alindstadtcorbeax
Written on Sep 10, 2020
OH MY GODDDD! This was absolutely incredible!
RTC
Two worlds, two hearts and a choice that will shape their fate forever.
Janus is a world divided: above the surface float the gleaming sky-cities held aloft by massive, technologically advanced engines. In the shadows beneath is an older, darker world, full of flooded byways and ancient temples governed by magic and faith.
When Prince North of Ciel falls from the sky in a terrible glider malfunction, one person sees his fiery descent like a falling star: Nimh, a goddess incarnate, searching for a way to save her struggling people. His fall fulfils an ancient prophecy in the world Below, and the two strike up a wary alliance – Nimh, so that she can fulfil her destiny and save her people, and North so that he can return to the other side of the sky and take his place as heir to the throne.
As North struggles to believe in the superstition and spellcraft rampant on the world’s surface, Nimh discovers a terrifying truth about the prophecy binding them together: that North’s fall may foretell the end of both worlds. With renegade magicians and fanatic cultists out for Nimh’s blood, and the ever-looming question of whether North’s fall was accident or betrayal, the two must stay alive long enough to seek the truth about both their worlds. Forbidden by divine law to touch, but bound together by fate and the increasingly strong pull of their own hearts, they forge a path together toward the fate of the world: to save it, or to end it.
- ISBN10 0062893335
- ISBN13 9780062893338
- Publish Date 8 September 2020
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Collins
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 480
- Language English
Reviews
OH MY GODDDD! This was absolutely incredible!
RTC
littleread1
Written on Aug 28, 2020
I've had a really hard time sitting down to read this year because *waves hands around at 2020* of all this, but that wasn't a problem with The Other Side of the Sky. The problem was me staying up way too late several nights in a row and being tired at work the next day. Man, that was an excellent problem. The way they take 2 characters from very different worlds and have them interact and learn and survive was frustrating at times because of how real it was. The disbelief and confusion and misunderstandings were so relatable and frustrating that it made me want to reach into the book and shake the characters until they saw sense. I wouldn't have wanted them to be any other way though, since this is exactly what made them feel so real. And what made the pay-off soooo worth it.
"I'm still here with you," I murmur. The words are soft, but they're enough to make her focus on my face again. "I'm real. And you've taught me to believe, Nimh. In things I can't see or touch. But more than anything, I believe in you. And I'm real."
I had a feeling I knew where this story would end, and I was partially right, but knowing something is so different from seeing it executed so perfectly on the page that it makes your heart explode.
I definitely connected more with North, because his position is significantly more relatable: coming from a society based on science, but not knowing exactly how everything works, being dropped into a society where everything works by magic and living gods. I would have a difficult time adjusting to that and not questioning everything too. But Nimh is pretty much what you expect from someone raised to be a humble god personified, and would be the kind of person I would follow.
She's like a torch in the darkness, pushing away the fears and horrors of the night.
And we can't forget the bindle cat! Showing up and leaving at his own whims, it is good to know cats in this world do not allow stupid humans to boss them around.
I am usually a character-driven reader, and these characters are awesome, but the world is just AMAZING. So complex and beautifully described that I felt like I was there. (This was enhanced when I went outside, because the river-sea is just as humid as Florida in the summer apparently.) Overall, if you loved Kaufman and Spooner's [b:These Broken Stars|13138635|These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)|Amie Kaufman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1383578978l/13138635._SY75_.jpg|18315607] (Which is just, gah, SO GOOD), then this is right up your alley.
Now, if someone can get me some magic or device that could send the sequel back in time into my greedy little hands, I would be very grateful.
alisoninbookland
Written on Aug 17, 2020
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I quite enjoyed the blend of fantasy with science fiction. I particularly enjoyed the ongoing discussions of what is magic vs what is science. So many YA books walk that very weird line of science fiction and fantasy. So what exactly makes it one or the other? [There’s no real answer but the closest we came is: science, you can explain; magic, you can’t.]
The story is just a delightful blend of so many things I enjoy in books: a chosen one forced into a situation not of their choosing; a world of technology vs a different and perhaps more primitive world; fate, destiny, & prophecy; an isolated person (royal figure or religious figure) finally meeting someone who truly knows and understands their struggle. The story really explores those ideas in a wonderful way.
Amie and Meagan sure know how to write a story. I quickly grew to love & care for North and Nimh. I understood their struggles and cheered for them even though that meant some opposition to the other party. There’s no way for them both to win.
The story is perfectly plotted. Each side of the story kept moving along at a great pace. I didn’t grow bored or annoyed at having to switch perspectives. The revelations towards the end were a great way to elevate the stakes in a way I hadn’t seen coming.
Even though the story was pitched as a forbidden romance, I didn’t find the romance to be overbearing as a non-romance fan. Sure, there’s some tension between our leads but nothing over the top or ridiculous. It’s realistic & relatable. North & Nimh found someone who truly understand their struggle. Who wouldn’t want to hold on to that?
The bottom line? Delightful read. Don’t let the romance keep you away if it’s not your thing
shannonmiz
Written on Aug 13, 2020
Definitely a fabulously unique and well-built world, I found myself feeling a bit mixed on this one. But fear not, the good definitely outweighs the not-as-good!
What I Loved:
- ►The world was definitely impressive and unique! I mean, there was so much about the world to uncover, which in itself is fun! But I also loved how each character had their specific view of what the world was. North's world was very based in technology and science, while Nimh's is full of magic and mystery and mayhem. And neither really had a clue about the former!
- ►I loved how skeptical North was of the magic! I mean, same, my dude. I would have been just like him, rolling my eyes and figuring it was just science that no one understood. It felt really realistic, no question!
- ►I liked the characters, even if I didn't feel particularly connected to them. I mean, they were definitely interesting to read about. A prince falling from the sky, a reluctant goddess who accepted her responsibility to her people even if she didn't love the idea. And frankly, I felt like they were alike in a lot of ways- trapped in situations that were outside their control, situations they didn't quite know how to free themselves from (or, if they should free themselves, even).
- ►I mean, the cover is a work of art. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. I want it on my bookshelves, is what I am saying.
What I Didn't:
- ►Gosh, I just didn't feel very connected to the characters! Like, I didn't dislike them or anything, don't get me wrong! I just... didn't quite grasp their motivations for stuff? ("Stuff" of course is potentially spoilery, hence my vagueness.)
- ►I just wanna talk to whoever compared this to The 100. Look, I understand that not everything can be The 100, much to my chagrin. And I love plenty of things that aren't The 100! I do, promise! But like... this is just not a thing that is similar?
- ►The pacing seemed a little slow. Especially in the middle. The beginning was interesting enough to hold my attention for sure, and things really picked up at the end, but there were some points in the middle that felt a little sloggy to me.
Bottom Line: I am super curious about North's world, and what will happen next (that cliffhanger though!), so I'm probably going to pick up the sequel, but I do hope for more character connections going forward!