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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I’m obsessed with this world. Obsessed.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
This felt like YA ADSOM meets Pokemon ethics, which is a very specific niche, but it worked.
The real star of this book is the world building - the dynamics of the political system, the concept of paper magic and shikigami, the flying ships and pirate-esque vibes of the crew - it was all so well developed, I felt like I was in the world. This is definitely where the ADSOM comparison come in - the depth of the world-building and the unique magic system made me feel like I was a part of the action.
Pokemon ethics is very specific, but the concept of these magical paper creatures, shikigami, having a master versus having autonomous thoughts feelings and the ethics behind it was a huge part of the story. What gives people the right to have governance over something/someone else? Because they're magical creature, why aren't they allowed the right to live freely? It provides interesting insight into a similar kind of ethics system and was a huge part of Kurara's story line. Honestly, one of the aspects of the story I found most interesting as her own history and shikigami history and autonomy was explored more.
I also liked the three POVs and how they contrasted each other in thought and end-goals, and how they helped to build the world. It felt like we got more of the larger picture as a result of the three POVs as well as different perspectives regarding politics and magic. That being said, I feel like this gave less time for character and relationship building - Kurara's POV was mostly ethics and Haru focused; Himura's POV looked more at Kurara's training and Crafters' knowledge limitations, as much of their history was lost; and the Interlude POV that was focused on the Sorabito people and the Sohma rebellion. There wasn't much room for the secondary characters as a result, and it felt like we didn't really get to the hearts of our three leads either because there was a lot to juggle.
While there was an overarching plot to this book, the end felt abrupt. We were left with a lot of loose ends, and while I know this is a trilogy, I felt like there wasn't anything solidly settled by the end and it felt unfinished as a result. I definitely will pick up the second book, as I'm so curious about the shikigami and exploring more of that magic system, but I do hope future instalments delve deeper into the characters and their relationships to one another.
TW: fire/fire injury, death, murder, injury detail, animal death (paper animal death, not dog), kidnapping (of sorts), slavery (of magical creatures), militaristic abuse of power; mentions war
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
ARC gifted by Tundra Books via Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The real star of this book is the world building - the dynamics of the political system, the concept of paper magic and shikigami, the flying ships and pirate-esque vibes of the crew - it was all so well developed, I felt like I was in the world. This is definitely where the ADSOM comparison come in - the depth of the world-building and the unique magic system made me feel like I was a part of the action.
Pokemon ethics is very specific, but the concept of these magical paper creatures, shikigami, having a master versus having autonomous thoughts feelings and the ethics behind it was a huge part of the story. What gives people the right to have governance over something/someone else? Because they're magical creature, why aren't they allowed the right to live freely? It provides interesting insight into a similar kind of ethics system and was a huge part of Kurara's story line. Honestly, one of the aspects of the story I found most interesting as her own history and shikigami history and autonomy was explored more.
I also liked the three POVs and how they contrasted each other in thought and end-goals, and how they helped to build the world. It felt like we got more of the larger picture as a result of the three POVs as well as different perspectives regarding politics and magic. That being said, I feel like this gave less time for character and relationship building - Kurara's POV was mostly ethics and Haru focused; Himura's POV looked more at Kurara's training and Crafters' knowledge limitations, as much of their history was lost; and the Interlude POV that was focused on the Sorabito people and the Sohma rebellion. There wasn't much room for the secondary characters as a result, and it felt like we didn't really get to the hearts of our three leads either because there was a lot to juggle.
While there was an overarching plot to this book, the end felt abrupt. We were left with a lot of loose ends, and while I know this is a trilogy, I felt like there wasn't anything solidly settled by the end and it felt unfinished as a result. I definitely will pick up the second book, as I'm so curious about the shikigami and exploring more of that magic system, but I do hope future instalments delve deeper into the characters and their relationships to one another.
TW: fire/fire injury, death, murder, injury detail, animal death (paper animal death, not dog), kidnapping (of sorts), slavery (of magical creatures), militaristic abuse of power; mentions war
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
ARC gifted by Tundra Books via Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Slavery, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great start to a series where creatures made of paper can be alive. Love the pacing, always moving forward with action, tension, goals to meet, on the move, fighting creatures, and discovering more darkness and truths about magic and the world. Awesome characters. In this first volume, one character is moving with the purpose of killing the empress's daughter who experiments with these paper creatures, and another needs her very much alive to save her friend. The world's main story continues but the two goals are the core and resolution of book one. I also loved the audiobook.
Kom ikke helt inn i den og valgte prioritere andre bøker (cruel prince, hofas), nå må den leveres til biblio. Den er nok for et yngre publikum.
I received a copy of Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Rebel Skies is a young adult fantasy novel about Kurara who works as a servant onboard the flying ship Midori. She has no memory of her life before Midori, aside from the little that her friend, Haru, has told her about their home village. Kurara can make folded paper figures come to life - something that she has been urged to keep a secret as her power is coveted across the empire. Kurara and Haru dream of leaving the ship to go explore the world but before they are able to make this happen, a sudden attack on the Midori send the two of them escaping for their lives. But as the two escape, unfortunate events happen and Kurara finds herself on a journey to save her friend, while also learning more about her powers and the mysteries behind the shikigami and Crafters like herself.
This was such a fantastic debut fantasy novel. The world within Rebel Skies is filled with magic, mystery, and a cast of characters that surprised and excited me. There was so much to discover alongside Kurara as she finally got to the explore the world and also herself, as the mysteries that begin to unfold may be revealed by regaining the memories that she, herself, has lost. I'm looking forward to continuing to read Kurara's story.
Rebel Skies is a young adult fantasy novel about Kurara who works as a servant onboard the flying ship Midori. She has no memory of her life before Midori, aside from the little that her friend, Haru, has told her about their home village. Kurara can make folded paper figures come to life - something that she has been urged to keep a secret as her power is coveted across the empire. Kurara and Haru dream of leaving the ship to go explore the world but before they are able to make this happen, a sudden attack on the Midori send the two of them escaping for their lives. But as the two escape, unfortunate events happen and Kurara finds herself on a journey to save her friend, while also learning more about her powers and the mysteries behind the shikigami and Crafters like herself.
This was such a fantastic debut fantasy novel. The world within Rebel Skies is filled with magic, mystery, and a cast of characters that surprised and excited me. There was so much to discover alongside Kurara as she finally got to the explore the world and also herself, as the mysteries that begin to unfold may be revealed by regaining the memories that she, herself, has lost. I'm looking forward to continuing to read Kurara's story.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
A complex and interesting world, great characters, and a plot that grabs you. I never would have pegged this as a debut novel, it's so well-written. I"m really looking forward to the second book!
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
A fun, interesting and imaginative world full of twists and turns - intrigued to see where the story will go if there is a sequel