fulltimelogan's review
4.75
Wow. This book was just amazing. Nick James is a fantastic author, and his writing is just captivating. I literally couldn't put this book down because I was so absorbed in the action-packed plot. One word of advice: before reading this book, do not read the description on the back cover because it will ruin the book by giving away the ending. Trust me you will want to learn these things while you read.
a_manning11's review
5.0
DO NOT READ THE BACK OF THE BOOK before reading the book! IT IS ONE HUGE SPOILER. I just read it after finishing the book and am very glad I didn't, since it allowed the story to unfold naturally, without anything being given away. That being said, READ THE BOOK! IT'S AMAZING!
I got this book from the library because I won its sequel in the First Reads Giveaway, and have made the experience that it's usually a good idea to read number 1 first.
This book is amazing. The plot is very well developed, and information is revealed at a good pace. The characters are very interesting and I could not put the book down.
The story goes a lot deeper than one might assume at the beginning, and now I cannot wait to read the next volume. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet, so it'll have to wait.
I got this book from the library because I won its sequel in the First Reads Giveaway, and have made the experience that it's usually a good idea to read number 1 first.
This book is amazing. The plot is very well developed, and information is revealed at a good pace. The characters are very interesting and I could not put the book down.
The story goes a lot deeper than one might assume at the beginning, and now I cannot wait to read the next volume. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet, so it'll have to wait.
adrienneambo's review
3.0
A nice blend of science fiction, dystopian, and teen angst, this first book of a planned trilogy tell the story of Fisher and Cassius two very different teen boys and their struggle to find their identities in this distant future world which is environmentally wrecked. Enter a band of Skyship Academy teens and this the story continues with mystery and adventure.
ryanjamesburt's review
3.0
1) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
2) Genre: Young Adult
3) Synopsis: Pearls are mysterious energy that falls from the skies into a world divided. Skyship vs. Surface. Young Jesse vs. Cassius. Who will control the Pearls and the future?
4) Feelings: I almost quit this book a couple of times. In fact, I think once I did but ended up with some spare time with this book within reach. I liked the idea of unknown energy falling from the skies but other than that, the rest didn’t grab me.
5) Final recommendation: I am glad I finished it but I imagine I won't read the next book. It wasn't bad but didn't grab me.
Ryan James Burt
Husband, Father, and Writer
http://ryanjamesburt.wordpress.com/
2) Genre: Young Adult
3) Synopsis: Pearls are mysterious energy that falls from the skies into a world divided. Skyship vs. Surface. Young Jesse vs. Cassius. Who will control the Pearls and the future?
4) Feelings: I almost quit this book a couple of times. In fact, I think once I did but ended up with some spare time with this book within reach. I liked the idea of unknown energy falling from the skies but other than that, the rest didn’t grab me.
5) Final recommendation: I am glad I finished it but I imagine I won't read the next book. It wasn't bad but didn't grab me.
Ryan James Burt
Husband, Father, and Writer
http://ryanjamesburt.wordpress.com/
fbone's review
2.0
I don't think I was the intended audience for this book. It's billed as YA but I would put it at juvenile younger than 12yo. And me being a middle-aged man found it very simplistic and dull. No real unexpected plot twists. Everything went as planned except for one item. The mystery was revealed 2/3 of the way in and remained with no surprise.
Also, this book was presented as being written by a YA instead of for a YA. That may have been intentional by Nick James. It may work for a 10yo but it didn't for me.
Also, this book was presented as being written by a YA instead of for a YA. That may have been intentional by Nick James. It may work for a 10yo but it didn't for me.
opal28's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
anniemariek's review
3.0
First Look: I'm not sure what exactly drew me to this book. The goggles and the word "skyship" screamed steampunk, though this book isn't even steampunk. (Up close, the goggles look fakey anyway.) Still, I decided to give it a shot.
Setting: I don't understand why the Unified Party and the Skyship people are at odds with each other. It seems that all dystopian novels have to have two battling factions. Pro tip: it is possible to write a dystopian novel without this aspect. Patrick Ness uses this wonderfully in The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men, but in both these cases, it works. Those novels take time to explore the conflicts, rather than just having conflict for the sake of it. They use the warring factions to ask difficult questions of readers: When you only have two choices, who do you fight for? A tyrant or a terrorist? Also, who do you save: the lives of many, or the life of the one person you can't live without? I wouldn't have minded the two factions aspect in The Pearl Wars, except that there was very little worldbuilding, and it felt thrown in just to give something to plot around. Enough information was laid down to establish that these were warring factions, but we weren't ever given a reason why they were fighting. Or a reason to care.
