The City Center

The New Agenda, Book 1

De: Simone Pond

Narrado por: Sarah Zimmerman

Ava didn't want to be right. Not about her city. Not about their leader, Chief Morray. But when Joseph gives her a secret journal from the past, the truth is revealed. She escapes with Joseph to the Outside, sending Chief Morray on an obsessive pursuit to retrieve his property. Ava has to decide if she should keep running, or return to the city center to save her people.

Gold Medal Winner Dystopian Fiction - Readers' Favorite.

©2013 Simone Pond (P)2015 Simone Pond

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This story is decorated with familiar things, and at its heart contains thrilling characters and heroic journeys." ( RevolutionSF) "The power of this novel actually comes from the world building and the action." ( Smart Girls Love Sci-fi) "The revelations before the conclusion are properly shocking and quite insidious." ( SF Crowsnest)

Unique Dystopian World

If you could sum up The City Center in three words, what would they be?

Unique,well developed characters & world building

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book tremendously and have read all of the books in the New Agenda Series

There is Freedom

Simone Pond's praise worthy and unique dystopian novel truly captures the idea of how humanity's desire for control and perfection can lead to dire consequences, but through community, perseverance, and above all faith, one can be set free from the slavery of life.


Sarah Zimmerman was ideal for this narration. Her cadence was spot on and I was wholly impressed by her ability to subtly portray each character with ease and little need for flare.

I was truly impressed by this novel and would recommend it to all.

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Great book!

A very well written, performed and interesting book. The characters come alive and draw you into the world!

The City Center - would make a good movie

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Sure, anyone who is a fan of the dystopian genre and who wants a fun quick read (listen) should check it out.

What did you like best about this story?

I definitely liked the main character Ava. She is quick thinking and acting and knows what to say and when to say it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scene when Ava addresses the residents of the City Center (near the end of the book).

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This would definitely make a good film! The tag line could be The New Agenda truth will be revealed.

Any additional comments?

The City Center is an interesting futuristic dystopia with sci-fi elements that I found very interesting. The people living in the City Center are genetically engineered to be a certain way, and only later do we realize the true sinister purpose for this. I thought the overall premise was great, the main character Eva is pretty dang awesome, and the villain is kind of a mad genius. I liked how Eva was already different and after reading the journal given to her by the Outsider and using her wit, she starts to see how things are not what she has been brainwashed to believe. However, I think this book is a little on the short side and honestly would make a better movie than it does a book. There is a ton of action and a lot of dialogue, but I don’t feel there is enough of a descriptive nature that I have come to expect in novels. It felt rushed and was more “tell” than “show”. Even though this is a series book, everything you expect to be in a dystopian trilogy happens here – from the world introduction and the conflict, to the escape, the capture, and finally the overthrowing of the current system (though there is an unresolved issue that can be continued in further books). That is just too much for one short book, and so most of it felt like I was reading a summary rather than the unfolding events leading up to the finale. Sure, I don’t like when a story drags out over books just to sell more books, but this one has the opposite problem. (After reading the blurbs for the other books in the series this kind of makes sense, as each subsequent book follows a different character in a different timeline in the New Agenda world.)

I was provided this audio book in exchange for my honest review from Audiobook Blast.

Insurgent fans will love this story!

Any additional comments?

The City Center by Simone Pond is an excellent Dystopian story that is a cross between The Hunger Games and Insurgent. It includes a compelling love story, action and adventure, as well as the fight for freedom.

The story centers on Ava who grew up knowing she would compete one day to be queen of City Center. City Center is a biosphere that was built over 200 years ago when it became too dangerous to live on the outside of Los Angeles. Their leader is Chief Morray, who over the years engineered the human population for the skills and aptitude needed for each of their intended professions. Ava has never relished the idea of being chosen to be queen one day and instead enjoys independent ideas (which she keeps secret) and the desire for something more. That "more" comes in the form of Joseph who is an outsider; soon Ava's world, and her life, are in grave danger.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. She had great intonation and pace, including differing voices for male and female characters as appropriate. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook!