*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book has action from page one, but don't let that fool you, this book is more character-driven with violence thrown in when needed. Since I thought this would be more action packed I was thrown for a loop, but once I understood what was going on, I was able to settle in.

The setting and world-building for this book was amazing. It isn't something I read often. Then again, there were a lot of things I didn't think made sense... at least to me.

I really liked Eelyn and how strong she is, not only in battle but in living too. She is whiny at times, but honestly I don't know who wouldn't be in her situation when no one is telling her anything. She is awesome. The other characters shined too. There are many personalities in the book -- different types of men and women shown, I really liked it.

There is romance... kind of. Well, a relationship is built between Eelyn and a character I won't name in order to not spoil anything, but I thought it wasn't done well. I loved how slow-building it seemed to be--hinting at more to come and then BOOM the word love is tossed around and people are putting their lives on the line. I just wish there was more of a transition. I like them as a couple! I liked the romance, I just feel it is missing that transition time.

Let me go back to the world-building, because it really needs more compliments. The differing religions and ways of life, yet still making them similar and understandable to each other was so well done. There is a part where Eelyn is forced to help with/take part in a different religion and that did turn my stomach, but what else could have been done?
The biggest issue I have with the world is the fighting between the Aska and Riki. They battle once every 5 years at the same spot all because their gods dictate it. I suppose I don't get it because I'm not religious.
And honestly, if that is my biggest issue with a book, it is doing good.

I'll definitely be recommending this book to others :)

ARC provide by St Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review

This is one of those occasions where I am left wondering if I read a different book to everyone else. Bear with me as I try to explain this. This isn't a bad book and I can see that it would appeal to many readers, possibly for the very reasons it did not appeal to me.

Eelyn is an Aska warrior, trained for the fighting season against the Riki, long time enemies of her people. In one such battle she discovers that her brother, dead five years ago, is in fact not dead at all but fighting for the enemy. Attempting to discover the truth of this betrayal, Eelyn follows her brother into enemy territory and winds up getting captured an enslaved. Meanwhile a worse threat gathers on the horizon - one which threatened to obliterate both the Aska and the Riki forever...

To say I didn't like this book would be wording it too strongly. There was nothing there for me to either like or dislike in the book as a whole. The writing was competent but in n way exceptional. The world building had plenty of sensory detail but was otherwise very wooly, relying greatly on the readers vague notions of the Vikings, or perhaps that they might have watched the TV show. The pace was adequate even though nothing happens for most of the book. It's an easy read. Ultimately there was nothing to make this book stand out either for good or ill as far as I was concerned.

Part of the problem for me was that this was an utterly linear plot, completely predictable and straight forward with no real subplot to enhance it or support it. I love sub-plots (as long as they are done well) but there was just nothing here. This might have made a tolerably good novella of around 12k words but lacked enough substance to be an exciting novel. In like fashion, the characters are also straight forward, unambiguous and all their actions are completely explained. I can't honestly say I was bored, I just wasn't ever engaged. It was like picking up a magazine in a waiting room.

I did actively like Halvard who seemed to have more actual character than the rest put together. Some of the sensory detail was very good, as I said. And it was definitely easily accessible.

There were things that genuinely annoyed me too;

Rape threat is used to create tension for about 60% of the book. This is a personal bug bear and I am not going to rant here because the book doesn't deserve it, it's hardly the only YA book that relies on it (a trend that needs to die a swift and ugly death right now.) I will say that if you are going to use the threat of rape then you ought to do the following.
1) actually use it to drive the plot, don't just use it to create tension.
2) have the balls to fully explore the implications.
3) don't cheapen it by using it as short hand for how evil an antagonist is and not bother to give them a character.
4) don't effing well use it as short hand for anything in fact, especially not a sense that MC has overcome a lot which is never delivered upon.
5) use the word 'rape'. Seriously. Actually use it. Sky in the Deep never once uses the word instead minimising and dancing around it. This is cheap and damaging, and utterly shameful.

