As a massive fan of the Vikings TV show as well as the history of the vikings in general, I was looking forward to Sky in the Deep from the moment I read its description on Goodreads, and I did not leave this book disappointed. I managed to finish it in one sitting, and am already dying to get my hands on Young's next novel.

I don't often get to read YA historical fiction/fantasy stories, so I jumped at the chance to get my hands on Sky in the Deep. Young manages to build a lush, wonderful world while following what we know of the vikings from history. The story itself had me hooked in from the very first moment with an epic battle scene to start the story off. While reading it, each chapter seems to flow into the next, leaving you wanting more until you reach the very end. It's both brutal and violent, while also managing to be a touching story about family and loyalty. I especially love the description Young includes in her fighting scenes; she never holds anything back and allows for there to be blood and gore. I don't want to say too much about the plot in fear of spoiling it, but Young does a fantastic job in pacing her story so it doesn't feel rushed, letting things occur naturally. Sky in the Deep is truly an incredible Viking inspired story that will not only make your pulse race with adrenaline, but also cause you to appreciate those you have in your life.

A badass story has to have some badass characters, and Young certainly delivers in that category. Our main character, Eelyn, is a piece of work and I absolutely love her. She is a fierce warrior who loves ferociously, and will do anything to protect those she loves. I loved how we got to see her develop throughout the story from an Aska who hates the Riki with every fiber of her being, to living and fighting amongst them. Fiske, her love interest, is the strong, silent type. He and Eelyn don't start off on the right foot, but we see them grow together, bringing out the best in one another. Young did a fantastic job in not letting the romance take over the story. Instead, the romance sneaks up on you when you least expect it, and actually adds to the story as a whole. Aside from the two main characters, there are also several other well written characters with tons of personality such as Inge, Halvard, Runa, Iri, Myra, and so many more! I can't discuss everything I loved about every single one of them without spoiling things--or making this review about five thousand pages long--but I feel I need to mention how Young doesn't skip out on the character development of any of the side characters as well. I've truly finished this book with several new favorite characters who will stay with me for years to come.

In conclusion, I give Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young four and a half out of five stars for being an exciting, action packed piece of YA historical fiction, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new book to read--but especially to anyone who enjoys the history of the vikings. I can't wait to see what else Adrienne Young comes out with in the future.

I literally don’t even know what to say right now. Sky in the Deep just absolutely blew me away! I had heard from some trusted friends how amazing it was but I still wasn’t expecting to fall in love with it the way I did.
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Eelyn, our MC, was the most badass character in the history of badass characters! I’m in awe of her strength! It seemed like no matter how many times or how hard she got knocked down, she came back up swinging. She had ironclad loyalty for her clan and a will of steel. She didn’t back down, she could look death in the eye without blinking and I loved that about her.
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Fiske, oh how I loved Fiske. Like Eelyn, he is also a complete badass! It took me a while to warm up to him, but in the end he had my heart. He was just so strong, loyal and completely unwavering in his belief of doing what’s right.
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Sky in the Deep is an action packed, gory Viking story that I imagine will be very widely loved! I dare you to read this book and not fall in love with these characters.

Link to blog that will be active on 04/10/2018 below!

Synopsis:

A lush, Viking-age inspired fantasy about loyalty, forgiveness, and the definition of family.

Seventeen-year-old Eelyn’s world is war. Raised to fight alongside her Aska clansmen in a generations-old blood feud against the Riki, her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki if she wants to make it back to the fjord after the thaw. But when she begins to see herself in the people she's been taught to hate, the world Eelyn once knew begins to crumble. And after the village is raided by a ruthless clan many believe to be a myth, Eelyn is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend who has tried more than once to kill her. Together, they must end the blood feud between their clans or watch their people be slaughtered.

Review:

I was luckily given an eARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review. So, as it will always be, this review is 100% my honest opinion. 

