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Running for Water and Sky: A Novel
They say that right before you die, your whole life flashes before your eyes. But what they don't say is that the same thing can happen when your soul mate is dying.
After spending most of her 17 years being shuffled between families that don't want her, Bless Adler has no intention of opening her heart to anyone. And then she falls in love with Liam Reid.
The closer Bless lets Liam get, the more fearful she becomes. Then her new friend, Maylee, convinces her to go see a local psychic and the woman's glimpse into the future is anything but reassuring: Bless's absent father, drunk and bitter. A frantic crowd gathered at the beach. Liam lying in a pool of blood, a gun at his side.
Now Bless has 14 blocks to reach Liam on the shores of Lake Michigan. If he's still alive, she'll beg for him to fight for his life. If he's not, she'll say good-bye to the first person who made her want to fight for her own. Edgy, intense, and emotional, Running for Water and Sky is a story of the elation and angst that comes with love, and the challenge of learning to trust when betrayal is all you ve ever known.
After spending most of her 17 years being shuffled between families that don't want her, Bless Adler has no intention of opening her heart to anyone. And then she falls in love with Liam Reid.
The closer Bless lets Liam get, the more fearful she becomes. Then her new friend, Maylee, convinces her to go see a local psychic and the woman's glimpse into the future is anything but reassuring: Bless's absent father, drunk and bitter. A frantic crowd gathered at the beach. Liam lying in a pool of blood, a gun at his side.
Now Bless has 14 blocks to reach Liam on the shores of Lake Michigan. If he's still alive, she'll beg for him to fight for his life. If he's not, she'll say good-bye to the first person who made her want to fight for her own. Edgy, intense, and emotional, Running for Water and Sky is a story of the elation and angst that comes with love, and the challenge of learning to trust when betrayal is all you ve ever known.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2016
8 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 27, 2016
It appears that I must have read a different book from the current readers. Everyone else is raving about this book. Don't get me wrong as in the beginning I thought this story was really going to go somewhere. Yet, after only a few chapters, I had lost interest in what was transpiring in the pages of this book. None of the characters jumped out at me and made me crave for their story. Yet I did keep reading as I thought I would find that "some" again. After just going through the motions until the half way point I was done. I did skip ahead to the last three chapters to see how the story would end. Unfortunately, this book was not for me.
January 29, 2019
I just love Sandra Krings writing. I always get so invested in her books 📚 that I have a hard time putting them down. She reminds me a lot of Colleen Hoover who’s writing also grasps me and storyline is always so different. I love that this book dealt with real life issues. Death of a parent, feeling unwanted, unexpected love ❤️, step families, etc. what a great read.
May 10, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a solid read about real people, with real issues, and it never shys away from that or glosses over the difficult, ugly stuff.
There are some things I really love about this story, particularly the whole end of the novel, which just hit all the right notes for me. In fact, I felt like the story got stronger the longer I read. I confess, there were a few things along the way that bothered the obsessive YA reader that dwells inside me, which was why I sat on this review for a few days. I wanted to know if they even mattered, or if they were just things I fixated on while reading that don’t really impact what a unique and interesting story this was.
For the most part, they don’t matter, because what I’m left with after reading this story is reminders of the impact that poverty, abuse, and hardship have on emotional development and how challenging it can be for people to ever overcome that. I think that’s why this book was so rewarding for me, because it took people who should by all standards be broken and gave them moments where they could choose to grow. Sometimes they did. Sometimes they faltered or even backpedaled, but it was watching them have to confront their issues and demons that held my attention.
The story expertly captures those pivotal moments in people’s lives where they can either rise up and overcome or give up and slip back into dysfunction. Watching all those internal struggles was both fascinating and upsetting for me. Sometimes I had to close the book and set it away from me for a moment, but I found that I would almost immediately pick it back up and start reading again. It’s like I needed space from the weight of the story, but I also didn’t want it.
I could sit here and point at a few things I thought could be improved, in terms of the writing and unique format of the story, but why would I? The reality is that I read this through within 24 hours, and it had an emotional impact on me, which means the story is effective. I cared about what happened to these characters, and I am glad I went on the journey with them.
