Cover Image: Amber Sky

Amber Sky

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Member Reviews

a bit confusing yet overall a standardly average dystopian. unfortunately, the story does not wrap up neatly enough for it to be a solid enough conclusion without the rest of the story that has yet to be written.

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I really enjoyed reading this book! I read this book in one sitting because I could not put the book down, I highly recommend reading this book!

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I was a bit confused with the time period for this novel, but I think that made me more interested and intrigued with this novel. It felt like it was in the English industrial revolution but there were bits of technology that I am not really sure would belong in that time period. I know people think that the characters being the worst spies are a turn off, but I thought it added to it because in a way it made it funny and a tad bit unpredictable. I can't describe it very well but I just thought it made it fun to see them be bad spies and it changed things up a bit. Normally spies in novels tend to be very good spies. Nice to see the other side. I am on the fence about continuing this series but I think I will. The ending made me curious enough to check it out, and I did enjoy the characters enough to want to see more from them.

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This is the first book in the series and it starts right off with the action. Set in a dystopian world were the opporessed are trying to overthrow the mighty in a search for the elusive coils and brass that will save the world. Are they real or is it just a fairy tale told to give hope to an oppressed part of the world? The author does a great job of drawing us into the story and the last part of it is where the action really picks up to the point where you don’t want to put it down. Amber Sky is well worth the read to anyone looking for something fresh in what can sometimes be an overstocked fantasy genre.

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4 stars

I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this YA Fantasy dystopian book. It is similar to a lot of other books out there, but it's still an enjoyable read. I will definitely read the next book in this series.

The nobility run the country and control the population by controlling the jobs they can work, the food they eat and their education. They also control the C.O.I.L.S. of Copper and Brass, which is rumored to have powers to control the amber sky and other elements.

Tay is a young girl barely keeping her siblings alive after her father is arrested. She begs the Overseer's son, Darius, for help, but it comes at a cost. She will owe him a favor that he can ask at any time. As a part of the bargain, Tay is given a job that takes her to the Palace. Before she leaves, she is pressured to find out information to assist the rebellion.

Tay risks everything to help her family, but Darius has secrets that complicate matters and endanger them more than they could imagine. Tay and Darius must decide if they are going to just help themselves, or help the rebellion, seek the C.O.I.L.S. and help everyone.

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"The Coils of Copper and Brass were a fantasy, an old fairy tale told to children, and certainly nothing to pin dreams of freedom on."

3.5/5 stars

Over the course of Christmas Break, I thought it would be best if I wrote reviews for all the books I have read over the past couple of months. When Christmas Break came and went , I saw there were no reviews written, so I am using the few days I have gotten off from school due to freezing temperatures to write reviews. The first review I thought I should start off with is one in which I thought the cover was stunningly beautiful and the description was intriguing. Who is ready to jump into a review about more than just pretty dresses and steamy romances?

First, the plot was very interesting and I found it very intriguing. However, it is overused as it is a dystopian society where the government controls all the knowledge of its people. Also, everyone is sorted into social classes depending on where one lives. It reminded me too much of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins; however, there were no kids fighting to the death. Though there may not have been a brave character choosing to fight in the place of her sister to save the world, I got to see some of the politics of this world and be in the place of a stealthily spying character.

Next, I really enjoyed the characters, especially Tana as she had a really good character arc. When reading a story, I look for a character to relate to, and this book did not disappoint. I really saw myself in this book as I am very shy and meek, like Tana; however, as the story progresses, Tana begins to find herself and begins to stand up for herself as she learns new things and becomes a spy for Darius and his sister. That is the opposite of me as I will probably always be a small turtle hiding in my shell. The other character I wanted to discuss is Darius as he is the main love interest for Tana. He is a lot more selfless than I thought he was going to be as he loves his sister, whom he will protect forever, and would rather save the world than stand on the sidelines. Although I may have enjoyed Darious as a character, I really wish that Darius had as much character development as Tana as he was just the brooding male heroine/love-interest.

Also, I also really enjoyed the romance. Usually, I either love or hate the romance, and this one did not disappoint me as I was shipping Tana and Darius from the start. Who cannot find an OTP in a book? That is impossible as I have started doing it in real life; such as when I may have started shipping Canada and Mexico together. It is not a problem until you start identifying it as a problem. However, I hate that a love triangle was starting to form with Tana, Darius, and some soldier whose name I cannot remember. I just want a romance without a love triangle forming because it never happens in real life. Just, why?!

Now that I have at least written one nice thing about this book, it is time to bring in some saucy drama. Ooooh!!! One not so good quality of this book was when the story line got super slow, like slug slow. The story would just trudge on, and of course me being me, I would start reading at midnight and end up falling asleep five minutes later. Just because I have low patience does not mean that I should have to wait for the action scenes and high drama. Also, I have said this before, but the plot is cliché and used too often in books, movies, and so many television shows.

Lastly, the only reason why I decided to give this book 3.5 stars was because it was interesting, and I know I would have enjoyed this so much more in the prime years of dystopian. Even though the plot was a bit overused, which I have said for the three millionth time, it did bring me some nostalgic memories of reading The Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched, and so many other books that were part of the young adult dystopian craze. Also, the ending left me wanting more so you probably know what I will be requesting next!

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

Love,
newbookcats

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Tay is focused on one thing - keeping her brother and her sister fed now that her father had been sent to the hard labor of the mines - also known as a death sentence for those of the working class who did not obey the powers that be. She couldn't waste one moment on discussions of rebellion, the same rebellion that had resulted in the death of her mother years before.

She desperately needs the help of someone with more power, maybe the son of the Overseer of the mines and punishment of criminals. But risking her life keeps her fear evident as she approaches him for help. Reminding herself this is for her brother and sister is the only bit that keeps her courageous enough to attempt the request for help. She is more than surprised when the Overseer's son, Darius, agrees to help her. Of course, that surprise is quickly replaced with fear of the cost.

As Tay does her best to obey, and earn the rations her family desperately needs, she quickly realizes she is in the middle of the rebellion she refused to be part of for so long.

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It's beautifully written, but I'm just so tired of "awesome female lead starts a rebellion from within the oppressor's court" stories...

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Something Wicked Lurks Beneath the Amber Sky…
In the future, something has happened to turn the sky amber…the idea of a blue sky has faded into myth and legend. Specifically, a legend that says that the blue sky can be restored through use of tools called the Coils of Copper and Brass, and that this may be the key to bringing down the brutal caste system that has developed. As in any good dystopian tale, most of the oppressed class has accepted their lot in life, toiling away under brutal conditions, barely scraping by, yet unwilling to risk death in a violent spectacle in an effort to change the status quo. They look askance at members of the rebellion who are willing to risk it all, seeing them as foolish dreamers, or worse as rabble rousers who deserve to be punished. Tay, the heroine of Amber Sky, falls somewhere in the middle. She and her siblings have suffered harsh consequences due to the work their parents have done for the rebellion; their mother is presumed dead following food riots, and their father has been jailed for working to subvert the government. This has affected Tay’s ability to get a good job, and to provide rations above starvation quantity for her younger brother and sister. And so, although she hates the nobility, she is unwilling to join the rebellion…until she is forced into it.

Amber Sky is an excellent start to what is sure to be a riveting series. I can see a love triangle forming between Tay and a noble (Darius), and the crown prince (Talon), although Tay for her part views both possibilities as more dangerous than they are worth, and accepts that her love for one of them will only lead to a broken heart since in their world any future is an impossibility. By the end of the book she is so tangled up in a web of lies and deceit that it is difficult to fathom how she will pull herself out of it unscathed. This is a must read for those who like dystopian novels; there’s a flavor reminiscent of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Selection mixed together with brand new ideas, to make for a entertaining, quick read. I highly recommend checking it out!

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I’m doomed. I have to suffer waiting for the next book and this is why I don’t read book series unless all the instalments are out. I hate waiting. Yes, I’m not bit ashamed to admit that I’m not patient person. But I saw this on Netgalley and foolishly clicked the request button. Not that I’m complaining but I’m doomed.

Okay, with that statement and my star-rating, obviously, I like this book. No, LIKE is understatement. I looooove it. I devoured it. I read it in one sitting (though my goodreads log might tell you differently).

You might wonder why I didn’t give it five star then. It’s because I can’t say that everything is perfect with Amber Sky, which is perfectly understandable and common in first books of series. This is a Sci-fi/Dystopian series which means it introduces the readers to a different world with different rules, governments, and even people. So somehow, there are few parts that I found little slow.

The plot is interesting and promising. Though I must admit, when I first read the name of the series, COILS of Copper and Brass, I found it uninteresting and not appealing. AT ALL. But don’t be deceived. The series’ name actually added to the mystery which makes the story more interesting and captivating as you read the novel. Even the title Amber Sky made me wonder if the sky is actually rusty? Besides the series name says COILS, COPPER and BRASS.

The author created this world where people haven’t seen a blue sky or at least our protagonist haven’t. In this world, there is this unfair government where everything is controlled by the nobility. Thus the rebellion…(familiar? everyone?)

The Characters gave me mixed feelings but in a good way. First half, I’m almost frustrated with Tay, our heroine. She lacks backbone. Now, looking back I’m now enthralled by Tay’s cowardice. Why? Because it’s refreshing to meet a less courageous heroine in a YA dystopian. She started so weak, but then when her father was arrested due to said rebellion, she was forced to do something courageous – approaching a man named Darius James, a member of the nobility.

