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Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2)

by Emmy Laybourne (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 89 ratings · 40 reviews

The world hasn't ended...yet.

In this sequel to MONUMENT 14, the group of survivors, originally trapped together in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, has split in two. Most of the kids are making a desperate run on their recently repaired school bus for the Denver airport where they hope to reunite with their parents, be evacuated to safety, and save their d...more

Hardcover, 212 pages

Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Feiwel & Friends

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May 14, 2013 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook

*Spoiler free for the series*

Sky on Fire, the sequel to Monument 14, is more action packed and exciting, but the writing is still filled with irritating quirks that doesn't allow me to give it a higher rating, no matter how much I might have enjoyed the rest--which was actually quite a bit.

Since we're at it, let me tell you what I mean about the writing. I knew from the first book that the author likes to write as if her readers are a little… slow? The first novel was filled with commentaries an...more

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May 07, 2013 Justin marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2013-releases, to-read-2013

ME GUSTA. I want it now! D:

EDIT 5/7:

http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/04/mo...

EXCERPT!!!

EDIT 12/9:

YES SUMMARY! ILY

The world hasn't ended...yet.

In this sequel to MONUMENT 14, the group of survivors, originally trapped together in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, has split in two. Most of the kids are making a desperate run on their recently repaired school bus for the Denver airport where they hope to reunite with their parents, be evacuated to safety, and save their dying fri...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 20, 2013 Jen Ryland added it

Shelves: atw-tour, series-i-am-in-the-middle-of

Sky On Fire begins with recap in the form of a letter written by one of the characters. I should have been happy about this, but it freaked me out. There are a lot of characters in these books, and I was afraid I couldn't keep them all straight. If this happens to you, don't panic. Just keep on reading. It will all come back to you in time.

As Sky On Fire begins, our plucky group of kid survivors has divided into two groups: the group that wants to stay inside the Greenway, and the group that wan...more

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May 23, 2013 Kara rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, animals, dropped-series-graveyard, for-review, huge-pile-of-crap, own, post-apocalyptic, ugh, young-adult, colorado

I should have known that reading Sky on Fire was going to be a bad idea. I didn't really love the first book in the series, but it ended in a way that made me have to continue with the series. And I found out. And no, I didn't care. I shouldn't have. The writing declined in such a visceral way that I found myself cringing more than once. I'll get to that shortly, but I also need to mention that if you are a fan of writing and great prose, you won't find it here. There are very few paragraphs lon...more

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May 21, 2013 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

If I reviewed this book with just one word, that word would be UGH. Honestly, I enjoyed Monument 14 when I read it last year. I'm not sure whether it's actually better than Sky on Fire or if, because of my monumental reading challenge, I was just happy to read something so fast-paced. Either way, Sky on Fire is just sad. I hate making such a pronouncement, but the quality of the writing, the flat characters, and the discomfiting portrayal of women combined to make this a horrid read for me.

Warni...more If I reviewed this book with just one word, that word would be UGH. Honestly, I enjoyed Monument 14 when I read it last year. I'm not sure whether it's actually better than Sky on Fire or if, because of my monumental reading challenge, I was just happy to read something so fast-paced. Either way, Sky on Fire is just sad. I hate making such a pronouncement, but the quality of the writing, the flat characters, and the discomfiting portrayal of women combined to make this a horrid read for me.

Warning: There will be spoilers all up in this bitch.

On the plus side, Sky on Fire probably only took about an hour of reading time all told. It's just 210 pages, so it flies by. Its brevity is the big selling point. The other positive I can offer for Laybourne's series is that the world building does have promise. I like that the world really does seem pretty fucked, and that she's willing to kill off characters; I would like it more if she killed off all of them. The idea of an airborne toxin affecting different blood types in varying ways is interesting too. Unfortunately, a good idea didn't help much, since I hated the plot, writing and characters.

We'll start with the characters. I've read two books in this series now and have yet to see any character development. Things happen and the kids do change somewhat, but not for any discernible reason. Shit just happens. For example, Astrid, pregnant and the object of Dean's affections, tells him that it was nice of him to stay with her in the store, but that she won't have sex with him. Nothing really changes, but they have sex either that day or the next day and suddenly she likes him. Apparently this nerdy virgin who had no experience whatsoever before must have been a mind-blowing lay. *rolls eyes* So, yeah, Astrid changed, but there was nothing to explain why she supposedly likes Dean rather than Jake.