Characters: I have mixed feelings about both main characters, Jesse and Cassisus. Jesse had potential to be a character that felt real, with much for readers to connect with. He had that, to some extent, but for me, his constant complaining prevented me from ever getting close to him, as a character. He spends most of the first half of the book feeling sorry for himself because he's the worst trainee Skyship has. But he never did anything about it. If he really wanted to stop being the worst and stop being picked on for it, why didn't he work harder? Talk to his teachers and get extra help? Train for the paintball-type game on his own?
Cassius was more interesting, for me. I'm not sure why, exactly. This could be just my imagination, but I think he got less point of view chapters in the second half of the book, and Jesse's point of view took over the story. Again, I could just be making this up, but it seemed like his storyline dropped out as soon as he crossed paths with Jesse. I wish I could've gotten to know Cassius better--he seemed like an interesting character, and probably will develop throughout the rest of the trilogy.
Plot: The beginning was exciting. Then it slowed down for 150 pages or so. It finally picked back up, but by that time, it was too late to save this book from a three-star rating. There was a snippet of action at the beginning, and it caught my attention, but then it turned into a long segment of Jesse's complaining, eavesdropping, and other less-exciting things. Why is it that whenever a character randomly eavesdrops on a conversation just for the sake of it, that conversation always just so happens to be about him? The plot picked back up at the end, in terms of things actually happening, but I wish it wouldn't have taken so long to get there.
Uniqueness: The aspect of the Pearls was unique. Other than that, this book contained many too-familiar tropes of standard-issue dystopian novels.
Writing: The thing that annoyed me was the awkward point of view switches. Jesse's point of view chapters were written in first person, present tense. Cassius' were in third person, past tense. This meant that, at the beginning of every chapter, it took me a few paragraphs to readjust to the switch. It didn't make sense to me--why make one person's point of view one way, and the other character's point of view different? It wasn't consistent. And anyway, present tense tends to get on my nerves. Other than that, I had no other major issues with the writing.
Likes: Nothing not already mentioned above.
Not-so-great: Same.
Overall: This was an okay book. The setting wasn't explained fully. Jesse spent too much time complaining, but other than that, he and Cassius were decent main characters. The plot was exciting at the beginning, slowed down for too long, then picked back up at the very end. The switches every chapter or so between first person present and third person past tense were annoying. Overall, though, it was a decent book. It's more on the high side of three stars, for me, but not quite enough for me to bump up the rating.
Similar Books: The dystopian setting and dual point of view remind me of Proxy and Legend. It also has a little bit of an Airborn vibe to it.
Setting: I don't understand why the Unified Party and the Skyship people are at odds with each other. It seems that all dystopian novels have to have two battling factions. Pro tip: it is possible to write a dystopian novel without this aspect. Patrick Ness uses this wonderfully in The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men, but in both these cases, it works. Those novels take time to explore the conflicts, rather than just having conflict for the sake of it. They use the warring factions to ask difficult questions of readers: When you only have two choices, who do you fight for? A tyrant or a terrorist? Also, who do you save: the lives of many, or the life of the one person you can't live without? I wouldn't have minded the two factions aspect in The Pearl Wars, except that there was very little worldbuilding, and it felt thrown in just to give something to plot around. Enough information was laid down to establish that these were warring factions, but we weren't ever given a reason why they were fighting. Or a reason to care.
Characters: I have mixed feelings about both main characters, Jesse and Cassisus. Jesse had potential to be a character that felt real, with much for readers to connect with. He had that, to some extent, but for me, his constant complaining prevented me from ever getting close to him, as a character. He spends most of the first half of the book feeling sorry for himself because he's the worst trainee Skyship has. But he never did anything about it. If he really wanted to stop being the worst and stop being picked on for it, why didn't he work harder? Talk to his teachers and get extra help? Train for the paintball-type game on his own?
