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Glow

(Sky Chasers #1)

Amy Kathleen Ryan (Goodreads Author)

3.52 · Rating details · 13,089 ratings · 2,025 reviews

If a violent battle destroyed the only world you've ever known, would you be brave enough to save who was left? Would love be strong enough to survive the fight? Either way, there's no turning back…

The Empyrean is the only home 15-year-old Waverly has ever known. As members of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space, she and her boyfriend Kieran ...more

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Paperback, 336 pages

Published July 17th 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published September 13th 2011)

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Sep 21, 2012 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: alternating-povs, cover-lust, young-adult, reviewed-in-2012, postcard-from-outer-space, cliffhanger-ending, annoying-love-triangle, own-a-dtb, all-action, review-copy

I rated Glow somewhat higher than I normally rate this type of books, due solely to the incredibly strong emotional impact it had on me. Some of the characters in it might prove forgettable in time, but I will never forget the pressing, claustrophobic feeling it left me with.
I’ve read a few reviews in advance and I was prepared to be unsettled by it, but nothing could prepare me for this story in which people, every last one of them, were monsters, usually hidden behind a very pleasant façade. I rated Glow somewhat higher than I normally rate this type of books, due solely to the incredibly strong emotional impact it had on me. Some of the characters in it might prove forgettable in time, but I will never forget the pressing, claustrophobic feeling it left me with.
I’ve read a few reviews in advance and I was prepared to be unsettled by it, but nothing could prepare me for this story in which people, every last one of them, were monsters, usually hidden behind a very pleasant façade.

When, decades ago, two identical ships were launched into space on a mission to find New Earth and settle, everyone thought their chances of survival were pretty much the same. After all, the only difference between them was the religious conviction of their respective crews.
Weaverly and Kieran belong to the first generation of children born on the Empyrean – the ship with a non-religious crew. They are both fifteen and thinking about getting married – in their circumstances, children are always welcome, no matter how young the parents. They have their lives planned out for them and they’re happy with the way things are going. But the New Horizon crew hasn’t had as much luck. They haven’t been able to procreate at all, which means their crew is fairly old and they are pretty desperate. Their solution is to attack the Empyrean and steal all their girls, nearly destroying the ship in the process. Suddenly, Weaverly and Kieran aren’t even on the same ship and each of them is dealing with a different set of disasters.

The name Weaverly seems like an odd and unfortunate choice, especially for third person narration. Since Ryan seems to harbor a strong dislike for personal pronouns, it’s used in almost every sentence, and, being a mouthful, it clogs the natural flow of sentences and makes the already thick narrative even harder to read. That is, writing-wise, the only objection I really have. Amy Kathleen Ryan showed unusual skill and control.

Because so many awful, hateful things happen in it, Glow is a hard book to like. There is no real warmth between the characters, nothing even remotely positive or hopeful, just violence, horrible moral choices and more violence. One couldn’t exactly call Kieran a hero, not by any stretch of the imagination, and the same goes for the rest of the characters. They behaved exactly as one would expect people in such an isolated environment to behave: they have deviated drastically from moral and ethical standards of society.

Faced with a crew made up entirely of rebellious boys, Kieran decided to lead them through a religion he pretty much made up on the spot. The ease with which this decision was made and the way those boys accepted it was incredibly creepy and eye-opening. Their sudden faith in Kieran was alarming, and the speed with which this cult of personality arose staggering.

There are many more things that unsettled me and kept me awake at night, but writing about them would give away too much of the plot. It’s best to go into this book knowing very little about it. Fortunately, I have the sequel, Spark, on hand, but I’m not brave enough to read t right away. My poor little heart needs a lengthy break.

...more

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May 08, 2011 Christy LoveOfBooks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-galley, read-in-2011, first-reads-gr

Here's the thing, the books that I absolutely LOVE the most tend to be the hardest for me to write about or discuss. Glow is no exception to this, but I'll do my best. And I'm just going to admit it - this is now a favorite of mine.

First of all, I hate comparing books to one another, especially those by different authors. But I am going to compare something about Glow to The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins knows how to end a chapter, meaning they ended in a way that made me want -no, more like nee Here's the thing, the books that I absolutely LOVE the most tend to be the hardest for me to write about or discuss. Glow is no exception to this, but I'll do my best. And I'm just going to admit it - this is now a favorite of mine.

First of all, I hate comparing books to one another, especially those by different authors. But I am going to compare something about Glow to The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins knows how to end a chapter, meaning they ended in a way that made me want -no, more like need- to read the next one, and the next one, and the next - I couldn't stop. This is exactly what Glow did for me. There wasn't one point in the entire book that allowed my mind to wonder or bored me. I hung on every word.

Two ships, the New Horizon and the Empyrean, are headed to New Earth to inhabit a new world. Unfortunately, the affects of deep space has caused infertility issues among both ships. However, those on the Empyrean discovered a "cure" for the infertility and were able to conceive children to continue the population. But something goes horribly wrong aboard the New Horizon - the "cure" sent by the Empyrean sterilizes the women, taking away any hope of conceiving future generations for New Earth. Was this done on purpose or just a terrible accident? Either way, the ''captain" of New Horizon decides to take drastic measures to ensure the ship's survival and fulfill their mission.

Waverly is a 15-year-old girl who was one of the first born aboard the Empyrean, she feels that there is more to her life than simply expanding the population. When disaster strikes, it falls to her to become a leader and to make sure the girls are safe. Kieran is a 16-year-old boy who is expected to become the next captain, and happens to be in love with Waverly. But can he become the leader the ship needs when the time comes? Not only are these two main characters well written, but the supporting characters are well done, also. The author did a wonderful job at developing all of them. They were complex - making some hard to flat-out love or hate. There were characters who were awful, but after finding out more about them and the situations, it was easier to understand why they were behaving certain ways or held certain beliefs. And sometimes it's the people who you don't like who turn out to be the biggest allies.

