Glow (Sky Chasers, Book 1)

This is a Reading Good Books review.

* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Young Adult and Science Fiction. I’m not exactly a fan of those genres. This book is promoted as “the most riveting series since The Hunger

Show More

Games“. I liked the first book but I’m not a fan either.

So what does that mean for Glow?

I LOVED IT.

Yes. No one was more surprised than me. I’ve never been this engaged in a YA novel before. Certainly the first one I stayed up late for. It was – to me, at least – very original, complex, thrilling, and exciting. This is definitely good stuff! Could this be the YA novel I am looking for?

Description from the back of the ARC copy:

[...] a violent battle separated two young lovers on a ship bound for New Earth. Will they find a way back to their ship — and each other? And most importantly, will they survive and preserve the future of the human race?

From that short blurb, you can already see that there’s a lot going on in the story. And a lot at stake! Set against the backdrop of Outer Space, Waverly and Kieran are the oldest children born on the Empyrean at fifteen and sixteen, respectively. I liked Waverly right away. She’s a strong character and I was rooting for her all the way. I had a love/hate opinion on the boys but I’ll get to that later. Waverly was so brave and I like that in a female character, especially if the book is geared towards young girls. Yes, there are also “bad women”, in the story but how Waverly triumphs over them is the one worth noting.

The POV changes between the girls’ tribulations at the rival ship New Horizon and the boys’ fight to save the Empyrean. I’m not a fan of the guys that much. Kieran started off as being naive. Personally, his rival, Seth, appealed to me more. Until the twist (that came out of nowhere, unexplained) that had me doing a complete 180. I was so engrossed in this boys’ POV. It certainly caused a bigger reaction from me than the girls’. Kieran earned brownie points for me but there was another plot twist that had me rethinking my opinions yet again. It was kind of frustrating but I liked that treatment by the author. It keeps the reader interested and guessing.

The book deals with pretty dark stuff such as thoughts of murder, kidnapping, use of guns and violence, fertility, loss of life, and revenge. Some of them get violated in unthinkable ways so be warned. Just when you thought it could not get any worse, it does. Nevertheless, I liked the pace. I found myself staying up late reading chapter after chapter. The last time I did that was for The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, which I loved, so that’s saying something.

And oh, the ending? You know those season finale cliffhangers? Just like that. Boy, what a set up for the sequel! This first installment has everything: sci-fi, disaster, romance, adventure… it’s brilliant. If more YA books are as good as this, I can understand how so many people are into the genre. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment to the Sky Chasers series (and hopefully, I can acquire and ARC of it too. Hint-hint. Haha!).

Rating: 5/5.

Recommendation: You know, I really think those readers who are skeptical about YA literature will devour this. It’s original, engaging, and a breath of fresh air from the genre that’s been inundated by vampires, werewolves, and girls who want nothing else but to get a boyfriend.

Get your copy here.

Show Less

This book came to me with the promise that it would be just as good or better than The Hunger Games series, so I admit it, I was super excited with this dystopian story. But after reading more than sixty pages the only thing I could think about was to finish the book… It's sad to say but I wasn't

Show More

enjoying it at all. Why?

The first thing that made me doubt about this book was the story. If you had the opportunity to read Across the Universe by Beth Revis, you will find a lot of similarities in both of them. A spaceship, people living imprisoned inside metal walls, a really long trip to a new land, no communication with planet Earth, etc. But hey, maybe you are thinking, I like that stuff, it sound awesome. Yes, it is. It sounds good, and it was good… But the problem is that when I read Across the Universe, I was waiting for more from the story, and I finished a little bit disappointed… and this book, Glow, remembered me those things I didn't enjoy from Beth Revis' book. It was like a second part with different characters. Even the way the story is told is similar.
(But of course, the main idea of the story is different. After a few pages after the beginning the story goes for different path. So Glow doesn't have any frozen girl)

Second. The way the story is told was other reason why I didn't enjoy it. I'm used to read books of any kind of perspective, but in this one, the author doesn't make you feel like you are important to the story, she doesn't make you feel part of it. You're only a watcher, you can't interfer, you can't feel the pain of the characters, or their suffering or their happiness. So that is why I saw the characters so plain and the story so lack of emotions.

Even though the book was good, I just couldn't get into the story. I really wanted to like this book, and I tried really hard, but It was impossible for me. Maybe this book wasn't my type at all. So, if you liked Beth Revis' book, and you want to give this one a try, just do it, maybe you would like Glow more than I did, and maybe you will find the things I didn't.