In general, I found this book to be very insightful. Now, here me out... It's about finding out that someone who you think is very different is actually not that different from you. And then with this new revolution, finding a way to work together and live in peace. Doesn't that sound like something that everyone could apply to their life... especially in today's world??! I think so, and I found it so refreshing.

I also, got MAJOR grounder vibes from the 100 (that may also be due to the fact that I restarted watching the show haha)!!! That isn't a bad thing though!!! I absolutely love the viking/warrior vibe.

Let's start by talking about the overall plot!

I love the whole concept of vikings and clans and how the religions of both the clans control how they see each other. I thought the religious aspect was very interesting. I don't want to give away too much, but here is the basic structure of the clans and their religion. The Aska (which is the clan that the main character, Eelyn, is from) follow and worship the god Sigr. The Riki (the Aska's opposing clan) follow and worship the goddess Thora. Every five years these opposing clans find themselves at war in honor of their deity.

The main driving force for this book is the hatred that the Aska and the Riki have for one another. I was so addicted and found myself wanting more of the Aska and Riki way of life, specifically more about the myths regarding their god and goddess.

And I could NOT get enough of badass warrior/viking women (Myra, Eelyn, Riki warriors, the Tala, etc). I loved it all.

Let's talk about the characters:

I think every single one of the characters were set up so beautifully. Each were dynamic, complicated, and easy to love.

My favorite character(s) by far had to be either Halvard or Eelyn.

Eelyn is loyal, fierce, clever, and determined. She is loyal to her family, her clan, and her friends. She overcomes beating after beating after beating in the first couple of chapters, yet is still ferocious and is able to grow as a character. I mean seriously... talk about CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

Speaking of character development, let's talk about Fiske. Fiske is the definition of an enemy when the book begins, but after you're thrust into his world and you get to see him interact with his family (Inge, Halvard, Iri, Runa, etc) you can't help but love him. He is honorable and empathetic towards others which I find admirable in a character. Especially one that is supposed to be ruthless and cruel. (He reminds me a lot of Lincoln from the 100.... I know!! Another the 100 reference haha)

Also, I want Myra to be my best friend.

Overall:

Young's writing style draws you into the story and makes you feel as though you are in the story. The intense action scenes, surprising passionate romance, and beautiful characters made this book hard to put down. Sometimes the fighting scenes were difficult to keep track of, but I didn't mind rereading a couple paragraphs because I loved the book so much anyways.

As I was reading the book I was hoping that Young would continue this story or at least this world through multiple books, however, the ending wrapped everything up BEAUTIFULLY for the characters and the world that the book is set in. I don't want anyone to touch this book because the characters got exactly what they deserved/wanted/needed and I COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE!!!

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young definitely deserves 5 out of 5 stars and nothing less!!

It has been several days since I read Sky in the Deep and I'm still wandering around in a smoky fog trying to gather my thoughts. This novel is the first ARC I have ever requested from a publisher and I was blessed/lucky enough to receive an e-ARC from Brittani at St. Martin's Press. Thank you SO much for trusting me!
This was my first read for 2018 and let me be completely honest when I say, Sky in the Deep is an amazing/brilliant/gorgeous debut novel from Adrienne Young. (Hey! We share a first name! This may have been partly what drew me to request this book, but there's no telling.) Young is a talented writer and this is not said lightly. I am incredibly picky when it comes to the books I read and own, but I could not put this down. Her writing slides oh so comfortably into the lyrical, despite the gruesome topics of war and bloodshed rife in her novel. I hungrily devoured it in a few hours after receiving it, determined to know Eelyn's fate despite my early morning alarm. I found myself rereading passages wanting to relish the beautiful and brutal prose of this Viking world Young has created. I never do this. (As in never ever.)

Sky in the Deep is not your typical YA fantasy read and honestly, I probably wouldn't read it if it was. Our main character is fierce, loyal, calculating, and smart! (Oh gosh, I love her so much.) She is broken, but inherently strong, always evolving with her circumstances. There isn't the tried and tired love triangle trope, no excessive vulgar scenes, and it's worth noting, no cursing. (This is a rant for another day, but just know, I am SO excited there's not random curse words ruining this novel.) This is not a pretty princess story, instead it's violent, heart-rending, and full of sorrow.

