Review: Landry Park

[khamneithang]

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen is the first book in the projected Landry Park series, a tale of love and betrayal which is stunningly written and remarkably enthralling. As someone who is new to Bethany Hagen, I requested a review copy on the basis of its cover and title, yet, the book has taken me by surprise.

Set in a futuristic world where your social rank is your identity, the Gentry occupies the highest order in the social ranking while at the bottom of the social ladder lies the Rootless, a class of people leading a difficult life. Seventeen years old Madeline Landry belongs to the Gentry, presumably enjoying a life the Rootless couldn’t even possibly dream of. Madeline is heir to the most influential family in the Gentry. It is her bounden duty to carry on the family’s legacy. But she is far from happy. She has one unrealized dream – to attend university which her father forbids. Her attitude changes drastically when she steps outside, into the world of the lower classes.

There are several interesting characters in the story. One of them is the rich and handsome David. Then there is Cara, a friend to Madeline. This story is downright riveting and readers will identify with the main characters as they struggle with their own problems.

Bethany Hagen has crafted a beautiful story which is dystopian in nature but which is more or less a historical fiction. It is an extraordinary piece of work which is second to none in its uniqueness and originality. I was struck with awe by Bethany’s amazing creativity in creating such wonderful characters and planting them in the midst of a story that suit them to perfection.