I did not really know that I wanted to read this book until a few days ago, when I finally truly read the summary for it. I requested it on Netgalley, and was approved yesterday. And I simply could not resist reading it right away. And eee, I'm thrilled that I did so. Because this book was all kinds of awesome. And I loved it lots.

I'm very unsure where to begin with describing it, though. I would say that it is a viking book. Which I loved a whole lot. I have not really watched any viking shows lately though, but I want to. And now I really wish to do so soon. The writing in this book was very good, and I never had any issues with that. Which was so great.

This book is told from the point of view of Eelyn. Whom is such a fierce warrior girl. She has killed so many in the fights against a different clan. Everyone in this book is a killer. And I loved that a whole lot. It was interesting to read about, though brutal as well, which I always enjoy. Eelyn was such a fierce girl to read about, and oh, how I loved her. Getting to know her was the very best. I loved her relationship with her father; it was sweet and so good to read about. Her mother is dead, and her brother has been dead for five years now too. At least that is what she thinks. Until she sees him on the battlefield in the beginning of this book. Fighting for the other side. And everything she thinks she knows get turned around. There is so much happening in this book.

And I loved every moment of it. Eee. I'm giving Sky in the Deep five stars, because I simply couldn't stop reading this book. Every scene was awesome. It's a bit heartbreaking and a little romantic and really full of violence too. I loved it all so much. I do wish that there could have been a bit more romance, because I adored this pair so much. Sigh. The romance was perfect, but I wanted more, of course. This is also very much a standalone, I think. But gosh, how I would want another book. With same characters, same world.

I'm not going to talk too much about the plot of this stunning thing, I don't think. But there are some things that I must mention. The story is about Eelyn finding out that her brother is not dead, that he has made a new life for himself, along with her enemies. She is not happy with learning this. At the same moment she learns it, they kidnap her. And so much happens to this girl. It broke my heart. And yet she was so strong, always. And I loved reading about it all so much. Not going to say more about it, just, such a good story.

There is a little bit of romance in this book too. Eee. And I loved that so much. Sigh. Eelyn and Fiske do not start the book liking each other at all. They almost kill each other. And they have so many things that make them hate each other. I enjoyed reading that a lot too. But oh, when they finally started to become friends, and then more than that, it was the sweetest thing and I loved it so much. Shipped them so much. And eee, Fiske was an incredible character. I loved getting to know this boy so much. Fierce and loving.

There are so many characters in this book. And I'm not going to mention most of them. I adored Eelyn. And her father. She also has a best friend, whom I adored too. She made me a bit angry at some points, but I also understood her. Somewhat. But ah, Eelyn's brother. Who wasn't really dead. I was angry with him. So angry. But I kind of liked him too, but I did not love him. Hmph. Such an amazing story, though. There was also this little boy that was all kinds of adorable and sweet to read about. And so many more.

I think one of the biggest reasons for why I loved this book was because of how much Eelyn changed in it. She is always fierce and amazing. But she grows to be more understanding as the book goes on. And I loved that. She has lived her whole life fighting with her people, and she has loved doing that. But in this book she spends some time with the enemy clan, and she starts feeling different about all the fighting. It takes some time, of course, but I loved how much she grew. Was interesting and amazing to read about.

There is so much that I could say about this book. I could probably just write forever and ever saying that I loved it, haha. But I'm not going to do that. There is still so much I haven't shared about everything that happens in this book. I have seen that there will be a companion book out next year, and I cannot wait for that. Hoping these characters might be in it too. Fingers crossed. Either way, I'm going to read and love it. I'm so happy with how much I loved this book. And I think that all of you will love it too. You must read it.

This book reminded me a lot of Beyond a Darkened Shore, which was also a book that I enjoyed a whole lot. But though they were similar, they were also really different. Which I'm happy about. Also just happy to love them both, so yay for that. Both are books worth reading. And oh, how I am glad that I read Sky in the Deep. It was all I had hoped that it would be and so much more. Such a stunning story and amazing characters. I couldn't get enough of this story. Huge thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley approval.

4.5 stars for Sky in the Deep 

A thoroughly entertaining, young adult book! Like many readers, I was able to read this in one sitting because the action was nonstop.

Set in a world not unlike our own Scandinavia, the plot follows Aska warrior, Eelyn, as she and her clan battle the Riki, an enemy as a result of a centuries old blood feud. Eelyn's world is turned upside down when she discovers her long-dead brother fighting alongside the Riki. In her pursuit of the truth, she is captured and enslaved by the people she has been brought up to despise. 

Eelyn begrudgingly accepts her plight until the snow thaws but she doesn't expect to find love, family and forgiveness for her brother. Effectively melting her frozen, battle-hardened heart. And in the end the two warring clans must make peace or be slaughtered by a greater enemy.

There is never a dull moment in this book and while romance is a part of the narrative it does not dominate. So if you are in the mood for badass Viking women, battlefields and a bit of romance, don't hesitate!

Oh my goodness. I don't remember the last time I was so hooked from beginning to end. It's literally nearly 3am and I've just finished this in one single sitting and that hasn't happened in years and I'm literally so in love with this someone send help.


First of all - the characters.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the strong, independent and amazing female character that Eelyn is? Seriously. She is fierce, she is strong, she is true and just absolutely brilliant. I love her to pieces. Also, a very important detail (which is probably also one of the main reasons this book made it into my favourites): our main character acted EXACTLY like you would expect her to act through the situations she faced. She didn't make silly decisions that either wouldn't have suited her character or would have had you roll your eyes, and that to me is just one of the best qualities a YA book can have. What's more, I cried several times throughout this, and I felt and thought exactly how Eelyn did from start to finish (everything from betrayal to sadness to happiness to anger to love) and I am so happy with the author for managing to create a character that could come across the way Eelyn did, and I am so proud of Eelyn's character that I'm just shaking thinking about it.

Iri, at first I felt uber betrayed by you, but then I warmed to you.

And Fiske is just 😍

And Halvard was the most adorable and loveable little creature. Can I adopt him please?

Yea, the characters were incredibly well done, and I love that Eelyn's feelings reflected my own for each one. I felt to in sync with her it nearly scared me. All the characters felt so authentic and I loved the way each one of them was and how they changed as the story progressed, and it was so easy to get to know and understand them and their motivations. The development of character was paced perfectly and was great for all of them and I can't get over it.

The plot was clever and just kept you turning pages - there was NEVER a dull moment. There was action and drama and tension and everything lush! I can't praise Adrienne's work here enough - this was a wonderfully woven plot and storyline that developed so naturally and at a reasonable pace (which is all I want in a book tbh) and didn't for a moment let your mind wander or leave you bored. The chain of events was believable and it displayed the change of hearts wonderfully.

There is romance but it's subtle and doesn't take away from the plot in the slightest. Instead it's a wonderful little addition that I think everyone will love, because it seemed so natural, you know?

This is viking-inspired, and as a Scandinavian this couldn't be more exciting for me. Why don't we have more stories like this? The world felt authentic and I recognised words, names, and the nature that was used here from Norwegian and Norway. I myself come from a town located on a fjord, and I enjoyed the depiction we got here. It reminded me of home. There's nothing better than waking up to seagulls and smelling the ocean on the wind. Seriously. And as Eelyn described her home it warmed me.

All in all I cannot rave about this enough. I'm sorry, this is a mess but I just loved this so so much. I read the synopsis and I just knew this would be my book, and I am so happy this didn't let me down. In fact, it was better than I expected. I can't wait to get a physical copy to add to my book collection. My shelves will feel empty without it there.

Nothing I say to start his review will stand up against the beginning of this novel because wow there was no room for introductions or anything else that usually leads a book, instead we are thrown right into battle and shown exactly what kind of story this was was, one filled with love, loyalty, loss and what happens when enemies have to join together to defeat someone far worse than the history between each other. 

‘Sky in the Deep’ is one of those books that plays both sides really well where on one hand you understand the fierceness of the Aska, their god and the motivations behind what they do, and like our main character we are shown over the course of this book that things really aren’t all that different with her people and their traditions, struggles and pain match that of the Riki and it’s what you choose to do with that knowledge and understanding that determines who you are. 

I loved Eelyn she was badass from start to finish and she’s one of those rare heroines where they are take no shit fighters from the start instead of being thrown into a world or conflict where they have to rise to the occasion over the course of the novel. She’s smart and scrappy and determined to honor her people and watching her go through this journey where she often battered and bruised she never had a moment where it was beneath her to show emotion as it was love more than anything drove her to fight. 

