Skylark is the most technically proficient and well-written novel that I’ve ever struggled to finish. No doubt Spooner is an author to watch.
The world building of Skylark is both imaginative and rich. It has a fascinating backstory set in a dangerous and vivid world. By the end of the novel I was rather attached to the characters and invested in Lark’s and Oren’s struggles. I cheered them on and felt a little heart palpitation at the impossibility of their circumstances.
Your enjoyment of this novel will hinge on what kind of reader you are. Do you like writing so animated and dynamic that it leaves you feeling as if you’ve reached through the pages and felt everything the author intended you to feel? Do you like a slow and sensual walk through a character’s journey as if you are taking it yourself? Then, by all means, go get this book. Read it. You will love it.
I was simply the wrong reader. I don’t typically like journey stories with lots of walking from A to B where every ache along the way is explored. I like fights. I like blood. I like sex. I like action. I like suspense. This novel has a lot of that (Well not the sex) but I wasn’t feeling it due to the plot which simply wasn’t gripping enough to keep me coming back. I enjoyed the book while I read it, but struggled to muster the enthusiasm once it was put down.
But I really have to hand it to Spooner. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen writing like this that I almost wish I’d loved it more.
“Then I looked up.
And saw the sky.
The wind had blown the day’s thick cloud cover away, and a bottomless blackness yawned above, pockmarked with stars. A sliver of moon cast the sickly, color-leaching hint of light across the ruined city. There was no end to the sky, nothing holding me down on the ground. I felt it reach down to me, threaten to swallow me. I seemed to fall upward, and threw myself down to stop it, knocking the breath out of my lungs.”
I could literarywank to that for hours. I feel the vertigo hit me every time I read this passage. There’s like three passages including this one about the sky and I read them while feeling my lungs constrict in sympathy. I felt her terror like I’ve rarely felt physically for a book character before. I could see that exact sky above me, waiting to drag me up into the nothingness.
While reading this book, I often just went back a reread passages of some of the most superb writing I’ve seen in a long time. It was enough to make me shake my head, stare glumly at my own manuscript and start pressing ‘delete’. Truly, I just wish that the story had focused more on the necessary story telling elements instead of covering every missed meal and blistered foot. But that’s a personal thing and it’s going to be different for every reader.
I will be desperately looking our for Spooner’s next novel in the hopes that the plot and pacing is more to my speed, but that her wonderful quality of prose hasn’t diminished.
*An ARC of Skylark was provided to me by the publisher. No money or favours were exchanged for this review.
heykelley
Aww, shame it wasn’t more your speed. I think I read this book at the right time. I’d gotten kind of tired of all the fast-paced OMG-on-every-page novels and wanted something a bit slower. Skylark and The Raven Boys were just what I needed. 🙂
KatKennedy
@heykelley That’s awesome! I’m so glad you loved it. Honestly, I expect many readers will.
cynicalsapphire
I’m right there with you, Kat. The opening chapters really captured me, with the drama of her sneaking into the school and trying to escape from her brother, all wrapped up in pretty writing. The rest of the story did meander. The writing and the world building made it a worthwhile read, but it could have used additional action and more of a firm thrust forward.
KatKennedy
@cynicalsapphire Yes. It just missed that little kick, didn’t it? But it’s made me very hopeful for These Broken Stars!
rocapri
gr8 review . i like the excerpt thingy . i will think about it
KatKennedy
@rocapri Thank you!
Lexie
Since I’m a huge fan of lovely writing, I think I might pick this one up despite the iffy plot. I love it when you can still say with confidence that you’ll read an author’s work even if you don’t love their first novel, because you know they have the potential to write a novel you’ll absolutely adore. It’s a pretty cool feeling. Wonderful review. 😀
KatKennedy
I think you will really like this book, Lexie!
Addie R
Wow. That is some fantastic writing. But I do get easily bored with ‘journey’ type books so I’ll probably have a hard time getting through it too. But I’ll still give it a try just to experience that beautiful writing.
Great review Kat 🙂
Addie R
Wow. That is some fantastic writing. But I do get easily bored with ‘journey’ type books so I’ll probably have a hard time getting through it too. But I’ll still give it a try just to experience that beautiful writing.
Great review Kat 🙂
KatKennedy
@Addie R I would suggest you give it a try. The writing is to die for.
LeliaTaylor
I could barely keep from fangirl gushing in my review but I get what you’re saying. I enjoyed the occasional slowing down so I could savor the writing and I can’t stand having to wait for the next book 😉
christinashoe
How would you compare it to Under the Never Sky? Because I thought it sounded similar and I loved UTNS.
Braiden
I had hoped to enjoy this book but I had to skim and skip through about 200 pages until the end where some good things happened. I believe I’m with you there; for me journey books need things to happen while on the journey. Might as well call it a biography or travel book. I didn’t find the world all that believable for me 🙁