Wohoo, I found a gem, you guys. Don't y'all love reading about topics that are relatively new to you? I know I do. I've heard about wing walkers, but other than that I didn't know much about barnstorming before picking up this book. I'm so glad I did because not only could I travel to my favourite decade in the 20th century, I also got to learn about an interesting form of entertainment that captured many Americans' heart after the Great War.

Grace Lafferty is one of the coolest heroines ever, I'm telling you. She's a real daredevil, a sucker for adrenaline and she is fighting for what she loves with unwavering persistence. There are two things she wants to keep at all costs: her barnstorming family and the sky. If they don't make it to the World Aviation Expo she might just lose both. To avoid that end she does everything she is capable to: she practices her stunts all day, she saves money on whatever she can, she is even ready to abide the presence of Henry Patton, the team's new grumpy mechanic.

The strong theme of family and love in the book is heartwarming and most of the characters are not even related to one another. The brother/sister relationship between Grace and Daniel – the male wing walker in the team – is so pure, I melted every time they had a conversation. I also loved how Grace's presence in Uncle Warren's life slowly moulded the man into a more than decent father figure.

Beyond the family feels what made this novel extremely worthwhile for me were the little stories and details that adorned and rounded out the storytelling. Most men in the book had fought in the trenches just a couple of years before, which means the horrors of the war are still very fresh in their minds. Henry is affected the most, he's definitely suffering from shell shock. Grace doesn't know what that is of course, but she realizes something is not right with him and she is determined to make him open up to her. And so he tells her stories. My favourite was the one where Henry saved the life of his men by teaching a memeber of the enemy to dance.

The feminine power in the book is incredible. Bessie Coleman – the first black woman ever to gain a pilot licence – makes an appearance. I was so happy to learn more about her! She was quite a character and it's always a pleasure to read about women pioneers. Grace, of course, is also a character who bends society rules and follows her own mind; she wears pants and oil-stained shirts and doesn't give a damn what others think of her often manly ways. Oh, how I loved that!

The atmosphere of the 1920s seep through the pages: the clothes, old Hollywood, bootlegging, the Spanish flu, it's all there. Nothing But Sky will transport you right there, you'll feel as if you time travelled to Gatsby's age.

To sum up, this novel was a real joy to read and there are no words how much I recommend it to everyone who likes historical fiction and is just a tiny bit interested in aviation history!

Nothing but Sky is a historical novel that explore a little piece of the past history that is usually left behind. Do you know, when you think of an historical novel, great chances that Roman era, Medieval times, Victorian England or World War II are going to pass by your minds. But many and many places, times and even peculiarity don't get noticed.

This novel is a case of exploring a slice of history, something that should be taken into consideration. First of all, I would have never heard of wing walker if it wasn't for this book and I love having a chance to learn something new from a novel.

Second point is that it was quite a great read and I enjoyed the story. I know that I shouldn't be always so surprised, but is good to find a less know author and have a chance to read her works, and reviews it and like it... I think you can get the feeling.



I don't want to say much about the plot, because a lot of things happens, from learning and trying out new tricks to plot twists and moments where everything seems gone and done.

One things for sure was that I stick with the plot, I waited for the next turn, the next trick performed on air, I felt my emotion speed up when hard time came for Grace and the Soaring Eagles.

Another thing that I felt was Grace's spirit. The book also talk about the period's sexism, even the one that the good intentioned team of the Eagles give to Grace. One thing that really made me boil inside, was how the protagonist talks about unwanted attention she got from people who helped the Soaring Eagles, but she kept silence for supporting the team. And her team mates never knew. Yet, they acted condescending on her.

A lot of times Grace seems ever too much stubborn, too much focused on rushing and really concentred on herself and her desires and goals. This thing gets discussed during the novel, but while at the same time Grace realize that some of her character might be a bit pushing too much towards something - with not always healthy results - but at the same time she doesn't stop. I liked that this part is actually seen. Because, no matter how things seems against a goal, just turning back is the only thing that will terminate the goal forever.

Also, the theme of PTSD is touched in the pages, but I cannot talk a lot about it in the sense of representation. For my external point of view, it seemed well handled but don't take my words as a universal truth. Related to this there's Henry character. I admit that I didn't like one bit at the start. He looked a lot like many of the other men but during the story he made some progresses.

For once, I even almost felt the romance. I liked to see the developments but I would have also liked to see a big friendship and trust-like relationship. It would have been refreshing, reading about the job partners-ish atmosphere.

The only down side of the book was that sometimes I didn't manage to picture the trick scenes in my head but I had kinda blurry images passing by. I don't know if there's something off with the author or me not being a mother language, but it was kinda bad to lost somewhere pieces of the story.