Or, how about this? At the end of the first book, we learned of Astrid's pregnancy. This was my first really bright red flag in the series, but I still wanted to give book two a try. How terrible is it to be a pregnant teenager? Pretty awful in most circumstances. How about if there are no doctors around to help with the birthing? That's definitely worse. And what if you're in the middle of an apocalypse? Worst time ever to have a kid. This is pretty much fact. Yet, somehow, both Jake and Astrid are OVERJOYED at the fact that they will be bringing spawn into the world. No. Yes, these kids are idiots, but, fuck, even they should realize that this is the worst fucking thing that could be happening.

Let's talk about the girls in this book. The way they are portrayed makes me very uncomfortable. The strongest girl in the book is Astrid, pregnant in the middle of the apocalypse. She does actually help save them. Yay! But she's also in the middle of an asinine love triangle and apparently wants to be with whichever guy had sex with her last. So . . . less cool. Then there's Sahalia, who does nothing but cry and have guys attempt to rape her. She's also thirteen. The younger ones serve no purpose to the plot. Oh, there's another girl who's used as a hostage. And another one who does save the group on the bus a couple of times, but then always runs off crying and I'm pretty sure gets left behind entirely, though they're going to go get her in book three. Still, they freaking fly off to fucking Canada and leave her. This is how much women matter.

The writing drove me bonkers. It's repetitive and redundant, like my description. The sentences are simple, especially in Alex's sections. The narration is split between brothers Dean and Alex, as they group has split into two. Alex's notes are monotonous. I don't know how something non-verbal can be monotonous, but this is. Simple sentences with few two or more syllable words. "We did this. We did that." down to mundane details that have nothing to do with the overall plot. Both brothers seem to be writing journals of some sort, but it's unclear when they're writing them. The bottoms of each page indicate the time or location of the entry, but they sometimes reference things the characters don't know yet, like they're being compiled much later. For example, Dean mentions that the smoke kept the toxins in the air from affecting them though they didn't know that yet. That's something they couldn't have learned until at least the last few chapters, but that was in the middle of the book.

Speaking of smoking, that plot element may have disgusted me more than the sexism. Apparently cigarette smoke clears the air of the dangerous elements. Yay! Children, cigarettes are good for you. Was this book endorsed by Marlboro or something? Ugh. There are so many other things that could have been used to clear the air, like incense or candles. It really had to be fucking cigarettes? This sends an awesome message to children.

In no way can I endorse this book. It's certainly not a good choice for a reader like me. I suspect Laybourne is trying to target reluctant readers, but easy-to-read writing can be better than this. However, if you can look past flat, unlikable characters and questionable messages, then maybe you'll like this series. Every book works for someone, right? All I know is that no force in the 'verse could make me read any more.(less)

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May 03, 2013 Sally Kruger added it

Only twelve days have passed since the apocalyptic hailstorm and earthquake that devastated Monument, Colorado. While other parts of the country were experiencing their own horrific events, Monument and the surrounding area was hit by not only what mother nature handed out, but also by a man-made disaster when a crippling warfare compound was leaked from the nearby NORAD facility.

Fourteen children were stranded in a Greenway superstore in Monument and forced to survive on their own. Now after ho...more Only twelve days have passed since the apocalyptic hailstorm and earthquake that devastated Monument, Colorado. While other parts of the country were experiencing their own horrific events, Monument and the surrounding area was hit by not only what mother nature handed out, but also by a man-made disaster when a crippling warfare compound was leaked from the nearby NORAD facility.

Fourteen children were stranded in a Greenway superstore in Monument and forced to survive on their own. Now after holding things together for just short of two weeks, the group has decided to split up. Their faithful leader Niko is taking part of the group and heading for Denver International Airport in hopes of finding family members and arriving in time to participate in the evacuation program. Dean, who has bravely written an account of their adventure so far, decides it is best to remain behind with Astrid, Chloe, and the McKinley twins. Since Dean, Astrid, and Chloe have blood type O which causes them to react violently if exposed to the compound, they hope by staying behind, the rest of the group will have a better chance of reaching the evacuation site safely.

