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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting concept but didn’t love the writing.
well… there is simply nothing worse than reading a 340 page book and being bored the entire way through.
it just didn’t work for me and that’s okay (i had this book on-hand, wasn’t something i exactly chose for myself)! i’m not the target audience, who this is perfect for aka readers transitioning out of middle grade and entering ya + new to fantasy. the studio ghibli pitch was right on target with the unique magic system, but i was just so underwhelmed. nothing captured my attention and i really mean nothing—even the characters felt very one-dimensional. never was a fan of a hero’s journey story even as a kid, so not caring for the protagonist definitely didn’t help here.
then the pacing was strange… i didn’t understand the point “interlude” chapters. the author could’ve found a better way to incorporate these scenes and context, but i wonder if sei lin did this because of the juvenile audience? either way, young readers are capable of comprehending information without it being so obviously laid out.
it just didn’t work for me and that’s okay (i had this book on-hand, wasn’t something i exactly chose for myself)! i’m not the target audience, who this is perfect for aka readers transitioning out of middle grade and entering ya + new to fantasy. the studio ghibli pitch was right on target with the unique magic system, but i was just so underwhelmed. nothing captured my attention and i really mean nothing—even the characters felt very one-dimensional. never was a fan of a hero’s journey story even as a kid, so not caring for the protagonist definitely didn’t help here.
then the pacing was strange… i didn’t understand the point “interlude” chapters. the author could’ve found a better way to incorporate these scenes and context, but i wonder if sei lin did this because of the juvenile audience? either way, young readers are capable of comprehending information without it being so obviously laid out.
Flying ships and sky cities, what go wrong? This is a steampunk teen fantasy book that blends folklore and dystopian-esque vibes really well. What I like in fantasy the most is world building and this book didn't fell short with it. Truly a wonderful treat to experience.
Could've rated this a five if not for the ending that didn't bind well. Cliffhangers are fine especially for a series but there's a so called clincher ending that can jumpstart a reader in anticipating the next installment - didn't get it immediately here but the direction where it's heading sounds wonderful. Will I read the next one? Yes
Could've rated this a five if not for the ending that didn't bind well. Cliffhangers are fine especially for a series but there's a so called clincher ending that can jumpstart a reader in anticipating the next installment - didn't get it immediately here but the direction where it's heading sounds wonderful. Will I read the next one? Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
This was such a great concept, there were a few things that fell a little flat for me.
The world building is so good, as others have said, it's reminiscent of Studio Ghibli but also it's very much it's own thing. Kurara growing in confidence and power The Shikigami are way cool, I can't wait to learn more about them in the next book(s). The magic was day-dream inducing. As a bookseller, I'm now imagining what a Crafter could do with all the paper in the shop. It could be a great way to get kids into origami. The action was fast and fun, the characters are entertaining (but I want to know them better), and LGBTQ support is always fantastic to see.
I love love love the formatting- the decorative border at chapter beginnings, the fonts, the maps and short appendices at the end. I would absolutely have picked this up as a kid and been drawn in by those details.
I'd say this is a solid middle-grade story, the content may be stressful for some kids, but the dialogue and internal monologue made this feel incredibly young. At it's core (pun) the story is about a girl coming into her power and confidence- how old the girl is seems to be left out? I kept feeling like she was 12, but Haru seems SO YOUNG despite being older, and then Kimura feels so much older (17?) and is supposed to only be a year or two older than Kurara? I've reread the first few chapters a couple times trying to figure it out, but seem to be stumped. I also want to know more about how the ships fly, how Sola-Il floats. There's one line that mentions levistone, but how's it all work? How can that be integrated naturally within the story instead of info dumping?
The repetition of a few phrases is tiresome, I can see some higher level readers getting annoyed with it. There is a moment when I thought foreshadowing was happening concerning the control/calming of the Shikigami, but it never happened- or it's being held until a later book. I think it was a massive missed opportunity, but fingers crossed for book 2!
This was such a great concept, there were a few things that fell a little flat for me.