Nothing But Sky has an extremely unique take on historical fiction. Barnstorming isn’t something I’ve come across in a book before, and it’s what made me want to pick it up the most. Reading about the tricks and manoeuvres made me want to go watch The Soaring Eagles in real life, although obviously they’re not real. Even though this was unique, the plot itself was quite predictable and repetitive with lots of tropes thrown into the mix as well.

I’d say it was predictable mostly because it’s the same as any book that contains a MC who want’s to win a big competition at the end of the book. There’s multiple problems that happen, an antagonist on a different team and some sort of betrayal. The romance sub-plot was also extremely predictable, with a hate to love trope and it just wasn’t interesting to read about.

I did however enjoy that our main character Grace was portrayed as a strong female character throughout the book. There’s a lot of feminist hints throughout from her and other women she meets with in the book which prove that women can do everything a man can do. A lot of the male characters are typically worried for Grace doing a dangerous job because she’s a women, but the ones who truly care about her don’t deter her as they know it’s what she loves.

This is based just after the war, so a lot of our male characters have to deal with their pasts and there’s some great PTSD portrayal throughout, and how they deal with this. Some deal with it in different ways and we truly see the negative side effects. Because of this, the makority of our main characters are fleshed out well and we really feel for them as people. There’s a lot of emotional obstacles within the book, and whether it’s the romance, betrayal or familial conflict you do feel attached to the characters.

Overall, it’s alright book. If you want to read about barnstorming and something that’s a little bit different but still historical fiction then you’ll enjoy it. But if you’re looking for a plotline that’s unpredictable and that will take you on a wonderful journey then I don’t think this is what you need.

Grace Lafferty has begun a career in post-WWI barnstorming with her uncle and their group, The Soaring Eagles. She lost her family to the Spanish flu, so she went to live with her uncle in Nebraska and they started their own flying circus with Grace as the wing walker, Uncle Warren as a pilot, and their two friends Daniel and Nathan performing on the other airplane. They hire a new mechanic named Henry to help them make it to the competition in Chicago so they can compete to win a contract in Hollywood. Grace and the team will battle adverse circumstances, financial difficulties, and betrayal on their way to fame and fortune.
This was my first time reading a book about barnstorming, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the plot, characters, and historical setting, and I became wrapped up in the story as I read. There currently aren't many books on this subject, and I would definitely like to read more like this in the future. I loved to see strong female characters in the story who wouldn't let people walk all over them, and I also loved to see strong male characters who supported the women and their decisions. I enjoyed the whole book, but especially the ending. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and strong female characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review wasn't required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I absolutely ADORED this gorgeous debut by Amy Trueblood! I'm a HUGE fan of historical fiction and I have a special spot in my heart for the 1920s, so I was SO excited to pick up this book! I immediately connected with Grace and her fierce, determined mindset. She is certainly no damsel in distress and I loved that about her! We need more characters like her, and personally, I wish I had her gumption!

I also made an instant connection with Trueblood's writing style. You can really tell that she did her research and that she was passionate about her subject matter. That passion and attention to detail really showed up in her writing and I found it so easy to imagine myself in Grace's world.

And when Henry shows up....ahhh! I just love slow burn, enemies to lovers romances and this one was RIGHT up my alley!

Overall, I have to say that I simply devoured this book in every possible way and I can't recommend it enough! It's a fantastic novel and a shining star in what is surely going to be a bright career for Trueblood. If you love historical novels with strong, ambitious female protagonists, a dash of romance, and a little bit of danger then this book is for you!

2.5/5 stars

I really really wanted to love this book. It's a cool concept, a fiercely independent young woman who breaks the mold and is a barnstormer. The love interest is sweet and carries his demons; he's not your typical "perfect" or "macho" hero.

And yet...by the end of it I was rolling my eyes every time the protagonist, Grace, opened her mouth, or had an introspective thought. And I realized that's what was missing in the book: a character arc. She doesn't change from the moment we meet her until the end of the book. I mean, sure, she changes in her view of the LI, and she gives lip service to the need to grow, etc, but her actions, thoughts, motivations — they're 100% the same.

And that's really frustrating. A character who doesn't change over the course of 250+ pages is a character you hate.

Nothing But Sky tells the story of Grace Lafferty, a young post World War I wing walker, and her dream to make it to Hollywood. After the death of her parents, Grace was sent to live with her Uncle Warren, who introduced her to his passion for flying. Together, along with their barnstorming team called The Soaring Eagles, they travel across the midwest performing dangerous aerial stunts. Their current mission is to earn enough money to make it to the World Aviation Exposition for a chance to win a Hollywood contract. But when a new mechanic shows up with a traumatic past and a possible tie to their biggest rival, Grace and her team might be on the path to losing everything...even their lives.

I'm a bit conflicted about this book. It was well written and obviously well researched, the characters where engaging and it even had a little suspense. But for me, I was kinda bored throughout the whole book...from the very beginning. I wasn't as interested in the aviation aspects of the story as I thought I would be. Plus, I kept getting that foreshadowed feeling that something terrible was about to happen, and I was right but not completely right. I didn't like that feeling. Mostly it was too predictable.

I did enjoy the romance. The slow burn building between Grace and Henry is exactly what I like to read. There's nothing explicit to get excited about, but I was happy with the outcome.

Overall, a well written story set in an era that doesn't really interest me.

Ever since reading Code Name Verity a few years ago I have been seeking more stories featuring women in aviation. I was delighted to be approved for Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood.

Nothing But Sky is a high-flying adventure story set the post-World War I era. Its shining star is Grace Lafferty. Always pushing the men in her life to reach for more and be more, Grace is a force to be reckoned with. Not one to take no for an answer, Grace sets her sights on competing at the World Aviation Expo in Chicago. Grade’s tenacity and ingenuity for unique breath-taking stunts might just get her barnstorming team the money and fame she desires, but it also places them in danger in the air and one the ground. Grace’s excitement and passion oozes off the page and the reader can’t help but be taken up in her dreams and stunts hoping and praying she survives.

Trueblood’s research into flying and its history is to be admired. When describing Grace’s crazy stunts, the reader will feel like they are on the wing of the plane or dangling from the struts with her – wind in their hair. It all feels so real. Even the technical jargon and detailed stunt planning is well written. Not once do these details bog the story down. They are a natural part of the storytelling and help to build the excitement and drive the plot forward.

Nothing But Sky falls a bit short on the plot. While Grace’s passion for flying feels new and Trueblood’s explanations of the ins and outs of stunt flying is a natural part of the story, the rest of the plot is predictable. As the reader reaches the book’s end point all the loose threads of the story come together in a nearly impossible and unbelievable way. It’s unfortunate that when the plot is not focused on flying or Grace’s goal to get to the World Aviation Expo, the story falls flat.

Grace is such a lively character that the other characters that play a part in her story are caricatures compared to her. Not enough time is spent exploring and delving deeper into Grace’s relationships and developing the characters who mean the most to her and become key players in the plot. The love story between Grace and Henry happens a little too quickly and easily and ends up being too sweet. Unless Grace is with Henry, she never comes across as a girlie-girl so her head-over-heels feelings for Henry seem uncharacteristic and in opposition to how Grace acts the rest of the time. And when it comes to the big reveal in the story, confusion reigns as there is little indication earlier in the story that the culprit was someone much closer to Grace than even she imagined.

Women played a big role in aviation history, and Nothing But Sky captures the excitement, passion, technical details and danger, for both men and women, associated with early aviation. Trueblood gives readers a strong female character to admire and shows them a picture of early American History that is not well known. Nothing But Sky is a strong entry into the genre of historical fiction with a fierce female protagonist to admire.

It's 1922 and Grace Lafferty is the star wing walker of her uncle's ragtag flying circus. Grace is desperate to get the money needed to enter a aviation show in Chicago where the grand prize is a contract with a fledgling Hollywood studio. With a new mechanic on the team, Henry Patton, things seem to looking up. But, between the dangerous tricks, the old planes, and the over-zealous recruiting techniques of a rival team, nothing is a sure bet in the stunt flying business.

Nothing But Sky is solid debut with great characters. Grace is full of determination, and Henry gives us a glimpse into the challenges World War I veterans faced. I've been reading a bunch of books about women aviators lately, and I love that Amy Trueblood tells the story of a woman wing walker. Wing walking seems so crazy. Google can show you some photos of wing walkers in action. I don't even like flying, and I can't imagine climbing out of my seat to do tricks on the wing of the plane!

Featured in "Reading on a Theme: Early Women Aviators" on Intellectual Recreation.

I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in return for review consideration.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but couldn't resist this one. Plus, I'd heard good things about it from other people and I was not disappointed. Grace is a really fun, likeable character and I was in her corner from the very start. All of the sexist attitudes she dealt with made me grit my teeth, and I think Trueblood kept a good balance between Grace fighting against the expectations of her time, but not acting in an anachronistic way.

The historical setting was fascinating. It's not a period of time I know much about, at least not in America, but this book really brought it to life for me. The descriptions of the flying and the tricks were brilliant as well. I found it very easy to imagine what was going on, they brought a lot of tension to the book. As someone who doesn't like flying, and finds the idea of wing walking terrifying, some of these scenes made me incredibly nervous, but I definitely enjoyed reading them.

My one issue with the book was the romantic storyline. Particularly in the second half of the book, I felt that it started to overtake the main plot somewhat, and as I was not entirely sold on the chemistry between the characters, that frustrated me a little.

But overall, Nothing But Sky is a great, fun, historical YA novel with a lot of heart and an MC you'll be cheering on. If you're looking for a cool historical setting and some frankly terrifying stunts, this is the book for you.

Grace Lafferty is a post-WW1 wing walker. She makes a living doing dangerous stunts 500 feet high in the sky. One mistake could mean death. Grace is determined to prove that her team is just as good, if not better, as the flashier barnstorming teams. She sets her sights on the World Aviation Expo. No one has ever questioned her ambition until the infuriating Henry Patton comes looking for a job. When Grace saves a man’s life in a risky manoeuvre, she gets her and her team an invitation to the World Aviation Expo. However, when a stunt goes wrong and secrets are revealed, Grace must decide what to risk for her dream.

I initially requested Nothing But Sky because of a few reasons. One of which is that I really love historical fiction, especially when they feature ladies pushing against boundaries and expectations and especially when they involve planes. Some of my favourite historical fiction books are about female pilots, such as Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (I highly recommend both). So, with this in mind, I really did think that Nothing But Sky would align with my interests perfectly and that it would be another favourite. However, it really did fall short of my expectations and it was just an average read for me.

I did like the characters in Nothing But Sky but they didn’t really capture my attention and I never really rooted for them and they fell a little flat for me. I would have also loved to have seen Grace interact with more female characters, but eh. The romance was also a little insta-lovey but was cute at times.

My favourite aspect though in Nothing But Sky was the topic. I really enjoyed the whole barnstorming thing because it was interesting and it was something that I’ve never seen in a book, especially a YA book. So that was definitely a positive. Overall, a decent read but it didn’t really wow me.

Nothing But Sky is going to be released <strong>March 27th 2018</strong> and you should totally get your copy because this book was marvelous! Ever since I added it to my virtual TBR on Goodreads, I have been excited about the premise for this new release, so I was super happy and grateful that I got an advanced copy via Netgalley 😍 My initial interest did not fail me, because<strong> this turned out to have exactly what I love in books</strong>: interesting historical fiction setting, fierce main character, female friendships and a slow burn enemies to friends to lovers romance!

I do have to say that this <strong>feels a bit more New Adult</strong> than YA for me, since the main character is 18 years old and most characters even older e.g. the love interest ist 24! This book could potentially fit both age ranges, but I would lean towards NA for this one <em>personally</em>.

<strong>✈️ Grace was a fantastic character to root for!</strong> I love (1) fierce wingwalking girl. Where do I even begin with Grace? She was such a fantastic character, that I rooted for the entire time! The author really did a great job making me care about her main character, as I was on Grace's side from the very beginning. She is incredibly fierce and determined, which I loved to see, as she wouldn't be fooled or swayed by everyone. Grace has one mission and that is to attend the World Aviation Conference to win a one year contract for her team of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnstorming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barnstormers</a> so they can stay together and have financial stability. I loved how she was so set on her goal and how much Grace cared about her team, she always wanted the best for them. Grace is definitely not someone to give up easily, she stands her ground and I loved that! However, she does take a lot of risk, something that makes for a serious flaw and that is called out by her team. I understand her willingness to take risks and I loved that we saw how flawed she was.

<strong>✈️ Female friendships + Feminism & I'm sold!</strong> Ethel and Mary are Grace's friends and I loved how strong both of them were in their own way. Ethel is very confident and headstrong, she never lets anyone hurt her best friend Mary and above all is a very kind friend to Grace. Mary herself escaped from an abusive engagement and still suffers from the trauma that followed, never truly feeling safe and I think dissociating whenever she spots someone similar to her fiance. I loved her arc of healing and becoming more confident! Generally, I was a huge fan of the dynamic between the three ladies, because they were very different. Grace is working in a male dominated field and constantly has to prove herself to anyone who doubts her capability. She's not really down for flirting or parties, but never looked down on her friends for that - Grace rather does not understand the appeal. Like I mentioned Ethel and Mary more feminine and do try to encourage Grace to go out with them, but never in a pressuring way. I loved how all of them supported the other and confronted the sexism that they face daily. It was beautiful to see that they inspired each other to stand up for what they believed in!

<strong>✈️ I loved Henry and seeing his struggles with the war.</strong> Henry really grew on me. He had his moments when I was joining Grace in being a bit angry at him, as he can be grumpy and a bit protective, but he's gladly not one of those alpha males. I quickly began to like him, because Henry is kind, loyal and a true sweetheart, really being interested in the team succeeding, even though he just joined and hasn't dreamed their dream for long. What we also see is his PTSD, trauma and physical injury (his limp) that was caused by his involvement in the first world war. I appreciated having this perspective explored and seeing his panic attacks that are triggered by loud noises that remind him for gunshots. At first Grace is not really sure how to deal with this, even though she tries her best, but later she gathers a better understanding about his situation and supports him.

