Broken City

Broken City is an inventive story with an incredible cast of characters. Deeta makes an impression from the minute you meet her, as does Tom. Technically the characters are by far the most intriguing aspect of the novel. Chant has taken a lot of time to develop her characters and give them the ability to emotionally connect with the reader.  The plot is complex, and takes time to come together in a full picture. I found that until reaching chapter six that while I enjoyed the characters, the story moved slowly. I doubted I knew what genre I was immersed in until that precise moment, when the picture becomes very clear. Everything changes at this point, everything. As Deeta's eyes are opened, along with her entire tribes, as to a potential enemy within their midst. Tribes came to be because of an apocalyptic issue that we currently see dancing in the real world each day...the downfall of the banking system, when money becomes worthless. The true assets to the world are those "that sustain life; clean water, food and electricity." Hard to imagine the world going from the creature comforts that we seem to believe we cannot live without, to a more primal and rugged world. Chant has done exactly this, she created this world, a new world, with many challenges; physical and mental. As I read more and more of the novel, became drawn more thoroughly into the story. I found myself more and more attached to what had happened and what would happen.  So why not more crowns you ask? You know me, I am opinionated. I can ignore a few editorial mistakes, but there were a number of them that jumped out, I would expect a more polished novel, once it hits the market for more than a month. Sorry, I am an editor, I see these things. Initially I also found the writing style difficult to connect with, it seemed a tad stilted and flat. The emotional connection took time to get to, and it truly was chapter six that changed my entire opinion. Granted the book has plenty of chapters that contain lots of action, adventure, intense fear, and even romance. So, please note I do recommend this book. I have Broken Truce in my reading queue and plan to tackle it very soon, I need to know what happens next with Deeta, Tom, Jan, Val, Charlotte, Ryder, and the entire cast of characters in the Broken City Series. 

Deeta Richards was born in a fifty-eight floor building. It was her world.  Before Deeta was born, a banking crisis brought civilization to an end.  Families banded together to form tribes and buildings became the compounds where they lived.   Deeta and her family believe all is well until a secret comes out.  Tom, one of the guardians, tells the elders of the tribe they must move to a new compound after security is breached. An adventure begins that no one could have seen coming.       This is the most reasonable post- apocalyptic  book I've ever read! I thought it was very well put together and the characters are very relatable.  You will enjoy the fact these families have learned to work together for the good of their tribes.  I can actually see this happening.  You will want to follow this series to keep up with what is happening to all of your favorite characters and you will have many.  Get this one! It's a superior read!      I didn't find any issues.      I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because this is one book I can really get behind. This author is amazing.  Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~ 

BROKEN CITY is a dystopian novel unlike any I've read before. Instead of zombies or plagues, a huge financial crisis has hit and decimated society as we knew it. Tribes formed and built compounds to keep their people and resources safe from each other. The Andak tribe is the richest and most feared out of all the tribes.  I felt lukewarm about Deeta. She was meant to be brave and compassionate - her compassion drew me to her, and she is brave but much more full of self doubt than I wanted in a heroine. I rooted for her to tell Tom how she felt about him even though I wasn't terribly keen on him. She saw something in him that I wasn't able to until later.    I didn't like Tom until he finally opened up to Deeta. I felt like he took her for granted and was so stoic as to be almost creepy. The huge secret he's keeping inside explained his behavior, and things took a turn I never expected. The tribe would never be the same again.      My only issues with BROKEN CITY are the switch in point-of-view, and I wanted more background into how everything changed after the banking crisis. Most of the story is told in first person from Deeta's perspective, but there are a few parts toward the end told from Tom's point of view in third person. I was hoping to hear his voice in first person and think it would have added a lot to his character and the story.  I think there's a huge story waiting to be told with the financial crisis and societal breakdown. It would have helped me understood more about the tribes and compounds and how they formed. I'd love for the background to be fleshed out, even if it was in flashbacks.   Overall, BROKEN CITY breathes new life into the dystopian genre with its lack of plagues or zombie. The plot behind this series is a very realistic situation, especially given the financial crisis we faced back in 2009 where thousands lost their jobs and the banks were bailed out by the government. If you're looking for a dystopian novel without apocalyptic elements, then BROKEN CITY is the novel for you. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  

