A must-read for YA dystopian fans... The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew (Review) #newbooks #bookx #yalit #yabooks #dystopian #scifi @tbrbeyondtours @JoyRevBooks @randomhousekids


Welcome to my tour stop of this thrilling futuristic read! Find my review below...

The Dividing Sky
By Jill Tew
Young Adult Science Fiction, Dystopian
Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 352 Pages
October 8, 2024 by Joy Revolution

Summary

Serpent & Dove meets Arcane in this dystopian romance debut that follows a cunning memory merchant who deals a little extra happiness on the side and the handsome rookie officer on her tail!

In 2460, eighteen-year-old Liv Newman dreams of a future beyond her lower-class life in the Metro. As a Proxy, she uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. Maybe a few illegally, but money equals freedom. So when a customer offers her a ludicrous sum to go on an assignment in no-man’s-land, Liv accepts. Now she just has to survive.

Rookie Forceman Adrian Rao believes in order over all. After discovering that a renegade Proxy’s shady dealings are messing with citizens’ brain chemistry, he vows to extinguish the threat. But when he tracks Liv down, there’s one problem: her memories are gone. Can Adrian bring himself to condemn her for crimes she doesn’t remember?

As Liv and Adrian navigate the world beyond the Metro and their growing feelings for one another, they grapple with who they are, who they could be, and whether another way of living is possible.

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My Review

THE DIVIDING SKY is a story set in a futuristic world where those in the city are controlled by a corporation with set classes and wealth. It's about a girl who dreams through books and feels emotions strongly in her tightly controlled society. A girl who takes a job outside the walls that changes her entire world as well as the officer sent to arrest her. Full of found family, intrigue, some action, and sweet romance. Definitely a book to pick up if you're a sci-fi or dystopian fan who enjoys swoony romance!

Read if you like:
- ​Droids with hilarious personalities
- ​Found family
- ​Two main characters easy to love and cheer on
- ​Intriguing futuristic worlds with distinct social classes and structure
- ​Underdog stories
- ​Motley crews with their own unique personalities
- ​Sweet and swoon-worthy romance

I loved these characters right off! Liv is this snarky, hopeful, determined girl who wants to save herself and her found family. She's tough because she's had to be living in the Towers with all the Lowers as they support the corporation and the Uppers. Adrian swallowed the Jello as they say, and believes what he's been fed. He's an enforcer and believes in supporting and maintaining the status quo. He's got a lot of heart and wants to prove himself, as well as keep up with his droid partner. Nas was entertaining. He's Adrian's partner and, even though he's a droid, he's got quite a personality. Liv's found family each have their own traits and characteristics, and I liked all of them as well. Of course, Liv and Adrian were my favorites. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other and fall in love even though it's pretty doomed from the beginning. 

The political intrigue and different classes and communities were all interesting. Also the way enhancements worked was interesting and super creative. I liked how the author didn't tell me the story but showed me as I experienced it with these characters. That can be hard, especially for new authors, to do and do well. I liked that I wasn't told what to think either. I was given an experience and could draw my own conclusions. The story is compelling with an emotional drive that consistently grows towards a climax and then to a sweet resolution.

This is a new-to-me publishing imprint and one that I hadn't even heard of prior to this book. I'll definitely be checking out other titles they're publishing! This book did such a good job of weaving so many things into this story that made me, as a reader, think and answer some important questions about my own life. As quoted from the book: "Joy isn't just about entertainment. It's how we survive." Isn't that what we all want in life and what brings us through the rough patches and makes the good ones even better? I loved that focus in this book and how it poignantly pointed out that life is meant to be imperfect and joyful.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is an engrossing story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Lovable characters, an interesting plot and sweet romance made for a great read!

Content: Some swearing (including some s-words), some violence and torture, heavy drug use.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through TBR & Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author


Jill Tew was destined for speculative fiction nerddom from childhood. She grew up watching Farscape, Hercules, and The 10th Kingdom, and always had the latest copy of Animorphs tucked in her backpack. Now she writes the kinds of stories she loved as a kid, with characters she wanted to see more of— Black heroes asking big questions, saving the world, and occasionally falling in love along the way. A recovering business school graduate, Jill enjoys belting showtunes and baking in her spare time. She lives in Atlanta with her family.


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