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A review by btwnprintedpgs
Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This felt like YA ADSOM meets Pokemon ethics, which is a very specific niche, but it worked.
The real star of this book is the world building - the dynamics of the political system, the concept of paper magic and shikigami, the flying ships and pirate-esque vibes of the crew - it was all so well developed, I felt like I was in the world. This is definitely where the ADSOM comparison come in - the depth of the world-building and the unique magic system made me feel like I was a part of the action.
Pokemon ethics is very specific, but the concept of these magical paper creatures, shikigami, having a master versus having autonomous thoughts feelings and the ethics behind it was a huge part of the story. What gives people the right to have governance over something/someone else? Because they're magical creature, why aren't they allowed the right to live freely? It provides interesting insight into a similar kind of ethics system and was a huge part of Kurara's story line. Honestly, one of the aspects of the story I found most interesting as her own history and shikigami history and autonomy was explored more.
I also liked the three POVs and how they contrasted each other in thought and end-goals, and how they helped to build the world. It felt like we got more of the larger picture as a result of the three POVs as well as different perspectives regarding politics and magic. That being said, I feel like this gave less time for character and relationship building - Kurara's POV was mostly ethics and Haru focused; Himura's POV looked more at Kurara's training and Crafters' knowledge limitations, as much of their history was lost; and the Interlude POV that was focused on the Sorabito people and the Sohma rebellion. There wasn't much room for the secondary characters as a result, and it felt like we didn't really get to the hearts of our three leads either because there was a lot to juggle.
While there was an overarching plot to this book, the end felt abrupt. We were left with a lot of loose ends, and while I know this is a trilogy, I felt like there wasn't anything solidly settled by the end and it felt unfinished as a result. I definitely will pick up the second book, as I'm so curious about the shikigami and exploring more of that magic system, but I do hope future instalments delve deeper into the characters and their relationships to one another.
TW: fire/fire injury, death, murder, injury detail, animal death (paper animal death, not dog), kidnapping (of sorts), slavery (of magical creatures), militaristic abuse of power; mentions war
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
ARC gifted by Tundra Books via Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The real star of this book is the world building - the dynamics of the political system, the concept of paper magic and shikigami, the flying ships and pirate-esque vibes of the crew - it was all so well developed, I felt like I was in the world. This is definitely where the ADSOM comparison come in - the depth of the world-building and the unique magic system made me feel like I was a part of the action.
Pokemon ethics is very specific, but the concept of these magical paper creatures, shikigami, having a master versus having autonomous thoughts feelings and the ethics behind it was a huge part of the story. What gives people the right to have governance over something/someone else? Because they're magical creature, why aren't they allowed the right to live freely? It provides interesting insight into a similar kind of ethics system and was a huge part of Kurara's story line. Honestly, one of the aspects of the story I found most interesting as her own history and shikigami history and autonomy was explored more.
I also liked the three POVs and how they contrasted each other in thought and end-goals, and how they helped to build the world. It felt like we got more of the larger picture as a result of the three POVs as well as different perspectives regarding politics and magic. That being said, I feel like this gave less time for character and relationship building - Kurara's POV was mostly ethics and Haru focused; Himura's POV looked more at Kurara's training and Crafters' knowledge limitations, as much of their history was lost; and the Interlude POV that was focused on the Sorabito people and the Sohma rebellion. There wasn't much room for the secondary characters as a result, and it felt like we didn't really get to the hearts of our three leads either because there was a lot to juggle.
While there was an overarching plot to this book, the end felt abrupt. We were left with a lot of loose ends, and while I know this is a trilogy, I felt like there wasn't anything solidly settled by the end and it felt unfinished as a result. I definitely will pick up the second book, as I'm so curious about the shikigami and exploring more of that magic system, but I do hope future instalments delve deeper into the characters and their relationships to one another.
TW: fire/fire injury, death, murder, injury detail, animal death (paper animal death, not dog), kidnapping (of sorts), slavery (of magical creatures), militaristic abuse of power; mentions war
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
ARC gifted by Tundra Books via Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: War