🦇 Fledgling Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD Describe the book you're currently reading only using emojis (reveal the book's identity with a follow-up comment).

🦇 Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege & acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth. Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.
Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding. Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution. When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother, a fugitive on the run. Can the revolutionaries take action before this new age of enlightenment steals free thought & will from all?

💜 S. K. Ali has single-handedly revived the YA dystopian genre with this fantastical fantasy novel. The author's first step into the genre is layered with subtext, making it a revolutionary, relevant story for our time.

💜 Since there's SO much going on in this story, I've decided to change my review format (let me know if you prefer this breakdown or my usually lengthy paragraphs!):
✨ Characters - 4: There are almost too many POVs, but each character has a distinct voice, purpose, & drive. I would have preferred more time with Nada & Raisa together; their friendship, while short-lived, had the strongest potential for sparking change between the factions & character growth between both women.
✨ Plot & Pacing - 4: The beginning is a bit slow, namely due to flashbacks, but once it gains momentum, it's a rush. I know some people would have preferred chronological order (focused on the twins & Musaid), but I think the flashbacks revealed pieces of information as needed, which better builds suspense & intrigue.
✨ World-Building - 4: More detailed explanations would have been helpful, especially in defining certain terms & tech. Context clues only help so much in a sci-fi/fantasy novel.
✨ Romance - 4: One primary romance drives the story, with the possibility for others. The romance between Nada & Musaid is beautifully heartfelt, the flashbacks demonstrating the build from the moment they first met. Some small part of me hoped for a Nada/Raisa romance instead (sorry not sorry!), but I do think they found their friendship when it was needed most. I'm a bit confused by Lein's sudden focus on Raisa as his fiancee at the end, when his previous intent was to use her as a puppet.
✨ Mystery/Suspense - 4: There are a few mysterious left for the second book, & while there's suspense, it's not as heavy as I'd hoped. It seems like everyone's parents are holding onto secrets yet to be revealed...that, & Lein's hint at a fire he potentially caused.
✨ Tone/Prose - 4: There are a few awkward sentences, namely at the story's start, that nearly threw me out of the story. That, combined with a few awkward switches to passive voice, seemed out of place for this writer.

Can we talk about, "The marvel of being unprogrammed. The marvel of tracking your own thoughts, arriving at your own beliefs, seeing for your own self what the truth really is." Also “Of course everyone is programmed; of course we are shaped by what exists around us. But at some point, when we fledge, when we seek freedom, we should decide on our programming. We should choose who writes our code.” This is a book that needs to be discussed in schools. Do you realize how much we've already been 'programmed?'

🦇 Recommended for fans of The Lunar Chronicles, An Ember in the Ashes, & Uglies.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🐦 Sci-Fi/Futuristic Dystopian
🐦‍⬛ Duology
🧣 Muslim Coded
❤ Multi POV
🧣Colonization & Repression
🐦‍⬛ Resistance & Revolution
🐦 Political Intrigue

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #OneLastWord

💬 Quotes
❝ By our records, shall we resist. ❞
❝ A bird flies to us in the midst of war & desolation, bringing a seed of peace. For, while it is true that within every civilization are seeds of its destruction, there are also seeds of its upliftment scattered in the chaos— but only some can find & carry those seeds. ❞
❝ She knew he’d learned the song for her. She knew the performance had been for her. It spoke words he couldn’t say clearly. That’s what love poems are for. ❞
❝ None of us asked to be born into the circumstances of our lives. ❞
❝ “Of course everyone is programmed; of course we are shaped by what exists around us. But at some point, when we fledge, when we seek freedom, we should decide on our programming. We should choose who writes our code.” ❞
❝ The marvel of being unprogrammed. The marvel of tracking your own thoughts, arriving at your own beliefs, seeing for your own self what the truth really is. ❞

This story is very dystopian but an interesting premise. With the world "split" into above, bridge, and below, there's a decision about enlightenment, and being connected through scalplinks. Told from multiple perspectives from individuals in different areas, it feels like you get to know the pawns on the chessboard, and additionally, you learn from them that maybe what they know about their area and space is maybe not the truth regarding that area. I am looking forward to the second book in the duology, as I'm sure it will complete the story in a satisfying manner.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Kokila and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

Earth has been through turmoil, and as a result, the population has been split. Upper Earth citizens have the latest technology and have a data link embedded in them to help them with life. Lower Earth, free from the link, have it harder and have been portrayed as brutes. Then there's the Underground, citizens are not even looked upon as being relevant to society.

