The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey

One of my favorite books last year, one that that I happily put on my “Best of” list is A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World by Charlie Fletcher. It’s an immersive near-future dystopian coming-of-age novel. I loved it. And I find so many similarities between that book and Carey’s The Book of Koli. Both feature a young person who questions the world they live in and is forced to strike out on their own. And each possess a voice that is unforgettable and encapsulates both their ages and the setting so well.

Let me get a little more into Carey’s book… Young Koli lives in a small town named Mythen Rood protected from the evils of the forrest. At first it’s a little difficult to figure things out as Koli describes his household and the people of the village. It takes place many generations in the future…  The reader is told through his broken language that at one time it was a place called, “Inglan.” But that there’s been several wars and breakdowns of civilization since any time that we might recognize. The almost primeval makeup of the society causes their relationship with old tech to be stilted at best. There are a few elites who are able to use the tech and Koli desperately wants to be a part of it. Not only for the recognition, but because of a girl…

I won’t get too much farther into the plot, but I’ll just say that there’s a huge shift about halfway through that really grabbed me. If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, especially with a dose of coming-of-age, I know you will like this. Also of note, this is the first book of a trilogy, and Carey cuts this one perfectly. I’m ready for the next one. After reading Someone Like Me and The Girl with all the Gifts I knew this book would be good.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and the author for an advanced copy for review.