Review: Golden Dreg Boy Book 1: The Slums by D.K. Dailey

With the world on the delicate edge of disaster, a young boy must face the truth about his past, the sins of the present, and the possibility of a revolutionary future in Golden Dreg Boy: The Slums by D.K. Dailey. This first book sets the stage for a longer series in which the remains of civilization have sequestered in the cities that have been transformed into starkly divided kingdoms of the rich and the poor.

The protagonist, Kade, brings an original narrative voice as a “Golden” firmly set in his ways, accepting of the brutally unequal world order out of youthful ignorance, rather than malice. He is reminiscent of many unexpected heroes changing their perspective after experiencing life on the wrong side of the tracks. Peppered with exposition, such as the Inequality Wars and the “worldquake,” this novel is a deeply built slice of dystopian fiction, but one that feels eerily familiar.

Through a series of eye-opening events and revelations, Kade is forced to face the world from the other side of his high-seated privilege, and the subsequent change in his character is profound. Supported by a visceral cast of supporting figures, including his charming sister, Ems, readers are given a front-row seat to Kade’s enlightening evolution.

Despite being set in a horrific future, the prose is packed with social commentary and heavily laden with symbolism. The separation of the Dregs and the Goldens is the oldest binary in storytelling, and a disparity that we see playing out in wealth inequality and growing tension in many parts of the world, which feels particularly relevant in this instance. Not only is it a wild piece of escapist fiction, but it also hits home as a powerful allegory, and a dire warning. Told from the perspective of a young person makes the message all the more impactful.

Navigating issues of personal identity, societal cruelty, violence against power, poverty culture, wealth hoarding and human rights, this may be a novel targeted at younger readers, but the themes are decidedly mature, and Dailey must be acknowledged for fearlessly addressing serious topics head-on. The action-packed world laid out in this series’ opening installment has a wealth of potential, benefiting from authentic dialogue, relatable characters, and unexpected descriptions that make a reader sit up and take notice. With just enough youthful romance to balance out the brewing attitudes of rebellion, the story is well-balanced, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

There are some grammatical and linguistic issues that go beyond simple errors and typos, including melodramatic narration and internal monologuing that is overly explicit. At times, the narration draws conclusions that people would have naturally arrived at, even as young adults or novice readers. This is a common occurrence in the prose, so some eliminating and trimming is warranted to avoid being heavy-handed.

Although the simplicity of some of the writing is misplaced or pace-slowing, the moral challenges and existential questions this book forces to the fore are essential, and Kade is a memorable lynchpin of this gripping new series.