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alexandra_92's review
4.0
I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Review can also be found on *Milky Way of Books*
There is nothing I don't enjoy more than reading books co-written by Amie and Meagan! The vivid imaginary, the amazing world-building, and the feelings and character development all blend together in this stunning new book which is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy.
North and Nimh had to navigate their worlds their different aspects of life and discover the secrets behind the reason Sky and ground are separated. You will enjoy this one trust me!
There is nothing I don't enjoy more than reading books co-written by Amie and Meagan! The vivid imaginary, the amazing world-building, and the feelings and character development all blend together in this stunning new book which is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy.
North and Nimh had to navigate their worlds their different aspects of life and discover the secrets behind the reason Sky and ground are separated. You will enjoy this one trust me!
knightjpg's review
1.0
I... don't really know what to say. I liked the promised concept, but the execution was tragic.
First off -- I didn't like Nimh. She was dramatic, contradicting, and the corny kind of tragically beautiful-but-hurting YA protagonist. She committed the crime of whispering "run" at the end of a chapter, twice.
North was sometimes bearable. I like that he took actions that spurred on the story rather than just letting things happen to him (which would honestly be understandable given his falling down the sky and everything). I also liked him being introduced as an adventurer/explorer, a trait that was completely ignored as the book progressed.
He is royalty though, which is a big minus point in my book. Monarchies are terrible and boring, especially ones that are as fixated on the bloodline as his. There was also no real meaning to his family ruling over sky island, aside from ~political intrigue~ and ~drama~ because it meant that North couldn't be in a poly relationship with his two friends.
Their romance, though, if that's what you can call it -- urgh bleurgh get it away from me. Insta-love based on nothing, making puppy eyes at each other during moments of terror/danger/death/etc and insane thoughts like "She changed me... When did that happen?"
It can only have happened instantly my man because you've known each other THREE DAYS, during most of which you've been on the run/fighting/hiding.
Or when North says "the way she smiles...". Eugh. My eyes rolled so far back in my head I could see my own brain. At this point they'd spent a number of hours together.
Their every interaction is rushed into stereotypical ~romantic scenes~. Listen, I love stereotype romance scenes, and they can be done well, but all of these were forced and unnatural. I cringed a lot.
Basically, their "romance" is YA dramatic in the worst possible way with no realistic progression whatsoever. North is too much of a horny teenager who loses all critical thought because Nimh is just so tragic and so sad and so beautiful, despite her showing him a number of times she hasn't been trusting him/telling him everything.
It all just feels unnatural and I was completely turned off by whatever chemistry the writers thought these two should be having.
Other grievances of note;
The fight scene with was clunky and did not read well. What even was going on there...
The Reveal tm that
Nimh basically just believing Insha right away about
Nimh just going insane mode???
And what's worse is that North witnesses this, condemns it, and STILL has the hots for her. Lord.
Before I was even halfway through I just wanted it to be over. I skimmed the last couple of chapters because it was so incredibly freaking boring. The only character I remotely cared about was the bindle cat, because cat. I am sad that his existence only seemed to serve as a thing to facilitate Nimh and North getting closer.
All in all! I had a bad time. I can't even recommend it for fans of YA, that's how flimsy it all was.
First off -- I didn't like Nimh. She was dramatic, contradicting, and the corny kind of tragically beautiful-but-hurting YA protagonist. She committed the crime of whispering "run" at the end of a chapter, twice.
North was sometimes bearable. I like that he took actions that spurred on the story rather than just letting things happen to him (which would honestly be understandable given his falling down the sky and everything). I also liked him being introduced as an adventurer/explorer, a trait that was completely ignored as the book progressed.
He is royalty though, which is a big minus point in my book. Monarchies are terrible and boring, especially ones that are as fixated on the bloodline as his. There was also no real meaning to his family ruling over sky island, aside from ~political intrigue~ and ~drama~ because it meant that North couldn't be in a poly relationship with his two friends.
Their romance, though, if that's what you can call it -- urgh bleurgh get it away from me. Insta-love based on nothing, making puppy eyes at each other during moments of terror/danger/death/etc and insane thoughts like "She changed me... When did that happen?"
It can only have happened instantly my man because you've known each other THREE DAYS, during most of which you've been on the run/fighting/hiding.
Or when North says "the way she smiles...". Eugh. My eyes rolled so far back in my head I could see my own brain. At this point they'd spent a number of hours together.
Their every interaction is rushed into stereotypical ~romantic scenes~. Listen, I love stereotype romance scenes, and they can be done well, but all of these were forced and unnatural. I cringed a lot.
Basically, their "romance" is YA dramatic in the worst possible way with no realistic progression whatsoever. North is too much of a horny teenager who loses all critical thought because Nimh is just so tragic and so sad and so beautiful, despite her showing him a number of times she hasn't been trusting him/telling him everything.
It all just feels unnatural and I was completely turned off by whatever chemistry the writers thought these two should be having.
