This is a simple and straightforward children’s book that has the reach for satisfying middle-grade readers as well. The simplicity lies in the logic of the world-building and the magic that prevails in the narrative.
I must mention I was not as fond of the logic of the wrap-up/reveal, although, given the way the story went, there aren’t many other ways it could have been resolved.
We have three floating islands which move closer and further apart from each other. On one of these, bird-people with magical voices reside alongside their human counterparts. After one specific tragedy, things got divided, and people were made to fear this power that one of the population held and the other did not. Our lead protagonist lost her mother in the disaster that started the break that defines her very existence now.
A little time passes, and we see what strategic planning does to divide a nation. Linnet does not have singing magic of her own, but she dreams of a better future. This is about friendship, hurdles and family in approximately that order. As I mentioned earlier, the reveal was surprising but did not improve my reading experience. Given the trouble that the people go through to get to that point, it was not satisfying enough!
I might recommend this for younger readers, but I cannot guarantee the reaction since I have not asked someone of the target audience range what they thought of it.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
Superfluous Reading 