There was so much that I loved about Glow, and I really, really, really hope people don't try to compare this book to Across the Universe. That would be like comparing Star Wars and Star Trek - just don't do it. Though they're both really good books - they are their own thing. So saying that I highly recommend this book would be an understatement. I am already dying for the next installment of Glow, and this one hasn't even been officially released yet!

...more

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Mar 31, 2016 Reading Corner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but I really enjoyed reading this one.It's a fast-paced sci-fi with a dark plot and complex characters.The narrative switches between Kieran and Waverly who are the oldest teens aboard the Empyrean and have a flourishing relationship, despite Seth's intimate feelings for Waverly and hate for Kieran.However, things turn for the worst when the New Horizon attacks and kidnaps all the girls aboard the Empyrean, leaving the boys and adults in a despe I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but I really enjoyed reading this one.It's a fast-paced sci-fi with a dark plot and complex characters.The narrative switches between Kieran and Waverly who are the oldest teens aboard the Empyrean and have a flourishing relationship, despite Seth's intimate feelings for Waverly and hate for Kieran.However, things turn for the worst when the New Horizon attacks and kidnaps all the girls aboard the Empyrean, leaving the boys and adults in a desperate situation.

The plot is so good and surprisingly,quite dark.Personally,I enjoyed the darker elements of the story as many YA books don't delve into dark themes whereas,Glow most definitely does.The plot even takes a grim route for both Waverly and Kieran,as they both face very different but serious challenges.The sci-fi aspect completely enthralled me and I loved the setting,as the story takes place on a ship which is heading for a distant planet in hopes of repopulating.The plot never bored me and I was continuously entertained and anxious to know what happens next.

All the characters in this book are written brilliantly as they're all complex and not unrealistically one-sided.This makes it hard to even hate the villains or people who make questionable decisions as they display at least one good quality, like compassion.This caused me to frequently change my opinions on the characters because I always felt like there was more to uncover.Also, their actions weren't predictable which created an even more exciting plot.The love triangle between Kieran,Waverly and Seth wasn't very pronounced in this book, thankfully but I feel it will be in later books.Seth was mostly annoying and Waverly was ultimately my favourite.I loved her eagerness to survive and her developed braveness to escape.

However,some of the action scenes did annoy me like a certain one with the girls, where their plan is just terrible and how easily they get caught.Also,I didn't like how the ending began to play out with a suggestion of a cult motive.

As a whole, I loved the book and it was a well worthwhile read,I'll definitely try to pick up the next one.I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is repulsed or frightened by dark themes. ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Sita rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, dystopian, teen-romance, own, reviewed, favourites, love-triangle

I have been trying to gather my thoughts on this book. So it has been written over a few nights (not just one) so be warned when reading this review. It may not make any sense.

HOLY SHIT! No other words. This book was that amazing, this has got to be, hands down one of the best dystopia novels that I’ve read in ages. I’m still trying to gather my thoughts; I am just blown away by the amazingness of this book.

I actually put off reading this for a while. I mean I had it; I just wasn’t bothered to ...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Reynje rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5 stars

I like to be unsettled by books.

I mean this in the sense that I appreciate books that shock, surprise and challenge me. Books that demand my attention when I’m away from them, that creep into my thoughts after I’ve closed the covers. I like Kafka’s idea that books should be an “axe for the frozen sea inside us.”

But there was something wholly unpleasant about the queasy stomach I was left with at the end of Glow, and the way I wanted to brush my arms, as if I could sweep away the fee
2.5 stars

I like to be unsettled by books.

I mean this in the sense that I appreciate books that shock, surprise and challenge me. Books that demand my attention when I’m away from them, that creep into my thoughts after I’ve closed the covers. I like Kafka’s idea that books should be an “axe for the frozen sea inside us.”

But there was something wholly unpleasant about the queasy stomach I was left with at the end of Glow, and the way I wanted to brush my arms, as if I could sweep away the feeling of something crawling on my skin. Arguably, a strong emotional reaction is a good thing. Better to have feelings that tend heavily one direction than to feel underwhelmed and decidedly “meh” about the whole thing, in my opinion. But in this case, it’s proving difficult for me to step back and simply respect the skill it took to create such feelings (which I do), because it’s hard shake my instinctive revulsion to the events of Glow.

This is a dark story that deals with complex, often unpleasant subject matter. So brava, Ryan, for choosing to write a story that tackles heavy themes and does not shy away from taking unexpected turns, and doesn’t replace plot with vapid love-triangle angsting. (This is certainly not Matched : In Space].) I won’t write a synopsis, but take some general ideas from Lord of the Flies, manipulative zealots, and a pervasive atmosphere of sexual threat, put them in deep space, and you’ll be in the ballpark of the premise.

Initially, I did not enjoy the writing – I found it thick and impenetrable, preventing me from connecting with the action or the characters. While this eventually changed, and it captured my full attention, I had to push myself through the first half and fight my waning interest. However, this is likely down to my personal taste rather than a criticism of the mechanics of the writing.

The latter half of the book is fairly dense with a sense of claustrophobia and mounting dread. The situations the characters are in are awful and kept me in a near constant state of unease. (Also, it’s an interesting experience to read a book where I feel repulsed by almost all of the characters.) In fact, it’s probably the unrelenting gloom, the persistent “evil” (to varying degrees) of a large number of the characters that made it difficult to read. When I eventually began to connect with the writing, I then felt trapped by anxiety at the direction the plot threads were taking.

