Review: Metaltown by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on September 12, 2016 | 3 Comments


Review: Metaltown by Kristen SimmonsMetaltown by Kristen Simmons
Published by Tor Teen (9.20.2016)
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: eARC, 384 pages
Source: From Publisher


4 Stars

The rules of Metaltown are simple: Work hard, keep your head down, and watch your back. You look out for number one, and no one knows that better than Ty. She’s been surviving on the factory line as long as she can remember. But now Ty has Colin. She’s no longer alone; it’s the two of them against the world. That’s something even a town this brutal can’t take away from her. Until it does.

Lena’s future depends on her family’s factory, a beast that demands a ruthless master, and Lena is prepared to be as ruthless as it takes if it means finally proving herself to her father. But when a chance encounter with Colin, a dreamer despite his circumstances, exposes Lena to the consequences of her actions, she’ll risk everything to do what’s right.

In Lena, Ty sees an heiress with a chip on her shoulder. Colin sees something more. In a world of disease and war, tragedy and betrayal, allies and enemies, all three of them must learn that challenging what they thought was true can change all the rules.

My thoughts

This was Metaltown. Things didn’t change in Metaltown. You changed, and if you didn’t you paid.

Beautifully written as always, Kristen! This book was dark and gritty, and perfectly portrayed the struggles of the world. It was such a beautiful and (and heartbreaking) story! I love that it showed the power of rising up and letting your voice be heard. The unfairness of everything really struck me, I thought Kristen did a fabulous job driving that home! I really felt for the characters and their hardships.

My only complaint is that pacing was fairly slow. But that’s not a bad thing, because there’s very strong emphasis on characterization and world building. Kristen really took the time to flesh out all of the characters and create a very vivid setting! Metaltown felt real.

Trust is a hard promise to keep.

I loved the relationships between the characters. It was so interesting to see Lena and Colin come together, two sides of the same coin with very different backgrounds. It was kind of heartbreaking though, because the closer he got to Lena, the farther Colin got from Ty. View Spoiler »

Fight, because it hurts too much if you stop.

THAT ENDING. Kristen, you owe me a box of tissues! (Although, in all fairness, you did warn me…) View Spoiler » This book was one of my most anticipated 2016 reads, and it was well worth the wait! I’m so excited for the launch party this month!

Overall Assessment

Plot: 4/5
Premise: 5/5
Writing style: 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4.5/5
Pace: 3/5
Feels: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5

Jessi (Geo)

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3 responses to “Review: Metaltown by Kristen Simmons

  1. danielle hammelef

    I do love novels with great characters and the world building has to be really good to keep me believing. From your review, it sounds like this would be a really great book for me to read. Especially about needing tissues for the ending!!! I’ve been warned too now and will have them ready.

  2. Mithila

    Okay, in all honesty, I was *sort of* worried about this book. I LOVED her previous standalone, but her trilogy was a bit iffy for me. I’m so glad that you’re giving this a high praise! I’m both wary (bc FEELS) + excited about this!
    Also, is there a romance?
    Wonderful review!

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