Sky in the Deep is not just a novel about Vikings, but rather, a poignant and prolific narrative on how we are connected.

Friendship. Sibling. Mother. Enemy. Brother. Father. Child. Sister.

I honestly don't know if I can put down in words how I feel about this novel with its rich descriptive war scenes that give way to tender heart break, tempting me to shave the side of my head and learn to throw an ax, while also reminding me of the time when my hatred turned to love. I do however, know this is one of my favourite novels I've ever read and I plan to reread it time and time again. (Fun fact, I almost started it over again right after I finished it.) I implore everyone to read this come April 2018 because I honestly need someone to obsess with. PLEASE.

(This is not given haphazardly. I have rated literally only three other books 5/5 on Goodreads. I am in LOVE.)

Adrienne Young is brilliant and I cannot wait to have the physical book IN my hands and I look forward to reading so much more from her!

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.

Young's tale of a fierce Viking girl named Eelyn who faces the challenge of her only brother's betrayal, really got to me. The reader follows the headstrong and skilled Eelyn as she grapples with the reality of a brother who she swore was dead, and the reality of years of separation. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of this story, and the care Young took in exploring their grief and transitions through life after losing (or believing they've lost) a member of their family, and emotional ramifications of learning that the things you believed to be true, aren't always.

I'm not sure if this story is a standalone or the beginning of a series. Either way, I'm excited to see what Ms. Young has in store for YA readers in the next few years.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I don't even know where to begin with this book. It's such a great read.

Eelyn is an Aska, and her clan is in a feud with the Riki. Five years ago she witnesses her brother's death during a battle with the Riki...or so she thought. During a fight against the Riki Eelyn spots her brother wearing Riki armor, and follows him though the battlefield. Eelyn is taken captive by the Riki and made a dyr. She also has to wait until Winter to try to make her escape.

This book was brutal. Eelyn is such a badass MC. The relationships between the characters are well developed and I loved how the romance was quietly simmering in background throughout the book.

The writing was beautiful. The setting and descriptions captivated me. I also appreciated that this was a stand-alone book. I find myself dreading to start a new series because then I have to finish all of the books in the series before reading a different one.

Overall, this is definitely a must-read!

SPOILERS AHEAD.
Ok, I had some trouble rating this book. I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it 3 or 4 stars. I mean, I loved the book. Absolutely loved it. It's dark and heart wrenching and brutal and magnificent. I guess maybe a high 3.5 then?
See- there is a major plot hole that I am having some trouble with.
So, long story short, our MC is a member of a clan that goes to battle with another clan every 5 years. And 5 years ago she saw her brother die in front of her eyes. But then as we start the story, the brother she thought died is actually on the battlefield fighting for the other side.
Well, as it turns out- her brother didn't die and was actually saved by the other clan, which then took him in and he found a new family there so he decided to stay.
Okay- I can accept this.
However, what I am having trouble believing is the notion that then he would return to kill members form his former clan. His friends and family members that he grew up with. I mean, his whole point that he makes clear throughout the book is "they're just like us, we're the same." He's supposedly not holding any huge grudge or hatred towards his former clan. And I understand that they are a fighting people, but I simply don't see any of this as a strong enough reason for him to turn around and 5 years later kill the people he grew up with.
I thought this was a major hole in the story and I would have liked to see this addressed in some way. Perhaps he went to defend his new soul brother, but didn't actually kill anyone? Maybe he's really just enraged at his former clan for leaving him to die? Maybe he was on the field as a healer and he has retired from fighting (although i doubt that's allowed as he's able to fight)?
In any case, I thought this was a significant plot hole and I struggled with this book at first because of that. However, once I let that kind of sit on the back burner, I found myself really enjoying this book. There's a lot more happening under the surface and the emotional turmoil the characters (all of them) go through is excruciating, in the best possible way.
This easily would have been a 5 star read had it not been for the above issue I had.

