Initial Reaction:

 A Girl Called Ari is a fun teen Dystopian novel with characters showing how a lack of understanding in other cultures can impact friendships. This a book that will keep you honest to make sure you’ve read every word, because every word counts. If you skim, you’ll discover you’ve missed valuable information. 

The Cover:

This is a brilliant cover for a Dystopian novel. I think the cover artist designed it well to have a balance between text, subject, and subtext. Our main character of the story, Ari, is bold against the distant walled city. Set standing above the city that she calls Alice, it could say that her way is the better way of living. The haze and clouds over the city imply the corruption and constant concealment within the city walls.

The Story:

Starla is the Mayor’s daughter and expected to fulfill her role. When she’s forced to go to a party, she doesn’t want to attend. Things go wrong. Ari has survived the turmoil of living in the one mark of civilization in the wastes outside Alice, Cooper Town. Soon the two girls living separate lives find their destinies intertwine. It’s a story of two worlds colliding and depending upon each other to survive. The one thing to pay attention to here is time. A Girl Called Ari jumps between flashbacks and the main storyline frequently, but even with the section breaks I found myself often confused. 

Conclusion:

A Girl Called Ari was a fun read. It had nothing that stood out to me too much, but I never felt like it was a waste of time to read. If you’re looking for a fun, teen, dystopian for you or a loved one, this would be a great quick read. It gives moral lessons without being heavy-handed. I would happily give this book a 4/5 star rating, as it’s an entertaining book and helps you escape the present world.