Other grievances of note;
The fight scene with
Spoiler
Daoman and ElkisaThe Reveal tm that
Spoiler
Elkisa was actually Insha's lover was so??? huh???? I just didn't understand what on earth it was supposed to add to the story. Except shock value, like oh no... our tragic girl Nimh... She Hath Been Betrayed.... by her own bff.....tragedy....Nimh basically just believing Insha right away about
Spoiler
her holding North hostage. based on what??? It's something else to say "this is probably a trap but I'll go anyway because North might be in danger", but no, characters actually using their brain must not be expected to be found in this book.Nimh just going insane mode???
Spoiler
When was "killing everyone and everything for Rebirth" on the table?? Hello?????? And then threatening North to make him stay with her magic... Which was then played off as "I'm so sad... I let him go... I loved him too much" what??????????????And what's worse is that North witnesses this, condemns it, and STILL has the hots for her. Lord.
Before I was even halfway through I just wanted it to be over. I skimmed the last couple of chapters because it was so incredibly freaking boring. The only character I remotely cared about was the bindle cat, because cat. I am sad that his existence only seemed to serve as a thing to facilitate Nimh and North getting closer.
All in all! I had a bad time. I can't even recommend it for fans of YA, that's how flimsy it all was.
adajayne's review
4.0
This book. It kind of had a slow start and it was hard to really get into, but when I did, I could not put it down. This book was my perfect combination of sci-fi and fantasy. The romance is also *chef’s kiss* I just love it. It's somehow frustrating in a good way. Some of the “plot twists” were predictable and I have made a few predictions for the next book I am fairly sure will happen but that just makes me more excited to read it. This book still managed to surprise me in certain instances though, so I was never sure I was right. This added to the excitement.
Somehow, with the detachment that came with the world that I would never really be able to understand, the relationships and world-building were so realistic.
This book was amazing and the only reason I didn't give it 5 give stars is because of the slow start.
Somehow, with the detachment that came with the world that I would never really be able to understand, the relationships and world-building were so realistic.
This book was amazing and the only reason I didn't give it 5 give stars is because of the slow start.
stonesanelane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
caitlinxx05's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There’s a lot of good to be said about this book.
Despite it taking a bit to pick up, it’s written nicely and really introduces you to the world (or worlds, actually) well. The world and storyline feel really unique and I absolutely LOVE the way technology and magic are combined -it feels flawless, somehow.
Then, as much as you’re reading two pov’s, it doesn’t so much feel like you’re reading two writing styles -two authors. A few times it did feel like the Nimh I read from North’s pov didn’t quite match (and the other way around too), which was a bit off-putting, but otherwise it all fit well together.
I think though -as much as I love authors working together- that this book would’ve been better off being just one pov -North’s probably, as to learn about the Below with him and strengthen the quest to get back up.
It probably also would have allowed for more feelings, for that to take more space, because when Nimh said (near the end) “The boy I gave my heart to.” my response wasn’t kicking feet as it should’ve been, but ‘uh, what?? Since when??’ because sadly, I did not feel -any of it. Friends, sure, that far they’d come, but the love she’s implying really wasn’t there for me.
Lastly, I do think the book was too long, a bit. At first it was really nice to have lots of information woven well into a set up for the story, but then it kept moving slow and only near 3/4th does it really get going.
Curious to see what will happen in the next book -if I can find a copy of it, that is.
linguin's review
2.0
The other side of the sky hat mich ehrlich gesagt nicht wegen des Covers oder des Inhaltes so gelockt, selbst wenn mich beides angesprochen hat, sondern wegen des Autorinnen-Duos. Ich habe seit meiner ersten Begegnung mit den beiden keine so gute Erfahrung wie damals mehr gemacht und hoffe seitdem, ein Buch von ihnen zu finden, was meine Erinnerung noch übertreffen kann. Leider ist das auch mit dieser Geschichte nicht gelungen, was ich schade finde, denn das Potenzial war da.
Das Verweben von Fantasy und Science Fiction, von Moderne und Vergangenheit, von fortschrittlichster Technik und einer abergläubischen Kultur, die Gottheiten und Zauber verehrt, hätte ein Fest für die Lesenden werden können. Meiner Meinung nach wurde allerdings die Brücke zwischen beidem sehr brüchig gebaut, sodass ich mich als Leserin nicht getraut habe, mich vollständig darauf einzulassen, und die Verbindung nicht immer als gelungen empfand.
Zum einen dauerte es gefühlt eine kleine Ewigkeit, bis die beiden Protagonisten aufeinandertreffen, zum anderen wurden die Unbeholfenheit und Ungläubigkeit dem jeweils anderen gegenüber, welche anfangs noch ganz amüsant zu verfolgen waren, mit der Zeit anstrengend, selbst wenn es nachvollziehbar war, wie sie empfanden. Ich erwischte mich trotzdem häufig dabei, wie ich über das mangelnde Verständnis der Figuren für die Gegenseite die Augen verdreht habe.