Raisa has been raised by her father, head of Upper Earth, ever since her mother died trying to save people at the Bridge. Raisa has grown up privileged and now must make a marriage of the son of the head of Lower Earth in the hopes of uniting the two regions. Upper Earth is prepared to share the link technology with the Lower Earth to try to bring everyone up. However, there are some factions of Lower Earth that view being linked as enslavement and do not want to lose their identities. .Twins Nada and Nayf, niece and nephew to the head of Lower Earth, have been imprisioned for years because their grandmother believed in a free Lower Earth. Nada has been let out of prison temporarily to attend the wedding, but Nayf has escaped.

Fledgling, by S.K. Ali is an interesting YA Dystopian novel. I liked that the story is presented through told tales and through different points of view. This is definitely part one of the series and ends with many loose ends. I enjoyed the story and the writing.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Even though this was nothing new in the YA dystopia genre, I did like the POC cast and generally, I had a good time reading it. I doubt I'll pick up the second arc, but I'll at least put the finished copy on hold at my library.

I think Fledgling is a great beginner YA dystopia for readers looking to dip their toes in this genre. The worldbuilding is pretty easy to grasp, with haves and the have-nots literally physically stratified into different levels above Earth, on Earth, and underground.

The characterization really shines through in this novel. Different characters and their families, friends, and allies have varying experiences when it comes to living or working in the different Earth sectors. Characters aren't just shoehorned into their roles (ex. the poor people live Underground vs. rich people live in Upper Earth).

The record-keeping part lost me a bit and it felt like it wasn't integrated into the story as well as it should've been. I think I would've liked this novel a lot better if the record keeper story actually started in the beginning and was interwoven with the MCs' stories instead of randomly starting halfway through the story.

Overall, I'd recommend this for newbies to YA dystopia looking for a more diverse cast. It's complex enough without being too bogged down by confusing politics or family ties that are usually found in more adult SFF.

For more hardcore veterans of SFF, I'd say come in with realistic expectations and know that you've most likely read similar stories before.

Thank you to Kokila and NetGalley for this arc.

The futuristic dystopian world was so interesting. I felt immersed in the world once I understood all the politics and futuristic technology.

I also loved all the POVs. There wasn't a single POV that I had to trudge through. Each character had so much going on for them, and I LOVE when there's a villain POV.

The plot was engaging and tense! Once I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down. The story sets up for an interesting sequel.

However, I did have some dislikes. The writing had some distracting quirks in its style as well as grammar, and one sentence near the end ruined my whole mood with the story. I'm still angry about what happened in that sentence, and don't understand why it had to happen. What was the point?

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: one fade to black, violence and murder, torture

Fledgling is incredibly well-written, with multiple POVs that weave together to create a powerful narrative. It explores themes of resistance, revolution, and the struggle for justice in a world divided between Upper Earth, the Bridge, and Lower Earth. The characters, from a sheltered princess to a rebel prince and his fugitive cousins, are complex and engaging, and the world-building is immersive. I appreciate that the author doesn't shy away from tough topics, making the emotional journey intense and thought-provoking.

The story's pacing builds tension, especially as the different storylines intersect, leading to a jaw-dropping finale in the last 20% of the book. The overall impact of the story was strong, and I loved how the book reflected real-world conflicts. In typical dystopian fashion, there are themes of power, exploitation, and selflessness. I look forward to book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kokila, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Fledgling on October 8, 2024.

This story was phenomenally well-written, with multiple POVs coming together to tell a truly poignant dystopian story. The themes of resistance, revolution, and restoration were displayed so effectively from so many different lenses, and I love how S.K. Ali depicted the conflicts between Upper Earth, the Bridge, and Lower Earth.

Ali did not shy away from some relevant topics, so don't be surprised when this book puts you through an emotional gauntlet. I did not see the events of the ending coming, and while some of it did feel rushed, it also felt like a fairly accurate portrayal of how this type of scenario would play out. I do wish we'd gotten a bit more closure/explanation for some key moments, though.

All in all, a fantastic dystopian book that speaks to a lot of conflicts we see in 2024!