Cassius was more interesting, for me. I'm not sure why, exactly. This could be just my imagination, but I think he got less point of view chapters in the second half of the book, and Jesse's point of view took over the story. Again, I could just be making this up, but it seemed like his storyline dropped out as soon as he crossed paths with Jesse. I wish I could've gotten to know Cassius better--he seemed like an interesting character, and probably will develop throughout the rest of the trilogy.
Plot: The beginning was exciting. Then it slowed down for 150 pages or so. It finally picked back up, but by that time, it was too late to save this book from a three-star rating. There was a snippet of action at the beginning, and it caught my attention, but then it turned into a long segment of Jesse's complaining, eavesdropping, and other less-exciting things. Why is it that whenever a character randomly eavesdrops on a conversation just for the sake of it, that conversation always just so happens to be about him? The plot picked back up at the end, in terms of things actually happening, but I wish it wouldn't have taken so long to get there.
Uniqueness: The aspect of the Pearls was unique. Other than that, this book contained many too-familiar tropes of standard-issue dystopian novels.
Writing: The thing that annoyed me was the awkward point of view switches. Jesse's point of view chapters were written in first person, present tense. Cassius' were in third person, past tense. This meant that, at the beginning of every chapter, it took me a few paragraphs to readjust to the switch. It didn't make sense to me--why make one person's point of view one way, and the other character's point of view different? It wasn't consistent. And anyway, present tense tends to get on my nerves. Other than that, I had no other major issues with the writing.
Likes: Nothing not already mentioned above.
Not-so-great: Same.
Overall: This was an okay book. The setting wasn't explained fully. Jesse spent too much time complaining, but other than that, he and Cassius were decent main characters. The plot was exciting at the beginning, slowed down for too long, then picked back up at the very end. The switches every chapter or so between first person present and third person past tense were annoying. Overall, though, it was a decent book. It's more on the high side of three stars, for me, but not quite enough for me to bump up the rating.
Similar Books: The dystopian setting and dual point of view remind me of Proxy and Legend. It also has a little bit of an Airborn vibe to it.
eviebookish's review
5.0
The first book in the Skyship Academy series is full of breath-taking action, totally unexpected plot twists, intrigue and jaw-dropping surprises! The narrative is addictive and absolutely captivating. It took me merely 5 hours to read this book, and I am NOT a fast reader at all. Nick James' writing style is approachable and easy to digest. I was so absorbed in the story, so eager to find out what will happen next, I didn't even notice the pages turning. I didn't make a conscious effort to start another chapter. It was kind of like being in a trans. It's insane how extremely well written this book is, especially when you take into account the fact that it only took the author 6 months to write it! Nick James is a born writer, he has a talent for words. I am a fan.
Rows of shattered windows pass by above me in a blur, faster and faster until I'm mere feet from smashing into the ground. This is it. All I can do is close my eyes and pray.
It's year 2095 and nothing is the same as it was before. America has been attacked. No one knows by who or why, no terrorist organization ever claimed responsibility for the bombings. But someone had to pay for that, people demanded revenge and so the American government retaliated, targeting countries and organizations that had been troubling US for a while now. The bombings and the chemicals almost drove the planet to extinctions, raising the temperature dangerously. That's when the Pearls started falling from the sky. Pearl energy helped power the Bio-Nets that protected and cooled the Chosen Cities. Chosen Cities weren't for everyone, though. Those who couldn't afford living in them, or simply didn't agree with the government's policy, were forced to live in the blazing chaos of the Fringes. Skyship Academy was formed as the government opposition, trying to collect Pearls before the Madam's people (the leader of the Unified Party) got to them. A never ending fight for the Pearl energy.
"Did I ever tell you I served in Operation Blackout?"
"Several times, sir." In fact, during school lectures he never shuts up about it. The defining moment that turned the tides of the Chinese-American war, he says.
Alkaline nods, crossing his arms. "Best day of my life. I guess some of us are just born for battle."
I glance at the door. Some of us were born to get out of this room.
Jesse Fischer is training to be a Skyship agent. Cassius is Madam's protégé. They are born enemies. When their paths cross one day, something weird happens. An unexpected connection is made between them. Their meeting trigers a chain of dangerous events that no one has been prepared for.
"You know, you can't keep doing this, acting like a baby when things don't go your way."
