I received an advanced copy of this text via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. There were some story arcs that seemed to be left intentionally unanswered, most likely for a future novel.ĭisclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author. The language of “List” is stilted and at times, almost a little annoying to have to interpret, and rich impressions of Letta’s view of the landscape become that much more meaningful. In addition to the worldbuilding, I particularly enjoyed how the author contrasts the bleakness of a society that has been forbidden to use most spoken and written word with such gorgeous prose. But when trouble comes to her door, she can no longer ignore the forces of dissent brewing inside and outside the compound's walls.

Letta is assigned to give out boxes of words from the short list of those still allowed to be spoken, and in the house she lives in, is taught those that are now banned. John Noa, their leader, has led a small band of faithful followers to safe refuge in his “ark” after worldwide disaster, in part brought on by human greed but fear and the aftermath of the devastation have caused good intentions to go too far. We're introduced to Letta, the apprentice wordsmith in what in many ways feels like a sort of religious commune because of the tight control and the biblical references. When Letta meets a mysterious boy who somehow knows all the words that have been banned, she’s faced with a dangerous choice: sit idly by and watch language slowly slip away or follow a stranger on a path to freedom … or banishment.įor lovers of language and protectors of words everywhere, this collection combines Patricia Forde’s award-winning novel The List with its equally thrilling sequel The Last Word.Really enjoyed this book. One day her master disappears and the leaders of Ark tell Letta she is the new Wordsmith and must shorten List to fewer and fewer words. Words like freedom, music, and even pineapple tell her about a world she’s never known. Everyone, that is, except Letta.Īs apprentice to the Wordsmith, Letta can read all the words that have ever existed.

To make sure humans avoid the mistakes of their past and are able to survive, everyone in Ark must speak List, a language of only 500 words. The city of Ark is the last safe place on Earth.

The wordsmith patricia forde