I was all about the freaking axes! I thought this book was really good! The action was great, romance was good, and the ending was perfect. I really hope this is a stand alone!

I received an ARC copy from netgalley for my honest review,  so thank you netgalley and publishers for offering me this book! ♡
This story is about a young warrior who finds out that her dead brother is alive and living with the enemy. When she is captured by him and his friend, they take her to their village and make her a a slave, in order to protect her identity.
This was my first book by this author,  I enjoyed it, It was fast paced for the most part but at times it felt slow and just alltogether an easy read. ♡ I give this book a 4.5 star rating!

Content Warning: abuse, animal death, heavy violence, torture - please be aware before reading!

I was beyond prepared for this book, from its dazzling cover to the tremendous praise it got from well-known authors. While I really enjoyed SKY IN THE DEEP, it reads more of a lighter YA fantasy than anything. It’s very easy to get swept up with the characters’ emotions, and the heavy focus on family is really refreshing. The story, with its lack of world-building and loose plot, is very character-orientated as we explore the growth of Eelyn and eventually fall in love with all the characters. It’s a very fun debut, and no doubt one that fantasy readers will easily love!

The story begins with war. While the writing may seem clunky at first, once I got into the flow it became easier to follow. Eelyn, who tells this story from her first person POV, is a warrior in the Aska clan and grew up learning to hate and fight the Riki clan. The rivalry between these clans is steeped in legends of the respective gods they worship, Thora for the Riki and Sigr for the Aska, and how their battle carried on with their people. Every five years they meet to fight to the death, and in between these battle years they survive and prepare for more war. While I’m not familiar with the history of Vikings, which this book is inspired by, the simplicity of the whole antagony between the two clans was confounding at first. But it also brought for an easy-to-follow plot that lent its focus more to characters, so I ultimately didn’t mind it.

“Our hatred of the Riki was written onto our bones. Breathed into us by Sigr. What had started as a quarrel between the gods turned into the hunger for revenge - a blood feud. Every five years, we lost those we loved.”

In the first couple of chapters, Eelyn finds her brother Iri fighting on the Riki side, against their clansmen. She’s hurt and confused, because she thought he died five years ago on the battlefield. However, she finds herself captured by the Riki when she tries to follow him and brought back to his Riki clan to serve. Her anger and feelings of betrayal were so easily to identify with in the beginning. I really felt my heart go towards Eelyn as she refused to understand why her brother would forsake his clan after a near-death experience, and treat the enemy like family. The more she spends time with the Riki, however, the more she opens her heart to them and realize that while different, they’re very much the same.

“Because thinking we were the same made too many things possible. It made paths fork where they didn’t before. It was terrifying. ‘Are we still enemies? You and I?’
‘No.” He answered, simply.”

This similarity is even more highlighted when the Riki and Aska fall because of a common enemy, the Hejia clansmen. Again, not much detail is given with this aspect of the plot. The major importance is the fact that Eelyn must somehow unite the Riki and Aska to fight against the Hejia despite their animosity towards each other. While the plot itself is really, very basic, and the world-building along the same lines, there is no denying the frosty atmosphere that Young successfully writes. Readers can feel the cold seep through their bones as the story follows Eelyn when the ice first forms and she’s taken away from her home beside the ocean to the mountains.

Eelyn is a very flawed warrior with grief in her heart and battle in her soul. But throughout the story, we can see her opening a bit more. She finds that her initial hatred towards the Riki may not be warranted as they have similar rituals as the Aska, and the evidence of love. I also really enjoyed the relationships and encounters she was with Riki and Aska alike. Her love towards her father was super heartwarming, and the torn relationship she has with her brother heartaching. She vacillates between wanting to love the brother she knew and hating the new one she sees. Despite it all, she can’t help liking the Riki family that brought him in.

