Review: The Walled City

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
Publication date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

THE WALLED CITY is a lawless, run down town filled with violence and vagrants, ruled by the feared Brotherhood. Jin stays invisible, always trying to stay safe and keep a secret. Dai is trying to attain a well-protected object before the clock runs out. Mei Yee was sold into a brothel in the Walled City two years ago and is losing hope on gaining her freedom. How will these three teens come together to race the clock and escape the lawless labyrinth?

THE WALLED CITY has become one of my favorite books. The plot line is extremely unpredictable and suspenseful, and I thought that the many conflicts introduced and solved throughout the book were very creative. It was fascinating to me to find out that the Walled City in the book was, in fact, a real place in China. I thought that the personalities of all the characters were extremely relatable and accurate, and that the story was well-developed. Although this book is very well written, I do feel as though the conflict in the end dragged on a little longer than necessary. Other than this, though, the book is a must read. I would definitely recommend this book for ages 13 and up, as there is some violence and a few sexual references.