This book was...pretty much just like every other YA dystopia that was all the rage circa 2014, when I was in middle school. Let me tell you, I read a lot of it. This took me right back to that time, but not really in a good way. The Fever King reminded me of all of the more forgettable examples of the genre.

The plot twists were painfully predictable, the love story felt underdeveloped, the world-building was lackluster. It wasn't total garbage, but it followed a tried and true formula and was left with very little that was unique.

There were elements of The Fever King that were quite clearly reflections on the current political climate in America, but to be honest, I'm not sure those reflections really said anything. The social issues that divided the citizens were similar to those dividing us now. Political groups in the book had obvious real-life counterparts. In the end, though, the book wasn't really about those things. It didn't have anything to say about them, per se, and instead just used them as a motivator for our main character, Noam. That's fine, and I have nothing against it. But Lee didn't explore those themes deeply enough for them to be particularly affecting.

I don't want to be entirely critical -- 3 stars for me means that I thought this book was fine. This genre is popular for a reason: most books in it are at least somewhat entertaining. The plot of The Fever King moved (frankly almost too briskly for my tastes) and kept me engaged, and I was at least somewhat attached to Noam and Dara. Lee checked all the boxes for your standard, garden variety YA dystopia.

If that kind of book is something you're a fan of, this is a pretty decent example of it. I'm a big fan of the LGBTQ rep. YA dystopia/fantasy is a genre that is filled to the brim with 3 star books, though, and if you can't do better, then I'm just kind of over it.