INITIAL THOUGHTS I was excited to be included on the blog tour for this series of books. Though I had heard of the Author I had yet to read a book by her. Most of you that drop by my blog will know that my favourite genre is Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic . . .so I had high hopes and equally high expectations of this book. MY REVIEW I purchased an e-copy of this book from amazon for under a £1! So of course I'm pleased it was a bargain, I just hope its a good read too. The cover literally shows a "Broken City" which is also the title of the book. So would the cover make me pick the book  up from a book store shelf? I can honestly say this cover would pique my interest enough to pick the book up and the blurb would sell it to me completely! So before I start to attempt to put my review on paper . . .I feel I should say that I find that reviews for books I love are harder to write as I want to tell you everything and rattle on for ages, so please bear with me. So the setting of the book is in what is left of the broken down city after the banking crisis ~(so yes it's quite believable too) everything appears grey, shattered, splintered and broken including civilization. People now live in tribes, under their own rulers and rules. They scavenge for everything in surrounding empty buildings etc. In the tribe that Deetina Richards is part of is the Clark Tribe, named after one of the elders and the man who created their tribe. Deetina, or Deet as she is more often called has never been outside her building . . and she never will as she is not considered the "type" to be part of "the guard" The Guards job is to go "out" and scavenge, they generally get into skirmishes with rival tribes too. The other main tribes mentioned in this book are The Lewis's a violent tribe always wanting to take over other tribes with no considerations to lies lost. The Marshall's, the nearest tribe to The Clark's where everyone has to learn to fight. Then theirs the somewhat mysterious,yet feared and reviled Andak Tribe. The novel concentrates mainly on the Clark Tribe and it's problems, relationships, rules and life. though it also has insights into the other tribes and the conspiracies within certain tribes as well as the problems within those tribes. It will become clearer as you read the book. The main characters in the book are Deetina Richards and her family, Clare her older sister about to marry her sweetheart Phillip. Jan, who is Deet's younger sister and their parents. The other main "family" of the book is Uncle Jep, and Tom and the orphans that have been rescued by Tom across the years. Deet helps Uncle Jep and Tom out by cooking for them and by looking after the young children. In fact the children call sisters Deet & Jan, Aunty Deet annd Aunty Jan. This book is really good at smaller stories/plots within the larger plot lines, such as the relationships between Nella and Jamie and Ralph. We also meet the Andak tribe, and yes after reading some of the opinions of the characters of the tribe I was expecting the Andaks to be a really horrible barbaric tribe but you get to see another side of them in the book. And of course we have a little romance peppered around in the book, such as Nella & Ralph, Jamie & Keya, and the hurried wedding of Clare & Phillip. . .  .then there's the flirtatiousness of Ryder & Jan. I also love the deep relationship between tom & Deet and how it changes and evolves throughout the book. I really enjoyed this book, I'd truly say it has something for everyone. I think the book also has a moral to teach in that just because people live differently or appear to live differently to yourself it doesn't make one way right and one way wrong. There's also a "don't believe everything you hear" message surrounding the Andaks. The book deals with a kind of racism within the tribes and leadership battles as well as everyday life issues of where the clothes will come from as the children grow etc. So did I enjoy the book? I loved it. Would I recommend the book? Definitely, perfect for Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian fans. Will I be reading Bk 2? Well I have an e-arc of Bk2 sent to me by the Author and would have started reading last night had I not forgotten the code to unlock the book to read it! Also I have a couple of books to read for set dates but I will most certainly be reading Bk 2 very soon.  Would I now read other books by D.D. Chant? Yes, through Broken City I have discovered another author whose writing I love. I really enjoyed Broken City and definitely want . . no need to know what happens next.

