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tarynwanderer's review
2.0
I know that young adult literature is undergoing a revival, both in publisher interest and popular culture. I know that everyone, young and old, has been enjoying “new” YA, from Twilight to The Book Thief to The Fault in Our Stars. I know that there is some fine YA out there, and that I’ve been lucky enough to have read some of it when I was actually a young adult.
I also know that I personally struggle to appreciate the current trends of YA sometimes, and that I am basically a grumpy old curmudgeon, yelling at kids to get off my lawn.
All of this to say that I am not the target audience for Kat Ellis’s debut YA novel, Blackfin Sky, but it’s not because it is YA; it’s because it is not a well-crafted novel overall. In fact, I think it is pandering and insulting to its intended audience of young adults, many of whom are critical and discerning readers themselves.
Blackfin Sky starts off promisingly enough: Sky Rousseau is dead. Or rather, she was dead–for three months. Now, to the shock of the town of Blackfin, she’s alive and well, with no memory of the time that she spent “dead.” This part of the book was enjoyable, as Sky’s family and friends tried to deal with her apparent resurrection, and Sky struggled to unravel the mystery of what really happened the night she supposedly drowned. Then things start getting a little bonkers, as Sky discovers she has certain special abilities, that the burned-down circus on the edge of town holds importance to many of the secrets of her past, and that someone out there is hunting her down. This summary makes the disparate elements sound more cohesive than they actually are. Thrown into that main plotline are narrative cul de sacs like a missing little boy at the circus, a murder mystery, a “haunted” house, and some truly distracting attempts at a French accent.
It’s not often that I want a book I am not enjoying to be longer, but many aspects of Blackfin Sky could have used more fleshing out. Certain details were dropped into the story and then never referred to again, despite raising questions. (Where do Sky’s powers come from? What’s the story with the amber skull that the main baddie derives his own power from? Why are killer whales called “blackfins?” Why does everyone end up having powers and doesn’t that defeat the purpose?!?!)
Please find the rest of this review over at Bookwanderer!
I also know that I personally struggle to appreciate the current trends of YA sometimes, and that I am basically a grumpy old curmudgeon, yelling at kids to get off my lawn.
All of this to say that I am not the target audience for Kat Ellis’s debut YA novel, Blackfin Sky, but it’s not because it is YA; it’s because it is not a well-crafted novel overall. In fact, I think it is pandering and insulting to its intended audience of young adults, many of whom are critical and discerning readers themselves.
Blackfin Sky starts off promisingly enough: Sky Rousseau is dead. Or rather, she was dead–for three months. Now, to the shock of the town of Blackfin, she’s alive and well, with no memory of the time that she spent “dead.” This part of the book was enjoyable, as Sky’s family and friends tried to deal with her apparent resurrection, and Sky struggled to unravel the mystery of what really happened the night she supposedly drowned. Then things start getting a little bonkers, as Sky discovers she has certain special abilities, that the burned-down circus on the edge of town holds importance to many of the secrets of her past, and that someone out there is hunting her down. This summary makes the disparate elements sound more cohesive than they actually are. Thrown into that main plotline are narrative cul de sacs like a missing little boy at the circus, a murder mystery, a “haunted” house, and some truly distracting attempts at a French accent.
It’s not often that I want a book I am not enjoying to be longer, but many aspects of Blackfin Sky could have used more fleshing out. Certain details were dropped into the story and then never referred to again, despite raising questions. (Where do Sky’s powers come from? What’s the story with the amber skull that the main baddie derives his own power from? Why are killer whales called “blackfins?” Why does everyone end up having powers and doesn’t that defeat the purpose?!?!)
Please find the rest of this review over at Bookwanderer!
marnienicole's review
3.0
Hmm... Its been a few weeks and I'm still not sure how I felt about this read. I mean I finished fairly quickly but I never fell into the story and Or the characters. Overall, it felt a bit slow in the pacing and often the drama seemed dragged our. But I like that it felt odd, the town, the people, the world.
f33lthesun's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
erickalundry's review
2.0
I perhaps had too high expectations for this book because I loved the premise.
It just fell way flat for me.
It just fell way flat for me.
ljbentley27's review
3.0
Kat Ellis’ debut novel Blackfin Sky is a quirky fantasy novel that focuses on Skylar Rousseau, a high school student from the creepy town of Blackfin, who turns up one day at school. So far, so normal. However, three months earlier, on her sixteenth birthday, Skylar died in a drowning accident.
Ok so now you know the premise of the story here is where things get weird. Nobody seems too freaked out that a girl has returned from the dead. It is just sort of accepted. I get it, this is a fantasy novel and you need to suspend your disbelief but still it does leave the reader with a few questions.
Skylar’s life carries on just like it did before: going to school, hanging out with friends, being mysteriously deported to a parallel universe that has a circus – yep, I am being a bit facetious here because it left me with more questions than answers.
To be fair to Kat Ellis, I am not Blackfin Sky’s target audience and it is possibly easier for younger readers to read it in a more open minded way. Also, the style of writing is really good and engaging. I just don’t think that I’m the correct person to review Blackfin Sky due to my age and also my genre preferences. I would not discourage you to read this book; read it and make up your own mind.
Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis is available now.
Ok so now you know the premise of the story here is where things get weird. Nobody seems too freaked out that a girl has returned from the dead. It is just sort of accepted. I get it, this is a fantasy novel and you need to suspend your disbelief but still it does leave the reader with a few questions.
Skylar’s life carries on just like it did before: going to school, hanging out with friends, being mysteriously deported to a parallel universe that has a circus – yep, I am being a bit facetious here because it left me with more questions than answers.
To be fair to Kat Ellis, I am not Blackfin Sky’s target audience and it is possibly easier for younger readers to read it in a more open minded way. Also, the style of writing is really good and engaging. I just don’t think that I’m the correct person to review Blackfin Sky due to my age and also my genre preferences. I would not discourage you to read this book; read it and make up your own mind.
Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis is available now.
jen_d's review
5.0
I received this book as a "first reads" giveaway on Goodreads.
The plot for this book sounded so intriguing that I was immediately drawn towards it and it didn't disappoint.
It's very impressive knowing that this is Kat Ellis' first novel.
From the start the story captures the imagination and continues to hold it until the very last page. I would urge anyone who loves YA, fantasy and magic to read this book.
I personally can't wait to read more from this author.
The plot for this book sounded so intriguing that I was immediately drawn towards it and it didn't disappoint.
It's very impressive knowing that this is Kat Ellis' first novel.
From the start the story captures the imagination and continues to hold it until the very last page. I would urge anyone who loves YA, fantasy and magic to read this book.
I personally can't wait to read more from this author.
marcella98's review
3.0
Didn't like this as much as Harrow Lake, unfortunately. Still an enjoyable read and Sharkfin was a fun village to explore!
I personally prefer my horror/thriller books slightly more grounded in reality, and I feel like there were a lot of gaps in the explanations of how the whole Thing (you'll know what I mean if you've read it) works.
I personally prefer my horror/thriller books slightly more grounded in reality, and I feel like there were a lot of gaps in the explanations of how the whole Thing (you'll know what I mean if you've read it) works.
subtle_sarcasm's review
4.0
Not at all what I was expecting. Very different, cool and a little Night-Vale-esque.