Downside Girls by Jaine Fenn
4 stars
(Excerpt from Goodreads) The floating city of Kesh rests above the uninhabitable planet of Vellern. For the Topsiders life is about luxury and opulence, while for those of the Undertow day to day survival takes precedence. Kesh City is a democracy by assassination, where the Angels – deadly state-sponsored killers – remove those unworthy to hold office.
When Vanna Agriet accidentally spills her drink over an Angel it could spell death, but instead it leads to a rather peculiar friendship. The downsider Geal hopes for a better life topside, only to find herself embroiled in a ‘removal’ by the Angel Thiera. Downside, Isha’s brother Rakul brings a little black box home with him, and sets Isha on a journey that takes her to a meeting with the most powerful man in Kesh City. Larnia Mier, a talented topside musician and instructor, is injured after witnessing a removal first-hand. As her abilities diminish, new possibilities open up.
The city of Kesh floats above an uninhabitable planet. This city has two sides, Topside which is filled with the most privileged people and the assassins they employ to keel everything running to their approval. The Downside is the more impoverished side that has to fight tooth and nail to survive. Then there are the Angels, these are the assassins that keep the world in line.
This is a collection of four stories relating to this world. The first, Collateral Damage, starts with a Downside girl spilling a drink on an Angel. Instead of the instant death sentence she makes a friend. Death on Elsewhere Street has an innocent person mistaken by an Angel and hunted down. Angel Dust has a Downside girl’s brother bringing home a black box that everyone is willing to kill for. The last story, The Three Temptations of Larnia Mier was in an accident that could ruin her music career, especially when her religion prevents her from getting treatment that could help her.
I really liked the first three stories. They were a quick over view of the city of Kesh. I like the dynamics and I will be looking for other stories. The last one relates to just one person so it felt like the odd one out. It almost feels like an after thought to the book.
Over all I really liked this book. I can’t wait to read more stories by Fenn. Make sure to check out this book, it is a great book to read.
I received this a long time ago in exchange for an honest review.
Make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Jaine Fenn’s website for more information on Downside Girls and other books.
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