#Review - The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner #YA #Fantasy

Series: The Other Side of the Sky #1
Format: Paperback, 480 pages
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

Forbidden to touch, will they be doomed by their love? The Wrath & the Dawn meets Renegades in this literary, genre-bending, stunningly romantic YA fantasy—the first in a planned duology—from bestselling, powerhouse authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

Prince North’s home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate engines powered by technology. Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the surface, responsible for providing answers, direction—hope.

Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose between saving their people or succumbing to the bond that is forbidden between them.

Magnetic and gorgeously thematic, New York Times bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have crafted a gripping tale of magic and logic, fate and choice, and an impossible decision between an empty future and a deadly love. Perfect for fans of Claudia Gray and Laini Taylor. 

 

The Other Side of the Sky, by co-authors Amie Kaufman, and Meagan Spooner, is the first installment in the authors The Other Side of the Sky duology. The story is action-packed and thrilling, full of betrayal, dark secrets, unlikely alliances, and hidden prophecies. The story blends fantasy and sci-fi, and logic and magic, to create a complex and fresh story about two entirely separate worlds and people, brought together by fate. 

Prince North’s home is in the sky-cities of Alciel, gleaming cities held aloft by intricate engines powered by technology. As prince of the sky cities, and second in line to the throne, North has a future laid out for him that he can’t ignore. North tries to get people to understand that it is imperative to find resources necessary to keep the sky island afloat. To prove his point, he slips from the meeting to fly his glider to the palace; he hasn’t counted on mechanical failure, though, and is soon plunging Below, from where none have returned and he will likely meet an awful fate. North finds his cushy lifestyle change in a major way when he has to face a deadly mist, and a girl who thinks he's the answer to her problems.

Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the surface, responsible for providing answers, direction, and hope. As the surface world’s living goddess, Nimh is forbidden to touch anyone else, lest her power be taken from her. She's been a so called goddess for 10 years, when the previous goddess decided to find love which isn't allowed. Nimh also faces a rebellion by a group known as Graycloaks who want to destroy her, and the Cult of the Deathless who want to kill her. She is convinced though, that a vision she has experienced is the answer to everything.

Society in the sky developed with technology, while the society on the ground developed with magic. The society on the ground think those in the sky are Gods who fled 1,00 years ago, while those in the sky are not aware that those on the ground even exist, believing the ground to be poisoned. Nimh puts her faith in magic, North relies on science. As North and Nimh race to save their worlds, North and Nimh try to resist the pull they feel toward each other, with plenty of emotionally-compelling romantic tension and longing along the way.

Curious enough, it is Bindle the Cat who caught my attention and stole the show. Bindle is right there in the middle of the action, and seems to be a bit on the protective side of both Nimh, as well as North after they meet. Of course, the story ends on a blistering cliffhanger ending which is pretty much expected when you have a duology. The sequel and conclusion called Beyond the End of the World, released January 18th 2022 by HarperCollins and I will be borrowing it from my local library soon. 

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