Kaufman and Spooner make magic AGAIN. This book combines fantasy and sci-fi and I couldn't be happier.

I've had a really hard time sitting down to read this year because *waves hands around at 2020* of all this, but that wasn't a problem with The Other Side of the Sky. The problem was me staying up way too late several nights in a row and being tired at work the next day. Man, that was an excellent problem. The way they take 2 characters from very different worlds and have them interact and learn and survive was frustrating at times because of how real it was. The disbelief and confusion and misunderstandings were so relatable and frustrating that it made me want to reach into the book and shake the characters until they saw sense. I wouldn't have wanted them to be any other way though, since this is exactly what made them feel so real. And what made the pay-off soooo worth it.

'"I'm still here with you," I murmur. The words are soft, but they're enough to make her focus on my face again. "I'm real. And you've taught me to believe, Nimh. In things I can't see or touch. But more than anything, I believe in you. And I'm real."'

I had a feeling I knew where this story would end, and I was partially right, but knowing something is so different from seeing it executed so perfectly on the page that it makes your heart explode.

I definitely connected more with North, because his position is significantly more relatable: coming from a society based on science, but not knowing exactly how everything works, being dropped into a society where everything works by magic and living gods. I would have a difficult time adjusting to that and not questioning everything too. But Nimh is pretty much what you expect from someone raised to be a humble god personified, and would be the kind of person I would follow.

'She's like a torch in the darkness, pushing away the fears and horrors of the night.'

And we can't forget the bindle cat! Showing up and leaving at his own whims, it is good to know cats in this world do not allow stupid humans to boss them around.

I am usually a character-driven reader, and these characters are awesome, but the world is just AMAZING. So complex and beautifully described that I felt like I was there. (This was enhanced when I went outside, because the river-sea is just as humid as Florida in the summer apparently.) Overall, if you loved Kaufman and Spooner's These Broken Stars (Which is just, gah, SO GOOD), then this is right up your alley.

Now, if someone can get me some magic or device that could send the sequel back in time into my greedy little hands, I would be very grateful.

This book – just wow! Loved it! I’m a fan of Kaufman’s Illuminae series, but I hadn’t read anything of Spooner’s before. I rarely give books 5 stars, most area solid 3 for me – enjoyable but they don’t stand out. Doesn’t mean I won’t recommend them, but it takes a lot for me to give a book more than that.

This book blends science fiction and fantasy perfectly! As a fan of both genres I love seeing how science and magic existed in the same world and how the characters reacted to each. While the setting of this book definitely leans more into the fantasy (where the book takes places), I think science fiction fans will definitely enjoy it and relate to North’s experience. (Also – let us take a moment to appreciate and chuckle at the name North for the significance in the book). Not to mention the set up for book two will be the opposite – based more in the science fiction part of the world. I also loved the exploration of faith and religion throughout the book.

The world building, the writing, the plot – ALL of this book was amazing and I will be singing its praises and handing it out all the time at the library. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

First of all, that ending!! I don't know how I'm going to survive not knowing what happens! As a fan of Amie Kaufmann and Meagan Spooner's previous joint effort, the Starbound trilogy, I went into this with a vague idea of the plot and the certainty that I'd love it and I was right. This is a star-crossed lovers story with an interesting premise - North and Nimh are literally from different worlds. I was invested in their story from the start and my heart was alight with every twist and turn. I've already ordered copies for my library and I can't wait to recommend it to my patrons!

<I>I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review.</I>

The Other Side of the Sky is a captivating, fast paced, action packed story that drew me in from the very first page. Team Kaufman and Spooner have yet again managed to build a unique world with relatable and very likable characters. I eagerly anticipate the next installment.

Prince North is from a series of islands suspended in the sky with the use of a technology that none of his people understands anymore. As with most royalty, North fights the constraints his mothers have imposed on him. With the help of his friends, North sneaks out and participates in races with a glider he built from scratch. During one of his flights, North's glider malfunctions, sending him over the edge of his world and crashing to the planet below.

Nimhara is a living goddess residing in a temple on the planet below North's islands in the sky. Her people appear to be much more primitive, using magic, telling prophesies, and worshiping divinity. Nimhara believes that someday a star will fall from the sky bringing forth the end of her current society so that they may all be reborn into a better world. Could North be that star?

