Format: E-Galley, 496 pages
Release Date: January 29, 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
In this first book in an epic YA fantasy duology, New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing brilliantly conceives a magical, idyllic world with a dark and mysterious underbelly.
Sera has always felt as if she didn’t belong among her people, the Cerulean. She is curious about everything and can’t stop questioning her three mothers, her best friend, Leela, and even the High Priestess. Sera has longed for the day when the tether that connects her City Above the Sky to the earthly world below finally severs and sends the Cerulean to a new planet.
But when Sera is chosen as the sacrifice to break the tether, she doesn’t know what to feel. To save her City, Sera must throw herself from its edge and end her own life. But something goes wrong and she survives the fall, landing in a place called Kaolin. She has heard tales about the humans there, and soon learns that the dangers her mothers warned her of are real. If Sera has any hope to return to her City, she’ll have to find the magic within herself to survive.
The Cerulean, by author Amy Ewing, is the first part of a two part Duology that is still unnamed. Let's be honest. This is a strange story, and an even stranger world that the author has created. First, we are introduced to the City Above the Sky. Born in the City Above the Sky, a realm of sorts that's tethered to a planet by a magical thread, is where we meet Sera Lighthaven. Sera is a Cerulean who has silvery skin, blue hair, and blue eyes. Sera has been struggling to find a purpose like all others of her age.
Like everyone else, Sera also has three mothers (Green, Purple, Orange). The city is filled with women who have the ability to procreate without men. I dare say that there is a world where women marry and love other women. Seemingly out of nowhere, Sera is chosen by the High Priestess to break the tether that is holding the city to the planet below. The Chosen One breaks the tether by sacrificing her life, falling from the City above with her blood mixing with the tether. But, Sera manages to survive her fall to the planet where she lands in the land known as Kaolin.
The planet is apparently separated into two countries with Pelago being the other. The curiosity of Sera's survival may be linked to a parting gift from Leela. A moonstone Leela once found. Moonstones are rare and are rumored to contain magic. Thanks to the magic in Sera's blood, she can
understand any language and in due time communicate in it.
Sera's fall to the planet, her captivity by twins, and her adventures trying to get back home, are just getting started.
The next part of the story takes place in Kaolin where readers meet the next two characters who drive this story. Twins Leo and Agnes McLellan.
Leo and Agnes are the children of Xavier McLellan and they couldn't be more different. Agnes is a women who loves women, while Leo is just trying to impress his father. Xavier has begun a new vocation of capturing exotic magical creatures
from Pelagos and using them for his own nefarious purposes. Leo & Agnes capture Sera. Agnes isn't happy when she learns about Sera's intelligence and her ability to understand what she's saying.
The final character to take note of is Leela, Sera's best friend who mourns the loss of her friend. But, after talking to Sera's purple mother, Leela begins to question things. Leela is an interesting addition as she finds out that many things
they've been told are lies and sinister things go on underneath the
facade of perfection. As Leela digs deeper, she gets closer to understanding that Sera may have survived her fall to the planet and will do anything to uncover the conspiracies that drive this world.
My favorite character is Sera. She stood out among people from her city.
She was bold and outspoken, but also curious and brave. I loved the
relationship with her three mothers and also how loyal and
dedicated she was to her best friend Leela. Leela has some intriguing issues to uncover, and I do hope that we eventually see a reunion between Leela and Sera. Agnes is a likable and intelligent character. She's driven by science, and the desire to attend university.
After she meets Sera, her world changes. She just can't stand by and allow her father to control Sera and use her for his entertainment. Leo is the least likable but he eventually learns to listen, and not just try to impress his father who hates the fact that he looks very much like his deceased mother. The ending leaves a whole lot of unanswered questions that will hopefully be explained in the final installment.
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