To be fair though, this driving of the story and characters further and further down a frightening path sets the stage well for the sequel. Rather than dropping in a last minute cliffhanger, Ryan has crafted a finale in which the characters’ identities and motivations are so much at odds with each other, that it sparks genuine curiosity at how they will ever achieve some kind of peace amongst themselves, if at all. Essentially, the book leaves the unpleasant feeling that things are very, very wrong, and not a whisper of a clue as to how they can become “right” again.

While the cover (of the UK/Aus edition) is reminiscent of Across the Universe, and there are some surface-level similarities, the tone and execution is vastly different. Glow is a disquieting book. The content is quite heavy and writing, at times, distancing. However, it does leave an impact and raise some interesting stakes for a continuation of the series.
...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Arlene rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Arlene by: Street Corner Booker - ARC Tour Flannery

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, read-2011, arc

I’m not quite sure how to rate this book so for now I’m going with 3 nebulous stars.

Glow is a futuristic SciFi thriller set deep in space where two colony spaceships, the New Horizon and the Empyrean, search for New Earth. These competing sister spaceships engage in a galactic battle against each other as they try to ensure their survival. Aboard the Empyrean, Waverly and Kieran are separated during this war and become tangled in a web of lies and deceit ultimately having them question who they I’m not quite sure how to rate this book so for now I’m going with 3 nebulous stars.

Glow is a futuristic SciFi thriller set deep in space where two colony spaceships, the New Horizon and the Empyrean, search for New Earth. These competing sister spaceships engage in a galactic battle against each other as they try to ensure their survival. Aboard the Empyrean, Waverly and Kieran are separated during this war and become tangled in a web of lies and deceit ultimately having them question who they can trust, including each other.

There were aspects of Glow that I really enjoyed, such as the SciFi element that I’ve recently realized I can be a huge fan of. I also liked the pacing of the story and the suspenseful scenes that never really felt drawn out. The whole galactic war theme can be pretty intense especially when Ryan infuses crafty twists and turns that leave the reader doubting which players in this battle they can trust.

However, there were elements of the story that had me wanting to jump ship. Is it just me or did anyone else feel claustrophobic when reading this book? The setting was so vivid that at times I actually felt closed in! I never got that feeling when I was reading Across the Universe, but with Glow it felt like the walls were caving in, which was frustrating at times but possibly intentional… who knows??

In addition, I have to point out that I felt the story became preachy towards the end. I didn’t like feeling that once I was drawn into the story, suddenly a hidden agenda was revealed. Whether it’s for or against cult type following and fanatical preaching, I’m not a fan of storytelling with hidden motives. I really didn’t care for that, but thankfully that was only towards the end of the book.

Lastly, the violence towards the girls and what the protag went through while captive on the New Horizon made me sick. I didn’t like how that was played out and once she was violated I felt removed from the story and didn’t really want to reengage fully after that. I’m just not a fan of that type of drama. (view spoiler)

Overall, I think Amy Kathleen Ryan had a good concept. With the exception of a few elements, I have to say I was entertained and drawn in. I think fans of AtU will find this a good series to check out.

Thank you Flannery for touring this with the Street Corner Bookers! :)
...more

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Jun 26, 2011 hayden rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ending-sucked, first-reads, arc, mega-awesome-cover, own-it, won-it, series-kind-of-dropped

I graciously received GLOW from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, and the book was provided by the publishers, St. Martin's Press! Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity!

Actually, this is closer to three-and-a-half stars, but I don't do half stars, so it's four.

There are some books out there that are completely clear in their intentions, whose characters are completely either good or evil, whose plot is simple enough to be easily understood. Let me tell you know that GLOW is not one of t ...more

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Oct 05, 2011 Isamlq rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5/5

GLOW is dark.

Glow is so very unexpectedly dark, but that aspect only really kicked into gear sometime around 61% Frankly, I am not a fan of the writing in this one; things just took too much time. However, it's the twists and turns that had me covering my mouth in shock/ repulsion.

While sixty plus percent was a lot to go through before things got interesting, I have to emphasize just how dark things got. There are people isolated, people drugged and violated... all acts done because of som ...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Bern rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012, the-glorious-shelf-of-fabulousness, perfection, the-feeeelings-are-drowning-me, ya, favourites, coverlust, loved-it-to-bits, dark, in-space-no-one-can-hear-you-squeal

Full Disclosure: This book was given to me on a GR giveaway. So thanks GR!

I honestly didn't expect this. I really didn't. On the back of the book, it's written in huge letters that this is the most riveting series since Hunger Games, and that's not true in the least.

This book beats Hunger Games to a bloody, motionless pulp laying on the ground with its limbs positioned in odd, wrong angles. I mean it. I does.

Glow (don't let the cutesy name fool you, there's craziness to go around in this book) s Full Disclosure: This book was given to me on a GR giveaway. So thanks GR!

I honestly didn't expect this. I really didn't. On the back of the book, it's written in huge letters that this is the most riveting series since Hunger Games, and that's not true in the least.

This book beats Hunger Games to a bloody, motionless pulp laying on the ground with its limbs positioned in odd, wrong angles. I mean it. I does.

Glow (don't let the cutesy name fool you, there's craziness to go around in this book) starts with Kieran and Waverly, two teenagers aboard the spaceship called Empyrean, whose mission is to traverse space to New Earth from the old, dying Earth they left behind. Whilst crossing a nebula, however, they're attacked by the other ship that left Earth a year before them, the New Horizon. They kidnap all the young girls, including Waverly, and kill some people in the process. It falls to Kieran and to Waverly to fix the whole situation, kilometers away from each other in deep space.