Prince North has spent his entire life in the sky. He lives in a city that is suspended high in the air by engines whose science has long been forgotten. Nimh lives on the surface and is the living goddess to her people. It has been 10 years since she was chosen and she still doesn’t know what her role will be to her people. North and Nimh are linked through a prophecy that is hard to interpret. They can’t deny that there is a connection between them, but since no one can touch Nimh (without her losing her powers) they are pulled between saving their people or following this connection. Will these two young people be able to unravel the prophecy in time?

The Other Side of the Sky is the first book in a series with the same title. The story is told in alternating voices, but I didn’t have any trouble following along with the transitions. There is action and adventure in this sci-fi fantasy and readers will also enjoy a little bit of romance thrown in. Since this is the first book in a series, there are a lot of unanswered questions, yet readers will still finish the book feeling satisfied with this portion of the story. Kaufman and Spooner weaved their styles together in a smooth way and readers won’t even notice two different authors. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next installment to be released.

I never knew I need a sci-fi/fantasy crossover but after reading this, I need them ALL. Nimh and North quickly became two of my favorite characters ever. The setting was gorgeous and the idea of mixing future and fantasy was everything. I can’t wait to see what happens next and my only qualm is having to wait for it.

This was a fun YA story with a cute and sweet boy who made me wanna reach in and hug. In fact, both characters are in desperate need a good long hug.

I felt so bad for Nimh throughout this book. Can you imagine never being able to feel the touch of another person? She broke my heart. The life she lived, the rules she followed, would break anyone but she kept going. Such a strong girl for such a young age.

I really need to know what happens in the next one!

This is my first Amie and Meagan book and it was different than I expected. I definitely liked this story but I found myself skimming a bit and that surprised me. That said, I’m still very intrigued and will definitely read the next book.

Kaufman and Spooner have done it again! I had no idea what I was getting into when I started the book; I hadn't read a blurb or description. I just saw their names and said "sign me up!" After These Broken Stars series, they could write about a blade of grass growing, and I'd read it.

Now, I have a soft spot for a mixture of sci-fi and fantasy (see my obsession with Veronica Roth's Carve the Mark series), and to my utter delight, The Other Side of the Sky was filled with a boy from the sky where technology reigns, and a girl down below who is a living goddess. Rejoice!

I had only two main complaints, and one was that Nihm's main restriction surrounding her being a living goddess. It just didn't sit well with me (especially given how young she was selected as a goddess), but I will admit, did create conflict and introspection in the story. The other "issue" was that I felt the ending was too rushed.

That being said, these will not stop me from re-reading this, or picking up the next in the series.

Review will be posted to Alisoninbookland.com on 8/31. Already posted to Goodreads. Will cross post to Amazon when able.

I quite enjoyed the blend of fantasy with science fiction. I particularly enjoyed the ongoing discussions of what is magic vs what is science. So many YA books walk that very weird line of science fiction and fantasy. So what exactly makes it one or the other? [There’s no real answer but the closest we came is: science, you can explain; magic, you can’t.]

The story is just a delightful blend of so many things I enjoy in books: a chosen one forced into a situation not of their choosing; a world of technology vs a different and perhaps more primitive world; fate, destiny, & prophecy; an isolated person (royal figure or religious figure) finally meeting someone who truly knows and understands their struggle. The story really explores those ideas in a wonderful way.

Amie and Meagan sure know how to write a story. I quickly grew to love & care for North and Nimh. I understood their struggles and cheered for them even though that meant some opposition to the other party. There’s no way for them both to win.

The story is perfectly plotted. Each side of the story kept moving along at a great pace. I didn’t grow bored or annoyed at having to switch perspectives. The revelations towards the end were a great way to elevate the stakes in a way I hadn’t seen coming.

Even though the story was pitched as a forbidden romance, I didn’t find the romance to be overbearing as a non-romance fan. Sure, there’s some tension between our leads but nothing over the top or ridiculous. It’s realistic & relatable. North & Nimh found someone who truly understand their struggle. Who wouldn’t want to hold on to that?