<strong>✈️ Romance = slow burn + enemies to lovers. </strong> Yes hello this is exactly the kind of romance that I adore, because it contains two of my favorite tropes. First, we have a bit of enemies to friends to lovers, as Henry and Grace initially dislike each other, but grow closer together when they have to work as a team. Even more important their developement is steady and realistic, making for a great slow burn romance that left my heart aching for more. From the beginning I shipped them and enjoyed their dynamic! It was touching to see them getting to know the other more and following their way to mutual understanding. I loved how Grace and Henry supported each other, it melted my heart and made me want to shove them together, so they would finally kiss. Oh and was that kiss perfect and brought me all the feels. My love for these two is endless, I love them so much! They are definitely among my favorite couples this year already.

<strong>✈️ The setting was fantastic! </strong> Barnstorming? The 1920s? World Aviation Conference? Planes? Yes I was very interested in this setting and seeing Grace wingwalking. It did make me a bit anxious to read about her stunts, because she's literally in the air, with no safety and could fall to her death with only one wrong step - so yes this was rather stressful. Still the setting was very intriguing and I could not help be be fascinated to learn about her life on the move, constantly going to new shows, dreaming up new stunts and trying to make a living from this. While I sometimes had troubled with Nathan's and the others overprotectiveness, I loved Grace team and how they worked together! However<strong>, I have to say that I really didn't like Nathan</strong>, he was always so overprotective and trying to put Grace ideas down - it began to annoy me. He was always standing in her way. Later on in chapter 24 he's even worse, pressuring Grace, being so aggressive and ugh. I feel like this setting is perfect for people trying to get into historical fiction, because this book is pretty easy to read!

<strong>✈️ I loved the high stakes and plot.</strong> I cannot believe that this book is under 300 pages long, because there are so many things that happened and I loved that the plot had lots of suspense, action and was moving along nicely. The stakes were always so high with Rowland constantly trying to win Grace for his team and trying to sabotage hers, I was always on edge, waiting for his next move. Then there was the struggle to get enough moe for the conference so they could enter the competition, so there was a lot going on!

<strong>IN CONCLUSION:</strong> <em>Nothing But Sky</em> was a <strong>fantastic, unique historical fiction book about planes and barnstorming!</strong> The main character Grace was so easy to root for because she was fierce and determined - making her a new favorite character. Furthermore, the slow burn romance stole my heart and the high-stakes plot swept me off my feet. This is definitely a book for people trying to get into historical fiction!

I really wanted to love this one, but alas, it fell a bit short for me. There are a lot of things to like about this book, but I didn't really enjoy the writing and I found the characters a bit flat. There are two guys on Grace's crew who I couldn't tell apart until the end, nor did I have any clue who was who when it came to her two best friends. At some point I didn't even remember a character when they showed up again. In the end, I just didn't find the characters that memorable. As for the writing, there was way too much telling. At first I didn't mind, but at some point I got so frustrated that I just left a note for myself saying 'stoppppp'. So much was spelled out for the reader. It just felt pointless to me - there was no need to tell us, since the dialogue or the scene just showed it to us perfectly fine.

Because of the flat characters and the writing style I got bored at some point, and when things got tense I didn't really care since 1) I didn't care for the characters and 2) I knew everything was going to be fine anyway, so I even started to skim read. That said, I did enjoy it at first, and there are a lot of good things about this book!

- While I found Grace a bit flat like the other characters, I did like how fierce she was, that she stood up for herself and how determined she was to keep her family together
- Grace fought sexism throughout the book
- Henry's portrayal of PTSD was really well done! And something we don't get to see too often
- I may not have really known the difference between like,, half of the crew,, I still liked how much they cared for each other. The two guys* were like big brothers to Grace, and I liked how they helped Henry cope with his PTSD
- They are all just so proud of Grace??
- I did like that Grace had two best female friends who just looked out for her, though I wish they had played a bigger part in the book. They barely appeared and while they sort of had an arc of their own, they were mostly just there to help Grace**
- I liked reading about wing walking! I've never read about it before but it was a really cool setting, especially seeing a girl in that profession.

My biggest problems with this book are the writing and finding the characters a bit meh, but those are very much 'it's not you it's me' things. I can definitely see a lot of people loving this one (and they already are! The ratings on Goodreads are good) so definitely don't let me stop you from picking this one up!

