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jaxboiler's review against another edition
4.0
This was something my wife picked up for me as a Father’s Day gift for the beach. It was a fun easy read and I might search out the next one in the series in the future.
cfenster's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
mattisonsbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
soulfulsin's review against another edition
4.0
For most of the book, this was three to three and a half stars. Then it knocked it out of the park, heading toward 4.5, near the end. However, I still have to take off that star for the slow beginning. I almost gave up on the book because of that.
This book does have a YA feel, I agree, but that doesn't really affect the overall quality. I quite enjoyed it.
This book does have a YA feel, I agree, but that doesn't really affect the overall quality. I quite enjoyed it.
hermes262's review against another edition
5.0
A blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I'd probably call it more fantasy to be honest. I loved it! Great main characters, especially Bree; an incredibly fun setting with the floating islands and elemental powers; and storyline that kept you rushing through.
The mythology of the books kept me glued, and was revealed at a nice pace. Always answering questions, yet still leaving a lot to ask about. Slowly discrepencies appeared and were realized by the characters. Well plotted, well developed. Dalglish does good world building, and I'll likely check out his previous series based on how well I liked this one. The elemental system and technology are fascinating, as is the concept of how these islands exist and stay afloat. The religion and political structures are interesting as well. Again, so much to dig through!
I knew Bree's character best. She's the main character, and I enjoyed her storyline of personal struggles and obviously the main conflicts that appeared. Kael was a nice character as well, but I didn't feel like I got into his head as much as I did Bree's. I still enjoyed his character, though I would have almost rather been in Clara's head. Her unabashed snarkiness made me laugh and root for her. This book had a wide cast of characters that worked well! I miss them already.
The plot itself was well written. Trajectories seemed to point one way, and then boom, something totally different was being set up all along. It was hard to predict what was going to happen. The twists and the end flew by and kept you glued to your seat. I thought I had cleverly figured out how the book was going to end, and something totally out of left field happened instead, and it was great. I can't say it always kept me guessing, because I was so in the moment with the characters I didn't really have time to project theories on what would happen next, but something new was always going on. The political struggles, personal struggles, battles, everything was juggled so well. Excellently plotted out.
I listened to the audiobook for a majority of it, and I thought the narrator got the characterizations down pat. I highly recommend it to anyone who has access to it. I usually prefer my own voice, but I actually enjoyed the narrator's more!
Would recommend. I feel there is so much more to learn about the characters, the mythology, and I'm excited for what's to come in book 2.
The mythology of the books kept me glued, and was revealed at a nice pace. Always answering questions, yet still leaving a lot to ask about. Slowly discrepencies appeared and were realized by the characters. Well plotted, well developed. Dalglish does good world building, and I'll likely check out his previous series based on how well I liked this one. The elemental system and technology are fascinating, as is the concept of how these islands exist and stay afloat. The religion and political structures are interesting as well. Again, so much to dig through!
I knew Bree's character best. She's the main character, and I enjoyed her storyline of personal struggles and obviously the main conflicts that appeared. Kael was a nice character as well, but I didn't feel like I got into his head as much as I did Bree's. I still enjoyed his character, though I would have almost rather been in Clara's head. Her unabashed snarkiness made me laugh and root for her. This book had a wide cast of characters that worked well! I miss them already.
The plot itself was well written. Trajectories seemed to point one way, and then boom, something totally different was being set up all along. It was hard to predict what was going to happen. The twists and the end flew by and kept you glued to your seat. I thought I had cleverly figured out how the book was going to end, and something totally out of left field happened instead, and it was great. I can't say it always kept me guessing, because I was so in the moment with the characters I didn't really have time to project theories on what would happen next, but something new was always going on. The political struggles, personal struggles, battles, everything was juggled so well. Excellently plotted out.
I listened to the audiobook for a majority of it, and I thought the narrator got the characterizations down pat. I highly recommend it to anyone who has access to it. I usually prefer my own voice, but I actually enjoyed the narrator's more!
Would recommend. I feel there is so much more to learn about the characters, the mythology, and I'm excited for what's to come in book 2.
pageglue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
David Dalglish’s ‘Skyborn’ follows orphaned twins Bree and Kael as they follow in their parents’ footsteps and become Seraphim: flying soldiers that wield elemental magic powered by crystals. The world is set in a future where the earth is completed flooded and humanity now lives on islands floating in the sky. Each island is run by its own fiefdom, but they all depend on the largest island, Center, for the technology that makes the islands to float, delivers fresh water, and allows people to fly and do battle. Rumours of corruption and conspiracy ripple below the surface, and our heroes soon find themselves impacted by them in ways they could never have expected.
I really loved the world. Having your characters be able to fly and shoot lightning is really fun, and it’s so cute and romantic for a pair of lovers to fly above the clouds during sunset. The basic plot is coming-of-age / magic training school, but it gets more complicated after that. Halfway through, I did find myself feeling like I was still waiting ‘something’ to happen. Lots of things happen, but it’s all training, making friends/enemies, first dates etc. The plot really picks up 2/3s of the way through, where all of the social unrest and conspiracy stuff that was only hinted at comes to the forefront. AND THAT ENDING!!! 😵
The weakest aspect of the book for me was the characters. I never felt very connected to our main characters, and I think that’ll vary from person to person. But the side characters were very weak, and largely forgettable. The only one whose name I can remember is Brad and he basically disappears in the second half of the book. A number of characters die in the story, and I just never cared about losing any of them. And because they weren’t well-developed, their deaths as motivation for the protagonists didn’t feel earned.
If you like this type of story, a cool fantasy world, fun battle scenes and plot that escalates to high heavens, I definitely recommend this book. I’ll certainly be continuing the series.
I really loved the world. Having your characters be able to fly and shoot lightning is really fun, and it’s so cute and romantic for a pair of lovers to fly above the clouds during sunset. The basic plot is coming-of-age / magic training school, but it gets more complicated after that. Halfway through, I did find myself feeling like I was still waiting ‘something’ to happen. Lots of things happen, but it’s all training, making friends/enemies, first dates etc. The plot really picks up 2/3s of the way through, where all of the social unrest and conspiracy stuff that was only hinted at comes to the forefront. AND THAT ENDING!!! 😵
The weakest aspect of the book for me was the characters. I never felt very connected to our main characters, and I think that’ll vary from person to person. But the side characters were very weak, and largely forgettable. The only one whose name I can remember is Brad and he basically disappears in the second half of the book. A number of characters die in the story, and I just never cared about losing any of them. And because they weren’t well-developed, their deaths as motivation for the protagonists didn’t feel earned.
If you like this type of story, a cool fantasy world, fun battle scenes and plot that escalates to high heavens, I definitely recommend this book. I’ll certainly be continuing the series.
bgeorgeashton's review against another edition
3.0
First half: painful and cheesy
Second half: really quite good
Ending: 😲
Second half: really quite good
Ending: 😲
brocc's review against another edition
2.0
Just not my cup of tea... Didn't really flow as well as I would have liked and felt like there were a few too many fantasy cliches going on. Plus I'm afraid I never warmed to the characters! :(
bookswithjk's review against another edition
Very quick pace, but I had not anticipated the school setting. The world of floating islands and Seraphim is interesting, but the characters were ultimately not enough to hold my attention.