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Amber Sky
"You thought I did this out of the goodness of my heart?" He gave a short mirthless laugh. "Not a bit of it, this is going to be dangerous for me. What are you offering for my help?"
Beneath the Amber Sky, the nobility control the food, education, and the mysterious C.O.I.L.S of Copper and Brass. To Tay, struggling to keep her siblings alive, the ideas of rebellion and freedom are distant and unreachable.
But when her father is arrested, she begs Darius James, the son of the Overseer, to save his life. Darius agrees, but his help costs her a favour, one he can call in at any time.
Darius' favour will bring her to the Palace, and the perfect position to help the growing rebellion. But the court has games beyond anything she has seen before, and Darius' secrets will add to the danger.
Tay is now able to make a difference, to join the rebellion, find the C.O.I.L.S and discover the secrets of the Amber Sky. All she has to do is survive.
Beneath the Amber Sky, the nobility control the food, education, and the mysterious C.O.I.L.S of Copper and Brass. To Tay, struggling to keep her siblings alive, the ideas of rebellion and freedom are distant and unreachable.
But when her father is arrested, she begs Darius James, the son of the Overseer, to save his life. Darius agrees, but his help costs her a favour, one he can call in at any time.
Darius' favour will bring her to the Palace, and the perfect position to help the growing rebellion. But the court has games beyond anything she has seen before, and Darius' secrets will add to the danger.
Tay is now able to make a difference, to join the rebellion, find the C.O.I.L.S and discover the secrets of the Amber Sky. All she has to do is survive.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2017
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762 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 28, 2018
"Within the coils of Copper and Brass, there is a chance of freedom"
The coils of copper and brass are an old fairytale which gives a silver lining to hope. Legend says if you find the coils it will set you free.
The sky used to be blue but now due to the plagues solution, it's Amber. Poverty runs high in a dystopian world. Everyone has their own place but that doesn't mean life is fair. The poorest families don't even have the right to work. An uprising is forming and it's only a matter of time. The weak will stand strong.
Taya is trying to support 2 younger siblings. Tay's mother was lost to the rebels cause. Her father has been marked a traitor and sent to the mines. His survival is unlikely and that means fewer rations for his family. Taya has to come up with a solution.
Darius is the son of the overseer. His father runs the mines. Tay is hoping he can help get her father out, but he is a high profile prisoner. Luckily for Taya, Darius wants her help with a task. He doesn't tell her what it is straight away but wants to keep her close by. He manages to get her a job and with it more benefits for her family. It means Taya has to work long hours and is away from her family more than she would like.
Her new job comes with even more responsibility than she would like. The rebellion's want inside information, Darius wants more than she bargained for and her family want her to risk everything.
This book pretty much jumps straight into it. It's an interesting read, but I would have liked a little more sass to Taya's character. The book starts to get really interesting around the 70% mark. The story starts to come together and there are lots of twists and turns.
If you like the synopsis this book will be for you (It pretty much tells you the initial set up).
*Amber sky is a Kindle Unlimited read which is always a plus.
3.5 stars out of 5. Amber Sky is the start of a series of books. The story has only just begun and will leave you wanting more.
*I read this book using Kindle Unlimited. I found this book on the YA Bound book tours. My blog post will be on the 12th April.
http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.c...
The coils of copper and brass are an old fairytale which gives a silver lining to hope. Legend says if you find the coils it will set you free.
The sky used to be blue but now due to the plagues solution, it's Amber. Poverty runs high in a dystopian world. Everyone has their own place but that doesn't mean life is fair. The poorest families don't even have the right to work. An uprising is forming and it's only a matter of time. The weak will stand strong.
Taya is trying to support 2 younger siblings. Tay's mother was lost to the rebels cause. Her father has been marked a traitor and sent to the mines. His survival is unlikely and that means fewer rations for his family. Taya has to come up with a solution.
Darius is the son of the overseer. His father runs the mines. Tay is hoping he can help get her father out, but he is a high profile prisoner. Luckily for Taya, Darius wants her help with a task. He doesn't tell her what it is straight away but wants to keep her close by. He manages to get her a job and with it more benefits for her family. It means Taya has to work long hours and is away from her family more than she would like.
Her new job comes with even more responsibility than she would like. The rebellion's want inside information, Darius wants more than she bargained for and her family want her to risk everything.
This book pretty much jumps straight into it. It's an interesting read, but I would have liked a little more sass to Taya's character. The book starts to get really interesting around the 70% mark. The story starts to come together and there are lots of twists and turns.
If you like the synopsis this book will be for you (It pretty much tells you the initial set up).
*Amber sky is a Kindle Unlimited read which is always a plus.
3.5 stars out of 5. Amber Sky is the start of a series of books. The story has only just begun and will leave you wanting more.
*I read this book using Kindle Unlimited. I found this book on the YA Bound book tours. My blog post will be on the 12th April.
http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.c...
September 12, 2017
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher, Raven Press, via NetGalley for an honest review.
Opinion:
It’s official, I’ve begun my descent into madness and true unyielding despair.
Once again, I have made the mistake of requesting the first book in a series from Netgalley. I told myself I wouldn’t do it again, that I wouldn’t put myself through this immense torture. This bleak fantasy of happiness that only leaves me alone, irritable and sulky. But look at me now...Look at me! On the floor of all places, sobbing, flailing and screaming. Like a fish that was knocked out of its tiny fish bowl…or maybe it jumped out of sheer desperation to be away from those ridiculous plastic castles that have absolutely NO practical use.
Anyways, due to my idiocy in requesting to read this book, I am now left suffering in silence while I wait for book 2. Because holy s***, this series is going to be SO GREAT that it might kill me...with joy!
Set in a dystopian/Steampunk world, Tay and her family are at the bottom of the totem pole. She is forced to abide by the laws put forth by the noble families; which include strict limitations on food, education, and job placements. But as the rebels fight to make a change, her father ends up getting arrested and being sent to the mines. Knowing that death is just a matter of time in the mines, Tay finds a noble by the name of Darius and pleads for his help. Surprisingly, Darius agrees to help Tay in exchange for a favor…a favor he will not tell her. Hesitantly she agrees, and from that moment on, her life is forever changed. The following days bring her into the homes of Noble families and eventually into the Palace, where she is forced by Darius to pretend to be his sister. But among these Nobles, nobody is safe. If any talk of rebellion is whispered, someone who sat next to you at dinner might just disappear. Tay fights to hide her true identity in order to help her father, while also assisting the rebellion in any way that she can.
Claire Warner did an AMAZING job with this story, and I am bouncing my leg nervously waiting for the next installment. For some reason I am EXTRA excited to write this review, and I think you will see why. Firstly, the characters. They have the perfect amount of description surrounding them, and I felt an immediate connection to our main characters upon first “meeting” them. Tay is a strong-willed and brave female character. The reader can feel her fear as she is forced to do countless illegal things to protect her family, but she does it and does it well. I’m so fond of the way she took on the role of Darius’s sister, she was SUCH a bad***. Not only does she smooth talk the prince into letting her live, but she makes countless friends among the nobles that we can assume are really on the rebel side.
Darius is an interesting character, and I knew I was going to love him right away. It’s the sarcastic one’s guys…I can’t help myself! Upon our first meeting of him, he is pompous and arrogant. I was expecting him to deny Tay right on the spot, but he didn’t! He agrees to help her father be transferred, but requests a favor in return that is less than easy. I found the character of Darius to be an entertaining and caring person, he isn’t at all what the reader expects him to be. ALSO, I think we can all agree that we saw that romance coming. I mean…come on...*Ding Ding* wedding bells! Though I end up favoring his character, I can’t help but feel a bit of sorrow for Tay. She is used and made a pawn in countless games, and it all feels a bit ruthless.
Apart from the characters, this story is KILLER! It’s packed with princesses and royalty, wedding gowns and dances, and even a few explosions and attempted murders. What more could we ask for?! Tay is swept into a world that she had only heard rumors about, and I must say…the girl does a wonderful job of faking it. Though things seem fancy and copacetic between the nobles, underneath it all…they are all on guard. If anyone even mutters a word or rebellion or coils, they suddenly disappear or lose their rank. These people aren’t screwing around guys, it’s serious stuff! My ONLY complaint is that I had some trouble keeping up with this “C.O.I.L.S.” explanation. I think the author could have delved a bit deeper into this, but I’m wondering if that is being saved for book 2? Hopefully. We know that the coils will be the key to the rebels taking control, but WHAT do they do exactly? It’s all very hush hush, and I need more.
To conclude, guys…you need to read this! I LOVED it. I know it sucks having to wait for the next few books and you sometimes forget what happens, but that’s just more reason to read it over again. It’s THAT good. It will keep you hooked and entertained, and you will lose yourself in this fantasy/dystopian world. Trust me, have I ever let you down?
