5 Stars: Incredible
Series: Sky Chasers #1
Hardback: 307 Pages
Publication: September 13, 2011 by St. Martin’s Griffin
What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you’d been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?
Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth’s collapse, the ship’s crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader’s efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don’t know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them…
Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.
But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren’t all from the outside.
Kieran and Waverly are two strong, admirable characters. Kieran is an amiable, good-looking boy while Waverly is a headstrong, independent girl. If the Empyrean hadn’t been attacked, they would have been two strong leaders for their generation. As it is, they must struggle to survive on their own with Waverly looking for opportunities to free the girls from the New Horizon and Kieran fighting to gain control over the boys on the Empyrean.
A fast-paced novel, Glow had me switching my sympathies constantly with its many, many twists and turns. The story is told alternatively from Kieran and Waverly’s perspectives, and as is bound to happen, the two form their respective opinions about the people around them. I found myself hating a person one minute and finding him or her decent the next. One problem that I’ve noticed with novels incorporating multiple points of view is the lack of sufficient details, but Amy doesn’t have this problem. You really get to know both Kieran and Waverly and the problems that they face.
For a YA novel, Glow is dark, very dark. I can’t count the number of times that I despaired over Kieran and Waverly’s situations. With every victory gained, a high price is paid, and even the ending left me wondering if the children will reach New Earth with their sanity intact… if they ever make it. Out of all the potential conclusions I came up with, I never saw the ending coming. If it weren’t for the alternating perspectives, I would have thought that the next problem for the children would be making it to New Earth by themselves. However, it seems as though they still have some issues to resolve before they get there….
Glow is a sci-fi/fantasy / adventure / dystopian novel that is not to be missed. Glow will be published on September 27th 2011 by St. Martin’s Griffin, and I’m already anticipating the sequel!
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An ARC was provided by the publisher for review purposes
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Roxana Zuziac says
I want this book so much…and you made me want it more. Why do people do this to me? :))
Thank you for the review!
FireStarBooks says
I just bought the audiobook for this! I cannot wait! I am a BIG fan of sci-fi! Hoping that I will love it as much as you <3
Lisa Richards/alterlisa says
This one is on it's way to me at this time and can't wait to dig in.
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http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
The Happy Booker says
I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi, but I did really enjoy Across the Universe and I think I may like Glow as well. Especially since you say it is very dark which is always my favorite kind of book to read. Great review!
Donna @ The Happy Booker
IdentitySeeker says
Every review that I've read for this book so far has made me imagine that it's very similar to Across the Universe by Beth Revis. However, this review did not give me that impression, especially since this was the first review I've read that mentioned that it is very dark for a YA novel. Great review!
Sarah @ Random Thoughts of a Confused Adolescent