The Other Side of the Sky

by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

Overview

"Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner prove they are two living goddesses of writing, creating two compelling worlds with high stakes and gripping emotions." —Sarah Rees Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of the Demon's Lexicon trilogy and the Lynburn Legacy series

New York Times bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have crafted a gripping tale of magic and logic, fate and choice, and a deadly love. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Brandon Sanderson.

Prince North’s home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate engines, powered by technology. Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the Surface, responsible for providing answers, direction—hope.

North’s and Nimh’s lives are entwined—though their hearts can never be. Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose between saving their people or succumbing to the bond that is forbidden between them.

Plus don't miss the thrilling sequel, Beyond the End of the World!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062893352
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/08/2020
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	480
Sales rank:	921,605
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	13 Years

About the Author

Amie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult and middle grade fiction, and the host of the podcast Amie Kaufman on Writing. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and has been described as “a game-changer” (Shelf Awareness), “stylistically mesmerising” (Publishers Weekly) and “out-of-this-world awesome” (Kirkus). Her series include The Illuminae Files, The Aurora Cycle, The Other Side of the Sky duology, the Starbound trilogy, the Unearthed duology, the Elementals trilogy, and The World Between Blinks. Her work is in development for film and TV, and has taken home multiple Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, a Gold Inky, made multiple best-of lists and been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution, and is currently undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog, and an extremely large personal library. Learn more about her and subscribe to her newsletter at www.amiekaufman.com

New York Times bestselling author Meagan Spooner grew up reading and writing every spare moment of the day while dreaming about life as an archaeologist, a marine biologist, or an astronaut. She graduated from Hamilton College in New York State with a degree in playwriting. She’s traveled all over the world, to places such as Egypt, Australia, South Africa, the Arctic, Greece, Antarctica, and the Galápagos Islands, and there’s a bit of every trip in every story she writes. She currently lives and writes in Asheville, North Carolina, but the siren call of travel is hard to resist, and there’s no telling how long she’ll stay there. She’s the coauthor of the award-winning Starbound Trilogy (These Broken Stars, This Shattered World, Their Fractured Light) and the Skylark Trilogy (Skylark, Shadowlark, Lark Ascending) as well as this “Beauty and the Beast” retelling. In her spare time she plays guitar, plays video games, plays with her cat, and reads. www.meaganspooner.com

Editorial Reviews

08/10/2020

Coauthors Kaufman and Spooner (the Unearthed duology) reunite for this propulsive, tender-hearted duology opener, which juxtaposes the fallibility of religion with the power of faith. Centuries ago, Prince North’s ancestors launched archipelago Alciel into the sky, where enigmatic engines keep it aloft. Alciel’s denizens assume the Below is now deserted, so North is shocked when Nimh rescues him after his glider crashes on the surface. Nimh’s people believe their gods retreated to the heavens last millennium, leaving behind a deity incarnate to protect them; when one living god dies, divinity settles on another. Shortly after Nimh—the current holy vessel—discovers a prophecy about a falling star–accompanied entity who can help remake her dying world, she witnesses North’s flaming descent. Nimh thinks North’s arrival is destiny, but North rejects the notion; he simply hopes that Nimh’s temple archives contain information that can help him return home. The teens’ wary alliance leads to romance, despite Nimh’s being forbidden from human contact. Turbid worldbuilding abounds, but evocative prose, escalating intrigue, and charismatic, predominantly olive- and brown-skinned characters with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities keep the pages turning. Ages 13–up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner prove they are two living goddesses of writing, creating two compelling worlds with high stakes and gripping emotions." — Sarah Rees Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of the Demons Lexicon trilogy and the Lynburn Legacy series. 

“A vivid and compulsive thriller set in a beautiful, perilous world of myths and treachery. You won’t want to put it down.” — LAINI TAYLOR, New York Times bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series

“Kaufman and Spooner, who also collaborated on the Starbound Trilogy, return with another richly drawn, tantalizingly romantic sf series starter. An especially action-packed back half will ensure readers come running back for the next volume.”  — Booklist

“A book that absolutely shimmers with beauty.”  — Buzzfeed

“Coauthors Kaufman and Spooner (the Unearthed duology) reunite for this propulsive, tender-hearted duology opener… evocative prose, escalating intrigue, and charismatic, predominantly olive- and brown-skinned characters with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities keep the pages turning.” — Publishers Weekly

“A complex, intricately woven tale, placed in an intriguing and unique world. This passionate story will thrill devotees of Kaufman and Spooner’s “Starbound” series while also appealing to fans of Naomi Novik, Marissa Meyer, and Claudia Gray.” — School Library Journal

Praise for Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s STARBOUND series: “Absolutely brilliant. This is the sci fi I’ve been waiting for!”  —  Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe

“One of the most intense, thrilling, and achingly beautiful stories I’ve ever read. Kaufman and Spooner will break your heart with skilled aplomb, and you’ll thank them for it. Absolutely incredible! If I have to, I will come to your house and shove this book into your hands.” — Marie Lu, New York Times best-selling author of the Legend trilogy

“With rich, complex characters and a dynamic—and dangerous—new world, THESE BROKEN STARS completely transported me.”  — Jodi Meadows, author of the Incarnate series