SKY ON FIRE is the second book in the MONUMENT 14 series by Emmy Laybourne. With the fourteen kids separating into two groups, the story continues in alternating chapters narrated by Dean and his brother Alex. Dean continues to relate the adventures at the Greenway store including someone's attempt to break into the store and the arrival of a group of thugs who threaten to take over and endanger the small group of survivors.

Alex relates the events that unfold as the rest of the group boards the ravaged school bus and heads toward the airport. They must face the frightening, deserted landscape, the dangerous effects of the compounds, and a few other refugees out to get their hands on anything of value to prolong their own lives. A journey that in ordinary circumstances would take barely over an hour becomes the longest, most dangerous trip of their lives.

SKY ON FIRE is an all-too-real tale of determination and survival. Fans of Laybourne's first novel MONUMENT 14 will be thrilled to rejoin the kids to learn what happens next. Book #2 is due for release this month, and I know this reader will then be anxiously awaiting the release of the final book in the trilogy.
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Mar 03, 2013 Valentina rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Monument 14 series, a post-apocalyptic young adult series that actually manages to stay original and very frightening.
It’s rare to find sequels that are better than the first book, but I think this one fits the case. I thought at it was much more tense than the first one, the edge-of-you-seat feeling remains pretty much from beginning to end. The plot is fresh, with no zombies or vampires or anything like that, just basic human nature. Oh, and toxic compounds, but...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sky on Fire is an excellent second book in the Monument 14 series.

The group is split at the end of Monument 14. Sky on Fire is narrated from two perspectives: Alex, who is on the move, and Dean who is still in the superstore. Both groups are not having an easy time. They continue to encounter severe obstacles -- usually other people wanting to steal the few supplies they have.

Laybourne isn't afraid to kill off our heroes, so be prepared. But I really appreciate that in a story -- it makes it so...more

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May 18, 2013 Kathy Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

SKY ON FIRE continues the story that began in MONUMENT 14. It is told from two points of view by two brothers. Dean tells about what is happening to the kids left in the superstore while Alex tells the story of the kids who take off in the bus to look for help. Both groups of kids face horrible difficulties ranging from chemically deranged murders to gangs and to the fact that the air can kill some of them.

It is 2024 and a series of disasters including a monster hailstorm and chemical weapons s...more SKY ON FIRE continues the story that began in MONUMENT 14. It is told from two points of view by two brothers. Dean tells about what is happening to the kids left in the superstore while Alex tells the story of the kids who take off in the bus to look for help. Both groups of kids face horrible difficulties ranging from chemically deranged murders to gangs and to the fact that the air can kill some of them.

It is 2024 and a series of disasters including a monster hailstorm and chemical weapons spills have devastated the area around Monument, Colorado. Fourteen kids on a school bus were driven into the superstore to take shelter from the storm. They ranged in age from seniors to kindergartners. Their bus driver takes off to try to find help and doesn't return.

The chemical weapons have different effects on the children depending on their blood types. Type Os turn into "bloodthirsty monsters" if they breathe the air. Type ABs suffer from paranoid delusions. Type As blister and die. Type Bs have few symptoms but suffer from reproductive failure which Alex figures isn't that big a deal since they have much more immediate threats to their survival.

When this story starts, the group has split in two with one group waiting for rescue in the superstore and the other group taking off in the school bus to try to get to Denver International Airport for help. The story was exciting. The events were chilling. It was interesting to read about the dynamics within the group and how desperate situations bring out the best or the worst in people. There wasn't a lot of character development here for most of the younger kids but it was still clear that they had all bonded together to survive.

While this book is relatively short making it a good choice for middle graders, some of the themes which include sex and violence might make this book too intense for them. Many of the characters have to make very difficult choices in order to survive. I think the best audience for this title would be YA reluctant readers who are interested in post-apocalyptic stories and dystopias. To get the full effect of the story, readers must read MONUMENT 14 first.(less)

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Apr 13, 2013 Scott Pilgrim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, dystopia-post-apocalyptic

Check out my giveaway for Sky On Fire
Lately I have been binge reading dystopian books. I have read numerous dystopian novels yet and Monument 14 is a book that really sticks out in my mind. I was extremely thrilled when I was provided with an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Sky On Fire improves on the faults on Monument 14 and I definitely enjoyed it more than it's predecessor.

