young adult, fantasy
The Other Side of the Sky
I generally enjoy Amie Kaufman's YA space
fantasies and this is the second series I've read in which she
collaborated with Meagan Spooner. The Other Side of the Sky was exactly
what I was expecting- star-crossed characters who build a relationship
while facing a seemingly impossible, possibly world-shattering task.
Kaufman and Spooner build an interesting world in The Other Side of the Sky, a world in the clouds, floating above the planet below and the planet itself - both with very different beliefs and priorities - one ruled by a diety and the other by royalty (are gods and royalty really that different? A discussion for another day...).
Nimh and North are likable characters with wonderful chemistry, and I enjoyed the way Kaufman and Spooner were able to blend technology and magic, religion and the variety of beliefs that can spring from it, as well as fantasy and adventure. They paint a vivid picture of the story's world and it's easy to imagine the scenes as they play out.
I both read the print version and listened to the audio version and I must admit, I enjoyed the printed (Kindle) version better. It's not that the audiobook narrators were bad, I just didn't enjoy them. Caitlin Davies narrates Nimh's chapters and of the two, her voice seemed more appropriate to the story. She spoke with a stiffness that seemed true to Nimh's character. Johnathan McClain voiced North's chapters and while I liked his voice quite a lot, I could never believe he was a teenager. I've no idea how old he is in real life, but it sounded like a 40-year old man reading the chapters, so each time it took me out of the story completely. I would love to hear him narrate something in which he voiced a man, rather than a boy because, as I said, his voice is lovely if not appropriate here. I give Davies a B and McClain a B-.
If you've read other books by Kaufman and Spooner or you're a fan of YA space fantasies, you're likely to enjoy this series. I found it to be a great brain break during a stressful time.
Kaufman and Spooner build an interesting world in The Other Side of the Sky, a world in the clouds, floating above the planet below and the planet itself - both with very different beliefs and priorities - one ruled by a diety and the other by royalty (are gods and royalty really that different? A discussion for another day...).
Nimh and North are likable characters with wonderful chemistry, and I enjoyed the way Kaufman and Spooner were able to blend technology and magic, religion and the variety of beliefs that can spring from it, as well as fantasy and adventure. They paint a vivid picture of the story's world and it's easy to imagine the scenes as they play out.
I both read the print version and listened to the audio version and I must admit, I enjoyed the printed (Kindle) version better. It's not that the audiobook narrators were bad, I just didn't enjoy them. Caitlin Davies narrates Nimh's chapters and of the two, her voice seemed more appropriate to the story. She spoke with a stiffness that seemed true to Nimh's character. Johnathan McClain voiced North's chapters and while I liked his voice quite a lot, I could never believe he was a teenager. I've no idea how old he is in real life, but it sounded like a 40-year old man reading the chapters, so each time it took me out of the story completely. I would love to hear him narrate something in which he voiced a man, rather than a boy because, as I said, his voice is lovely if not appropriate here. I give Davies a B and McClain a B-.
If you've read other books by Kaufman and Spooner or you're a fan of YA space fantasies, you're likely to enjoy this series. I found it to be a great brain break during a stressful time.
Beyond the End of the World
This was a fun and fast series to read. Picking
up where The Other Side of the Sky leaves off, Kaufman and Spooner fill
this book with action and a sweet romance. Also, the bindle cat is
probably my favorite non-talking literary cat in quite some time - I
found the cat to be entertaining in every single scene and a great
device for moving things forward sometimes. It was a silly device, but
an enjoyable one.
There's more action in this second book of the duology. You know Nihm and North have worlds to save and battles to fight before they can get to their happy ending. The storyline wasn't at all surprising, but was fun to watch unfold none-the-less and I liked the way Kaufman and Spooner wrapped things up.
If you enjoyed the first book, you'll likely enjoy the conclusion as well, particularly if you read them close enough together that you don't forget the plot or characters.
There's more action in this second book of the duology. You know Nihm and North have worlds to save and battles to fight before they can get to their happy ending. The storyline wasn't at all surprising, but was fun to watch unfold none-the-less and I liked the way Kaufman and Spooner wrapped things up.
If you enjoyed the first book, you'll likely enjoy the conclusion as well, particularly if you read them close enough together that you don't forget the plot or characters.
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