(Don’t answer that)
Opinion:
It’s official, I’ve begun my descent into madness and true unyielding despair.
Once again, I have made the mistake of requesting the first book in a series from Netgalley. I told myself I wouldn’t do it again, that I wouldn’t put myself through this immense torture. This bleak fantasy of happiness that only leaves me alone, irritable and sulky. But look at me now...Look at me! On the floor of all places, sobbing, flailing and screaming. Like a fish that was knocked out of its tiny fish bowl…or maybe it jumped out of sheer desperation to be away from those ridiculous plastic castles that have absolutely NO practical use.
Anyways, due to my idiocy in requesting to read this book, I am now left suffering in silence while I wait for book 2. Because holy s***, this series is going to be SO GREAT that it might kill me...with joy!
Set in a dystopian/Steampunk world, Tay and her family are at the bottom of the totem pole. She is forced to abide by the laws put forth by the noble families; which include strict limitations on food, education, and job placements. But as the rebels fight to make a change, her father ends up getting arrested and being sent to the mines. Knowing that death is just a matter of time in the mines, Tay finds a noble by the name of Darius and pleads for his help. Surprisingly, Darius agrees to help Tay in exchange for a favor…a favor he will not tell her. Hesitantly she agrees, and from that moment on, her life is forever changed. The following days bring her into the homes of Noble families and eventually into the Palace, where she is forced by Darius to pretend to be his sister. But among these Nobles, nobody is safe. If any talk of rebellion is whispered, someone who sat next to you at dinner might just disappear. Tay fights to hide her true identity in order to help her father, while also assisting the rebellion in any way that she can.
Claire Warner did an AMAZING job with this story, and I am bouncing my leg nervously waiting for the next installment. For some reason I am EXTRA excited to write this review, and I think you will see why. Firstly, the characters. They have the perfect amount of description surrounding them, and I felt an immediate connection to our main characters upon first “meeting” them. Tay is a strong-willed and brave female character. The reader can feel her fear as she is forced to do countless illegal things to protect her family, but she does it and does it well. I’m so fond of the way she took on the role of Darius’s sister, she was SUCH a bad***. Not only does she smooth talk the prince into letting her live, but she makes countless friends among the nobles that we can assume are really on the rebel side.
Darius is an interesting character, and I knew I was going to love him right away. It’s the sarcastic one’s guys…I can’t help myself! Upon our first meeting of him, he is pompous and arrogant. I was expecting him to deny Tay right on the spot, but he didn’t! He agrees to help her father be transferred, but requests a favor in return that is less than easy. I found the character of Darius to be an entertaining and caring person, he isn’t at all what the reader expects him to be. ALSO, I think we can all agree that we saw that romance coming. I mean…come on...*Ding Ding* wedding bells! Though I end up favoring his character, I can’t help but feel a bit of sorrow for Tay. She is used and made a pawn in countless games, and it all feels a bit ruthless.
Apart from the characters, this story is KILLER! It’s packed with princesses and royalty, wedding gowns and dances, and even a few explosions and attempted murders. What more could we ask for?! Tay is swept into a world that she had only heard rumors about, and I must say…the girl does a wonderful job of faking it. Though things seem fancy and copacetic between the nobles, underneath it all…they are all on guard. If anyone even mutters a word or rebellion or coils, they suddenly disappear or lose their rank. These people aren’t screwing around guys, it’s serious stuff! My ONLY complaint is that I had some trouble keeping up with this “C.O.I.L.S.” explanation. I think the author could have delved a bit deeper into this, but I’m wondering if that is being saved for book 2? Hopefully. We know that the coils will be the key to the rebels taking control, but WHAT do they do exactly? It’s all very hush hush, and I need more.
To conclude, guys…you need to read this! I LOVED it. I know it sucks having to wait for the next few books and you sometimes forget what happens, but that’s just more reason to read it over again. It’s THAT good. It will keep you hooked and entertained, and you will lose yourself in this fantasy/dystopian world. Trust me, have I ever let you down?
(Don’t answer that)
August 4, 2017
Rating ~3.5?
In truth, I can't say there is anything particularly new or ground-breaking about the concept of this book. But I can say, I did enjoy it. And, I am interested to see where this goes.
*Review to Come*
In truth, I can't say there is anything particularly new or ground-breaking about the concept of this book. But I can say, I did enjoy it. And, I am interested to see where this goes.
*Review to Come*
October 10, 2017
I'm doomed. I have to suffer waiting for the next book and this is why I don't read book series unless all the instalments are out. I hate waiting. Yes, I'm not bit ashamed to admit that I'm not patient person. But I saw this on Netgalley and foolishly clicked the request button. Not that I'm complaining but I'm doomed.
Okay, with that statement and my star-rating, obviously, I like this book. No, LIKE is understatement. I looooove it. I devoured it. I read it in one sitting (though my goodreads log might tell you differently).
You might wonder why I didn't give it five star then. It's because I can't say that everything is perfect with Amber Sky, which is perfectly understandable and common in first books of series. This is a Sci-fi/Dystopian series which means it introduces the readers to a different world with different rules, governments, and even people. So somehow, there are few parts that I found little slow.
The plot is interesting and promising. Though I must admit, when I first read the name of the series, COILS of Copper and Brass, I found it uninteresting and not appealing. AT ALL. But don't be deceived. The series' name actually added to the mystery which makes the story more interesting and captivating as you read the novel. Even the title Amber Sky made me wonder if the sky is actually rusty? Besides coils of copper and brass; says the series' name.
The author created this world where people haven't seen a blue sky or at least our protagonist haven't. Mysterious and angsty, yes! In this world, there is this unfair government where everything is controlled by the nobility. Thus the rebellion...(familiar? everyone?)
The Characters gave me mixed feelings but in a good way. First half, I'm almost frustrated with Tay, our heroine. She lacks backbone. Now, looking back I'm now enthralled by Tay's cowardice. Why? Because it's refreshing to meet a less courageous heroine in a YA dystopian. She started so weak, but then when her father was arrested due to said rebellion, she was forced to do something courageous - approaching a man named Darius James, a member of the nobility.
From then, Tay grew a backbone throughout the book and I'm totally excited to see her on the second book because she's gonna be a badass. I'm sure of it.
The guys, for me, seemed like they were transported from Romance erotic novels. No, there are no explicit contents. But the men's personas resemble those sexy, controlling, unapologizing, mysterious billionaires I often find in erotic novels. WHICH IS VERY GOOD, BY THE WAY. I just wish that I see more of their character developments in the next book. In here, I still consider the guys as flat characters for the lack of development.
Overall, this is a very engaging read. This book is perfect for the fans of Hunger Games, Divergent and alas! The Mortal Instrument. Go figure Why. Sorry no shadowhunters but there's this little misunderstanding in TMI that can be found here too though not directly but it was the first plot point that got my attention. I was like Oh my God, the Romance is gonna be exciting. Anyway, this book will leave you asking for more and excited for the next book. This is a story of courage, survival and equality. Of family and love.
Though it wasn't THAT thrilling and mind-blowing, it succeeded on taking hold of my mind and heart so I found myself connected in the story and made me interested and care for what will happen next. Blame it to the twists and turns throughout the story.
Excited for the next book which I'm sure is filled with a bad-ass adventure!!!
Okay, with that statement and my star-rating, obviously, I like this book. No, LIKE is understatement. I looooove it. I devoured it. I read it in one sitting (though my goodreads log might tell you differently).
You might wonder why I didn't give it five star then. It's because I can't say that everything is perfect with Amber Sky, which is perfectly understandable and common in first books of series. This is a Sci-fi/Dystopian series which means it introduces the readers to a different world with different rules, governments, and even people. So somehow, there are few parts that I found little slow.
The plot is interesting and promising. Though I must admit, when I first read the name of the series, COILS of Copper and Brass, I found it uninteresting and not appealing. AT ALL. But don't be deceived. The series' name actually added to the mystery which makes the story more interesting and captivating as you read the novel. Even the title Amber Sky made me wonder if the sky is actually rusty? Besides coils of copper and brass; says the series' name.
The author created this world where people haven't seen a blue sky or at least our protagonist haven't. Mysterious and angsty, yes! In this world, there is this unfair government where everything is controlled by the nobility. Thus the rebellion...(familiar? everyone?)
The Characters gave me mixed feelings but in a good way. First half, I'm almost frustrated with Tay, our heroine. She lacks backbone. Now, looking back I'm now enthralled by Tay's cowardice. Why? Because it's refreshing to meet a less courageous heroine in a YA dystopian. She started so weak, but then when her father was arrested due to said rebellion, she was forced to do something courageous - approaching a man named Darius James, a member of the nobility.
From then, Tay grew a backbone throughout the book and I'm totally excited to see her on the second book because she's gonna be a badass. I'm sure of it.