It's official, I am a total nerd. I went crazy for this book! Some scenes were so deliciously nerdy that I had a goofy smile stuck to my face, earning suspicious glances from my husband. This book is like a perfect cross between Star Wars and like a dozen nerdy TV shows from Space Channel. It's just as addictive as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and just as phenomenally complex as Matrix. It's an EPIC read, one that every YA fantasy/sci fi fan should have on his/her book shelf.
The characters were top notch. I'd LOVE to see this book being adapted into a movie (or even better, a TV show!) one day. That would ROCK! I don't see any other option, it's just a perfect movie/TV show material! I loved Jesse and Cassius, they're the opposites of each other and yet they have so much in common! The twists involving these two were just crazy, I didn't see them coming at all, but once they happened I was like: awww.. of course! (=total mental-face-palm moment) I really connected with both of the MCs and had so much fun following their adventures. My only regret is that, unlike Jesse's POV, Cassius' wasn't in the first person. I think that would've been even more awesome. I'd like to get into Cassius' head and see what he thinks!
The Pearl Wars turned out to be a really great read. It's one of my favorite 2011 books for sure. I had a lot of fun reading it. Dripping with tension and suspense, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I was impressed by the complexity of the plot. There are layers upon layers of well thought-out and detailed world-building. The intrigue turns out to be so much more than what you'd expect from the back-cover blurb, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how brilliantly all the plot threads come together in the end. The ending is quite a tease and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. It's definitely one of the most anticipated 2012 releases for me!
Rows of shattered windows pass by above me in a blur, faster and faster until I'm mere feet from smashing into the ground. This is it. All I can do is close my eyes and pray.
It's year 2095 and nothing is the same as it was before. America has been attacked. No one knows by who or why, no terrorist organization ever claimed responsibility for the bombings. But someone had to pay for that, people demanded revenge and so the American government retaliated, targeting countries and organizations that had been troubling US for a while now. The bombings and the chemicals almost drove the planet to extinctions, raising the temperature dangerously. That's when the Pearls started falling from the sky. Pearl energy helped power the Bio-Nets that protected and cooled the Chosen Cities. Chosen Cities weren't for everyone, though. Those who couldn't afford living in them, or simply didn't agree with the government's policy, were forced to live in the blazing chaos of the Fringes. Skyship Academy was formed as the government opposition, trying to collect Pearls before the Madam's people (the leader of the Unified Party) got to them. A never ending fight for the Pearl energy.
"Did I ever tell you I served in Operation Blackout?"
"Several times, sir." In fact, during school lectures he never shuts up about it. The defining moment that turned the tides of the Chinese-American war, he says.
Alkaline nods, crossing his arms. "Best day of my life. I guess some of us are just born for battle."
I glance at the door. Some of us were born to get out of this room.
Jesse Fischer is training to be a Skyship agent. Cassius is Madam's protégé. They are born enemies. When their paths cross one day, something weird happens. An unexpected connection is made between them. Their meeting trigers a chain of dangerous events that no one has been prepared for.
"You know, you can't keep doing this, acting like a baby when things don't go your way."
It's official, I am a total nerd. I went crazy for this book! Some scenes were so deliciously nerdy that I had a goofy smile stuck to my face, earning suspicious glances from my husband. This book is like a perfect cross between Star Wars and like a dozen nerdy TV shows from Space Channel. It's just as addictive as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and just as phenomenally complex as Matrix. It's an EPIC read, one that every YA fantasy/sci fi fan should have on his/her book shelf.
The characters were top notch. I'd LOVE to see this book being adapted into a movie (or even better, a TV show!) one day. That would ROCK! I don't see any other option, it's just a perfect movie/TV show material! I loved Jesse and Cassius, they're the opposites of each other and yet they have so much in common! The twists involving these two were just crazy, I didn't see them coming at all, but once they happened I was like: awww.. of course! (=total mental-face-palm moment) I really connected with both of the MCs and had so much fun following their adventures. My only regret is that, unlike Jesse's POV, Cassius' wasn't in the first person. I think that would've been even more awesome. I'd like to get into Cassius' head and see what he thinks!
