Book Review: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Published by: Pan Macmillan Australia
Publication date: 29th September, 2011
Source: Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia

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 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...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

My Review:

In one sentence: Glow is an out of this world love story that takes you on a fast paced thrill ride.

I know some of you are reading the synopsis thinking spaceships, sci-fi, that is so not your thing but Glow isn't just for sci-fi fans.  It definitely will appeal to fans of paranormal or dystopia reads with it's great blend of romance, adventure and suspense.  I know that with other sci-fi reads I have struggled with the world building but this is an effortless read that you become quickly absorbed in.

I loved that the action happened less than 50 pages in and from there on in it was a completely pulse pounding read.  Every page seemed to be full of excitement and suspense.  Although some events in the story seemed a little bit too convenient and hard to believe.  But despite that I think the plot and the world Ryan has created is the strength of this book.

Glow is told in two points of view, Waverly and Keiran.  I am a big fan of dual narration especially when it works well and flows seamlessly into each other and it definitely did in Glow.  Without it I think I would have been lost as Waverly and Keiran were apart for majority of the story and it really helped give you the complete picture of what was going on.

Waverly is a compelling character.  Mature, strong, a fighter and most importantly likeable.  I love that she doesn't give up easily and isn't afraid to ask the hard questions.

However with Keiran I struggled to get a real sense of who his is.  Don't get me wrong I enjoyed his point of view, it provided plenty of heart-stopping moments, but at times I felt his character was a little inconsistent.  I also felt this way about Seth another important character.  Sometimes they were nice honorable guys but the next minute they were being cruel and heartless.  This may have been just because of their world was falling apart around them but I felt a little confused.  I look forward to figuring them out in the next book.

Overall, Glow was a gripping and intense start to this series.  I can't wait to see what happens next.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Writing: 3.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

For more info:  Visit Amy Kathleen Ryan's website.

27 comments:

Belle said...

Great review, I'm glad you pointed out that it's not just for sci-fi fans (I'm not a massive one) - I might have to check it out!

Audrey (holes In My brain) said...

Spaceships and "sci fi"! It reminds me a bit like Across the Universe actually, but still.. spaceships! Awesome to know this has lots of action and I'm usually a fan of alternating POVs :) Great review Nic!

Nina said...

Yay, not only for sci-fi fans. I was worried a bit. ;) Glad to know that I can get a copy of this book and love it too. ;) Great review.

Misha said...

I agree with Audrey - the cover and the premise reminds me a little bit of Across the Universe. Glow seems like a gripping, action-packed read. Thanks for the review!

Blueicegal ♥ said...

Yeah got the whole ATU vibe but it sounds awesome!!

Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said...

I ended up starting this one and deciding I didn't want to read it, lol. I do agree with you on the action starting right away and the dual pov! great review Nic!

Liz. R said...

I was immediately drawn tot his one because I am actually a sci-fi fan! It sounds great, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love the cover too. Thanks for the review!

Ange said...

I always like reading books with different points of view. I'm glad this one isn't just for sci-fi fans. Great review. I'll be checking this one out in the future. =)

Jenny said...

I'm really looking forward to this one, I love dual narration when it's done well too, so I'm glad to know you thought it was in this book:) Too bade Kieran's a bit inconsistent, but like you said, maybe that will be remedied a bit in the next book!

Rummanah Aasi said...

Like the other commentators, I also thought of "Across the Universe" right away. The premise and the characters sound interesting so I'll give it a go.

Savannah said...

OMG! I am officially green that you read this but sad that it got a low rating! I am super excited for this book! Thanks for the review! Maybe it wasn't what I thought it be.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I do like sci-fi, PN, Dystopian... so it sounds like an interesting read! I think I would have problems with Keiran and Seth... so I may wait until the next book in the series to pick it up. If I know that gets better than I don't think the inconsistencies would bother me as much. Brilly review. I hope you review the next one too!

Ashley @ Book Labyrinth said...

I agree with the other commenters that the premise/setting remind me of ATU. I wasn't a huge fan of that one, so I'm hoping 'Glow' will appeal to me more. Thanks for your thoughts. =)

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

I have to admit that normally, I wouldn't be into sci-fi stories. In order for me to get into them, I'd have to find appeal quickly, so I'm happy to know that there isn't much of a delay in the action. Though I'm wondering if I would be able to accept the duel nature of those boys. They sound like they'd have me gritting my teeth.

Very helpful review, Nic. I love the cover so much, so I'd been wondering if this book was worth checking out.

Jenny said...

I'm excited for this one. Not worried that it's sci-fi at all!

Jenny N. said...

More and more this also sounds like Across the Universe to me. I'm hoping there will be some more differences from ACU and hoping that I will like it when I get a chance to read Glow.

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Holy hell...that is one pretty cover! I really love the sound of this one, despite some character issues. Fab review :)

A Canadian Girl said...

If you hadn't mentioned that Glow isn't just for sci-fi fans, I probably would have skipped this one. Your review however makes me think of it differently, especially since you don't have to wait long for the action to occur. Thanks, Nic!

Abbey said...

i finished reading Vibes by this author and enjoyed it so i will have to give this one a go. I find her writing so effortless and easy to read.
great review as well! Always have trouble writing reviews ;)

Nomes said...

you make review writing look easy nic. love the way you talked about this book :)

Unknown said...

I have this one waiting on my bookshelf, and I really like the cover. I'm sorry you didn't like it more than you did, but I am pretty intrigued, nonetheless!

Small Review said...

Oooh, action? You're singing my tune. I just got a copy of this in the mail, and you've just made me extra excited to start it!

Agrippina Legit said...

Great review - I had similar thoughts about Kieran and Seth. I still don't really know how to feel about them!

Hope you don't mind me linking to your review from my own :)

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