The Last Grey Sky - Natalie Scrivener

Synopsis:
There were two things that brought the world to its knees. First the colours. Then the insanity.


Review:

So I found this book on an app called Inkitt, it just attracted me instantly and I couldn't turn away. The book is all about Gwen, who is part of a camp who are trying to survive in the world that is overtaken by a disease that makes you see colour when infected. After shocks which included seeing the execution of an infected camp member and later seeing colour, she is faced with 2 choices to leave, or be put down. At first she aimed to leave and die alone away from her friends so she isn't any harm to her campmate, but after a short while she cant find it within herself to do it, that's when Ryan who she had encountered in camp finds her, begging for him to do it all over again like she had seen him do before, she begs to be put down by him because he unlike her is stronger than she is. He can't face it, she's just a child and after a short argument, they both run away together, away from the threat of death towards the hope of surviving without fear.

Like they both thought, after a while as they head towards the city where they heard a cure was being made, they both end up seeing colour and Gwen holds her guilt to infecting Ryan close to heart but he doesn't blame her at all, he knew the risk and took it anyway. The city sounds like its too good to be true but is it or not?  it's really a book to read if you want to find out if all is as it seems.

The characters were so easy to connect with, I felt the pain for Gwen as she experiences the highs and lows of her journey to surviving the new world. The highs were in fact that the colours she experience were truly beautiful. She's 17 years old and being only a year younger than me I felt like it was much easier to connect with her although I'm not living in a world like she is, but I felt like we had certain emotions and reactions to certain situations that mirrored each other.

Ryan was a great character too, he was willing to risk all for a girl he knew very little about and he didn't give it a second thought. He was a gentleman and really decent male character, he was the sort you wished were real because he seems better than half of the guys you actually know in real life.

There are so many characters that come into the story, they're all well written, well explored and each have a great part to play in the unravelling of the plot. The plot was very unique and beautiful, I was really gripped by each page. The ending blew me away really, each chapter blew me away so it all came together and blew me half the way around the world. It's definitely a book worth reading if you like adventures and action and if you're looking for something that will keep its hold on you. I really want to speak to the author and have a good old chat about it all. its a 5/5 from me with no second thought needed.

The Girl Of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave



Synopsis

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse dreams of the faraway lands her father once mapped.

When her closest friend disappears into the island’s Forgotten Territories, she volunteers to guide the search. As a cartographer’s daughter, she’s equipped with elaborate ink maps and knowledge of the stars, and is eager to navigate the island’s forgotten heart.

But the world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a legendary fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

Review:

The story takes place on the Isle of Joya, an island with a mythical past as a floating island. There is a mythical tale that everyone living on Joya knows, one that involves a girl-warrior named Arinta and a fire demon Yote.

In the present day, we come to know that the island is now divided following the arrival of a rather threatening Governor named Adori who is for the most part, for some unknown reason now the ruler of the island. You're either on the Governor' side of the island or the other side where Forgotten Territories are. Our protagonist, Isabella, lives on Adori's side. She is, unsurprisingly, best friends with Adori's daughter Lupe.

I have to admit that I adored the cover and the pages throughout the book, they were so adorable I loved them just slightly less than I did the book itself. I grew slightly attached to Lupe and Isabella as well as Pablo but somehow the connection didn't feel complete, like I was missing more information about them but I admired their strength and determination and bravery.

The relationships between characters were expressed well and as the reader you do get a real sense of the emotional links between each of them. The unconditional friendship between Isabella and Lupe was what really helped pull the story together;despite the differences in their background and upbringing, their bond goes beyond that and the two formed a strong and sweet relationship. I adored the relationship Isabella had with her Da, as I myself have a very close relationship with my dad it was very warming to find part of myself within a 13 year old character. Not only that but I loved how her love for cartography gave both of them the chance to grow closer in times of heartbreak which only strengthened their bond.

The journey that Isa goes on to find Lupe is very interesting, as it gives more of an insight into the history of the island and that's great because I wanted more of it. I think in this case as the book is aimed at a younger audience the story is contained and quicker paced which explains my reason for not having a strong connection with the characters, but l enjoyed the world so much that I wanted to explore each and every part of it.

At it's heart, this book is very much about friendship and family, it's a 4/5 from me, I just really wished the book had been written for an older audience so that it was more in depth but for what it's worth I think Kiran did a great job for the audience she aimed at with a message of loyalty, bravery and friendship as well at it being her debut.