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Dark Metropolis
(Dark Metropolis #1)
by
PEOPLE ARE DISAPPEARING.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder hears the rumors, but she can barely make ends meet, let alone worry about strangers who've gone missing. Her mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
...more
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder hears the rumors, but she can barely make ends meet, let alone worry about strangers who've gone missing. Her mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
...more
Hardcover, 292 pages
Published
June 17th 2014
by Hyperion
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Start your review of Dark Metropolis (Dark Metropolis, #1)

UPDATE: Some quick and dirty FAQishness:
--Alt-world historical fantasy based on Berlin in 1927. To be really specific.
--Inspired by the film Metropolis (which coincidentally was made in Germany in 1927).
--Yes, this book contains both a straight relationship and a lesbian relationship. And zombies. And maybe even a lesbian zombie relationship.
--Slated to be a 2-book series, with the next book out in 2015.
Anything else?
My original comments:
I'm excited for you all to read it! The original ...more
--Alt-world historical fantasy based on Berlin in 1927. To be really specific.
--Inspired by the film Metropolis (which coincidentally was made in Germany in 1927).
--Yes, this book contains both a straight relationship and a lesbian relationship. And zombies. And maybe even a lesbian zombie relationship.
--Slated to be a 2-book series, with the next book out in 2015.
Anything else?
My original comments:
I'm excited for you all to read it! The original ...more

An enjoyable plot with a very unique zombie story, but it was missing... something. Many aspects about this world and its happenings were explained only briefly to make the plot move forward, which made it hard to invest myself fully. But it was fun, nonetheless!
We begin by following Thea, whose mother's strange illness has left her in charge of supporting the family. This is where we begin to see the part that magic has in the story, when we learn of this magical connection between her mother ...more
We begin by following Thea, whose mother's strange illness has left her in charge of supporting the family. This is where we begin to see the part that magic has in the story, when we learn of this magical connection between her mother ...more

Mar 10, 2014
Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition

Well then... That was interesting and enlightening, I actually really enjoyed this book.
3.5 Stars
I'll be honest and tell you I don't think I would have read Dark Metropolis has someone told me about the book and it's details. For some reason I've been putting this book off, procrastinating about reading until last night I put my big girl panties on and read it.
To start with it was a bit slow and I found the instant connection between Freddy and Thea a bit annoying. It was far fetched, then the ...more

3-1/2 stars, rounded up.
Thea's mother suffers from "bound-sickness," the result of a spell gone wrong when Thea's father died at war, but his body was never returned home. To support them, Thea works nights as a waitress at the Telephone Club. There, she's befriended Nan, another girl who must support herself alone. And she meets Freddy, a young man with silver hair and a magic touch. The three of them are drawn into -- and connected by -- a mystery taking place underneath their city.This ...more


You can win a copy during my stop at the blog tour!
If we're being honest, I actually wanted to read this based on pure intrigue. I never actually expected to like this one, but I did. I'll warn you potential readers, though: The synopsis could be very misleading. It gives us the impression that the book is solely Thea's story, when it's actually more of her friend, Nan's. It wsan't a very bad thing, but I would've liked to expect the multiple POVs when going into the book.
"I've always felt...more

I was recommended this initially because there’s some LGBT content and an asexual character. Well, just to deal with that upfront: there’s a character who is, at least, not straight, and there’s a character who isn’t interested in sex. However, she’s not interested in sex because she’s not human, so that’s kind of… not asexuality. If you interpret her as ace, though, she’s also arguably aromantic.
Still, it’s an interesting story/world. It’s got a reasonably unique take on zombies, and an ...more
Still, it’s an interesting story/world. It’s got a reasonably unique take on zombies, and an ...more

Oct 11, 2011
Wendy Darling
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2014-publication,
young-adult,
read-2014,
june,
lgbtqi,
own-dtb-tbr,
pn-zombies-biters,
hyperion
3.5 stars I quite liked this
Review to come.
Review to come.

