Reviews with content warning for War - Sky in the Deep

I enjoyed the characters and the premise. It started very exciting, but the majority of the book was rather slow, despite covering a short span of time. I wish that the themes of war and prejudice had been explored more in depth. Everything was tied up very neatly and quickly. Part of me wanted it to be more messy than it was. I think it was an enjoyable light read, but if you're looking for a more thought provoking read, this isnnot what you're looking for

Content Warnings

ciecyreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

geminisoul's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved everything about this book. From the descriptions of the world it's set in to the relationships and depth of feeling that the characters showed. It does have very violent scenes but if that doesn't bother you I would highly recommend this book.

Content Warnings

caffinatedslug's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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? No

4.0

Content Warnings

nokvi's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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.

Content Warnings

jackiepreston's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-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

3.0

Content Warnings

carleneslibrary's review

Go to review page

dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Adrienne Young's books might be too dark for me. I knew there would be violence but the whole world itself seemed consumed by it. Like Fable, there was no escape from it. I hated that, but unlike Fable that did get better and I had times where I felt I could "settle" into the setting if that makes sense.

The plot and romance were pretty good (content: kisses, one fade to black scene). The romance was actually a pretty well done enemies to lovers, and despite how popular that trope is, it's also hard to pull off well. This was pulled off well, and other than the violence, I thought it was a satisfying read. Not a favorite but satisfying.

Content Warnings

More...