The guys, for me, seemed like they were transported from Romance erotic novels. No, there are no explicit contents. But the men's personas resemble those sexy, controlling, unapologizing, mysterious billionaires I often find in erotic novels. WHICH IS VERY GOOD, BY THE WAY. I just wish that I see more of their character developments in the next book. In here, I still consider the guys as flat characters for the lack of development.
Overall, this is a very engaging read. This book is perfect for the fans of Hunger Games, Divergent and alas! The Mortal Instrument. Go figure Why. Sorry no shadowhunters but there's this little misunderstanding in TMI that can be found here too though not directly but it was the first plot point that got my attention. I was like Oh my God, the Romance is gonna be exciting. Anyway, this book will leave you asking for more and excited for the next book. This is a story of courage, survival and equality. Of family and love.
Though it wasn't THAT thrilling and mind-blowing, it succeeded on taking hold of my mind and heart so I found myself connected in the story and made me interested and care for what will happen next. Blame it to the twists and turns throughout the story.
Excited for the next book which I'm sure is filled with a bad-ass adventure!!!
July 23, 2017
A copy of this review can also be found at Book Ink Reivews.
Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising Trilogy will be enamored. Though Brown did it better, and the story lines are similar with the ruling upper class being infiltrated by the lowest of the low in a call for rebellion, Amber Sky is fresh and new with that ending.
I was willing to write this one off as nothing special. Taya is the lowest of the low, recruited to become part of the high society and gets the attention of the highest in society. Darius is... typical. I can't tell you more without risking spoilers. But even in his cliche character, I feel in absolute love with him. And you literally have no attachments to anyone else because they aren't at all fleshed out.
But then that freaking ending. Thanks to it, I am happy to say I did enjoy the book and believe that though the pilot book in the series is good, but not entirely original, the series will be incredibly original, fresh, and packed full of a brand new world. Plus, when an ending can make me angry and then turn around and make me even more angry out of protection for the main characters, you know you've got a good one.
The setting brings to mind a post apocalyptic Victorian Steampunk era with multiple mental images of an orange, foggy sunset as the background. It's clever with world building, and it seems to enjoy playing off of what the UK could become in an end-of-the-world class system.
There is a slow burn romance, but then I felt played with at the end with back peddling. Slow-burn is my favorite type, but once there's a reveal it should stay that way. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. But the book--and over all series--is not a romance. So I can forgive this. Kinda. Maybe. Well, sorta.
In the end, if you enjoyed Red Rising or Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen, pick this one up because you're in for a treat.
Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Warner, and Raven Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising Trilogy will be enamored. Though Brown did it better, and the story lines are similar with the ruling upper class being infiltrated by the lowest of the low in a call for rebellion, Amber Sky is fresh and new with that ending.
I was willing to write this one off as nothing special. Taya is the lowest of the low, recruited to become part of the high society and gets the attention of the highest in society. Darius is... typical. I can't tell you more without risking spoilers. But even in his cliche character, I feel in absolute love with him. And you literally have no attachments to anyone else because they aren't at all fleshed out.
But then that freaking ending. Thanks to it, I am happy to say I did enjoy the book and believe that though the pilot book in the series is good, but not entirely original, the series will be incredibly original, fresh, and packed full of a brand new world. Plus, when an ending can make me angry and then turn around and make me even more angry out of protection for the main characters, you know you've got a good one.
The setting brings to mind a post apocalyptic Victorian Steampunk era with multiple mental images of an orange, foggy sunset as the background. It's clever with world building, and it seems to enjoy playing off of what the UK could become in an end-of-the-world class system.
There is a slow burn romance, but then I felt played with at the end with back peddling. Slow-burn is my favorite type, but once there's a reveal it should stay that way. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. But the book--and over all series--is not a romance. So I can forgive this. Kinda. Maybe. Well, sorta.
In the end, if you enjoyed Red Rising or Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen, pick this one up because you're in for a treat.
Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Warner, and Raven Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2017
Reiview in Italian: coming soon!
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley!^^
This book was really good. The setting is distopic: I can not tell you if we are in a future where society has returned to the age of nobles and servants or if the reality of the book is a parallel timeline of the eighteenth century where something went wrong, but it is however, a setting with its charm (let me be clear, the fact that women are still seen as an object of exchange between families only suitable for weddings benefits irritates me a lot but the romantic setting always has her je ne sais quoi).
If you think about it the reality of the book recalls a lot of Hunger Games with the division into numbers even though there is no clear distinction between numbers and sectors, and The Jewel with the subdivision into castes: a mix that makes me shiver just thinking about it. Our protagonist Tay is obviously poor, in the last social step and with both parents who have given themeselves to the rebellion cause (The Selection vibes) and she is also forced by the events to join it. Well, I did not like this thing much: I'm not saying that the protagonist of a dystopian book should always be a hero of initiative, etc. but that at least she believes in the revolution and not simply being dragged in it would have been better.
Darius is the male protagonist and as far as I like the shiny shadowy mele prototype he does not make me crazy ... and for the first time in a long time I think the protagonist is better with the second lead aka the prince (eh, the poor girl not only makes a man of a higher rank fall for her, but also the prince of the reign!).
Possible ship apart, the plot becomes somewhat confused at the end of the book when our protagonists have to decide how to handle what they have learned and whether or not to play the game of the court. We'll see ... For the whole book there were so many ups and downs that I could not wait to finish it. The conspiracy games and the mysteries to discover are beautiful only when they end!
Recommended? It's definitely nothing new but the author's way to write is simple and easy to follow and I just want to know how the story is going to end so I guess it's worth reading it! ^^
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley!^^
This book was really good. The setting is distopic: I can not tell you if we are in a future where society has returned to the age of nobles and servants or if the reality of the book is a parallel timeline of the eighteenth century where something went wrong, but it is however, a setting with its charm (let me be clear, the fact that women are still seen as an object of exchange between families only suitable for weddings benefits irritates me a lot but the romantic setting always has her je ne sais quoi).
If you think about it the reality of the book recalls a lot of Hunger Games with the division into numbers even though there is no clear distinction between numbers and sectors, and The Jewel with the subdivision into castes: a mix that makes me shiver just thinking about it. Our protagonist Tay is obviously poor, in the last social step and with both parents who have given themeselves to the rebellion cause (The Selection vibes) and she is also forced by the events to join it. Well, I did not like this thing much: I'm not saying that the protagonist of a dystopian book should always be a hero of initiative, etc. but that at least she believes in the revolution and not simply being dragged in it would have been better.
Darius is the male protagonist and as far as I like the shiny shadowy mele prototype he does not make me crazy ... and for the first time in a long time I think the protagonist is better with the second lead aka the prince (eh, the poor girl not only makes a man of a higher rank fall for her, but also the prince of the reign!).
Possible ship apart, the plot becomes somewhat confused at the end of the book when our protagonists have to decide how to handle what they have learned and whether or not to play the game of the court. We'll see ... For the whole book there were so many ups and downs that I could not wait to finish it. The conspiracy games and the mysteries to discover are beautiful only when they end!
Recommended? It's definitely nothing new but the author's way to write is simple and easy to follow and I just want to know how the story is going to end so I guess it's worth reading it! ^^
July 17, 2017
First, I just want to say when the first thing you do after a book is finished is reach for your phone to share it with a friend, you know you've got a keeper.
Amber Sky originally had me guessing what this book would be about. Now that I'm at the end I'm somehow still wondering, but now I'm caught up in the world of twists, turns, and what seems to be such a scramble for power that it seems to be taking (albeit much lighter) notes from the Game of Thrones.
The world building within was wonderfully clever, and I'm still not sure if Amber Sky is set on our world or not. However, what got to me was the character growth and the reality of the relationships within the book. We aren't thrown into insta-love or an overload of description when you first meet the characters. They all have their own complex lives and drives. At times I almost wanted slightly more depth, but I know that there is much to come in the next novel, which I wait for anxiously.
With a slower start, which was needed to help give a feel for the world, only left me wanting the book to be longer as the ending seemed maybe slightly rushed. Or the fact that it ended on a cliffhanger left me wanting to know what happens next.
This slightly steampunk-meets 1984-with a ruling class novel is led by a heroine who doesn't start off too brave, instead just someone trying to make ends meet and keep her family alive-something I think everyone can relate to. Amber Sky is well worth the read to anyone looking for something fresh in what can sometimes be an overstocked fantasy genre.
Book: 4.25 Stars overall, I look forward to watching the characters develop and the pacing settle down. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Warner, and Raven Press for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!
Amber Sky originally had me guessing what this book would be about. Now that I'm at the end I'm somehow still wondering, but now I'm caught up in the world of twists, turns, and what seems to be such a scramble for power that it seems to be taking (albeit much lighter) notes from the Game of Thrones.