I won't go into my reasons for why this is so infuriating here but this is an issue in YA fiction and it needs to stop. Clearly the author has done it because of 'reasons' and 'realism' so its not entirely her fault but for the love of all the gods could people please just THINK.

Other irritations? Flat dialogue. Flat characterisation. Vague and unbelievable fight scenes - that was actually annoying. Maybe most of the audience can't use a sword or throw an axe but the fight scenes in this were just not researched at all. Finally Eelyn is billed as this great warrior but you never see her fight especially well. She is cowed incredibly easily. And to add insult to injury she cries all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. There was barely a chapter that didn't have her bursting into tears. Maybe we're supposed to infer from that that she is sensitive as well as a warrior but all I got was that she was a wimp. Which makes certain of her actions very unbelievable later. And if you were promised a sweet romance be prepared to break out your electron scanning microscope and to suspend all disbelief ever held. You have been warned.

This is an easy , undemanding book with a straightforward plot and a female warrior. If that's your bag, have at it. For me it was facile, trite and bland but I am well aware that some of that is merely that I have a few odd expectations in terms of bookish requirements.

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Sky in the Deep from St Martins Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Sky in the Deep by Adriene Young. This is due to be published on 24th April 2018

This was amazing. Sky in the Deep was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018 and it did not let me down. It has an amazing cast of characters and the lead was likeable. This book was brutal in parts and that only just added to the story and the enjoyment of the book.

Great book for fantasy lovers and who enjoy tales Vikings and strong female characters who can hold their own.

Two words: Heck YES.
Where do I begin? That cover is killer.
Eelyn, who lost her family to wars with rival clans, is injured during a fight with a Riki warrior. Immediately, we're thrown into chaos and then sucker punched by the identity of the warrior.
This character-driven YA Fantasy blew my mind with its ability to surprise and captivate me. I feel like YA has kind of gone into repeat mode, but Sky In The Deep brought something fresh to the table and I totally ate it up.

With plot twist woven expertly between a compelling character arc, I couldn't put this book down.

I think I have a book hangover because of this book, it’s awesome, the story is just amazing and the characters are great. I will try to put all my thoughts in this review and give you the need to read Sky in the deep because you can’t let this book go away without reading it.

Eelyn is a Viking Warrior, she’s Aska, she lost her mother to an attack of Hersha people when she was young and she lost her brother, Iri, five years ago due to the war between Aska and Rikki clans. When Eelyn discovered that her brother is not dead, she tries to find him and she is now a prisoner.

That’s the only thing I will tell you about the story, now let’s talk about the awesome characters of this book.

Eelyn is a strong and fierce young woman, she goes into battle with her best friend Myra, there are fighting partner, and they protects each other in battle. Eelyn loved Iri, he was her fighting partner before his death. She will have a lot of difficulties to understand the choices he made and the anger will be there. She will have to learn to trust the Rikki. I love Eelyn, her strength, her bravery, and most of all, I like the fact that she knows how to defend herself; she also knows when she’s wrong even if she has difficulties to admit it. She’s a young woman who could definitely be a model for woman.

Fiske is a Rikki, his friendship with Iri is beautiful, he is a fierce warrior too, and he took care of his mother, Inge and his little brother, Halvard. Fiske at first is seeing Eelyn as a treat, but it’s only because he cares about Iri. I love Fiske too, he’s a great man, he has a big heart and he’s not stubborn or selfish.

Iri is an important character; I would love to have his story because I want to understand his motives. He loves his sister and father but I think he lost something when he almost die and he found a new family.

Adrienne Young’s writing style is wonderful, the book is a fast read, once you begin you can’t stop.

Quick word : An amazing story about love, family and forgiveness.

My Review: I have really been anticipating this book but yet was hesitant to pick it up because of so many disappointing Viking books recently. I shouldn't have waited to read it because it was fantastic! I was instantly sucked into the story and was right there with the characters for all the emotions. This was a real page turner and I did not want to put it down until complete. I really appreciated the honest brutality, yet still showed the loyalty, honor and love of the viking community. There were some really fantastic lines throughout the book that I will keep in my favorite quotes book. I loved the character development throughout the story, there is some romance but I really appreciate how it doesn't take center stage, it builds and grows but there are more pressing matters that take priority (and if I remember correctly one of the characters even points that out). The religious and political aspects of the story were also great, though I think they could have used a bit more development and explanation. All in all a book that I am very excited for others to read, and one I will definitely be wanting to re-read again!

