a solid character to grab the hand of and pull you through it and that just didn't happen here.
April 16, 2023
Dystopian novels are primarily found in YA collections, but middle grade readers also enjoy reading about societies that are significantly altered by a strong leader in an effort to create an utopian community with ultimately negative consequences. While “The Town With No Mirrors” does not exhibit all the characteristics of the genre, the basics are there and without the excessive violence and mature themes typically present. Felicity Gladder pulls a small group of select families out of the present day world to form a tight knit community focused on seeing only the interior, less concrete qualities of a person. Mirrors and representations of a person’s external appearance are expressly forbidden, school curriculum leaves out major sections of the world’s culture & geography, and main character Zailey is discovering that words like photography, beautiful and cute are not a part of the Gladder Hill lexicon. Zailey is also finding herself using her artistic talent to draw faces at every opportunity but must keep her sketches hidden or risk having herself and her grandmother evicted from the only home she remembers…or is it? Flashes of some other place, time, and person are beginning to make Zailey question how long she can stay in a town that refuses to allow her to know what she looks like. Christina Collins’ second novel kept me turning pages past my bedtime and not doing the household tasks I should tackle. Zailey’s growing dissatisfaction with the status quo built a tension that was palatable and her fear of discovery and sense of relief when she found a confidante in classmate Noah is crystal clear. Highly recommended for readers in grades 5 and up. Pair with other MG choices like Margaret P. Haddix “Running Out of Time” (and its coming sequel), Patricia Forde’s “The List,” and Joelle Charbonneau’s “Verify” and “Disclose.”
Thanks for a print arc, Christina Collins and Sourcebooks for Young Readers.
Thanks for a print arc, Christina Collins and Sourcebooks for Young Readers.
April 16, 2023
.*I've decided I won't write long book reviews for books under two stars unless it's a rant or I have a lot to say!*
<< *Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.>>
I loved the concept but not the execution. This story focuses on a place called Gladder Hill (basically a cult) that has the right intention but the wrong way of achieving its goal. The founders of Gladder Hill wanted to break beauty standards and make people not think "Superficial thoughts," but instead focus on what is on the inside. This does not bring happiness to Zailey. She is curious about how she looks, partly because it is a part of her identity. There are strict rules that prevent letting people know what they look like and harsh punishments for those who do find out. I didn't find this story as interesting or jaw-dropping as I felt it was intended to be. The moral of the story could have been shown in a different way. The story would dwindle at points as though the direction was not yet decided.
⛔PLOT
⛔PLOT TWISTS
⛔CHARACTERS
<< *Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.>>
I loved the concept but not the execution. This story focuses on a place called Gladder Hill (basically a cult) that has the right intention but the wrong way of achieving its goal. The founders of Gladder Hill wanted to break beauty standards and make people not think "Superficial thoughts," but instead focus on what is on the inside. This does not bring happiness to Zailey. She is curious about how she looks, partly because it is a part of her identity. There are strict rules that prevent letting people know what they look like and harsh punishments for those who do find out. I didn't find this story as interesting or jaw-dropping as I felt it was intended to be. The moral of the story could have been shown in a different way. The story would dwindle at points as though the direction was not yet decided.
⛔PLOT
⛔PLOT TWISTS
⛔CHARACTERS
February 27, 2023
Excellent and thoughtful dystopia for middle grade readers, who want dystopia might not be quite ready for the death-pondering darkness of Arc of the Scythe yet.
January 19, 2023
Zailey has only ever know life in the secluded Gladder Hill but is curious about the mom she never knew and what she sees as impure thoughts about superficial things. Gladder Hill was developed as a haven for people to escape social media's hazing and to control all the superficial things that rule and ruin people's lives. Zailey has grown up without reflective surfaces of any kind and is forbidden to comment or draw people's faces. Everyone has the same clothes, the same buzzcut hair and access to a limited view of the outside world. Even their dictionarys have had words eliminated. When an accident forces Zailey to be treated in the outside and she finds freedom it is too much to handle. An interesting experiment to see if people are indeed happier without all society's nonsense or if it is human nature to identify and explore uniqueness along with everything else. This is designed for middle grades but would be a great conversation starter for families to share. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
May 18, 2023
Zailey lives in Gladder Hill, a small town regarded as cult-like by outsiders. In Gladder Hill, there are no mirrors. Nobody is allowed to use words like "beautiful", "cute", or "ugly"--that is, if they even know those words. But to Zailey, it's normal. After all, it's all she's ever known. But she wants to know what she looks like, even if that's a Bad Thought...