Show Less

This is a story of two young lovers who are traveling across the universe (with several other families) to colonize a new planet. When their sister ship (supposed to be several light years ahead) is suddenly spotted, people's mettle is tested. The boys are separated from the girls and each must

Show More

fight to survive. Each must figure out how to lead, who to follow and what actions to take to save themselves and their comrades. But at what cost?

I'm not sure if it was because this book had such raving reviews and I had too high expectation, but I was left a little... confused after reading this book. Not that the plot was confusing, but confused if I even liked this book. Well, I liked it. But confused whether this is the stellar book they're making it out to be, or just your average dystopian romance for teens. I think it's one of those books that I'll have to remain ambivalent to until the sequel(s) come out. With all these series books, you don't really get the full plot until the series is completed. Which, honestly, is a criticism. Good authors, such as J.K. Rowling, manage to get a complete book with an excellent plot while still building up the series.

Show Less

This book is awesome! I can't wait for the next one.

They are calling this series "the next Hunger Games", and I can see why. It's action packed, alternating chapters between the 15 year old female lead, Waverly, and the 16 year old male lead, Kiernan. I read this in about 24 hours, unable to put it down (it would have been faster if I could have

Show More

managed to not sleep or go to work). The premise is that the Earth is toast, so it has sent out two HUGE ships (HUGE--many levels with the ability to do anything--grow orchards, farm, etc). They left a year apart and they are staffed with the planned progenitors of New Earth. 42 years into the mission, the second ship catches sight of the first ship (which wasn't supposed to happen--they left a year apart and they should be light years away from each other). It seems they have a fertility problem on the first ship--no babies can be conceived there. They need help, and are willing to use force to get it. It is, after all, all about survival of the species. But things are not what they seem, or what they were meant to be, on either ship, and things turn bloody fast.

This is a fast paced, edge of your seat, violent, intense book, clearly at the beginning of a series because the climax leaves you desperate for more. I really do think this is going to be HUGE.

Show Less

I received an advance copy of this book through Goodreads! Amy Kathleen Ryan takes young adult novels where few have previously tread- deep into outer space. The first book in her new series, Sky Chasers, Ryan offers her readers a look into a dog-eat-dog future of desperation, uncertainty, and just

Show More

a little bit of faith and hope. Two young lovers traveling across the universe on the Empyrean, one of two space ships on a mission to revive the human race on a planet called "New Earth", are forced to grow up when thrown into violence and unimaginable danger at the hand of the captain of their sister ship, the New Horizon. Although written for a teenage audience, it's graphic and violent and features more adult themes such as duty to society, religious faith, bravery in the face of opposition, and questions the morality of advanced human fertility practices. While I saw the necessity of religion in the overall plot of the book, I did find it to be a little too preachy in a couple places.

By taking her characters out of the world we know and placing them into the fantastic unknown of deep space, Ryan had the opportunity to carve her own world out of uncharted territory. She fully took advantage of this situation and puts the reader directly into her own interpretation of life in a space ship- from the design and structure of the ship itself to the social structure, hive mind, and a level of desperation that we don't always get the chance to feel with our feet planted firmly on planet Earth.

I was very impressed by the level of passion in the characters' emotions. I felt equally as angry as Kieran for being held prisoner for crimes he feels he did not commit, and as hurt and devastated as Waverly, defiled and held against her will aboard a captive vessel. I found that Ryan's descriptive writing style, especially while conveying a character's deep inner feelings, ignited real emotion in myself- it actually felt like I was the one being wronged rather than simply reading about events in the life of a fictional person. I wanted to jump into the pages and deal out the justice the protagonists so badly wanted.

As in any other novel catering to a young adult audience, Glow is also a love story. Thankfully, it's a more realistic romance than other books of the genre. The author doesn't dwell as much on the blind romance of two teenagers, paying fair attention to the more pressing conflicts in the story. Waverly, a nearly 16-year old girl, maintains rational thinking and isn't blinded by her young love for her betrothed, Kieran. This balance reminds the reader that while there is a little romance, there are more critical issues at hand to be dealt with. I greatly appreciated the lack of mushy love scenes and professions of undying love, as those would naturally be absent in the situation these kids are thrown into, though it is by no means void of heart-felt moments of love and yearning.

I don't give five stars very often, but I feel this novel really deserves it. The end left me wanting more but, alas, I must wait. It's one of the best books I have read this year and I truly look forward to the release of its sequel!

Show Less

"GLOW" BY AMY KATHLEEN RYAN

This is a series you are not going to want to miss. Young romance, drama, all wrapped up in an awesome sci-fi package.

In a fight for survival two young lovers are separated and undergo many obstacles to find their way back to one another in the hope to fulfill their

Show More

destiny to save the human race.