That synopsis up there makes no justice to this book. Really, the story is so engrossing and the characters so interesting there's never a moment of boredom. You think you know who the bad guys are, how it's going to end, what's going to happen, but turns out you're wrong. It's not that there were twists, properly speaking. I don't know, some people may think of the shifts in the plot as twists, but they were so subtle and fluid I just saw them as the new destination the narrative was taking.

I think you can safely say that a book is well written when you hate the characters the writer meant for you to hate, feel for the ones the writer wants you to feel for and when the plot is so intense you're capable of being enthralled even when nothing action-y is happening. This is the case here, only there's a catch when it comes to knowing which character to suspect: you can't know for sure. Some characters go through life changing ordeals throughout the book that changes their outlook on life, and that also changes their attitude and the way you think of them.

Also, I thought it was really interesting how Amy Ryan approached the subject of a self proclaimed messiah. Such character wasn't some religious bigot before, nor did he think he had insight into God's mind, but after spending a month starving, the voice he heard in his head, the one that at first was his parents telling him it'd be ok, then was his girlfriend's telling him she'd join him again turned into a faceless voice. A voice that told him he'd be ok, that promised him freedom and everything he wanted. Surely, then, it must've been the voice of God. Except wasn't it just a voice in his head caused by prolonged starvation? I think this was a genius approach to the matter, and although I won't comment further so as to not cause any religious debate, let's just say I agree fully with this book.

Anyway, no matter what you take away from this review, bottom line is: pick this book up now and read it. Seriously. You're going to love it. ~~The voice in my head told me so.~~

What? Nothing. Did you say something?

I didn't... ...more

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Jul 04, 2011 Nic rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-awww, 2011, review-copy, out-of-this-world, sci-fi

Rating: 3.5 stars but just barely

In one sentence: Glow is an out of this world love story that takes you on a fast paced thrill ride.

I know some of you are reading the synopsis thinking spaceships, sci-fi, that is so not your thing but Glow isn't just for sci-fi fans. It definitely will appeal to fans of paranormal or dystopia reads with it's great blend of romance, adventure and suspense (I would call it light sci-fi). I know that with other sci-fi reads I have struggled with the world buildin Rating: 3.5 stars but just barely

In one sentence: Glow is an out of this world love story that takes you on a fast paced thrill ride.

I know some of you are reading the synopsis thinking spaceships, sci-fi, that is so not your thing but Glow isn't just for sci-fi fans. It definitely will appeal to fans of paranormal or dystopia reads with it's great blend of romance, adventure and suspense (I would call it light sci-fi). I know that with other sci-fi reads I have struggled with the world building but this is an effortless read that you become quickly absorbed in.

I loved that the action happened less than 50 pages in and from there on in it was a completely pulse pounding read. Every page seemed to be full of excitement and suspense. Although some events in the story seemed a little too convenient and hard to believe. But despite that I think the plot and the world Ryan has created is the strength of this book.

Glow is told in two points of view, Waverly and Keiran. I am a big fan of dual narration especially when it works well and flows seamlessly into each other and it definitely did in Glow. Without it I think I would have been lost as Waverly and Keiran were apart for majority of the story and it really helped give you the complete picture of what was going on.

Waverly is a compelling character. Mature, strong, a fighter and most importantly likeable. I love that she doesn't give up easily and isn't afraid to ask the hard questions.

However with Keiran I struggled to get a real sense of who his is. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed his point of view, it provided plenty of heart-stopping moments, but at times I felt his character was a little inconsistent. I also felt this way about Seth another important character. Sometimes they were nice honorable guys but the next minute they were being cruel and heartless. This may have been just because of their world was falling apart around them but I felt a little confused. I look forward to figuring them out in the next book.

Overall, Glow was a gripping and intense start to this series. I can't wait to see what happens next. ...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Lissa added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, kick-ass-heroine

Holy Effing Shite I don't even know where to begin. This book is being compared to The Hunger Games but lucky me, I haven't read that book yet so I could approach Glow completely impartial. And just to let everyone know beforehand, I myself wrote and published a sci-fi novel set on a travelling space ship just this month. So I'm all up on the whole sci-fi thing. I don't get people who don't like it as a genre. I freaking grew up reading that shit, and although recently I've been reading more fan ...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Rachel Hartman rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5 stars.

All right, I'm not getting anything else done, and a nap seems to be eluding me, so here goes.

I had a devilish hard time reading this book. I just couldn't connect with the writing at all. I found it extremely dry and explain-y, and my mind would wander any time there wasn't dialogue. Which was, ah, most of the time.

Now I have to say: I think this is my fault too, and not just the book's. Sometimes a writing style just doesn't connect with my thinking style, and that isn't anybody's fa 2.5 stars.

All right, I'm not getting anything else done, and a nap seems to be eluding me, so here goes.

I had a devilish hard time reading this book. I just couldn't connect with the writing at all. I found it extremely dry and explain-y, and my mind would wander any time there wasn't dialogue. Which was, ah, most of the time.

Now I have to say: I think this is my fault too, and not just the book's. Sometimes a writing style just doesn't connect with my thinking style, and that isn't anybody's fault. I really need characters to connect to, and 3rd person omniscient keeps you at arm's length. That said, it's good for much of what she was trying to do, which is action.

I am probably in a minority here, but I tend to skim action. I find it blindingly tedious. Especially when it isn't even human action but somebody piloting a shuttlecraft into the airlock, or bullets whizzing around. *snore*

Much of this book just wasn't my thing. The parts that MIGHT have been my thing kept feeling muted and truncated. For example: (view spoiler). I came very close to putting this down for good many times because I just wasn't feeling it.

Absurdly, everything that came in the book's "Epilogue", I found much more interesting and compelling than what had gone before. Trauma changing people? PTSD reaction to religion? Philosophical implications of what Kieran has been up to? Sign me up!

