Title: Ten Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird, #2
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, YA
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Source: ARC sent by my #OTSPSecretSister
GUYS. THIS WAS AMAZING. I’ve got a lot to say, but first, a warning: TURN BACK IF YOU HAVE NOT READ A THOUSAND PIECES OF YOU. TURN BACK NOW. THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK CONTAINED IN THIS REVIEW. Here is your synopsis:
Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents’ invention, to cross through to alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurt the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked, and his consciousness is scattered across multiple dimensions.
The hunt for each splinter of Paul’s soul sends Marguerite racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each dimension brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with every trial she faces, she begins to question the one constant she’s found between the worlds: their love for each other.
1. I loved seeing all of these different versions of Paul.
We all know Paul as this quiet, lovable scientist. We also know that he and Marguerite are totally and helplessly in love. I usually hate love stories, but Paul kind of reminds me of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory and he’s so awkward – even with Marguerite – that this romance is so endearing to me. In this book, Marguerite has to go save Paul from Conley, who has splintered Paul into four pieces. Marguerite is sent on a mission over 4 different dimensions (with some bonus dimensions thrown in there) to retrieve the pieces of his soul – or is it only his consciousness?
2. Conley is the most annoying villain EVER.
Can you imagine a villain who can’t be defeated, because there are actually unlimited versions of him? My brain doesn’t science very well, so it’s kind of hard to wrap my head around all of the science stuff in this book. Having met Claudia Gray and talked to her about the research she did, I know that she hardcore looked into research on dimensional time travel, physics, quarks, all the science-y stuff. Anyway, we see a lot of Conley in this book and a lot of versions of him. This was super interesting since I didn’t absolutely HATE some versions of him. I kind of had to sit back and remember everything he’d done in book one in order to really hate him again. Isn’t that a fantastic testament to Claudia Gray’s mastery of her craft?! I thought I had one character figured out, then his different selves make me actually kind of feel for him?! WHY.
3. We see some crazy worlds in this book.
While a lot of this universe traveling stuff makes my head hurt (especially the science – there’s a reason I teach English) the universes we traveled to with Marguerite in this book were awesome! They weren’t as crazy as the underwater universe in ATPOY, but some of them are pretty out there. Marguerite even visits *our* world! There was one, and I won’t give you much detail about it, that reminded me of The Fifth Element – one of my all time FAVORITE movies. Not so much what happened, just the way the world was run and the way it looked. But dang, I would love to live in Gray’s mind for a day.
4. Remember how Marguerite was convinced every her loved every Paul? That is seriously questioned in this book.
While I totally adore Marguerite and Paul together, there are some really…questionable versions of Paul. We see things about him that we never thought we’d see from him. This makes Marguerite question everything she’s assumed about fate, destiny, and the science of their souls being drawn to one another. In the first book, she’s of the firm belief that every version of Paul contains versions of her own (barring those splinters Conley put in the others). However, I was totally shocked at some of these versions. I can’t wait for you guys to read, because I really need someone to discuss this with!!
5. Claudia Gray is queen of long flashbacks.
I love a good flashback. Sometimes, Gray’s get long, but they’re never confusing, and they always fit. At times, I feel like flashbacks are kind of just thrown in for the most part, but all of the flashbacks had something to do with what Marguerite was going through.
6. Last point, I swear: Marguerite goes back to the Russiaverse. YEAH. I KNOW.
I’m not telling you anything spoilery here. Just know that Marguerite needs to visit the Russiaverse. We all remember the Russiaverse so very fondly. *eyebrow wiggle* That’s it. That’s all I’m saying.
OVERALL: FIVE STARS!!! I loved this just as much as I loved the first! I get to Skype chat with Claudia Gray soon (the book club I advise at school has chosen ATPOY for their November book) and I’m going to need some one on one time to discuss some THINGS with her. Anyway, this was fantastic, the rules still held true (which, as you know, is my biggest gripe with sci-fi), and it was just ENGROSSING. Sequels sometimes fail to impress me, but this one was fantastic. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the cover is GORGEOUS. This book comes out on November 3, 2015 so click the link below to pre-order!
Just a Broke Bookworm 