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poorashleu's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here
This book first came on my radar when I heard Jillian talk last year at my local bookstore. Jillian is a local author, well as local as one can be from Phoenix to Tucson, and along with becoming friends at that event, I heard her talk about her upcoming YA novel: Searching For Sky. To say I was hooked was an understatement. Then, my friend Erica, told me about it. Told me it was reverse dystopian, which made no true sense to me, but I was still intrigued. When I started the book, I got it. I got the reverse dystopian.
Sky has lived on Island her whole life. There is the Ocean and Toilet Tree and her friend and fellow member of Island, River. They are living a happy life on Island, partly because it is all Sky knows. One day of course that all changes, they are found and rescued. The important thing is though, that Sky doesnât want to be rescued, she enjoys her life for what it is. She quickly discovers that being rescued really is the worst. She is taken to a place called California and finds out that she has a grandmother, River isnât what he seems, and her life on the island really isnât what it seems.
Sky struggles, a lot, throughout the whole book. While biologically she is a teenager, mentally she is not even close. Her grandmother brings in people to assist her, from psychologists, teachers, a teenage boy to be a friend, and it takes awhile but slowly Sky starts to adapt. Very slowly, Cantor never forces Sky into situations which wouldnât fit the character. There are painful moments where you want to hug Sky, because while toilets, pencils and cars are completely normal to us, Sky is out of her element and itâs painful for her. She wants to go home. To her real home. The island.
Sky isnât allowed to talk to River and Sky slowly finds out things about her mother and Helmut, the other two that were on the island (they died before the novel began) that hurt Sky. Sky is convinced if River and her could just go back to the Island everything will be okay. We, as the reader, know that life is not that easy. No matter how easy Sky believes it is.
Cantor made me a believer of not only Sky, and Southern California, but also âReverse Dystopian.â I am here for it. All of it.
This book first came on my radar when I heard Jillian talk last year at my local bookstore. Jillian is a local author, well as local as one can be from Phoenix to Tucson, and along with becoming friends at that event, I heard her talk about her upcoming YA novel: Searching For Sky. To say I was hooked was an understatement. Then, my friend Erica, told me about it. Told me it was reverse dystopian, which made no true sense to me, but I was still intrigued. When I started the book, I got it. I got the reverse dystopian.
Sky has lived on Island her whole life. There is the Ocean and Toilet Tree and her friend and fellow member of Island, River. They are living a happy life on Island, partly because it is all Sky knows. One day of course that all changes, they are found and rescued. The important thing is though, that Sky doesnât want to be rescued, she enjoys her life for what it is. She quickly discovers that being rescued really is the worst. She is taken to a place called California and finds out that she has a grandmother, River isnât what he seems, and her life on the island really isnât what it seems.
Sky struggles, a lot, throughout the whole book. While biologically she is a teenager, mentally she is not even close. Her grandmother brings in people to assist her, from psychologists, teachers, a teenage boy to be a friend, and it takes awhile but slowly Sky starts to adapt. Very slowly, Cantor never forces Sky into situations which wouldnât fit the character. There are painful moments where you want to hug Sky, because while toilets, pencils and cars are completely normal to us, Sky is out of her element and itâs painful for her. She wants to go home. To her real home. The island.
Sky isnât allowed to talk to River and Sky slowly finds out things about her mother and Helmut, the other two that were on the island (they died before the novel began) that hurt Sky. Sky is convinced if River and her could just go back to the Island everything will be okay. We, as the reader, know that life is not that easy. No matter how easy Sky believes it is.
Cantor made me a believer of not only Sky, and Southern California, but also âReverse Dystopian.â I am here for it. All of it.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor was a quick and interesting read. These days books are all about people figuring out how to navigate in a world very different from what we have today but this story focuses on two individuals who grew up on an island and are suddenly thrown into our existing world. I found myself pulled right in and couldnât wait to see how things went.
Sky and River grew up with Skyâs mother (Petal) and Riverâs father (Helmut) on a remote island. They were always told that they were the sole survivors of a boat crash and they managed to survive for a number of years. The story opens on Skyâs sixteenth birthday and we find that now, it is only Sky and River left and they are doing their best to survive but it isnât always easy. River had always challenged Helmut and his rules and now that he is no longer around, he makes the decision to try to draw attention to their island. He believes that if a boat would find them, he could go back to his mother, who he believes was left behind.
A boat does come for them and both River and Sky are thrown into a situation that they donât know how to adapt to and the only thing familiar to each of them (each other) is ripped away and they are forced apart. Sky it turns out is actually Megan and her grandmother comes to take her home with herâŚand away from River who happens to really be Lucas.
As the story progresses, we find out there is really more to this story and Cantor does a wonderful job of peeling away the real story layer by layer. Skyâs mother was really a part of a cult, which happened to be run by Helmut. Before they left on the boat, Helmut enlisted the help of Lucas to feed the cult members apples that happened to be poisoned. Because of this and the fact that the press has had access to the images showing Lucas in the pictures, there is an immediate bias toward him, not only by the public but specifically by Skyâs grandmother. It is because of this bias that she basically pays him to stay away from Sky which ultimately creates larger issues.