This is book number one in a story about a post-apocalyptic world where families live in tribes in one of the many abandoned buildings left over after something known as, “the crash” happened.  The main characters of this story are Deeta Richards and Tom. Deeta longs to see what is outside of her building because the only ones allowed outside of the compound are soldiers who go out and fight whatever is still out there and Tom is one of those soldiers. Tom is her dearest friend in this new world and although he keeps secret about his life before he was brought to Clark Tribe , Deeta never expected him to have kept the secret he shares with everyone after a kidnapping occurs from her. It is after this kidnapping that her entire life is turned upside down, and changes in a way she never expected it to. The first half of this story is describing the longing Deeta feels to see the world outside of the tribe, her friendship with Tom, and describing the rules and traditions of the tribe. Although Deeta has her own family she spends a great deal of her time taking after the Jepsjon family that consists of three children, Tom, and the father figure being Professor Jep. Everything in the compound is routine until one night that men in camouflage break into the compound and kidnap Dec Jepsjon while the soldiers who fight outside the compound are gone. When the soldiers return and find that Dec , one of the Jepsjon children, has been taken it is then that Tom shares a family secret with the entire compound, and the tribe is in uproar over it. Soon after the tribe votes to decide if Tom and the remaining Jepsjon family should be allowed to stay in the tribe, the tribe must go out into the city and move to the Marshall tribe for protection against Tom’s secret.  Once the Clark tribe has safely moved into the Marshall compound, the remaining Jepsjon family leaves without saying a word and that same night there is an attack on the Marshalls. Deeta and her sister, Jan, is then taken by the same camouflaged men that took Dec. From this point forward I will keep a secret from you because I do not like to spoil a good story but just know that there is a war, conspiracy, and a new found love within all of it. Although I was extremely skeptical reading this book, picturing it being similar to a Hunger Games type plot, but changed my mind when I read the first few pages of the book I cannot wait to read the second book and hope that D.D. Chant releases it soon considering Broken City came out in 2010. D.D. Chant had a few errors that should have been caught in the editing process, but overall is an excellent author and I love how through her descriptions, such as on page 273 when Chant writes the following “The children are listening to one of Uncle Jep’s stories as we enter the flat, it is an idyllic picture: Tarri has again wrapped herself around Uncle Jep and with her head on his shoulder is staring sleepily into the fire. The rest of the children are huddled on the floor, the fire’s warm glow playing over their excited faces.”  With such beautiful imagery I am truly able to visualize everything as if I am Deeta herself. I was sent a free copy of this book for an honest review. 

Took me by surprise! Broken City completely took me by surprise!  I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to like it from the book summary.  Man was I wrong!  D. D. Chant slowly drew me into Deeta, Tom and the tribes' lives.  I loved Deeta, she was sweet, kind and helpful to everyone.  She was the kind of girl that you want to be!  Tom was strong, thoughtful and elusive.  There was a mysteriousness to him that made me  continue reading to find out more about him.  I loved the sense of family within the tribe and how everyone worked together for the common good.  The story was unpredictable and flowed easily!  I never felt confused or unsure of what was going on in the story.  The dystopian world that Chant has created felt vivid and real through her descriptions.   I read the book quickly and loved the surprises, action and suspense.  A new twist on the dystopian genre, Broken City is a great read that will leave you wanting more from author D.D. Chant!  Five stars! I received a copy of this book for free.  This is my honest review.

Broken City had an interesting world concept, but for the mystery fell flat. I did like Tom, though he was hot/cold at times or absent; as well as Deeta's sister, Jan. She acted more mature & in control than her "older sister" most of the time. I wasn't fond of Deeta's conversational manner with the reader. It's like she's telling us everything while it's happening. For example, at one point, to the reader: "Did I tell you? No, I don't think I did..." To me, it's jarring and detracts from the story. There were grammatical and spelling errors throughout, comma misuse, run-on sentences, as well as it's/its and possessive/plural mistakes - like Marshall's when it should just be Marshalls; even a few odd ones like take's instead of takes. Family positions were unnecessarily capitalized, like my Mother, or their Uncles. Later on, when Ryder is introduced, certain things he says come off as odd to me. Him using modern slang like "heck" or "what's up?," and his initial interactions with Deeta feel forced to me. He blows up in her face for no real reason and doesn't trust her at first, but is completely fine with her sister, just because he's attracted to her. It makes no sense. To me, it feels like a bulk of the plot is wasted on dressing up, and having family members pointed out to them. I think this point was when my opinion of the novel turned a tad sour. If I were in their situation, I'd be more worried about my family and friends, and the fact that a lot of people were killed, than playing along and accompanying a stranger. What action there is, we never really get to experience it because Deeta either isn't present or passes out conveniently... Also, from Chapter 26 is where things get a bit strange. Up until this point, we've only ever been in Deeta's first person present tense POV. From there on, it switches from the villain's 3rd person pov, to Tom's 3rd person pov, and then back to Deeta's 1st person pov, sometimes without a transition. The reader just flows back into her mind from his, which is weird. In my opinion, if this book was solely from Tom's POV, I would have enjoyed it more. Still, I must give the author credit for having a unique imagination and creativity. Practice makes perfect.