The Pearl Wars turned out to be a really great read. It's one of my favorite 2011 books for sure. I had a lot of fun reading it. Dripping with tension and suspense, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I was impressed by the complexity of the plot. There are layers upon layers of well thought-out and detailed world-building. The intrigue turns out to be so much more than what you'd expect from the back-cover blurb, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how brilliantly all the plot threads come together in the end. The ending is quite a tease and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. It's definitely one of the most anticipated 2012 releases for me!
tarabyt3's review
2.0
I went into this with fairly high hopes. "STEAMPUNK," thought I, from the cover. Well, it's not at all steampunk, but it's definitely another genre I also enjoy -- post-apocalyptic dystopia! No worries then... except that I wasn't wowed at all. James gets points for an interesting overarching story and decent enough world-building. But I can't count how many times I scoffed at the unbelievability of an event or sequence, or at the way characters reacted in situations. In addition, I found the majority of the characters to be incredibly flat.
I think if I had read this when I was younger I would have enjoyed it a lot more, but as it stands, I won't be moving forward with the series.
I think if I had read this when I was younger I would have enjoyed it a lot more, but as it stands, I won't be moving forward with the series.
fenny_42's review
4.0
The Pearl Wars (Skyship Academy #1) is a post apocalyptic, dystopian novel about a kid named Jesse who lives and trains at the Skyship Academy, which is really just a front for the Separatists who are trying to find and capture Pearls, the ultimate energy source. Pearls are necessary for energy, because a few decades (I think) ago, the Scarlet Bombings took place, and the face of the Earth changed forever — most of Earth is now hot, barren, and pretty desolate.
After the Scarlet Bombings, some people in America decided to bomb other parts of the world to stay the strongest country. After that, the people who supported that decision formed Chosen Cities, where there is a controlled atmosphere. The people who did not approve (Separatists, or just Seps) ended up living in the skies — at places like the Skyship Academy.
Along with Jesse, the novel also focuses on another young man named Cassius, who grew up on the Surface in a Chosen City. The narrative switches back and forth between the two regularly (every couple chapters or so). I liked the contrast of the two characters, as they both had completely different motives and personalities.
Including the two male main characters, Jesse has a squad of sorts with Skandar and Eva, fellow Skyship trainees. For added intrigue, Avery is an older girl (18 to Jesse’s 15) who plays his love interest. This was a nice relief from the science fiction plot.
This was a pretty typical post apocalyptic, sci-fi novel. Cities lain to waste, corrupt government, tough life… however, I think the Pearls as a power source are neat, and the ‘shocking secret’ you learn about them in the end of the book is a quite interesting and new idea. Overall, it was a very quick read and (mostly because of the secret of the Pearls) I will buy the second book whenever it is released, though I may wait until it’s out in paperback. There aren’t really that many new ideas expressed for people who have read a lot of science fiction, so don’t expect your world to be rocked. However, this is a very solid book with quick-paced writing that I recommend if you’ve got a whole day to read it — you’re going to want to read it in one sitting.
After the Scarlet Bombings, some people in America decided to bomb other parts of the world to stay the strongest country. After that, the people who supported that decision formed Chosen Cities, where there is a controlled atmosphere. The people who did not approve (Separatists, or just Seps) ended up living in the skies — at places like the Skyship Academy.
Along with Jesse, the novel also focuses on another young man named Cassius, who grew up on the Surface in a Chosen City. The narrative switches back and forth between the two regularly (every couple chapters or so). I liked the contrast of the two characters, as they both had completely different motives and personalities.
Including the two male main characters, Jesse has a squad of sorts with Skandar and Eva, fellow Skyship trainees. For added intrigue, Avery is an older girl (18 to Jesse’s 15) who plays his love interest. This was a nice relief from the science fiction plot.
This was a pretty typical post apocalyptic, sci-fi novel. Cities lain to waste, corrupt government, tough life… however, I think the Pearls as a power source are neat, and the ‘shocking secret’ you learn about them in the end of the book is a quite interesting and new idea. Overall, it was a very quick read and (mostly because of the secret of the Pearls) I will buy the second book whenever it is released, though I may wait until it’s out in paperback. There aren’t really that many new ideas expressed for people who have read a lot of science fiction, so don’t expect your world to be rocked. However, this is a very solid book with quick-paced writing that I recommend if you’ve got a whole day to read it — you’re going to want to read it in one sitting.