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isabella21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
So, I really liked this for like no real reason that I can put into words. I really liked the characters and the ways in which they grew to care for one another. I really loved the romance, even though it definitely felt pretty underdeveloped. The backdrop of the story and the overall plot were really interesting as well. I do wish there was more focus on Eelyn being basically foreseen to make big changes in their world. I felt like that could have been developed in a really interesting way. I will more likely re-read this book when I need to read a comfort book. I feel like it made me feel safe, which is strange to say for a book that is about a blood feud, but the characters and the ways they loved one another so much made it feel comforting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, and Death of parent
Moderate: Slavery
delvie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
God, I needed this book. Slow-burn enemies to romance that doesn't rely on spice to the point where I'm just reading to get to the next romantic scene is 100% my jam. The setting is fresh (fae who?). The hatred at the beginning is believable. Give me more of this on my shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
hannahbaysinger_jones's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
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
katy_leigh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual violence
elizabethamarx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
maggiemercutio's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Kidnapping, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
valpyre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
[audiobook]
Honestly, I was pretty apprehensive going into this one because I had had an unfortunate streak of disappointing reads previously. I found the start a little slow and the chapters were a bit weirdly broken up in my opinion, but was won over by the feel of the setting and the worldbuilding. I personally really appreciated the details of battle and subsequent wounds that never really had a chance to heal, because it made the characters feel grounded and human, and actually affected actions in the story. I was also afraid that the romantic aspect of the book would take over the entire work, but was pleasantly surprised when it developed and enhanced the relationship between various characters. I felt like the romance was equal to the exploration of family and friendship dynamics in the book, which I really appreciated.
Honestly, I was pretty apprehensive going into this one because I had had an unfortunate streak of disappointing reads previously. I found the start a little slow and the chapters were a bit weirdly broken up in my opinion, but was won over by the feel of the setting and the worldbuilding. I personally really appreciated the details of battle and subsequent wounds that never really had a chance to heal, because it made the characters feel grounded and human, and actually affected actions in the story. I was also afraid that the romantic aspect of the book would take over the entire work, but was pleasantly surprised when it developed and enhanced the relationship between various characters. I felt like the romance was equal to the exploration of family and friendship dynamics in the book, which I really appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent
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