The one thing that didn’t really work for me and I’m sure I’m in the minority but I just didn’t care for the romance aspect. I don’t know if it’s because it’s almost too background to be something memorable, or if I just felt a stronger connection to her trying to worth through and rebuild a relationship with her brother. I feel like that dynamic alone would have been strong enough to play on the idea of seeing something more within the enemy than just bloodshed but again the critique is probably just held by me so it’s not too big of a deal. 

This is a strong book that I’m sad isn’t a series because I would have liked to explore more aspects of the world and the characters more, but as it stands it’s definitely one worth remembering. 

**thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Sky in the deep is an atmospheric, intense read that offers equal amounts of the fast-paced, heart-pounding scenes and slower, deeper character study. I’ve never stumbled upon a book that so perfectly delivers on a promise as this one has with the concept of YA Vikings. Not only does it live up to it’s incredible premise, but it blows all expectations out of the water with deep conversations about family, loyalty, and tradition.

Every five years, Eelyn fights alongside other Aska warriors against the neighboring Riki clansmen. These two clans, although only different in traditions and gods, have centuries of hate simmering between them. The book starts off five years after Eelyn lost her brother in one of these battles. She comes onto the battlefield eager for vengeance but gets thrown off when she sees the impossible: her brother fighting alongside the enemy clan.

She follows her brother, only to get captured by the Rikis. Eelyn is then trapped in the enemy clan, unable to escape because of the harsh winter and having to face her traitor brother everyday while hiding under the guise of a slave to her brother’s new family. During this long, brutal season, Eelyn is tested in every way imaginable: having to face the hatred and distrust of the Riki clansmen, having to swallow down her pride in the face of the enemy, having to witness and accept her brother’s betrayal.

Eelyn’s motto is ‘Honor before life’ but the trials she goes through strip down her honor, her pride and force her to see things as they truly are: The Rikis are no different to her own clan. Thrust into this new life so far from home, her heart breaks too many times to count and she begins to question everything she’s ever known, but Eelyn never loses sight of who she is and where she comes from. Instead, she learns to adapt and grow as the story progresses. As a reader, I felt her pain like a twist to my gut every time and cheered with every little success. I felt so attached to Eelyn and, by extension, the other characters she comes to care about.

Eelyn is a fierce heroine, but not in that trope-y strong-heroine type of way. She is a true warrior; she engages in a lot of fight scenes, she is unwavering in her loyalty to her clan and her family. But she also gets injured quite a lot, she makes mistakes, she breaks down and cries because she gets thrust repeatedly into difficult, heartbreaking situations. Readers get to see her vulnerable and that makes the character all the more real, and makes the book a gripping, emotional ride.

Too much blood has been spilt and the hate has festered too long for the clans to let go of this ancient rivalry, but when a common enemy threatens their very existence, the Aska and Rikis must consider the impossible feat of banding together. And Eelyn just might be key to that if she could manage to get past the blind rage and hatred.

Sky in the deep is an unflinchingly brutal book that breaks your heart and makes you ache along with its characters; makes your heart race with epic battle scenes and fight sequences; and rebuilds it piece by piece with blossoming friendships, realistic family dynamics and the most satisfying enemies-to-lovers romance.

This... this... WOW. This was SO good. I saw so many great reviews before I dove into this, so I couldn't wait longer than ... 2 minutes? before starting to read my digital ARC after learning I'd been accepted for one. I blew through this. I was reading it every second I could. And now that it's over, I am so sad that there isn't a planned sequel. Pleaaaaaaase?

I received an advanced ebook copy of SKY IN THE DEEP from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

MY THREE FAVORITE THINGS
• The romance is a slow build, but a good build. This is how enemies-to-lovers is supposed to go. I loved Fiske's character in general – he was very stiff, quiet, reserved, but the way he slowly opened himself to Eelyn was beautiful and well-done by Adrienne Young.
• Eelyn is SO fierce. I usually take serious issue with characters like Eelyn because they seem a little soulless, but she very much has a soul, and her conflict within herself as she tries to decide if her honor is more important than her life throughout the beginning of the book is SO good. She is unlike any other "badass character" I have ever read.
• The worldbuilding and storyline is SO unique from what I have read in the young adult genre. I have never read a Viking YA story, to begin with, and the blend of historical fiction and fantasy was perfect.

Usually, I go into the things I didn't like next... but nothing comes to mind. I wish there had been MORE romance between Eelyn and Fiske, and I hope there is a sequel? Do those count as complaints?