Pages: 282
This is a solid read about real people, with real issues, and it never shys away from that or glosses over the difficult, ugly stuff.
There are some things I really love about this story, particularly the whole end of the novel, which just hit all the right notes for me. In fact, I felt like the story got stronger the longer I read. I confess, there were a few things along the way that bothered the obsessive YA reader that dwells inside me, which was why I sat on this review for a few days. I wanted to know if they even mattered, or if they were just things I fixated on while reading that don’t really impact what a unique and interesting story this was.
For the most part, they don’t matter, because what I’m left with after reading this story is reminders of the impact that poverty, abuse, and hardship have on emotional development and how challenging it can be for people to ever overcome that. I think that’s why this book was so rewarding for me, because it took people who should by all standards be broken and gave them moments where they could choose to grow. Sometimes they did. Sometimes they faltered or even backpedaled, but it was watching them have to confront their issues and demons that held my attention.
The story expertly captures those pivotal moments in people’s lives where they can either rise up and overcome or give up and slip back into dysfunction. Watching all those internal struggles was both fascinating and upsetting for me. Sometimes I had to close the book and set it away from me for a moment, but I found that I would almost immediately pick it back up and start reading again. It’s like I needed space from the weight of the story, but I also didn’t want it.
I could sit here and point at a few things I thought could be improved, in terms of the writing and unique format of the story, but why would I? The reality is that I read this through within 24 hours, and it had an emotional impact on me, which means the story is effective. I cared about what happened to these characters, and I am glad I went on the journey with them.
Pages: 282
January 28, 2018
This was a good book, definitely written more for a teen audience. Not Kring's best book, but Idk how anyone could top The Book of Bright Ideas.
October 25, 2018
I normally really dive into Sandra Kring's books but I had a hard time getting interested in the characters and staying interested in the story. Also, the characters which are most memorable are the most despicable and I spent the whole book hoping justice would come to both of them (I don't want to spoil any details for anyone who hasn't read this and wants to, but honestly, one of them ends up being a 'hero' and it's a big reach...). The was first dud of a book I have encountered by this normally very engaging and very fine author.
April 28, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It may have been sad at times but it was light hearted as well more than anything. It was something fresh and easy that I needed from what I usually read. I was happy with the writing, the character development and the ending.
January 15, 2024
I picked this book up randomly as I passed it in the library. The only thing I did like about it, is that the girl on the cover seems like a random person, aside from that, I loved it! I couldn't stop reading! Raw and beautifully written. Characters are so vivid, real and relatable.
July 29, 2017
It was tense for a while but I liked the happy (and realistic) ending. Good book of people in bad situations making the best of things and overcoming fear.
February 6, 2018
Having read Kring's other books, this is just a disappointment. There are some good parts, but they are overshadowed by a cheesy romance.
March 10, 2018
Always enjoy reading Sandra Kring novels.
March 7, 2017
Running for Water and Sky was a great story about fear and how it cripples us and forms our thoughts each day.
Bless, living with her grandparents in rural Nebraska feels lost. She was dumped in her grandparent's home when she was 4 years old. Her grandparents are anything but warm and fuzzy. They are frightened, bitter and cold. When Bless is 16 years old, everything changes. The only life she remembers is gone and she has a new life, and new people to adjust to. She finds her first love, and a new world.
Running for Water and Sky is about letting go of fear, and learning to embrace life.
Bless, living with her grandparents in rural Nebraska feels lost. She was dumped in her grandparent's home when she was 4 years old. Her grandparents are anything but warm and fuzzy. They are frightened, bitter and cold. When Bless is 16 years old, everything changes. The only life she remembers is gone and she has a new life, and new people to adjust to. She finds her first love, and a new world.
Running for Water and Sky is about letting go of fear, and learning to embrace life.
July 28, 2016
Every now and again, I'll catch myself reading a book labeled "YA" because I'm just curious what the "young adults" are actually reading these days. Today's review is on a book with that label entitled Running for Water and Sky by Sandra Kring.
