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The Dandelion Riots
Book Review
a fantasy queer romance book set in a dystopian world
This is a fantasy queer romance book set in a dystopian world by Kim Smejkal, a Canadian young adult author. The main themes include rebellion, loss and grief, and a choice that could bring on the apocalypse. The main character is a 16 year old named Drinn who is cursed to end the world if she finds love. She goes through many losses and new challenges, including the trials of love, which could make her relatable to older teens.
“Dandelions are useful, resilient and beautiful…they are cheerful, yellow like the sun and later when they’ve grown up a bit they fly away free and explore the world like little adventure. Only people who don’t understand name them weeds.”
The Dandelions in this book represent the flowering plants ability to stay strong despite the often harsh climates they can sprout from and I believe the book is called the dandelion riots as a metaphor to how rebellions are often the weaker side fighting their oppressors. I would recommend this book for 13+ due to the strong themes (mentioned above) and I would rate this book 8.5/10 because it was very well written and a page turner, however the genre was not for me.
I would recommend this book for people who enjoy dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games.
About the Book
Cursed at birth, 16-year-old Drinn has been hidden away from the world – moved from house to house to ensure that she never finds love. But this year, she has decided to break free.
Fleeing, Drinn finds herself in Oblison, surrounded by others just like her – cursed girls whose lives are dangerous and wild. They vow to liberate themselves once and for all. But rebellion is dangerous, and if Drinn finds love before the curse can be broken, a terrible fate could befall them all…
Author
Kim Smejkal
Kim Smejkal writes fantasy for young adults and not-so-young adults, always with a touch of magic. Her books include The Dandelion Riots, Ink in the Blood, and Curse of the Divine. When she’s not writing, she’s often lost in the woods, wandering a beach, or puttering around in her garden, and she currently lives on Vancouver Island in Canada.
Reviewer Profile
RoeMarie, 12
- Reviews: 9
- Likes: ice-skating, doodling and sewing
- Dislikes: olives, crowds and stuffy weather
- Superpower: telekinesis
- Favourite Book: the Caravel Series by Stephanie Garber
- Favourite Artists: Otomodatchi and Phantom Siita
- Favourite Film: My Neighbour Totoro
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