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A review by caszriel
The Towering Sky by Katharine McGee
5.0
~I received a copy from HarperCollins New Zealand and willingly reviewed it~
In the glittering city of New York, the lives of five teenagers have been irrevocably changed by the events of the past year. Behind the façade lies vulnerability often undetected by those around them. As Avery, Leda, Calliope, Watt and Rylin struggle to move on with their lives, the police begin an investigation which won’t end without sacrifice and a confession of murder. They’ve all tried to forget, but running away is only avoiding the inevitable. Will they get the fresh start they so desire, or will it all end in heartbreak and tragedy?
“In particular, we long for stories that make us happy.”
You know I’m a sucker for anything set up with a futuristic feel and teen angst. This series has definitely been that, but so much more. I love how the story is structured, with small hints into each of these characters’ lives, which are concise but detailed. There are so many hidden, empowering messages which are deeper than the stories of the characters, which become more apparent the closer to the ending it gets.
“She stared at the glorious beauty of the horizon one last time, studying the way the snow began to dust everything, blanketing the city’s flaws, evening out its imperfections.”
I love the cast of the story. None of them are replaceable, and if they leave their “replacement” is yet another unique character who will add to the plot in a way that hasn’t been realised yet. Also; it’s so refreshing for not everyone to be white, in a way which accentuates culture rather than is obvious and half-hearted. In another book, Avery would be the centre of the story, but here Katharine McGee uses her as just another character, which is equally if not more effective; it allows readers to see behind “perfect” Avery in a different way, as well as giving the other characters the attention they deserve.
“Don’t make promises you can’t guarantee you’ll keep.”
What can I say about the ending, except perfection?? This book is Romeo and Juliet, with a different ending. Each book has begun with the idea of death, which links to the epilogue. The Towering Sky was the same, with one key difference; as readers it can finally be realised that at the centre of all the drama, is one girl. And she is strong, unwavering even as she is painted as fragile; a phoenix, waiting to rise up from the ashes of destruction. (I’m trying so hard to talk about this and not spoil it because it’s such an amazing ending!!) (Cont’d)
“After all, the fun of real-life stories is that they’re still being written.”
I nearly cried at the thought of saying goodbye to these characters. The arc of this story is prove that people can and do change, move on from tragedy, and gain a desire to be better people. I don’t have much else to say about this book in particular, except to tell you to read it and glean all the amazing lessons hidden within the pages: stay strong. Stand up for what you believe in. See the best side of people. Never forget that anything is possible if you fight for it hard enough.
In the glittering city of New York, the lives of five teenagers have been irrevocably changed by the events of the past year. Behind the façade lies vulnerability often undetected by those around them. As Avery, Leda, Calliope, Watt and Rylin struggle to move on with their lives, the police begin an investigation which won’t end without sacrifice and a confession of murder. They’ve all tried to forget, but running away is only avoiding the inevitable. Will they get the fresh start they so desire, or will it all end in heartbreak and tragedy?
“In particular, we long for stories that make us happy.”
You know I’m a sucker for anything set up with a futuristic feel and teen angst. This series has definitely been that, but so much more. I love how the story is structured, with small hints into each of these characters’ lives, which are concise but detailed. There are so many hidden, empowering messages which are deeper than the stories of the characters, which become more apparent the closer to the ending it gets.
“She stared at the glorious beauty of the horizon one last time, studying the way the snow began to dust everything, blanketing the city’s flaws, evening out its imperfections.”
I love the cast of the story. None of them are replaceable, and if they leave their “replacement” is yet another unique character who will add to the plot in a way that hasn’t been realised yet. Also; it’s so refreshing for not everyone to be white, in a way which accentuates culture rather than is obvious and half-hearted. In another book, Avery would be the centre of the story, but here Katharine McGee uses her as just another character, which is equally if not more effective; it allows readers to see behind “perfect” Avery in a different way, as well as giving the other characters the attention they deserve.
“Don’t make promises you can’t guarantee you’ll keep.”
What can I say about the ending, except perfection?? This book is Romeo and Juliet, with a different ending. Each book has begun with the idea of death, which links to the epilogue. The Towering Sky was the same, with one key difference; as readers it can finally be realised that at the centre of all the drama, is one girl. And she is strong, unwavering even as she is painted as fragile; a phoenix, waiting to rise up from the ashes of destruction. (I’m trying so hard to talk about this and not spoil it because it’s such an amazing ending!!) (Cont’d)
“After all, the fun of real-life stories is that they’re still being written.”
I nearly cried at the thought of saying goodbye to these characters. The arc of this story is prove that people can and do change, move on from tragedy, and gain a desire to be better people. I don’t have much else to say about this book in particular, except to tell you to read it and glean all the amazing lessons hidden within the pages: stay strong. Stand up for what you believe in. See the best side of people. Never forget that anything is possible if you fight for it hard enough.