I had never heard of Sandra Kring, but that means nothing! When I looked her up, I see she's got books published as far back as 2004 so I must have had my eyes shut when I walked down the "K" author aisle in the book store! It looks like Running for Water and Sky is Ms. Kring's first young adult attempt, and I was pretty impressed.
When I read the description, I thought it was a little predictable sounding, but I was very pleasantly surprised to see that it was actually a pretty good "coming of age" story.
Her name is actually Bless - Bless Adler, and she's 17. She's been abused and shuffled and unloved for so long that just didn't want her and she has closed her heart to love. Bless lives with her horrible grandparents in Nebraska after her mother dies. Her down-on-his-luck father shows up and takes her to live with his family in Wisconsin.
At school, Bless becomes friends with Maylee, while at the same time, she falls in love with Liam Reid, a new student in town. Maylee convinces Bless to go to a local psychic who tells her a bunch of bad news - the psychic sees a frantic crowd gathered at the beach with Liam lying in a pool of blood with a gun at his side.
Everyone knows I don't write spoilers, so you'll just have to read the book to see what happens with this storyline. Trust me when I tell you the plot moves right along and the characters keep you on your toes. While some characters are predictable, others keep you wanting to read more. If you have a young adult in your life, this is a book you'll want to pick up for them to read. You may catch yourself reading it too! I'm pretty sure I'll be going back to read some of Sandra Kring's other books since I really did enjoy her writing style.
I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from the publishers and BookSparks as part of the 2016 Young Adult Summer Reading Challenge #YASummerReads in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion.
I had never heard of Sandra Kring, but that means nothing! When I looked her up, I see she's got books published as far back as 2004 so I must have had my eyes shut when I walked down the "K" author aisle in the book store! It looks like Running for Water and Sky is Ms. Kring's first young adult attempt, and I was pretty impressed.
When I read the description, I thought it was a little predictable sounding, but I was very pleasantly surprised to see that it was actually a pretty good "coming of age" story.
Her name is actually Bless - Bless Adler, and she's 17. She's been abused and shuffled and unloved for so long that just didn't want her and she has closed her heart to love. Bless lives with her horrible grandparents in Nebraska after her mother dies. Her down-on-his-luck father shows up and takes her to live with his family in Wisconsin.
At school, Bless becomes friends with Maylee, while at the same time, she falls in love with Liam Reid, a new student in town. Maylee convinces Bless to go to a local psychic who tells her a bunch of bad news - the psychic sees a frantic crowd gathered at the beach with Liam lying in a pool of blood with a gun at his side.
Everyone knows I don't write spoilers, so you'll just have to read the book to see what happens with this storyline. Trust me when I tell you the plot moves right along and the characters keep you on your toes. While some characters are predictable, others keep you wanting to read more. If you have a young adult in your life, this is a book you'll want to pick up for them to read. You may catch yourself reading it too! I'm pretty sure I'll be going back to read some of Sandra Kring's other books since I really did enjoy her writing style.
I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from the publishers and BookSparks as part of the 2016 Young Adult Summer Reading Challenge #YASummerReads in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion.
September 7, 2016
I was provided a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a huge fan of YA. I love how adult authors can capture the essence of a teenager. Sandra Kring does just that with her novel Running for Water and Sky.
The story is broken up into chapters ranging from past to present. The main character, Bless, is confronted with a possibly traumatic situation and she tells her story as she’s processing what’s currently going on. Almost like “my life flashed before my eyes” moment.
I did have a hard time getting through this quickly. There were days when I struggled to finish a chapter at night. It just didn’t hold my attention like I was hoping it would. I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t connect with the characters or the situations or what. I think it was the addition of a fortune teller, along with tiny supernatural elements that turned me against it. The book was well written. I enjoyed this style, but I guess it was just not the story for me.
I’m a huge fan of YA. I love how adult authors can capture the essence of a teenager. Sandra Kring does just that with her novel Running for Water and Sky.