THIS WAS GREAT. Eelyn was an amazing character! I loved her, Iri, Myra, Fiske, I just loved all of them. There was lots of action and it was so well written. My favorite book so far this year!

Welp, another five star read for me. I need to dislike a book really soon before you all think I’m a huge softie! I thought that last year was an incredible reading year, but 2018 is impressing the hell out of me already! Sky in the Deep was just so incredibly beautiful and held an incredibly powerful message.

Eelyn was fierce. I mean seriously fierce. As in, if she and Aelin from Throne of Glass met in a fight, I would bet on Eelyn. The best thing about her for me was that while she was fierce and a warrior, she was not afraid to face her feelings. And man, did this girl feel during this book. Hate, anger, betrayal, love: her emotions were all over the spectrum and I was right there feeling them with her.

The romance in Sky in the Deep was beautiful. It wasn’t a focal point, but it was present and so well done. What really touched me though, was the building of other relationships. There was so much hatred at the beginning of this book and over the course of it, Young really showed how that hatred can grow and fester. It was a breathtaking novel about the importance of overcoming that hate. I feel so mushy just thinking about it, but the overall message of Sky in the Deep was so incredible and relevant in today’s day and age.

The descriptions were absolutely beautiful and I was completely transported while reading. I felt as though I was right there on the battlefield with Eelyn. My stomach dropped when she was in danger, my stomach fluttered when hers did, and I was just so completely engrossed that I barely managed to pull myself away to sleep last night and work this morning.

My Takeaway: Not only is Sky in the Deep incredibly written, it shares an important message. It contains a fierce main character and a wonderful love story. If I hadn’t known, I never would’ve expected that this was Adrienne Young’s debut novel – it was that well done.

100% pure Viking awesomeness and a crapload of feels. SO GOOD. 

I'll be honest. When I first saw the cover, I was a little worried about connecting to the heroine. I LOVE badass girls, don't get me wrong, but it seems every book is throwing us a hard heroine who wants to cut down a bunch of people and not apologize for it. Great - those stories can be fun, but often I find myself having a hard time rooting for them unless their character arc is extremely compelling. I'm particularly drawn to characters who find other means of strength and power that isn't in the form of slicing people up and being super mean, lol.

I shouldn't have been worried. This book blew my every expectation out of the water. 

In fact, I connected so deeply with Eelyn - even within the first few pages. For me, that's rare. I loved everything about her.

Eelyn is a warrior who has lost her mother and her brother due to wars with rival clans. In fact, her clan (Aska) has a standing battle with the opposing Riki clan every five years - and it was that battle that claimed her brother's life. At the beginning of the book, we're thrown right into that battle five years after she lost him. And despite kicking major ass, she finds herself face to face with a Riki warrior who injures her - except, something stops her from killing him, and she could have sworn it was her brother.

Yep, she actually sees him, despite thinking he was dead for the past five years. And he was fighting against Aska, her clan - which he would NEVER do. It leaves her wondering whether or not she hallucinated him.

I won't spoil anything else, so I'll just say what happens next results in Eelyn ending up in the hands of the rival clan. Go in blind if you can. I didn't even read the blurb before I dove in, and it made every page a mystery as to what would happen next.

I really can't rave enough. The prose was gorgeous, and Adrienne Young has a way of taking hold of your heart with her use of language. I'm just in awe. 

As usual, I'll leave you with a list of reasons you should snag this book:

-Epic battle scenes
-Vikings. Are. So. Cool. I mean, cmon. Clan wars? Yes, please.
-You'll find yourself attached to EVERY CHARACTER
-Emotional friendships
-Fantastic worldbuilding & perfect pacing
-All the feels. 
-Yes, there's a perfect smidge of romance that doesn't detract from the story - it enhances it. 
-And that romance may or may not be enemies-to-lovers - the best trope ever.
-Eelyn is the type of heroine we need more of in literature

So, my point is - read this book, and help me to convince Adrienne to write us another thousand books!

***A special thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with a gorgeous physical copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Viking age Romeo and Juliet. I was hesitant initially- what could be brought to a story of clashing peoples and dangerous love found between them that I haven't already read? A lot, apparently. 

This book starts out with an intensity that is undeniable in the way it pulls you in. I was hooked and I knew there was nothing I could do but keep reading. So I did. I read this tense and desperate story in one sitting and I am heartbroken that there isn't more! The pace slowed in all the right places only to throw you back into the churning sea of battle right when you got comfortable. 

