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xlcior's review against another edition
4.0
A light in the sky was a really pleasant and refreshing read. While the plot structure and storyline isn't uncommon for a YA novel (chosen one has to save the world and fight against the darkness), the plot shines in the pacing. There aren't any lulls and it was difficult to put down, and it keeps compelling you to keep reading. Despite its target demographic it also doesn't pull any punches in letting characters experience loss and failure, while remaining age appropriate. Thanks to that it feels like there are actual stakes and it's very engaging to read.
I enjoyed the character, especially the cast of skilled and powerful women, however I could have done without the two love interests huffing and puffing at each other.
Altogether this warmed my horse girl heart and I really enjoyed reading it, I'm looking forward to any upcoming sequels and will make sure to follow this author's work.
ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I enjoyed the character, especially the cast of skilled and powerful women, however I could have done without the two love interests huffing and puffing at each other.
Altogether this warmed my horse girl heart and I really enjoyed reading it, I'm looking forward to any upcoming sequels and will make sure to follow this author's work.
ARC in exchange of an honest review.
momopeach's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a great book and I need more of these characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wink Road Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for this advance copy which I received in return for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wink Road Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for this advance copy which I received in return for an honest review.
schez's review against another edition
4.0
An all round good YA story filled with flying horses, friendship, love and the fight for balance and light.
The nitty gritty:
Just to get a few things off my chest- I was unure about the relationship between the riders and their steeds. Don't get me wrong, I understood that the relationship had to be one of trust and understanding but I felt some background was lost as to how the steeds suddenly understood language and what their riders wanted them to do.
There is a love triangle somewhere in the background ... but it had no real significance in my opinion. Maybe it was trying to bring more feeling/emotion to the characters.
What I loved
I wish this had been around when I was in my "horse mad stage"... A book about horses that can fly? Pass it over here!
The cover is stunning and instantly drew me in.
The writing is solid, it moves at a good pace although I felt some background to characters was lost.
The world and its torrain was easy enough to picture and I felt like I knew where I was.
Tension building was good too. Using chapter endings to keep the reader motivated to read the next page.
All in all a great read.
The nitty gritty:
Just to get a few things off my chest- I was unure about the relationship between the riders and their steeds. Don't get me wrong, I understood that the relationship had to be one of trust and understanding but I felt some background was lost as to how the steeds suddenly understood language and what their riders wanted them to do.
There is a love triangle somewhere in the background ... but it had no real significance in my opinion. Maybe it was trying to bring more feeling/emotion to the characters.
What I loved
I wish this had been around when I was in my "horse mad stage"... A book about horses that can fly? Pass it over here!
The cover is stunning and instantly drew me in.
The writing is solid, it moves at a good pace although I felt some background to characters was lost.
The world and its torrain was easy enough to picture and I felt like I knew where I was.
Tension building was good too. Using chapter endings to keep the reader motivated to read the next page.
All in all a great read.
neverendingtbrpile's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Wink Road Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Alright, sorry, just had to get that out of the way because this book was amazing.
A Light in the Sky is a fast paced book that has horses and pegasi, a great plot that keeps you wanting to know more, and adventure. I loved the world, characters, and can't wait for the next book! The writing was great and it just shows that Shina Reynolds is meant to write because this was her debut book that didn't feel as such. Reynolds did amazing with her first book and I'm so glad she wrote this because I ride horses myself and never see books that have horses as a big part of the plot in them. So as soon as I saw A Light in the Sky on Netgalley I jumped straight to requesting and reading.
This book does have a vibe of "The Hunger Games" with the dystopian factors (which I liked) and I will say some things I was able to predict towards the end but it actually didn't falter my love for the book, though I can see it faltering others if you were iffy from the beginning. Another thing I wished and hope to see more of in the sequel is Aluma and Cashel's bond grow. I feel like we didn't get a lot of bonding moments between the two, and I see more of a horse and rider relationship with Aluma and Darwith.