The world building within was wonderfully clever, and I'm still not sure if Amber Sky is set on our world or not. However, what got to me was the character growth and the reality of the relationships within the book. We aren't thrown into insta-love or an overload of description when you first meet the characters. They all have their own complex lives and drives. At times I almost wanted slightly more depth, but I know that there is much to come in the next novel, which I wait for anxiously.
With a slower start, which was needed to help give a feel for the world, only left me wanting the book to be longer as the ending seemed maybe slightly rushed. Or the fact that it ended on a cliffhanger left me wanting to know what happens next.
This slightly steampunk-meets 1984-with a ruling class novel is led by a heroine who doesn't start off too brave, instead just someone trying to make ends meet and keep her family alive-something I think everyone can relate to. Amber Sky is well worth the read to anyone looking for something fresh in what can sometimes be an overstocked fantasy genre.
Book: 4.25 Stars overall, I look forward to watching the characters develop and the pacing settle down. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Warner, and Raven Press for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 27, 2017
The problem with this book is that I've already read it before in 50 different dystopian guises. It just nothing new.
August 9, 2020
3.5 Stars...because the end made me think I might really like the sequel.
This book is a slightly confused dystopian. The setting seems to reflect the age of the industrial revolution in England. However, there are vague references to technology that wouldn't belong. So, is it a future that looks like our past? That would be okay, but the technological advancements are confusing and poorly developed.
The characters are really caricatures of various archetypes. They are still fun to read, but each character feels familiar and, thus, predictable. Also, as members of the rebellion, they are all technically spies. And these are like the worst spies ever. I'll just leave it at that to avoid spoilers. But oh my, are they all terrible spies.
As for the plot, it has some logical gaps. The overall idea of these mystical Coils somehow dispelling the strict caste system left me feeling unconvinced. Also,most of the twists are predictable until the end. Then there are so many twists you feel like you have whiplash.
The overall writing style is a little flat. The prose in this novel missed opportunities to ignite your imagination instead of to simply inform. There were long descriptions to help you visualize, but it failed to leverage literary tools that would have painted the picture with fewer long, informational passsges. Also, there are some typos remaining.
Despite these critiques, I will admit the last half of the book kept me up till I could finish it. I enjoy YA dystopian novels, and while this one has its flaws, it was definitely entertaining. I've read some that were just painful to read. This was by no means painful, but it wasn't exactly memorable either.
I was given an advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a slightly confused dystopian. The setting seems to reflect the age of the industrial revolution in England. However, there are vague references to technology that wouldn't belong. So, is it a future that looks like our past? That would be okay, but the technological advancements are confusing and poorly developed.
The characters are really caricatures of various archetypes. They are still fun to read, but each character feels familiar and, thus, predictable. Also, as members of the rebellion, they are all technically spies. And these are like the worst spies ever. I'll just leave it at that to avoid spoilers. But oh my, are they all terrible spies.
As for the plot, it has some logical gaps. The overall idea of these mystical Coils somehow dispelling the strict caste system left me feeling unconvinced. Also,most of the twists are predictable until the end. Then there are so many twists you feel like you have whiplash.
The overall writing style is a little flat. The prose in this novel missed opportunities to ignite your imagination instead of to simply inform. There were long descriptions to help you visualize, but it failed to leverage literary tools that would have painted the picture with fewer long, informational passsges. Also, there are some typos remaining.
Despite these critiques, I will admit the last half of the book kept me up till I could finish it. I enjoy YA dystopian novels, and while this one has its flaws, it was definitely entertaining. I've read some that were just painful to read. This was by no means painful, but it wasn't exactly memorable either.
I was given an advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2020
a bit confusing yet overall a standardly average dystopian. unfortunately, the story does not wrap up neatly enough for it to be a solid enough conclusion without the rest of the story that has yet to be written.
(this was released over three years ago)
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
(this was released over three years ago)
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
August 27, 2017
I’m not really a dystopian fan but I wanted to read this as the blurb hooked me. I received this book in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley.
There were a lot of twists and turns and a surprise ending, which hooked me into wanting to read book 2!
I wished we had found out more about the C.O.I.L.S of Copper of Brass but I can only assume they come into the next book a bit more.
It didn’t keep me up all night wanting to know what happened next but I did enjoy it and can’t wait to read the next book.
I give this book 4 stars.
There were a lot of twists and turns and a surprise ending, which hooked me into wanting to read book 2!
I wished we had found out more about the C.O.I.L.S of Copper of Brass but I can only assume they come into the next book a bit more.
It didn’t keep me up all night wanting to know what happened next but I did enjoy it and can’t wait to read the next book.
I give this book 4 stars.
April 2, 2018
Actually 3.5
First off, I have to rant a little about the protagonist's name. She's introduced as Taya. Then, a couple pages in, she's Tay. At first, I thought it was a typo because there was no explanation, but then it showed up a second time. Okay, so it's a nickname and the author just failed to note it, I can go with that. Then it's Taya again in the next paragraph. Then Tay, Taya, Tay, Taya, with no rhyme or reason to the switches. It drove me crazy! I very nearly set the book aside just from irritation, but I'm glad I didn't.
The storyline was interesting, and I liked the world. There were plenty of details to help set the scene and the normal life of the protagonist. Taya's plight is clear from the beginning. She wants to save her father (as much as she can) and keep her family from starving. To that end, she's willing to do just about anything. As the book goes on, the stakes get higher, building to the point of world change.
While the plot pulled me along and kept me turning pages, the writing tended to break the pacing and drag things to a near stand-still while things were over-described or explained to the point of redundancy. There were many extraneous words, and the whole book could have profited from another trip to the editor as there were a number of punctuation errors, dropped words, and sloppy sentences like, "She began to process just what had just occurred" or "...friends of her father and deeper in the resistance than she cared know to about." There were also some word choices that seemed a bit out of place for a YA book, like salubrious, prosaically, and gabardine. The formatting would have read more smoothly if there were more paragraph breaks, and the dialogue tags were sometimes mismatched so I had to read a passage two or three times to know who was talking when. Despite these distractions, the story still read easily enough.
Most of the characters seemed well-developed. Darius, Talon, and Beth were particularly interesting, with many facets. I had trouble connecting with Tay/Taya however. She often felt more like a window than a character, and when she did express herself it was usually to whine, and I don't generally like whiny characters. She judges others, particularly Darius, very harshly, and she asks for an awful lot without wanting to give anything of herself. She also spends a lot of time pondering what just happened or worrying about what might happen next, which slows the story down needlessly.
The ending was fun, but not entirely satisfying. Perhaps that is to be expected of a series, but it left a lot more loose ends than it tied up. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I would like to read the sequel.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
First off, I have to rant a little about the protagonist's name. She's introduced as Taya. Then, a couple pages in, she's Tay. At first, I thought it was a typo because there was no explanation, but then it showed up a second time. Okay, so it's a nickname and the author just failed to note it, I can go with that. Then it's Taya again in the next paragraph. Then Tay, Taya, Tay, Taya, with no rhyme or reason to the switches. It drove me crazy! I very nearly set the book aside just from irritation, but I'm glad I didn't.
The storyline was interesting, and I liked the world. There were plenty of details to help set the scene and the normal life of the protagonist. Taya's plight is clear from the beginning. She wants to save her father (as much as she can) and keep her family from starving. To that end, she's willing to do just about anything. As the book goes on, the stakes get higher, building to the point of world change.
While the plot pulled me along and kept me turning pages, the writing tended to break the pacing and drag things to a near stand-still while things were over-described or explained to the point of redundancy. There were many extraneous words, and the whole book could have profited from another trip to the editor as there were a number of punctuation errors, dropped words, and sloppy sentences like, "She began to process just what had just occurred" or "...friends of her father and deeper in the resistance than she cared know to about." There were also some word choices that seemed a bit out of place for a YA book, like salubrious, prosaically, and gabardine. The formatting would have read more smoothly if there were more paragraph breaks, and the dialogue tags were sometimes mismatched so I had to read a passage two or three times to know who was talking when. Despite these distractions, the story still read easily enough.
Most of the characters seemed well-developed. Darius, Talon, and Beth were particularly interesting, with many facets. I had trouble connecting with Tay/Taya however. She often felt more like a window than a character, and when she did express herself it was usually to whine, and I don't generally like whiny characters. She judges others, particularly Darius, very harshly, and she asks for an awful lot without wanting to give anything of herself. She also spends a lot of time pondering what just happened or worrying about what might happen next, which slows the story down needlessly.
The ending was fun, but not entirely satisfying. Perhaps that is to be expected of a series, but it left a lot more loose ends than it tied up. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I would like to read the sequel.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
July 13, 2017
I loved this book ! I found myself unable to put it down, and felt transported into another world. The author gives amazing descriptions so you feel like you are right there with the characters! I cannot wait until series is complete and I can read the second book ! Will be following up and looking for the second book!
