Books matching: dystopian city setting
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- #1
Save:'Punktown' by Jeffrey Thomas is a collection of science fiction and horror stories set in an alien city on a distant planet. The stories feature a variety of sci-fi elements, with unique and mysterious alien cultures alongside flawed yet interesting human characters. The narrative style is described as terse and straightforward, creating highly visual paragraphs that convey the plot effectively while maintaining a heavy atmosphere. delves into themes of existential despair, individual tragedies, and the corrupting influence of the city of Punktown on its residents.
It was naked and fetal-curled like a withered spider, rain drops bursting all over its white skeletal body. Its face was turned up to the sky, lips folded back from a frozen gnash of black teeth. Its ... - #2
Save:Bend Sinister by Vladimir Nabokov is a political satire set in a fictitious European city called Padukgrad, where a new dictatorship led by Paduk, a former classmate of the protagonist Adam Krug, imposes a philosophy of Ekwilism that aims to eradicate individuality. Krug, a renowned philosopher, refuses to endorse the regime, leading to a series of events where his friends and family become pawns in Paduk's quest for validation. The novel explores themes of totalitarianism, friendship, and the moral dilemmas faced by Krug, all presented in Nabokov's unique and engaging writing style filled with wordplay, humor, and metafictional elements.
AN OBLONG PUDDLE inset in the coarse asphalt; like a fancy footprint filled to the brim with quicksilver; like a spatulate hole through which you can see the nether sky. Surrounded. I note, by a diffu... - #3
Save:In 'New York 2140' by Kim Stanley Robinson, the story unfolds in a future where New York City is submerged due to rising sea levels caused by global warming. The narrative follows a diverse array of characters navigating this new reality, showcasing their different responses to the crisis and exploring generational differences. The book focuses heavily on world-building, painting a realistic picture of a flooded New York City, while also delving into themes of survival, capitalism, and the impact of climate change on society. Despite some critiques of contrived character interactions and heavy-handed political messages, the novel is praised for its well-written narration and the multi-actor audio version.
“Yes, and lots of businesses do go bankrupt. But the ones that don’t haven’t actually sold their thing for more than it cost to make. They’ve just ignored some of their costs. They’re under huge press... - #4
Save:In a biogenetic post-apocalyptic world, the book "Borne" by Jeff VanderMeer follows the journey of Rachel, Wick, and the shape-shifting entity named Borne as they navigate their relationships while fighting for survival. VanderMeer's imaginative storytelling delves into themes of love, identity, and the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity. The narrative is described as a mix of dystopian elements, philosophical musings, and a focus on found families in a world overrun by biotech and monstrous creatures.
The book explores the strange and haunting cityscape created by an evil corporation's biotech experiments gone wrong, where characters encounter giant flying bears, shape-shifting entities, and deadly biotech creations. Through the eyes of the scavenger Rachel and her bond with Borne, the story delves into themes of survival, evolution, and the complexities of relationships in a world teetering on the brink of destruction.
I found Borne on a sunny gunmetal day when the giant bear Mord came roving near our home. To me, Borne was just salvage at first. I didn’t know what Borne would mean to us. I couldn’t know that he wou... - #5
Save:'The Etched City' by K.J. Bishop is a dark fantasy novel that follows the journey of two former revolutionaries, Gwynn and Raule, as they escape a failed rebellion in the Copper Country and make their way to the city of Ashamoil. In this phantasmagoric city, the two characters embark on separate paths - Gwynn becomes an enforcer for a criminal gang while Raule works as a healer for the poor in the slums. The book weaves a complex and dark narrative, exploring themes of art, religion, crime, and the fantastical, creating a world where beauty and horror coexist.
The writing style of 'The Etched City' is described as baroque, extravagantly descriptive, and wonderfully imagined, with elements of magic realism and surrealism. The novel features compelling characters moving through a possibly post-apocalyptic world that is both familiar and dreamlike, offering a mix of action, introspection, and fantastical elements that keep readers engaged throughout.
There were no milestones in the Copper Country. Often a traveller could only measure the progress of a journey by the time it took to get from each spoiled or broken thing to the next: a half day’s wa... - #6
Save:'Mordacious' in the series 'The City' by Sarah Lyons Fleming is a post-apocalyptic novel set in New York City during a zombie outbreak. The story follows Sylvie, Eric, Grace, Maria, and Jorge as they navigate the challenges of surviving in the city. The narrative is told through the perspectives of Sylvie and Eric, providing a dual viewpoint of the unfolding events. emphasizes character development, relationships, and the importance of friendship in the face of adversity, showcasing the resilience and complexities of the human spirit during a breakdown of society.
I’ve waited years for this day, anticipating the relief I’d feel when she finally did herself in, but the day of reckoning has come and there’s nothing but a clinical detachment and an overall sense o... - #7
Save:In "Lucifer's Hammer," a comet strikes the Earth, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The novel follows a diverse cast of characters, ranging from astronauts to street gang members, as they navigate the aftermath of the disaster. The book explores themes of survival, societal collapse, and the resilience of humanity in the face of catastrophic events. Written in a vintage science fiction style, the story delves into the actions and reactions of people as they struggle to rebuild civilization in a post-apocalyptic world.
The bay trees in our country are all wither'd And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven; The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth And lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change. These signs f... - #8
Save:'They Both Die at the End' by Adam Silvera is a poignant story set in a future where people receive a 24-hour notice of their impending death. The novel follows two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus, who meet through an app for those on their last day alive. As they spend their final hours together, they form a deep connection and navigate through goodbyes, adventure, and emotional revelations. The book explores themes of mortality, friendship, living life to the fullest, and the impact of knowing one's fate, all while keeping readers on an emotional rollercoaster till the very end.
The narrative style of the book involves multiple perspectives, allowing readers to delve into the minds of different characters and experience their interconnected stories. The author weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, with a balance between mournful and joyful moments. Despite the inevitable outcome hinted at in the title, the author manages to keep the story engaging and unexpected, creating a world where the characters' reactions to their impending deaths are both relatable and emotionally resonant.
Death-Cast is calling with the warning of a lifetime—I’m going to die today. Forget that, “warning” is too strong a word since warnings suggest something can be avoided, like a car honking at someone ... - #9
Save:Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a world where humanity has been decimated by a plague. The story follows the main character, Matt Garvin, as he navigates a desolate New York City filled with violence and chaos. The book explores themes of survival, societal breakdown, and the struggle for resources in a world where civilization has collapsed. The writing style is described as dark and gritty, with a focus on the harsh realities of life after a catastrophic event.
Clanking and whining, a half-tracked battlewagon snuffled toward the sunset. Behind it lay the featureless grass horizon, almost completely flat and with no life visible in it. The empty grass fell aw... - #10
Save:In the book Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, a cataclysmic event unfolds where people across America begin sleepwalking, showing resistance to injury and exploding if interfered with. As the CDC investigates this mysterious phenomenon, a new fungal disease threatens humanity. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a rock star, an AI, and a racist militia, as they navigate the chaos and unravel the apocalyptic puzzle. Wendig's writing style is described as realistic, with dynamic characters and a gripping plot that delves into social commentary and plausible scientific speculation.
Last night’s amateur astronomers got a treat in the form of clear skies, a new moon, and Comet Sakamoto. The last three Great Comets were Lovejoy in 2011, McNaught in 2007, and the famous—or infamous?...