I love how much focus Emmy Laybourne puts on her characters. All of the characters are extremely realistically do...more Check out my giveaway for Sky On Fire
Lately I have been binge reading dystopian books. I have read numerous dystopian novels yet and Monument 14 is a book that really sticks out in my mind. I was extremely thrilled when I was provided with an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Sky On Fire improves on the faults on Monument 14 and I definitely enjoyed it more than it's predecessor.

I love how much focus Emmy Laybourne puts on her characters. All of the characters are extremely realistically done and each character has their own distinct and unique personality. My favorite character is definitely Alex and Dean comes in a close 2nd place. I love how responsible and matured acted on their journey to the Denver International Airport. Dean is also a great character but at times his obsession with Astrid annoyed me. You would think that Alex would give Astrid a break considering her state and considering the fact that the world is in chaos. I love the way Laybourne has written the younger children because she really captures the way children truly act.

Sky On Fires moves at a faster pace than Monument 14 and this is a more plot-oriented book. I honestly was pretty darn scared for the kids during this book. If I was stuck in this situation, I probably would have died almost immediately. The really scary about Sky On Fire is that it could actually happen and if it does happen I'm a goner. Let's just hope that nothing like this ever happens for the good of humanity. The kids of Monument, Colorado have given me hope that in case of an apocalypse, people will still be benevolent. If I could be half as brave and benevolent as Alex and some of the other kids during an apocalypse, I'd be pretty proud of myself. The ending of this book was fantastic and now I desperately need to read book #3.

Sky On Fire is definitely an improvement on Monument 14. Sky On Fire is definitely a book that you won't want to miss! I am so excited for book #3 and I hope I enjoy it as I much as I enjoyed Sky On Fire. If you're looking for an extremely well-written, entertaining dystopian novel, read Sky On Fire! I would highly recommend reading this book for readers of all ages.
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May 23, 2013 Evie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sky On Fire is a great second instalment in the Monument 14 series. I am happy to report that I enjoyed it just as much (OK, maybe even a little bit more) than the first book. In this gritty and blood-chilling tale of survival, Emmy Laybourne takes us on yet another wild roller coasted ride filled with scenes of true epicness, including a chainsaw massacre moment and a bus ride through hell on earth.

The second book picks up exactly where the first one left off. The kids are no longer together....more Sky On Fire is a great second instalment in the Monument 14 series. I am happy to report that I enjoyed it just as much (OK, maybe even a little bit more) than the first book. In this gritty and blood-chilling tale of survival, Emmy Laybourne takes us on yet another wild roller coasted ride filled with scenes of true epicness, including a chainsaw massacre moment and a bus ride through hell on earth.

The second book picks up exactly where the first one left off. The kids are no longer together. The hiding place at the local Greenway supermarket is no longer safe. Bad things happened there, one of the kids got shot and he requires immediate medical attention in order to survive. And so the kids decide that it's time to take matters into their own hands and try their luck on the road. Their plan is to get to Denver International Airport where the government has set up an evacuation centre. Not all the kids can go, though. The moment they breathe in the toxic air, those with B blood type turn into bloodthirsty monsters. They decide to stay behind and wait for the others to get help. Separated, mentally and physically exhausted and terrified beyond words, the kids from Monument continue to fight for survival.

Sky On Fire is definitely an exciting and entertaining addition to the series. I had a lot of fun reading this book, though I was also a little bit disappointed to see that there wasn't much improvement in terms of character development. Like in the first book, the plot was filled to the brim with gasp-worthy action sequences and unexpected plot developments. The was no such thing as slow moments or boring passages. Quite honestly, at times reading this book felt more like reading a script for a Hollywood action movie. One crazy plot development after another, complete with scenes of sex and violence. In terms of entertainment Monument 14: Sky On Fire definitely delivers.

I really enjoyed the two different POVs. They made the narration more flavorful and dynamic, adding an extra kick to the already explosive cocktail. We still had Dean's (slightly douchy) POV from the inside of the supermarket, but now we also had Alex' (Dean's little brother) POV on the outside. Dark, empty and unsafe, the supermarket location felt even more suffocating and claustrophobic. And the outside world was no better. With dangerous people all around, deadly fumes in the air, weird mold growing on tires and debris everywhere you look, the outside world resembled a vicious predator.