And then, of course, the book was done. Huh. Will I read the next one? Dunno. Maybe, if I read some reviews that convince me we're getting inside the characters a bit more, and not just scraping our shuttlecrafts across the hard metallic surface of the world.

(O hai, cold meds! You make such good metaphors!) ...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Kimberly Francisco rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sf, young-adult, 2011

This book is not perfect - there were a couple of places that were sparse and could have done with a bit more fleshing out. The book is fairly short so it wouldn't have made it too long.

But, this book is nearly perfect otherwise. An original, twisty plot (yes, there are similarities with other books, but Ryan has done something really unique with old tropes), two marvelously compelling characters, and a lot to say about human nature.

It was painful to read at times, but that's because Ryan is su ...more

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May 05, 2011 Stacey (prettybooks) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-my-twenties, read-after-university, young-adult-fiction

Glow captured my interest from the very first page. It’s the sort of book that will make you miss your stop if you’re reading it on public transport (always a sign of a good novel, I think). I’ve never read anything quite this science fiction-y before; I’ve never, ever read anything that takes place on a spaceship. I had wondered whether I’d find it difficult to believe but I was thoroughly impressed. The spaceship setup is stunning. It is very well constructed and detailed, and I could easily i Glow captured my interest from the very first page. It’s the sort of book that will make you miss your stop if you’re reading it on public transport (always a sign of a good novel, I think). I’ve never read anything quite this science fiction-y before; I’ve never, ever read anything that takes place on a spaceship. I had wondered whether I’d find it difficult to believe but I was thoroughly impressed. The spaceship setup is stunning. It is very well constructed and detailed, and I could easily imagine this enclosed fictitious society up in space. While I have absolutely no idea whether Amy Kathleen Ryan is accurate when she’s talking about hulls and shuttles, it sounded pretty authentic to me.

As for the plot, it’s not as romance-centric as suggested by the cover tagline and the synopsis. It had been described to me as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale set in space’ and I did get that from the novel, which has the dystopian aspects of ‘control over reproductive rights’, fundamentalist religion and being held captive. This is a very loose comparison, however, and I’m by no means saying that Glow is the YA version of The Handmaid’s Tale. Nonetheless, it was extremely enjoyable. The novel switches between two viewpoints: Waverly and Kieran. Waverly is a strong-willed character and I found her to be much more interesting than her counterpart. I’d personally even say she was a strong feminist character, which I think is important to note. I also felt like there was an underlining ‘liberal’ vs. ‘conservative’ debate in the story.

I really wish I could give the novel the full five star rating, because opened me up to a whole new genre and is a fantastic addition to the YA science fiction that's out there at the moment, but the story was a little too slow for me in the middle when it stays on Kieran’s perspective for a few chapters. I kept wishing it would switch back to Waverly’s perspective. (But that's just me showing character favouritism!). I also wish that certain parts of the story could have been a bit more emotional, especially the situation with Waverly and the girls. I quite like crashing down, completely horrific, emotional wreck-type scenes!

Overall, Glow encompasses genres that are extremely popular right now: a splash of dystopia, a hint of post-apocalyptic Earth, a slight love triangle, and interesting science fiction. I’m that glad I had the opportunity to read and review Glow. I’m only sad that it has a massive cliffhanger and I really wish we did not have to wait so long for the second book in the new Sky Chasers series.

Thank you Macmillan Children’s Books for sending me this book to review!

I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Abby rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Before I start this review, be warned. I read Insurgent AND The Princess Bride (two books which I consider masterpieces) right before this book, therefore this review may be a little harsh. But I believe this book warrants some harshness.

1. Intelligent and Heroic Heroine: NOPE
Sure, Waverly supposedly fulfills the new trend in YA, which is intense, kick-butt, troubled heroines, but I didn't get that from her. The depth needed to pull that off just wasn't there. I couldn't and didn't connect with ...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Steph Su rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: did-not-finish, cover-lust, sci-fi

Uh, WOW. And not a good wow. I only got about 50 pages in before I realized that there was no way, except maybe by gunpoint, that I was going to be able to finish this book. This reads like someone threw a lot of money at a person and was like, here, indulge in writing something that contains a love triangle, a spaceship, big bad evil doo-doo men, and sexual desire. The problem with starting with these requirements, of course, is that they are not allowed to develop naturally out of inevitable b ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Crystal Starr Light rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, young-adult, audiobook, 2014-owned-challenge

Bullet Review:

Thank you Nemo for your recommendation that I not sell this book and stick it out. I may not have read the physical book, but it made me want to pick up the audiobook, and while I didn't adore this to pieces, I did enjoy myself quite a bit.

The long and short of it is: this book is incredibly dark but worlds better than most of the offerings you will find for Young Adults. Characters are realistic, there is some decent world-building, and the story is intriguing, if incredibly dark ...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Keertana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-linger, 2013-favorites, teary-eyed-reads, kick-ass-heroines

I read Glow with my heart caught in my throat, flipping pages frantically and waiting for the sick feeling in my stomach to evaporate. Even after having finished this book, though, my heart hasn’t found its way back to my chest; I find it hard to breathe. For all the trouble it gave me, however, Glow has been one of the most satisfying novels I’ve come across this year. Amy Kathleen Ryan’s unapologetic prose and savage characters are the unpretentious realities I seek in a thought-provoking nove I read Glow with my heart caught in my throat, flipping pages frantically and waiting for the sick feeling in my stomach to evaporate. Even after having finished this book, though, my heart hasn’t found its way back to my chest; I find it hard to breathe. For all the trouble it gave me, however, Glow has been one of the most satisfying novels I’ve come across this year. Amy Kathleen Ryan’s unapologetic prose and savage characters are the unpretentious realities I seek in a thought-provoking novel and, if nothing else is guaranteed, it is this: Glow will turn your mind inside-out and force you to re-think everything you thought you knew about humanity.

