Kingdom of Without

Gr 9 Up–In a futuristic, alternate-world Beijing, Lilium Corp, corrupt makers of addictive drug Complacency, essentially controls the empire. As a child, Ning’er’s father sold two of her limbs to feed his Complacency habit, and now the 17-year-old cat burglar often sells her prosthetic limbs to survive; luckily, a friend makes replacements. Insufficient cash flow drives Ning’er to agree to a heist for the Red Yaksha, a Robin Hood figure seeking to rescue a young revolutionary imprisoned by Lilium. On meeting her employer, though, Ning’er is stunned to recognize the irritatingly handsome Cheng Yun as a high-ranking figurehead for the brutal Gendarme. Ning’er knows she cannot risk an attraction to him, but her heart says otherwise. This thriller includes familiar dystopic, romantic, and heist tropes: corrupt governments and addictive drugs; enemies-to-lovers and only-one-bed; and conspirators with multiple skill sets. In a well-constructed world, Ning’er is a tough, talented, and sympathetic character, and Cheng Yun is charismatic and complex, aware of the ethically shady aspects of his double life. The pacing balances heart-pounding action with extended sequences in which Ning’er and Cheng Yun build their doomed romance. While the Red Yaksha’s network includes many distinctive characters, some readers might struggle to remember them all. Also, a few decisions—e.g., discussing top secret information in a crowded bar—seem questionable. All characters are cued Asian, with names sometimes given in Chinese characters. Due to swearing and violence, this is recommended for high school.