BOOK REVIEW

Atlantia by Allie Condie

Let’s start with the basics, like how I gave Ally Condie’s books the cold shoulder. I started reading Matched and I kind of drifted off. The dystopian flick was overwhelming for me. My fantasy for Atlantis’s lost city was what got me reading Atlantia. Well who wouldn’t want to read a book about a dystopian novel set in an underwater city (which isn’t abandoned?) The reason I loved this book was because the genre was so refreshing unlike the regular science-fiction where monkeys have wings and wear tu-tu’s.

The book starts off with the summary phrase “Can you hear Atlantia breathing?” Oh yes!

*Pretty corny for a summary, that had me quirking my brows*.

The story starts off with the shining twins Rio and Bay (love the names), they’re actually fraternal twins of the dead city minister Oceana. Yes you heard me right. The city has a minister and they have a temple. A temple complete with pillars and an alter. They have this ritual when you can choose where you live, above or below? Sadly our protagonist Rio’s sister chooses the dry land ‘Above’ leaving Rio alone ‘Below’. I loved the whole emotional twist and turn where Rio takes part in the swimming races piled with risks. The reason she does this is to earn enough money to buy air-cans. She is planning a sweet little escape to the shores to reunite with her sister.

The plot is pretty boring to be frank with a dangerous liaison pushed into the frame. Rio’s aunt Maire jumps in. She’s kind of evil since she is a siren and all! Did I just say siren?

Okay not the evil I-want-to-have-you-for-lunch-kind, the regular, my-voice-can-make-you-my-slave kind. Oh and Rio is also a siren, her mother made her mask her voice as a baby. (Babies can talk?)

Rio makes this mechanic named True (he is also the love interest BTW) create dangerous props for her race addiction. He makes these eels and fishes that can create static electric charges. Betters like risks and they put in more money, that crappy theory! The girl is begging to get killed. She is so resilient to her Aunt; it is surprising how she so easily agrees to go above with her. She makes this stupid attempt to escape via the place where dead bodies are sent afloat. Bad move. Rio discovers the truth behind her mother’s death, the minister’s death is the twisty part since it changes everything Rio was taught to believe in. Writing that here will ruin the fantasy experience of this book. I was mostly awed by the underwater city. Ally honey! Are you an engineer or something! I mean WHOA! That’s one helluva city you created there!!!!! I love how this book is more about being allegiant as a family and less of an epic romance novel. I hope Condie creates a sequel or I’ll learn to be less greedy.

WARNING: This is a stand-alone novel. I’m not here to get anyone’s hopes up.

You can find out what went down in the end and what Rio discovered that made a chatty Kathy like me shut up by buying your copy at

and for those who hate paper buy your digital version at