My Rating: I was so there for all the emotions in this book, I think that is what really captured me, how raw everything was. This is definitely going on my favorites list and I am giving it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag! Please go and read this one so I can discuss it with you, I am dying to chat with someone about it!!

Very good book with a heroine who knows how to fight (with an axe and a sword, what a badass!) against her ennemies. Then she discovers that her brother isn't that dead and that what happened to him is even worse: he went to the side of the enemy! It will therefore try to recover it and reason with it, but everything is not going as planned, a greater and greater danger threatens both peoples and the only solution to win is to unite. Viking atmosphere guaranteed! And the romance I've been waiting for is here too!

This was a book that I loved and devoured very quickly. For me, I loved the heroine, Eelyn who loved her family and people so much yet was able to grow as a leader and face new challenges in an even bigger community. I do think that some readers may find the intense fighting scenes to be short and anti-climatic but this didn't both me at all. This novel also had some aspects of medicine, family drama, best friendships and adventures. I do believe this is a stand-a-lone novel however I feel that Myra should get her own story. 5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young is amazing. This book started out with a bang and never lets you go. Right away the author gives you so much information about the main character Eelyn. She is a touch young women that loves her family deeply. She suffered a great loss when her brother died. I wasn't totally sure what to think when this book came across my email box but I wanted to give it a chance. This book is brutal. This book is violent. This book is exceptional. This book isn't so much about killing and revenge that it is about survival and learning about yourself. The era of Viking was not easy and this book really shows that.

When Eelyn swears that she saw her brother fighting against their own, everything changes for her. She is told that she just saw his spirit but she knows differently and she is determined to figure out what is going on. I really love how stubborn Eelyn is and that she does not give up when she sets her mind to something. This book is about getting over your differences and learning to get along and fight for each other. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I thought Young brought really good characters to the story and was able to make them into people that I could relate too.

Young is an exceptional writer. I found myself being drawn into this story right away. I really enjoyed everything about it. You can tell the detail that Young put into her writing. I think it is great that there was no insta-love. I find that I tend to like the slow burn sort of love that I got from this book. I am really looking forward to the companion novel for this book. I am so ready for more! If you want amazing writing and an adventurous story this is the book for you to read. You will not be disappointed!

**Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me an electronic ARC to review!**

Eelyn, at 17 years old, is fighting in her second battle against the rival Riki clan. Eelyn is battle-hardened even at her young age; she and her father are warriors, whose main objectives are fighting and survival. Unfortunately, this battle won't make things any easier, because one of the first faces she sees is that of her brother, Iri -- who died at the hands of the enemy five years earlier.

Following Iri into the forest and away from the battle, she is taken prisoner, where she must face her brother's betrayal while living in the Riki village, where every neighbor is an enemy and every scar may be one she personally inflicted. If that wasn't hard enough, the village gets attacked by a ruthless enemy thought to be a legend. Can she possibly trust the people who surround her, forgive her brother, and save both her own clan and the one she is starting to, if not adopt, at least humanize?

Kat's notes: I didn't know I needed a kickass Viking-esque warrior girl with excessive emotional baggage and an iron will in my life, but apparently I did, because Eelyn is exactly what my reading life was missing. I find myself hoping for more books by this author, even before *this* book has been published, because I just can't get enough. The characters, the writing style, the bloody battles and village life and substitute mother figure... YES! I couldn't put this down, and while I am not one to make fan-art... I may be tempted to make myself an Eelyn action figure.

What a great debut novel by Adrienne Young! I couldn’t put this book down, read it in one day.
The Aska and the Riki are two clans fighting each other. Eelynn fights for the Aska and during one of the battles, she sees her brother. Who died 5 years ago. This book is about trust, forgiveness and growing up. Loved Fiske, Halvard and Iri.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ecopy of the book in advance, for an honest review.

