The Stats
Title: City of Orange
Author: David Yoon
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (24 May, 2022)
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Fantasy, Mystery
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Starvation, Dehydration, Loss
Read if you like: Blake Crouch, Dune
Thank you to David Yoon, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and NetGalley for providing me with an electrical Advanced Review Copy of City of Orange. I read this novel over a year ago, and am finally transferring my review from Goodreads onto duffrunstough. Because of the long delay, I do not remember all Trigger Warnings. All opinions mentioned in this review are my own.
Feature Image taken from Amazon Reviews from Renee
The Review
City of Orange by David Yoon is a thought-provoking and emotive novel that delves into the concept of identity and the importance of memory. The book follows the journey of a man who wakes up in an unknown dystopian landscape with amnesia, struggling to navigate his surroundings and confront the reality of his situation. Through flashbacks and interactions with other characters, the protagonist begins to piece together his past and uncover the truth about his identity.
Yoon’s writing is immersive and evocative, drawing the reader into the story and making them feel the protagonist’s confusion and frustration as he grapples with the loss of his memory. The book is filled with symbolism and touches on themes of survival, trust, and hope in the face of devastation. The narrative also explores loss, relationships, and trauma in a compelling and nuanced way.
However, some readers may find the pacing of the book to be slow and the plot to be lacking in tension and complexity. The use of the amnesia plot device may also be seen as a cheap trick that ultimately hinders the story. While the writing is efficient and clean, the book may not be seen as a successful character study or a fresh example of speculative fiction.
Overall, City of Orange is a thought-provoking and emotive read that explores themes of identity, memory, and loss in a unique and layered way. However, those looking for a fresh take on the apocalyptic setting may be disappointed.
Overall, I give “City of Orange” 3 out of 5 stars!
duffrunstough 