It was really hard once River was back in Skyâs life to see how different their integration to the real world was. Where Sky had someone who tried to care for her, River had no one. He didnât know how to do anything but survive in the wild (for lack of a better way of explaining) and because of that, he ends up living in a somewhat similar situation to beforeâŚjust a different location.
I really did feel bad for these two. We see the story through Skyâs eyes and to see her ripped away from River and then everyone trying to force her to be someone she wasnât made me want to shake everyone and make them see how much they were hurting her. Ben was the one person to pull through for them in the end and I appreciated how he admitted what his role was supposed to be and to make up for it, he did what he had to in order to gain back Skyâs trust.
Overall this was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I thought the pacing was good and the way Cantor brought me into these characters lives was great. It was a quick read and I found myself turning the pages to see how it would all end up for these characters. I would have liked to know more about the decision Helmut made (with the mushrooms - - why then...did something happen??) but it in no way took away from the story of Sky and River.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the review copy.
Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor was a quick and interesting read. These days books are all about people figuring out how to navigate in a world very different from what we have today but this story focuses on two individuals who grew up on an island and are suddenly thrown into our existing world. I found myself pulled right in and couldnât wait to see how things went.
Sky and River grew up with Skyâs mother (Petal) and Riverâs father (Helmut) on a remote island. They were always told that they were the sole survivors of a boat crash and they managed to survive for a number of years. The story opens on Skyâs sixteenth birthday and we find that now, it is only Sky and River left and they are doing their best to survive but it isnât always easy. River had always challenged Helmut and his rules and now that he is no longer around, he makes the decision to try to draw attention to their island. He believes that if a boat would find them, he could go back to his mother, who he believes was left behind.
A boat does come for them and both River and Sky are thrown into a situation that they donât know how to adapt to and the only thing familiar to each of them (each other) is ripped away and they are forced apart. Sky it turns out is actually Megan and her grandmother comes to take her home with herâŚand away from River who happens to really be Lucas.
As the story progresses, we find out there is really more to this story and Cantor does a wonderful job of peeling away the real story layer by layer. Skyâs mother was really a part of a cult, which happened to be run by Helmut. Before they left on the boat, Helmut enlisted the help of Lucas to feed the cult members apples that happened to be poisoned. Because of this and the fact that the press has had access to the images showing Lucas in the pictures, there is an immediate bias toward him, not only by the public but specifically by Skyâs grandmother. It is because of this bias that she basically pays him to stay away from Sky which ultimately creates larger issues.
It was really hard once River was back in Skyâs life to see how different their integration to the real world was. Where Sky had someone who tried to care for her, River had no one. He didnât know how to do anything but survive in the wild (for lack of a better way of explaining) and because of that, he ends up living in a somewhat similar situation to beforeâŚjust a different location.
I really did feel bad for these two. We see the story through Skyâs eyes and to see her ripped away from River and then everyone trying to force her to be someone she wasnât made me want to shake everyone and make them see how much they were hurting her. Ben was the one person to pull through for them in the end and I appreciated how he admitted what his role was supposed to be and to make up for it, he did what he had to in order to gain back Skyâs trust.
Overall this was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I thought the pacing was good and the way Cantor brought me into these characters lives was great. It was a quick read and I found myself turning the pages to see how it would all end up for these characters. I would have liked to know more about the decision Helmut made (with the mushrooms - - why then...did something happen??) but it in no way took away from the story of Sky and River.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the review copy.
liv_72's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cebaute's review against another edition
I truly have no idea how I would rate this.
lexiww's review against another edition
3.0
A boat arrives at the remote island on which Sky and River have spent the majority of their lives. They canât recall ever living in California, where the men whoâve come to ârescueâ them are from. But now that their parents are dead, River and Sky follow the men to the unfamiliar world for the sake of their survival. Once in California, a media frenzy descends on the pair as theyâre thrust into a scary new world wholly unlike the place where they grew up. Meanwhile, they learn terrifying family secrets and their relationships, old and new, are transformed in uncomfortable, shocking ways. Sky is left bereft and bewildered. âNow I am a girl without a place,â the 16-year-old laments. In this âreverse dystopianâ novel, Cantor (Margot, 2013) skillfully invites the reader to see our world and all its shortcomings and idiosyncrasies through Skyâs questioning gaze. Readers will be captivated as Sky struggles to navigate her new universe, one that we know intimately but may never look at the same way again. â Lexi Walters Wright, First published May 1, 2014 (Booklist).
kimreadsthings's review against another edition
3.0
There's something off in my brain that just prevents me from enjoying any contemporary that isn't light and fluffy. I know, I know. This is "reverse dystopian" but to me it just read like a regular issue contemporary. This is a well written, well characterized, well plotted book but it just didn't speak to me.
