Review: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

 

Sky in the Deep

by Adrienne Young

April 24, 2018
352 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Eelyn’s world is war. Raised to fight alongside her Aska clansmen in a generations-old blood feud against the Riki, her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki if she wants to make it back to the fjord after the thaw. But when she begins to see herself in the people she's been taught to hate, the world Eelyn once knew begins to crumble. And after the village is raided by a ruthless clan many believe to be a myth, Eelyn is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend who has tried more than once to kill her. Together, they must end the blood feud between their clans or watch their people be slaughtered.

A lush, Viking-age inspired fantasy about loyalty, forgiveness, and the definition of family.
 

Review

We're only about four months into 2018 and I already know Sky in the Deep will be on my top reads of 2018 list at the end of the year. I can see where all the hype and praises are coming from. The story has a quiet intensity where the main character screams girl power in the best of ways.

Eelyn was a feminine force to be reckoned with. Capable, committed and skilled, she withstood the toughest trials to her person and her beliefs. She faced fear with a straight back and never cowered. It was interesting to explore the warring emotions in Eelyn. The elation at finding her brother alive and well tamped down by the knowledge he had betrayed their clan. It was a lot to take in but I admired her strength, her resolve and most of all her ability to put aside prejudice and change in a time of need.

Sky in the Deep is, first and foremost, a story about family. I loved how both clans placed great emphasis on familial relationships. Regardless of blood, if you're accepted they'll protect you like their own. These people are faithful to each other and to their teachings. There was so much courage and devotion inside these pages my heart was filled to bursting.

The romance between Eelyn and Fiske was only a small part of the story but I appreciated every little glimpse we got. To say things between the two started off rough would be a gross understatement. Being mortal enemies they clashed (both verbally and physically) on numerous occasions. For the better part of the book hostility and resentment surrounded them. But as they spent more time in each other's company feelings changed. Eelyn and Fiske's relationship was innocent and sweet. The genuine development was everything.

My one tiny complaint is with the last quarter or so of the story. From the synopsis, I was expecting the threat to be the key plot point. The survival of the two clans was on the line. Everything the two people have ever known was about to be put to the test! But the conflict didn't require quite as much (time) as I imagined to sort out. I wanted a little more communication and to be able to follow the progression. I think this is where a sequel could come in ;)

From the intense battle scenes to the fragile relationships and emotional struggles, there was no shortage of story. Even though Sky in the Deep is a standalone I definitely see room for more and I need moarrr!

 

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way.