The story is broken up into chapters ranging from past to present. The main character, Bless, is confronted with a possibly traumatic situation and she tells her story as she’s processing what’s currently going on. Almost like “my life flashed before my eyes” moment.
I did have a hard time getting through this quickly. There were days when I struggled to finish a chapter at night. It just didn’t hold my attention like I was hoping it would. I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t connect with the characters or the situations or what. I think it was the addition of a fortune teller, along with tiny supernatural elements that turned me against it. The book was well written. I enjoyed this style, but I guess it was just not the story for me.
August 27, 2016
Uuuuugh, DNF. D. N. F. This book was awful in plot and character structure, but somehow still written well. I made it 2/3 of the way through and just couldn't go any further. The main protagonist, Bless, seemed so rude and horrible to people...even ones nice to her like her best friend Maylee. Everything was so up and down DRAMA LLAMA with her and her boyfriend Liam. I think the author intended for it to play out as some sort of psychosis from childhood abuse, but it read more like ridiculous brat. And the weird ass time structure?!? Present chapters mixed with past chapters, but the present chapters had flashbacks?!? WTH? Also, the present chapter's font hurt my eyes. Stick to normal, traditional fonts, publishers.
May 17, 2016
Kring has proven herself to, yet again, be able to masterfully tell a story that captures the attention of her audience and to cause the reader to feel deeply and fully about the characters in the book. This time Kring writes a YA novel. Running for Water and Sky still has the brilliance and intelligence of Kring's adult novels and both the younger audience and adult will be able to relate to the story. I adore King's writing. It is beautiful, almost poetic, real and both heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. Another hit...5 stars
NOTE: I won this book and this is my unbiased opinion.
NOTE: I won this book and this is my unbiased opinion.
May 1, 2016
"Maybe hearts are like toes in that you can't feel them stinging when they're frozen, only when they begin to thaw." It speaks to the gumption of young heroine, Bless Adler, that she found the courage to thaw at all, considering the lousy hand she'd been dealt in life. But Bless is nothing if not plucky, and I was taken with her from the get-go.
Kring shows off her storytelling skills in bringing Bless and all of the other characters to life. The action feels immediate and the teen romance is pitch-perfect. A thoroughly enjoyable, heartfelt read.
Kring shows off her storytelling skills in bringing Bless and all of the other characters to life. The action feels immediate and the teen romance is pitch-perfect. A thoroughly enjoyable, heartfelt read.
June 1, 2016
A young adult /coming of age novel from Sandra Kring that I missed when it came out in 2015. This is not my favorite of Ms. Kring's novels, but I would still recommend it. A young girl is raised by her paternal grandparents after her mother's death. The grandfather is flat out mean and the grandmother is a mouse. The girl, Bless, hasn't seen her father in years. If I say much more it will give away what happens.
May 5, 2016
Sandra Kring weaves an amazing young adult, coming of age novel in Running for Water and Sky. This is an edge-of-your-seat suspense, love and family story. With a feisty heroine, an irresistible boy and beautiful prose, Kring’s writing is strong, pulse-pounding and real. As in her previous novels, Kring's way of looking at the world shines through with heart-wrenching characters and scenes that climb off the page. A must read!
July 18, 2016
I love Sandra Kring's novels and was so excited when I seen she had a new one out and this one was just as great as her other novels! I loved the story and the characters very much and would love another book with these characters!
July 1, 2016
Loved this book, didn't want to put it down! Just wish the ending would have ended a little differently
March 27, 2016
One of the best books that I have read in 2016! I highly recommend it to everyone! Although there are mature topics such as rape and suicide that are covered.
June 11, 2016
Sandra Kring writes about wonderful female characters. This book is no exception. I enjoyed it very much.
September 5, 2016
I Love anything by Sandra Kring.. this is a wonderful story about love and heartbreak.. this author's stories always draw me in right away. Great young adult read!
September 3, 2016
Awesome!
Great read ....totally love all Sandra Kring books and this one is awesome! Read all of her books and you will not be able to put them down!
Great read ....totally love all Sandra Kring books and this one is awesome! Read all of her books and you will not be able to put them down!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews