Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig (2013)
Simplistic: lacking momentum
Book cover blurb
It’s the only crop the Empyrean government allows the people of the Heartland to grow. Cael’s tired of surviving life on the ground while the Empyrean elite drift by above in their extravagant sky flotillas. He’s sick of the mayor’s son besting Cael’s crew in the scavenging game. And he’s worried about losing Gwennie, his first mate and the love of his life.
Cael’s ready to make his own luck . . . even if it means bringing down the wrath of the Empyrean elite and changing life in the Heartland forever.
My Review
This was definitely written for a younger audience, which I knew before buying it, but I still thought it was worth a shot after reading Wanderers, which I was pleasantly surprised with. Under The Empyrean Sky is still enjoyable for a reader of any age, it has good pace, nice elements and the characters are decently filled out. But I have to admit, I constantly thought to myself, while reading, that this would have been amazing if written as an adult horror sci-fi...but that's just me.
There isn't much in the way of plot, it all feels quite static, as if we're being prepared for the next book in the series. Which is fine, if your plan was always to read all three books in the Heartland trilogy, the second and third being Blightborn and The Harvest. And if you do read this first book I’m sure you will want to read the the following installments.
Despite the gripes I have with the book it is still very enjoyable and definitely worth a read. Chuck Wendig's writing is very consistent and colourful, he painted a fantastic world. I for one am anxious to see where we go from here. And yes, I have bought the other two books in the trilogy.
My copy of this novel
Skyscape paperback edition.
Published in 2013
354 pages
ISBN 9781477816943