June 30, 2017
Amber Sky was written by Claire Warner who definitely knows her craft. She is a skilled writer who knows how to deliver a story. Her writing style is pleasant and the pace of her book is spot on. I never felt like the story was dragging on nor did I felt rush, which is great. Overall the plot is intriguing, which is why I was interested in reading this book. I felt however that the paranormal aspect felt quit short in this book and I hope that the future ones will show more of it. Towards the end of this first book in the series I started to see more of what is to come, I hope. There are a lot of hints on the Coils but no real clue on what they really are or how they work.
The story followed Taya, who is a lovely character. She is not your typical strong female heroine but you can see her growing into that role quite nicely. She is very likable and even though does not want to do some of the things she is tasked to do, she does them for the ones she loves. I wish there were more people like her in the real world.
Darius is a great character as well and counters Taya beautifully. He is very strong and quite mysterious at first. I was very happy to see where his character went in this book.
Overall I am torn on this book. It definitely has a strong plot but fell short for me in the paranormal aspect which is why I choose to read this book. I am looking forward to read the next one and hope that there will be more to come and more explanations of what the coils are and how they are supposed to work.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
The story followed Taya, who is a lovely character. She is not your typical strong female heroine but you can see her growing into that role quite nicely. She is very likable and even though does not want to do some of the things she is tasked to do, she does them for the ones she loves. I wish there were more people like her in the real world.
Darius is a great character as well and counters Taya beautifully. He is very strong and quite mysterious at first. I was very happy to see where his character went in this book.
Overall I am torn on this book. It definitely has a strong plot but fell short for me in the paranormal aspect which is why I choose to read this book. I am looking forward to read the next one and hope that there will be more to come and more explanations of what the coils are and how they are supposed to work.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review. (LoP, Lovers of Paranormal)
September 26, 2017
I am so torn about this book... the story has some great points and I actually really want to know what happens to Tay... but there are some serious issues with the writing and story structure that made the book hard to read...
Alright, I have decided part of why this book isn't getting a better review is because of the issues with congruency in the plot. While I couldn't pinpoint an exact plot hole, it always felt like I was going to stumble over one at any moment. Then suddenly there would be a short sentence, out of place almost for the actual story, that fulfilled the hole... it wasn't smooth.
While the imagery was wonderful for a steampunk, the dialogue didn't follow the setting, and that hurt the overall setting for me. Always pulling me back out of the book.
But I was a big fan of the focus on family and caring for your family. So needless to say, I'll probably pick up the next book... if it is published.
My full review will be up on my blog, Marissa Writes
Alright, I have decided part of why this book isn't getting a better review is because of the issues with congruency in the plot. While I couldn't pinpoint an exact plot hole, it always felt like I was going to stumble over one at any moment. Then suddenly there would be a short sentence, out of place almost for the actual story, that fulfilled the hole... it wasn't smooth.
While the imagery was wonderful for a steampunk, the dialogue didn't follow the setting, and that hurt the overall setting for me. Always pulling me back out of the book.
But I was a big fan of the focus on family and caring for your family. So needless to say, I'll probably pick up the next book... if it is published.
My full review will be up on my blog, Marissa Writes
August 2, 2017
I know what you're thinking, not another dysotopian! There are so many out there, they all just blend together when you're reading them. I am happy to report that this one has many different elements. It's not all dire need and end of the world as we know it. It does however have an order to things and many secrets that we haven't even begun to crack.
The pace on this is extremely perfect. Throughout the whole thing, it wasn't too fast and wasn't too slow. It's evenly paced along the ride. All of the characters are nicely developed with some room to grow. Perfect if this is only the first book. Which I'm guessing we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what can actually happen in this series. Though I do not know how many books are planned for this series.
I have a confession to make, the title caught my eye. For the obvious reason. I am a sucker for anything Amber, egotistical I know. But I can't help it. I'm really glad I wished for this it is worth a read.
The pace on this is extremely perfect. Throughout the whole thing, it wasn't too fast and wasn't too slow. It's evenly paced along the ride. All of the characters are nicely developed with some room to grow. Perfect if this is only the first book. Which I'm guessing we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what can actually happen in this series. Though I do not know how many books are planned for this series.
I have a confession to make, the title caught my eye. For the obvious reason. I am a sucker for anything Amber, egotistical I know. But I can't help it. I'm really glad I wished for this it is worth a read.
July 24, 2017
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.*
Amber Sky is a YA dystopia, with a strong female MC, who will do anything for her family. Even replace a noble, which would merit her death. Luckily, she has help...or does she not?
With an interesting plot, little romance and lifes on the life, this book makes an alright read.
Amber Sky is a YA dystopia, with a strong female MC, who will do anything for her family. Even replace a noble, which would merit her death. Luckily, she has help...or does she not?
With an interesting plot, little romance and lifes on the life, this book makes an alright read.
October 15, 2017
Every time I had a Goodreads vote on what to read next this book won. I didn’t understand why until after I finished reading when I realized that this book had one of the most intriguing concepts I have ever read and it was executed very well.
What I found to be most interesting was the unique class systems based around ratings even among the wealthy. This made for some interesting social dynamics where no matter who you are your rank is never safe and it is possible for you to loose all your status.
I also loved the imagery of the Amber Sky in this book and the fact that the sky ever having been blue was almost one thing of myths for them. It was almost difficult to grasp in my head because all my life I have thought of the sky being blue and to think of it being any other color was a bit strange. What I liked mot about the Amber sky however was that it is almost a representation of the secretive and oppressed state of the people in this story.
Our heroine in this story is also a bit of an unusual one because she does not seem to even want to be a heroine. She was mostly coerced into it because she did not want any more of her family getting hurt for the resistance cause anymore.
This book for me was a mix of political and octal intrigue, mixed with a rebel cause and a little bit of romance to make for one of the most unique storylines I have ever read. Amber Sky has a lot to offer and I am so excited to see what happens next in book two!
What I found to be most interesting was the unique class systems based around ratings even among the wealthy. This made for some interesting social dynamics where no matter who you are your rank is never safe and it is possible for you to loose all your status.
I also loved the imagery of the Amber Sky in this book and the fact that the sky ever having been blue was almost one thing of myths for them. It was almost difficult to grasp in my head because all my life I have thought of the sky being blue and to think of it being any other color was a bit strange. What I liked mot about the Amber sky however was that it is almost a representation of the secretive and oppressed state of the people in this story.
Our heroine in this story is also a bit of an unusual one because she does not seem to even want to be a heroine. She was mostly coerced into it because she did not want any more of her family getting hurt for the resistance cause anymore.
This book for me was a mix of political and octal intrigue, mixed with a rebel cause and a little bit of romance to make for one of the most unique storylines I have ever read. Amber Sky has a lot to offer and I am so excited to see what happens next in book two!
August 31, 2017
I've already read a couple of this author's previous books from the Night Flower series, and although they weren't quite 4 stars I found them to be wonderfully unique and engaging and I couldn't wait to read more.
Unfortunately Amber Sky wasn't quite as captivating for me. I was expecting more of a fantasy/paranormal factor but it was actually more set up to feature in the sequel rather than in this first installment, which was a downer for me because it's the fantasy aspects that I love the most!
It's a strange mix of a steampunk historical fiction and dystopian, but it worked and the world building was my favourite thing about this story. It's like an alternative dystopian history in which some magical element (The Coils) has turned the sky amber instead of blue and there's allusions to many fantasy elements that we didn't quite get to see. I will probably pick up the second book in the series as soon as I get the chance just because I can't wait to learn more about the world and find out more about the fantasy side.
I thoroughly enjoyed the framework of the caste society and the history of the world that Warner built; the story of the rebellion was believable and convincing and I really felt like I could envisage the settings. On the flip side there was just something lacking in the way the actual prose read and it didn't flow like I had come to expect from her previous books.
I also didn't feel as though the characters had the 'zing' that I'm used to from this author and some of the interactions are stilted and awkward. The worst part though was that I wasn't sure that the character's motivations were believable enough for me.
While this one definitely showed some weaker aspects it was entertaining and I did enjoy this book and I am interested in seeing where this story goes.
Unfortunately Amber Sky wasn't quite as captivating for me. I was expecting more of a fantasy/paranormal factor but it was actually more set up to feature in the sequel rather than in this first installment, which was a downer for me because it's the fantasy aspects that I love the most!
It's a strange mix of a steampunk historical fiction and dystopian, but it worked and the world building was my favourite thing about this story. It's like an alternative dystopian history in which some magical element (The Coils) has turned the sky amber instead of blue and there's allusions to many fantasy elements that we didn't quite get to see. I will probably pick up the second book in the series as soon as I get the chance just because I can't wait to learn more about the world and find out more about the fantasy side.
