Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read Kilbourne's latest novel, The Limitless Sky. As I am a huge fan of this author's work, I couldn't wait to get my hands (and eyes) on it - and I was not disappointed.

I was immediately drawn into Rook and Gage's parallel worlds, and although the storyline was somewhat familiar from one of my favorite middle grade dystopian novels, The City of Ember, I loved every chapter and couldn't put the book down. The fresh spin that Kilbourne gives on life, post apocalyptic disaster, left this reader yearning for a Book #2. I truly hope that this becomes a series as I have so many questions about the characters' futures.

I can't wait to introduce this novel to my 5th graders during our lunchtime reading. The conversations that follow will be "limitless", and I know that they'll be hooked and begging for more as well.

I don't think this novel reached its full potential. There were moments of promise and attention that needed fully developed however the payoff wasn't as well as previous novels of the same genre.

The premise of this gave me Horizon Zero Dawn vibes and I’ve been itching for a good book with similar aspects. Although I found similarities, it was unique in its own special way. I couldn’t wait to dive in, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. This world, these characters, and the mystery swept me away.

I loved the two points of view and how different they were. It allowed us to see two sides to the world, which made for interesting reading. The characters were also really different, so it was easy to follow and I didn’t get confused with who was who. It also helped that they had two different roles — Rook living in the ArHK, and Gage on the outside. They both belonged in the story to tell their part and to show us how this new world works. I loved how curious they both were (and how they executed that curiosity. Rook with the hunting of information in the archives. And Gage, looking for the old places whilst scouting). The supporting characters were just as real and leaped off the page. The author did an amazing job of developing them into believable people.

I absolutely loved that Rook’s family was involved (no spoilers!). Rather than the teen hiding everything from the adults, it was really fun and interesting to see them involved.

I was so interested in the archives, what sorts of things were recorded there, because it always felt like there was something hiding underneath all the mundane things. Things maybe the people in charge didn’t want anybody else to know. It was also thought provoking and got me thinking about all the things we have and take for granted every single day. There’s something I find so fascinating about characters searching for lost knowledge of ancient worlds.

I found it hard to grasp the world at first. To remember all the little things that I needed to remember to make sense of the story. But it didn’t take me long to get into the flow. I think it was really clever how the author introduced the world through the characters’ normal life. There weren’t any excessive info dumps, so it kept the story moving along.

It sagged a little in the middle, but it picked up again before the ending. I liked how towards the end, when Gage and Rook first meet, each of their POVs led into another, so it was like a continuation of the previous scene, making it super easy to follow.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. It tied up the major conflict of the story, but I still didn’t feel completely satisfied. It answered major questions but also left me with more. However, I think this is just a preference. Other people might love the way it ended, leaving some things to the imagination, but for me, I was just left wanting more. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book!

Cristina gives some beautiful dialogues.
the story of the limitless sky is one too captivating that makes you want to keep reading.
Sparrow and company make a beautiful fantasy with magic and adventure.

Great stuff. Kilbourne really knows how to craft and tell a story. I was impressed. I look forward to next book. Recommended.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

“The Limitless Sky” is a dystopian novel.

The reader follows the story of Rook and Dave, who live in two separate realities but must help each other survive.

This book is a fascinating page-turner that really pulls the reader in and keeps them captured right up till the end. I personally had no idea where the story was going until it’s very conclusion.

My only fault with this novel is the dramatic end, which I feel is left slightly incomplete, although I would still say on balance that this end is satisfactory.

I also enjoyed seeing how our modern world looks like to those in the future.

It definitely encourages the reader to reflect on all the luxury items many of us use daily without thought.

Gage nods as he taps out the words. “I see the stars at night and the sun in the day. Can u see them?” “No.”“Why not?” “I don’t know.” “Are u blind?” “No.”“What can you see ware u are rite now?” “Desks, computers, chairs, walls, the sky turning dark blue.” “U can see the sky but not the sun or stars?” “It’s not the limitless sky. The sky in ArHK stops a few metres above our heads. Except in places like Central Park and the stadium. Then it’s much higher.”

The world of the ArHK is a highly fascinating world. My favourite dystopian setting so far.

The writer also leaves warnings about climate change woven through the novel. Although not necessarily glaringly obvious, the reader will notice the world this novel is set in is not really that far into the future. The great storms and the sea rising don’t seem that dissimilar to more recent news stories.

Even with all these deeper meanings, the book is still massively enjoyable. This was a fast read but very worthwhile.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a fascinating dystopian YA novel with meaningful implications for our lifestyle today.

Free Netgalley book for review!~~. I probably am not the right reader for this, sadly… but if you have or are a middlegrade kid into dystopians this will probably be a treat. Also it is sci fi which is unusual for middlegrades and ya so I gave it a chance anyway despite the fact that I’m not that much of a fan of dystopian societies.

I found it a bit too derivative, however, to books I’ve read in the past. The writer even makes a handy shout out to her favorites mid novel (including The Giver.)

I found Gage’s story more interesting overall but this was not a fast paced book with either narrator’s section. It does get more action toward the end but for me it’s a bit too late and I don’t think I will bother picking up the sequel.

Anyway, I expect it’ll still be popular with the right crowd.

Thank you NetGalley and Dundurn Press for allowing me to access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views and opinions expressed in this review are purely my own and not affiliated with any brand.

Originally I wasn’t really feeling this book. It trudged along like your typical dystopian novel and often times reminded me of the Giver. Then about half way through it totally changed. I was really intrigued by the story and I think I could sense the stress of the characters. It left me wanting to know what happened next.

Christina Kilbourne created such a wonderful world for which she set her story. Her characters were likable and relatable. The story really draws you in if you stick with it. I can’t wait to see what comes next! I would recommend this book to a friend.

Everyone will tell you we're Keepers, Rook. Not Growers. But that doesn't mean we can't dream

4,5*
I finished tis book so fast and I absolutely loved it. I don't know what it was about this book, it was just so addicting and it sucked you right in. I just kept reading this because I wanted to know what would happen next and how it would end. It was funny too, and serious at times it needed to be. Before I even knew it, I finished the book. It's distopian but different, while also feeling familiar, you know? And I wanna have a sequel like asap, I mean, what happens?!?!?!?

Rook was such a badass who kept investigating and didn't take no for an answer and Gage seemed a nice boy.

I'm very excited for this to come out, and I definetly recommend this if you like disptopian.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for en e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.