Necropolis is a Young Adult dystopian fiction with a thrilling concept. In a time where society is becoming more restrictive and segregated, Wyn embarks on a perilous quest to prove the gender divide imposed by her society wrong, as she goes undercover in the army. Will the challenges she faces as a recruit on top of her fight to remain undercover derail her ambitions before she’s had time to achieve her goal?
With mention of ‘The Breakdown’ and the illusive nature of the Necropolis, you are immediately drawn in to a different world. As I read I was keen to learn more about this world and Wyn’s journey. The plotline progresses quickly and this is a story that you could enjoy easily over a weekend. In a society that is quite this strict about the gender divide, I think that there could have been a bit more tension built as Wyn enquired about joining up, and I found Mrs Clay’s critical outbursts in History and eagerness to help Wyn a little bit overzealous and at odds with my expectations of a restricted society within a dystopian novel. Regardless of this I found the plotline enjoyable and Wyn very endearing. This is an interesting story.
Wyn is a sixteen-year-old who has been brought up in the care of the Sisters, members of the religious community called The Old Collection. Between their lifestyle and the oppressions of society—which is trying to regain control through segmenting cities, bringing in a gender divide and restricting freedom—Wyn is desperate for adventure and excitement.Approaching the end of her education, Wyn is looking at her options, and the lack of opportunities fuels Wyn’s desire. After years of watching the soldiers in the city’s army training base, she decides that this is where her excitement could be and, with some persuasion, Wyn decides that somehow she needs to sign up. To do this she must deceive them all and prove herself in training; a lot of hard work ensues as she prepares to go undercover as a cadet in The Southern Company. Once in the Company, the hard work doesn’t stop. Wyn must work hard to maintain her cover whilst also trying to prove herself and create allies along the way. However, when new organisations get involved, the pressure and challenges faced by the cadets only increases, and things get more complicated. Can Wyn achieve her goal and prove societal oppression wrong, or will she crumble under the pressure?