I thoroughly enjoyed the framework of the caste society and the history of the world that Warner built; the story of the rebellion was believable and convincing and I really felt like I could envisage the settings. On the flip side there was just something lacking in the way the actual prose read and it didn't flow like I had come to expect from her previous books.
I also didn't feel as though the characters had the 'zing' that I'm used to from this author and some of the interactions are stilted and awkward. The worst part though was that I wasn't sure that the character's motivations were believable enough for me.
While this one definitely showed some weaker aspects it was entertaining and I did enjoy this book and I am interested in seeing where this story goes.
August 11, 2018
I found Amber Sky by Claire Warner to be a quite enjoyable book to read. The plot may sound generic with its dystopian feel and the lower classes being trod upon by the nobles, but the story itself gives it its own unique feel.
I quite liked the characters and the protagonist, Tay, felt real to me. She had the weight of the world thrust on her shoulders and took the routes she felt were best to protect her younger siblings. At times she felt overwhelmed and reacted accordingly
The prose wasn't heavy and flowed easily and naturally. It was a book that I found hard to put down and found myself still reading in the early hours of the morning. The twists and turns that lead up to the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy young adult novels with a female protagonist. There is a little bit of romance sprinkled in as well.
A free copy of this e-book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I quite liked the characters and the protagonist, Tay, felt real to me. She had the weight of the world thrust on her shoulders and took the routes she felt were best to protect her younger siblings. At times she felt overwhelmed and reacted accordingly
The prose wasn't heavy and flowed easily and naturally. It was a book that I found hard to put down and found myself still reading in the early hours of the morning. The twists and turns that lead up to the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy young adult novels with a female protagonist. There is a little bit of romance sprinkled in as well.
A free copy of this e-book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
December 29, 2017
It didn't really seem like I was reading anything I haven't read before, but maybe the other books add to the story. I picked this up and put it down a lot, mainly because I cannot not finish a book even when it is less than great.
September 1, 2017
Tay's father has been arrested and Tay finds herself at the Overseer's house, to plead her case to his son Darius. What started as an act of desperation, Tay finds herself owing Darius a favor, one that she has no idea what it will entail. Without any say on her part, Tay is now a maid in a wealthy family's house, potentially acting as a spy- but for what side? Is she there to do some mysterious favor for Darius, or is she a pawn for the dangerous revolution that got her father arrested?
This is the second book that I have read by Claire, in an entirely different series and world, and enjoyed it more than the first, most likely since this is dystopian vs the historical setting that was the first book. The story dropped the main character Tay and the reader right into the middle of an uncomfortable situation where neither of us knew what would happen next. The world built piece by piece, little bits revealed as the plot progressed and I was anxious for more. It was the perfect way to get me interested and keep me hooked, completely uncertain as to what was coming next.
The story is just how I like my dystopians, full of gritty details and dangerous situations, where a happily ever after may not really be how the story plays out. Tay slightly resembled Katniss from The Hunger Games to me in the regard that she was willing to go without and make any kind of bargain to better her sibling's life, as well as the fact that she did not want to be a part of any rebellion and yet still she found her way smack dab in the center of one- pretty much against her will. Tay was one of those characters that liked to fly under the radar, was content to continue her depressing, half-starved existence as long as it meant she could live. What started as a quest to better her father's situation ended up with her in the middle of a mess not of her own making. And boy, what a sad way to live. I wanted to have an intervention, but after living in her shoes for a week, it was hard to see what sort of future potential she even had. This world is hard, and it is so easy to break someone down. So yeah, now that I am reflecting on the story, maybe don't pick this up if you are looking for something upbeat or super happy, because you might be a little surprised at what you get.
The setting took me a little bit to figure out, but a childhood "bedtime story" mentioned strategically during the book helped to fill in the gaps. A mysterious, perhaps fantastical coil was created to help out mankind and ended up turning the sky the Amber color it is now (supposedly, it was blue once- can't be true!) and things were great, but then the coils went missing and bad things started happening such as crops dying, and humanity turned on itself, leaving the system that is now in place. The rich control all, the poor are dying, social injustices abound- people having no rights, and pretty much reverting back to a class system with servants and the poor as if it was the 1800s. I found the world to be interesting, especially since I did not at first realize that this could be our future.
There was a surprising paranormal element to the story that I never even anticipated, so that was a pleasant surprise, but don't expect a supernatural story. The story was a nice mix of mystery, danger, romance (yep, some lurv that I didn't even mention here since I was caught up in the world and the danger, so there!), harsh life reality and the possibility for a better world. I look forward to the next story because this is a big mess of an ending that leaves you hanging, beware- Cliffhanger! I look forward to more from Tay and Darius, as well as this interesting world building adventure.
Visit me at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ to enter the giveaway for the blog tour!
This is the second book that I have read by Claire, in an entirely different series and world, and enjoyed it more than the first, most likely since this is dystopian vs the historical setting that was the first book. The story dropped the main character Tay and the reader right into the middle of an uncomfortable situation where neither of us knew what would happen next. The world built piece by piece, little bits revealed as the plot progressed and I was anxious for more. It was the perfect way to get me interested and keep me hooked, completely uncertain as to what was coming next.
The story is just how I like my dystopians, full of gritty details and dangerous situations, where a happily ever after may not really be how the story plays out. Tay slightly resembled Katniss from The Hunger Games to me in the regard that she was willing to go without and make any kind of bargain to better her sibling's life, as well as the fact that she did not want to be a part of any rebellion and yet still she found her way smack dab in the center of one- pretty much against her will. Tay was one of those characters that liked to fly under the radar, was content to continue her depressing, half-starved existence as long as it meant she could live. What started as a quest to better her father's situation ended up with her in the middle of a mess not of her own making. And boy, what a sad way to live. I wanted to have an intervention, but after living in her shoes for a week, it was hard to see what sort of future potential she even had. This world is hard, and it is so easy to break someone down. So yeah, now that I am reflecting on the story, maybe don't pick this up if you are looking for something upbeat or super happy, because you might be a little surprised at what you get.
The setting took me a little bit to figure out, but a childhood "bedtime story" mentioned strategically during the book helped to fill in the gaps. A mysterious, perhaps fantastical coil was created to help out mankind and ended up turning the sky the Amber color it is now (supposedly, it was blue once- can't be true!) and things were great, but then the coils went missing and bad things started happening such as crops dying, and humanity turned on itself, leaving the system that is now in place. The rich control all, the poor are dying, social injustices abound- people having no rights, and pretty much reverting back to a class system with servants and the poor as if it was the 1800s. I found the world to be interesting, especially since I did not at first realize that this could be our future.
There was a surprising paranormal element to the story that I never even anticipated, so that was a pleasant surprise, but don't expect a supernatural story. The story was a nice mix of mystery, danger, romance (yep, some lurv that I didn't even mention here since I was caught up in the world and the danger, so there!), harsh life reality and the possibility for a better world. I look forward to the next story because this is a big mess of an ending that leaves you hanging, beware- Cliffhanger! I look forward to more from Tay and Darius, as well as this interesting world building adventure.
Visit me at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ to enter the giveaway for the blog tour!
July 13, 2017
This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review edition is an ARC and may differ from the printed edition.
I have given this book ☆☆☆☆. It belongs to the Young Adult Fantasy and Dystopain genres. Raven Press published it. It was published June 23 2017.
Verdict:
I know the cover isn’t promising and it looks very juvenile but crack this book open, I swear on my life that you’ll not be disappointed. Amber Sky was a phenomenal read that I didn’t want to put down. And I’m not just saying that.
Long story short, Tay’s father was sent to work in the most heinous of places for a crime of rebellion where he will surely be worked to death. To save her father, she goes to Darius (a most unassuming name for a very dashing hero) and pleads that he save her father’s life. In exchange, he grants her a favour that can be called on any time and lo and behold, she’s a servant in the house next to his. Then, he calls the favour in and Tay gets whisked off into a masquerade of glitz and glamour only to find out more heinous secrets. There is also a forest, shots fired into the sky akin to fireworks and fireballs, a masked ball, a daring train crash and abduction, useless adults, and of course, sparks flying of the emotional kind.
Sure, some people say that it’s a genre that’s been done before or that they’ve seen this done a million times. But, when it’s something done a million times AND it’s actually good, then it deserves it four stars.
Amber Sky leans more towards steampunk than dystopian, mainly because of the Victorian-esque elements of scullery maids and lords and ladies as well as the liberal use of machinery. Specifically, Tay mentions that steam power was discovered and harnessed.
It’s also incredibly well-written in that the pacing was good and the plot twist is bomb diggity. I never quite felt bored and elements that were introduced in the beginning of the story that seemed useless were always made use of in the end. I always love when writers do that, whether on tv, the silver screen or in books, because it really shows thought and planning.
However, despite mentions of C.O.I.L.S. of Copper and Brass, there was close to nothing about the mysterious organisation in the book. Which was pretty sad because it’s such a clever name that I’m curious about what they do. It’s the reason I knocked a star.