I was pulled into this book right away...sadness coursing through me when I had to put it down. I mean, who can resist reading about a Viking battle scene from the start of the book?! I will mention that the action quickly fades and does not return until the end of the story. However, do not let that fool you...this book is far from a bore. Eelyn is an incredibly strong Viking woman who holds honor and family above all else. I love the show Vikings and Lagertha is who I imagine when thinking of Eelyn. Psst...Lagertha is the best! She has always been my favorite character.

It is not only Eelyn but every character that shows continued strength and bravery throughout. I love a book filled with such honorable and strong individuals. Young truly embraced the spirit of the Vikings in her novel. The two clans presented are enemies, due to beliefs in different Gods. Vikings feel very strongly about their Gods. This was accurately presented in this novel. There does not need to be some disgruntled elders fighting over an argument long ago...simply not believing in the same Gods can be enough to become enemies. It is apparent that Young did her research prior to writing this novel. I will say, some may not like the fact that she does not adhere strictly to Viking history, but it is a fictional novel...she used her creativity to put her own twist on it.

I was expecting this to be a story packed to the brim and bursting with action. I was wrong, but not disappointed. This book is more character driven. I love seeing the different levels on which the characters form bonds with one another. Eelyn goes through a lot of pain but soon realizes that she may have been thinking wrong the entire time. Maybe things were not exactly as they seemed. Though romance develops between characters, I do not feel it is needed here. For the amount of blood and gore discussed, the romance scenes were lacking, which I am ok with. I appreciate a novel that does not revolve around the romance of characters, but a larger, more complex story.

There is not much world building throughout this great Viking tale. I can picture the villages and people within, the forest, mountains, battles...other than that there is not much to tell. I was originally told this was a standalone book. I am happy to find there will be a companion novel released in 2019. I would very much like to know how the clans proceed after this novel ends...no it does not end on a cliffhanger. It is a relief...it seems like so many books lately have ended on cliffhangers. I hate moving on to something new when I am still distraught from the book I finished...craving more.

Remember this fantastic Viking fantasy is released April 24th! Pre-order now...or wait until you can get immediate satisfaction by buying it after publication. Either way, do not miss this book.

Thank you very much to St Martin’s Press for granting my wish and providing an eARC of the book.

If you’re looking for an action-packed novel with a fierce female main character who is multifaceted, and the text is filled with historical accuracy that doesn’t show violence against women, then look no further than Sky in the Deep.

Adrienne Young’s YA debut is definitely something every book lover should read. The novel draws you in from the very first page with its intense fighting scene, and the story never dulls due to Young’s first-rate writing.

I absolutely adored Eelyn. You know how this this trend in the media of having powerful women who are heartless and unloving because they have to be a “strong, independent woman” and nothing else? Yeah, Eelyn’s not like that. She’s strong, absolutely, but she’s also vulnerable and she cries when she’s stressed but then a day later, she’s pulling a man’s eye out with her bare hands, and then is in shock that she was able to do such a thing. She’s a complex character and I loved reading her amazing journey from honourable warrior to angry, frightened slave to clan hero.

Also, the romance was i n c r e d i b l e. At the beginning of the book, I was concerned about the person Eelyn would fall for as Fiske had a greater position of power over her, but there’s no need to be concered. The romance is so soft and subtle and sneaks up on you: it comes through in the tiniest and sweetest of ways, and you can’t help but ship them together.

I also loved Eelyn’s relationship with her brother, Iri. Eelyn is understandably devastated and angry when she learns the truth about her brother – that he has been alive all these years, living with their enemies – and she struggles with balancing the love she has for him and coming to terms with his betrayal. Their relationship is very different from when they were children and I enjoyed reading about Eelyn learning about Iri’s life and coming to new realisations about the people she once thought were her enemies and how they were not so different from her people after all.

Sky in the Deep is an incredible, emotional story about one woman’s extraordinary journey to unite to warring clans and finding love along the way. It’s a must read!