A gripping story of love and survival that will leave you wanting more.

-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Clu

Show Less

So, take The Hunger Games. Now take Across the Universe. And now you have Glow.

Waverly and Kieran were interesting characters. I liked them, but they also had a lot of faults and would annoy me from time to time. Especially Kieran. Waverly was usually strong, but Kieran just seemed so weak and

Show More

obsessed with love, and it just bothered me.

The plot was interesting, though. Really interesting. It kind of had the constant action-y feel of The Hunger Games and it had the setting of Across the Universe and it just blended really well. The romance wasn't the biggest deal. There were a lot of side characters and they were all involved in interesting things. Some action stuff, some friend stuff, some family stuff, some romance, and some rebellions and just...the story line was perfect. Absolutely perfect. And twisted.

The writing kept me very involved. I read a lot of it in one sitting then had to stop and pack then I got to finish it on a trip the next day. I just wanted to keep reading and know what would happen and how it would end.

I read this book in August and I STILL don't know where the sequel will go. But I know it's going somewhere good. Definitely another dystopian to check out.

Show Less

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the

Show More

wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Oh what can I say about GLOW? It was an amazing read! I’ve seen a number of reviews comparing GLOW to The Hunger Games, but since I have yet to read that series I cannot make that jump. I know, I know I need to read the hunger Games soon! That series is in the middle of a very long list of books on my Kindle I need to read… I’m hoping to get the series read before the movie comes out.

That being said I was sucked into this book from page one. I’ve started to read more Dystopian/Apocalyptic and am now wondering what has taken me so long to start reading this genre! I absolutely loved Ryan’s writing. As with any book there are parts that I loved and parts that I did not care for.

First for the bits that I loved; I loved how easily the author was able to transport me as a reader into a futuristic world of spaceships and the search for a new earth while aboard the Empyrean. The plot was easy to follow and full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved Waverly. Her character is stubborn and full of gumption. She was not easily convinced by the promises and reassurances being spouted by the people from the New Horizon ship. As for the boys, I’m not sure who I like or dislike… At first I was on Seth’s side, but then I was on Kieran’s side. By the end of the book I’m not sure any more who I want to side with (hence the unexpected twists and turns!).

Now for the bits I did not care for. Only a couple things really, first off when the adults are trying to fix a radiation leak there is no mention of how they decontaminated themselves after fixing everything. So, now if you go by reality standers the adults not only killed themselves with the radiation, but every child that came into contact with them. Normally something like this would escape my notice because I would not know any better, but my husband was a submariner on a nuclear submarine. So I know a little about radiation and contamination.
I think Ryan could have done a little more research on the contamination of radiation. And lastly, as much as I love this book and am impatiently awaiting the next in the series, I did not like the way Ryan ended this book. I felt that the “cliff hanger” was not much of a cliff hanger. I would of loved to of had an ending that left me chomping at the bit for the next book. Don’t get me wrong, like I said I am eagerly awaiting the next one, but I feel like there could have been a more dramatic/action packed ending.

Overall I loved GLOW and would recommend it to anyone looking for an awesome space adventure. I would also like to thank St. Martin’s Press for the giveaway they did on Facebook. I was super excited to have won this book.

Show Less

I’ve spent hours trying to figure out the best way to describe “Glow”, not because it’s bad but because it’s fantastic. I went in to “Glow” not sure if I was going to like it. In the end? I loved it. Amy Kathleen Ryan has crafted a wonderful story. As the reader, you feel for both

Show More

Waverly and Kieran. Is “Glow” like the “The Hunger Games”? No. Is it as gripping as “The Hunger Games”? Without a doubt, yes.

What’s terrific about “Glow” is that its different, it’s original. Ryan has created this believable world with characters you want to see succeed…well, most of them. When something terrible happens to them, you feel it. Take for example during the attack from New Horizon. When the people, only able to defend themselves with gardening tools, tried to protect their children, you feel hope for them even though you know it won’t end well. Yet you can’t keep from reading. You need to know what will happen next. You need to know if they’ll succeed even though the odds are against them.

“Glow” is a story told through the eyes of Waverly and Kieran. It takes place long after Earth is inhabitable, forcing people to live aboard ships until they reach New Earth. They haven’t lived on a planet in years. The children on the Empyrean ship don’t know much of Earth, only that their parents refuse to talk about it. For the most part, life on the Empyrean ship is simple. It is expected that Waverly and Kieran will get married (although they are both young) before he even proposes. Waverly knows what is expected of her, she knows that she is to marry and have children – it’s her duty aboard the Empyrean ship, but she feels as though she’s too young. Before she has the chance to clearly think over what she is to do, there is an attack on the Empyrean ship by the New Horizon ship.

