Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, YA Fiction, Science-Fiction, Japanese Mythology and Folklore
Key Stage: Year 8+
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin (2022)
Plot: Rebel Skies is the first book in the trilogy by Ann Sei Lin. This adventurous fantasy follows Kurara, whose power to form paper is treasured all throughout Mikoshima, especially by the spoilt Princess Tsukimi. Once she is free, she sets off onto the Ohirime and lives life as a shikigami hunter and is taught to control her powers by the stern yet wise, Himura.
But are these mythical creatures just slaves made to bide to their masters’ orders? Or do they have feelings, dreams and have their own souls? Can Kurara be the one to help them find their voice and change the course of the empire?
Likes and dislikes: Honestly, this book was one that had me quite confused at first, it was one quite hard to follow and understand (mainly in the beginning). I had to constantly turn back to the glossary to just understand a word and reread sentences over and over to process what had occurred. But towards the middle, once I had gotten used to and familiarised the words, I was captivated and engrossed by the story so much that I read the last 150 pages in one night. The turning point will be very unpredictable to many readers- for me, I realised last minute, and all the information had added up. The inclusion of the Japanese mythology, culture and folklore was great particularly for me (having some sort of obsession with anything East-Asian related) and I need to find more books like this. And what I had loved specifically was that this was a type book which I had never encountered in my life. Nothing can be compared to this mix of cultural Japanese folklore and a sprinkle of magic. Undoubtably, I think this one of the best and first books that have been read in 2024 and I am excited to read the next in the series.
Who I would recommend this to and what to read next: I would definitely recommend this book to basically everyone this year and forth. Especially to those who love fantasy and adventure but without the romance and the spice- it’s quite hard to find one book without it these days. But luckily Ann Sei Lin has released the second book in the series: Rebel Fire. I would recommend this to be read after Rebel Skies as the books are connected. A few others I would recommend would be the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson series as they are both fantasy and adventure based in a magical world.
Reviewer: Yaminah, Year 9