Sky Bound (Three Kingdoms, #1) by James Morris

Sky Bound (Three Kingdoms, #1) Reviews

• 
  Brenda

  Sky Bound didn't work for me for a lot of reasons. My original interest was because of the basic world building--there is a kingdom on the surface, a kingdom floating up in the sky, and a kingdom beneath the waves of the ocean. The only problem is the execution of this story.
  
  The first, and perhaps biggest issue I have with it: it really, desperately needs a clean up crew. It was just mistake after mistake--spelling errors and typos being the most prevalent. Descendants was spelled both as decendent and descendent within the span of a couple of pages. "Is" took the place of "it" or "if" a lot, so sentences wouldn't make sense. There were all kinds of random punctuation, like periods that would end the sentence in the middle of a quote. It was clunky, and if this was truly written when the author was in high school (when he's now in college) then he has had ample time to do a sweep and make sure these elementary mistakes aren't in the writing. And the last thing in this section: lots and lots and lots of fragmented sentences. Lots. All there is.
  
  Also, it is written in the present tense, but then randomly will switch to past tense for a sentence or two.
  
  Next problem: the plot. Again, it was clunky. Pretty much the whole book is just dialogue, where we get to see just how charmingly sarcastic Sam is in every freaking scene. It got old very fast. There is no off switch on him--it doesn't matter if his friend is about to die, or he's about to die, or what. He will always have some snarky comment to make, always with some decidedly clever, snide remark for the "goons". (Because there is no other word for the guys he's fighting against. Every single time, they are called goons. Every. Single. Time. It just sort of seemed like a gimmick that was never eased up on, and again this is where the immaturity of the writing shows.
  
  
  The next problem: I couldn't suspend belief enough. The surface is bad enough that first his dad, then Sam feel the need to escape it... yet there's nothing to really show me how bad it is, other than smart ass Sam telling me so. There's enough electricity and such that he still has a cell phone. It doesn't seem like Sam has ever been starved, and him and his mom seem to be perfectly well off before he leaves.
  
  But the biggest thing that just had me laughing (unkindly): Sam, this amazing 15-year-old who conceivably knows how to do anything. He learns how to fight with swords because of renaissance faires. That is just so absolutely ludicrous to me. I am meant to believe that the surface is such a terrible place to live, so much so that Sam had to resort to stealing food in order to survive.... yet he and his friend can go to renaissance faires and learn how to fight with swords. I had a seriously hard time believing that. Because why would people spend money on expensive hobbies like swords if they are starving and hungry? Why would they put on elaborate events like a renaissance faire (I've been to them, I know how much money they can be) if they're ruled by an oppresive government? And for that matter, why would an oppressive government allow them to have weapons that could conceivably be used AGAINST the government?
  
  I'll just also add that he knows how to drive motorcycles, because apparently like a regular middle-class teenage boy nowadays he also has access to motorcycles. And he knows what skydiving is. Which doesn't seem so weird in this day and age I suppose, but again--if he's lived on the surface his whole life, why would he know about something that relates to the sky world? Or know about something that (again) is a superfluous cost, if everyone is supposedly starving?
  
  Here's a direct quote from the main character, which for me perfectly articulated why I didn't like him (and why he knows it): Maybe what annoys everybody is my charming personality. Nah, why would such a sparkling personality bother somebody? It doesn't make any sense.
• 
  Bradley Linthicum

  Skynound is a extradonairy book that allows for alot of immersion into a future version of out world. It takes place ina futuristic society where the Earth is divided into 3 kingdoms, one of Water, Sky, and Surface. Each of these levels have certain properties and lifestyles. It allows the reader to invest themselves in the futuristic fantasy style story, and will leave you wanting more.
  The book opens up with Sam, a child of the Surface nation; ruled by a tyrant and forced into poverty and human misery. The battered lands and cities dot the surface. Sam Cutter, a 15-year-old, decides he has enough of it, and heads for the Skynation; caught and never heard by from his surface friends and his family since.
  This book has alot of strengths. It’s a very expansive series with its’ own lore and history, the way the book is written allows for nearly anyone who has the patience to read a long book, a chance to enjoy it. The words are never too complex or too dull, it manages to hit a sweet spot that not many other books manage to hit. James did a grand job of making characters that don’t seem like the typical stereotypes you see often of in literature. The characters are unique, but are shown that they all have their own motives and conscience, they are human, they forget things, get excited, and sometimes betray other characters, they have emotion. The only few weaknesses that come to mind is one that I should mention, is the thoughts of the character, Sam Cutter. While the inner monolgue is a nice addition to the story, sometimes it can be confusing what is being said, and it usually ended up with me re-reading the sentences a couple of times to remind myself that he has inner monolgue as it is a first person narrative. With all that said, besides a few length issues and story pacing, Skybound is a great book to read and I will have always been honoured to read this book and its’ sequels, as well as having met the Author himself and getting signed copies.
  
• 
  Anna

  "Skybound" was honestly an amazing read, and probably my favorite book I've read this year. James Morris created a world full of likable characters and an exceptional plot. This book was full of twists and turns that kept me entertained throughout the story. I could not put this book down!
  
  The main character, Sam, starts out as very likable character and continues to be that way throughout the rest of the story. The development of this character was so amazing I'm lost for words. The rest of the characters all play a unique role in the story and I find myself being interested in all of them.
  
  The plot of this story was very well put together. There is not one point in the story that I found boring. The whole time I was dying to learn what happened next. The series of events flows very nicely and the story makes sense.
  
  The way the story ended makes me want to pick up the next book immediately! Reading the prologue of "Water Tower" included in the back of the book makes me want to read it even more!
  
  Overall, James Morris wrote an amazing book that I fell in love with! I one hundred percent would recommend this book to everyone, and you can bet I will be telling everyone I know about it! Amazing read!
• 
  Colleen Palladino

  This book was better than expected, and I am curious about the rest of the series. Some of the story fell a little flat for me, but I am hopeful the next book gets better. The main concept of the world is really interesting so I want to read on.
• 
  Sarah

  Written by a 17 year-old high school student, this book is pretty impressive! Well thought-out plot, interesting characters, lots of action. I think readers of all ages will like this book. It is the first in a trilogy and I am looking forward to the next book! Check it out!
  James Morris
• 
  Jaime

  The characters are well planned, the story line is very exciting. The wording and the dialogue is a little immature, but fun (the main character is a 15 year old boy). Overall a good read and I will be reading #2.
  
• 
  Rachael Atamian

  Definitely for a younger audience but I got to bond with my 12 year old son over it. win - win
• 
  Karen

  A good story with some fuzzy parts due to the style of writing.