Recommended for Book Clubs Very Clean. I give this a strong four star rating. Why? The story was told in the first person present tense, which I am not o big fan of but D.D. does it very well. Toward the end a second voice in the first person was added but it was still very good when it was tied into the action. There were a few minor grammar mistakes. The story slightly dragged in a few places but was still very well-written. I am ecstatic that is is only a beginning of a series. I feel it will be exciting following the character's lives ad the tribes development. This is a story of a futuristic time and the separation of tree distinct class situations. It has drama, romance, intrigue, mystery and action.

Free book for review. This book has it all romance, mystery and adventure. It took a lot of twists and turns for Deeta to get her man. A must read.

New societies, new governments, and lies. Deeta got on my nerves at the beginning of the book because she was just damsel in distress, can't seem to do anything other then housework and taking care of kids but towards then end I really liked her. She changed so much from the frail woman to a string woman who could get things done. Tom, yes he lied, but I think he did it for a good reason. Doesn't excuse his lying but I can understand why he did it.*shakes finger* No more lying Tom! if you've read any other post you'll probably know that I can't stand insta-love/love at first sight thing just because I don't think it's actually possible. With Tom and Deeta this does not happen. They've known each other fo such a looooooong time I wondered how they hadn't known about the others feelings. I mean she is practically his kids mum. He takes care of him and everyone in his family. It was natural and I loved that it was. I thought it was amazing that they lived in old buildings. They weren't living out in the country as some Dystopian novels I've read. They stayed in the city and worked with what was left. The settings were great! I could picture everything. The plot was amazing! Had me wondering what was going to happen. The lies created mystery which had me coming back for more and more. The beginning was a bit too slow for mt tastes but it quickly picked up. The end was not something I was expecting! I had amy list of suspects as I usually do but nope, this one I did not suspect even a bit! Overall, I would pick up a copy and read it if I were you. Great read especially if you like like Dystopian novels.

Dystopian mystery with a good female protagonist: D.D. Chant’s post-apocalyptic world is one that remembers six-packs, appreciates the beauty of which poets speak, plays chess, and keeps its Tribe in a tower-block while warriors fight for survival on the streets. Warriors protect, and the weak and helpless, the untouched, are treasured—kept safe or kept prisoner, depending on your point of view. The narrator of D. D. Chant’s Broken City surely wishes she could go outside and see it all. But Tom and her father forbid it. The novel opens with a nicely lyrical remembrance of a long-gone time, setting the scene for what’s to come. Future history is swiftly and unobtrusively described through the eyes of Deeta, a young adult, unattached, whose voice is pleasingly normal—restless, unsure of the future, feeling the steady ache of wanting something more. The author’s use of present tense first-person narration provides a convincing sense of innocent detachment, though it does tend to accentuate the lack of action at the start. Still, when Deeta ends up imprisoned in a different world of post-apocalyptic contrasts, and death and murder loom, then the present tense narration lends a convincing immediacy. In early scenes Deeta reflects “that I must be pathetic to be so self-indulgent,” but everything changes and, as war approaches, “my startled eyes collide with my Mother’s,” writes Deeta as she learns to make her own decisions. For myself, I was surprised to learn how old Deeta was, but perhaps that just reflects my lazy reading. Parts of her world seemed so well-preserved I wanted to know how, but the author does a good job of not revealing or reveling in background, keeping the need for logical questioning at bay. I was interested in, but not entirely convinced by the remnants of civilization, and I enjoyed the interplay of a large number of characters, the various separate worlds of a broken city, and the intriguing mystery of the hidden murderer. A fun story with action, innocent romance, mystery, concern for neighbors, and children spared from danger, Broken City offers entertaining reading and intriguing food for thought. Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy of this novel by the author.

Broken City has to be one of the most captivating dystopia books I have read this year. The beautiful way it was written had me from the moment I started reading and I just could not put it down. Deeta Richards has never left the building she was born in. She along with her family and the tribe they live with stay inside a building trying to stay safe. Outside their building it is a whole other world. It is an unsafe and dangerous place where you may not come back from. Deeta, who is rather naïve, has made a life for her self by helping Tom take care of and raise orphans he has found outside their building. All the while she dreams of seeing the outside of the building. Unfortunately that may just happen… This is what I would consider a clean book and I would recommend it to any YA reader who likes adventure and a bit of romance. Be prepared to not want to put it down until you are finished.

