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caffinatedslug's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Torture, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Gore, Slavery, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual assault
nokvi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Here's the thing, I am extremely lenient when it comes to YA books. As a book catered to 12-18 years old and the author's debut Novel I think Sky in the Deep is an easy and enjoyable novel.
I have one question tho, how did she survive with all those injuries like girl get it together.
Based viking settings with all it's brutality, we find that Sky in the Deep (SitD) is a very character driven novel. There is very limited plot and I can see how that may have disappointed the expectations of those who read it. Opening up with one of it's stronger if not Strongest chapters, we see Eelyn in the midst of battle where she sees her brother who has been dead for the last 5 years. We learn that the Aska and Riki are two rival clans that oft fight and I'm pretty sure that seeing your long dead brother fighting for the opposite side does something to you.
From there, we are taken along with Eelyn as she learns what every YA protag learns when it comes to the similarities between one rival and another. The novel digs, abet a lil shallowly but still, into an examination of belief and self. What it means to be betrayed and forgiven. An examination of family and the bonds which hold us together. We see the role of religion and how it influences one thoughts and actions and the meaning of belonging.
Young writes emotions in a simplistic but effective way that I think once nurtured her pen could be incredible. There are some violent scenes that just... wow.
There are flaws, sometimes it does a lot of telling and now showing and Eelyn makes some questionable choices but she's 16 so that's okay.
SitD may not be the most amazing novel out and it may be a typical YA novel in viking setting, there characters could be fleshed out some more and the themes it addresses should be examined more deeply. But to say it's a bad book? No.
Those who are fans of more plot laden books will find this a slow read but as someone who enjoys character driven plots, it truly is a digestible quick read.
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Sexual assault
jackiepreston's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, War, Slavery, Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
stardust_heidi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
mamacita88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Slavery, Gun violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
cavefly's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, War, Body horror, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and Slavery
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content, Animal death, and Pregnancy
serendipity_94's review
- 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
Minor: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death, Blood, and Abandonment
lydiaelyse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Abandonment, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Blood, and Gore