A review by marylannireads
Under the Fading Sky by Cynthia Kadohata

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 

Elijah Jensen lives a picture perfect life, painstakingly curated by his parents so he can have a more successful upbringing than they did. But as Elijah gets older, he begins to realize that his structured existence is anchoring him in a box that prevents him from achieving his true potential. One fateful day, Elijah's friend Lee over-rotates in a dangerous bike stunt that leaves him with a broken leg and a relationship with a former classmate that is less than ideal. And as Lee and Elijah fall more into the world of drugs and listlessness, the life Elijah has always envisioned takes an unexpected turn. This young adult novel is told in the first person from Elijah's perspective in a stream-of-consciousness narrative style. Elijah's thoughts are sometimes disjointed and occasionally foreshadow future events, and this design feels both aimless and intriguing at the same time. While the plot takes several chapters to gain momentum, the characters grow on the reader over time. Stereotypes of Asian families’ expectations of their children abound in this novel, causing readers to consider the potential ramifications that can come from even the most well-intentioned caregivers. And outside the world of affluence and influence are drugs, homelessness, and imperfection, and the divide between the haves and have nots becomes both more obvious and more convoluted as the story continues. Incorporation of strong language, drug references, and heavy discussions of mental health make this book best suited to mature readers, and the weight of the story will resonate with a wide range of ages. Though difficult at times to read, this novel offers a thoughtful and direct foundation from which readers can consider the far-reaching impacts of their actions and choices. This is a unique addition to contemporary fiction library collections for mature young adult readers.