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kmartbooks 's review for:
A Sky So Hollow
by Craig Montgomery
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
A strong finale that isn’t afraid to challenge its characters, but in ways that feel thoughtful and completely earned.
I loved Helix and Casper together, but that didn’t mean their journey was over. There’s still so much emotional growth (both personal and relationship) packed into this story. The conflict between them, especially around how they process and express emotion, really hit home for me. It’s rare that I feel seen like that in a book, but wow. You didn't have to come for me like that, Craig. That argument? Brutal and honest and real. And hits a little close to home. Thank you, ✨trauma✨
Compared to the first book, this one is way less political and far more personal. At times, they weirdly don’t always feel like two halves of the same duology? I don't dislike it, but it doesn't feel completely cohesive, if I'm splitting hairs. I love both of these books for different reasons.
The monsters are grotesque and deeply cool (shoutout to body horror fans), and they feel like a physical manifestation of rage, wild and unrelenting and very symbolic. That allegory worked so well for me. The world-building escalates fast, and while the politics of Novilem take a bit of a backseat, the stakes are still sky high. There are great themes threaded throughout: oppression, privilege, grief, and how messy relationships can be, even (especially) when love is involved.
Also, as someone who lives in Chicago, the Earth scenes (the Christmasing!!) were so vivid and personal. I could SEE it. The quiet intimacy of those scenes really balanced out the rest.
All in all, this duology stuck the landing. Uneven in some ways, but heartfelt, intense, and full of love, monsters, and very human mess.
I appreciate the complimentary copy from the author and this review is voluntary. All opinions are my own.
I loved Helix and Casper together, but that didn’t mean their journey was over. There’s still so much emotional growth (both personal and relationship) packed into this story. The conflict between them, especially around how they process and express emotion, really hit home for me. It’s rare that I feel seen like that in a book, but wow. You didn't have to come for me like that, Craig. That argument? Brutal and honest and real. And hits a little close to home. Thank you, ✨trauma✨
Compared to the first book, this one is way less political and far more personal. At times, they weirdly don’t always feel like two halves of the same duology? I don't dislike it, but it doesn't feel completely cohesive, if I'm splitting hairs. I love both of these books for different reasons.
The monsters are grotesque and deeply cool (shoutout to body horror fans), and they feel like a physical manifestation of rage, wild and unrelenting and very symbolic. That allegory worked so well for me. The world-building escalates fast, and while the politics of Novilem take a bit of a backseat, the stakes are still sky high. There are great themes threaded throughout: oppression, privilege, grief, and how messy relationships can be, even (especially) when love is involved.
Also, as someone who lives in Chicago, the Earth scenes (the Christmasing!!) were so vivid and personal. I could SEE it. The quiet intimacy of those scenes really balanced out the rest.
All in all, this duology stuck the landing. Uneven in some ways, but heartfelt, intense, and full of love, monsters, and very human mess.
I appreciate the complimentary copy from the author and this review is voluntary. All opinions are my own.