For the most part, I liked where the story went. I loved the sense of urgency and racing against time. It made for quite an intense reading experience. I was flipping through the pages like a maniac. There were, however, moments when I was surprised (and not in a good way) by some of the plot developments. It's really hard to discuss all that without giving away major plot points, so let me just say that I wish some of the issues were handled differently. What I'm talking about is the relationship between Dean and Astrid and Jake and Astrid. I thought their love triangle (if we can even call it that) was handled rather poorly.

The writing didn't improve much, but it was decent. I found some of the sentences and expressions to be a little bit awkward or repetitive, but most of the time I was too focused on the action to be bother by that. Simple, raw and straightforward, the style of the prose fit the story perfectly.

Sky On Fire is most certainly a powerful sequel. It's a hold-on-tight-to-your-pants type of book, that is just as creepy as it is entertaining, and just as disturbing as it is fun to read. I can't wait for the third book!

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Feb 02, 2013 Anna (Gatsby's Girl) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Brothers Dean and Alex have parted ways, with Dean staying behind at the superstore and Alex going away with most of the other kids on the school bus, trying to make it to Denver. Both groups still face horrible dangers, with all of the kids in the store being Blood Type O which makes them violent when exposed to the chemical compounds in the air outside. When the bus is hijacked and the store is under siege by a group of teenage raiders, it will be up to Dean and his brother to each try and kee...more Brothers Dean and Alex have parted ways, with Dean staying behind at the superstore and Alex going away with most of the other kids on the school bus, trying to make it to Denver. Both groups still face horrible dangers, with all of the kids in the store being Blood Type O which makes them violent when exposed to the chemical compounds in the air outside. When the bus is hijacked and the store is under siege by a group of teenage raiders, it will be up to Dean and his brother to each try and keep their respective charges safe until they can find a way out of their destroyed world and back to their families, in the safety of the world beyond. So, I had really enjoyed the first book and went into this one with pretty high expectations. I mean who has never once wondered what it would be like to live in one of those superstores. Well, this book picks up right where the first one left off. It deals with some harsh realities, like when to give up on a friend if they're dying and there's nothing you can do. Jake, the father of Astrid's baby, finds his way back to the superstore but because he wants the drugs in the pharmacy not to help anyone else. Dean still has feelings for Astrid and she treats him like shit until the chemical reactions bring them together involuntarily (which I still don't know how I feel about that - did she even really like him, or was it 'just because?'). The kids on the bus deal with being stolen from, on the verge of starving, and being the guests of a crazy old guy in an airtight bunker (who is most likely a killer). The fact that more than half of their parents are still MIA was very realistic and I was disappointed that not everyone made it to Denver, but the author's realism pleased me and makes up for it. This is an 'apocalypse' book. Not everyone gets a happy ending if the author's doing it right! I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the next one in the series, especially with the cliffhanger the author dropped on me at the last second! I highly recommend this series to fans of Ashfall by Mike Mullins, The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and Article 5 by Kristen Simmons.

VERDICT: 4/5 Stars

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on May 28th, 2013.*(less)

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May 21, 2013 Katrina Tinnon rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you are hoping that everything calms down, you are in for one hell of a ride. We also get two perspectives during Sky On Fire.

I loved being able to get inside Alex's head. Their circumstances were dire, but they somehow manage to stick together. They make their own little family. I was glad that they have such a close bond to each other. They see some pretty bad things on the road, but so does Dean at the store. Dean tries his hardest to take care of those that stayed behind. He doesn't real...more

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May 04, 2013 April rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian, for-review, post-apocalyptic, ya

Are you looking for a book that will keep you riveted during a reading marathon, like Bout of Books or the 24 Hour Readathon? Are you a few books behind on your goodreads goal and in need of a boost? ARE YOU DYING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE KIDS FROM MONUMENT 14? Did you answer yes to any of those questions? Well, Sky On Fire by Emmy Laybourne totally has your number. It is the exciting sequel to Monument 14 and so because it’s impossible to talk about it without spoilers, from here on out ther...more

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May 14, 2013 Brad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-own

Sky on Fire is an insane, climatic and epic sequel! I thought Monument 14 was good, but Sky on Fire blew it out of the water!

