Every month Crescenta Valley High Schol student Thalia Miller gives her perspective on some of today’s most popular and upcoming YA titles.

(review)

“Sky in the Deep”

William Shakespeare – the Bard. He is one of the most influential authors of all time and has been referenced almost as often as the Bible. His works have created the backbone for many important novels and stories. Many of the popular and entertaining books of Herman Melville and Aldous Huxley have been loosely based on Shakespeare’s narratives. Similarly, a modern novel by Adrienne Young, “Sky in the Deep,” has many intriguing elements of a Shakespearean story that makes it alluring and captivating.

This novel is set in a Viking world where two clans fight every five years to defend their honor and their god. The main character, Eelyn, who is part of the Aska clan, believed her brother was dead until she saw him fighting alongside the opposing Riki clan. When she follows him seeking answers, she is captured and taken to a Riki village. While she is there, a different clan attacks, leaving Eelyn worried about her own village. She and her captor, Fiske, must work together to make peace among the Aska and Riki in order to join together against the new threat. As she and Fiske work toward peace between the clans, they realize the hate they held for each other may be turning into love.

Young’s tale will capture the readers’ attention from the very first page and, as they delve deeper into the book, will realize they do not want to put it down. Also, since this is the debut novel of the author, the reading community will hope to see more riveting works from her in the future.

Fans of “To Kill a Kingdom” or “The Cruel Prince” will find the same appealing fantastical aspects and mystical principles of those novels in Young’s narrative. Her book invites readers into a frozen world filled with battles and love so whether readers are lovers of fantasy or just want to see how Shakespeare has affected the modern writing world, I recommend getting a copy of “Sky in the Deep” and beginning to read.

Once Upon A Time, the nation’s oldest children’s bookstore, has this plus many more YA titles. Stop by the store at 2207 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose, call them at (818) 248-9668 or visit online at www.shoponceuponatime.com.