During the attack, the New Horizon crew takes the girls (all of them) hostage from the Empyrean ship. This is where I avoid spoilers as the story really starts to build from here. There is abuse. There is deception. There is the questioning of loyalty. There is kindness. There is strength. There is everything you need in a story to keep you interested. It’s ultimately a story about human strength: what are you willing to endure to assure you survive? It’s the perfect start to a trilogy.

Show Less

Honestly, I'm sick of every single book released in the YA dystopian genre calling itself "the next Hunger Games" or something along those lines. Why can't these new novels just try to stand on their own and be unique? I'd much rather prefer something that never-been-done-before, or a completely

Show More

new spin on the genre. I'd prefer that as opposed to more of the same things that I've been reading, but I guess I've been overruled by the publisher's marketing department on this.

This brings me to Glow, yet another offering in the growing YA dystopian genre that touts itself as "the most riveting series since The Hunger Games." Okay, really? Sorry, but this doesn't come anywhere close.

Glow is told through the alternating viewpoints of Waverly and Kieran, a young pair of lovers (who also happen to be the only teens on the same spaceship) on a space mission to colonize a new world. Then, they get separated and Waverly, a very strong and interesting character, is taken prisoner on another spaceship, where the locals are planning to use her as a baby-making machine. Meanwhile Kieran, a considerably less-interesting and somewhat self-centered character who isn't good enough for Waverly, finds himself the leader of his ship and must guide the crew through crisis while trying to get Waverly back.

I wanted to like this book more. I mean, it wasn't a bad book by any means, but it wasn't an amazing book. It wasn't one of those books that kept me flipping pages late into the night and demanding more as soon as I read the final page. I still read it, I still enjoyed it, but I'd say that are many other YA dystopian novels out there that are just better. Also, keep in mind, that even though the book's packaging tries to sell the novel as being like The Hunger Games (as everything in the genre now likes to do), it's really more of a cross between Beth Revis' Across the Universe and Maria V. Snyder's Inside Out with a dash Sarah Grant's Dark Parties along with what seem to be growing genre cliches.

With basic, straight-forward writing, uneven characters and a somewhat hazy backdrop, I felt like Glow had so much potential that it just didn't live up to completely. While I did enjoy the more science fiction-like angle, I thought it could still use some more work. Not a horrible not, but not a great one. For hard core fans of the genre only while you're waiting for the next great dystopian novel, but not for casual readers of the genre.

Show Less

At the start of the novel I really thought I was going to love it. The premise sounded cool and I was in the mood for something Sci-Fi/Dystopian, however the novel just didn't meet my expectations.

There were a few things I did enjoyed about the novel, like the alternating POV's between Waverly and

Show More

Kieran. This allows you to keep up with both characters throughout novel. I also liked how intense and action packed the storyline is because it makes the novel pretty impossible to put down.

While Waverly is a strong, brave female protagonist, her male counterparts can't equal her strength and vulnerability. Kieran & Seth never felt fully fleshed out to me. Kieran seemed one dimensional and with the exception of his relationship with Waverly, wasn't all that interesting. On the other hand Seth's personality was all over the place, as if the author never really decided what kind of person she wanted him to be. Besides having personality issues I also felt his character was incredibly underused.

I continually struggled with the likeability of all 3 characters while reading. By the end of the novel I was beyond frustrated by the decisions each of them had made, especially the ones they make right before the novel closes.

Religion plays a heavy role in the novel, something I wasn't aware of when I started. What bothered me most about this, wasn't its inclusion but how it was treated. Sometimes I felt that the author/story was praising Christianity and then other times it seemed as if it was being referred to it as a cult. Yeah I was confused too... It felt like the author was truly trying to deliver a message but for the life of me, I couldn't tell you what it was. Religion causes war? Politics are corrupt? No idea!

Although it read a bit like an episode of Battlestar Galactica (which to me is a good thing), with its similar location, intensity and conflicted characters, I wanted much more depth and backstory from the main trio. I would have preferred less talk of religion and politics too, especially because its used as such a heavy plot devise and one that constantly feels too forceful. There were also quite a few instances where I could see a twist coming well before it actually happened, leaving me disappointed by the novels predictability.

As a fan of Sci-Fi, I just can't hide my disappointment that the novel wasn't what I was hoping for.

Show Less

Glow was a bit of a strange read but I found myself completely enthralled in it. Once I started reading I couldn't seem to put it down except for a few times when I found myself so angry that I didn't think I could read another page without smacking someone (in the book). Now this wasn't anger

Show More

because of something I didn't like, no it was anger because I was so invested in the story and the bad guys were pissing me off! So really, it was a good thing.

