Review: The Artful by Wilbert Stanton

From Goodreads:

New York City, 2025: Everything is changed. The city that never sleeps is now a land of death and decay. A rampant virus has taken over and the survivors have become carriers, quarantined from the rest of the world.
Twist and Dodger grew up in the streets, the sewers and underground tunnels - their playground. They aren't heroes. They just like attention; and stealing meds from the rich and giving them to the poor is their golden ticket.
On their latest raid, they unknowingly steal a cure that puts them square between the ailing Emperor of Manhattan and the war hungry Governor of Brooklyn and forces them on a quest into the darkest shadows of their putrefying world.



My Review:
I've been dying to read this book since I saw the cover reveal. It definitely didn't disappoint. I loved Twist from the first page. While Dodger is exactly what you expect, an arrogant jerk, Twist is the exact opposite. I love that he hasn't been corrupted by the horrible world they live in, and still holds onto hope and compassion.
New York is a messed up place, and Dodger and Twist work hard to survive the best they can. Unfortunately for them, they get caught up in a game of life or death caused by the poor choices and greed of others. All throughout, the boys stay true to themselves, and most importantly, each other, even when things threaten to be torn apart.
I was a little disappointed by the end, until I saw it's book 1! Yay! I want book 2 now. I don't want to leave spoilers, but there's plenty left open and wanting to be resolved and uncovered