All in all, Amber Sky has really given me hope about 2017 publications after a disaster of published works. This is a short review mostly because there’s nothing I really dislike about Amber Sky and, it’s a starter novel, that’s for sure. It can’t stand on its own and more plots were introduced than resolved.
[may contain spoilers]
Despite my glowing review, as always, I do have things I dislike about Amber Sky. They’re not enough to spoil my enjoyment about it though.
1. Tay was incredibly shy and timid throughout the first half of the novel and her nerves and jittering got on my nerves really quick. I would say it’s a breath of fresh air from the typical brash and confident heroines but unlike Katniss who was nervous, Tay was just annoying about how scared she was. Darius had to constantly shush her like a frightened animal. It wasn’t until Tay grew a backbone and went from zero to sixty in three point five that the book’s tone FINALLY picked up.
2. Almost every man in the novel seemed lecherous. I suppose it’s not something I should be complaining about since given the setting and the gender balance but come on, it would have been nice to have a hero I could rely on and fall in love with. Even Darius wasn’t as hunky dory and charming and beautiful as a male lead can be. He was manipulative and unapologetic about it. But, he was always resourceful and useful.
3. Maybe because it’s an arc that I’m reading but I got it pretty close to publication date and even this review is close to cutting the one month period, but there were a lot of strange word choices as well as things suddenly happening. I did highlight quite a bit of it and it was enough for me to notice. I hope it gets corrected in the published version.
Conclusion:
I loved Amber Sky and I urge you to give it a try despite it’s very disappointing cover. It’s very well-written and clever. I wish there was more use of steampunk instead of hinting at it. Decide, dear author, decide. I can’t wait for the second one!
I have given this book ☆☆☆☆. It belongs to the Young Adult Fantasy and Dystopain genres. Raven Press published it. It was published June 23 2017.
Verdict:
I know the cover isn’t promising and it looks very juvenile but crack this book open, I swear on my life that you’ll not be disappointed. Amber Sky was a phenomenal read that I didn’t want to put down. And I’m not just saying that.
Long story short, Tay’s father was sent to work in the most heinous of places for a crime of rebellion where he will surely be worked to death. To save her father, she goes to Darius (a most unassuming name for a very dashing hero) and pleads that he save her father’s life. In exchange, he grants her a favour that can be called on any time and lo and behold, she’s a servant in the house next to his. Then, he calls the favour in and Tay gets whisked off into a masquerade of glitz and glamour only to find out more heinous secrets. There is also a forest, shots fired into the sky akin to fireworks and fireballs, a masked ball, a daring train crash and abduction, useless adults, and of course, sparks flying of the emotional kind.
Sure, some people say that it’s a genre that’s been done before or that they’ve seen this done a million times. But, when it’s something done a million times AND it’s actually good, then it deserves it four stars.
Amber Sky leans more towards steampunk than dystopian, mainly because of the Victorian-esque elements of scullery maids and lords and ladies as well as the liberal use of machinery. Specifically, Tay mentions that steam power was discovered and harnessed.
It’s also incredibly well-written in that the pacing was good and the plot twist is bomb diggity. I never quite felt bored and elements that were introduced in the beginning of the story that seemed useless were always made use of in the end. I always love when writers do that, whether on tv, the silver screen or in books, because it really shows thought and planning.
However, despite mentions of C.O.I.L.S. of Copper and Brass, there was close to nothing about the mysterious organisation in the book. Which was pretty sad because it’s such a clever name that I’m curious about what they do. It’s the reason I knocked a star.
All in all, Amber Sky has really given me hope about 2017 publications after a disaster of published works. This is a short review mostly because there’s nothing I really dislike about Amber Sky and, it’s a starter novel, that’s for sure. It can’t stand on its own and more plots were introduced than resolved.
[may contain spoilers]
Despite my glowing review, as always, I do have things I dislike about Amber Sky. They’re not enough to spoil my enjoyment about it though.
1. Tay was incredibly shy and timid throughout the first half of the novel and her nerves and jittering got on my nerves really quick. I would say it’s a breath of fresh air from the typical brash and confident heroines but unlike Katniss who was nervous, Tay was just annoying about how scared she was. Darius had to constantly shush her like a frightened animal. It wasn’t until Tay grew a backbone and went from zero to sixty in three point five that the book’s tone FINALLY picked up.
2. Almost every man in the novel seemed lecherous. I suppose it’s not something I should be complaining about since given the setting and the gender balance but come on, it would have been nice to have a hero I could rely on and fall in love with. Even Darius wasn’t as hunky dory and charming and beautiful as a male lead can be. He was manipulative and unapologetic about it. But, he was always resourceful and useful.
3. Maybe because it’s an arc that I’m reading but I got it pretty close to publication date and even this review is close to cutting the one month period, but there were a lot of strange word choices as well as things suddenly happening. I did highlight quite a bit of it and it was enough for me to notice. I hope it gets corrected in the published version.
Conclusion:
I loved Amber Sky and I urge you to give it a try despite it’s very disappointing cover. It’s very well-written and clever. I wish there was more use of steampunk instead of hinting at it. Decide, dear author, decide. I can’t wait for the second one!
December 17, 2017
(This E-book was given to me by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Amber Sky was a pretty good choice for me even though I’ve had horrible experiences with all the other dystopian novels this year (I’m looking at you This Savage Song!) My problem usually is that I can’t find anything new and exciting about dystopias, they’re all very predictable now. That being said, Amber Sky was slightly more refreshing than most.
The story is set during the industrial revolution probably in an alternative universe. Just like in any generic dystopia, the system is designed to oppress the poorest and add more luxury onto the higher-ups. The system slowly cracks as more people begin to join the rebellion.
The story follows Tay who’s trying to keep her siblings alive after their father is sent to the Mine to die. She goes and asks for help from the Overseer’s son who might be able to help. He agrees to help her father in exchange for a favour. A favour that will thrust Tay into the heart of the City, a place filled with lies and strange disappearances. She will be forced to make decisions she never wanted to make and end up tangled in a big web of deceptions. In a world filled with deceivers and traitors, how will Tay survive the politics of the City.
Unlike all dystopias, Tay is not born a perfect badass female lead. She’s presented as a scared girl with only the thought of protecting her siblings driving her to act bravely. In addition to that, it’s obvious throughout the whole book how clumsy she was and how bad at lying she was. It makes her role a lot harder but also manages to make her character realistic. The best thing about all these characteristics is that it makes the character development substantial . You’ll definitely enjoy seeing her transform into a confident strong woman who knows what she needs to do. I think the author showed the hardships and experiences Tay had to go through, to evolve as a person, splendidly.
Alas, none of the other characters were that memorable. The male love interests are there but they don’t appear to serve any purpose besides conveniently solving a problem. They all feel like secondary characters and they weren’t really given proper backstories to flesh them out and support their actions. There was a lesbian character who slightly contributes to the plot which I was happy to see but I still don’t really know how I feel about her due to the lack of information given about her.
This is one of those books where I pretend not to see the romance because it’s seriously just dull and obvious. Since we barely know anything about any of the men, any love towards Tay felt random and just there to advance the plot. That being said, so far, I don’t care who ends up with who due to the clichéd typical males.
The plot was neither dragged nor rushed so it’d be a good easy read for people knew to dystopia. There’s a lot we don’t know about the world which keeps the reader on edge. There’s a lot of odd unexplainable things occurring at the end of the book which will kill you until the next book is released. There were some minor plot holes that weren’t dealt with but don’t ruin the reading experience too much. Some revelations were predictable but they gave Tay such shock even though a child could guess those plot twists a mile away. That pissed me off because nobody’s that dumb.
Overall, it was a fun short read. The book is filled with the most popular tropes of YA but it also manages to keep some parts original and exciting like adding a more gothic theme to it. On a scale of other more familiar books I say it’s: better than This Savage Song, similar to The Hunger Games and Divergent, but not as complex and imaginative as Red Rising. I will read the sequel as soon as it comes out because I, like most people, HATE NOT KNOWING STUFF! I would recommend this book especially for readers who haven’t ventured too deeply into the dystopian genre because you would get the most out of it.
Amber Sky was a pretty good choice for me even though I’ve had horrible experiences with all the other dystopian novels this year (I’m looking at you This Savage Song!) My problem usually is that I can’t find anything new and exciting about dystopias, they’re all very predictable now. That being said, Amber Sky was slightly more refreshing than most.
The story is set during the industrial revolution probably in an alternative universe. Just like in any generic dystopia, the system is designed to oppress the poorest and add more luxury onto the higher-ups. The system slowly cracks as more people begin to join the rebellion.
