MONARCH RISING

Young adults in the New United States deal with the aftermath of a life-changing revolt.

During Revolt 2030, the oppressed actually succeeded in overthrowing the rich and powerful. The victors then accumulated all the wealth and left the rich losers of the conflict to fend for themselves in slums like Ashes, where protagonist Josephine Monarch, a 17-year-old Black girl, lives. It’s 2070, and her neighborhood borders New Georgia—a place of prosperity and plenty—but as an act of revenge, she and other descendants of those once in power mostly aren’t allowed access to its abundance. Some, however, are allowed to leave if they are picked by a New Georgia Rep in the Lineup. Cove is the privileged White stepson of the current Lineup Rep who is in a sexual relationship with his stepsister. After capturing his eye, Jo is swept into a world of secrets, betrayal, and revolution. The ambitious conceit of this novel does not follow through to the execution due to confusing character motivations and questions around the worldbuilding. Some readers may enjoy the plot’s quick pace and dark nature, but others may find that Cove’s sexual opportunism and racial fetishization of Jo would benefit from more unpacking.

An uneven execution of a solid concept.