Title: The Shining City
Series: Our Broken Earth
Author: Demitria Lunetta
Publisher: West 44 Books
Release Date: 1st March 2023
BLURB from Goodreads
Mal has finally completed the long, dangerous journey to safety in the Shining City. And though he started the trek with friends, he is now the only survivor. There, in the sparkling metropolis, he believes that he is protected from the dangers of the climate-ravaged world. But as a refugee, Mal must live in special housing, cannot move around freely, and faces extreme prejudice. He learns that he can earn full citizenship by working through an elaborate points system, which involves taking part in deadly jobs and games. Risking his life to become a citizen of the Shining City, Mal realizes that his dream of safety was an illusion. Soon, Mal becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries.
Another bold, striking cover for the second book in the series, it really complements the cover for Broken Earth well. It would certainly make me pick it up from a book store shelf to learn more about it!
Although I think this could easily be read as a standalone book it is the follow up to Broken Earth.
When I finished reading Broken Earth I really couldn’t wait to read more about the characters and find out if anyone ever made it to the coveted Shining City.
The book picks up as Mal is still struggling towards a light it in distance wondering if it could possibly be the mystical Shining City. He collapses but it “rescued” and taken to the City.
The City nurses him back to health and reveals more about the fabled fantastic life at the Shining City. Everyone has a roof over their head, food to eat, clothes to wear and medical assistance. Everything they need is provided. However, there are still those that “have more” in this society as you have to work, pay and earn your way to become a citizen to join those who “have more”.
Mal is given a bed in a dormitory with three other boys, Gunner who seems to be the leader of the trio, Tank and Pin. Mal quickly learns that the trio look out for each other and it’s hinted at that he could become part of their “family” in time when he has earnt their trust.
Mal has racked up quite a debt due to his medical treatments and setting him up in his “new life” he needs to earn credits as soon as he can to start paying off this debt. Eager to pay the debt off quickly initially Mal accepts and does any job available often working long, hard hours doing multiple jobs. Yet at the end of the week when he looks at his credits they are still in debt. The jobs he is doing does not pay very well, no matter how many hours he works, no matter how many jobs he works he cannot ever see himself paying off his debt let alone becoming a Citizen. Gunner reveals that there are other ways to earn larger sums of money, but of course they come with more risk. Gunner, Tank and Pin allow Mal to join their “gang” as they enter these “games” but all prize money earnt/won no matter how much and who earns/wins it has to be shared with the group. This seems to be working out until Pin is hurt in one of the games and the gang expect Mal to transfer all his money to pay for Pin’s medical treatment. The ultimate end plan is for the gang to rise and become Citizens together.
When Mal catches the eye of one of the Citizens and she offers to “sponsor” him the gang at first warn him against it. However, the gang do turn the sponsor offer to their advantage.
I really enjoyed reading this short book. It really grabs your attention and really pulls you in. I found the society and the different classes and rules of it fascinating. Then the more I read the more I could liken it to situations in today’s real-life society. I would personally recommend reading Broken Earth as that introduces you to Mal and it allows you to understand his character and actions in The Shining City. I have to admit the one saying that kept springing to mind whilst reading about the fantastic “Shining City” was “All that glitters is not gold”. The whole time it is being described I was getting that niggling feeling like there has to be a catch! Though after all Mal had been through, I really wished for him to have an easier time of things. When I read The Shining City and discovered City’s reality’s I think a lot of my concerns were correct!
Summing up, I’d say it was a really good second book in a great series! I enjoyed the morals and messages of the books and would look out for other titles by this author.
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