Review: The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky #1)

The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky #1)
By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Published By: Harper Teen
Publication Date: September 8, 2020
Date Read: November 22, 2020
Genre: YA – Fantasy
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Format: E-Book
Pages: 432

From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have crafted a gripping tale of magic and logic, fate and choice, and a deadly love. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Brandon Sanderson.

Prince North’s home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate engines, powered by technology. Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the Surface, responsible for providing answers, direction—hope.

North’s and Nimh’s lives are entwined—though their hearts can never be. Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose between saving their people or succumbing to the bond that is forbidden between them.

The Other Side of the Sky is one of those books that I was a little bit on the fence about reading it. I am a huge fan of YA Fantasy books but I remember reading one of Amie and Meagan’s books years ago and I wasn’t a big fan. After reading and loving the books that Amie has wrote with Jay Kristoff I decided to pick this one up. I am so glad I gave this one a chance as I absolutely loved this amazing fantasy journey.

Originally, I thought that The Other Side of the Sky was a sci-fi book, and although there is some sci-fi elements, this book is strictly fantasy! So although this book was very different to what I thought it was going to be, I ended up loving it. Fantasy is my favourite genre of book, so it was definitely a pleasant surprise to discover it was more fantasy. As with most fantasy books, The Other Side of the Sky was a little bit slow in the start as we learnt about this new world where there is people in a city in the sky and people on the ground. I did find the beginning of the book a little bit boring… it took a good 8 or 9 chapters before I was really hooked and couldn’t put the book down. However, once that happened I flew through the book at lightning speed.

The Other Side of the Sky tells the story of Nimh, she is a living goddess who cannot be touched by anyone else, unless they are a god or she will lose her divine power. While she is on her own pilgrimage she comes across North, a cloudlander, someone Nimh believes to also be a god. But North doesn’t believe in gods… he believes in technology. As they journey across the ground together, Nimh and North grow closer, but can they be together, keep Nimh’s divinity and find a way for North to get home to the Cloundlands?

As this book went on, I fell more and more in love with it. I love the world, the characters… absolutely everything. It was utterly fantastical. There’s still things about this world I don’t completely understand and I can’t wait to find out more in book two. One of the things I loved the most is how sweet and romantic the relationship between Nimh and North was. When they can’t touch each other but still make you ship them so hard… that right there is a talent. I loved every moment of them both getting closer and I cannot wait to see more of them in the next book.

The Other Side of the Sky was a fast paced, rollercoaster ride of emotion. It is filled to the brim with twists and turns and I couldn’t believe what was happening. I raced through this book so damn fast as I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next and then that ending has left me reeling. I always say that books aren’t cliffhangers when others think they are. This… This was a cliffhanger!! I am sat on the edge of my seat dying for it to be next year already so I can get my hands on the second book. If you’re a fantasy lover then I highly recommend you give this fantastic and beautiful story a chance. I loved it!

“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.”