Honestly, I started this the other day and have had absolutely no desire to pick it back up. The writing felt very clunky and there was no ease into the world building. That normally doesn’t bother me, but there were a lot of science fiction-y terms that were thrown around and absolutely no explanation, so it was confusing. I was in the mood for something dystopian, but I just didn’t vibe with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This dark and gripping dystopia is so brilliantly written, with clever world building and intense characters. I really enjoyed the book and thought the plot was perfectly paced. I'll be telling everybody to pick it up!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy

This book was tough to get through. I feel like it suffered from too many POVs. I would have liked a little more history as to how the earth became three separate layers — Underground, Lower Earth, and Upper Earth — as well as what dedicated who was allowed to live where (i.e. social status, financial status, heredity). There were definitely relationships I enjoyed such as Nada and Musaid, Nada and Raisa, and Raisa and Nayf. I really struggled to stay engaged with this story, unfortunately. It honestly didn’t feel like much happened and the date format of each chapter heading felt more confusing than clarifying. Unfortunately, this was just not the book for me.

DNF at 50%

I was really intrigued by the blurb and cover this book, and I've been itching for a good dystopian to get lost in again (as if present day wasn't enough). Unfortunately, I couldn't continue to persist through this one.

I always give fantasy books wiggle room, as sometimes you can't just jump right into the world, understandably. But I read 250 pages of this book and still felt very lost. There is no real main motive to the story, the goals of the overarching government are confusing and convoluted, and none of the characters are particularly interesting or lifelike. I have no idea who is good or bad, everybody seems to be floating and have no real individual goals, and frankly, I just don't care enough about any characters or the overall story. I struggled through the first 50% determined, but quickly lost pursuit upon one, reading a reference to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran (random in any dystopian fantasy, but in 2024 especially?), and two, getting to the halfway mark and suddenly encountering 3 brand new POVs to replace the previous few.

I enjoy multiple pov books but I don't particularly enjoy getting introduced to 3 new ones over halfway through the book, especially when there would be several chapters previously of just one POV over and over and over... As I already felt lost in the story, I had no desire to change pace and be reintroduced to another side all over again.

I am sure there is an audience for this book, I just wasn't a part of it! Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review, as well as an early finished copy.

I had such high hopes going into this book, a new sci-fi duology sounded like the perfect fall read. The overall plot behind this story is good, I want to start with that, the twists, plot, and world building were all super interesting. However; the way this story is laid out left me confused and disconnected to the characters.
This story is a build up of past records and current characters` and` so does a lot of time jumps and personally it just left me confused having to switch pov's constantly. The events in the current timeline take place very rapidly and the story was constantly moving forward but then immediately pivoting to move back. I honestly think if this story would have started out just with the kids as younger children and watch them go through the events in real time versus flash backs this story would have hit a lot better. I can appreciate the effort and unique direction the author took but for me it just didn't work.
Overall this story and concept is super interesting and technology used was very well done. It painted a perfect dystopian world full of colonialism, oppression, and politics that I am curious if the sequel will do a better job of staying in the current timeline and just lettings us be with the characters as they try to fight the revolution.

This 544 page science fiction dystopian fantasy is in my humble opinion S.K. Ali's best work, and that is saying something.  A lot actually, especially considering I am a Muslim book reviewer and there is no Islam featured in the book. As my author friend Shifa Safadi articulately put it, "it is Muslim coded," a much more succinct term to describe my rambling thoughts of how Islam seems to be just below the surface, never breaking through, but making the book seem OWN voice and authentic. The book is for ages 14 and up and stays fairly clean, allowing for complete immersion in to the story, the world, the future, and the characters' lives, without any fear that something drastically detailed and haram, would suddenly appear and pull me out of the flow of the story.  There is a bride market where women can be bought and mention of lovers being taken, but it isn't normalized, it is for a purpose, and the acts are not detailed.  From start to finish this book is a gift to readers.  The writing quality is superb. The book is told from nine (?) points of view,  and I never once felt the need to flip back to see who was speaking, as each voice is clear and unique. The twists, the heartache, the triumph is all palpable and griping.  The mix of genres works because the characters have multitudes and incredible storytelling made the lengthy book, not nearly long enough. I can't wait for the second part of the duology, from the Underground to Upper Earth, the world was not one I left willingly, and I look forward to returning for the conclusion.

