The Hill

by Ali Bryan

In the near future, a group of girls survive by their own wits and follow the laws of the Manual on the Hill, a reclaimed garbage dump they call home. The cardinal rule? Men and boys spell danger.

After a Departure Ceremony releases the eleven oldest girls back to the Mainland, Wren becomes their new leader, and she's desperate to do a good job.So when one of the girls goes missing only a few hours into her new position, Wren makes the fateful decision to leave the Hill in search of the girl--only to encounter boys for the first time in her life. Is it a coincidence, then, that the Hill is attacked while she's gone?

In order to survive and lead her community, Wren must sort fact from fiction, ally from enemy, and opportunity from threat. The Hill is a feminist dystopian novel that explores gender, power, and the search for truth in a world defined by scarcity, distrust, and gender politics. Gritty and compassionate, Bryan's unforgettable novel shines a light on the consequences of consumerism and environmental neglect while reminding us what it takes to be a girl in this world.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Teen, Feminism

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2021

Reviews

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

intellectual me: oh wow what a fascinating concept

my forever middle-school mind: hee hoo b o o b s on the cover

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Fast paced and different. Really enjoyed this one

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed reading this one. Probably between a 3.75-4. It really reminded me of other young adult books like The Giver and Uglies. I felt like I knew only as much as the girls on the Hill and was eager to know what was really going on.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few years ago Lauren Snyder wrote a terrific middle grade book called Orphan Island about a group of children who are left to fend for themselves away from society for an unknown reason. I thought it was a beautiful and mysterious story and wanted more. Ali Bryan's The Hill seemed to be giving me that - with another colony of children on an island, this one all girls. The narrative quickly starts getting pulled in a hundred directions however - it's a friendship story, a survival story, a war story, a love story, a boys vs girls narrative, a dystopian tale, Lord of the Flies. There's some interesting world building here but altogether the tale is a bit of an unrewarding jumble.

[Jodi McIsaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I don't usually read YA but I tore through this one in three days. Great writing, awesome pacing and a main character who is relatable in all her strengths and weaknesses. Definitely looking forward to the next one!

[abbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5? got an ARC of this from a little free library. not something I’d usually seek out but since it was there I figured I’d give it a shot. gender themes + dystopian post-apocalyptic/climate disaster future + survival = potential to be interesting?

definitely not bad and it kept me engaged, but so much was going on at such a fast pace that I was often confused. nothing really came together for me and the unnecessary love triangle pissed me off. you’re telling me a girl who has never seen a male in her life and has been trained to believe they are evil and should be immediately killed is gonna initiate a kiss with one within like two days of meeting him? bruh. I’m a 20 year old woman who did not grow up on a garbage dump island populated only by girls and I haven’t even done that.

but that’s YA for you! which I know I am no longer compatible with so perhaps that’s on me.

[Molly Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hill was a great dystopian through the eyes of a 14 year old girl. Super compelling story and I loved all the characters. I would recommend

[Kali Stach · Rating 3 out of 5]

had no clue it would end on a cliffhanger with no sequel existing 🤦‍♀️ but otherwise really enjoyed this, so fast paced and action the whole way. just left with lots of questions that i won’t get to know lol

[Dana Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.7 for me. I loved the notion of girls fending for themselves. Reminded me of Lord of the Flies, but without the psychological meltdown. I was really hoping this would be a 4.5 star for me, since I loved Ali Bryan’s The Figgs. As a YA novel, it got all the right bits of the genre, but I was frustrated in the last quarter.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Incredible concept and I loved the unpeeling of the layers of story but the narrative itself felt confusing and strangely paced. Wren, however, was incredibly relatable, and I liked many of the characters! I wish the story had just had a clearer direction - it really started to lose me about half way through

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

The last handful of chapters could have been different - it was pretty decent until then...

[Lauren Lano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t get into it. Didn’t like the ending. Also, my sister pointed out that the cover looks like boobs and now I can’t unsee that 😅

[Patricia Arab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many great authors before her Ali Bryan has managed to write YA fiction that transcends age. Not since reading the first Harry Potter novel have I been so invested and interested in the characters she has created in this novel.

Extremely unique and interesting story line, loveable characters and a strong feminist voice that isn’t shoved down your throat, but instead just the norm.

The first of three in the series that have already been greenlit, the Hill Series is and will continue to be a coming of age series I will be giving to all the kids in my life and recommending to all.

[kye ☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
Not too bad for a random book I picked up at the library! I thought the premise was cool, along with the overall message of womanhood. There were some parts that made me ~physically~ cringe, and the pacing was a bit too fast for my preference, but overall, this was a decent book. I thought that the girls in the book were well connected, and it was refreshing to see women on the same team, even if there were conflicts throughout- they didn't give up on one another.
Again, fun and easy read.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting take on what could happen in a post-apocalyptic world. It was fast-paced and easy to read. My teenage self would have loved this. I felt like the romance was a little forced and that it sometimes felt a bit confusing, but other than that, it kept me engaged and wanting more. It could be cool to see this book turn into a series.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait to see how the story is expanded upon, had visions of Handmaids tale whilst I was coming to the end of it. Good read, well paced, well explained, detailed whilst leaving things needing explaining that’ll come with further additions. Given the times we’re living in, recommend for everyone.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It was recommended to me by a former teacher, and I read it so fast. I loved the plot and all of the characters. It was an all around great read and I really hope another one comes out.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise. And an OK read. If it is a standalone book the ending is unfair. If it's hoping to be part of a series; I may want to read what comes next. But not my favorite YA dystopian book.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Violent and baffling.

[Hannah]

It was kind of unfullfilling. I hate when people say this, but I wonder if there'll be a sequel.

[Romeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait for the second book!!

[Margeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I have to say is I read this in a day and WHEN WILL BOOK TWO BE OUT??

[Jacelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure if there will be a second one but the ending made it seem like the will be so I really hope so!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lila · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was no clear plot or genre. It felt like the author didn’t even know the direction in which they were going with there own writing. So many ideas in such a short book that it was just an unsatisfactory mess. I was so excited for a female version of Lord of the Flies, but this was a huge disappointment.