Sky in the Deep is a unique warrior story rich with characters you won't soon forget. Set in the Viking era, this fantasy-light story explores the relationships between family, enemies, and the complex human emotions surrounding both. Sky in the Deep has a lot to offer fans of all genres!

I have heard so many good things about this book, so I was super excited to read it! And I'm happy to say that this book was even better than I had expected! While it isn't my favorite read so far this year, (That goes to The Cruel Prince) it's pretty close. It's not as fast paced, and doesn't have the 'wow' factor that I often look for, but this one is just as powerful. It's a slow-burn...in more ways that one. It is one of those that the more you read, the more immersed in the world you become.

While I guessed a few of the twists as I was reading, it in no way took away from the pleasure of reading. If fact, the more I came to know about the characters, the more I fell in love with them and their world. This is one of those books that stay with you, long after reading, and it's not often I find books that I can say that about. Sure there are plenty of YA fandoms, and YA is full of feels, but this one feels...older somehow. More mature, as if you as a reader, grow up and gain new understandings along with the characters. That is something I don't find often with YA, especially in stand-alones, and that I feel is what makes this story so beautiful.

eARC provided through NetGalley by Wednesday Books (this in no way affects my review which is honest and unbiased)

Well... I absolutely adored this book! Side note, I also really love the TV show Vikings, so I guess that there wasn't any chance of me not loving this story. Particularly as I read the whole book imagining Eelyn as a young Lagertha (my all-time favourite Vikings character).

The Goodreads synopsis pretty much covers the basic plot of the story... Every five years, the Aska clan and Riki clan fight due to their beliefs — Eelyn sees her presumed dead brother Iri on the battlefield, the first time she believes her father saying it was his spirit but the second time she follows him, getting captured by the Riki as a result. She eventually finds herself living with her brother and his adopted Riki family (Eelyn and her brother are both from the Aska clan) and she starts to realise that maybe her "enemy" clan isn't as different to her as she'd imagined...

Characters wise, the depth that Young puts into her characters in a relatively short book is amazing. I felt like I really connected to Eelyn in particular, along with another of the main characters, Fiske. They're such feisty characters and if you've been reading my reviews for a while you'll know I love a story with a strong female main character! There were so many secondary characters who we got an in-depth look at as well, my particular favourites being Fiske's little brother Halvard (he is seriously adorable throughout) and Eelyn's best friend, Myra (though I wish we'd seen more of her).

One thing I absolutely adored about the characters in general is how human they were described. Yes they were strong, fierce Vikings but even the most fierce cried at times when you would expect them to. Adrienne took this fearsome group and made sure you would still see them as humans you could emphasise with. There were issues of loyalty covered throughout the story which made the emotional side so much more poignant also.

There are romance elements to the story but the main romance is hate to love and done very well (side note, I'm pretty sure that's my favourite trope in YA fiction). It’s such a natural progression, and even though it was a little easy for me to see it happening it didn’t make it any less emotional to read.

Now the writing, I think that was one of my favourite things about the story, the descriptive writing is just so mesmerising that even the violence is written in a lyrical way which helps to keep you fully absorbed in the story. There are references to Viking phrases written in both Old Norse and English throughout as well, and as a language lover I particularly loved these little additions.

This is a stand-alone novel that flows so well, there's a clear ending to it and even though I'd love to have been able to read more about Eelyn and her world I think it was perfect as a stand-alone. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Adrienne and I hope she'll be publishing more very soon. And although I already loved Vikings, I want more Viking stories after reading this beautiful story!

Sky in the Deep is steeped in loyalty and faith, in determination and a desire to survive. Eelyn has trained her whole life to fight, to fight for her people and keep them alive. But life is complicated, people not so different than she thought, and what was once unthinkable will have to happen if Eelyn wants all whom she loves to survive.