Very often when I read about Vikings or the like, it shows them being these staunch and unreadable monoliths that exist only to fight, which in turn makes it very hard to relate to them. This showed something real. The women were strong and loyal, fighting just as well and eagerly as the men, but both showed more than callousness and ferocity. It showed that women can go to war and still find themselves afraid, and that men can feel fear and sadness despite the strength they show. It made them human. I felt for every single one of these characters and with each new fight I felt real and tangible worry about who might be lost. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. Its a beautiful work that might just be one of my new favorites.

Let me just say... I LOVE THIS BOOK! I was immediately drawn in by the fact that it was about the equivalent of a female Viking but it is so much more than that!

Eeyln's clan, the Aska, must battle a neighboring clan, the Riki, every 5 years because their gods are enemies. Eeyln sees something on the battlefield that haunts her and makes her wonder just what exactly happened to her brother, who she saw die five years ago. This story has so many layers to unfold and I loved every minute of it. Eeyln does not fall victim to the general "badass female protagonist" pitfalls. She balances physical strength, and mental strength, without ever forgetting love or forgiveness. This story deals with loss, family relationships, female friendship, found families, war, casualties of war, and love. I will say there are a few graphic descriptions of violence so if you can stomach that and think this book might appeal to you, please give it a read!! I cannot wait to buy it once it comes out in stores!! 

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I definitely agree with this 4.71 rating for Sky in the Deep. It was SO good. I loved the female warriors and the clans Adrienne Young created. Such greats lessons about enemies becoming friends and finding the good in people. Definitely give it a try when it comes in April! You won’t be disappointed.

Wow.

As soon as I read the synopsis for Sky in the Deep, I immediately knew I needed to read as soon as possible. I’m not much for standalone novels, mostly because I feel like there could be more, and I grow really attached to characters and love to see what they getbup to after the book.

This was the case, unsurprisingly, when I finished Sky in the Deep about 30 minutes ago. The ending, although perfect, did leave me wondering if there would be a sequel or spinoff – I would love to know more about other characters lives either set during or after the book.

I loved the authenticity of war and battle and the descriptions of it had a very lifelike quality to them, with vivid imagery that had me enthralled from the get-go. Young describes battle in such a way that it’s just as intense as the more relationship focused scenes. The exploration of relationships throughout this book had me clutching my phone with emotion – Evelyn is, of course, the main character with relationships with other characters but I definitely enjoyed the relationship between Inge and the boys, and Fiske and Iri.

I did get to points in the story where I saw how much left I had to read and knew so much more needed to happen, but wondered how it would all happen. I thought it would feel rushed, with unfinished characters arcs and loosely tied ends but it did nothing of that sort at all. In fact, as I read the last few pages, I took note that the entire book had been balanced in such a way that held the building of bonds and importance of culture stood out more than the revenge and feuds of history.

Adrienne Young, for a debut novel, you hit it out of the park!

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for new honest review.

I read Sky in the Deep in one day, which honestly hasn’t happened in a bit of a while. But the story… I mean I thought I would be ready when I understood that there were Vikings. I wasn’t quite prepared for how violent it would be. And how emotional. This was an intense read for me. The main character, Eelyn, is harshly treated in many scenes, particularly in the beginning, which left me confused as to how to feel about those taking her in. But once I got to the ending, I felt better about the story and how the events turned out.

Eelyn is an Aska warrior, a tribe who has fought the Riki since the beginning. Honor is above everything for her, and she fights as bravely as she can. One day in battle, she sees her brother, Iri. The brother she thought she saw dead five years ago. After following him, she is captured by the Riki. Taken in by her brother’s new family as a dyr, she learns what has become of Iri since she last saw him. And what she learns defies all of her beliefs. But living with the Riki will test her resolve and determination. When a force threatens the lives of both the Aska and Riki, Eelyn will need to fight for those she cares most for.

The culture! The beliefs! The Viking stories! I loved it. The writing is absolutely beautiful, and the world really drew me in. The history between the clans and their beliefs are very detailed, and done in such a way that I wasn’t confused or left wondering what happened to make things this way. The author did a great job of showing the similarities and differences between the Aska and Riki. I want to read more books with Vikings! When I was reading this story, I really wanted an instrumental playlist going on in the background. It’s that kind of book. The story is so intense that it should have music playing along with it.