The story follows Tay who’s trying to keep her siblings alive after their father is sent to the Mine to die. She goes and asks for help from the Overseer’s son who might be able to help. He agrees to help her father in exchange for a favour. A favour that will thrust Tay into the heart of the City, a place filled with lies and strange disappearances. She will be forced to make decisions she never wanted to make and end up tangled in a big web of deceptions. In a world filled with deceivers and traitors, how will Tay survive the politics of the City.
Unlike all dystopias, Tay is not born a perfect badass female lead. She’s presented as a scared girl with only the thought of protecting her siblings driving her to act bravely. In addition to that, it’s obvious throughout the whole book how clumsy she was and how bad at lying she was. It makes her role a lot harder but also manages to make her character realistic. The best thing about all these characteristics is that it makes the character development substantial . You’ll definitely enjoy seeing her transform into a confident strong woman who knows what she needs to do. I think the author showed the hardships and experiences Tay had to go through, to evolve as a person, splendidly.
Alas, none of the other characters were that memorable. The male love interests are there but they don’t appear to serve any purpose besides conveniently solving a problem. They all feel like secondary characters and they weren’t really given proper backstories to flesh them out and support their actions. There was a lesbian character who slightly contributes to the plot which I was happy to see but I still don’t really know how I feel about her due to the lack of information given about her.
This is one of those books where I pretend not to see the romance because it’s seriously just dull and obvious. Since we barely know anything about any of the men, any love towards Tay felt random and just there to advance the plot. That being said, so far, I don’t care who ends up with who due to the clichéd typical males.
The plot was neither dragged nor rushed so it’d be a good easy read for people knew to dystopia. There’s a lot we don’t know about the world which keeps the reader on edge. There’s a lot of odd unexplainable things occurring at the end of the book which will kill you until the next book is released. There were some minor plot holes that weren’t dealt with but don’t ruin the reading experience too much. Some revelations were predictable but they gave Tay such shock even though a child could guess those plot twists a mile away. That pissed me off because nobody’s that dumb.
Overall, it was a fun short read. The book is filled with the most popular tropes of YA but it also manages to keep some parts original and exciting like adding a more gothic theme to it. On a scale of other more familiar books I say it’s: better than This Savage Song, similar to The Hunger Games and Divergent, but not as complex and imaginative as Red Rising. I will read the sequel as soon as it comes out because I, like most people, HATE NOT KNOWING STUFF! I would recommend this book especially for readers who haven’t ventured too deeply into the dystopian genre because you would get the most out of it.
August 14, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
I received this E-ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for a good dystopian novel and this one hit the spot for a quick weekend read. You still get that vibe that all have - Hunger Games, The Testing, etc. - but the COILS concept is very interesting and I'm really curious to see where it goes. At first, I kind of thought this book happened in a version of the past, but the more you see in the city, I think it's more futuristic dystopian where more is being kept from society than they even realize. The character development is great and you can feel the tension between Tay and Darius and you just want to smack their heads together. I'm really curious what's going on with Talon, and maybe Sarah J. Maas has just made me super distrustful, but I'm curious where this triangle goes - and even more so to see if some more minor characters come back into play. I'm incredibly curious as to what is going to happen, with the cliff hanger that this is left on. Once I got into chapter 3, I essentially read the story in one sitting because I just needed to know what was going on. I'm interesting to see how the COILS concept ties in and more of what's going on with that, because I have so many theories and I just need the next book to know if I'm right. Definitely would recommend as an easy, light read.
I received this E-ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for a good dystopian novel and this one hit the spot for a quick weekend read. You still get that vibe that all have - Hunger Games, The Testing, etc. - but the COILS concept is very interesting and I'm really curious to see where it goes. At first, I kind of thought this book happened in a version of the past, but the more you see in the city, I think it's more futuristic dystopian where more is being kept from society than they even realize. The character development is great and you can feel the tension between Tay and Darius and you just want to smack their heads together. I'm really curious what's going on with Talon, and maybe Sarah J. Maas has just made me super distrustful, but I'm curious where this triangle goes - and even more so to see if some more minor characters come back into play. I'm incredibly curious as to what is going to happen, with the cliff hanger that this is left on. Once I got into chapter 3, I essentially read the story in one sitting because I just needed to know what was going on. I'm interesting to see how the COILS concept ties in and more of what's going on with that, because I have so many theories and I just need the next book to know if I'm right. Definitely would recommend as an easy, light read.
July 3, 2018
*I was sent a physical ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
4.5/5 stars
The synopsis of this novel really intrigued me when I first read it and I have to say, this novel did not disappoint.
Amber Sky focusses on our main character Tay, who goes to a nobleman's son in search of a way to keep her father from being thrown into a work camp for the remainder of his life. Due to the deal she strikes, she is forced to help the son, Darius, by pretending to be his sister and attend a betrothal ball in the capital in her place.
I loved reading from Tay's perspective since she is somewhat unwillingly part of the rebellion. This was a refreshing POV to get since most protagonist's main driving force is a rebellion, whereas Tay just wanted to take the safest route so that she could care for her siblings.
I really liked the relationship in this novel, both romantic and platonic. I also appreciate how the romance, while always present, didn't overshadow the plot in any way.
I'm really excited to see where this story goes in the next novel, and I highly recommend picking this book up if you haven't already!
April 2, 2018
4 stars
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this YA Fantasy dystopian book. It is similar to a lot of other books out there, but it's still an enjoyable read. I will definitely read the next book in this series.
The nobility run the country and control the population by controlling the jobs they can work, the food they eat and their education. They also control the C.O.I.L.S. of Copper and Brass, which is rumored to have powers to control the amber sky and other elements.
Tay is a young girl barely keeping her siblings alive after her father is arrested. She begs the Overseer's son, Darius, for help, but it comes at a cost. She will owe him a favor that he can ask at any time. As a part of the bargain, Tay is given a job that takes her to the Palace. Before she leaves, she is pressured to find out information to assist the rebellion.
Tay risks everything to help her family, but Darius has secrets that complicate matters and endanger them more than they could imagine. Tay and Darius must decide if they are going to just help themselves, or help the rebellion, seek the C.O.I.L.S. and help everyone.
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this YA Fantasy dystopian book. It is similar to a lot of other books out there, but it's still an enjoyable read. I will definitely read the next book in this series.
The nobility run the country and control the population by controlling the jobs they can work, the food they eat and their education. They also control the C.O.I.L.S. of Copper and Brass, which is rumored to have powers to control the amber sky and other elements.
Tay is a young girl barely keeping her siblings alive after her father is arrested. She begs the Overseer's son, Darius, for help, but it comes at a cost. She will owe him a favor that he can ask at any time. As a part of the bargain, Tay is given a job that takes her to the Palace. Before she leaves, she is pressured to find out information to assist the rebellion.
Tay risks everything to help her family, but Darius has secrets that complicate matters and endanger them more than they could imagine. Tay and Darius must decide if they are going to just help themselves, or help the rebellion, seek the C.O.I.L.S. and help everyone.
July 25, 2017
When Tay's father is arrested for being part of a rebellion against a ruling class Tay must now take care of her siblings. She begs Darius James who is son of the overseer to help her. He tells her that if he helps her father, then she will owe him a favor he can call in at any time. This book creates a unique distopian world with poverty, class struggle and rebellion.
While the premise was interesting. This book didn't full suck me in. I actually ended up putting it aside after reading a good portion of it. I did enjoy what I did read, but not enough to finish (I am trying to read so many things right now that this just doesn't get priority at the moment). I wanted to write a review before I was done because I did get this from NetGalley to review, and I am not totally sure if I will go back to it. I think if you like dystopian YA fiction with a strong female character you would enjoy this. However, nothing about it totally stood out to me (again I didn't finish it so take it with a grain of salt).
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
While the premise was interesting. This book didn't full suck me in. I actually ended up putting it aside after reading a good portion of it. I did enjoy what I did read, but not enough to finish (I am trying to read so many things right now that this just doesn't get priority at the moment). I wanted to write a review before I was done because I did get this from NetGalley to review, and I am not totally sure if I will go back to it. I think if you like dystopian YA fiction with a strong female character you would enjoy this. However, nothing about it totally stood out to me (again I didn't finish it so take it with a grain of salt).
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
August 17, 2017
Voluntary review of Advance Reader Copy. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley.Okay, I have to admit I started this book then stopped. Yet, something made me pick it back up again and let me say I'm so glad that I did. Taya is great character, she is selfless, kind, and wanting to help her siblings. Her character plays well off Darius, the mysterious and interesting man who calls in a favor that Taya owes him. It takes place during an industrial revolution age where the social systems are very different than our own. The writing is vivid and well paced. The story is about power and a rebellion. I don't give spoilers in my reviews, but this novel is full of twists that you keep turning the page to find out what will happen next. I recommend this book for those who like regency novels, series, and mysteries. It is a solid read for young adult readers and will appeal across many genre's.
September 9, 2018
3.25 stars
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