In a futuristic, alternate history Beijing, a young thief joins a group of rebels on a heist to break out a former rebel leader, leading to a potential revolution against the ruling elite. The story explores themes of class division, rebellion, found family dynamics, and the struggle for hope in a dystopian society.

Reader Review Summary

Kingdom of Without by Andrea Tang is a captivating and thrilling cyberpunk adventure set in a vividly imagined alternate history Beijing. Drawing inspiration from classic tales like Les Misérables and combining elements reminiscent of beloved works such as Six of Crows and Fullmetal Alchemist, Tang crafts a unique and compelling story that will appeal to fans of those franchises while still feeling fresh and original.

At the heart of the story is Zhong Ning'er, a cunning young thief who takes on a job that ends up entangling her with a group of aspiring revolutionaries seeking to break out a former rebel leader and challenge the oppressive dynasty that has ruled China for 150 years. Ning'er is a strong, resourceful protagonist who has had to overcome immense hardship, including having limbs sold off by her own father to feed his drug addiction. Her grit, street smarts and ultimate hopefulness in the face of a cynical world make her an extremely engaging heroine to follow.

The futuristic Beijing that Tang envisions is a marvel - a city of towering neon, advanced cyborg technology, but also stark class divisions and authoritarian control. The worldbuilding is intricate and atmospheric, making the city feel like a character in its own right. From the drug Complacency that pacifies the population, to the feared Brokatowa Garda that brutally enforces the Emperor's will, to the Six Rings that segregate society by class - every detail adds rich texture and makes this cyberpunk dystopia spring to life.

While the story moves along at a brisk, exciting clip, Tang still takes time to develop the core crew of outcasts and rebels that assemble around Ning'er. There's the brooding, secretly rebellious poster boy Cheng Yun, the former rebel leader known as the Lark, and a colorful band of thieves and fighters. Each are well-drawn with their own backgrounds, personalities and expertise. Watching their initially uneasy alliance evolve into a tight-knit found family is one of the book's greatest pleasures.

Although a tad light, the romantic subplot between Ning'er and Cheng Yun adds some welcome emotional stakes and softness to balance out the high-octane heist missions and rebel plotting. Sparks fly from their first charged encounter, and their relationship develops naturally as they open up to each other and recognize a kindred spirit beneath their hardened exteriors. It's subtle and doesn't overwhelm the main narrative, but provides a nice bit of heart.

The story builds to a thrilling infiltration of a secret laboratory that holds shocking discoveries with huge ramifications for the empire. Tang keeps the tension high and the twists coming, before arriving at an explosive finale that sees our heroes making their boldest stand yet against tyranny and corruption. At the same time, she grounds the big political stakes with the personal journeys of Ning'er and company, resulting in an ending that is both epic in scope and intimately emotional.

Full of memorable characters, intense action, political intrigue, and a richly realized cyberpunk dystopia, Kingdom of Without is a standout YA read. Tang takes familiar tropes and remixes them in exciting new ways, delivering a page-turner that is difficult to put down. With an open ending that clearly sets the stage for more to come in this world, I will be eagerly awaiting a return to Ning'er's story and to see the dawning revolution teased finally ignite. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a transporting, high-stakes adventure with a lot of style and even more heart.