Waverly and Kieran are barely sixteen-years-old, but they’re already considering marriage. As the first generation of children born on the Empyrean, a spaceship that set off for New Earth decades ago, it is their duty to ensure the continuity of the human race. Kieran, already groomed to become the next Captain, is the perfect choice and, despite a few misgivings, Waverly is prepared to do her duty. When the New Horizon, however, the sister-spaceship that set off a year before the Empyrean, looms into view, Waverly and Kieran’s lives are changed forever. After all, the New Horizon should be millions – if not billions – of miles ahead of the Empyrean, so the fact that they have slowed down their vessel to help the Empyrean catch up spells trouble.

And trouble it is. When these two spaceships first set out from Earth, their chances of survival were the same. In fact, the only difference remained the religious beliefs of their crew members. Yet, while the Empyrean solved the fertility issue plaguing their crew, the New Horizon didn’t. Thus, with no children aboard their ship – and therefore no one to carry forth their legacy – the Empyrean falls under attack, one hundred and thirty girls rounded up and kidnapped while dozens of adults fall dead, struggling to defend them. Alone on a spaceship with boys of various ages, Kieran is lost. And alone on a strange vessel, with a dictator named Anne Mather, all Waverly knows is that she must escape – before they touch her.

Glow brings forth a future vision that is both startling and eerie. Not only is Ryan’s world-building impeccable and intricately paced, but it is impossible to find a loop hole within the dystopian world she was built. Moreover, the story itself is nothing short of terrifying: a horror-story of human capabilities when pushed to the utmost degree of sanity. Anne Mather, the obvious “villain” of our tale is manipulative and charismatic – deadly traits to work against – but Ryan imbibes an entire back story to her existence that makes it impossible to view her in a stark black-and-white light.

What makes Glow such a remarkable piece, though, is the fact that Ryan is willing to create unlikeable characters. On the Empyrean, Kieran believes he must lead the remaining crew, particularly as he would someday become Captain. As he begins assuming power, though, he finds opposition in the form of Seth, an abused, but intelligent, teen who has remained jealous of Kieran’s position, status, and engagement to Waverly. As Seth rises to power, undermining Kieran and finding fault with his actions, Kieran fails to achieve what he set out to do. Yet, as the situation aboard the Empyrean becomes increasingly frantic, wrought with shifting allegiances between Seth and Kieran, the true nature of both teenagers becomes apparent. Our loyalties, too, move back-and-forth, sympathizing with one boy and then the next as more and more is revealed. Thus, by the end, it is impossible to discern who is better, who is worse, and who is justified in what they did. Ryan blurs these lines and her stark, direct prose only serves to muddle our brain. After all, without the author telling us who to root for – without her bias leaking through the words – are we siding with a villain or a hero?

Waverly’s case, though different, also has its share of similarities. Stuck on the New Horizon, she must team up to escape Anne Mather – and fast. After all, Mather has made no secret of the fact that the girls have been chosen for their gender; nothing more. It is a shocking situation, particularly as the crew of the New Horizon supports Mather and dares not look too closely at how she handles her power, as long as they finally get what they’ve wanted for so long: children. While Mather’s cruelty is apparent through Waverly’s struggles – many of which left me gasping in outrage – I admired the subtle messages Ryan was able to weave through the narrative. Waverly, as well as many of the other girls, have been subject to sexual harassment in the form of lingering looks or the equivalent of wolf whistles. While Glow isn’t necessarily a feminist piece, the trials and tribulations that women have had to suffer from the discomfort of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence are outlined vividly, further blurring the lines between right and wrong as Ryan explores the decisions taken by these victims and the morality of those choices.

Ultimately, Glow is an intense, dark novel. Ryan’s characters may be teenagers, but the content of this novel is in no way adolescent. It is, solely, for mature readers who are looking for a story to make them think, reflect, and ponder. With just one book, Ryan has shot up to become a favorite author of mine; her writing is evocative, characters complex, and final message poignant. No stone is left unexplored in this psychological study of humanity, which I appreciate. Glow is proof that the Young Adult genre can transcend its artificial barriers of romance, delivering a novel that is worthy to be read, shared, and discussed with readers of all ages.

You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings. ...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Trudi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, reviewed, just-ok, love-triangles

Oh, why did I believe the lie that this book could possibly be like The Hunger Games? With a cliff hanger at every chapter, and a love triangle that had you holding your breath? No! It's all lies I tell you! *feels betrayed*. I say the truth, right on the back of the book, it says so. In all caps may I add.
Maybe if that stupid statement on the back hadn't been there, maybe, just maybe, I would of given it more of a chance...but, sadly, without The Hunger Games on the back of the cover, enticing ...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Librariann rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, 2011, big-kahuna

I was excited when I picked this title up on the first day of ALA. A space opera! I love space operas! It even had blurbs on the back comparing it to The Hunger Games, and a note from Lauren Myracle! PROMISING.

That I started it the first night of ALA (in late June) and JUST finished it is probably a sign of how much this book did NOT enthrall me.

1) The timeline is horrendous. The story is told by dual narrators, but the narration doesn't alternate with each chapter. Instead, each narrator's st ...more

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Apr 29, 2018 Kay rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: love-triangle, dystopian

This was intense and creepy, and I had no idea who to root for! A bit preachy though, and some unlikable characters... Full review to come

3.5 stars

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Jun 26, 2011 Laura rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: review-on-blog, young-adult, read-2011, ala-2011, own

This book was thrilling. The first couple of pages got me hooked. I was really intrigued by the world and the instantaneous action! I was drawn in and wanted to know what was going to happen next to the people.