Grace is a wing walker for a barnstorming team and she only feels truly alive when she's 500 feet in the air. She is determined to prove her team's skill against other flashier teams by getting into the World Aviation Expo, and earn a coveted Hollywood contract. No one has questioned the reasons behind the death defying stunts she performs until Henry, a kind and loyal young man scarred from his tour of duty on Great War battlefields a few years earlier, joins the barnstorming team as their new mechanic. With each trick, he pushes her to consider why she's such a daredevil. Despite her annoyance with his interference, she realizes she's beginning to like him and she continues to push her limits in the air. When one of her tricks saves a pilot's life, her team is invited to the Expo and she jumps at the opportunities it offers. After a stunt goes wrong, however, she is forced to reevaluate if whether her life, and Henry, are worth risking for their final trick.

Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood was one of my most anticipated 2018 YA debuts. From the moment I heard about it, it sounded exactly like something I needed in my life. I mean, YA historical fiction set in 1922 about a barnstorming team trying to make it big? Sign me up! If you don't already know, barnstorming was a popular type of entertainment during the Roaring Twenties featuring stunt biplane pilots performing aerobatic maneuvers and aerialists doing wing walking, stunt parachuting, and midair plane transfers among other things. A major part of why I wanted to give this a try is because I've been to quite a few modern airshows and have seen quite a few amazing stunt biplane pilots perform (sans wing walkers). In fact, I live fairly close to a small airport and I sometimes have the opportunity to see one of my favorite stunt pilots practice his craft. It's really cool (and kind of nerve wracking) to see a biplane do an epic tailslide right over your backyard. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to looking to trying this debut and luckily I was not disappointed in the least. In fact, Nothing But Sky may be one of my favorite reads of 2018.

The world of the Roaring Twenties that Amy Trueblood develops in this YA historical fiction debut is completely riveting and immersive. The author has clearly done her research to make her story as accurate as possible. I loved seeing the real life people and places from the time period. My favorite cameo was easily the moment Grace and Bessie Coleman (an aviation pioneer and accomplishing barnstorming pilot) share. Although the story is primarily set ninety-six years ago, the story still feels quite timely. In regards to our cast of characters, Grace, our leading lady, is absolutely fantastic. I wouldn't have been surprised if could have soared right off the page. She's determined, vibrant, tenacious, and also a bit stubborn - and honestly, I can't say I fault her for that. She's exactly the kind of character I love. As for her budding, slow burn relationship with Henry, it's sweet seeing them get to know one another. The two don't start off on quite the right foot, but it's wonderful seeing them come to trust each other on a personal level and as members of the team. Their romance isn't at the center of the story, but it's refreshing to watch them grow both as individuals and together.

Overall, Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood is a brilliant YA historical fiction debut. I'm so lucky to have been approved for this title on NetGalley and it was an honor to stay awhile in this author's world with her characters. If you're interested in historical fiction set post-WWI during the lively Roaring Twenties, early aviation, death defying stunts, women like Bessie Coleman, Lillian Boyer, Ethel Dare, and Gladys Ingle, truly vivid characters, and Flygirl by Sherri Smith, then you will absolutely need to try this new release. I expect this novel will be one of my favorite debuts of 2018, and perhaps even one of my favorite reads of year as well. One thing's for sure, I am certainly looking forward to Amy Trueblood's future projects.

Barnstormer Grace Lafferty was everything I could want in a heroine and more. She redefines the limits and roles of women in post-WW1 America with her inspiring strength and perseverance. One of her best qualities was her tenacity in the face of adversity. She had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously in her male-dominated field, yet she was always the one encouraging everyone to never give up. Even her own uncle doubted her abilities to pull off the death-defying stunts that she performed in The Soaring Eagles' show. Though honestly, you couldn't really blame the man for being protective of his niece. His heart was in the right place, and he only wanted to do right by her and her parents.

Henry Patton is a talented mechanic and veteran of the Great War who's struggling to acclimate himself to civilian life. Injured and suffering from PTSD, he's a bit growly and prickly with Grace during their first meet. First impressions were not the greatest, and it set them on the wrong footing early on. What I loved about Henry was his respect and chivalry towards her even when they were at odds with one another. There was an old-fashioned wholesomeness in how they interacted that really transported me to another time. Ms. Trueblood's skill in setting the scene created such a realistic narrative. Her detail was impeccable: the music, clothing and hairstyles, speech patterns, and current events. It gave an authenticity to Nothing But Sky that readers look for in historical fiction. But I digress...back to our handsome fella Henry.

He was gallant. Supportive of Grace's aspirations. He hopes to own his own garage one day, and isn't afraid of working hard to get there. Taking a job for Grace's uncle is the first step in making his dream become a reality. My heart went out to sweet Henry for the emotional conflict he was going through. The battlefield had left an indelible mark on him, and there was a certain amount of shame that came with that. Henry eventually connected with the survivor in her; and respected her all the more because of it. It was only one of the things they found to have in common.