The characters were simply great (even better than they were in book one)! What I love about Sky on Fire is that we get two different POVs on different journeys, which made the book thrilling and nail-biting. I could keep track of the characters more easily this time - maybe it was because I had previously met them in Monument 14 - and the character develop phenomenally. I...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 4 of 5 stars

A heart-pounding race against time, I really enjoyed this book!

So the plot goes back and forth between the kids that leave and the kids that stayed behind at the store. If you have not read the first book, I suggest you do. Told from different point of views, each set of kids faces much trouble ahead of them. The plot never fails to give good entertainment and within the first few chapters, the reader has a good feel for plot. I really like that in this book you can really tell the growth differ...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Shanyn (Chick Loves Lit) rated it 5 of 5 stars

MONUMENT 14 ended with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. Needless to say, since I finished that book I have been chomping at the bit to read SKY ON FIRE. The minute it arrived on my doorstep I sat down and read it, all in one sitting.

SKY ON FIRE starts nearly exactly where MONUMENT 14 left off - most of the kids on a bus headed for Denver, and some of the others left in the superstore they were all in for most of the first book. The world is just as dangerous in this installment as it is in t...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Kimberly Peterson rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Sky on Fire, but not as much as the first one. Sky on Fire has a much darker tone than Monument 14. I’m ok with that, it just took me by surprise. There are quite a few unpleasant moments in Sky on Fire. It’s not really graphic, but descriptive enough to make my skin crawl a bit. There is also a scene in the first book that is similarly repeated, not once, but twice in Sky on Fire and I could have done without that.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but it’s a bit easie...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Bookish♥Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tbr-may-june, 2013-ebc, 2013-lmctw, 2013-wayrc, read-in-2013, series-read

♥ Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings

- - -

**Contains spoilers for the first book in the series—Monument 14**

Sky on Fire picks up immediately after the events of it's predecessor. The original group of kids & teens has split into two parts. Most of them are on the school bus, heading for the Denver International Airport—a place they were told would offer help to an injured friend and help organize a rescue party for those left behind. Among those on the Denver-bound bus is Alex, brothe...more

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May 03, 2013 Amy Fournier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, netgalley

While I liked the first book, Monument 14, I didn't love it. So why did I want to read this one? I was interested to see where things would go now that most of the group has left the superstore. I knew there would be more action, more adventure, and wanted to know if they would even come close to reaching their destination. This one had a bit more action than the first one since it's split between Dean still stuck at the store, and the others out in the wild trying to make it to Denver Internati...more While I liked the first book, Monument 14, I didn't love it. So why did I want to read this one? I was interested to see where things would go now that most of the group has left the superstore. I knew there would be more action, more adventure, and wanted to know if they would even come close to reaching their destination. This one had a bit more action than the first one since it's split between Dean still stuck at the store, and the others out in the wild trying to make it to Denver International Airport, where they have been told it's safe. I liked how it was split up since I found the first book got boring for me with them all just living at the Greenway.

One perspective is out on the road, trying to get sixty something miles to the airport. They are all bundled up to keep their skin safe, and wearing masks to protect them from breathing the chemicals in. Things are not as easy as they would have thought upon leaving though. There are abandoned vehicles with dead bodies everywhere, and their progress is slow. Also, there are many complications that keep being thrown their way and it makes things nearly impossible. They meet others along the way, some friendly, some not so much. They go through a lot trying to make it to safety. The world outside is much, much worse than they ever expected.

Back at the Greenway, Dean and Astrid are waiting and hoping that the group that left will get to the airport safely and send for help. I was not as bored with them in the store as I was in the first book, maybe because it was broken up a little. I still didn't really like Astrid, she is kind of a b*tch and I couldn't see what Dean saw in her. I have to say that she did start to change a little and I didn't dislike her quite as much by the end, but I still wouldn't say I like her yet. Dean on the other hand really grew for me. He stopped being such a pushover and was able to really man up a bit. I thought that he did really well starting to take more control of the situation, and man, some of the things he did were outright crazy. Though, that has some to do with his blood type and the chemicals, but still.

I don't want to go too much into things since this is a second book in the series, but I loved that there was more action, and the intensity of the situation was taken up a notch. It really made this one a much more enjoyable read for me. I don't think this is the end though. A twist at the end hints that we get to stay in this horrible, destroyed world for another installment. I can't wait to see what comes next. This was a fast and great read, with a little bit more creep factor than the first one. If you liked the first book, I highly recommend you continue this series.(less)

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Feb 01, 2013 Princess Bookie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read2013

My Thoughts: It took me a few minutes to get into this one. Partly because I couldn’t really remember all the characters. There were a bunch and I’ve read like a million books since than. Not really a million but quite a few!

