Novels and Necklaces: ARC Review: Sky in the Deep

About The Book:

Title: Sky in the Deep

Author: Adrienne Young
Pub. Date: April 24th, 2018
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 352

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology

Rate: 5/5 stars

Synopsis :

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. 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, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

Review:

Sky in the Deep was the first viking book I read and I sincerely hope it won't be the last. Eelyn and her clan, the Askas, have been in a life-long feud with the Riki clan for as long as anyone could remember. So imagine her surprise when she sees her brother, who she saw die, fighting for the Riki. Chalked up to a spirit phenomenon, it's written off. Until she sees him again and finally demands answers. Instead of answers, Eelyn is knocked out and taken back with the Rikis to essentially make her a slave.

Let me tell you, this book is so original and fantastic, I just wanted to read it all in one sitting (but
responsibilities turned that into a tad longer). Ms. Young crafts a masterful, character driven story that kept me on my toes. I felt just as betrayed as Eelyn when she saw her brother fighting against her and I felt the shame and embarrassment when the Riki made her their slave. You will feel every emotions these characters do and you will LOVE IT. Without special snowflake syndrome, fairies, or a love triangle, this book is a breath of fresh air for the YA community.

Besides that - Eelyn is a badass, viking feminist. In fact, this entire novel is full of badasses. I honestly don't think I'd be able to pick a favorite if you forced me. I guess if I had to choose - it would either be Eelyn, Myra, Fiske, Iri, Halvard, or Inge (SEE I TOLD YOU I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO). These characters will attach themselves to you and never let go. Ms. Young intricately weaves a tale of family and community into this fantasy. And fair warning - you will become attached to each and every character!!

Sky in the Deep definitely took me by surprise. This was not one of my 'most anticipated for 2018', but it is now one of my 'favorite of 2018's.' This book is extremely fast-paced, and is armed with violence, family, and romance. What more could you want in a story? I wouldn't mind reading more viking mythology or anything else by Adrienne Young for that matter. Overall, Ms. Young completely nailed her debut novel, Sky in the Deep.