Jun 26, 2014
SoWrongItsRANDI {Bell, Book & Candle}
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
paranormal-romance,
drama,
mystery,
dystopian,
paranormal-fantasy,
romance,
young-adult,
new-adult,
urban-fantasy
**2.5 stars**

Yeah well, the characters definitely weren't the smartest in the room. (view spoiler) With all that is going on in this book, I just didn't feel a connection to the characters. There wasn't enough to substantiate a real romance between the characters. Nope. Nothing.
The story was interesting, but the many ...more

Yeah well, the characters definitely weren't the smartest in the room. (view spoiler) With all that is going on in this book, I just didn't feel a connection to the characters. There wasn't enough to substantiate a real romance between the characters. Nope. Nothing.
The story was interesting, but the many ...more

5 Words: Dark, dead, magic, life, love.
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I read this, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I was in for something light and fluffy, something I wouldn't enjoy much but would pass the time. But instead what I read was dark and deep and thought provoking. It was fascinating. And I couldn't put it down.
I liked the character of Thea. And I loved Nan.
I was absolutely not expecting Zombies. That was one heck of a surprise.
I loved the exploration of love and ...more
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I read this, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I was in for something light and fluffy, something I wouldn't enjoy much but would pass the time. But instead what I read was dark and deep and thought provoking. It was fascinating. And I couldn't put it down.
I liked the character of Thea. And I loved Nan.
I was absolutely not expecting Zombies. That was one heck of a surprise.
I loved the exploration of love and ...more


It's been six days since I set this down in annoyance, and I haven't missed it at all. It's safe to say at this point that I will not be forcing myself to finish it so DNF it is. The things that turned me off: the girl's mother was treated like a toddler- she had a "sickness" but still, it was too much. Then there was the boy who wasn't even able to fend off a frontal attack by even attempting to shove the person off him. They had an immediate connection and thought about the other bunches ...more

Rarely do I find myself so excited about a new YA novel nowadays. Call me jaded, call me nasty, call me whatever--just do be creative, please. I feel like 90% of the ARCs I receive or new YA books that I check out have fallen into a new-old familiar formula: girl thinks she is not special, but is in fact a) gorgeous, b) thin, and c) clueless. She must make up her mind between loving the sweet dude who's loved her forever and the Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dangerous. Generally there is some sort of
...more

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore
Book One of the Dark Metropolis series
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: June 17, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one ...more
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore
Book One of the Dark Metropolis series
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: June 17, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one ...more

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Disney Book Group and Netgalley.)
16-year-old Thea works at a telephone club, trying to make enough money to pay the bills after her veteran father’s supposed death, and her mother’s illness because of it.
When her best friend Nan goes missing and Thea is told that she committed suicide, she knows that something is not right.
Is Thea’s Father dead? Did Nan commit suicide? And can Thea help her mother?
This ...more
16-year-old Thea works at a telephone club, trying to make enough money to pay the bills after her veteran father’s supposed death, and her mother’s illness because of it.
When her best friend Nan goes missing and Thea is told that she committed suicide, she knows that something is not right.
Is Thea’s Father dead? Did Nan commit suicide? And can Thea help her mother?
This ...more

For a series opener, Dark Metropolis had plenty of potential, but unfortunately, a lot of it was left unfulfilled. While there were certainly advantages to this story (its very unique take on zombies just one of the many examples), the final result is unfocused and just a tiny bit immature.
The world, for one, was neither clear nor developed as it should have been. The story has a distinct historical feel, but we’re given neither the time nor the place, which leaves us feeling untethered and ...more
The world, for one, was neither clear nor developed as it should have been. The story has a distinct historical feel, but we’re given neither the time nor the place, which leaves us feeling untethered and ...more

This book was very different than I expected. Not in a bad way, I did enjoy it, but I feel like the synopsis is a little misleading. Thea hardly feels like the main character at the end, and I feel like she could have been largely omitted from the story without it changing too much.
What I liked about Dark Metropolis especially at the start, was the pacing. It was a quick read that didn't waste much time with subplots or overly drawn-out descriptions. But after a while I did feel like it was ...more
What I liked about Dark Metropolis especially at the start, was the pacing. It was a quick read that didn't waste much time with subplots or overly drawn-out descriptions. But after a while I did feel like it was ...more

