This is a YA dystopian fantasy that I have just finished reading. It is one of the most original pieces of writing for young teens that I’ve read in a while.
Echoes from the lost ones
Drawn originally by the beautiful cover of this book, the original language swept me along from the first page. Adara speaks a quirky slang, reminiscent of Nadsat, the language of the droogs in Clockwork Orange, instantly recognisable as a mingling and mangling of familiar words. Language is an aspect of a futuristic society we often ignore, but nothing dates a novel more than the use of contemporary slang that is outmoded before the book has had time to make an impact.
In Echoes from the Lost Ones, Nicola McDonagh has used this simple device to create a realistic and unforgettable world. Adara herself is an endearing character, and has a great talent for making the reader (this one at least) laugh with her remarks. The story rattles along at a great pace, which will suit younger readers, but is the only real criticism I, as an adult, would make of it. I would have liked to explore this frightening world of mutants and shadowy armies, and the place Adara escaped from, and to learn a bit more about the dangers that beset her.
Ms McDonagh introduces a very colourful crew of characters who I would also have liked to spend more time getting to know. That said, this is the first volume of a series, so no doubt we will be filled in with more details in the subsequent volumes.
Well worth reading.
Jane Dougherty Writes 