The Slums

Golden Dreg Boy, Book 1

By: D. K. Dailey

Narrated by: Isaac Edwards

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Finding out who you are has never been so deadly.

In the ruins of San Francisco California, survivors of an epidemic that swept the nation have pooled inside the cities, restructuring life as we know it. Now it’s the strong against the weak; the rich Golden against the poor Dreg.

The Golden govern everything. Living above the city in four sectors, they look down on the Dreg slums. Against all odds, the Dreg have become survivors. Unable to afford proper care, their immune systems have adapted to protect them against the diseases now infecting the Golden.

Seventeen-year-old Kade Shaw is a privileged Golden. Kade and his family have the best money can buy, living in the wealthiest area of Sector One. A bored rich kid, Kade’s tired of his mundane life, and regularly sneaks out to the skate park and the slums to take risks and feel alive - maybe even kiss a Dreg girl or two. Until one night at an illegal party, everything goes horribly wrong.

When the cops accuse Kade of falsifying his Golden status, an offense that carries a death sentence, he is forced to question his true heritage after his powerful parents won’t save him. Then, on the eve of his execution, he’s rescued by a guerilla Dreg group—but why? What do they want from him? As he lives with them in squalor, trained in raiding for food, fighting, and how to survive, he slowly gains respect for the Dreg people, seeing them as more than “other”, confusing the age-old lines of good and bad. But despite his infatuation with Saya, a beautiful Dreg girl, Kade still wants his old life back.

In the brewing deadly war between rich and the poor, Kade must make a choice between fighting for his Golden status or helping the Dregs who saved his life. Golden or Dreg?

©2020 Dafina Dailey (P)2020 Dafina Dailey

So good-action packed, engrossing characters

What a world DK has created. You have the lower class, The Dregs, and the upper class, The Goldens. Cade, a Golden discovers what happens when he find out he don’t belong where he thought he did. And as he joins in with the Dregs to reclaim their humanity, he uncovers a dangerous plot to help the Goldens keep themselves at the top. I can’t wait to dive into the next book. Highly recommend.

A World Divided

A world divided by the "haves and have-nots" is apparent in this story, Golden vs Dreg. A world where privilege determines who lives well and who barely survives. Kade, a young Golden, lives on the edge wanting to experience life fully on both sides of the track. It is a late-night party that shows Kade how deadly his choices are especially since he doesn’t know his background! Sentenced to death, Kade is rescued but is forced to live with the Dregs. This change in status prepares him for life but can he give up his old life? Will his parents and friends survive the pandemic targeting Goldens?

The author, D.K. Dailey, weaves an intriguing dystopian story focusing on differences and privilege. The world-building is graphically expressive and detailed as are the relationships between the characters. The dialogue and emotional responses are realistic and enhance the storyline. The plot twists are powerful.

The narrator, Isaac Edwards speaks clearly and with distinction for each character. He captures the essence of each character and projects it with energy and confidence. I found his voice powerful and his cadence consistent. His performance enhanced the story and listening pleasure.

This is an engrossing and intriguing story that lingers long after the ending leaving the listener to ponder social differences and inequalities.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Intriguing

An epidemic once again. How will the survivors get through this. The Privileged have it good but the others need to figure things out. With the Narrator’s help this will keep you wondering what will happen.

twist and turns turns and burns.

enjoyed every minute of it. there were a few places where I got a little confused, but after rewinding and listening again it made sense . look forward to the next book in the series to see where it all ends.