This book was different because I didn't know who I liked and who I could trust. I'd think that I'd like one person only to find them doing something stupid. The one person I liked through the whole thing was Waverly. We got her side of the story about half the time and Kierans the other half. Waverly was brave and sometimes didn't think things through. She was passionate in what she believed and wasn't easily swayed by others opinions. Now Kieran I'm not sure about. I think that he's an interesting character but not the smartest guy in the world. I was starting to like another guy but then he pulled some really bad moves and I started to not like him at all. But then towards the end I started wondering if he would try to redeem himself, maybe there's hope for him yet? I guess the jury's out on whether I'll like either of them, but I think deep down they are both good guys, just not so great when thrown in a bad situation.

Overall it was a fast paced story with lots of action. I found myself enjoying it a lot despite a few things I found far fetched (one being that ALL the adults on the Empyrean end up gone). And maybe not everything was completely believable. Like I said, a bit far fetched. But it didn't bother me much and I was pretty satisfied with how it all played out. I'm actually quite excited to read the next one in the series!

Show Less

I received an ARC of this from Goodreads First Reads. I am glad to see more space oriented Sci-Fi being written. While I didn’t find this book to be great, I did find it to be a decent read. It took me a while to get into it but once it picked up and piqued my interest I sped through it. The

Show More

story had some slight similarities to another book I’ve read but it had some interesting twists. The alternating perspective between the male and female leads was enjoyable.

The main characters I have a love/hate relationship with. Kieran the male main character…just did not like him from the word go. I am not sure exactly why but there was just something about this character that made him easily dislikeable to me. When certain events occurred that affected him negatively…well I can’t say I didn’t give a little cheer.

Waverly I did enjoy as a main character. She had backbone. She didn’t just accept everything openly at face value. She always thought for herself and question things that no one else seemed to question.

Seth was seriously interesting. He had depth and made some poor decisions but made them with what seemed to be the best of intentions. I am curious to see what happens with him in the next book.

Overall a decent read. Worth giving it shot.

Show Less

Kieran and Waverly are two strong, admirable characters. Kieran is an amiable, good-looking boy while Waverly is a headstrong, independent girl. If the Empyrean hadn’t been attacked, they would have been two strong leaders for their generation. As it is, they must struggle to survive on their own

Show More

with Waverly looking for opportunities to free the girls from the New Horizon and Kieran fighting to gain control over the boys on the Empyrean.

A fast-paced novel, Glow had me switching my sympathies constantly with its many, many twists and turns. The story is told alternatively from Kieran and Waverly’s perspectives, and as is bound to happen, the two form their respective opinions about the people around them. I found myself hating a person one minute and finding him or her decent the next. One problem that I’ve noticed with novels incorporating multiple points of view is the lack of sufficient details, but Amy doesn’t have this problem. You really get to know both Kieran and Waverly and the problems that they face.

For a YA novel, Glow is dark, very dark. I can’t count the number of times that I despaired over Kieran and Waverly’s situations. With every victory gained, a high price is paid, and even the ending left me wondering if the children will reach New Earth with their sanity intact… if they ever make it. Out of all the potential conclusions I came up with, I never saw the ending coming. If it weren’t for the alternating perspectives, I would have thought that the next problem for the children would be making it to New Earth by themselves. However, it seems as though they still have some issues to resolve before they get there….

Glow is a sci-fi/fantasy / adventure / dystopian novel that is not to be missed. Glow will be published on September 27th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin, and I'm already anticipating the sequel!

Show Less

GLOW was a book where the cover and synopsis had been hooked. I put other books aside to read it. They say don’t judge a book on its cover, but I did anyway, and this was one of the few cases where I ended up being disappointed. This review has taken me several hours to write, something so

Show More

unusual for me, because it alternated between being a great book for me and pissing me off.

Many YA books recently (see my review of DROUGHT by Pam Bachorz) have tackled religion as a key plot point. GLOW’s depiction of Christianity was what almost ruined this book for me. It was almost a fallacy, using Christianity as an excuse for evil actions. The antagonist of this story is the Pastor/leader of the other ship, the New Horizon. They come to the Empyrean, home of our protagonist Waverly, and kidnap all the girls to solve their fertility issues while sabotaging the ship, killing the adults, and leaving the boys to run the ship once the remaining adults sacrifice themselves to prevent a meltdown.

SPOILER WARNING!!!

