Scan barcode
A review by thebooknerdscorner
A Light in the Sky by Shina Reynolds
5.0
A fantastical world filled with political turmoil, rising tension, and. . . flying horses?
"A Light in the Sky" follows Aluma Banks, a seventeen-year-old who has always dreamed of becoming a member of the king's Empyrean Cavalry, elite riders who ride flying horses. Her father has taught her to ride and trained her to fight, yet her refuses to allow her to compete in the Autumn Tournament, an annual competition that is held to gauge the abilities of young members of the community, to determine if they are worthy of becoming an Empyrean Rider. When Alumna's father is injured in a suspicious "accident," Aluma is thrust into the competition. But the closer Aluma gets to receiving her very own set of wings, she realizes that the Kingdom of Eirelannia has many secrets and that the Empyrean Cavalry isn't all that she believed it was. . .
I thought that the world of Eirelannia is so interesting. It is a magical world unlike any that I have ever read filled with complicated political turmoil, an interesting magic system, and winged steeds that are much more than just pegasi. Another thing that I found was cool is how some modern elements are interwoven into the magical world such as screens that function like televisions and karriers that serve as vehicles, such as cars and boats.
The names were another thing that I completely adored in this book. Reynolds' names are all so fresh that it took me awhile to memorize most of them, but it really added to the originality of ALITS. The main group of kids include Aluma, Thayer, Xander, Cloveman, Wolkenna, and Gattacan. I mean, aren't these names just so darn cool? I also enjoyed the entire main group as characters (except for Gattacan; I'll get to him in a second.) Aluma is strong, independent, and resilient. Thayer is so sweet, caring, and hard not to love. Wolkenna is beautiful, fierce, and willing to stand up for what she believes in. The characters all mesh well together and become quite a power team when united.
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the romance in this one. I was sold on Aluma and Thayer as a couple by page ten, so when Gattacan arrived on the scene, I became quite worried. I literally ranted about it to my sister for a couple hours after I got about three-fourths of the way through the book. I was so conflicted about the double romance element and I was making myself physically anxious hoping that Aluma would make an intelligent choice surrounding her romance options. I find Gattacan a bit possessive and demanding and he is just not my cup of tea. I'm on team sweet boy all the way!!!
Overall, I found "A Light in the Sky" to be a very unique fantasy novel filled with romance, betrayals, political turmoil, and interesting characters. I was so fully invested in every page and I kept feeling shocked that the book hadn't ended yet; it was jammed packed with action until the last page! I cannot wait to read the rest of the "Clashing Skies" series and I hope that they are just as good as this one. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book and bought it just because I thought it sounded good! I would totally recommend if you love uniquely structured fantasy worlds with complicated politics and magical systems accompanied with magic and plot twists.
"A Light in the Sky" follows Aluma Banks, a seventeen-year-old who has always dreamed of becoming a member of the king's Empyrean Cavalry, elite riders who ride flying horses. Her father has taught her to ride and trained her to fight, yet her refuses to allow her to compete in the Autumn Tournament, an annual competition that is held to gauge the abilities of young members of the community, to determine if they are worthy of becoming an Empyrean Rider. When Alumna's father is injured in a suspicious "accident," Aluma is thrust into the competition. But the closer Aluma gets to receiving her very own set of wings, she realizes that the Kingdom of Eirelannia has many secrets and that the Empyrean Cavalry isn't all that she believed it was. . .
I thought that the world of Eirelannia is so interesting. It is a magical world unlike any that I have ever read filled with complicated political turmoil, an interesting magic system, and winged steeds that are much more than just pegasi. Another thing that I found was cool is how some modern elements are interwoven into the magical world such as screens that function like televisions and karriers that serve as vehicles, such as cars and boats.
The names were another thing that I completely adored in this book. Reynolds' names are all so fresh that it took me awhile to memorize most of them, but it really added to the originality of ALITS. The main group of kids include Aluma, Thayer, Xander, Cloveman, Wolkenna, and Gattacan. I mean, aren't these names just so darn cool? I also enjoyed the entire main group as characters (except for Gattacan; I'll get to him in a second.) Aluma is strong, independent, and resilient. Thayer is so sweet, caring, and hard not to love. Wolkenna is beautiful, fierce, and willing to stand up for what she believes in. The characters all mesh well together and become quite a power team when united.
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the romance in this one. I was sold on Aluma and Thayer as a couple by page ten, so when Gattacan arrived on the scene, I became quite worried. I literally ranted about it to my sister for a couple hours after I got about three-fourths of the way through the book. I was so conflicted about the double romance element and I was making myself physically anxious hoping that Aluma would make an intelligent choice surrounding her romance options. I find Gattacan a bit possessive and demanding and he is just not my cup of tea. I'm on team sweet boy all the way!!!
Overall, I found "A Light in the Sky" to be a very unique fantasy novel filled with romance, betrayals, political turmoil, and interesting characters. I was so fully invested in every page and I kept feeling shocked that the book hadn't ended yet; it was jammed packed with action until the last page! I cannot wait to read the rest of the "Clashing Skies" series and I hope that they are just as good as this one. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book and bought it just because I thought it sounded good! I would totally recommend if you love uniquely structured fantasy worlds with complicated politics and magical systems accompanied with magic and plot twists.