There isn't much for me to say because I just didn't click with the story whatsoever. However, the characters were all so phenomenal to me. I loved Thea and how trouble seemed to find her. She had to deal with a lot of struggles due to her parents situations and she handled them pretty well. Freddy was a sweet guy that was raised to believe lies of the people he trusted. Nan didn't seem strange, but learning about what she was blew my mind. Gerick and Rory were some assholes!
I loved the romance ...more
I loved the romance ...more

3 1/2 Stars
The nitty-gritty: An unsettling story full of subtle magic, dark deeds, and the living dead, beautifully written, but confusing in some parts.
But how horrid to be glad, even for a moment, that her mother was gone, just so she had time to try on new hats. Mother’s words kept haunting her. I know he is alive! Suppose she was right all along. Suppose Father had lived through the battle, and the vision was a sign? If there was any chance at all, she had to find out. She owed it to Mother, ...more
The nitty-gritty: An unsettling story full of subtle magic, dark deeds, and the living dead, beautifully written, but confusing in some parts.
But how horrid to be glad, even for a moment, that her mother was gone, just so she had time to try on new hats. Mother’s words kept haunting her. I know he is alive! Suppose she was right all along. Suppose Father had lived through the battle, and the vision was a sign? If there was any chance at all, she had to find out. She owed it to Mother, ...more

[I got an ARC through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. The book not being released yet, some things might be liable to change by the time it hits the shelves.]
3.5 stars. I had my qualms with this novel, but overall it had just the right amount of tension and mystery going to keep me wanting to turn the pages. And, of course, it's got necromancy. I am always biased towards necromancy. Nothing can go wrong with necro—wait, what am I saying?
Though inspired from Metropolis, I found it to ...more
3.5 stars. I had my qualms with this novel, but overall it had just the right amount of tension and mystery going to keep me wanting to turn the pages. And, of course, it's got necromancy. I am always biased towards necromancy. Nothing can go wrong with necro—wait, what am I saying?
Though inspired from Metropolis, I found it to ...more

This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore is a young adult novel set in an alternate Germany in the 1920s/30s. In this world, magic exists, but is strictly controlled by the government. Thea’s mother has had a magical sickness ever since her father was lost in the war. To make ends meet, Thea works in the glamorous Telephone Club, where she regularly interacts with the rich and famous. When ...more
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore is a young adult novel set in an alternate Germany in the 1920s/30s. In this world, magic exists, but is strictly controlled by the government. Thea’s mother has had a magical sickness ever since her father was lost in the war. To make ends meet, Thea works in the glamorous Telephone Club, where she regularly interacts with the rich and famous. When ...more

**See this full review and more at http://bookbriefs.net**
In a sea of similar books, Dark Metropolis felt different. In a great way. Part dystopian, part thriller, part magic, part zombie/vampire(?), Dark Metropolis really had it all. The world did have a glitzy 1930's esque feel like the summary said, but it also had a dark futuristic feel to it. I am not sure that I ever caught a date while reading, so I can't be quite sure when this book actually takes place. Told in multiple point of views, ...more
In a sea of similar books, Dark Metropolis felt different. In a great way. Part dystopian, part thriller, part magic, part zombie/vampire(?), Dark Metropolis really had it all. The world did have a glitzy 1930's esque feel like the summary said, but it also had a dark futuristic feel to it. I am not sure that I ever caught a date while reading, so I can't be quite sure when this book actually takes place. Told in multiple point of views, ...more

the book:
a very enjoyable book. it was well paced with just enough twists and surprising connections to keep you wanting the next page. it has the right amount of glit and gore to please a fairly wide verity of people without being overly graphic. Dolamore's writing style was easy to ingest and follow, with an attention to detail that wasn't overly stuffy and only very occasionally left me wanting just s bit more.
just a well rounded book.
the characters:
i did like the characters, they were all ...more
a very enjoyable book. it was well paced with just enough twists and surprising connections to keep you wanting the next page. it has the right amount of glit and gore to please a fairly wide verity of people without being overly graphic. Dolamore's writing style was easy to ingest and follow, with an attention to detail that wasn't overly stuffy and only very occasionally left me wanting just s bit more.
just a well rounded book.
the characters:
i did like the characters, they were all ...more