But other than those small things, I loved this so much! I can't wait until it comes out so I can get a copy to hold in my hands and to put on my shelf. I would say if you like fast paced books with horses, adventure, plenty of action, twists, and a bit of romance this is the book for you!
Also, I'm team Thayer and I hope to the stars above that he's endgame.
Release date = November 9th (2021)
4.5 stars
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Alright, sorry, just had to get that out of the way because this book was amazing.
A Light in the Sky is a fast paced book that has horses and pegasi, a great plot that keeps you wanting to know more, and adventure. I loved the world, characters, and can't wait for the next book! The writing was great and it just shows that Shina Reynolds is meant to write because this was her debut book that didn't feel as such. Reynolds did amazing with her first book and I'm so glad she wrote this because I ride horses myself and never see books that have horses as a big part of the plot in them. So as soon as I saw A Light in the Sky on Netgalley I jumped straight to requesting and reading.
This book does have a vibe of "The Hunger Games" with the dystopian factors (which I liked) and I will say some things I was able to predict towards the end but it actually didn't falter my love for the book, though I can see it faltering others if you were iffy from the beginning. Another thing I wished and hope to see more of in the sequel is Aluma and Cashel's bond grow. I feel like we didn't get a lot of bonding moments between the two, and I see more of a horse and rider relationship with Aluma and Darwith.
But other than those small things, I loved this so much! I can't wait until it comes out so I can get a copy to hold in my hands and to put on my shelf. I would say if you like fast paced books with horses, adventure, plenty of action, twists, and a bit of romance this is the book for you!
Also, I'm team Thayer and I hope to the stars above that he's endgame.
Release date = November 9th (2021)
4.5 stars
fromthebookshelfofdreams's review against another edition
3.0
The tale of Aluma and the rich world of Eirelannia is an interesting one.
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
This book is a blend of so many genre’s, and encompassed so many complex elements that painted this world in such vivid colours. I love high fantasy, and find not a lot of YA novels seem to go as in depth with their world building as I like. Shina Reynolds does. The blend of ancient elements and modern technology is very well balanced, and I found it very easy to immerse myself into the world.
I think the pacing of the story was done just perfectly. You dive heard first into the action, and it never felt like I was spending a lot of time reading about the one incident. The momentum of the plot was just right.
I will say that the use of so many unusual and difficult to pronounce names was very distracting throughout the book. I also found it really hard to enjoy the romance elements because of the love triangle between Aluma, her childhood friend, and the handsome and mysterious foreign prince. She spends far too long torn between the two of them, and listening to that inner conflict felt very repetitive. I’m not a massive fan of the love triangle trope, but when it is done when and provides opportunities for character development and growth I can get on board with it. Sadly, this just wasn’t the case here.
Overall, I did enjoy a lot of parts throughout A Light In the Sky, but the romantic elements were lacking depth and often repetitive and frustrating to read.
I’d like to thank NetGalley for my copy of A Light In the Sky.
-SPOILERS AHEAD-
This book is a blend of so many genre’s, and encompassed so many complex elements that painted this world in such vivid colours. I love high fantasy, and find not a lot of YA novels seem to go as in depth with their world building as I like. Shina Reynolds does. The blend of ancient elements and modern technology is very well balanced, and I found it very easy to immerse myself into the world.
I think the pacing of the story was done just perfectly. You dive heard first into the action, and it never felt like I was spending a lot of time reading about the one incident. The momentum of the plot was just right.
I will say that the use of so many unusual and difficult to pronounce names was very distracting throughout the book. I also found it really hard to enjoy the romance elements because of the love triangle between Aluma, her childhood friend, and the handsome and mysterious foreign prince. She spends far too long torn between the two of them, and listening to that inner conflict felt very repetitive. I’m not a massive fan of the love triangle trope, but when it is done when and provides opportunities for character development and growth I can get on board with it. Sadly, this just wasn’t the case here.
Overall, I did enjoy a lot of parts throughout A Light In the Sky, but the romantic elements were lacking depth and often repetitive and frustrating to read.