The logic of the ship states that the religious people were put on one ship and the secular (and Muslims) on the second, yet Kieran, the main male character, becomes a religious leader on the Empyrean at the end. His family was noticeably religious and by the end he has converted the boys in one fell swoop – after one SPEECH – to Christianity and calls his work God’s work, basically mimicking what happened on the New Horizon. The logic here was…not really present.

SPOILER HAS ENDED

There is a love triangle in this book, but not so much instalove – it has been set up that Waverly and Kieran were a couple beforehand, more so out of expectation than true love. At the beginning their relationship is almost refreshing, showing Waverly’s doubts about their relationship but setting up a scenario that is believable. However, Kieran becomes increasingly week and possibly a little unstable (crazy). The other love interest, Seth, is just purely insane. His methods are sadistic and his excuses are lies. He beats, tortures, imprisons, and almost kills people. Of course, it is expected that Waverly will pick one by the end, but I honestly think she shouldn’t based on book one.

What saves this book? The writing. I am honestly not one for frilly, overwrought literature. I like some description and florid enhancement, but I had it beaten over my head by my lit professor that purple prose was Satan’s work. This is my kind of writing – a little lyrical at times, but mostly straightforward, to the point, and eloquent. Ms. Ryan is my type of author for sure. It’s just the plot that falters. Waverly is also a strong protagonist that I enjoyed. She was smart, she was a strong leader, and she knew what she was doing. She risked herself for others and had a mission. I loved her as a character while I quite hated her potential suitors.

This book needed to tone down the religion a great deal. I am not sure if I will read book two based on the fact it implies that religion will be a strong point in the second book. Also, Waverly’s love interests were unlikable.

I could go on about this (and I will on Goodreads – check out my review there for more), but overall, this book was likable, but nowhere near as good as it could have been.

VERDICT: The overuse of religion in this book overran the interesting plot and the good writing from Ms. Ryan. If you are not big on religious bashing and/or preachiness, steer clear of this book

Show Less

This was an extremely interesting little story. Simply put, the Earth is in its final days with most of its resources spent and its life quickly running out. Two ships depart the dying planet and begin the long journey to New Earth, a distant planet that holds the promise of a new life. The ships

Show More

carry with them a miniaturized version of the departed civilization, complete with the technology and resources to reestablish life as they have known it on this alien planet. It is expected, and indeed vital to their mission for the ship's people to procreate; these future generations necessary to keep their little world alive as the ship crosses unfathomable miles on a journey that will take more years than a lifetime to complete.

Two ships set out. One ship is alive with children, it's women fertile and the future of their people secured. The other ship houses a dying people, their women barren and unable to replenish the now aging population. Half way to New Earth, the second ship, their situation now dire, calls for a rendezvous with its sister ship...who refuses. In the midst of a distant nebula, its celestial whirlings rendering it undetectable and completely cut off from all other life, the barren ship lies in wait for the sister who refused to help...

We have several elements working in this story's favor. We have a sci-fi dystopia with breeder undertones thrown in for shock value- something you can never go wrong with. We have a strong, intelligent female lead, a male driven mutiny (that for some reason kept bringing to mind Ender's Game), and a nice little romance to tie them both together. An excellent mix and cast of characters- people to love and people to hate and an existence the likes of which one can only hope never comes to pass. While the hint of a love triangle tinges the romantic air in the story, it's not blatantly advertised in glowing, flashing neon. Ryan is giving us room to sweat and wonder. Good girl.

Now, the biggest shocker for me wasn't the religious undertones, because they were so apparent that they could hardly be considered to be hidden, nor were they so over the top that they smothered the story, but rather, and this is very hard for me to say- that they added to the story in ways that it would have been lacking without. If you've been with me for awhile you'll know that I DO NOT appreciate religion in my fantasy fiction, and yet, I saw the need in regards to this story. I enjoyed the inclusion. It made everything all the more vital, their cause all the more righteous and it opened the door for some vastly refreshing and unique heroes and villains.

I approve of this being a series (not all books warrant one) and I can't wait for the next book. Things are going to happen, not to mention the bigger picture- discovering a new planet and I'm ready for it. When might we have it Miz Amy?

Show Less

This book caught my attention form the very beginning. I admit it...I'm a sucker for an interesting book cover. This one drew me right in! I would have selected it from a book shelf, if it hadn't come to me as an ARC in the mail. What was even more unexpected-the book tackles some very big issues

Show More

and really makes the reader think!

The story alternated between two main characters and the events of their lives on a space ship headed to colonize a new planet. The chapters are short and the book flows fairly fast. It seemed to get bogged down in the middle with some physics and science concepts that might have been edited to give the cliff notes version. There are some gaps in the logic of some of the characters, but overall, they are an interesting group of space travelers.

