The Drowned Cities

The Drowned Cities
Age Range
14+
Release Date
May 01, 2012
ISBN
978-0316056243
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"Soldier boys emerged from the darkness. Guns gleamed dully. Bullet bandoliers and scars draped their bare chests. Ugly brands scored their faces. She knew why these soldier boys had come. She knew what they sought, and she knew, too, that if they found it, her best friend would surely die."

In a dark future America where violence, terror, and grief touch everyone, young refugees Mahlia and Mouse have managed to leave behind the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities by escaping into the jungle outskirts. But when they discover a wounded half-man--a bioengineered war beast named Tool--who is being hunted by a vengeful band of soldiers, their fragile existence quickly collapses. One is taken prisoner by merciless soldier boys, and the other is faced with an impossible decision: Risk everything to save a friend, or flee to a place where freedom might finally be possible.

This thrilling companion to Paolo Bacigalupi's highly acclaimed "Ship Breaker" is a haunting and powerful story of loyalty, survival, and heart-pounding adventure.

User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
2.0(1)
Characters
 
3.0(1)
Writing Style
 
5.0(1)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
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Review: The Drowned Cities (Ship Breaker #2)
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
2.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
To tell you the truth, I didn't like The Drowned Cities. I felt that was a little odd and similar to Ship Breaker. If you didn't like the first book in this series, then you won't like this number either.

I hoped for a better story. I read the first book and found out how dreadful it truly was. I read the second book and I will tell you what I felt about this book.

Before reading: I was admiring the cover. The blue colored cover was just perfect. I enjoyed the colors yellow clashing with the blue. My thoughts: "I want to know about TOOL!"

While reading: I thought how utterly confusing this book was. My thoughts range from "what?" to " huh" to "is this author high?" (sorry but true story) (I think you are high)

After reading: "What? Hey?! Where are my freaking answers and conclusions to this book? OMG!! Not again!"

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the book has a terrible conclusion. These books the first and the second need a epilogue. What is seriously wrong with this author? Freaking!! I am never reading a book from this author again.

While being a book with no epilogue, there are some strengths. (Thank the Lord that there are some good moments and horrible ones too.) The imagery is quite strong in this book. I love the power of words in this book. The graphics of words is just...mind blowing. It just hard to explain. Really hard to explain.

The behaviors of characters were strong too. I really enjoyed the attitudes of the main characters. Especially Tool.

I was so happy when I found out the past of Tool. I feel more sympathetic towards him now. He faced so much to come this far. He is a strong character I admired. He has a strong character and a wise judgement. He never fails to repay a debt. He always remembers. He never forgets.

The other characters were remarkable. I really liked them. It was the conclusion I hated. I hate any books that don't have a conclusion. And has barely any answers. Like this one, right here.

To tell you the truth, I don't really like reviewing books like these, so this will be very short. Books like these are inconclusive and boring.

This book is a two out of five. Don't bother reading it.

-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
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Bird Song and Bullets, The Drowned Cities is one of the most Engrossing Books I've Ever Read
Before I start singing praises, I should mention that The Drowned Cities is a companion novel to Ship Breaker. I read Ship Breaker two or three years ago, or hundreds of books earlier, so my memories of it are hazy at best. Because of this, I can’t comment on how faithful they are to each other, if one is better written than the other, or any other comparison between the two. What I am willing to say though, is that even without having previous knowledge of the world, I was able to follow along without struggle. With that out of the way, time to heap praises upon the shoulders of The Drowned Cities.

This book I think marked the beginning of a wonderful, joyous mental break. For most of my trip through, I couldn’t tell whether I was reading a book or watching a movie. I stopped realizing that I was turning pages; instead I became aware of bird song and bullets. It would be hours later before I resurfaced, greeted by stark reality, filled with a sense of melancholy and wonderment. My bare white walls were lackluster compared to the vivid greens of the Drowned Cities.

To anyone who doesn’t read, or to someone who hasn’t read a truly fantastic novel, this probably sounds incredibly nerdy. But I mean it when I say that this book has achieved the same visual feast that you expect with a movie. Or maybe I’m insane.

For the full review, please visit: http://nobsbooks.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-drowned-cities-by-paolo-bacigulupi_20.html
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