We are back with Dean and his brother and the other kids in Monument 14. Some of the kids are still in the store while some are on their way to Denver to get help.

Man, this one was just as crazy as the first. We know how dangerous it is to go outside, the air is horrible an...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Jo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Warning: There is a far amount of violence, murder and sex in this book so if you are bothered by those things, this is probably not a good fit for you. I enjoyed coming back to the store to see all of the kids that I fell in love with in the first book. This one has the kids separating into two groups which leads to some tense moments because you really don't know what is around the corner. I think that is why this book works because you aren't for certain what exactly Laybourne will do next. I...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-mt-bookpile

Not having read the first book, having exposition via "letter to whomever reads this because I'm dead" was an interesting way to catch up. Sadly, for me, the book went downhill from there. Apparently the author is an actress/playwright and that may explain why this felt less like a book and more like a potential tv series.

The "Monmument 14" (14 kids who find shelter in a grocery store following a nuclear accident) have split up, with most taking a school bus to what they hope will be safety at D...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Drucilla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: l, signed

This book is rather short at 200ish pages, but it doesn't waste any time. The pace is fast so the reader is on the edge of their seat all the way through and the ending is heart pounding. I wished there would have been more information given such as how big of an area was affected by the disaster or how much damage was caused by (view spoiler) but considering the ending, maybe that kind of information will be included in the next book.

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Mar 28, 2013 Enna Isilee (Squeaky Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: waiting-to-be-reviewed, read-in-2013

Really good, but WAY too short. Not even an "I wish there was more" kind of short. It was a full on "this isn't long enough." It read more like Monument 14 #1.5. A pre-sequel novella.

Maybe I've just become spoiled, but anything under 300 (MAYBE 275) pages seems tiny.

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Mar 20, 2013 Mr.T thelibrarian rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this follow up to Monument 14. I enjoyed the first half a lot; by the end it didn't go where I expected, and I'm not even sure if there's going to be another one. Still, a fun ride -- readers of Monument 14 will want to find out what happens next!

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Mar 03, 2013 Stacee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

3.5 stars

Fast paced plot and a duel POV between the brothers makes for an interesting story. It did get a little monotonous, but there were new obstacles and characters constantly introduced to keep me reading.

The ending is sort of open, makes me wonder if there'll be another book. If so, I'll probably read it.

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Jan 18, 2013 Celeste_pewter marked it as to-read

!! That cover!!

Emmy Laybourne is one of my favorite people to following on Twitter, because both she and Anna Banks are hilarious, and super generous with their time.

Can't wait to read this. Loved the last book.

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Dec 13, 2012 Lacey marked it as to-read

I. CAN'T. WAIT. TO. READ.
I read the first book, And at the end, I was pretty pissed that it left me hanging cause I thought there wasn't going to be A second! Woo!

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Oct 21, 2012 Cas marked it as awaiting-release

Shelves: apocalyptic, next-in-line, sci-fi, young-adults

Cover is not that pretty. Was going to say crappy, but I've seen much worse.

Anyway, can't wait to read it. Hopefully, it doesn't keep the flaws of the first book.

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Crazy for Young A...: Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2) by Emmy Laybourne → Start Date: June 5th, 2013	3	2	1 hour, 3 min ago

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About Emmy Laybourne

Emmy Laybourne is a writer, actress and teacher who lives in upstate New York. In June of 2012, Emmy’s debut novel, MONUMENT 14, was released by Feiwel & Friends, a division of Macmillan.

MONUMENT 14 is a post-apocalyptic Young Adult thriller that follows the story of fourteen kids who get trapped in a superstore while civilization collapses outside the gates.

The novel received a starred revi...more

More about Emmy Laybourne...

Books by Emmy Laybourne

Dress Your Marines in White (Monument 14, #0.5)

Jake and the Other Girl: A Tor.Com Original

Fierce Reads Chapter Sampler: Chapters from: Monument 14, Of Poseidon, Shadow and Bone, Struck

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Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2)

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