This is a YA/SciFi novel, which is the first in a series of books. This is definitely one for older YA readers (I would suggest 15 and older). There is an atmosphere of sexual intimidation throughout the book, which eventually deteriorates into sexual violation. There is nothing particularly sexually graphic in the book, however, the events that take place leave you feeling psychologically battered. This is a very different look at the darker side of human nature, something that is not usually found in a YA book.

The storyline also examines the effect of religion on a group and how it can be used to manipulate others into believing that what they are doing is right in the name of their god. Some may be offended by this and take it as an anti-religion theme. I think it could lead to some wonderful discussions (religion being only one of the topics of discussion) within a book group or with parents and their teens. I will be passing it on to my daughter.

This one is worth your time (even though the ending is a bit weak). I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to St. Martins Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Show Less

Traveling through deep space, young couple Waverly & Kieran are aboard a ship called the Empyrean. On their way to New Earth, 45 years away. Waverly is pretty much an average teenager. But when Kieran proposes to her she starts to feel the pressure. What they don't know is a great danger is coming.

Show More

Unknown to the Empyrean's crew and passengers they are about to face an attack from their sister ship, the New Horizon.

Absolutely riveting! Glow is an excellent read. This story took me by surprise. I enjoyed Waverly and Kieran's journey more than I thought I would. Intense and action packed. It is being compared to The Hunger Games. I don't think that is necessarily true. Even though it does have a dystopian feel to it, the story is quiet different. The experiences that these young people go through is quite terrifying and hard to imagine. The futuristic feel to it has is great, I think others will like it too. Ms. Ryan's characters will enthrall you and have you eager to learn more of their story.

Glow is narrated by Matthew Brown and Ilyana Kadushin. Bringing to life both the leads as well as everyone else. I enjoyed their interpretation. Especially Ilyana Kadusin, I love her voice. If you've listened to any of The Twilight Saga audios, you'll be familiar with her.

I reviewed the audio format.

Show Less

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan follows a mission to terraform another world. The New Horizon and the Empyrean, two generation ships, were launched from Earth one year apart. They’re aiming for the same system, with the same mission, but two philosophically different outlooks: one ship is lead by

Show More

religious and the other with non-religious crews. We are plunged into the story in the middle of the space voyage, when New Horizon has inexplicably started to decelerate, slowing down to meet with the Empyrean. Negotiations lead nowhere, and eventually the New Horizon crew is left with no choice but attack their sister ship. Most of the action follows two of the oldest first-generation Empyrean children, Kieran and Waverly. Kieran is slated to become the next captain, Waverly his wife, until the attack wrenches them apart.
The work is a science fiction novel for young adults. Unfortunately this shows in the rough characterizations of people in the story, both adults and children. However, the issues of self-government and government, and religious versus secular government are talked about with more gusto. In fact, several revelations twist the plot first one way, then another, until the only clear thing is that there is no moral clarity. Expect a continuation (scheduled for summer 2012).
EJ 10/2011

Show Less

It was interesting to read this immediately after reading When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, because both books are similar in that they posit future dystopias in worlds run by puritanical theocracies. Additionally, women are valued mainly for their child-bearing (and, of course, pleasuring of men

Show More

with sex, voluntarily or not), and a hypocritical religious hierarchy plays a pivotal role in exercising mind control over the populations. The most striking similarily, however, is that in both books, the most evil character tries to subdue the heroine by fixing her chamomile tea. Needless to say, I shan’t be tempting fate anymore by drinking that clearly nefarious concoction.

In Glow, the earth has been made virtually uninhabitable after the usual ecocide scenario, and two ships, the Empyrean and the New Horizon, are heading for “New Earth.” The Empyrean contains mostly secular families, while the travelers on New Horizon believe, like the Puritans once did, that they are on a religious mission to create a new moral beacon out in the uninhabited parts of the universe.

Waverly, 15 is the oldest girl on the Empyrean, and is romantically involved with Kieran, 16, the oldest boy, out of 252 children on board. There are no children on board the New Horizon because of a mysterious fertility problem. Forty-three years into the mission, the Empyrean is attacked by the New Horizon, and all the female children are taken hostage. They are told the others are dead or lost in shuttles, and that the older girls from the Empyrean must donate their eggs to the women of the New Horizon.

From this point on, we follow the fates of Waverly and Kieran in alternating chapters. The book doesn’t end with a cliffhanger, but nor does it end in a clean-cut way, since this is to be only book one of a trilogy.

Discussion: Similarly as in When She Woke, there is a lot of discussion among characters in this book over belief in God, and whether fundamentalist religions offer a legitimate or desirable way to express that belief, or indeed, if any belief is even justifiable or possible.