Eelyn is a warrior, strong and head-strong. Determined. Trained since she was a child to fight back against her clan's ancient enemy, the Riki. She will fight, and one day, she will die with honour on the battlefield. Until the day she sees her dead brother, only he's not dead and he's fighting for the other side. Until she follows him, lost and confused, and is captured by the Riki. Forced to become a servant. Hating everyone around her, including her brother Iri. But some things are not what Eelyn expected, some things are different while others are far too similar. And in order to survive, Eelyn will have to fight with the Riki.

Books like this give you a glimpse of human nature, of something everyone does. Loyalty and belief take us so far, they can give us family and friends. A place to be. Something to live for, and for some, something to fight for. Perhaps to die for. But then comes the blind loyalty, then comes the refusal to see things a different way. In Eelyn's case, it's the need of the Aska and the Riki to come together in order to survive against a greater enemy, a common enemy. It's a battle between wanting, needing to survive and being unwilling to trust the other side. From outside the story the reader can see the choice that must be made, the choice that would mean survival for both sides, would mean an end to their war. But that's because they're the reader. They're not the Aska or the Riki, fighting year after year, unwilling to trust or come together. It's books like this that show us the stubborn, unwilling to listen side of being human, that show us sometimes we need to stop and listen, stop and consider, stop and work together against something that would destroy all of us. There's always time to stop and work together.

I would like to start by saying quite strongly that this is not a fantasy novel. It unfortunately has been labeled that, but once you read it you will quite clearly see that there is no magic, no Odin or Loki lurking about, nothing about it says fantasy. It is a viking inspired historical adventure fiction. Maybe other people have a looser definition of fantasy than I do or perhaps we just don’t know enough about the time period this book is set in to say it is historically accurate. But I think people who don’t enjoy fantasy will pass this book by because of that label and that would be a shame. Check out this interview with the author on Goodreads to see how she researched and used actual elements from their culture to shape her world.

This was a gripping story full of battles, family bonds, friendships, matters of religion and honor, so so much it is hard to believe that it is only 352 pages. It reads like a much longer book, and not because it drags, but because there is so much to the world, the plot and the characters. I am also a big fan of the enemy of my enemy is my friend plot.

Eelyn is such a badass, and not just because she is a warrior and can handle an axe. But she can handle herself, think quickly and keeps on going even when injured. I liked her and had an easy time connecting to her story and to her. She does have a lot of inner conflict though, which just makes her feel more real. She really has a hard time accepting her brother’s betrayal to his clan and family. But she does eventually get it. To her the Rikki were always just the enemy, someone they did battle with because they didn’t worship the same god and because they just did. Fighting the Rikki was just what they did every 5 years. But she does eventually begin to see them as no different than the Aska. They have families and lives very similar to hers. But honor always gets in the way of acceptance.

Fiske and his family were great characters as well. I loved little Halvard, he had such a kind, gentle and open heart how could you not love him? Inge was also a great character, a great mother role that both Iri and Eelyn both really needed. Fiske I had mixed feelings about from the start, but he eventually won me over just like he did with Eelyn. There is a short and sweet romance between them, but it doesn’t overshadow the main plot which was nice.

The plot has its ups and downs. It starts right off with Eelyn in battle with the Rikki and just keeps going. There are some brutal battle images throughout the book so be aware if you are sensitive to gore and violence. There is one scene that involves eyes that I won’t go into, but lets say I skipped to the next page once I saw where it was going. There are some slower sections when life is simply happening, but through out those sections you are learning what the simple day to day life of a viking must have been like. They were not constantly raiding and fighting their enemies. They were simply just living their lives. Al though those parts has a slower pace, I certainly did not think they were boring. The social structor and the religion explanations were fascinating.

This next section might be a bit of a spoiler if you have not read the book yet, but I feel that it needs to be said. I was fully willing to give this a five star rating until I got to the last chapter. That chapter just took away all of the credibility to the story. I just find it hard to believe that after thousands of years of animosity, one battle could suddenly change everything? Maybe I’m just reading it wrong, but it really irked me. But otherwise it was a really great read.

If you are into Vikings, historical fiction, kick ass female leads this would be a great book for you to check out. It has been getting a lot of hype, but it is well deserved. It is hard to believe that this is a debut and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author will be writing in the future.