North und Nimh könnten unterschiedlicher kaum sein, was es spannend hätte machen können, hier für mich allerdings nicht zu 100% funktioniert hat. Ich habe nur eine lockere emotionale Beziehung zwischen den beiden gespürt, keine Funken, kein Knistern. Das fand ich sehr schade, denn neben der nicht ganz so engen Bindung zueinander gelang es mir selbst auch nicht, Nähe zu den Figuren aufzubauen.
Die Idee hinter der Story war spannend, das muss ich zugeben. Allerdings fußt das ganze Drama, der komplette Konflikt der Geschichte auf einer wackeligen Behauptung, die Nimh einfach hinzunehmen bereit ist. Das war für mich kein überzeugender Sockel für dieses Konstrukt und hat mich eher geärgert als für sich eingenommen.
Trotz all dieser Kritikpunkte, die mir eigentlich das Leseerlebnis komplett hätten verhageln müssen, war ich noch neugierig. Ich mochte den Schreibstil, der zwar langatmig war, mich aber trotzdem irgendwie bei der Stange hielt, ich wollte wissen, wie es weitergeht, ich musste herausfinden, wie es endet. Es scheint einem unwahrscheinlich, wenn man hört, was ich alles negatives zu sagen hatte, aber irgendwie konnte ich das Buch beinahe leiden. Wir konnten nicht gut miteinander, aber anscheinend konnten wir auch nicht ohne einander.
Mein Fazit:
Ich beginne zu glauben, dass die Autorinnen und ich einfach nicht kompatibel sind. Mich hat das Buch nicht überzeugen können und so schließe ich mich den vielen begeisterten Stimmen leider nicht an. Aber für 2,5 von 5 Sternen reicht es noch, der Idee und meiner Neugierde wegen, die ein Indiz dafür ist, dass nicht alles schlecht gewesen sein kann.
Das Verweben von Fantasy und Science Fiction, von Moderne und Vergangenheit, von fortschrittlichster Technik und einer abergläubischen Kultur, die Gottheiten und Zauber verehrt, hätte ein Fest für die Lesenden werden können. Meiner Meinung nach wurde allerdings die Brücke zwischen beidem sehr brüchig gebaut, sodass ich mich als Leserin nicht getraut habe, mich vollständig darauf einzulassen, und die Verbindung nicht immer als gelungen empfand.
Zum einen dauerte es gefühlt eine kleine Ewigkeit, bis die beiden Protagonisten aufeinandertreffen, zum anderen wurden die Unbeholfenheit und Ungläubigkeit dem jeweils anderen gegenüber, welche anfangs noch ganz amüsant zu verfolgen waren, mit der Zeit anstrengend, selbst wenn es nachvollziehbar war, wie sie empfanden. Ich erwischte mich trotzdem häufig dabei, wie ich über das mangelnde Verständnis der Figuren für die Gegenseite die Augen verdreht habe.
North und Nimh könnten unterschiedlicher kaum sein, was es spannend hätte machen können, hier für mich allerdings nicht zu 100% funktioniert hat. Ich habe nur eine lockere emotionale Beziehung zwischen den beiden gespürt, keine Funken, kein Knistern. Das fand ich sehr schade, denn neben der nicht ganz so engen Bindung zueinander gelang es mir selbst auch nicht, Nähe zu den Figuren aufzubauen.
Die Idee hinter der Story war spannend, das muss ich zugeben. Allerdings fußt das ganze Drama, der komplette Konflikt der Geschichte auf einer wackeligen Behauptung, die Nimh einfach hinzunehmen bereit ist. Das war für mich kein überzeugender Sockel für dieses Konstrukt und hat mich eher geärgert als für sich eingenommen.
Trotz all dieser Kritikpunkte, die mir eigentlich das Leseerlebnis komplett hätten verhageln müssen, war ich noch neugierig. Ich mochte den Schreibstil, der zwar langatmig war, mich aber trotzdem irgendwie bei der Stange hielt, ich wollte wissen, wie es weitergeht, ich musste herausfinden, wie es endet. Es scheint einem unwahrscheinlich, wenn man hört, was ich alles negatives zu sagen hatte, aber irgendwie konnte ich das Buch beinahe leiden. Wir konnten nicht gut miteinander, aber anscheinend konnten wir auch nicht ohne einander.
Mein Fazit:
Ich beginne zu glauben, dass die Autorinnen und ich einfach nicht kompatibel sind. Mich hat das Buch nicht überzeugen können und so schließe ich mich den vielen begeisterten Stimmen leider nicht an. Aber für 2,5 von 5 Sternen reicht es noch, der Idee und meiner Neugierde wegen, die ein Indiz dafür ist, dass nicht alles schlecht gewesen sein kann.
zengoalie's review
4.0
I enjoyed the characters and the world they live in. It kept me guess on what might be really going on and who to trust. You truly felt for Nimh being to isolated from such a young age. The relationship between her and North kept me turning the pages. I'll be curious to see what unfolds in the next book.
I'm sure there will be some upheaval and consequences to what was revealed in the final chapter.
I'm sure there will be some upheaval and consequences to what was revealed in the final chapter.
jade_anne's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
4.0