Inspired by Hong Kong's infamous Kowloon Walled City, this is a dark and grim read, but it is never sensational and is totally compelling. Graudin's gift for description brings Hak Nam vividly to life, and while she doesn't pull any punches in taking her readers to the depths of hell, some of her writing is movingly lyrical * South China Morning Post *
It doesn't happen often, but occasionally a novel comes along which transforms bedtime reading into something so exciting that the last thing it does is send you to sleep. Ryan Graudin's fast-paced The Walled City sets the reader's pulse racing from the Run, run, run in the opening chapter and doesn't slow down for even one page * Scotcampus *
Accomplished, intriguing ... rich, compelling ... very original * School Librarian *
Beautifully written ... a great read * SFX Magazine *
High octane pace from the start, engaging characters and a vividly-imagined criminal underworld. Dark and atmospheric, this is a compelling debut * Peter's Books *
Captivating, disturbing and brilliantly told * Western Gazette *
An exciting tale that reveals its characters layer by layer * Books For Keeps *
A dark, claustrophobic and sometimes disturbing novel ... full of love, longing and the fight to survive * The Scotsman *
From the opening page where a breathless chase scene plunges the reader straight into the middle of the action ... Graudin's novel maintains its pace and excitement ... A memorable and powerful novel ... a triumph of love and hope in the bleakest of circumstances * We Love This Book *
Graudin has imagined a life in The Walled City which is at once convincing and rich in character ... jarring, exciting, the action breathless, Manga brought vividly to life with vivid fluid prose ... [the] most satisfying read of the year * Hack Writers *
Graudin's writing was brilliant; her words are so soulful, her each line tinted with mystery, hope and desperation -- By Kids, For Kids * The Guardian *
Readers, rapt, will duck for cover until the very last page. * KIRKUS REVIEWS *
Ryan Graudin's writing was BRILLIANT; her words are so soulful, her each line tinted with mystery, hope and desperation all together that I couldn't help but fall in love!... 5 glowing stars! -- XoXo_Bookworm98 * GUARDIAN TEEN BOOKS *
What a stunning debut! From the moment I started reading this book, I was entranced by the characters and their situation, not to mention the frightening, cramped walled city filled with the worst people you could imagine. To be totally honest, this book blew my mind. There was so much to take in and savour. I was sucked into a dangerous world where knives were your only best friend. * SERENDIPITY REVIEWS *
The Walled City is jarring, exciting, the action breathless, Manga brought vividly to life with vivid fluid prose. No one is quite who they seem to be. Three lives are entwined by sheer desperation as they seek to erase the past and start anew or die trying. The writing is almost poetic, characters good and evil are created with ease and you are quickly drawn into this story and from the very first line. 'Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife.' The Walled City is most satisfying read of the year and I can't wait to read more from Ryan Graudin. * HACKWRITERS.COM *
High octane pace from the start, engaging characters and a vividly-imagined criminal underworld. Dark and atmospheric, this is a compelling debut. * PETERS BOOKS *
... A satisfying experience at many levels. * THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN *
One of the most well-written, gorgeously done stories I've read in a long, long time. -- Lindsay Cummings * GOODREADS *
Incredible world-building, great character development, and enough romance, intrigue and tension to keep me flipping the pages well into the night. Loved this book! -- Michelle Krys * GOODREADS *
