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ohjohnnybobby's review against another edition
5.0
Omg! So good! Bring on book 3! I love this story so much!
atinydisaster's review against another edition
4.0
Wowza! I stayed up way too late last night finishing this book. This is book two of the Monument 14 series by Emmy Laybourne, and I suspect the final book in the series. There were some definite ups and downs both in terms of story and quality, but if you liked the first book in this series (which I did), then you’ll want to read this one. So, let’s talk about it!
Unlike the first book, this one has two different POV’s, brothers Dean and Alex. Their voices blended together a bit much for my taste, but their stories were totally different and equally intense. The first half of Sky on Fire was an interesting reading experience. It fluctuated between dragging and almost being too tense for me to keep reading (but I’m a wimp). Dean was still at the superstore, while Alex was on the run with most of the kids trying to make it to the Denver airport in a very hostile environment. The stakes are definitely high in Sky on Fire. In the final third of the book almost every chapter seems to end with a massive WHOA moment before you’re taken back to the other POV character.
I should mention that while Alex and Dean could have been more distinct from each other, the rest of the characters were extremely well done. It took me a few chapters to remember which little boy was which, but otherwise everyone had a distinct (and at times hilarious) persona. You’ll find yourself really rooting at all the little kids get to safety because you know it would break your heart if any one of them died.
My biggest complaint with the book was some of the writing. Most of it was decently crafted and suitably tense, but some bits were just bad. You’ll find yourself doing a few double takes just to make sure you read that right, but if you’re willing to push past, the story is well worth a few awkward moments.
Going into this book, I didn’t realize it was the last in the series, but if you’re already a fan of these books I think you’ll be happy with the conclusion that Emmy Laybourne came up with. If you’re not already a fan of this series, and are a fan of books like Gone by Michael Grant, then I would absolutely recommend checking out Monument 14 and then Sky on Fire.
Unlike the first book, this one has two different POV’s, brothers Dean and Alex. Their voices blended together a bit much for my taste, but their stories were totally different and equally intense. The first half of Sky on Fire was an interesting reading experience. It fluctuated between dragging and almost being too tense for me to keep reading (but I’m a wimp). Dean was still at the superstore, while Alex was on the run with most of the kids trying to make it to the Denver airport in a very hostile environment. The stakes are definitely high in Sky on Fire. In the final third of the book almost every chapter seems to end with a massive WHOA moment before you’re taken back to the other POV character.
I should mention that while Alex and Dean could have been more distinct from each other, the rest of the characters were extremely well done. It took me a few chapters to remember which little boy was which, but otherwise everyone had a distinct (and at times hilarious) persona. You’ll find yourself really rooting at all the little kids get to safety because you know it would break your heart if any one of them died.
My biggest complaint with the book was some of the writing. Most of it was decently crafted and suitably tense, but some bits were just bad. You’ll find yourself doing a few double takes just to make sure you read that right, but if you’re willing to push past, the story is well worth a few awkward moments.
Going into this book, I didn’t realize it was the last in the series, but if you’re already a fan of these books I think you’ll be happy with the conclusion that Emmy Laybourne came up with. If you’re not already a fan of this series, and are a fan of books like Gone by Michael Grant, then I would absolutely recommend checking out Monument 14 and then Sky on Fire.
shelvesofsecrets's review against another edition
4.0
If I were to choose a favourite genre, I would likely choose apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic. Mix that with my love for YA and Monument 14 should theoretically be the series for me. While I found Monument 14 to be ok, I definitely found Sky on Fire to be an improvement! I love how Emmy Laybourne was able to mix defending what you have with being on the road, two important aspects of any survival story.
In this installment, we have alternating POV between Dean and his little brother Alex. I found myself preferring Alex's chapters, since I identified more with him as a character. However, there was nothing wrong with Dean's chapters, just personal preference. I often have issues with alternating POV, but I thought it worked in this one, considering the plot.
As I mentioned, I enjoyed reading Alex's POV, but I sometimes found Dean to be a bit meh. He doesn't have a ton of personality, besides being immensely devoted to Astrid, who I'm also not crazy about. However, I love a bunch of the other characters, especially the little kids. Max always has me laughing and Baptiste and Ulysses are adorable as well.
One thing I wasn't expecting were the feels I got near the end of the story! I had tears rolling down my cheeks! I don't want to give anything away, but I definitely had a few hugs on my heartstrings.
My only complaint is that this book was short at only 212 pages. I would have liked another 50-100 pages to feel a bit more satisfied.
I enjoyed Sky on Fire more than it's predecessor, Monument 14, so I'm hoping that Ms. Laybourne is able to keep up her momentum with Savage Drift, which comes out soon!
In this installment, we have alternating POV between Dean and his little brother Alex. I found myself preferring Alex's chapters, since I identified more with him as a character. However, there was nothing wrong with Dean's chapters, just personal preference. I often have issues with alternating POV, but I thought it worked in this one, considering the plot.
As I mentioned, I enjoyed reading Alex's POV, but I sometimes found Dean to be a bit meh. He doesn't have a ton of personality, besides being immensely devoted to Astrid, who I'm also not crazy about. However, I love a bunch of the other characters, especially the little kids. Max always has me laughing and Baptiste and Ulysses are adorable as well.
One thing I wasn't expecting were the feels I got near the end of the story! I had tears rolling down my cheeks! I don't want to give anything away, but I definitely had a few hugs on my heartstrings.
My only complaint is that this book was short at only 212 pages. I would have liked another 50-100 pages to feel a bit more satisfied.
I enjoyed Sky on Fire more than it's predecessor, Monument 14, so I'm hoping that Ms. Laybourne is able to keep up her momentum with Savage Drift, which comes out soon!
abergland7's review against another edition
3.0
Meh, read this one because everyone was saying that it was better then the first. Although that may be true, I still think that this book was lacking. Especially in the character department... I wish the plot was the same but with better, more likable and less stereotypical characters.
kristi_starr35's review against another edition
4.0
This sequel to Monument 14 isn't as predictable as you'd think. It reaches a satisfying conclusion - but there's just no market for only sequels these days. While there's no cliffhanger ending, there will be another book.
fractaltexan's review against another edition
4.0
It was a little fast paced, and very irritating with the change in text. A tad daring at times. But it was a good continuation of Monument 14 in retrospect. But are they truly the Monument 14 anymore?
epiremedy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
5.0
what an emotional rollercoaster.
I spent most of this book just sure I couldn't keep reading. I kept having to pause and take breathers,it was just sooo tough
but keep going, break through
the lovely story is so worth it.
I hope we get at least one more....
I spent most of this book just sure I couldn't keep reading. I kept having to pause and take breathers,it was just sooo tough
but keep going, break through
the lovely story is so worth it.
I hope we get at least one more....
computerabuser's review against another edition
4.0
This one is pretty short. A little bit of the same (with regards to the first book) but with a few new twists added in. It seemed to wrap up pretty nicely; I don't think a 3rd book is really necessary.
I would say somewhere between 3.75 & 4 stars.
I would say somewhere between 3.75 & 4 stars.