The bottom line? Delightful read. Don’t let the romance keep you away if it’s not your thing

The Other Side of the Sky is a wonderful beginning to a new Scifi/fantasy duology. The story follows Nimh, a living Goddess from Below and North, a prince from the floating cloud islands of Alciel. Neither one of them has any idea that the other society even exists .One world is technologically advanced, while the other is based in magic and prophecy. The world building of Alciel and Below is so well envisioned, it is easy to imagine how each developed along their own paths. When North and Nimh's worlds collide, you understand that each person and society will be forever changed. As a living Goddess, Nimh cannot ever be touched, yet she and North are drawn to each other. The romance between two people who cannot touch is just heartbreaking and beautifully written, and you pull for them to be able to find a way. The tension that builds and the unforeseen twists as North and Nimh navigate this new world make this a fabulous read and am very much looking forward to finding out what happens next!!

** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This blew me away! I was so intrigued by the idea of a city in the sky full of electronics and technology vs. a world below full of magic and intense belief in the divine world. Nimh was so fun to read and understand, but North was my favorite character in this book. He struggled to just blindly trust this world that he had fallen into, but found himself drawn into it every time something unexplained happened. North and Nimh's relationship was also fun to read. They meshed so well together and the storytelling of the book made it even better! I found myself speeding through the last 50% of the book needing to know what happened. I was so invested that I couldn't believe that it ended! And what an ending it was. The next book is going to be great and I can't wait to share this fantasy romance with others.

These two authors are two of the best I have ever read. I loved this book. The plot, the characters,the style were all amazing. Characters are well developed and you can really get into the story. You want to know what happens next. You have to know how it goes. So so so so good. Highly recommend to everyone.

These authors create unique sci-fi/fantasy worlds like I've never read or seen before. It takes a lot to surprise me with new fantasy because I read it so much, but this book definitely did. The story is set with two worlds that were unaware of one another until our main characters met after a glider crashed from the sky. The world in the sky uses technology and follows their queen, while the world Below uses magic and follows their Divine One. This world was beautiful, fused with magic and technology and mythology in ways that played off each other in contrast and comparison so well. The characters represent their worlds and are forced to defend their beliefs or change their views in the face of so much new information revealed during their time together. Their quest to unite the worlds shows differing intentions that eventually collide. Along the way they face treacherous terrain, beasts, traitors, secrets, and prophecy. Their relationship with one another is one of my favorite couples in YA because of how they navigate their own identity and their relationship together with what the world wants them to be. The villains are the perfect kind who think they are the real chosen ones who seek a different future for these worlds. It was an ambitious story to craft but these authors created a complex world, populated it with complex characters, and then had a story full of mystery, hope, and finding one's identity. So many important conversations happen in the book that I hope readers take with them out of this fantasy world and into their real one. This amazing story, plus that cliff hanger ending have me wanting to read the next one as soon as possible!

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. Thank you!

The Other Side of the Sky is an absolute must read! I was immediately drawn to the book because of that gorgeous cover, but the story itself was so intriguing. The book follows two characters from vastly different worlds (that coexist). Though the people in each world are hugely different, the authors deftly capture points of view on contesting ideas within the story. North, the prince from the skies, comes from a land of advanced technology and science. An accomplished pilot, he crashes down to a post-apocalyptic earth that is shrouded in magic, and there he meets Nimhara, or Nimh.

Nimh is an amazing, strong character thrust into her position as a child, raised and constantly watched by those with dubious intentions, as well as hunted by those who feel threatened or just don't believe in her, a living Goddess, the carrier of the last piece of divinity on Earth.

As Nimhara's divinity and life are threatened, she learns to work together with North, who learns to trust Nimh (after an initial break). Their emotions are perfectly captured in some fabulous scenes, that all seem to happen to quickly, but are just right to fit in to those gaps in Nimh's heart.

The complete writing of the two perspectives of Nimh and North are perfectly captured by the authors. In a world without magic, how would one react to being thrust in to what seems like the past, where old legends are alive? Kaufman and Spooner so elegantly and effortlessly convey these feelings and internal struggles (from both characters), and have woven together an amazing journey of two young people dedicated to their beliefs. It's hard, at times, to see Nimh and North butt heads, but that is the reality. What would you give up to save the people you love and how much are you willing are you to pay?

The best part of this book is the internal struggle within each character (but mostly Nimh). Her beliefs are so strong and make up so much of her. Her feelings just become a huge part of her power and seeing it all realized is truly amazing. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I CANNOT WAIT to read what happens next. 5 stars.