Book Review: Sky’s End (Above the Black, #1) by Gregson
First off, wow. When I first laid eyes on that viral video of Gregson revealing the cover of Sky’s End to his middle school students, I was instantly hooked. The excitement in the classroom was palpable, and hearing his publishing story made me root for him even more. The comparisons to Attack on Titan and The Hunger Games—two personal favorites—had me counting down the days until I could dive in. So when I got approved for an ARC on NetGalley, it felt like a little gift from the literary gods. I went in completely blind, and let me tell you, I was blown away time and time again.
In this first installment of the Above the Black trilogy, Gregson crafts an exhilarating overview that feels at once nostalgic and exhilaratingly fresh. Picture this: a world where political intrigue collides with epic battles, all under the watchful gaze of giant metal flying beasts. I found myself hooked not just by the plot, but by the sheer intensity of the characters. Each one is rendered with depth and authenticity, going through tumultuous arcs that left me gasping more than once.
The pacing is spot on; the kind that kept me turning the pages while my heart raced. I couldn’t help but hold my breath during some of the hair-raising twists, several of which I never saw coming. There’s something to be said about a story that can manage to surprise a seasoned reader, and Gregson does it with aplomb.
What struck me most was the vivid imagery he conjures. The Skylands, the imposing ships, and the gargantuans felt alive in my mind. Each scene is painted with a richness that makes you feel like you’re not just reading the story, but living it. It drew me back to the golden era of YA in the 2010s—a time that is both comforting and wildly exciting.
And for anyone curious about the writing style, let me just say it balances complexity with readability beautifully. It hooks you in but doesn’t dumb things down. You feel engaged intellectually, while still enjoying the whirlwind of adventure. I found myself laughing, holding my breath, and even tearing up at various points. It’s a testament to Gregson’s ability to create a world that feels both familiar and new.
For those of you who share my love for political intrigue, found family narratives, and those heart-pounding, epic battle scenes, Sky’s End is a must-read. It captures the essence of what we loved about YA in the past without feeling repetitive or recycled. Instead, it’s a fresh new take that promises to engage both veterans of the genre and newcomers alike.
As I closed the final page, I couldn’t help but feel that sense of excitement that comes from knowing there’s more to come. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book in this trilogy! Mark your calendars, folks—Sky’s End hits shelves on January 2nd, 2024, and trust me, you’re going to want to be among the first to read it. Thank you, NetGalley and Peachtree Teen, for this electrifying sneak peek; it has made me a lifelong Gregson fan!
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