Monday 8 May 2023

Lily Grim and the City of Undone by Andy Ruffell


Lily Grim's life is a mystery.

She has lived with her guardian Gabriel, in their rundown second-hand shop in the City of Undone, for as long as she can remember.

For years, the city-dwellers have lived in uneasy discord with The Others - a community of wanderers forced to shelter within the city walls, after they were driven from their nomadic camps in the wilderness. But Undone is a dark and dangerous place to live, especially if you're an feared for their special gifts, they are persecuted by the cruel Master of the City, and taken to the Ring - a prison from which few ever return.

When the Master captures Gabriel and throws him into the Ring, Lily is saved by a young Other boy called Dekka. He introduces her to a whole Otherworld that exists beneath the City of Undone. To her astonishment Lily discovers she is an Other, too - with powerful gifts - and is now in grave because the Master wants her dead. But why?

Can Lily find answers about who she is, and where she's from? And can the new friends rescue Gabriel, before it's too late?

This is a fantastic adventure story for confident readers. They'll love reading along as Lily finds a family, uncovers a mystery and explores the underbelly of the underbelly of Undone.

The city is as much a character as anyone else, and it's beautifully rendered. The image of the overshadowed alleys and the huge Ring - it's amazing. And certain sections set on roofs had my heart in my mouth as I read!

I love a good found family, and Lily has a brilliant one here, both related to her and not. An amazing read and, hopefully, the start of plenty more adventures for Lily and her friends! This series could run and run!


Lily Grim and the City of Undone publishes on the 11th of May, 2023. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

No comments:

Post a Comment