“These Broken Stars is at its heart a love story. Voiced in alternate chapters, Lilac and Tarver are characters of depth, complexity, and strength, young people who alternately elicit the reader’s admiration, frustration, and sympathy. While the book is the first of a promised trilogy, it stands on its own as a testament to love, loyalty, courage, and the power of good over dystopian greed and perversity.”  — ALA Booklist (starred review)

“Kaufman and Spooner couple an epic romance with dazzling science fiction in a tale that will appeal to lovers of both genres. This is a must-read.” 5Q (Quality rating of 5/5), Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror List, 2013. — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“First-time author Kaufman and coauthor Spooner begin their science-fiction romance in familiar territory and then chart a course that goes to new heights … a wonderful tale that should appeal to both teen and adult readers.” — School Library Journal

“Strange visions and apparitions give the story a chilling edge, and a late revelation elevates these developments into entirely new territory. In a collaboration that, at times, evokes Lost, Titanic, and Romancing the Stone, Spooner (Skylark) and newcomer Kaufman do an excellent job of keeping their story from falling into clichéd romantic territory … the external conflicts and underlying mysteries will keep readers guessing (and turning the pages).” — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

"Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner prove they are two living goddesses of writing, creating two compelling worlds with high stakes and gripping emotions."

Sarah Rees Brennan

Praise for Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s STARBOUND series: “Absolutely brilliant. This is the sci fi I’ve been waiting for!” 

Beth Revis

Kaufman and Spooner, who also collaborated on the Starbound Trilogy, return with another richly drawn, tantalizingly romantic sf series starter. An especially action-packed back half will ensure readers come running back for the next volume.” 

Booklist

A vivid and compulsive thriller set in a beautiful, perilous world of myths and treachery. You won’t want to put it down.

LAINI TAYLOR

With rich, complex characters and a dynamic—and dangerous—new world, THESE BROKEN STARS completely transported me.” 

author of the Incarnate series Jodi Meadows

One of the most intense, thrilling, and achingly beautiful stories I’ve ever read. Kaufman and Spooner will break your heart with skilled aplomb, and you’ll thank them for it. Absolutely incredible! If I have to, I will come to your house and shove this book into your hands.

Marie Lu

A book that absolutely shimmers with beauty.” 

Buzzfeed

“These Broken Stars is at its heart a love story. Voiced in alternate chapters, Lilac and Tarver are characters of depth, complexity, and strength, young people who alternately elicit the reader’s admiration, frustration, and sympathy. While the book is the first of a promised trilogy, it stands on its own as a testament to love, loyalty, courage, and the power of good over dystopian greed and perversity.” 

ALA Booklist (starred review)

Kaufman and Spooner, who also collaborated on the Starbound Trilogy, return with another richly drawn, tantalizingly romantic sf series starter. An especially action-packed back half will ensure readers come running back for the next volume.” 

Booklist

Kaufman and Spooner couple an epic romance with dazzling science fiction in a tale that will appeal to lovers of both genres. This is a must-read.” 5Q (Quality rating of 5/5), Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror List, 2013.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s STARBOUND series: “Absolutely brilliant. This is the sci fi I’ve been waiting for!” 

 Beth Revis

08/07/2020

Gr 9 Up—At 15, beautiful dark-eyed, dark-skinned Nimh is a goddess and magician, beloved by her people and desperate to save them from the ever-growing mist storms, which render humans insane when they don't outright kill them. Following a prophecy, she leads an expedition to find the Last Star. What she finds is North, and the smoking ruins of his glider. North is from the cloudlands where his brown skin marks him as one of the first families, and where Nimh's ancestors fled from the mists a thousand years ago. North is astounded, he has no idea that people still live in the Below, while Nimh is amazed to learn that the cloudlands exist. North's world has science, technology, and transportation in stark contrast to the Below, where there is only the most basic of machines. However, they do have magic, and Nimh believes that North is the Last Star prophesied to help her save the people of Below. But when the two discover the original prophecy scroll, everything Nimh has ever believed in changes beyond comprehension. This is a complex, intricately woven tale, placed in an intriguing and unique world. VERDICT This assionate story will thrill devotees of Kaufman and Spooner's "Starbound" series while also appealing to fans of Naomi Novik, Marissa Meyer, and Claudia Gray.—Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City P.L., VA

School Library Journal

Two worlds—one above the clouds, driven by technology, and one under the clouds, driven by magic. Two points of views, and two narrators. Caitlin Davies creates Nimh, a young goddess on earth, and Johnathan McClain portrays Prince North, who swoops into Nimh’s world in his glider. North comes to life as he searches for a way to get back home. From time to time, the two narrators conduct a dialogue as each character learns more about the other character’s world. The two young people are wise in their own way. McClain captures North’s confidence and bravado. His portrayal is contrasted with Davies’s depiction of Nimh’s quieter but just as determined manner. A cliff-hanger ending signals that this audiobook is the first in a new series. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2020 - AudioFile

Two worlds—one above the clouds, driven by technology, and one under the clouds, driven by magic. Two points of views, and two narrators. Caitlin Davies creates Nimh, a young goddess on earth, and Johnathan McClain portrays Prince North, who swoops into Nimh’s world in his glider. North comes to life as he searches for a way to get back home. From time to time, the two narrators conduct a dialogue as each character learns more about the other character’s world. The two young people are wise in their own way. McClain captures North’s confidence and bravado. His portrayal is contrasted with Davies’s depiction of Nimh’s quieter but just as determined manner. A cliff-hanger ending signals that this audiobook is the first in a new series. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2020 - AudioFile