The romance that develops is good BECAUSE of its subtly. In fact, more romance-orientated readers may probably want for more, but I thought that the light development was very fitting for the action and emotion of the story. It is evident in the last three-fourths of the story and woven easily with the rest of the plot rather than seen as a hindrance, despite the forbidden romance bent it takes. It also seems quite natural with the way the story progresses and how the characters grow, so I for one am quite satisfied with that front.

I wouldn’t quite call the world-building lacking, but rather unnecessary to the story. The progression of the character development really made the day, even while the simple plot kept the action going. I really enjoyed Eelyn’s character and am very happy that this is a stand-alone, with a conclusive ending that could leave room for more. (In fact, there’s a companion sequel coming in 2019, and I have a guess on whose book it is!) Overall, SKY IN THE DEEP is about the love of family, and the love of people beyond blood relationship. You don’t need to be someone’s brother or sister to know how to love them as one. There was fantastic action, incredible characters that you really grow to love, and heartfelt relationships that make SKY IN THE DEEP a hit. Fantasy readers must definitely pick up this historical fantasy!

“We were warriors. And she was willing to fight for me the way I was willing to fight for her. Nothing would ever change that.”

4.5 Stars

I will begin this review by saying that I read this book in one sitting, no dinner cooked, no homework done, no sleep gotten. So, be prepared when you open this novel up to be completely useless for 4 – 5 hours. Sky in the Deep completely blew me away.

Sky in the Deep is a novel about a young warrior who finds out that her dead brother is alive and living with the enemy. When she is captured by him and his friend, they take her to their village and make her a dyr (a slave), in order to protect her identity. It is a book of self discovery, understanding, love, family and conflict. Young is clearly a very talented writer who can delve deep into the human psyche in what seems like a very simple, clear way. Her writing is not complex, it is fast paced, to the point and concise. However, every word carries a meaning, every glance a deeper thought, ever action means something.

I absolutely adored the book. If you are looking for a good read, full of emotions, self discovery, strong female characters, love and fights – read this book! You will love it!

This book is YA Vikings.

It is brutal.

It is violent.

It is unflinching.

And I loved every second of it.

From the very first pages, you get a very clear understanding that there will be no holding back in terms of the warring families.

”Vegr Yfir Fjor.”

Honor Before Life is the Aska way and Eelyn is part of the Aska clan. Her father is leader and she stands alongside him and the other clan members each fighting season when the Aska and Riki find themselves at war.

Five years ago she watched her brother die during the battles, but she sees the impossible…. Iri fighting against his own people wearing the battle colors of the Riki. It can’t be true and her father is sure it’s just his spirit blessing her with his presence, but when she sees him again at the next battle, she can’t resist following to make sure.

Eelyn finds herself trapped though and taken captive by the Riki who is fighting with her brother, Fiske and made a dyr… and with winter forcing her to endure the season in the Riki village and the betrayal of her brother, as a slave, she’s determined to get back to her father and forget the brother who has forgotten her and the family he should be fighting for.

I absolutely love complicated characters and this book has them in spades. From Eelyn to Fiske, from Iri to Inge and Myra I just loved getting to know them all and see their growth from beginning to end. Seeing the hate and anger between the warring clans at the beginning and fighting a fight that almost seems to be happening just because it always has, to the point when they realize they finally have a common enemy and the realizations along the way that though they may pray to different gods, they actually have very few differences was just amazing. Eelyn is fierce and strong and clever and Fiske is … Fiske comes across as the strong silent type. He watches, he learns… and he kicks ass when he needs to.

I loved Young’s writing style. With intense action scenes and lush, beautiful prose, she had me turning pages until I was forced to stop. The romance will sneak up on you in the best of ways and it is lovely, and sweet and just perfection.

Ultimately this is a story about family and loyalty and forgiveness and you will be knocked off your feet at how incredibly Adrienne Young tells it.

I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

This book is so good. Like "stay up way too late because I can't stop reading" good.

This book was metal.<br>
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My expectations going in were that <i>Sky in the Deep</i> was going to be a cookie-cutter YA. The cover, frankly, is awesome. The contents, though? Probably just gonna be typical, right? She's gonna get captured by the enemy clan, life as a viking thrall, escape attempts, yadda yadda, then she's going to fall in looooooooooove with one of the enemy warriors, right? I expected to feel maybe 2 and a half emotions.<br>
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Instead, this book is about a SIBLING BOND and SIBLING BETRAYAL AND LOYALTY which is actually the only thing I have ever cared about in my LIFE. When Fiske said, "he's <i>my</i> brother" -- the sheer jealous, territorial rage oh my gosh. Why am I so invested in this? I feel like I should shut this line of discussion down before it becomes too exposing, but anyway -- I cared. I cared a lot. Eelyn's deep love and longing for her brother combined with her bitter anger at his "betrayal" stabbed me in the face instantly, and I was 100% invested.<br>
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The plot was good, intense and with an ending that changed the compelling-yet-horrifyingly-brutal world for the better. More importantly, though... some books spend so much time trying to convince you that their heroine is so tough, and strong, and ruthless, but never really deliver on anything. <i>Sky in the Deep</i> does the opposite of that.<br>
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Eelyn is a warrior, but the book doesn't obsessively try to make you believe that she is one -- she just is one. She thinks repetitively about killing people while in captivity, but it doesn't feel fake and forced because she delivers on that both beforehand, and later on. <i>Sky in the Deep</i> doesn't have to <i>tell</i> you that Eelyn is ruthless, because you get to watch her rip a guy's eye out of his head with her fingers. (I said it was metal.) This is a style and quality of characterization from which the vast majority of YA could learn a thing or two.<br>
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And okay, she does fall in love with some enemy warrior, but it's the good, understated kind of <i>Blue Sword</i> romance and completely tolerable.<br>
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The one thing that would have earned <i>Sky in the Deep</i> the final missing star was if it had resolved everything between Eelyn and Iri. The ending was realistic and bittersweet with hope enough, but I <i>need that catharsis</i>.

Sky in the Deep had some qualities that worked for me and others that didn't. I liked the characters for the most part and thought they had some solid development. The author didn't force the romance or brush over the conflict between the two clans just so that Eelyn and Fiske could get together. I do feel like this book focuses primarily on the romance plotline, however, and didn't quite deliver the "lush, vivid world" that the description claims it will.

This is a fantastic, stand-alone fantasy debut. There are wonderful, complex family relationships and friendships. Totally badass fighting sequences, balanced with thoughtful character development. I loved it!

The first half of the book was well done--I liked the pace, the developing relationships between the characters, and where it was headed. The second half, however, felt too rushed and underdeveloped for my liking. The main antagonist was hardly present in the book and dealt with all too easily, giving the ending an impression of how everything, in the end, goes happily. Which definitely isn't a bad thing! But it was way too cut and dry and I felt none of the excitement or danger in any of the scenes.

Thank you, Netgalley and Wednesday Books, for the opportunity to read and review this book. My views are entirely my own.

I cannot gush over this book enough! Sky in the Deep is breathless, vivid, and badass, with a heroine you'll at once want to scream at and for. Debut Adrienne Young has created a book you'll never want to leave, with characters you'll instantly love.

Step into a Viking-inspired world, fully-realized and beautiful, heart breaking and wonderful. Here, Eelyn is a young woman of war, having spent her entire life fighting with and for her people, having felt the sharp pain of war and has emerged the most hardened warrior. After years of honing her body into a weapon, her heart and mind into unforgiving stone, Eelyn mirrors the unyielding surroundings and people of Aska. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers her brother - a brother she watched die on the battlefield - fighting alongside her enemies, the ruthless Riki.

The writing in this debut is beautiful and confident, the characters fully realized and unique. Young has proved herself a confident and adept writer, and has easily become one of my must-buy authors. Fans of Renee Ahdieh’s lushly painted world in The Wrath and the Dawn and the badass, self-sufficient heroine of Marie Rutkoski's Winner's Series will love this book!