“Sky in the Deep” by Adrienne Young
Qnd eldr ... Breathe fire.
Seventeen year old warrior Eelyn fights alongside with her clansmen, the Aska, in an ancient and never-ending feud against their rival clan, the Riki. It’s a brutal but simple life: fight and survive for honor and revenge.
Then she sees the impossible on the battlefield.
Her brother fighting side by side with the enemy.
The brother she saw die five years ago.
Faced with her brother’s betrayal, Eelyn must survive the winter in the mountains with her sworn enemies. But when a vicious clan thought only to be a legend strikes the Riki village, Eelyn is forced to rely on her brother’s friend, Fiske, who sees her as a threat. Together they must do the impossible: unite the two rival clans or be slaughtered by the hands of a common enemy.
Propelled by the love of her family and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must challenge everything she once knew: her loyalty, her family, and most of all who her enemy really is.
Vegr yfir fjor ... Honor above life.
There are a lot of books I like. But there aren’t a lot of books that I truly love.
The ones that I love usually include raw characters, real and “ship” worthy relationships, good action, unique story, and strong writing.
Adrienne Young’s debut novel hits all the marks with a sharpened axe.
I had the honor of reading “Sky in the Deep” for the first time during Adrienne Young’s #BehindTheBookReadAlong. Peeping behind the scenes at the author’s process and inspiration for writing the book not only helped me as a writer but it also made the words on the page I was reading feel personal and alive. But even if I didn’t attend the read along, I believe this book would still have landed on my top favorites shelf.
“Sky in the Deep” is told from the perspective of Eelyn and holy cow you guys, she is cool. Not only is she a experienced warrior, she also has feelings. Like she cries and gets angry and loves with her whole heart AND she can kill. (Can you believe it, Hollywood? Note: this is how you write a strong female character.)
Iri, Eelyn’s brother, is a stark contrast to his sister. Where she is reckless and passionate, he is calm and open-minded. But yet, they are so alike in their fierce protection of what and who they love.
And Fiske y’all. This is a determined, courageous, and dangerous man who loves his mom and protects his little brother. What more could you ask for? FYI, if you read this story, he will become your new book boyfriend.
Each character in “Sky in the Deep” feels unbelievably real, each with a different motivation and separate ideals. Every relationship is dynamic and unique with up and downs with friction as well as undying love.
Iri and Fiske’s brotherhood (or bromance, as I call it) may be the best part of the book. Although they come from two different world views, they would literally die for each other and the love they feel for each other is so strong and precious.
The relationship between Eelyn and her brother is complicated. Even when things aren’t exactly right between them, they still love each other. It was very comforting to have such a realistic sibling relationship in a book.
Oh, I won’t spoil anything but just in case you need something to look forward to, there’s some slow-burn/enemies-to-lovers romance to die for in this book and it’s amazing. *winks awkwardly with both eyes*
Although “Sky in the Deep” can be labeled as fantasy, the setting feels more believable than typical fantasy books. Freezing fjords, snowy mountains, wide open fields of yarrow roots, and frozen-over lakes all make up the book’s beautiful atmosphere. The world-building is simple but strong because it is people-based and greatly influenced by the beliefs of the clans. Both the Aska and the Riki’s decision and choices are rooted deeply in the tradition and honor of their respective gods. Even though the clans have fought a centuries long blood feud, they do not deny the existence of the rival clan’s god and beliefs. There’s a sort of respect and honor in the midst of the hate and bloodshed of the battlefield that I found intriguing.
And don’t even get me started on the how fantastic Adrienne Young’s battle scenes are. I would be extremely blessed to even write an action scene half as good as she does. The way she writes immerses the reader into the scenes as if you are really there, really standing on the battlefield with Eelyn, really by the river with Fiske, really in the fire-warmed huts with Iri. The story is also masterfully crafted. Although the plot isn’t overly complicated like many fantasy books, the character development and emotions are very complex which keeps the stakes high and the story fast paced.
But “Sky in the Deep” isn’t just about fierce warriors, bloodied weapons, and snowy mountains. This is a brutal, bloody, and emotional story about love, forgiveness, and true family. This is one of the best coming of age stories I’ve read in a while. Being able to walk with Eelyn in her journey of discovering who she is in her world was so important to me. Eelyn is passionate. She feels so deeply without apology. Even through her anger and fear, she learns to love without abandon.
Not gonna lie, this is the Viking story I’ve been waiting for. And as a girl with Scandinavian blood in her veins, my heart was very happy. I needed to read this story. I needed to walk beside a strong Viking girl and feel deeply too. I needed to let myself be angry, be sad, be happy, to love and be loved. I needed the permission to breathe fire.
Do not be afraid to take up space or feel deep or share your passion with the world. Breathe Fire, my friends.
I give “Sky in the Deep” 5 out of 5 battle axes.
Does anyone know of any more Viking books I could get my hands on? Haha help a Norwegian girl out and send me some recs xD
Until next time!