I didn’t see the point of a huge chunk of this book (involving the two boys Seth and Kieran), but I am willing to suspend judgment since it is only book one. Often with trilogies, plot lines don’t become clear until later on in the series.

Evaluation: Not bad, but much of it strains credulity, and in my opinion is certainly not “the most riveting series since The Hunger Games,” as the blurb contends.

Show Less

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

GLOW is the first book in a new dystopian/sci-fi YA series from Amy Kathleen Ryan touted as ‘the most riveting series since The Hunger Games.’ A bold claim that actually isn’t as far off as I was expecting.

The storyline, although set in space, is

Show More

very much a dystopian tale. Two ships set off from Earth seeking to escape our dying world and start a new civilization on a new planet. After a generation, fertility problems have placed a great burden on the young girls on The Empyrean: lots of children as early as possible. As the oldest girl, fifteen year old Waverly feels the pressure of that obligation keenly, even though she loves her boyfriend Sean. But Waverly decisions are stolen from her when The Empyrean rendezvous with The New Horizon and it’s desperate crew led by the zealot Pastor Anne Mathers.

What happens next kept my blood at a steady boil as I seethed at the unjust treatment of Waverly and Sean. I had a physical reaction when Mathers was in a scene, and raged at my own impotence to reach into the book and strangle her. What she does, and how she does it created a fury in me like I haven’t experienced since THE HUNGER GAMES. Some of the religious language used is twisted by this evil woman, but it did make me distinctly uncomfortable on multiple levels.

The audio book that I listened to was narrated by Ilyana Kadushin and Matthew Brown. I hadn’t heard Matthew Brown before, but he did a wonderful job of modulating his voice to portray both the men and boys aboard The Empyrean. Ilyana Kadushin also narrated The Twilight Saga, a performance that I found distractingly monotone, but in her reading of GLOW, I had a drastically different experience. She conveyed the impotent rage of Waverly just as perfectly as the simpering twofaced Mathers.

GLOW is not THE HUNGER GAMES, but it’s not trying to be. It’s a thrilling and harrowing adventure brought to life by a narration that transported me to these ships and future society, and tied my emotions so perfectly in sync with the two protagonists that I felt every burst of rage, disbelief, sorrow, and ultimately hope as if it were my own. The next book in the Sky Chasers series is called SPARKS and will be published in July 2012. It’s going to be an agonizingly long wait.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to rape. References to sex.

Show Less

I was thrilled when I received copies of Glow in my mailbox. I was on the fence about it from the start, but had hear a few great things on it and was pretty excited going into it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me and there was just no saving it from being put on my “please don’t bother

Show More

list”.

Glow started off enthralling and really just a great storyline! I liked Kieran, Waverly, and Seth. It was fascinating to learn about life on the Empyrean and their main mission, which is occupying the New Earth. This is also the mission of the Empyrean’s twin ship, New Horizon.

I quickly found that I didn’t really have a favorite character or aspect of the story. Each character had an annoying quality that had me pushing away. There was no real character connection for me and that’s a negative, because I feel its essential that I do so in order to enjoy it.

Ryan’s writing is very unique and for the most part was clear and precise with good detail, but I noticed that I was still lost here and there. After the initial excitement though, the story became a bit too zig-zaggy and out of control for my taste. I felt as though there wasn’t a solid storyline for me to follow and there was way too many things going on.

Overall, Glow was not one of my favorite books. It was a good read from time to time and I loved learning about the lifestyle aboard these space ships, but I felt it to be a little weird and too much for a single book. If you give it a shot, I would really love to read your thoughts, so please let me know where to find your review!

Show Less

Amy Kathleen Ryan is great at manipulating emotions. You’ll find yourself warming to a certain character, and all of a sudden you’ll feel completely opposite. Antagonists, particularly, seem to evoke different feelings—they’re so bad (Ryan creates great bad guys), but at the same time, you

Show More

can see where they’re coming from. This lets us examine what it really means to be evil: is it all a matter of perspective?

Glow features a dual narration, which is great at first, but towards the middle of the book, it fades away. We only see Waverly’s perspective for the majority of the book, and as a fan of Kieran, I was a bit disappointed. Still, the events happening in Waverly’s life were far more exciting than those happening in Kieran’s—I’m not sure I would’ve been able to handle the suspense of leaving Waverly’s perspective at chapter breaks.

The story is, overall, quite interesting and very engrossing. Though the plot seems to take priority over character, Glow is still a good read. The only oddity that I found in the book was the late introduction of a religious theme. It seemed a bit out of place; though it made sense, it seemed a little bit like the author was pushing it towards her audience.

Show Less