From then, Tay grew a backbone throughout the book and I’m totally excited to see her on the second book because she’s gonna be a badass. I’m sure of it.

The guys, for me, seemed like they were transported from Romance erotic novels. No, there are no explicit contents. But the men’s personas resemble those sexy, controlling, unapologizing, mysterious billionaires I often find in erotic novels. WHICH IS VERY GOOD, BY THE WAY. I just wish that I see more of their character developments in the next book. In here, I still consider the guys as flat characters for the lack of development.

Overall, this is a very engaging read. This book is perfect for the fans of Hunger Games, Divergent and alas! The Mortal Instrument. Go figure Why. Sorry no shadowhunters but there’s this little misunderstanding in TMI that can be found here too though not directly but it was the first plot point that got my attention. I was like Oh my God, the Romance is gonna be exciting. Anyway, this book will leave you asking for more and excited for the next book. This is a story of courage, survival and equality. Of family and love.

Though it wasn’t THAT thrilling and mind-blowing, it succeeded on taking hold of my mind and heart so I found myself connected in the story and made me interested and care for what will happen next. Blame it to the twists and turns throughout the story.

Excited for the next book which I’m sure is filled with a bad-ass adventure!!!

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Every time I had a Goodreads vote on what to read next this book won. I didn’t understand why until after I finished reading when I realized that this book had one of the most intriguing concepts I have ever read and it was executed very well.

What I found to be most interesting was the unique class systems based around ratings even among the wealthy. This made for some interesting social dynamics where no matter who you are your rank is never safe and it is possible for you to loose all your status.

I also loved the imagery of the Amber Sky in this book and the fact that the sky ever having been blue was almost one thing of myths for them. It was almost difficult to grasp in my head because all my life I have thought of the sky being blue and to think of it being any other color was a bit strange. What I liked mot about the Amber sky however was that it is almost a representation of the secretive and oppressed state of the people in this story.

Our heroine in this story is also a bit of an unusual one because she does not seem to even want to be a heroine. She was mostly coerced into it because she did not want any more of her family getting hurt for the resistance cause anymore.

This book for me was a mix of political and octal intrigue, mixed with a rebel cause and a little bit of romance to make for one of the most unique storylines I have ever read. Amber Sky has a lot to offer and I am so excited to see what happens next in book two!

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I liked it, although it reminded me of a mash up of several other books that I have read. The ending was intriguing. I will definitely be reading the sequel to see what happens next.

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I found Amber Sky by Claire Warner to be a quite enjoyable book to read. The plot may sound generic with its dystopian feel and the lower classes being trod upon by the nobles, but the story itself gives it its own unique feel.
I quite liked the characters and the protagonist, Tay, felt real to me. She had the weight of the world thrust on her shoulders and took the routes she felt were best to protect her younger siblings. At times she felt overwhelmed and reacted accordingly
The prose wasn't heavy and flowed easily and naturally. It was a book that I found hard to put down and found myself still reading in the early hours of the morning. The twists and turns that lead up to the ending left me wanting to read the next book in the series.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy young adult novels with a female protagonist. There is a little bit of romance sprinkled in as well.

A free copy of this e-book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

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I will admit that it took me a while to get into the book, I wasn't captivated by Tay or Darius to begin with or the opening in general BUT I soon was! When Darius called in his favour, I was hooked. The story's setting is Victorian-esque which is a breath of fresh air in the dystopian/fantasy genre, I recommend this book to anybody wanting to escape to a world that has glimpses of the past as well as those who don't want a perfect male lead (I'm looking at you, Darius).

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What a fun book! Between the writing and the dialogue and the characters, everything about this book was EXACTLY what I needed!

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It was an okay book. There wasn't anything about it that stood out from the rest in its genre. It was disappointed in that. I'm not sure if I would read a sequel, personally.

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In a world of strict social class system Tay is at the bottom. She tries to keep her head down and keep herself and her siblings alive. However she gets dragged into a rebellion that she isn’t sure she should be a part of. I liked that Tay was a reluctant revolutionary. It’s not that she dosn’t believe in the cause it’s that she is concerned what will happen to her family if she is caught. She has already lost her mother and father because of there rebellion, she is the only one now able of taking care of her family. It’s nice to see a character consider the consequences of there actions not just for themselves but those around them.

Darius is a your stereotypical male lead. Swoon worthy and protective of those around him but not too overbearing. It was nice to see him apologise for a spurt of jealousy and correct his behaviour something a couple of books I have read recently lacked. Darius is a noble but a low classed noble as even the nobles are slaves to the earring system.


I was ready to write this book off as nothing special. Not that it was bad. It was a nice easy read but there was no wow factor however the last third turned that around. The last few chapters especially left me going what! And that ending. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel.

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This book was good but not really much new in the genre. I did love the characters and I kept up with the story but it just felt like I'd already read it. But still a pretty good book.

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