A slightly dark, dystopian view of a slightly futuristic world where an all powerful government entity rules over humans and misleads them about just how perfect the society that they maintain is. Honestly, this isn't my favorite genre, but the writing was good and the story was compelling enough to push me through from beginning to end in one sitting. I can picture some of my readers having an interest in this. I think the most compelling piece of this book was just got relatable many of the key settings and plot points were, though it was certainly meant to convey a sinister version of the future.

It was an alright book but I do not think I was the right demographic for it. It’s a book I would have my daughter read when she is older, for sure.

Each character means a lot to me, especially when I adored when Jane wanted to return the doll back to it's rightful owner. I aspire to reach her level of determination. The story itself was epic.

The storyline of this novel was interesting. I enjoyed the found family aspect and the sense of community at the end. I think this was evident of a debut novel where more details could have been added in certain places and omitted in others. I am very much looking forward to seeing what this author will do in the future. I will recommend this book to those who are the intended audience in the future. Thank you for the ARC!

Jane lives on Yarborough Ridge, an island swamped by mountains of rubbish.

One day whilst searching the mountains for treasure, she finds a special looking doll in pristine condition with a return address to the Lands Of Luxury on the tag.

Jane feels it’s her duty to make sure the doll finds its way back to its original owner, even though her friends are convinced it’s on the trash island for a reason.

She sets off on a solo mission to Copiacia, one of the Lands Of Luxury, to return the doll - but she finds a lot more than just the doll’s owner…

This is such a clever story, highlighting how destructive our throw away culture is and how nothing ever really goes ‘away’, it just ends up somewhere else on the planet.

Tilton has created a world that so masterfully sums up our pollution problem, and reminds us how urgent it is to change our actions, policies and way of living in order to save the planet.

It felt like a middle grade story from the world of A Psalm For The Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, with the robots & futuristic setting.

A really great read for all ages - an epic adventure with some very important environmental messages!

Thank you to NetGalley & Blueberry Finch for the DRC

"Please Return to the Lands of Luxury" by Jon Tilton is a delightful and imaginative adventure that takes readers on a thrilling journey from the island of trash to the promise of a better world. This first book in the series introduces us to Jane, a resilient protagonist living in a dystopian world, surrounded by garbage and guarded by sinister robots.

The novel immediately captures attention with its unique setting—an island made of trash—and the intriguing life of its inhabitants. Tilton's world-building is inventive, creating a vivid and atmospheric backdrop that sets the stage for an unexpected treasure that will change Jane's life forever.

The discovery of a well-preserved doll with a mysterious tag leads Jane on a quest to return it to its rightful owner, Gloria Thatcher. This seemingly simple mission becomes a treacherous journey as Jane faces the challenge of escaping the tyrannical robots guarding the Docks, a place with a mysterious history. The plot is filled with suspense and excitement as Jane and her friends, Rodney and Timothy, navigate a world vastly different from their own.

The theme of hardship and the importance of sharing stories resonate throughout the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the adventure. Tilton skillfully explores the bonds of friendship and family, portraying them as life's greatest treasures.

The characters, particularly Jane, are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to empathize with their struggles and victories. The dynamics between the characters contribute to the heartwarming and timeless themes woven into the story.

The pacing of the novel is well-maintained, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The balance between action and emotional moments adds to the overall enjoyment of the narrative.

While the story primarily targets a younger audience, readers of all ages can appreciate the universal themes and the sense of wonder that permeates the tale. The novel's charm lies in its ability to blend action, heart, and timeless themes seamlessly.

In conclusion, "Please Return to the Lands of Luxury" is a captivating start to an exciting series. Jon Tilton's imaginative storytelling, well-crafted characters, and inventive world-building make this adventure a treasure trove of entertainment. Whether you're a fan of dystopian tales or enjoy heartwarming adventures, this book offers a delightful escape into a distant world filled with action, friendship, and the promise of uncovering the secrets of the past.

This book was very interesting. I love that the main character didn't want to give up and push forward

Step into the thrilling dystopian world inhabited by Jane and experience a heartwarming tale of friendship. Jane is a remarkable main character with a heart of gold who stays true to her values and goes out of her way to help those in need, even when faced with opposition from her friends. I enjoyed the fast paced nature of this novel and how it jumped straight into the action and adventure. look forward to getting a copy for my classroom!

This is a short children's sci-fi focusing on a very real possible future with an abundance of trash and a separation of the unseemly from the eyes of regular people so that they can live in peace. This seems to be something I have come across a couple of times in the past two years or so, and I am glad that books aimed at younger audiences are branching out and helping add to the possible questions children might have. I only call it sci-fi because of some implementations of technology that are probably not yet part of our world.
Our central protagonist is a rubbish collector who lives in a garbage dump. She and some other children her age have a routine, and only one of them can read English. There are robot overlords of sorts whose job is to keep them hydrated during their lives in the area. They do not have the capacity for complex thought. When Jane finds a well-loved toy that has a 'return if found' tag on it, she decides to get it across to the actual city (aptly named the land of luxury) without knowing much beyond just moving forward one step at a time. She has two friends who set out to find her, and together, they end up putting a very sad picture together for the reader.
By the time there is a semblance of an ending for this tale, we know what the actual situation for everyone involved is.
I highly recommend this for younger kids and for adults who like dabbling in this genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I know they say never judge a book by its cover but can we all just take a minute to appreciate this one! Definitely the reason it initially drew me in.

