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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
A fabulous fantasy debut from Ann Sei Lin. At first I was sceptical about the efficacy of paper magic, but this had me fully persuaded by the end. This felt very Studio Ghibli, with a warmth to it that felt comforting even when there was peril or a character did something notably villainous. I would say that the title doesn't feel like it reflects the content very well, however, and that this definitely errs on the Middle Grade end rather than being strictly YA. Also - love, love, LOVE Akane.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s clear this book was written for the younger side of the young adult audience, and after a few chapters, i feared i wouldn’t like it due to the added complexity i usually get from adult fantasy.
but i was pleasantly surprised. Rebel Skies feels like a long car ride with the wind in your hair, with the added fantasy of violent paper spirits who can talk.
I wasn’t sure about our MC Kurara at first—she seemed very childish and determined to disobey the people who were trying to help her, but she really grew on me. Her development was lovely to read, and i personally want to thank the author for those short chapters!! 339 pages and 43 chapters!! it was so easy read (coming from someone who gets easily distracted) and if this is the first book in the series, i can’t wait for the sequel to come out :D
would definitely recommend for getting out of a reading slump or you’re just looking to read something still very-much fantasy but on the simpler side.
but i was pleasantly surprised. Rebel Skies feels like a long car ride with the wind in your hair, with the added fantasy of violent paper spirits who can talk.
I wasn’t sure about our MC Kurara at first—she seemed very childish and determined to disobey the people who were trying to help her, but she really grew on me. Her development was lovely to read, and i personally want to thank the author for those short chapters!! 339 pages and 43 chapters!! it was so easy read (coming from someone who gets easily distracted) and if this is the first book in the series, i can’t wait for the sequel to come out :D
would definitely recommend for getting out of a reading slump or you’re just looking to read something still very-much fantasy but on the simpler side.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rebel Skies was pretty good. The concept is cool, and the world-building is strong. There some strong Studio Ghibli vibes to it, and I could absolutely imagine it as a Ghibli movie. But it didn't really grab me. It took me longer to read than I expected, because I found that it was easy to put down and forget about. I'm sure I'll read the inevitable sequel, because I did like the book, but I just hope it catches my attention more than this did.
Reading Rebel Skies felt a lot like traveling through time - in the sense that it was as if I was transported back into my younger reader self. I saw everything through the curious eyes of a child, brimming with fathomless wonder and amazement.
In contrast to many YA fantasy series, Rebel Skies reads much more low-key, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. While many stories try to reel in readers through fast-paced plots and high-adrenaline action scenes, this unassuming novel captivates through its characters and the unique vividness of its magical world.
In many ways, Rebel Skies has the delightful atmosphere of a Studio Ghibli film. Definitely a charming debut that's full of heart and imagination.
Recommended!
* I received an ARC of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
In contrast to many YA fantasy series, Rebel Skies reads much more low-key, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. While many stories try to reel in readers through fast-paced plots and high-adrenaline action scenes, this unassuming novel captivates through its characters and the unique vividness of its magical world.
In many ways, Rebel Skies has the delightful atmosphere of a Studio Ghibli film. Definitely a charming debut that's full of heart and imagination.
Recommended!
* I received an ARC of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
the first 100 pages were tough on me icl, but when it got good? it got GOOD!!!! cannot wait for the next two books in the trilogy oh my gosh
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of the great things about book subscriptions and book clubs is that they can broaden your horizons a bit and lead you to books you wouldn’t have otherwise come across, which is the case for me with this book – I’m not all that sure I would have picked this up of my own accord. But I would have been massively missing out as I have loved reading this.
This book introduces us to Kurara, a young girl who has paper magic – she can fold paper with her mind and bring it to life. The story is set in a world where there is an Empire that controls the civilization living on the ground, and there are cities in the skies who at least some of the inhabitants want independence from the Empire. In addition, there are giant paper magic creatures called shikigami who can cause a lot of destruction. Early on in the novel, Kurara is found by a fellow user of paper magic, Himura, who tells her she is a crafter and takes her to live and work with him on board an airship, from where they hunt shikigami and retrieve their paper cores, which is what is implied to contain the enchantment that make these creatures live. The cores are then sold to the Princess, who researches them.
The world building is exquisite and just makes me want to know more – I want to learn about the magic system, about the Empire and the political set-up, how the sky cities were established and how long ago such that the inhabitants are now considered like a separate race. It’s very original and was a huge breath of fresh air – I love a demon and fae/chosen one style epic series but there are a lot of those so its good to shake it up and read something that really departs from that. In fact, if you don’t like romance in your fantasy fiction then I have good news for you, because there is no love interest or romantic subplot. The closest it comes is the implication of a potential romance between two background characters.
There were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming – one I think I probably should have, but I was so wrapped up in soaking up all the world building and wondering about what I was learning about it that I didn’t really take note of the clues that were there. It left me feeling winded and knocked off course, which is a really great reaction to have to a plot twist. I did suspect the betrayal of a certain character who I will decline to name to avoid spoilers, but even though I anticipated it, when it happened it left me so mad that I was still feeling it days later. I have rarely been so enraged with a fictional character, I wanted to reach into the book and shake them.
Overall, though, I would have liked to see deeper characterisation, as many of the supporting cast felt quite flat and interchangeable, I didn’t really have a good feel for their personalities. It was a bit like characterisation suffered at the expense of the world building, as that is so rich and detailed compared to the cast.
When I started this novel, I didn’t realise that it’s the first in a trilogy, so I was frustrated by how little was answered or resolved at the end of this book. Even knowing it’s the start of a series, it still feels a bit like it’s the first half of a first instalment or a prequel novella of a sprawling fantasy epic. The ending feels quite abrupt, just as the action and narrative conflicts are really being laid out.
That being said, I loved every moment I was reading it and will definitely be picking up the next instalment without question. Despite the weaker characterisation of the supporting cast, I gave it 4/5 stars because I am very generous with my star ratings, I adored reading it, I’d happily read it again, I’ll absolutely be reading the next book and I do really recommend it.