I’d like to thank NetGalley for my copy of A Light In the Sky.
raynreads's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to the publisher and Shina Reynolds for an eARC of this book.
Aluma Banks has always dreamed of becoming an Empyrean Rider even though her father has never allowed her to join. After a public accident her dad whispers to her that she must join the calvary and that she needs to find a specific commander to help her understand why it is so important for her to join.
Another YA book where the protagonist is supposed to be saving the world but instead spends too much time trying to figure out her love triangle...This book felt really nostalgic dystopian and had a lot of the common young adult tropes. Love Triangle: Friends to Lovers and the mysterious dark hard stranger. Not resolved in this book
Reynolds is really bold with all of her names. The characters names, cities, nationalities all of it had really big clunky names that were confusing and also somehow too similar that it was hard to figure out where exactly they were talking about or the significance of why it mattered what nationality somebody was. It was complex but not really easily explained. Maybe in the printed version there is an explanation page that helps the reader connect the names with areas. The pacing in this book was not bad I found the beginning to be really exciting and fast paced. Everything was making sense and the need for urgency in the book was felt. At about the halfway part through the end the pacing felt off and everything just seemed to slug through. There were some places near the end where you felt that urgency again but it would not last long and then again it would drag from there.
Aluma Banks has always dreamed of becoming an Empyrean Rider even though her father has never allowed her to join. After a public accident her dad whispers to her that she must join the calvary and that she needs to find a specific commander to help her understand why it is so important for her to join.
Another YA book where the protagonist is supposed to be saving the world but instead spends too much time trying to figure out her love triangle...This book felt really nostalgic dystopian and had a lot of the common young adult tropes. Love Triangle: Friends to Lovers and the mysterious dark hard stranger. Not resolved in this book
Reynolds is really bold with all of her names. The characters names, cities, nationalities all of it had really big clunky names that were confusing and also somehow too similar that it was hard to figure out where exactly they were talking about or the significance of why it mattered what nationality somebody was. It was complex but not really easily explained. Maybe in the printed version there is an explanation page that helps the reader connect the names with areas. The pacing in this book was not bad I found the beginning to be really exciting and fast paced. Everything was making sense and the need for urgency in the book was felt. At about the halfway part through the end the pacing felt off and everything just seemed to slug through. There were some places near the end where you felt that urgency again but it would not last long and then again it would drag from there.
artemisfaye's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Wink Road Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Flying horses? Yes, please! Everything else? Meh.
A Light in the Sky has a great premise, with the main character Aluma having to venture out on her own and find her power. While I loved the story the author was trying to tell, it was hard for my to stay tuned in. I know a popular trope for YA novels is the love triangle, but I found this one to be cringey at times. It didn't feel earned given how much time each of the characters knew each other.
Some of the dialogue (mainly of the antagonist) was so stereotypical I was waiting for him to do the evil 'mwhaha" laugh. I kept being told how bad of a guy he was, but I didn't feel like it was shown enough to make me feel his true evil.
If you like the YA device of normal girl finds love triangle with old friend and new love interest, a gorgeous high cheek boned girl as the friend and flying horses (which were honestly the best part) then give this book a try.
Flying horses? Yes, please! Everything else? Meh.
A Light in the Sky has a great premise, with the main character Aluma having to venture out on her own and find her power. While I loved the story the author was trying to tell, it was hard for my to stay tuned in. I know a popular trope for YA novels is the love triangle, but I found this one to be cringey at times. It didn't feel earned given how much time each of the characters knew each other.
Some of the dialogue (mainly of the antagonist) was so stereotypical I was waiting for him to do the evil 'mwhaha" laugh. I kept being told how bad of a guy he was, but I didn't feel like it was shown enough to make me feel his true evil.
If you like the YA device of normal girl finds love triangle with old friend and new love interest, a gorgeous high cheek boned girl as the friend and flying horses (which were honestly the best part) then give this book a try.
thenovelllama's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a great read! It was everything that could be hoped for in a YA fantasy.