~ K.J. Haakenson
Seventeen year old warrior Eelyn fights alongside with her clansmen, the Aska, in an ancient and never-ending feud against their rival clan, the Riki. It’s a brutal but simple life: fight and survive for honor and revenge.
Then she sees the impossible on the battlefield.
Her brother fighting side by side with the enemy.
The brother she saw die five years ago.
Faced with her brother’s betrayal, Eelyn must survive the winter in the mountains with her sworn enemies. But when a vicious clan thought only to be a legend strikes the Riki village, Eelyn is forced to rely on her brother’s friend, Fiske, who sees her as a threat. Together they must do the impossible: unite the two rival clans or be slaughtered by the hands of a common enemy.
Propelled by the love of her family and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must challenge everything she once knew: her loyalty, her family, and most of all who her enemy really is.
Vegr yfir fjor ... Honor above life.
There are a lot of books I like. But there aren’t a lot of books that I truly love.
The ones that I love usually include raw characters, real and “ship” worthy relationships, good action, unique story, and strong writing.
Adrienne Young’s debut novel hits all the marks with a sharpened axe.
I had the honor of reading “Sky in the Deep” for the first time during Adrienne Young’s #BehindTheBookReadAlong. Peeping behind the scenes at the author’s process and inspiration for writing the book not only helped me as a writer but it also made the words on the page I was reading feel personal and alive. But even if I didn’t attend the read along, I believe this book would still have landed on my top favorites shelf.
“Sky in the Deep” is told from the perspective of Eelyn and holy cow you guys, she is cool. Not only is she a experienced warrior, she also has feelings. Like she cries and gets angry and loves with her whole heart AND she can kill. (Can you believe it, Hollywood? Note: this is how you write a strong female character.)
Iri, Eelyn’s brother, is a stark contrast to his sister. Where she is reckless and passionate, he is calm and open-minded. But yet, they are so alike in their fierce protection of what and who they love.
And Fiske y’all. This is a determined, courageous, and dangerous man who loves his mom and protects his little brother. What more could you ask for? FYI, if you read this story, he will become your new book boyfriend.
Each character in “Sky in the Deep” feels unbelievably real, each with a different motivation and separate ideals. Every relationship is dynamic and unique with up and downs with friction as well as undying love.
Iri and Fiske’s brotherhood (or bromance, as I call it) may be the best part of the book. Although they come from two different world views, they would literally die for each other and the love they feel for each other is so strong and precious.
The relationship between Eelyn and her brother is complicated. Even when things aren’t exactly right between them, they still love each other. It was very comforting to have such a realistic sibling relationship in a book.
Oh, I won’t spoil anything but just in case you need something to look forward to, there’s some slow-burn/enemies-to-lovers romance to die for in this book and it’s amazing. *winks awkwardly with both eyes*
Although “Sky in the Deep” can be labeled as fantasy, the setting feels more believable than typical fantasy books. Freezing fjords, snowy mountains, wide open fields of yarrow roots, and frozen-over lakes all make up the book’s beautiful atmosphere. The world-building is simple but strong because it is people-based and greatly influenced by the beliefs of the clans. Both the Aska and the Riki’s decision and choices are rooted deeply in the tradition and honor of their respective gods. Even though the clans have fought a centuries long blood feud, they do not deny the existence of the rival clan’s god and beliefs. There’s a sort of respect and honor in the midst of the hate and bloodshed of the battlefield that I found intriguing.
And don’t even get me started on the how fantastic Adrienne Young’s battle scenes are. I would be extremely blessed to even write an action scene half as good as she does. The way she writes immerses the reader into the scenes as if you are really there, really standing on the battlefield with Eelyn, really by the river with Fiske, really in the fire-warmed huts with Iri. The story is also masterfully crafted. Although the plot isn’t overly complicated like many fantasy books, the character development and emotions are very complex which keeps the stakes high and the story fast paced.
But “Sky in the Deep” isn’t just about fierce warriors, bloodied weapons, and snowy mountains. This is a brutal, bloody, and emotional story about love, forgiveness, and true family. This is one of the best coming of age stories I’ve read in a while. Being able to walk with Eelyn in her journey of discovering who she is in her world was so important to me. Eelyn is passionate. She feels so deeply without apology. Even through her anger and fear, she learns to love without abandon.
Not gonna lie, this is the Viking story I’ve been waiting for. And as a girl with Scandinavian blood in her veins, my heart was very happy. I needed to read this story. I needed to walk beside a strong Viking girl and feel deeply too. I needed to let myself be angry, be sad, be happy, to love and be loved. I needed the permission to breathe fire.
Do not be afraid to take up space or feel deep or share your passion with the world. Breathe Fire, my friends.
I give “Sky in the Deep” 5 out of 5 battle axes.
Does anyone know of any more Viking books I could get my hands on? Haha help a Norwegian girl out and send me some recs xD
Until next time!
~ K.J. Haakenson
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