Scan barcode
A review by miyaosamu
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I wish I could live a thousand lives so I could fall in love with you a thousand times.”
I am truly at a loss for words, I can't form all my emotions coherently right now so this 'review' is just me venting out my thoughts all over the place. Cannot believe this is the end, the last time I'll read about these characters whose journeys I've followed and they forever hold a special place in my heart. I've said in my previous reviews for the other books that every book is quite the emotional rollercoaster, but this last installment definitely takes the cake as it absolutely broke me to pieces. I genuinely sobbed so much throughout this one and at every shocking plot point, felt like my heart was being yanked out every time until the last few chapters where my heart was slowly put back in place and healed a bit with closure. Laia, my favorite main ever oh how far she's come, she's grown in strength and all the pain she's been put through but I love how her heart has always remained the same. Her arc in Sky was incredible and heart-shattering to read, reveals about her magic were beautifully done took me by surprise and when I thought she's been through enough pain and loss, Tahir brings in yet another shock and shatters my heart once again. My strong, fiery, impulsive best girl, Laia being able to stay afloat in pursuing the Nightbringer even though some of her impulses fell to his expectations her heart was in the right place out of lover for her people and giving them justice, and her focus on bringing back the mind and heart of the man she loves all the while figuring out her own feelings and dealings with newfound power. Elias, it hurt a lot seeing Mauth take over his mind in the beginning as he was the Soul Catcher and forgetting all emotions and the significant people in his life of Laia, Helene, Mamie, Shan, Quin, and his own mother. It was exhilarating seeing him quite slowly come to his senses with defending the Tribes and interact with those closest to him bringing back the Elias we know and Laia knows and loves with feeling every emotion deeply. He really is the only man ever, as with both Laia and Elias both having so much blood on their hands they mourn each one, but don't let their mistakes define them and with Elias seeking out to reach out to the enemy with understanding the others' feelings before resorting to bloodshed. Elias and Laia's relationship dynamic in Sky was a whirlwind of despair and frustration at the beginning with Elias' apathy but as it went on they made me so giddy and insane with their conversations especially Laia opening up to him again. They just mean the entire world to me and their story healed my broken heart back together, I'll miss them the most. Helene, wow her overall series arc is something else, it was great to see how she's grown and realized how wrong her past morals and steadfast beliefs in the Empire were with her sister and her friendships helping her out of that mindset but her storyline is devastating beyond words especially three particular events in this book each gut wrenching blows that were more painful each time. But her arc made sense with the person she's become looking at it full circle even though it hurt a lot to read her ending was satisfying knowing she'll be just fine with the support around her. And the antagonists, I enjoyed very much how we were able to get an even closer look at the Nightbringer and Commandant's motives most especially it was worthwhile to finally see Keris' story, how she became who she is and what emotions she chose to reign over her choices and with the Nightbringer having love lead him down to the plans he believes the world deserves. My heart is just aching so much right now, let me heal a bit first but definitely some time down the line I'm looking forward to rereading this series and reliving it all over again.
“Emifal firdaant. May death claim me first.”
I am truly at a loss for words, I can't form all my emotions coherently right now so this 'review' is just me venting out my thoughts all over the place. Cannot believe this is the end, the last time I'll read about these characters whose journeys I've followed and they forever hold a special place in my heart. I've said in my previous reviews for the other books that every book is quite the emotional rollercoaster, but this last installment definitely takes the cake as it absolutely broke me to pieces. I genuinely sobbed so much throughout this one and at every shocking plot point, felt like my heart was being yanked out every time until the last few chapters where my heart was slowly put back in place and healed a bit with closure. Laia, my favorite main ever oh how far she's come, she's grown in strength and all the pain she's been put through but I love how her heart has always remained the same. Her arc in Sky was incredible and heart-shattering to read, reveals about her magic were beautifully done took me by surprise and when I thought she's been through enough pain and loss, Tahir brings in yet another shock and shatters my heart once again. My strong, fiery, impulsive best girl, Laia being able to stay afloat in pursuing the Nightbringer even though some of her impulses fell to his expectations her heart was in the right place out of lover for her people and giving them justice, and her focus on bringing back the mind and heart of the man she loves all the while figuring out her own feelings and dealings with newfound power. Elias, it hurt a lot seeing Mauth take over his mind in the beginning as he was the Soul Catcher and forgetting all emotions and the significant people in his life of Laia, Helene, Mamie, Shan, Quin, and his own mother. It was exhilarating seeing him quite slowly come to his senses with defending the Tribes and interact with those closest to him bringing back the Elias we know and Laia knows and loves with feeling every emotion deeply. He really is the only man ever, as with both Laia and Elias both having so much blood on their hands they mourn each one, but don't let their mistakes define them and with Elias seeking out to reach out to the enemy with understanding the others' feelings before resorting to bloodshed. Elias and Laia's relationship dynamic in Sky was a whirlwind of despair and frustration at the beginning with Elias' apathy but as it went on they made me so giddy and insane with their conversations especially Laia opening up to him again. They just mean the entire world to me and their story healed my broken heart back together, I'll miss them the most. Helene, wow her overall series arc is something else, it was great to see how she's grown and realized how wrong her past morals and steadfast beliefs in the Empire were with her sister and her friendships helping her out of that mindset but her storyline is devastating beyond words especially three particular events in this book each gut wrenching blows that were more painful each time. But her arc made sense with the person she's become looking at it full circle even though it hurt a lot to read her ending was satisfying knowing she'll be just fine with the support around her. And the antagonists, I enjoyed very much how we were able to get an even closer look at the Nightbringer and Commandant's motives most especially it was worthwhile to finally see Keris' story, how she became who she is and what emotions she chose to reign over her choices and with the Nightbringer having love lead him down to the plans he believes the world deserves. My heart is just aching so much right now, let me heal a bit first but definitely some time down the line I'm looking forward to rereading this series and reliving it all over again.
“Emifal firdaant. May death claim me first.”