Grace may be just eighteen, but she's already experienced enough tragedy and heartache for a lifetime. Being up in the air and soaring through the clouds is the one place where she's at peace. It's a place that feels like home after losing the only home she'd ever known. Now her one ambition in life is to make it to the World Aviation Expo in Chicago, where she'll compete for a coveted Hollywood contract. It means security for herself and the entire team. Without it, her future in barnstorming may end before it really started. Bad luck begins to plague the group, and after a horrible accident up in the air, Grace must learn to put her own

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this refreshing and feel-good story. The romance was quite nice, but it wasn't at the forefront of the story, which I was on board with. Grace and Henry had a gradual progression from friendship that felt really natural and solid. It took some time to get there, but when they did, they had some beautifully poignant moments. They both accepted each other just as they were and supported each other as equal partners. They were one of the sweetest couples I've read in quite a while.

This is the kind of YA story that we need more of. A book with a positive message and empowering themes for women. Highly recommended!

Ahoy there me mateys! I received this young adult historical fiction eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .

nothing but sky (Amy Trueblood)
Title: nothing but sky
Author: Amy Trueblood
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: TODAY!! (paperback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1635830163
Source: NetGalley

The beautiful cover led me to looking into this one. It is about a female barnstormer in the roaring twenties. What is a barnstormer ye ask? Well a barnstorming act is basically a flying circus. The pilots do aerial tricks and sell airplane rides. Some of these acts had wing-walkers, like Lillian Boyer, who would do car-to-plane transfers, walk on the wings while the plane was in flight, and do parachute jumps. Tricks like this:

[Picture of Lillian Boyer}
source

This story tells the fictional account of a wing-walker named Grace. Orphaned as a child, she grew up with her bachelor pilot uncle. Under duress, she became his wing-walker at the age of 13. Now 18, Grace has plans for her team to make it to the World Aviation Expo in Chicago and from there earn a contract to work in Hollywood. But competition is fierce and one team owner in particular seems determined to poach her or otherwise ruin her shot at Chicago. Can Grace's dream come true?

This book was a lovely look into a slice of American history. It was a quick read that I read in one sitting. While I had heard of barnstorming before, I didn't know that much about it. Grace was feisty, hard-working, determined, stubborn, loyal, and sometimes had a wicked temper. I was immersed in Grace's story and the details of the planes and aerobatics. I have to admit that I was surprised by a couple of the plot twists. Though I don't prefer romance, it was handled well.

The author seems to have done a stellar job at research. Better yet this book led me to further reading on figures who appear in the book like, Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman and Native-American descendant to earn a pilot license. I love when historical fiction makes me interested enough to do factual research. I recommend this one if any of the above sounds interesting.

So lastly . . .
Thank you Flux!

Netgalley's website has this to say about the novel:

Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she's dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract. No one’s ever questioned Grace’s ambition until Henry Patton, a mechanic with plenty of scars from the battlefield, joins her barnstorming team. With each new death-defying trick, Henry pushes Grace to consider her reasons for being a daredevil. Annoyed with Henry’s constant interference, and her growing attraction to him, Grace continues to test the powers of the sky. After one of her risky maneuvers saves a pilot’s life, a Hollywood studio offers Grace a chance to perform at the Expo. She jumps at the opportunity to secure her future. But when a stunt goes wrong, Grace must decide whether Henry, and her life, are worth risking for one final trick.

To visit the author’s website go to:
Amy Trueblood – Author

To buy the novel go to:
nothing but sky - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List

The story follows Grace, who is a wingwalker, which means she does tricks on airplane wings while it’s in the air. I was immediately impressed by her daring but also by her character. She is, in many ways, ahead of her time. WWI just ended and wingwalking is not exactly the most common job for a young woman to have. But despite everything, she still gets on that plane, because she wants to and she loves it. She’s strong, independent and fierce and I loved that about her.

“Men loved to use their height to try and intimidate me. It happened at shows across the nation. Whether they wanted an autograph, a photo, or just a chance to show their distaste for the life I’d chosen, it was a tactic that never worked. I battled rain, wind, and thunderstorms at 500 feet; men didn’t frighten me.”

Grace and her crew are trying to earn money participate in a competition, and I loved how the author showed this struggle within the team, but also showed the external struggles and the changing situation in the world. I loved the setting and how the author described it. I could dream away in cloudless blue skies, stuffy hangars, and cigar-smoke-filled bars and I loved it! It makes me want to pick up historical fiction more often!

“This life we’ve chosen is full of risk. Every day we go up into those clouds knowing there’s a chance we may not come down alive.”

A couple of other things I loved were the romance, which wasn’t take a huge part of the story but added to it really nicely and it was so adorable, and the plot twists: these were so well-done, I really didn’t see them coming.

“May your skies always be cloudless and blue, Grace.”

