The Thousandth Floor (by Katharine McGee)
When I purchased The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee ages ago, I somehow completely missed that this book is classified in the YA genre. I didn’t figure it out until I started listening to the audiobook and thought the narrator sounded young and the initial character was a teenager fresh out of drug rehab. I reread the description, which gave the impression the characters were adults based on their life struggles. Then I saw it! At the very bottom of the description in the genre tags: young adult and science fiction. I rarely read YA. I’m not a huge fan of science fiction either, but I pretty much figured that one out by the description and still thought the story seemed interesting. I considered bailing on this book because it’s YA and if I had known, I wouldn’t have purchased this book. I took a minute to consider my options. I wasn’t hating the story line and reading a science fiction book would check off a book for a reading challenge I’m participating. I kept on reading.
The Thousandth Floor is set in Manhattan, 2118. The tower the characters live is approximately two miles high and the higher the floor, the wealthier the residents. Various floors are reminiscent of New York neighborhoods. It was difficult for me to create a visual for the tower in my mind. I tried to picture New York in the structure of a tower with all the advanced technological bots and hovers, but it’s hard for me to imagine. Even though, I managed to follow the story just fine.
The story is full of characters coping with adult life struggles. Leda is addicted to drugs and keeps it a secret from her friends. Eris lives a glamorous life with her wealthy dad and former model mom. Rylin is from the working-class group, struggling to make ends meet following the loss of her mom. Watt is sophisticated with technology and can spy on people. Avery is the most perfect girl in appearance and has every material possession a person could want. At least it appears that way.
During my time as a young adult, I’m pretty sure I would have loved this book. At this time in my life, I find much more pleasure in reading books with characters who have adult life experience as they are relatable. I understand this story is about a variety of characters trying to navigate their way through significant life changes. Some of those changes are self-imposed, while others are what the universe has dealt. At the conclusion, I decided I enjoyed this book more than I expected. It’s a good story that kept me engaged, and has a suspenseful ending. I’m sure people who enjoy YA and science fiction would very much enjoy this book.
I purchased the audiobook of The Thousandth Floor with my Audible membership. Narrator Phoebe Strole did a very nice job bringing these characters to life.
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