Jane, the protagonist of this book is an extremely brave girl with a big heart, she is joined in this tale with her friends Timothy and Rodney. The trio live on the island of Yarborough Ridge surrounded by trash, they spend their days sifting through the trash trying to find hidden treasures and staying away from the lasers of the metal men. When she finds a doll, her life changes and she is determined to return it to its owner.

All the characters in the story are likeable and relatable. The reader is taken through a brilliant dystopian world filled with danger and adventure. The idea of returning something lost and its connection with memories was very endearing and the short chapters will keep readers gripped till the end. There are a number of storylines but they all tie in nicely together.

There was vivid descriptions throughout along with compelling drama and excitement. The themes consist of second chances, friendship, forgiveness and family which were wonderfully woven into the story.

Tilton wastes no time jumping straight into a fast-paced, high-stakes plot. Jane and her friends live on an island of trash, shunned by the government and oppressed by metal men, robots with inhuman strength and laser beams for eyes. Jane finds a doll with a note to return to its owner from the Land of Luxury. A crazy sci-fi adventure about cherishing memories and finding family.

This dystopian/middle-grade fiction takes us on Jane’s adventure as she navigates returning a doll back and shows us her friendships with Jane, Timothy and Rodney.

The dystopian world that we embark on is heartwarming, enchanting, seamless, but also very descriptive without seeming too overwhelming.
Along the way, we see friendship, of course, found family, second chances and forgiveness.

“Home still ruled her thoughts—both the good and the bad.”

What a delightful tale for middle-grade readers! It has engaging characters and a heartwarming story full of valuable life lessons for children. I rate it 4 stars! The story follows three young, homeless people, one of whom goes to great lengths to return a doll to its owner, believing it holds great meaning for them.

The story follows a girl named Jane who lives in a junkyard with her friends and others, making it a small world of its own. One day, Jane finds a doll with a note telling her to return it to a different realm. She agrees to go on a mission to do so. Timothy and Rodney, Jane's two friends, search for her when they realize she's missing. Jane gets to a point where she may return the doll, but finds out that the person who was meant to receive it is not there anymore. The doll brings them all together. While searching for the rightful owner, she meets someone who helps her and they embark on an exciting adventure. Eventually, they find a couple who have wanted a child and are ready to adopt and support this young girl. The story will keep you on edge as we follow Jane and her friends on their incredible journey.

But things don't go as planned, and they must overcome dangerous obstacles to find their way home. This adventure highlights the importance of friendship, meeting new people, being kind, and discovering a sense of belonging.

I must commend the author's writing style. It is perfect for its intended audience of young readers.

Super cute middle grade. Jane goes off on an adventure that turns her life upside down. Along the way her two friends and Jane also learn the meaning of friendship/ family. One of my favorite parts of the book is that by it being on a trash island you can’t help but think about how much room trash takes up or if we really needed to throw that item away. The author did this for me at least but never came off preachy or judgemental.

A short, easy novel set in a world of five islands with incredible riches and one island where the refuse of the other five is shipped for storage and eventual destruction. Jane is an orphan and a part of a very small community who, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, live among the trash. When she discovers that a doll with a return address she becomes fixated on the idea that the owner must miss her doll as much as Jane misses her parents, the memory of which she is starting to lose. Her perilous escape from the island and journey to return the doll happens to coincide with the planned burning of her home, ultimately resulting in the saving of her community. There's plenty of space within the novel to discuss consumerism, ecology, and corporate takeover of the government but those topics are only briefly hinted at, rather that fully addressed, which makes the novel seem slightly otherworldly and detached from what seem like would have been obvious plot points.

Oh this book, this beautiful book!

This is one of the rare cases where dystopian literature in a book for children is an absolute hit!
I loved every single one of the characters, the way they were so different which was noticeable in their choice of words as well as the brilliant work of the audio book narrator.
The story warmed my heart and surprised me in the best way possible as the "usual" twist with nice people turning out to be bad did not come true.

This one was perfection.

It was a fun read, definitely something I would recommend! I enjoyed the characters and felt like you could really dive into the world. Great concept, fun writing, and a quick read!

This book is full of heart and adventure! It was such a fun journey and I really enjoyed being brought into this new world.

I was hooked from the beginning by this unique concept and storyline.

The characters were all built out so well and the setting description really made me feel like I could picture everything perfectly.

So excited to see this series continue!

Please Return to the Lands of Luxury by Jon Tilton is an amazing book that has not only great characters but also a wonderful storyline.
I am not normally a fan of dystopia but I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

I would recommend this is to everyone.

This book was great, especially for middle grades. Going from now to the advanced tech world is deffinatley gripping and would keep any reluctant younger readers gripped.