SYNOPSIS:

I really am not sure how to summarize the book without giving much away, I'm actually surprised myself that I'm writing a full review for a book by a Muslim author with no Islam present, so here we are.  As with all S.K. Ali books, this book starts with a possible "romantic" relationship, in this case though, it is an arranged couple meeting, and it isn't going well.  But where comedy and faith might normally then enter the story, this book, veers from her norm, drastically.  Set in a dystopian future where scalplinks and mind control allow the "enlightened" to live a vastly different life than those on Lower Earth who's resources have been plundered, the union is to be between Raisa, of Upper Earth, and Lein the crown prince of Lower Earth as an attempt at achieving peace.  Politics, greed, loyalties, love, all add in to the mix of a rebellion and the hope that comes from the Fledgling.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The book starts with a character list which is an incredible tool for readers as the first half of the book is forced to simultaneously balances character development, world building, and plot progression with a lot of moving parts. The style of memory records, announcements, current events, flashbacks, and changing povs keep the book's pacing moving, but it really took about until the midpoint for me to be unable to put the book down. What at times early on could be perceived as cumbersome, became truly what makes the book stand out.  To see each character through their own eyes, through their own lived experiences, and to see their thoughts and feelings grow and change, really pulls you in and brings the humanity to life in a book that could have become more plot than character. It also emotionally ties you to the characters and the twists and revelations and loss, hurt a little more than I would have expected as days later I am unable to stop my head from returning to parts of the story that still have a hold on me.

FLAGS:

Death, torture, abuse, killing, murder, hunting, manipulation, lying, a love scene between a coded married couple, oppression, colonization, bride markets, misogyny, cheating, it is YA dystopian, fantasy, sci fi, romance, adventure, so there is some grit at times, but not for sensational vulgarity, it is always for a point and not taken lightly.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This book would be incredible to read in a high school class: Islamic school, home school, public school, private school, you name it.  There is so much to discuss about colonization, oppression, rebellions, politics, and yet none of it comes at the expense of good story telling.  I would love to hear students discuss their favorite characters, opine on their motivations, and argue right vs wrong with citings from the text.  No two people would feel the same, I would almost guarantee it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Remember that feeling of reading The Hunger Games and wanting to read another dystopia that made you feel the same way, with its message of hope along with the scathing commentary on the world we live in and what it could become, but not being able to because none of the other dystopian books had the gravity and quality of The Hunger Games?

If so, read Fledgling because WOW did I get the same feeling I had from reading The Hunger Games.

This story directly comments on how the media and propaganda are used to twist narratives and spread misinformation. Fledgling is like if the concept that “history is written by the winners” was a 500 page sci-fi book. Of course the winners are going to make themselves look good to the general public.

There was so much content in this book that just floored me and like The Hunger Games, it doesn’t shy away from these topics. The gravity and intensity was there.

Also, aside from Raisa, I literally do not trust any of these characters. Nayf has my semi-trust but he spent the first half of this book just skirting around the edges of the story and unintentionally causing problems and I mean I’m here for it, but I’d like to know more about him. I do love that he read every book in their library though.

But I do trust him more than ALL THE ADULTS in this book COMBINED. They are so shady and untrustworthy. They are officially all liars in my mind.

My favorite part of this book was the friendship and trust that bloomed between Raisa and Nada. It was so wholesome and beautiful, them allowing each other to see them at their lowest and still choosing to be there for each other.

Speaking of Nada… my sweet summer child, I audibly gasped out loud. I fear Musaid has a ticking clock on his head.

Also, is Khalda gonna help Lein have a redemption arc because I can see it happening but not sure if I want it to happen.

I would like the next book right now please.

Content Warning: violence, acid attack, death, torture

This is a story about a revolution and here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ There is very good world-building in this story. I got the dystopian/sci-fi feel for it right away with Earth being split into Upper and Lower Earth and characters using high tech items like a scalplink. I thought some of the settings were unique like the hive that housed the rebels.

+ The story of the revolution is very felt through the record or entries of different Keepers. A marriage of peace between both Upper and Lower Earth is supposed to take place but the groom has other plans. Raisa’s journey is frightening because she goes from someone who is protected and pampered and thrown into the midst of a revolution. There are some really violent scenes in this book – one involving an acid attack on women. Nada, the groom’s cousin, who is actually trying to help Raisa, is also tortured. There is a lot of history, politics, attacks and just so many things going on in this book.

+ I liked Nada and Raisa characters. They are strong women in their own way and had to go through some challenging things in the book. Raisa I think had the most growth because she came from such a sheltered upbringing.

Dislikes:

~ Due to the detailed world-building I found this book to have a very slow beginning. It took me awhile to read this one because I would find the story moving nicely and then hit a block where my interest waned so pacing was an issue.

~ There are a lot of POVs which include POVs from record keepers of the past. I just felt like there were too many people to keep track of so I mostly looked forward to Raisa’s and Nada’s POVs.

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read a dystopian book in awhile and wanted to try this one and I don’t think this one was for me because it was too slow and maybe I wasn’t in the right reading mood for it. But if you like dystopian books I think you would enjoy this because of the world-building, action, politics, and some really cool characters like Nada and Raisa.