Overall, I’m giving this book 4.5 stars because it was just so much fun to read! I loved reading about Grace and her crew and all that they were going through. The writing was great and the story kept me really interested in the story at all times! I definitely recommend this book if you are a bit hesitant about picking up historic fiction (like me) but want to try to read more! And also for everyone who already loves historic fiction, of course!

This book was well researched and very well written. I'm not that big of a fan of historical fiction, but this one was very enjoyable!

This novel is simply darling!

Nostalgically set in the 1920’ Midwest USA, Grace, a spunky female barnstorming girl ahead of her time, will make your heart soar.

Grace is part of “The Soaring Eagles” barnstorming team. Although she is only 18 years old, she is all daredevil up in the sky when she performs her stunts in 500 feet above the ground. She knows her biplane “Jenny” inside and out. Her uncle Warren has taught her all the mechanics involved and the tricks of the trade.

Warren and his niece share the same passion for biplanes and flying. This sport is not for the faint of heart. He has tried to keep Grace planted on the ground for as long as he could but soaring into the sky runs in her blood. He uses all his skill and experience from WWI piloting to keep her and himself safe. Grace’s dream is to attend and win the 1922 World Aviation Exposition in Chicago. In the next 2 months they need to come up with the entrance fee, new parts for the plane and a new mechanic.

The competition in barnstorming is fierce. Grace is receiving taunts and threats because she is a girl. Shouldn’t she just be a pretty girl? Wearing skirts instead of pants, boots and overalls? Well, not her! She is thinking up new daring stunts and dangerous maneuvers to perform at the Expo.

Warren in the meantime has hired a new mechanic and it takes Grace a long time to adjust to his approach of repairing things. Henry has a keen eye for every little detail and spots things amiss on the plane easily. He keeps an impeccable order in the shop and with time they become good friends. Henry gains Grace’s trust in his workmanship. He vows to keep her safe in the sky and as a team they work side by side for hours on end. But then, right before the Expo, the government safety inspector raises some concerns they were alerted to by another team. Will they still be allowed to compete? Is there sabotage at play? What chances and risks are they willing to take?

***

There are many moving parts to this novel. Since this takes place post WWI, most of the characters have backstories affected by the war in different ways. I did not include these intricacies in the review as they were well thought out and would make this review very long.

All in all, it is a very refreshing, clean well thought out novel with surprises and a hint of romance. It was very enjoyable to read. A breath of fresh air in the YA genre.

I want to mention that I very much appreciate the author’s note in the back of the novel. It always interests me where a writer’s inspiration stems from, what they have learned about the subject matter and how it has influenced their own life. I am so glad Amy Trueblood happened to stroll through the Field Museum that summer of 2013, that sparked her interest to write the novel we now can enjoy and share.

Historical fiction is usually not my thing, and when I say usually not my thing I mean I've maybe picked up 3 historical fiction reads in as many years. But when I saw Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood, I knew this would be one that I needed to try out. Badass female wing walker? Count me in.

This story takes place shortly after World War I, and follows Grace Lafferty, a teen obsessed with wing walking and her barnstorming team, The Soaring Eagles. Grace is dead set on saving enough money to get the team to the World Aviation Expo and a shot at a high-paying contract with Hollywood. But earning that money means coming up with harder (and more dangerous) stunts, and constantly risking her life for this goal. Throw in an opposing team and its owner hell-bent on getting Grace and her team out of the running, and Grace finds herself in danger more often than not. When push comes to shove, Grace's team is her family, both old members and new, and soon she has to decide what is worth more: the shot at a steady income she's always hoped for or her life and the lives of those around her.

I really liked how this story was laid out, identifying the date, location, and how many days were left until the Expo at the beginning of the chapter. I think this helped the reader identify with Grace's panic as the Expo approached. It was historical fiction, but I didn't get the bland historical fiction vibe that I've gotten from others I've read (you know the one, where it feels more like a school lesson than an exciting story). All the aeronautical terms were explained clearly and I wasn't confused at all. I felt fully immersed in the world of The Soaring Eagles.

As far as characters go, I honestly didn't like Grace. Her attitude, flippancy towards the fact she could die at any time, and the way she talked to her teammates really rubbed me the wrong way. I completely understand having a goal and working toward it, but you don't have to be a complete jerk to everyone around you in the process. I loved her friends, side characters Ethel and Mary, and they were the complete saccharine-sweet opposites to Grace's abrasive personality. But more than anyone in this story, I adored Henry and was completely enveloped by his character. I loved how he latched onto Grace to protect her when she was being too stupid to protect herself. I was pained seeing his PTSD and injuries from the war, but I think knowing this as his back story helped the reader understand him and his actions.

This was a solid read with a great plot, but unfortunately that was muddied a bit by my complete distaste for Grace.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

A big thanks to Flux for early digital access to this read. Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood releases next week, on March 27th, so be sure to pick up a copy!