Eelyn is incredible. She’s strong, but finds herself broken along her journey with the Riki, more emotionally than physically. She’s clever and uses whatever is available to her so she can continue to survive. I felt really emotional while reading this story because of how invested she is in her family and her beliefs. She has her tribe, and in the beginning, she does what she can to strengthen them. But when she meets the Riki, she grows to care about them as well, seeing them as more than the enemy. I could not have asked for a better main character than Eelyn.

This story really does focus on family and finding your own. Eelyn’s relationship with Iri is rough throughout most of the book, but seeing her come to terms with his decisions and learning more about her enemy was great. I don’t usually like stories where a character is thrown more or less to the wolves, but this story did a brilliant job of showing the complexity of Eelyn’s situation and the conflict of the two tribes, while also highlighting their similarities. I didn’t think the romance was big here, which I think you know I love. It took a while to build up, but you really knew about it happening about 60% through. It felt normal at that point for them to progress. For me, their relationship didn’t feel forced.

I took off one star because of how this book made me feel. I felt confused, bothered, and invested in this story. I don’t know why I felt so invested. Like if Eelyn didn’t get a good ending, it would be some kind of slight against me. What a weird way to feel about a book! But I really felt for Eelyn and how she was treated, or how she was overcoming the obstacles set against her. There were many times where I just wanted to hit everyone, and then moments where I really appreciated certain characters. I suppose I felt the same way Eelyn did. But in a way, the connection to Eelyn’s emotions made me also feel disconnected from the actual plot. Like I was so tied with the main character that I couldn’t empathize with the other people in the story. Totally could just be me, but it made me feel uneasy in certain parts.

In the end, I seriously recommend Sky in the Deep. As of now, this is intended to be a standalone, but I really hope the author revisits this world with some of the characters we meet here. This story was fast -paced and filled with action. Once I finished a chapter, I immediately started the next to see what would happen. Now I want to go read some Norse mythology. I see myself rereading Sky in the Deep again. Probably soon, if I’m honest, despite my massive TBR!

Random mention here: for my gamers, check out Jotun. It’s a PC game where you play as a Viking warrioress who was unable to die honorably, and must prove herself to the gods. The game did a brilliant job of teaching Norse mythology.

I received an ARC of Sky in the Deep from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not change my review in any way.

Sky in the Deep follows Eelyn a warrior girl that has lost her brother Iri in a past battle. He's been gone for years and she has come to terms with life without him. Then her Aska clansmen meet the Riki on the battlefield and life as Eelyn knows it. 

There were so many things in this book I enjoyed. Eelyn our main character goes through so much in this book. She gets torn down only to build herself back up again. She loses everything and survives. Everything she knows changes. And she has so much strength in her. I felt so much in this book, I cried, I became furious for Eelyn, I was happy when Eelyn was happy. The author did such a great job making me feel for the characters and fall in love with every single main character. I loved the relationships that were built between characters and how much each individual character grew throughout the book. 

The battles we read in this book are full of action and blood. The author wasn't afraid to cause some gruesome wounds and describe injuries in detail (without being too descriptive of course). There are multiple different fighting style since each character has their own preferred methods. So often I feel like authors just choose one weapon or fighting style but we have fighting with swords, dualwielding and etc.

I'm not 100% how historically accurate any of this would have been compared to the Viking era, but you can tell the author put her research in.

Upon finishing Sky in the Deep I tried to pick it apart since I feel like I rate too generously. The problem was there was not much that I could pick apart. There was one thing and it was just a teeny tiny itty bitty annoyance. My tiny grievance was that I wasn't 100% sure on the amount of time that passed during this book. How long Eelyn's wounds suggested days to MAYBE weeks, but the story begins before the freeze bit at one point we read that the weather is starting to get warmer already. That is the ONLY thing that bugged me and I really had to think to come up with it!

After finishing Sky in the Deep the only other grievance I could think of was that it was over and I already missed the characters.

If you were on the fence about reading this or adding it to your TBRs please just add it. And if you have a chance at an early copy, take it.

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've rarely appreciated stand alone fantasy books, mostly because the universe and the characters are not fully developed. But in this book it was well done. The historical elements, the family relationships and friendships captivate me. This well written page-turner blows me away. But I therefore remain unsatisfied, it did not change my mind about my problems with stand alone fantasy books.

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!