DNF at 30%
I was expecting to love Sky in the Deep, but lately YA fantasy always disappoints me; after 100 pages I couldn’t do this anymore, and there wasn’t even anything terribly wrong with this – it was just mind-numbingly boring.

This novel starts with five chapters of almost non-stop, very dull action. Now, this can be done well, but it’s usually a bad idea to throw the reader into a fight scene when they don’t know the characters or care about them yet, and Sky in the Deep does it wrong. It’s just not that interesting to read about a heroine waving around a sword and getting injured when I don’t even know her.

And then it gets worse.
Eelyn is captured by what I guess is another clan or something – I know nothing about this world, its history or why people are fighting – and the action stops. Completely.
In the following 50+ pages Eelyn does nothing but glower at her captors, do chores, get injured again and hate her brother, who is a traitor (but of course we can’t know why). I still knew nothing about the world or the characters, as the only thing Eelyin thinks about is fighting. (And honor. Her very dull internal monologue never shuts up about honor.)

This was one of my most anticipated books of this year, but I couldn’t bring myself to care about anything in it, and this book seemed to do its best to keep me detached. Everything was awfully vague and generic: the writing was average, there was no atmosphere – all I know is that there’s yarrow and pine trees – and throwing around Viking-sounding names and mentions of fjords is not worldbuilding.

Maybe the following 250 pages are wonderful, but this beginning holds nothing but a promise of mediocrity, and I’ve lost all my interest in this.

4.5

Every five years the Aska and Riki clans meet in battle on the fields of Aurvanger in what is known as “the fighting season.” This has been going on for generations starting with a clash of their respective gods Sigr and Thora.

Eelyn lives by their clan mantra, Honor above life. That is, until she sees something, or I should say someone, on the battlefield that has her questioning everything. Eelyn’s brother was killed five years ago at the last fighting season, but she sees him now clear as day fighting with the enemy. When she tried to confront him, she’s taken prisoner.

If she wants to survive to make it home, she’ll have to trust her brother’s friend Fiske with her life. Things get further complicated when a common enemy attacks both clans and nearly decimates the Riki. As Eelyn’s feelings for Fiske grow into something she’s not yet prepared to acknowledge, they’ll have to convince both groups to learn to work and fight together if they want a chance at survival.

Eelyn really captures all the characteristics of what a strong female heroine is supposed to encompass. I loved the fact that Eelyn is a warrior in her clan through and through. This isn’t a story where she wishes she could fight with the men, or where she secretly fights with the men hiding her true identity. No, men and women are equal on the battlefield throughout this story, and it was a joy to read.

I loved that Adrienne Young balanced Eelyn’s fierce and stubborn nature really well with her vulnerabilities for her family and beliefs, especially in light of what she sees as her brother’s betrayal of said family and beliefs.

Sky in the Deep does a great job of ruminating on the things that cause conflict between people, or groups of people. I liked that the origin of the hatred between the Aska and the Riki is lost in time, so to speak, it comes across a bit muddled. It’s been so long that, now, it seems the only thing people are fighting for are those who were killed in the previous fighting season five years ago and so on and so on. It’s a vicious cycle that could easily continue until the end of time.

Adrienne Young did a wonderful job of incorporating the romance that builds between Eelyn and Fiske into the bigger picture. It’s understated, yet works well as a companion to Eelyn’s own justifiably conflicted feelings about the Riki. She’s supposed to hate these people, but as she’s around them and learns about them, her beliefs start to change, and it, understandably, scares her.

I would have liked the representation of the clans to be a bit more equal. As it stands the story skews towards the Riki side of things, understandably, but by not giving more page time to the Aska it brings down the impact of Eelyn’s internal struggle. I also wanted to see more female friendships, but I can almost forgive this one as I really like the way Adrienne Young speaks about what makes a family.

Regardless, Sky in the Deep is a wonderful debut that straddles the line pretty well between YA and adult reading. I didn’t want the story to end, but as it is definitely a standalone, I’m sure to pick up the as-of-yet untitled companion novel next year. Look out for this one, folks!