See more of my reviews on The YA Kitten! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley.
Dark Metropolis has a solid enough premise that makes you want to learn more about this strange world once you start reading, but the characters and plot lacked that special something to make them worth investing time and emotions in. While reading, all I felt was apathy toward Thea and Freddy and Nan (whose names I had to look up because I forgot them so easily). Perhaps if we concentrated ...more
Dark Metropolis has a solid enough premise that makes you want to learn more about this strange world once you start reading, but the characters and plot lacked that special something to make them worth investing time and emotions in. While reading, all I felt was apathy toward Thea and Freddy and Nan (whose names I had to look up because I forgot them so easily). Perhaps if we concentrated ...more

Dystopian YA novels. Had enough of them yet? I thought I did, until I got more and more into "Dark Metropolis". Yes, it's dystopian. More of an alt-history (I learned it takes place in an alternate Berlin!) However, this dystopia has a Gatsby-era feel to it, which intrigued me. Not only that, but there are magical elements as well, and revival of the dead. Dystopian, yes, but different. I enjoyed that the book wasn't told from the perspective of one character- it follows several characters
...more

This was not the most eloquent book I've ever read nor was it the most profound. But it touched me. It had a plot that I found fascinating and loved, it had beautiful characters, a possible asexual character... I just found it an incredibly refreshing and honest book. If that makes any sense at all. I loved it. I bought it.
It's like 1920s fantasy and magic meet dystopia. But not the gritty, dark dystopia I have come to be so frustrated with. Somehow this distanced itself from the oppressive, ...more
It's like 1920s fantasy and magic meet dystopia. But not the gritty, dark dystopia I have come to be so frustrated with. Somehow this distanced itself from the oppressive, ...more

2.5 stars
Well, Dark Metropolis was okay. My expectations were definitely too high, having enjoyed Dolamore’s Magic Under series. This is one of those times where I’m most definitely whelmed. I don’t really have any strong feelings about this book either way, and I’m probably going to completely forget it in no time. Dark Metropolis is a decent read with a cool concept, okay characters, and a meh execution.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Well, Dark Metropolis was okay. My expectations were definitely too high, having enjoyed Dolamore’s Magic Under series. This is one of those times where I’m most definitely whelmed. I don’t really have any strong feelings about this book either way, and I’m probably going to completely forget it in no time. Dark Metropolis is a decent read with a cool concept, okay characters, and a meh execution.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.

4.5/5 stars. One of my favorites of the year by a mile. Review to come!

Crossposted @ The Library Mistress
This is one of those books I love and also hate so to celebrate my bipolar tendencies brought upon by Dark Metropolis, I will split this review into two: 'read-it-read-it-NOW' and 'you've-been-warned'.
[GO AHEAD. read it read it now.]
1. It is fresh and new. Maybe it's just me because I don't read much Young Adult titles but I find this book really fresh and new.
2. Zombies. It has a new take on zombies. Maybe, this is again because I don't have a penchant for ...more
This is one of those books I love and also hate so to celebrate my bipolar tendencies brought upon by Dark Metropolis, I will split this review into two: 'read-it-read-it-NOW' and 'you've-been-warned'.
[GO AHEAD. read it read it now.]
1. It is fresh and new. Maybe it's just me because I don't read much Young Adult titles but I find this book really fresh and new.
2. Zombies. It has a new take on zombies. Maybe, this is again because I don't have a penchant for ...more

I'd like to thank Disney Hyperion and Net Galley for supplying me with an early ecopy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my review or opinion.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, ...more
Blurb from Goodreads:
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, ...more
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Crazy for Young A...: Dark Metropolis (Dark Metropolis #1) by Jaclyn Dolamore → Start Date: July 23, 2014 | 40 | 30 | Jul 30, 2014 07:38AM |
Jaclyn Dolamore has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives in western Maryland with her partner and plot strategist, Dade, and three weird cats. To keep abreast of new releases, sales, and extras, please join her mailing list! http://tinyurl.com/JaclynDolamore
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Dark Metropolis
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“But it hurt. It was like a thousand tiny cuts on her soul.”
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