Aluma Banks dreams of becoming an Empyrean (flying horse) rider like her father. She longs for the day when she can freely ride her steed high above the clouds. Unfortunately, her dreams are cut short by her fathers refusal to let her attempt the trials where riders are chosen. At the very last minute, following a tragic fall, Aluma finds herself ready to ride moments before the trials begin. Making the team becomes much more than riding above the clouds, it becomes the start of a journey that will change the way Aluma looks at her family, friends and country.
A Light in the Sky starts strong from the very beginning. From the moment the reader sees Aluma soaring above the clouds on a winged horse, they want to know more. Those first moments of attention grabbing action, speed the reader through a well written story where they have the chance to fall in love with the setting, characters, and horses.
One of this book’s greatest strengths was solid world building. Both of the regions in the novel, Eirelannia and Laithlann, were beautifully written and thoughtfully described. Laithlann was especially compelling and I found that the description was most beneficial to this area. I appreciated how much thought was put into the landscape, people, and history of the area. It made the world much more immersive and gave the reader a chance to feel emotionally attached.
The characters were all likable, despite not yet being fully fleshed out. Given that this is the beginning of a series, it is understandable that the characters were immature and rash when the world around them got more complicated. However, the characters could feel one dimensional and incomplete. I cannot wait to see how much more they can develop. It was nice to see that Aluma had prior knowledge of horses, riding, and flying, rather than have her jump on the horse and be immediately perfect as this was part of what made her feel real. The love triangle felt unnecessary and was the only part of the novel that did not progress the story or help any of the characters. The closeness between Aluma and her suitors was told, rather than shown, making it less believable.
After the beautiful descriptions of the cities, the most enjoyable part of the story was, of course, the horses. They were more than animal sidekicks, they were fully fleshed out characters. Darwith and Cashel were fun to read about and imagine flying on.
4/5 Extra marks for the interesting world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Shina Reynolds for the eArc of this novel!
Aluma Banks dreams of becoming an Empyrean (flying horse) rider like her father. She longs for the day when she can freely ride her steed high above the clouds. Unfortunately, her dreams are cut short by her fathers refusal to let her attempt the trials where riders are chosen. At the very last minute, following a tragic fall, Aluma finds herself ready to ride moments before the trials begin. Making the team becomes much more than riding above the clouds, it becomes the start of a journey that will change the way Aluma looks at her family, friends and country.
A Light in the Sky starts strong from the very beginning. From the moment the reader sees Aluma soaring above the clouds on a winged horse, they want to know more. Those first moments of attention grabbing action, speed the reader through a well written story where they have the chance to fall in love with the setting, characters, and horses.
One of this book’s greatest strengths was solid world building. Both of the regions in the novel, Eirelannia and Laithlann, were beautifully written and thoughtfully described. Laithlann was especially compelling and I found that the description was most beneficial to this area. I appreciated how much thought was put into the landscape, people, and history of the area. It made the world much more immersive and gave the reader a chance to feel emotionally attached.
The characters were all likable, despite not yet being fully fleshed out. Given that this is the beginning of a series, it is understandable that the characters were immature and rash when the world around them got more complicated. However, the characters could feel one dimensional and incomplete. I cannot wait to see how much more they can develop. It was nice to see that Aluma had prior knowledge of horses, riding, and flying, rather than have her jump on the horse and be immediately perfect as this was part of what made her feel real. The love triangle felt unnecessary and was the only part of the novel that did not progress the story or help any of the characters. The closeness between Aluma and her suitors was told, rather than shown, making it less believable.
After the beautiful descriptions of the cities, the most enjoyable part of the story was, of course, the horses. They were more than animal sidekicks, they were fully fleshed out characters. Darwith and Cashel were fun to read about and imagine flying on.
4/5 Extra marks for the interesting world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Shina Reynolds for the eArc of this novel!