Updraft

A very interesting book that is an alegory against segregation and blind obedience to tradition, yet let down by very flat description. I felt no real connection to the main character, despite her being an extremely admirable and sympathetic protagonist on paper. I find it hard to make it through agdmirablnd novel if I can't connect to the main character. So despite this book ticking all the boxes, I was left trying to decide whether to give this two stars or three.

Kirit lives in a city of towers made out of bone. She is about to earn her wings and be able to fly around the city like her mother who is a trader. The city is high in the clouds but there is danger in the clouds as well. Creatures they call sky mouths attack and eat whoever is in their path. The Singers keep these sky mouths away from the towers. They are the ultimate law in this city granting requests and dealing with lawbreakers.

I listened to this as an audiobook but also whisper synced with the Kindle edition. The narrator was excellent and kept me very clear as to who was who.

I had a hard time putting this book down and cannot wait until the next one. It is considered a young adult novel and while it is a really good story for a younger reader aka no sex, no kissing etc. it is an excellent story to get lost in. World building is strong and there is no dumbing down in this story. I'm sure this is going to be a best seller before long.

This book came with a YA label, which admittedly biases me against it slightly, but I will say I enjoyed it a lot more than I usually do YA. The setting is extremely unique and there's a great steampunk vibe without actually being steampunk. The characters live in towers made of living bone that grow with the city. They fly on manufactured wings to get from place to place, living under the traditions of a central Spire controlled by the mysterious Singers. The city is terrorized by monsters called Skymouths, tentacled horrors, invisible until their maws open way too close to you. I feel like the story would do very well as a Ran Murata style anime.

As a novel, it's quick and not terribly challenging. The characters are good or bad, the plot unfolds about as you would expect it, and our hero follows the typical journey. The beauty is all in the setting and culture Wilde creates, but not enough in the storytelling for it to be one of my favorites. It was a fun deviation from my usual comfort zone, though, and one I'd recommend to people who enjoy the YA structure.

DNF - PG 201

Why?

Because I just don't have the energy to force my way through a story I'm not enjoying for the few moments I do like. Kirit is a self-centered brat, the world building makes no logical sense and is plain stupid. I find it hard to believe any society like this would/could survive. I gave it more of a chance than I ever expected to, but I've finally had enough. (Not to mention that it's a bit dystopian, which is certainly not my genre.)