I was gifted a copy of Secret Sky: The Young Universe to read and review on Just to Claireify. All opinions expressed are my own.
Billions of years ago on another planet, Skylar is your average 10-year-old living in a medieval village. His family are farmers, far from the opulence and politics of their kingdom’s city. When he comes of age, however, Skylar discovers that his people have a secret, sacred connection to the stars and universe–and loses everyone and everything he cares about that same fateful night.
He soon finds himself far from home, living his nights in a dream world in which he tries to find his way back to his family. By day, he travels the vast kingdom, until he comes face-to-face with the king who ordered ordered his village destroyed.
It’s been a while since I read a book that wasn’t about motherhood, homemaking, lifestyle or a picture book. So when I got my hands on a copy of T. Alan Horne’s fantasy/sci-fi novel Secret Sky, I jumped at the opportunity to lose myself in the story and review it on the blog! I used to read mostly fantasy and science fiction when I was younger, so this book is right up 12-year-old Claire’s alley.
What I Loved About This Book
When Secret Sky begins, there’s a lot going on–Skylar is living in his rural village, the kingship is changing hands far away, and an anonymous narrator begins each chapter chatting with the reader. Mostly about the storyline, but occasionally about things that are only tangentially related. From the beginning, you’re sucked in by the unknowns. How is this universe related to our own? Are Skylar’s otherwordly dreams “real”? Who exactly is telling the story?
The first night I cracked open the book, I intended to read a chapter or two. I ended up blowing through the first ten chapters instead. It’s definitely a page-turner–even as an adult, I found it hard to put down!
The character development is excellent for a mid-grade fantasy book as well. The characters are complex and easy to empathize with. The protagonist, Skylar, is by no means perfect; the enemy–the king–is insecure and vulnerable, open to guidance (both well-meaning and manipulative) by his many advisors. When they finally meet, they’re as hilariously awkward as you’d expect for two pre-teen boys.
The book ends on a cliffhanger. It leaves many of its original questions unanswered, like the identity of the narrator or the outcome of Skylar’s dream life. You’re left with the feeling that there will probably be multiple sequels, and that there is so much more to discover about Skylar’s world(s) and the major players in them.
A Couple of Notes
If you are an adult reading Secret Sky, you might find yourself annoyed by the narrator. He (or she?) was definitely the main sticking point for me. Stop talking and let me read the story, darn it! Of course, this book wasn’t written for 30-year-old women with limited non-childcare time. It was written for 10-year-old boys looking to get lost in a fun fantasy book. Boys who, I would imagine, enjoy having a narrator who is funny and relatable rather than dry and to-the-point.
Something else to be aware of, is that Secret Sky is definitely (as of the first book, anyways) a male-heavy book. There are very few female characters beyond the first chapters, and only one who is in the same age range as Skylar. She’s a great character, so I hope she features more heavily in future books in the series, and that other female characters are introduced, too.
Overall…
So there you have it, a short summary and review of Secret Sky: The Young Universe. It was great fun to deviate from my usual reading material and lose myself in an alternate universe again! I’m planning to pass the book on to my younger brother (who is 10) and hoping he enjoys it as much as I did. If you’re looking for a new fantasy/sci-fi series for a young reader in your life, this is definitely one to start!
xx Claire