The story starts off with an air of mystery to it. The introduction to very close knit families living in tight quarters with several members in a small space. When the security of the compound is breached. The turmoil, revealing of secrets, moving of the family and eventual war is what drives us through the rest of the story. An overlying story of romance carries throughout the book. We are introduced to a society that is so close that you would think that secrets could not be hidden from each other. But when they do arise, it only takes one secret to shatter their small world. There were parts of the story that I felt slowed down the pacing a little too much, but I am very glad that I stuck with it. I liked seeing the story come full circle at the ending and thought that it was a good ending. It was a clean read, a story that made you think and imagine what it would be like. That even in times of war it's the things that are around us every day that keep us going. Family, friends, and companionship. I think overall my favorite character was Tom. That even though your born and raised with a focus to be one thing, doesn't mean that's what your future holds. Tom is a strong character for choosing his own path and determined and brave enough to fight for it.

This is a wonderfully original view of a post-apocalyptic world, which is sure to be a big hit with all lovers of that style of books. The world building the author has done really makes all the difference. She’s written a carefully structured story in a type of military city that is fascinating to read about. There are just enough details to keep the reader interested but not overwhelming explanations of how this particular “world” works, so we don’t feel like we are bombarded with information. We are not distracted from the main story. The characters are quite fun. Tom, in particular, was one of the ones I liked best. He is quiet and mysterious, complete opposite to Deeta, the protagonist. Their interactions were written well. The book did start off a bit slow, but as the story continued, the pace really picked up. There are many wonderful moments in the book that. The writer uses a bit of one of my favorite literary techniques, the unreliable narrator, which is very hard to use convincingly and she succeeded, so she deserved definite credit for that. All in all, this one is a fun addition to the dystopian genre and I do recommend it.

Broken City by D.D. Chant Deeta Richards is twenty years old. She was born, raised and will die in this building she calls home. She has no future but within these walls. For it’s not safe for them outside the building. Only the trained guards go out for supplies, and even they don’t always return. Her comfort is caring for the Jepjon's family on the floor above. One day when a secret has been revealed everything Deeta knows and believes is turned upside down. D.D. has created a wide range of characters. From the humorous to the vain to Tom who is just mysterious and hard to read. The Tribes who all live their separate lives in the buildings around a city that is mostly destroyed. Never mixing with each other. Rumors that get worse each time they are told about certain Tribes. Fear of the unknown. This story is told mainly through Deeta Richards view but does add the views of other characters where needed. I am impressed with the two books this author has written. I read The Promise which takes place in Saxon England and then the author takes us to a post-apocalyptic almost futuristic time in Broken City. Such extreme opposites and yet both are well written stories.

Reviewed by Shawn Cobb for Readers Favorite Deep within the death-ravaged throes of a collapsed humanity, young Deeta has lived a relatively sheltered life within the safe confines of her apartment building/stronghold. Tom -- cool, yet mysterious and intense by default -- was one of the tribe's most skilled and well-respected members. And although nothing was official, Tom and Deeta's bond bore the hallmarks of a budding relationship, that is, until an unexplained ambush by the ruthless Andak tribe led to the kidnapping of Dec, Tom's little brother, in turn forcing Tom's deepest secrets to the surface, thus turning the world as Deeta knew it upside-down. "Broken City" is a very rich and engaging read. Even with the day to day chores, dances, customs, and mischievous kids to take in, I could not quite shake the wretched reality that loomed just outside of their walls. The world Chant paints feels very natural and organic; conversations are animated and flow beautifully. Deeta, with her tender naivete and reflective observations, guides the reader through the tribe's day to day routine until calamity strikes with an unforeseen vengeance. From there, Deeta's world expands as her tribe joins forces with a neighboring tribe and even ends up within the Andak stronghold before all is said and done. A real treat from start to finish, Chant's world works wonders on the imagination, simultaneously painting a convincing societal collapse, while reminding us that even after all of that, there will always be hope for a better day.

When I first read this story, I fell in love with it. It's an amazing story set in a post-apocalyptic setting and I found it very realistic. You can clearly feel the tension between the main characters.