Above all, this book is a tragedy. It's tragic what happened to Sky and River to begin with (essentially being stolen away to be raised in isolation) and even more tragic when the well meaning people in Sky's life do nothing but destroy her because actually understanding and helping Sky is simply out of their human limitations.
Probably what gripped me most was watching Sky's understanding of modern American life. It was captivating to view our society through her eyes. She puts in stark relief our hypocrisies and it was alternately refreshing and awful to see.
I can't imagine you wouldn't like this one if you enjoy grappling with tough subjects, adore totally sweet/non-asshole love interests, and care more for character development and exploration than plot in your reading experience. It just wasn't a Kim Book but it could very well be a You Book.
Above all, this book is a tragedy. It's tragic what happened to Sky and River to begin with (essentially being stolen away to be raised in isolation) and even more tragic when the well meaning people in Sky's life do nothing but destroy her because actually understanding and helping Sky is simply out of their human limitations.
Probably what gripped me most was watching Sky's understanding of modern American life. It was captivating to view our society through her eyes. She puts in stark relief our hypocrisies and it was alternately refreshing and awful to see.
I can't imagine you wouldn't like this one if you enjoy grappling with tough subjects, adore totally sweet/non-asshole love interests, and care more for character development and exploration than plot in your reading experience. It just wasn't a Kim Book but it could very well be a You Book.
msseviereads's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow in the beginning. I didn't like the speech pattern that Sky and River used -- but I understand the need for the writing technique. The story picked up toward the end. I don't know if I really liked Sky, so I had a more difficult time getting through this book.
merlin_reads's review against another edition
4.0
 Well, this one seriously surprised me. I had absolutely no expectations going in, except that the cover was beautiful. This was one where the cover matched the story perfectly.
Meet Sky and River. Two kids who were raised on a place called Island for almost their entire lives. With only her mother and his father, the four of them survived for years on their little paradise. Not knowing any different, Sky believed that there was no other way of life. Even after their two parental figures 'go out to the ocean', River and Sky proceed to survive by themselves. When one day, a boat arrives and sends everything they ever knew into chaos.
Searching For Sky is told from the point of view of Sky. With little education and no knowledge of the real world, you're instantly drowning along with her as she struggles to play catch up. Living with her grandmother in California, everything is foreign. And not having River with her has her feeling extremely alone.
Sky is basically a child, having to learn words for everything and have them make sense in her mind. Her struggle was heavy and I felt for her. The author did an amazing job at making you feel everything Sky was going for. And when she finally finds River, I loved watching the two of them interact. River was this force that always had control over Sky, but she was always the stronger one, and that comes across in the way she tries to adapt versus the way River does. Honestly, River's story is heartbreaking.
Why I couldn't give this one five stars had to do with the way Sky's grandmother tried to 'help' her. All of the psychologists that were brought in didn't seem to understand that in all essence Sky was a child. There was so much emphasis on acting normal and being normal. I just felt like that wasn't how the situation would have been handled. There would have been more compassion and trying to understand.
But honestly, that was my only qualm. This story tugged at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes. I definitely recommend this one.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.Â
Meet Sky and River. Two kids who were raised on a place called Island for almost their entire lives. With only her mother and his father, the four of them survived for years on their little paradise. Not knowing any different, Sky believed that there was no other way of life. Even after their two parental figures 'go out to the ocean', River and Sky proceed to survive by themselves. When one day, a boat arrives and sends everything they ever knew into chaos.
Searching For Sky is told from the point of view of Sky. With little education and no knowledge of the real world, you're instantly drowning along with her as she struggles to play catch up. Living with her grandmother in California, everything is foreign. And not having River with her has her feeling extremely alone.
Sky is basically a child, having to learn words for everything and have them make sense in her mind. Her struggle was heavy and I felt for her. The author did an amazing job at making you feel everything Sky was going for. And when she finally finds River, I loved watching the two of them interact. River was this force that always had control over Sky, but she was always the stronger one, and that comes across in the way she tries to adapt versus the way River does. Honestly, River's story is heartbreaking.
Why I couldn't give this one five stars had to do with the way Sky's grandmother tried to 'help' her. All of the psychologists that were brought in didn't seem to understand that in all essence Sky was a child. There was so much emphasis on acting normal and being normal. I just felt like that wasn't how the situation would have been handled. There would have been more compassion and trying to understand.
But honestly, that was my only qualm. This story tugged at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes. I definitely recommend this one.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.Â
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved the concept of this bookâa girl is rescued from her lifelong captor, but she has no idea there's a modern world out there, let alone how to function in it. Looking at our everyday world through the eyes of a character who has never experienced it was really great, but the delivery fell short as far as the plot goes. It seemed very dramatic, unrealistic, and soap-opera-y.
My full review is posted on my blog.
My full review is posted on my blog.
daisey's review against another edition
3.0
I found the premise of this book interesting, but it was sad. Sky faces continuous tragedy, confusion, and separation as she tries to come to terms with living in California with her grandmother after being "rescued" from a remote island.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.