The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky, #1)

by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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.

Reviewed by shannonmiz on

3 of 5 stars

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You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

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!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 13 August, 2020: Finished reading
  • 13 August, 2020: Reviewed