Scan barcode
soundlysmitten's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
The story opens on the battlefield, where we find our heroine, Eelyn, and her people warring with a rival clan. Towards the close of the battle, Eelyn swears she catches a glimpse of her brother—who everyone has believed dead for the last five years—fighting with the other side. Determined to discover the truth, she ends up captured by the adversary. But Eelyn has no intention of living the remainder of her days as a slave.
From depictions of mysticism to accounts of the mundane, the world of Sky in the Deep is built with a sort of lyrical prose. The writing is very atmospheric, so you get a good sense of the setting. And the action is described in a way that’s easy to visualize.
While it’s frustrating to read about Eelyn being taken captive, her experience behind enemy lines is what makes the book. For it’s as she lives among the people she was raised to hate that her worldview is challenged and her prejudice is dismantled.
As far as leads go, I adored Eelyn. She’s a Katniss Everdeen type, a warrior with an indomitable spirit, but not without compassion. Aside from when she has to defend herself and other vulnerable individuals, Eelyn is merciful. She goes out of her way to help whoever she can. Even those who would not spare her any unkindness, let alone spare her life. And while the implications of the story go beyond Eelyn’s personal journey, she is the catalyst for greater change within their collective societies.
Eelyn’s love interest also plays an important part in this story. In the beginning, I simply thought of him as an infuriating brute, as did she. But eventually, the depths of his care are revealed. The tensions between the pair gradually shift from something of contemptuous mistrust to a denial of self. Their bond is one that grows quietly, unacknowledged till all bets are off.
I was especially moved by this novel’s exploration of family ties, whether born of blood, or forged through shared pain, loss, or heartbreak. But be forewarned… there’s a lot of all that, along with a fair share of violence and cruelty. What bothered me even more than the depictions of war was the demeaning experiences Eelyn’s forced to endure. I did have to gloss over some of those. So… I’d say check the content warnings before you pick up this book, but do consider picking it up!
From depictions of mysticism to accounts of the mundane, the world of Sky in the Deep is built with a sort of lyrical prose. The writing is very atmospheric, so you get a good sense of the setting. And the action is described in a way that’s easy to visualize.
While it’s frustrating to read about Eelyn being taken captive, her experience behind enemy lines is what makes the book. For it’s as she lives among the people she was raised to hate that her worldview is challenged and her prejudice is dismantled.
As far as leads go, I adored Eelyn. She’s a Katniss Everdeen type, a warrior with an indomitable spirit, but not without compassion. Aside from when she has to defend herself and other vulnerable individuals, Eelyn is merciful. She goes out of her way to help whoever she can. Even those who would not spare her any unkindness, let alone spare her life. And while the implications of the story go beyond Eelyn’s personal journey, she is the catalyst for greater change within their collective societies.
Eelyn’s love interest also plays an important part in this story. In the beginning, I simply thought of him as an infuriating brute, as did she. But eventually, the depths of his care are revealed. The tensions between the pair gradually shift from something of contemptuous mistrust to a denial of self. Their bond is one that grows quietly, unacknowledged till all bets are off.
I was especially moved by this novel’s exploration of family ties, whether born of blood, or forged through shared pain, loss, or heartbreak. But be forewarned… there’s a lot of all that, along with a fair share of violence and cruelty. What bothered me even more than the depictions of war was the demeaning experiences Eelyn’s forced to endure. I did have to gloss over some of those. So… I’d say check the content warnings before you pick up this book, but do consider picking it up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Torture
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
kattattak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I struggled with deciding on the pace of the story. Everything happens within 2 weeks, which is incredibly short but if feels like it should be months. To be honest, it's a bit mind boggling.
I don't know if the description of the main characters feelings struck a cord with me personally, but I did find myself close to tears a few times.
I don't know if the description of the main characters feelings struck a cord with me personally, but I did find myself close to tears a few times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Slavery, and War
Minor: Sexual assault
idanolberger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reread 2023: So this is one of my all time favourite books, and rereading it just made that so much clearer.
The characters are well developed, and everything is very well thought out. I am sure there are flaws in the book but I am completely blind to them.
The story of Eelyn and Fiske hold such a special place in my heart, I just wished there were more content focused on them. I would have loved to see things through Fiske's point of view.
I also would have liked to see Eelyn and Iri make up more, especially after Aghi and Iri meet again. I feel like something settled in her when she saw them hug, like she accepted that she could be hurt by everything and still forgive. It would have been a precious moment if she could tell him that she loves him.
I read this for the first time in 2019, and I loved it then. When Adrienne Young released Fable I read that too and I thought that Fable was my favourite Adrienne Young book, but this reread has proved that it is Sky in the deep.
The characters are well developed, and everything is very well thought out. I am sure there are flaws in the book but I am completely blind to them.
The story of Eelyn and Fiske hold such a special place in my heart, I just wished there were more content focused on them. I would have loved to see things through Fiske's point of view.
I also would have liked to see Eelyn and Iri make up more, especially after Aghi and Iri meet again. I feel like something settled in her when she saw them hug, like she accepted that she could be hurt by everything and still forgive. It would have been a precious moment if she could tell him that she loves him.
I read this for the first time in 2019, and I loved it then. When Adrienne Young released Fable I read that too and I thought that Fable was my favourite Adrienne Young book, but this reread has proved that it is Sky in the deep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Gore, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
cranereader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault and Animal death
valyn_grebe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Medical content, Slavery, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
bailey1196's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
haileynelson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Eelyn was raised her whole life to be a warrior, the majority of her clan is too. Their centuries old feud with an opposing clan has been all she's known. Her life is flipped upside down while fighting this opposing clan and finding her brother, supposedly dead for five years, fighting against her. She has to survive in the enemies home after she's captured, come to terms with her brothers betrayal, and confront her own biases against these people. I enjoyed the overall plot of this book, although somewhat predictable, the story still captured my attention and I wasn't bored at any second of it. I enjoyed the characters journeys with each other, and the growth they all needed. Eelyn is a strong women and a fierce warrior throughout the book, she has flaws, but she also has personal growth by the end of the book. I always enjoy a well rounded women character. If you like Vikings, baddass women, and enemies to lovers I'd recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Sexual assault
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The Viking world was so brutal, but totally believable. I was grateful that, despite being a YA read, Young didn’t shy away from the blood and gore.
⁕ I didn’t care for the major romantic relationship of the story, but the dynamics between Eelyn and her family members were so dramaful and juicy. Young did a great job building tension between Iri and Eelyn, especially.
⁕ Most of the book was super action-packed, but I felt that there was a slight lull after Eelyn got captured by the Riki. Some of the scenes depicting her doing chores for them felt repetitive and slow.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The Viking world was so brutal, but totally believable. I was grateful that, despite being a YA read, Young didn’t shy away from the blood and gore.
⁕ I didn’t care for the major romantic relationship of the story, but the dynamics between Eelyn and her family members were so dramaful and juicy. Young did a great job building tension between Iri and Eelyn, especially.
⁕ Most of the book was super action-packed, but I felt that there was a slight lull after Eelyn got captured by the Riki. Some of the scenes depicting her doing chores for them felt repetitive and slow.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, Slavery, War, Animal cruelty, and Death
More...