Goodreads Review: The City of Gold and Lead (Tripods book 2)

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Phoebe No Comments

The City of Gold and Lead by John Christopher

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Tripods series starts much like the first–Will, a human boy, along with two companions, travels the European countryside, this time not seeking to escape the mysterious Tripods who rule over the Earth, but to join them–to infiltrate their city to gain information for a human resistance movement. The first half of the novel mirrors the first very closely, in both its rich descriptions of food and landscape and its pancake-flat depictions of our human protagonists.

However, a major shift occurs once Will reaches the city. Christopher’s descriptions of the alien landscape are incredibly vivid and inventive and, unlike his equally lush descriptions of Europe, actually pretty exciting. What’s more, some depth is finally introduced to one of his characters. Unfortunately, it’s an alien antagonist who is humanized. Will’s Master is sad, complex, and compelling. Christopher tells us time and time again how disgusting and revolting the character is, but that did little to curb the sympathy I felt for him as he proceeded to spill his heart (hearts?) to dull, dull Will, his only friend.

I’m fairly certain that this was not Christopher’s intended effect. But regardless, it made the sophomore entry in this series a riveting and involving read.

View all my reviews.