The Electric Kingdom

This is a warning sign for our future in the form of a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel.

Reading The Electric Kingdom was like putting together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle (note that I LOVE puzzles). There is some light romance, a theme of family, and note a slight trigger warning for sexual assault (it is not described at all just mentioned).

This book reminds me in a strange way of the 2016 movie Arrival... I won't give too much away but you should really really read this book.

Also the story of Kit calling Dakota "my Dakota" is so heart-meltingly sweet.

This dystopian novel is, in many ways, more depressing than others I’ve read. Although there’s some continuity of life—in a very odd way—there’s little hope. It’s saving grace is the writing. Although I despise jumping around from character to character, David Arnold’s writing was enough to compel me to finish. It’s not the kind of book I normally would read, and I can’t say I enjoyed it. Yet the writing is excellent and I can see how people who like this type of novel would enjoy it.

I will definitely re-read this novel.

Mind-bendy and weird and filled with these little truth-bombs that are still blowing up in my brain the next day. Would recommend to anyone who is able to suspend their understanding of reality for a bit to enjoy this nail-biting and beautifully written ride. CW: a lot of death and some body horror.