From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up—In a postapocalyptic United States, Madeline Landry, descendant of the scientist who developed nuclear-powered lanterns, enjoys a life of privilege, but she would rather attend university than be groomed for marriage and the eventual inheritance of the Landry estate. In this castelike society with a mishmash of Victorian/Regency/Edwardian norms, the 17-year-old's family is part of the gentry class that subjugates the lower-class Rootless to handle the nuclear-emitting light sources-a task that Madeline later discovers causes a slow and painful fate. The arrival of David Dana, a charming but secretive suitor, and a brutal attack on Cara, Madeline's lifelong frenemy, are the catalysts for not only the rich girl's rebellion but also the complete upheaval of the status quo. Hagen's debut is filled with luxurious language, swoon-worthy love interests, and exceptional world-building that doesn't bog down the narrative. While the novel's treatment of class is intriguing, the dismissal of race as a factor is problematic. While status, not ethnicity, determines acceptance in this stratified new order (several gentry members are people of color, and the protagonist is half-Latina), war with the Eastern Empire (Asian countries) is named as the primary cause of America's demise. The elite continue to vilify the Eastern Empire as much as the Rootless and are seen as a constant threat. Still, the cast of fully developed characters, pervasively sinister mood, and thrilling love story will keep readers turning the page, even if they'll be able to predict some plot twists before they occur. This first book in a trilogy will appeal to fans of Diana Peterfreund's Darkness Shows the Stars (HarperCollins, 2012) and Catherine Fisher's Incarceron (Dial, 2010).—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal Read more Review "Gone with the Wind meets The Hunger Games." - VOYA"A mélange of sci-fi inventions, well-written characters, and classic literary allusions." - The Christian Science Monitor"This is a terrific mash-up of a Regency period romance with a dystopian tale that will intrigue teen readers, and introduce some important questions about the structure of modern society." - School Library Journal"Hagen’s debut is filled with luxurious language, swoon-worthy love interests, and exceptional world-building...this first book in a trilogy will appeal to fans of Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars and Catherine Fisher’s Incarceron." - School Library Journal"Heated debates and similarly heated kisses fuel Madeline and David’s will-they/won’t-they relationship, tempering the social commentary with a bit of romantic drama." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books  Read more See all Editorial Reviews
U**A
A Little More Downton, A Little Less Dystopia
Having read The Selection and being a hardcore viewer of Downton Abbey, I’m not sure Landry Park fits the bill as a merger of both media.It’s more like a dystopia/science fiction version of Diamonds and Deceit, but without the addicting page-turner-ness.What I liked best about Landry Park was the new-Victorian era and reversion to status that is created in a futuristic setting.Madeline Landry’s family is at the very top of society because Madeline’s grandfather invented a power source that has replaced all other sources, after all the wars, etc.As a heroine, Madeline is not my favorite. She’s the classic “I like books not people” type of character who behind being shy and quiet has a blah personality. I wanted to like her, but I never saw her do anything that made me think “wow, this girl is spunky/funny/interesting.”Also, the love situation. Ugh. It was drawn out and dramatic for no reason. I wasn’t feeling it at all.Then there’s the whole storyline. I’m sorry, but I’ve just been there, done this before. It’s like every other dystopia just with a different, more fancy dress setting. “Oh, my society is hiding things from me! I should rebel, right? Right!”As you can tell, I wasn’t overly thrilled with this book. Although the pace was good and the story filled with surprises and twists, I found myself distanced. I just didn’t feel very much reading Landry Park.OVEALL:If a book setting can make or break it for you, then this novel’s faults can be overcome for you. As for me, the watery personality heroine and the ridiculous romance wasn’t enough to make me recommend Landry Park to fellow readers.
A**K
Enthralling Dystopia
I am an unashamed fan of young adult fiction especially with some dystopia to boot. Some of the best writing is occurring in this genre if you ask me. I have a theory that in today's post politically correct environment many authors are afraid to write anything more offensive than the young adult genre but I digress It does not hurt that this novel is set in my home town of Kansas City in the year of our Lord 2300. I like the allegory that revolution is brewing in our country right now as we rebel against the Patriot Act, Nanny State, TSA, DHS, never ending wars George Orwell laid out in 1984, GMO's, Glyphosates, Monsanto and we could increase the list ad infinitum. Some day the people plugged into the Matrix of TV, Facebook, and video games will wake up to a world too intolerable and revolt.
B**N
But once she takes a fateful journey to the Rootless sections of town to see first hand what life is really like, Madeline start
A suspenseful story set in a dystopian future that, unsettlingly, doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.In the not-too-distant future Kansas City of this novel (and in the broader US), economic status is everything. Human society is sharply divided between the Haves (the Gentry) and the Have Nots (the Rootless), and the two sides are at war, even if Madeline isn’t fully aware of that fact at novel’s outset.So, when we first meet the story’s 17 year old heroine, Madeline, she's carried along by circumstances mostly beyond her control. It’s an exploration of power and powerlessness that, for me, rings authentic. After all, your teen years are about shedding off your upbringing and getting to define who you want to be as an adult.Madeline’s awakening to her circumstances and the truth about the people she cares about don't come all at once. But once she takes a fateful journey to the Rootless sections of town to see first hand what life is really like, Madeline starts taking the reins of her own fate.An impressive debut novel. I’m looking forward to finding out how this series, and especially its main character, evolves and resolves. I really enjoyed it, and recommend it to fans of YA.
A**R
The Part Repeats Itself
Hagen’s melodic tone and gorgeous descriptions provide a comfort reminiscent of an Austin novel. Landry Park takes place in a future that returns to the regency of the past. Madeline Landry has been sheltered among the high class gentry society of ball gowns, debuts, and arranged marriages, but when the disgruntled (mistreated, dying) lower class begin to make waves, the tide carries her in a new direction – towards change and towards a particular boy.I appreciate the beauty of Bethany Hagen’s narration. I’ve been missing YA books like this one.Will most definitely be reading Jubilee Manor.
S**N
I enjoyed it.
Full disclosure: I've never met Bethany Hagen personally but my sister is acquainted with her and on her recommendation I bought this book. I was not asked to review it.I'm really into this genre. I blame Hunger Games. This book while being from the same genre has a different flavor than Hunger Games and Divergent. I found this book both engaging and fast paced. I've preordered the sequel.
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