A dreamy, twisty tale of an apocalypse born from good intentions and a handful of survivors attempting to escape it.
Scientists wanted to genetically modify bees to help prevent colony collapse; instead, the bees mutated and became something completely different. Not flies, though they'll come to be referred to as such, and no longer bees, they now have a taste for flesh and swarm en masse, killing people and animals in seconds. If people aren't instantly devoured, they get the "fly flu" and spread this disease to others, symptoms ranging from fatigue and hallucinations to...people's bodies "emptying" themselves of their organs.
There are three main characters; Nico, Kit, and The Deliverer. The story kicks off with Nico; her father is dying so he tells her that there exists a portal, and while he doesn't know where it leads, it's her only hope for somewhere better. Kit's journey begins similarly, but he's accompanied by two friends. The Deliverer, an omniscient character whose short chapters are told in first person POV, is much more mysterious. Details are unveiled slowly throughout the book.
"The unknown can be scary. But when the known is death itself, you enter the unknown."
The progression of the story fascinated me and kept me reading late into the night. I finished it in 3 sittings I think. Where Arnold really shines in this book though is in his characters and how he captures human relationships, especially those between child and parent. Nico's final moments with her father devastated me, the scene heartfelt and tragic without getting too sentimental.
I really loved "The Electric Kingdom"! The writing, the characters, the satisfying ending...this might be my favorite 2021 release so far.
*I won an ARC of this book in a giveaway
Scientists wanted to genetically modify bees to help prevent colony collapse; instead, the bees mutated and became something completely different. Not flies, though they'll come to be referred to as such, and no longer bees, they now have a taste for flesh and swarm en masse, killing people and animals in seconds. If people aren't instantly devoured, they get the "fly flu" and spread this disease to others, symptoms ranging from fatigue and hallucinations to...people's bodies "emptying" themselves of their organs.
There are three main characters; Nico, Kit, and The Deliverer. The story kicks off with Nico; her father is dying so he tells her that there exists a portal, and while he doesn't know where it leads, it's her only hope for somewhere better. Kit's journey begins similarly, but he's accompanied by two friends. The Deliverer, an omniscient character whose short chapters are told in first person POV, is much more mysterious. Details are unveiled slowly throughout the book.
"The unknown can be scary. But when the known is death itself, you enter the unknown."
The progression of the story fascinated me and kept me reading late into the night. I finished it in 3 sittings I think. Where Arnold really shines in this book though is in his characters and how he captures human relationships, especially those between child and parent. Nico's final moments with her father devastated me, the scene heartfelt and tragic without getting too sentimental.
I really loved "The Electric Kingdom"! The writing, the characters, the satisfying ending...this might be my favorite 2021 release so far.
*I won an ARC of this book in a giveaway