The world building is so good, as others have said, it's reminiscent of Studio Ghibli but also it's very much it's own thing. Kurara growing in confidence and power The Shikigami are way cool, I can't wait to learn more about them in the next book(s). The magic was day-dream inducing. As a bookseller, I'm now imagining what a Crafter could do with all the paper in the shop. It could be a great way to get kids into origami. The action was fast and fun, the characters are entertaining (but I want to know them better), and LGBTQ support is always fantastic to see.
I love love love the formatting- the decorative border at chapter beginnings, the fonts, the maps and short appendices at the end. I would absolutely have picked this up as a kid and been drawn in by those details.
I'd say this is a solid middle-grade story, the content may be stressful for some kids, but the dialogue and internal monologue made this feel incredibly young. At it's core (pun) the story is about a girl coming into her power and confidence- how old the girl is seems to be left out? I kept feeling like she was 12, but Haru seems SO YOUNG despite being older, and then Kimura feels so much older (17?) and is supposed to only be a year or two older than Kurara? I've reread the first few chapters a couple times trying to figure it out, but seem to be stumped. I also want to know more about how the ships fly, how Sola-Il floats. There's one line that mentions levistone, but how's it all work? How can that be integrated naturally within the story instead of info dumping?
The repetition of a few phrases is tiresome, I can see some higher level readers getting annoyed with it. There is a moment when I thought foreshadowing was happening concerning the control/calming of the Shikigami, but it never happened- or it's being held until a later book. I think it was a massive missed opportunity, but fingers crossed for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Colonisation
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
definitely on the younger end of ya for me; fantastic concept though! loved how unashamedly japanese it was - everyone's wearing kimono and hakama, the paper walls and tatami mats, *chefs kiss*
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
6th & up
Read for Review
Living as a servant in the immobile sky castle, Midori, Kurara keeps to herself and only her best friend, Haru, knows that she can manipulate paper to become animals, stars, basically anything. They live a quiet life serving throughout Midori, then a Crafter finds her – Crafters are those that control paper, and Kurara is one of them. Escaping the Midori, she joins an airship whose main purpose is chasing and destroying rouge Shikigami, giant monsters made out of paper. Learning how to become a proper Crafter, Kurara travels with the crew across Mikoshima and faces a whole new world full of adventure and intrigue.
Told from multiple perspectives throughout the story, Rebel Skies is about young Kurara learning more about the world and more about herself. Set in a world full of skyships, flying cities and paper spirits, this book feels like a Japanese anime with action, adventure, humour and cultural aspects including clothing, character names and weaponry. At the start of the book, there is a map showing land cities and sky cities, as well as a few illustrations to assist readers in understanding the world that the author has built. This fantasy novel is the first in a new series, and readers will find the book is evenly paced with a nice steady flow of story. With a wide variety of characters, those reading the book will find some characters relatable and others annoying, which gives a nice depth to the story. Fans of Studio Ghibli anime will enjoy the book, as would fans of manga.
Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Japan, Dystopian, Action, Humour, Relationships
Living as a servant in the immobile sky castle, Midori, Kurara keeps to herself and only her best friend, Haru, knows that she can manipulate paper to become animals, stars, basically anything. They live a quiet life serving throughout Midori, then a Crafter finds her – Crafters are those that control paper, and Kurara is one of them. Escaping the Midori, she joins an airship whose main purpose is chasing and destroying rouge Shikigami, giant monsters made out of paper. Learning how to become a proper Crafter, Kurara travels with the crew across Mikoshima and faces a whole new world full of adventure and intrigue.
Told from multiple perspectives throughout the story, Rebel Skies is about young Kurara learning more about the world and more about herself. Set in a world full of skyships, flying cities and paper spirits, this book feels like a Japanese anime with action, adventure, humour and cultural aspects including clothing, character names and weaponry. At the start of the book, there is a map showing land cities and sky cities, as well as a few illustrations to assist readers in understanding the world that the author has built. This fantasy novel is the first in a new series, and readers will find the book is evenly paced with a nice steady flow of story. With a wide variety of characters, those reading the book will find some characters relatable and others annoying, which gives a nice depth to the story. Fans of Studio Ghibli anime will enjoy the book, as would fans of manga.
Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Japan, Dystopian, Action, Humour, Relationships