But then it got less and less exciting as I read farther. Even though it was super suspenseful, there were elements that I didn’t think went over so well. It was kind of violent in parts, and I wasn’t really sure if that was necessary. I also felt like a lot of people died, and that just d This book was thrilling. The first couple of pages got me hooked. I was really intrigued by the world and the instantaneous action! I was drawn in and wanted to know what was going to happen next to the people.

But then it got less and less exciting as I read farther. Even though it was super suspenseful, there were elements that I didn’t think went over so well. It was kind of violent in parts, and I wasn’t really sure if that was necessary. I also felt like a lot of people died, and that just didn't sit well with me. I also didn’t become attached to the characters, I never really connected with any of them and I wasn’t super anxious when anything happened to them. The love story between the two main characters needed help, because I wasn't buying it, I felt like there hadn’t had enough backstory/time/SOMETHING for their relationship and it was a little awkward.

The switching back and forth between the two characters was a little annoying. I was much more interested in what was happening to Waverly and her side of the story than I was in Kerian’s story.

(view spoiler)

I think though, the biggest thing that got on my nerve was the religious connotations. I just felt like it was a little bleak and I didn't care for how much corruption was involved with religion. I just wish it was handled differently. The ending was what really tipped this book for me though. I had been racing through the story, anxious to get to the ending, and when I finally reached it I wasn’t left with a “That was so creepy, I can’t believe this happened, what is going to happen next? I HAVE TO READ THE NEXT BOOK” I was left with “That was so creepy, I can’t believe this happened, I’m NOT reading the second book.”

I was left with such a sour taste in my mouth. It left me unsatisfied and I was discouraged by the actions and thoughts of the characters on BOTH ships and how all of the events had unfolded….especially on Kerian’s ship. It felt like a messed-up dystopian thriller smashed with Wall•E.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011... ...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Amber (Books of Amber) rated it it was amazing

Earth has become almost uninhabitable, and so two sister ships – The Empyrean and The New Horizon – have been set off into space to commence their journey to New Earth. Our two main characters, Kieran and Waverly, are on one of those ships.

So as you may have deduced, this novel is a sci-fi/dystopian. Don’t you just love those? I do. Ever since I read Across the Universe I have been fascinated by the genre, and I was so excited when I received this ARC in the mail. As predicted, Glow did not dis Earth has become almost uninhabitable, and so two sister ships – The Empyrean and The New Horizon – have been set off into space to commence their journey to New Earth. Our two main characters, Kieran and Waverly, are on one of those ships.

So as you may have deduced, this novel is a sci-fi/dystopian. Don’t you just love those? I do. Ever since I read Across the Universe I have been fascinated by the genre, and I was so excited when I received this ARC in the mail. As predicted, Glow did not disappoint – I absolutely ravished it.

The story is told in two points of view – Kieran and Waverly’s – and in alternating parts. We are first introduced to The New Horizon, where Kieran and Waverly are the eldest children. They are greatly favoured, as previously to them being born, the females of the ship had been infertile. I won’t go into too much detail about that, because there is so much to be explained and explored, and I wouldn’t want to ruin any potential surprises!

Something inevitably goes wrong, and causes Waverly and her boyfriend Kieran to be separated. I, for one, was quite looking forward to the change in status, but anyway, let’s continue.

The main story arc of the book was excellently dealt with; there were many twists and turns throughout the plot, and lots of action scenes thrown in! The plot was fast moving, yet I didn’t have any trouble keeping up with what was going on. There were some time jumps, but these were almost perfectly well managed, and stayed very consistent throughout the parts.
Most of all, I loved the world building. You all know I love dystopias, and this is possibly one of the best I’ve read so far. The little details were brilliantly though out and executed, and I loved that everything had relevance within the story.

I’d also like to add that I was extremely impressed by the villain. Without mentioning any names, I thought our villain in this book was brilliant. The reasons for the villainous acts were well put across, and you could really tell that nothing was done without cause. Simply amazing.

Waverly, our heroine, was fantastic. She was strong willed, and didn't let anything bring her down. Instead of whining on about how bad her life had suddenly become, she strived to help the others on the ship and to plot a way to get back to Kieran. That said, I liked the fact that Amy Ryan hadn’t made her to be too tough. Things affected her, and circumstances changed her. She had great character growth and her development right until the end of the novel was clear.

As for Kieran... Meh. Usually it’s the girl that annoys me, but Kieran was an awful character. I really wasn’t interested in his relationship with Waverly, and I do not think they are suited in the slightest. Waverly was such a strong character, and I feel that Kieran put her down. His whining especially got on my nerves, along with the preaching.

In fact, I’m rather looking forward to seeing more of Waverly and Seth, and hopefully seeing something form between them. Yes, I know Seth is a bit of a bugger, but he’s significantly better than Kieran and I think Waverly will do Seth good.

And to top all of that awesomeness off, Amy Ryan’s writing style was impeccable. There were a couple of scenes in which I could feel the character’s pain physically, for example in one scene, someone pulls an IV out of their arm and then has to put it back in. This scene and the descriptions just left me cringing; it was awful and yet amazing at the same time. This rarely happens to me whilst reading.