She figures that if she draws everyone else's faces--in secret, of course--she can start to imagine what she looks like. And then she'll know, and she'll never wonder again. Yet when her secret is found out, there are terrible consequences.
If you're like me, and have read Uglies, this makes for a fantastic predecessor. The discussion of beauty, body image, and the way we talk about and assign morality to each others' appearances is one that is sure to hit hard, especially with the target audience being middle schoolers. All characters have a steep learning curve, but ultimately are good people doing what they think is best--even if it is misguided.
She figures that if she draws everyone else's faces--in secret, of course--she can start to imagine what she looks like. And then she'll know, and she'll never wonder again. Yet when her secret is found out, there are terrible consequences.
If you're like me, and have read Uglies, this makes for a fantastic predecessor. The discussion of beauty, body image, and the way we talk about and assign morality to each others' appearances is one that is sure to hit hard, especially with the target audience being middle schoolers. All characters have a steep learning curve, but ultimately are good people doing what they think is best--even if it is misguided.
March 2, 2025
El final no me ha encantado así que 4,5.
Demasiado abrupto y poco desarrollado, para mi gusto la verdad.
Te deja un pequeñísimo epílogo para que digas: mira, así quedó la cosa. Pero eso no satisface a nadie...
Por lo demás me parece una historia increíble. Invita a reflexionar sobre lo centrada que está nuestra vida en la apariencia física y al mismo tiempo te muestra cómo de terrible son los extremos en cualquier situación.
Creo que es un libro de los que te deja pensando durante días en su trama, y no sólo en la superficie, si no en el trasfondo; todo lo que no se dice, pero sigue estando ahí para que exprimas todo su contenido.
En fin, una delicia.
Demasiado abrupto y poco desarrollado, para mi gusto la verdad.
Te deja un pequeñísimo epílogo para que digas: mira, así quedó la cosa. Pero eso no satisface a nadie...
Por lo demás me parece una historia increíble. Invita a reflexionar sobre lo centrada que está nuestra vida en la apariencia física y al mismo tiempo te muestra cómo de terrible son los extremos en cualquier situación.
Creo que es un libro de los que te deja pensando durante días en su trama, y no sólo en la superficie, si no en el trasfondo; todo lo que no se dice, pero sigue estando ahí para que exprimas todo su contenido.
En fin, una delicia.
March 19, 2023
Zailey lives in a town where no one has ever seen their own face, watched a tv, taken a photograph, or searched the internet. Words like beautiful have been eliminated from the dictionary, you aren’t supposed to look at people, and you can’t comment on appearance. You can even be banished for something as simple as owning a metal spoon since its surface is reflective. The problem is Zailey is an artist and wants to draw faces. What is she going to do if she can’t control her Bad Thoughts and gets herself in some serious trouble.
December 6, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this novel! It was an interesting take on the utopia/dystopia theme.
This book approaches superficial feelings and how they can be both positive and negative. This topic in an intriguing way for middle schoolers to start a conversation about identity and how appearances can help shape our own identities. Not as powerful as The Giver but still a great beginner dystopian book.
I really enjoyed this novel! It was an interesting take on the utopia/dystopia theme.
This book approaches superficial feelings and how they can be both positive and negative. This topic in an intriguing way for middle schoolers to start a conversation about identity and how appearances can help shape our own identities. Not as powerful as The Giver but still a great beginner dystopian book.
September 24, 2025
Started this in the spring to read along with students at school. Finally finished it! It was fine, not my kind of YA… Basically a subdivision run by a mayor who was an ex starlet. Yes there are no mirrors. The main character draws. She starts drawing faces, which is a kick out able offense.
February 9, 2023
Wow. There’s not a lot I can say about this book other than I think everyone should pick it up. It’s a fast-paced, engaging story that talks about self image and the dangers of todays society. I think the topics were handled perfectly. I can’t wait to read more from Christina Collins.
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