

An Echo in the City
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
4
K. X. Song
“A gorgeous, stirring book; a stellar debut.” ―Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of The Serpent King Star-crossed teens meet during the Hong Kong protests in this searing contemporary novel about falling in love in a time of change, for fans of Malinda Lo and Axie Oh. Sixteen-year-old Phoenix knows her parents have invested thousands of dollars to help her leave Hong Kong and get an elite Ivy League education. They think America means big status, big dreams, and big bank accounts. But Phoenix doesn’t want big; she just wants home. The trouble is, she doesn’t know where that is … until the Hong Kong protest movement unfolds, and she learns the city she’s come to love is in danger of disappearing. Seventeen-year-old Kai sees himself as an artist, not a filial son, and certainly not a cop. But when his mother dies, he’s forced to leave Shanghai to reunite with his estranged father, a respected police officer, who’s already enrolled him in the Hong Kong police academy. Kai wants to hate his job, but instead, he finds himself craving his father’s approval. And when he accidentally swaps phones with Phoenix and discovers she’s part of a protest network, he finds a way to earn it: by infiltrating the group and reporting their plans back to the police. As Kai and Phoenix join the struggle for the future of Hong Kong, a spark forms between them, pulling them together even as their two worlds try to force them apart. But when their relationship is built on secrets and deception, will they still love the person left behind when the lies fall away? Perfect for fans of:★ Romeo and Juliet★ Star-crossed lovers trope★ Activism★ Diaspora lit★ International politics
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More Details:
Author
K. X. Song
Pages
352
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published Date
2023-06-20
ISBN
0316397024 9780316397025
Community ReviewsSee all
"I really recommend this book. So well written and real. The protest scenes were so claustrophobic and frightening. I liked the bit about identity, that you can choose where you call home.
Kai ****** me off with such stupid selfish choices but I guess that’s a testament to Song’s writing. Additionally, I can tell both Phoenix and Kai were stuck in hard places, trying to follow their own hearts and passions while being filial children. And honestly, I think it should be an abolished or at least revised concept in society because it puts such pressure on children to always do what your parents want and ignore your own wants.
I liked that they didn’t end up together, at least for now. They are going in two different directions and even if they never find each other again, they will always have their time together."
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Zariah Grant
"This book was beautifully written and never lost my interest. I picked it up at a local bookstore, not expecting much and briefly skimming over the synopsis. This is a definite must read and eye opening, especially for a westerner such as myself who wasn’t aware of the Hong Kong protests of 2019-20. I would read this a million times over again."
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Marlene
"I just finished An Echo in the City and I am obsessed!!! Somehow KX Song imbued YA with deep and intricate themes and beautiful prose. And when things got intense, I trusted she would pull us back up again. The food, setting, characters, and romance were all vivid and intoxicating, always leaving me wanting more.
I would highly highly recommend this book. It's one of those that stimulates your mind and your soul at the same time."
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Nadeen Maida