This was the first book that I ever read by S.K. Ali. Fledgling is ambitious, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking. Things the fantasy genre is in desperate need of. Ali rises to the top and provides a novel that will be instantly respected by readers.

Fans of Sabaa Tahir should be paying attention, Ali has an overwhelming narrative to share with readers. It’s all encompassing, a wide cast of characters, and once again real world themes that are fleshed out in a dystopian fantasy world.

I know this may weigh heavily on readers, but when authors lean into the tough topics (such as oppressive regimes, the need for a revolution, and the dehumanization of people) it yields a reward. Ultimately, it allows a reader to grow their critical thinking skills and opens their eyes and hearts.

I think it’s safe to share with readers that there will be a part two and whew what an ending. But I need to talk about the romance. The romance in Fledgling was built with the same care and dedication as fleshing out a fantasy world (and it’s lore). I’m so appreciative of this and will definitely be diving into Ali’s backlog.

I’m so appreciative of this ARC, and for S.K. Ali’s relentless drive. Thank you so much Penguin Teen Canada for providing an ARC, and I can't wait for the world to celebrate this October.

★ 4.75 / 5

“Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul, / And sings the tune without the words, / And never stops at all...”

I went into Fledgling thinking this book would not tear my soul in half because S. K. Ali writes sweet romance books. Y’ALL. I WAS VERY WRONG. I was crying last night as I finished this book to the point where I got hiccups. I haven’t felt this kind of denial in a LONG time, but simultaneously, I’m not mad because S. K. Ali is a genius. The ending is a wild ride, and I cannot recommend this book enough.

I’m pretty particular about dystopian books, so I was pleasantly surprised with this world and plot. It’s post-apocalyptic with threats via human autonomy, and depending on where people live in this world, your access and freedom within technology differentiates. Those on Lower Earth and the Bridge do not get the technological perks of Upper Earth, and if the technology were to be given to them, their autonomy would be stripped away, a farce called Enlightenment. It’s the biggest threat throughout the book, and readers get to see character autonomy taken away in some brutal scenes… It’s also my worst fear, so I was shaking in my boots when the scalp-links for Lower Earth and Bridge appeared.

Physical record keeping (akin to diaries/memoirs of someone’s life) makes perfect sense in a dystopian environment that relies so heavily on digital technology, so I’m excited to see that play a larger role in the sequel. In our world people always talk about an Internet blackout where we’ll lose history, media, photos, etc., and Fledgling is rightfully bringing that fear into reality. Thus, the people of Lower Earth have taken these precautions to write their records, so the truth doesn’t perish.

Lastly, my highest praise for Fledgling resides in the distinct voices of every POV. They’re 9 different ones, and each voice feels impeccably singular and personable. That’s one of the hardest things to do in writing, so I was very impressed with the attention to detail to every character. I definitely have my favorites (Nada!!), but each one added a deeper understanding to this complex plot.

Thank you PenguinTeen for the eARC!

FLEDGLING by S.K Ali was honestly incredible!!! It was a beautiful captivating story that had me engaged from the very beginning right to the end!!

I love fantasy stories and this one just felt unique, compelling, relevant to what is going on the world and refreshing to me.

The plot and world building were incredibly constructed, I can’t stop thinking about it, I wish I could escape into this world, I could picture each scene and moment in the book. And the characters were amazing!! Absolutely love them, there was so much vulnerability, strength, flaws and pain for these characters they made me really connect with them and a deeper level, they just felt so human

I’m excited to see what will happen in the next book, we’ll be waiting patiently

Fledgling by S.K. Ali is a compelling and imaginative novel that skillfully blends fantasy with a coming-of-age story. Ali’s richly developed world and nuanced characters create an engaging narrative that captivates from start to finish. The book’s exploration of identity and growth adds depth and resonance to an already enthralling tale.

S.K. Ali’s latest promises a gripping exploration of power, politics, and the complexities of peace. The stark contrast between the privileged Upper Earth and the volatile Lower Earth sets the stage for a high-stakes conflict that is both personal and political.

The introduction of Raisa and Nada, two women from opposing worlds, offers the potential for a compelling dynamic. Their forced convergence, amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and rebellion, suggests a narrative rich in tension and unexpected alliances.

Ali’s ability to delve into the complexities of human nature and societal structures is evident in the premise. The question of whether love can triumph over centuries of conflict is a powerful one, and the author’s exploration of this theme promises to be both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

With its blend of romance, political intrigue, and world-building, this novel is poised to captivate readers and leave them eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the duology.