I definitely recommend this book to sci-fi and dystopian fans. I’d also like to recommend it to everyone else, whether you’re a fan of politics, family relationships, religion, or none of the above. You can just ignore the fact that it’s set in space, because I can guarantee you are probably going to love this book!
...more

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May 04, 2011 Amber rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, 2011, bookers

Rating: 3.5
I went into reading Glow with an open mind. I was intrigued for sure and the synopsis had a good lure to it to make me want to see what it was all about. I was happily surprised by the outcome. The concept was interesting enough to keep me engaged in the book and the characters were interesting enough.
There were some thoughts that kept popping up along the way. I started questioning how big the ship really was and as I kept reading through various scenes, I came to the realization th Rating: 3.5
I went into reading Glow with an open mind. I was intrigued for sure and the synopsis had a good lure to it to make me want to see what it was all about. I was happily surprised by the outcome. The concept was interesting enough to keep me engaged in the book and the characters were interesting enough.
There were some thoughts that kept popping up along the way. I started questioning how big the ship really was and as I kept reading through various scenes, I came to the realization that this ship must be humungous! If this thing has combine machinery, hay to bail and they house forests etc. it has to be huge. I was a little disturbed by some of the actions of the captain on the New Horizon. (Can’t give away the details) Also, why would the 2 boys that know the ship best, leave on a rescue mission leaving the others there alone and knowing the engines were set to come back on??
I like how the author switches POV’s with Kieran and Waverly. You got a good deal of detail as to what they were facing, the struggles and emotions they encountered. If you worry about a love triangle..nah, very minimal where that is concerned.
Characters:
I like how the characters were written and developed throughout the book. Waverly was a great protagonist. She had courage, wit and I loved how she never gave up, even on crucial times, she seemed to be able to pull through. Kiernan is on the shorter side, slight build, well coordinated and strong for his size…also, he has “Amber” eyes. ;) He didn’t sweep me off my feet but was still a good character. Seth was more handsome, taller, and broader in the shoulders and has laser blue eyes. Who couldn’t love those! He seems more of a rough guy but I think he does have a softer side to him. The secondary characters were pretty vital in the writing of this book. There were a lot of them but they were significant.
Overall: I enjoyed this book. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was a Sci-Fi book alone. There was a hint of that in there. By the time I finished this book I was left feeling the need for more. I am interested what the author will come up with for the next installment.

A special thanks to my Booker friend who was so kind to share this with me.
...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Ellen Goodlett rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, favorites

Wow. Wowowowowow. People complain that there's not much true sci-fi in YA nowadays... HERE IT IS! The space aspects of this book were realistic, the setting and logistics of things like how gravity would work on a spaceship that's traveling for years and years, and how two separate ships can rendezvous in space and the effects of travel on women with regards to fertility, motherhood... Everything about the setting in this felt real to me (though I am not a rocket scientist, so maybe it could be ...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Trisha rated it it was ok

I think the synopsis is a disservice to this story. So very little of this story centers around love. The synopsis makes it sound like it's a romeo and juliet re-telling and it's not.

This story is about survival.

Two spaceships left a failing earth. One with high religious Christians on board, the other with many faiths and many who did not practice. Years later, after a fertility scare, the "other" space ship has managed to have kids. The Christian ship, not so much.

What follows is the story of ...more

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Jul 12, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Empyrean is one of two space ships headed for New Earth. Their mission is to repopulate the human race and begin a prosperous new planet. They have been travelling for years, and the first generation of children to be born in space are entering their late-teens, and are almost ready to start marrying and procreating.

Kieran and Waverley are just such a couple. Sixteen-year-old Kiernan is the ship’s ‘golden boy’ – the first baby born after years of infertility; he is the product of intense gen ...more

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Jun 27, 2017 Lilia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Well, that was interesting. To sum it up, it's pretty much like if The Handmaid's Tale and the Passenger movie with JLaw and Chris Pratt had a baby together and you get Glow ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Kristi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

I really wish I could say I loved this book but I just can't. Giving it a 3 was being generous, it's really more of a 2.5 and the reason for that was that the premise of the story itself, although similar to another I've read, was very good. It's the follow-through that was left wanting.

After reading the synopsis, you can see that the New Horizon was attacked and overtaken by The Empyrean for their own nefarious reasons. All the young females are kidnapped and taken aboard the Empyrean under les ...more

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May 01, 2011 Catriona rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I wasn't sure what to expect - wrongly, i expected something similar to 'across the universe' which i read last year and also enjoyed. Instead i got a much more intelligent and thought provoking read and less of a love story. I'm trying not to include too many spoilers as the themes surprised me and thats what made it great - the surprise, however, without knowing about the central themes, i feel this book could be unfairly lost in the teen dystopia/science fiction genre with the amount of relea ...more

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About Amy Kathleen Ryan

Amy Kathleen Ryan

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Amy Kathleen Ryan earned her MA from the University of Vermont, and her MFA from The New School in New York City.

Amy only reviews books she thinks are excellent.

Proud to be included in this list of classic science fiction titles: https://media.bookbub.com/blog/2015/0...

Follow her on TWITTER!!
https://twitter.com/AmyKathleenRyan

Website:
http://www.amykathleenryan.com ...more

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Quotes from Glow

“We do matter. To believe that our lives are meaningful is the essence of faith. We are not as large, or as bright, or as eternal as the stars, but we carry humankind's message of love across the galaxy. We are the first. We are the world makers. Our nourishment is hope. Like the tender reed shaking in the wind, we will reach up to a new sun.” — 9 likes

“You’re so naïve.” Felicity laughed scornfully. “Don’t you see what people are? They’re animals. Every one of them.”
“Felicity.” Waverly grabbed hold of the girl’s hand and squeezed hard enough to hurt, until Felicity lifted her eyes to Waverly’s. “We’re animals, too. We can fight back.”
Felicity yanked her hand away. “You idiot. It doesn’t matter how hard you fight.”
“It matters to me,” Waverly said quietly.
“So fight, then,” Felicity spat over her shoulder.
Waverly stood up, fists clenched. “I will.” — 8 likes

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