If you enjoy Miyazaki films (Howls Moving Castle, Spirited away, etc), then this UKYA fantasy debut is a book to read. There is a wonderful whimsy and magic to the world - floating cities, skyships, origami-based magic and monsters made of paper. A world can do so much to create tone and really managed it here - it really did feel like floating through one of the Miyazaki films where all these ideas you might not think to combine come together so well.

The story itself is a mix of quests accidentally knocked off path by a rebellion, hidden (personal) histories, and monster hunting. I really liked the fact that Kaurara is not directly involved in the rebellion. She's just trying to save her friend, and it just so happens that there are rebels whose plans are going to intersect with hers. This separation of the ideas, rather than the heroine being a part of the rebellion/finding her way to it, did make this book feel very different as it didn't take the path I was expecting when the rebellion was introduced.

As Kaurara <em>doesn't</em> become part of the rebellion, the intricacies of what was happening there were told through another POV, one that makes up the interludes. You really get a sense of what's happening, the tensions and different loyalties conflicting within the country, through these interludes despite there being only about a half-dozen of them.

There is also a third POV in the book, who narrates about as much as the interlude POV (thus ensuring the focus stays on Kaurara in the book.) It is her new teacher, Himura, who has his own goals - and a deep-seated belief about the correct place for the origami creatures. He gave a different perspective on things, and it lets you understand why certain events happen (even if you don't like them!)

This is the first book in the series, and I'm very interested to see where it's going to go, as the ending leaves several possibilities open and also doesn't quite leave Kaurara (and those with her) where you might expect physically or emotionally.

This is an amazing, inventive YA Fantasy that kept me hooked from the first page to the last. Kurara had so much heart and spirit and the world was so immersive. I felt like I could jump into it. I’d read a sequel in a heartbeat.

A fantastic story for the lower end of Y/A readers. Set in a place similar to Japan, but where origami creatures are brought to life, but have begun to run out of control. But what if there were creatures that could pass as human and that were beneficial to all? this is fast paced and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

A fantastically refreshing adventure featuring paper monsters, found family and a rollicking adventure through the skies! I can't wait to see what Kurara and the crew get up to next!

REBEL SKIES is a charming silkpunk adventure novel with all the heart of a classic.

This was a really fun and vibrant journey through the skies, and has all the makings of a classic coming-of-age adventure novel. The Ghibli-esque nature of the world and characters is what lends a charming nostalgia to the book. You'll almost feel like you've been in these pages before. There are sinister pirates and scheming royals and cute animals and skyship chases. In the end REBEL SKIES leans slightly towards the underwhelming – I was never wowed enough by Kurara's plight to compel me to finish quickly – and you don't get answers to every question either, so the story feels unfinished; even though I know this information is being squirrelled away for the sequel, there isn't enough to feel like there's satisfying closure. But this could be personal preference. In another person's hands I can easily see this as being an absolute favourite.

You also get to see from the point of view of Himura, a Crafter with immense talent and Kurara's mentor, and Kazeno Rei, a mysterious man with his own agenda. The change of POVs is entertaining; it really freshened up the story and portrayed the world and its less-than-stellar inhabitants from a new perspective, of a scholar and a seasoned pirate, compared to naïve, determined teenager Kurara.

A magical debut.

WILL I READ ON? Yes.

I unfortunately wasn't able to finish because this title was only available as a Netgalley Shelf download and not for Kindle, and so the book expired before I was able to get to the end :(

I very much hope to get the chance to pick up a copy though, because what I did read was fantastic! Beautiful world building for a magical, poetic kind of fantasy world I haven't found in a long time.

THIS WAS WONDERFUL. I went inside this book interested with the unique magic system, but I finished it not only loving the magic system and world building but also its characters. It definitely has that Studio Ghibli vibes which I really adore, and a main protagonist that i absolutely love. I also really loved the friendships here. The writing, even though full of imagination and world building, was still very much accessible for readers, and I do think even though this book is targeted for YA, middle grade readers who are also trying their chances on YA reads will also be able to enjoy this!

Ann Sei Lin has written an enthralling and unique story suitable for readers of all ages. The story centres around the friendship between Kurara and Haru and their search to be free, in a story where everything is not as it first seems. In this world, based around Asian culture, Crafters can magically manipulate paper to change form into amazing origami animals, weapons ,shields and so much more. There are twists and turns in this fantasy adventure story that pull the story forward at a fast pace. I was sorry when I reached the end of the book. I can't wait to see what comes next. This book should be a definite on every fantasy readers list.

I want to thank NetGalley and Walker books for sending me an ARC. I was thoroughly entertained by this book, and the view expressed is mine.

If you like Studio Ghibli films like Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Japanese culture and fantasy then this is the perfect book for you. There are floating cities, origami creatures that come to life, a heartless imperial family ruling over oppressed peoples and at the centre of it Kurara, a lowly kitchen worker who has the power to create shapes out of paper which come to life.

After her home is destroyed by a living origami dragon (these creatures are called shikigami) Kurara joins a ragtag crew of mercenary shikigami hunters, hoping to hone her own paper-crafting skills. As she learns more about the world around her and the mysterious shikigami themselves, she comes to realise there's a huge injustice at the heart of society - and that her best friend has been keeping a devastating secret.

It's non-stop adventure in a world conjoured as effortlessly as one of Kurara's creations. My only frustration was that I need part two now. please!

'Rebel Skies' is a thrilling beginning to a fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of 'Six Crimson Cranes'. I enjoyed the world Lin creates, with a well-built and interesting magic system.
The characters themselves I found slightly lacking in some places, but I do believe this will be somewhat remedied in further books, as I felt as if we did not get long enough to bond with any of the secondary characters, and whilst Kurara quickly developed strong feelings for her new friends, I was left feeling quite indifferent.
Overall though, I enjoyed the writing style, and it is clear that this is a strong debut.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for this eARC!)

A childrens book with mythology - um hell yeah!!!! This book was well written, with a fascinating and engaging storyline and well developed characters. It explored some really important topics and they were explored incredibly well, sensitively and yet creatively. I loved the Asian cultural elements that are infused within the plot and I loved the front cover.
This is a book that if they dont already love this genre, may make young readers start to fall in love withh the genre. I can't wait for more.

This book was such a pleasant surprise! It kept my entertained from the first page until the last one, and I just had to read it in one sitting!

Rebel Skies is like the plot of a Studio Ghibli movie. We follow Kurara, who ends up with a crew of shikigami hunters and the Crafter Himura. Shikigami are creatures made of paper, while Crafters can control paper and form it into anything they want. On top of it all, there are flying cities, rebels, royals with an agenda and so many secrets, twists and turns!

The story comes to life on the pages thanks to the very fluid writing style that flows perfectly in tune with the pace of the plot. Honestly, I want to read more. I want to explore more of this world and dive deeper into the history of all the characters, their motives and drive.

Rebel Skies is a brilliant debut and the start of a trilogy I will definitely continue reading.